Tracy looked around frantically for Amy and saw that she was safe in a man’s arms. Moments later they were both hauled up from the deep, cruel water…
The incident would have been worth no more than a paragraph on the inside page of the morning newspapers, except for the fact that a prisoner who could not swim had risked her life to save the child of the warden. Overnight the newspapers and television commentators turned Tracy into a heroine. Governor Haber himself visited the prison hospital with Warden Brannigan to see Tracy.
“That was a very brave thing you did,” the warden said. “Mrs. Brannigan and I want you to know how grateful we are.” His voice was choked with emotion.
Tracy was still weak and shaken from her experience. “How is Amy?”
“She’s going to be fine.”
Tracy closed her eyes. I couldn’t have borne it if anything had happened to her, she thought. She remembered her coldness, when all the child had wanted was love, and Tracy felt bitterly ashamed. The incident had cost her her chance to escape, but she knew that if she had it to do over again, she would do the same thing.
There was a brief inquiry into the accident.
“It was my fault,” Amy told her father. “We were playing ball, and Tracy ran after the ball and told me to wait, but I climbed up on the wall so I could see her better and I fell in the water. But Tracy saved me, Daddy.”
They kept Tracy in the hospital that night for observation, and the next morning she was taken to Warden Brannigan’s office. The media was waiting for her. They knew a human-interest story when they saw one, and stringers from UPI and the Associated Press were present; the local television station had sent a news team.
That evening the report of Tracy’s heroism unfolded, and the account of the rescue went on national television and began to snowball. Time, Newsweek, People, and hundreds of newspapers all over the country carried the story. As the press coverage continued, letters and telegrams poured into the penitentiary, demanding that Tracy Whitney be pardoned.
Governor Haber discussed it with Warden Brannigan.
“Tracy Whitney is in here for some serious crimes,” Warden Brannigan observed.
The governor was thoughtful. “But she has no previous record, right, George?”
“That’s right, sir.”
“I don’t mind telling you, I’m getting a hell of a lot of pressure to do something about her.”
“So am I, Governor.”
“Of course, we can’t let the public tell us how to run our prisons, can we?”
“Certainly not.”
“On the other hand,” the governor said judiciously, “the Whitney girl has certainly demonstrated a remarkable amount of courage. She’s become quite a heroine.”
“No question about it,” Warden Brannigan agreed.
The governor paused to light a cigar. “What’s your opin ion, George?”
George Brannigan chose his words carefully. “You’re aware, of course, Governor, that I have a very personal interest in this. It was my child she saved. But, putting that aside, I don’t think Tracy Whitney is the criminal type, and I can’t believe she would be a danger to society if she were out in the world. My strong recommendation is that you give her a pardon.”
The governor, who was about to announce his candidacy for a new term, recognized a good idea when he heard it. “Let’s play this close to the chest for a bit.” In politics, timing was everything.
After discussing it with her husband, Sue Ellen said to Tracy, “Warden Brannigan and I would like it very much if you moved into the cottage. We have a spare bedroom in back. You could take care of Amy full-time.”
“Thank you,” Tracy said gratefully. “I would like that.”
It worked out perfectly. Not only did Tracy not have to spend each night locked away in a cell, but her relationship with Amy changed completely. Amy adored Tracy, and Tracy re sponded. She enjoyed being with this bright, loving little girl. They played their old games and watched Disney movies on television and read together. It was almost like being part of a family.
But whenever Tracy had an errand that took her into the cell blocks, she invariably ran into Big Bertha.