Dream Weaver Ch. 01

"No." I said. "Why would you ask a thing like that?"

"WE are asking the questions, here!" shouted Muscone. "And your lack of cooperation is more than a little suspicious!"

"I don't know what's going on, here," I replied, "but I'm not playing this game. I want a lawyer before I answer any more questions."

"You're not under arrest." said Muscone.

"So I'm free to go?" I asked.

"After you cooperate with us." said Muscone.

"Then I want a lawyer. Now." I said.

"What's your problem with the Federal Government, asshole?" thundered Muscone. "Are you a White Militia member?"

"Lawyer." I replied simply, looking Muscone right in the eyes. I thought he was about to come over the table and attack me, but Nash put his hand on Muscone's shoulder.

"Jack, he's right." said Nash. "Let's not fuck this up."

Muscone stood up and went to the door, where a Deputy was waiting outside. "Can we get this bastard a lawyer in here?"

"Sorry, sir." said the Deputy. "Night Court is closed on weekends. He can call a lawyer in the morning."

"All right, Nash, come on." said Muscone. He and Nash left. Some minutes later, Ernie came and got me. He led me to a breakroom that had a sofa, and he gave me a blanket.

"Those FBI assholes told me to put you in a cell, but you're not formally under arrest." said Ernie. "I don't know what's going on with those Fed bastards, but I don't like it. You can sleep in here until morning. I'll have to lock the door, but you can knock on it if you have to go to the bathroom."

"Thanks, Ernie." I said. I lay down on the sofa, wrapping the blanket, which reminded me of my old Army blanket, around me. I was freezing cold and could not get warm. I tried to think about what was going on, what I could possibly have done to deserve this scrutiny by the FBI...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I must've fallen asleep, but it felt like I was instantly being wakened. "Mr. Troy," said the Deputy Ernie had called Bert. "Wake up, Mr. Troy."

"Wha?!" I asked as I began sitting up, trying to get my wits about me. I felt exhausted and disoriented. Then I looked up and saw that Bert was not alone. An Apple Grove P.D. Officer was with him.

"Leanne!" I said, seeing the woman I'd dated over a decade before, Leanne Wisocky. She was now a Sergeant in the AGPD.

"Hi, Don." said Leanne. "I need you to come with me. I have some bad news for you." I saw her steel herself, then she said "Your parents' house burned down last night, and they were in it. I'm sorry; they're dead."

To be continued.