Ex-convict to Executive

Chapter 7

At the police station Dante sat in the interrogation room with handcuffed hands on the table, detective Kelly walked in and sat opposite him.

"Dante, there is are missing art pieces that cost billions of dollars, a dead co-worker and witnesses that claims you are involved in this, care to explain?"

Dante was in shock and disbelief that they were accusing him of a crime he didn't commit.

"I didn't kill Jean, I was only trying to stop the masked men"

"Nice story Dante, witnesses say you were struggling with one of the assailants, the gun went off and your friend ended up dead" Detective Kelly leaned in searching Dante eyes for a sign of deception "That is a lot of bad luck for someone trying to stop a robbery"

"I had nothing to do with this, I don't even know those men?" Dante tried to explain 

"Who said you did? Speaking of knowing, since you mentioned it. Those men who don't work in the gallery knew the passcode which only you and the other workers at the gallery knows"

"There are about thirty-eight staffs that knows about the passcode" Dante replied with a confused face, what point was the detective trying to make.

"What singles you is the text message you received right after the heist"

Detective Kelly showed him the text and Dante read it with unbelievable eyes

“It was good working with you, you would get rewarded heavily on a condition and that is if you don’t reveal our identity to the authority”

"I swear, I don't know who sent me that text"

"Yes, that is because is anonymous"

"We found your fingerprint on the gun and by the way why didn't you call the police?"

"I tried to, the network was jammed and the fingerprint? I have worked there for years, it is my job of course my prints are everywhere"

"So, is a coincidence? You just wanted to act the hero?"

"Look is unbelievable but I loved the gallery and my job, why would I destroy everything I have worked for?"

"You tell me, what was the last conversation you had with your friend Jean? The security footage outside the building picked a very interesting conversation that shows you don't love your job, what is your connection to those masked men?”

"I don't have any connection with them” Dante tried to choose his word carefully because he knew the detective was smart enough to make him say things he shouldn't 

"We are not buying the innocent act, you are in deep, Dante give us the names of your accomplices and maybe we can work out something for you"

"I don't have any accomplice, you have to find those men and clear my name"

"Clear your name yourself by giving us a name"

"I have told you all I know"

"Aaah, I haven't told you all I know, your in-law's art piece is also missing from the gallery and your sister in-law gave it to you, the security camera showed that too, so now Dante was it your backup plan for someone to take it while you distracted others"

Just then Dante remembered the art piece, he kept in the safe room.

"Yes, Ellie gave it to me but- "

"They are pressing charges against you, that art piece is worth billions, tell me what you know and I am guaranteeing you immunity"

"I have told you, this is a setup. Yes, I had a conversation with Jean and I swear I was going to leave my job without hurting anyone. The masked men pointed the gun at my friend and I tried to stop them from firing the gun"

"Well then Dante, maybe I would be telling you good luck in jail soon" Detective Kelly stood to his feet

"I need a lawyer"

"Goodluck finding one" he smirked "No one wants to defend a guy accused of robbing his in-laws, killing his friend and stealing rare art pieces"

"I have a right to legal representation, you can't deny me that?" Dante face was crossed in confusion 

"Sure, you have. No attorney is willing to take up this case, they know already you are guilty, there are evidences, you are a nobody to the society, prison is a place fit for you”

****

After the first interrogation, Dante was escorted to the prison detention center, where he would temporarily stay. About an hour later Dante was on a six by four dormitory bed sobbing as he mourned his dear brother, Jean. They have known each other since they were twelve years, in fact, Dante’s memory started from the orphanage when he was twelve, his foster father had told him that his real parents died in a fatal car accident and he sustained a brain injury that caused his amnesia.

“Hey 228” a prison guard shouted as he hit the iron cage door of Dante new prison room, Dante who was still getting used to being called a number sat up on the bed

“Your lawyer wants to speak with you” the police man said unlocking the iron prison door

“My lawyer?” Dante asked unbelievably because he knew that he haven’t hired a lawyer, his personal lawyer even didn’t want to handle the case.

****

Dante put the pay phone to his ear without saying a word, but he was curious who the lawyer could be

"Young master" a male voice sounded at the other end of the phone

Dante was confused and he didn’t reply

"Young master Rook Dante" the man said again even calling his name this time, but the thing is he didn’t get it correctly

"Hello attorney, my name is Dante Willow" Dante replied as the man on the phone let out a short laugh, to Dante nothing was funny anymore, life was not a joke to him, his brother was dead and he was now wearing an orange jumpsuit like a convict.

"Young master Rook Dante, I am not your Lawyer, It was only a scheme to talk to you"

"Where you the one that sent me that text?" Dante whispered furiously

"What text? We heard about what happened, so I was instructed to call you"

"Stop lying. You and your crew framed me up, making me look like the criminal, now you have the guts to call me to talk to me?"

"Young master Rook Dante, I didn't frame you-“

“Oh now you are trying to negotiate?”

“I am trying to help you. You are in a game and they want to put all the blames on you, close the case and you spend the rest of life in jail everybody forgets you exist"

"First, stop calling me young master rookie or whatever-Secondly do I look like a game character to you? I have a wife and daughters at home. I am innocent"

"First, you are my master, I pledged my loyalty to you years ago, secondly that is why I am calling you to help you out of the mess you already are in"

"Okay, I'm listening how can you help me out?" Dante heaved a sigh so he could end the conversation

"First thing first you need a lawyer to represent you, with the charges against you, this isn't a small case at all"

"I have a lawyer, thanks for your concern. Goodbye" Dante lied trying to end the conversation 

"Dante Willomandra-you can trust me, My name's Howard, I have been your mother's subordinate even before your were born"

"My mother? I am an orphan” Dante chuckled “Find another person to play your prank with, you con artist"

"You are not an orphan, but the rightful heir by blood to the Wilomandra consortium, you have a tattoo on your chest”

“How did you-“

“The tattoo shows your rank in the Chess mob” the man interrupted Dante who was beyond shocked.