Page 54 of Desert Loyalties
In county, the lawyer would be here by now. Here? I haven’t even been given a phone call. And I’m guessing I won’t get one for a while.
Time drips. There’s no clock, but I know I’ve been in this room way too long for it to still be the same day. No window. No mirror. Just a shitty little metal bench and four grey walls. I piss in the corner drain when I have to. No one comes.
They said it all when they cuffed me. Witness tampering, Conspiracy, Obstruction of justice, Murder. I’m guessing these aren’t exactly misdemeanours.
Eventually, the door hisses open. Two men in suits walk in, they’re not local detectives. No badges on chains, no posturing. These guys don’t need to flex.
“Mr. Lloyd,” the taller one says. “I’m Special Agent Morris. This is Agent Hayashi. You’ve been formally arrested on the charges listed at the time of your detainment. You’ll be presented to amagistrate within 48 hours. You’ll be assigned counsel if you don’t have representation.”
Forty-eight hours. Not seventy-two. Right, feds. They don’t waste time.
“We’ll arrange a phone call soon,” Hayashi adds. Notwhen. Justsoon.
They don’t sit. Don’t ask me anything. They’re not here for conversation. Just to remind me: I’m in their house now. They leave, and the door seals shut again.
Smart. Letting the walls drive me crazy, fuckers.
I lean back against the concrete, remembering how Skye dealt with this shit when she was locked in the basement. I had my eyes on her but it still drove me crazy, she’s probably climbing the walls by now.
Don’t worry Darlin’, I’ll be home to have those ten kids, soon.
Chapter 22
SKYE
Watching my old man get hauled out in cuffs is a gut punch I never saw coming. One second, we’re discussing babies, the next feds have him in restraints like he’s already convicted.
There’s nothing I can do but watch as they take him away.
For a moment, none of us move. We’re too stunned. Lehi breaks the silence first, cursing under his breath.
“We gotta get him a lawyer. Now.”
Suddenly, the brothers snap into motion. Voices start flying, yelling suggestions, names, old lawyers, new ones. Everyone’s talking all at once.
Then Ranger yells, “Quiet!”
We all shut up.
“Church. Now. Skye, you too.”
Good, cause if they think I’m gonna let them shut me out, they got another thing coming.
Everyone drops their phones in the metal bucket outside the church room. I follow, heart pounding. I’ve never been inside.
It’s smaller than I expected. No windows. No walls, just dark panelling. One vent up in the ceiling. A few old light bulbs hang from the beams, the one in the corner barely lights the room, but honestly, it fits the mood.
The brothers take their seats, I’m sure they’ve done this a hundred times. Ranger nods at the empty chair beside him.
“Skye.”
I get it. It’s Drake’s seat. I sit, trying to pull strength from the spot, trying to feel close to him.
Ranger starts.
“First off, we’re getting him a lawyer. Not just any lawyer. We need someone who can handle the feds. This case ain’t staying local. I’m guessing it’s going to be heard in the federal Courthouse in Southern Nevada.”
He pauses, looking around the room.
