“What’s this about the nightclub you owned in Los Angeles?” They kept asking that one over and over. As if they wanted to open up a fuckin’ nightclub.

“What about it?”

“I understand you were raided for drugs being dealt out of there.”

“That was cleared up and the club was reopened just before I was falsely accused and incarcerated.”

“Do you still own the club?”

“No, I sold it.”

“How could you do that when you were locked up?”

“My attorney handled the details. When are you going to let me use the phone and call my lawyer?”

“We are still waiting to hear from the head office. Take him back!” Two officials rushed in and spoke some words in Chinese. Then I was rushed back to my cell.

KAYLIN

I dreamed I was at home with Angel, and she had given birth to the new baby. A baby boy! I had known all along Angel wanted a son, and I wanted her to have one just as much. I love my firstborn, Malik. Nothing would be better than having a son with my soulmate, my queen, Angel. With Malik, I couldn’t wait until my baby boy was born, but with his mom and her bullshit, I couldn’t have the relationship I wanted with him. But now it looked as if I was about to get full custody. I was smiling when I felt someone roughly shaking me. I woke up, looked around, and saw I was not at home.

“Get up! Time to get up, Mr. Santos!” one of the three officials barked. Hell, there were always three of them. It felt like the middle of the night with the dark mud walls and ceilings. I had no clue what time or what day it was.

“I’m awake. Where is my lawyer? I need a phone call.”

“We want to know if you’re an enemy of the state?” he inquired causally, as if asking if I would care for a smoke.

“I’m not an enemy. Y’all know I worked for Mr. Charles Li, who you know very well, prior to this trip, and he gave us clearance to come here anytime. And this time we are here on IEE business holdings. You know that as well.”

“That proves nothing! Right now, all we have is your word!” he yelled. His voice bouncing off the wall.

“Can I call my lawyer now?” I stood up. The other two officers stepped in front of the first officer. “I need to call my lawyer. And I need to talk to my partner.” I didn’t know how we were getting out of this shit. And I wanted to know if they allowed him to make a phone call. “I need to speak to someone at the American Embassy.”

They turned and walked out.

“I need to make a phone call!” I yelled out.

CHARLI LI