America 1982.

Chapter 26: Good Luck to Him in Prison

In the interrogation room of the Warwick Police Station, although the police did not impose any restrictions on him, Hugh Spade felt uncomfortable all over, just like the feeling when he went camping in the forest as a teenager, always feeling that there were some wild beasts lurking around.

At this moment, the young lawyer from the teachers' union who came to help him was sitting opposite him, flipping through the documents in his hand with a complicated expression:
"Mr. Hugh Spade, you are saying that you sold a total of eighty pills of addictive prescription drugs to the other party, including fifty pills of Adderall and thirty pills of Nadal, and charged him ninety-six dollars and twenty-five cents, correct?"

Hugh Spade nodded: "I have done it many times, yes, eighty pills, at most it was a warning talk, it's not a poison stick."

"But the high school student who purchased the drugs, Dennis Herbers, told the police that he used ninety-six dollars and twenty-five cents to buy a total of one hundred and fifty addictive prescription drugs, including one hundred Adderall and fifty Soprano. With his cooperation, the police took the drugs from his locker at Lincoln High School." The lawyer exhaled softly.

"I told you, that high school student was lying." Hugh Spade said with certainty.

The lawyer slowed down his speech and tried to speak as clearly as possible: "He submitted the recording to the police. Although there is no specific amount, the transaction amount is included in it. The high school student named Dennis Herbers and the police, based on their understanding of the illegal trade of prescription drugs, can prove that if it was only 80 pills, it would definitely not be sold for the amount in the recording, unless the other party had never purchased similar drugs and was deceived for the first time. But Dennis Herbers is not a novice. He plays rock music, and during the questioning, we also found that he had the habit of taking prescription drugs before, so he is not completely ignorant of this drug."

"That guy is lying. I only have eighty pills, eighty pills in total, and they are not mine. They were taken from..." Hugh Spade said to the lawyer in an irritated tone.

Seeing his irritated expression, the lawyer made a gesture to relax and interrupted him: "This is what I am going to say next. You told the police that these drugs were obtained from Miss Melonie Bianconi of Warwick Harbor Apartments. When the police questioned Miss Melonie Bianconi, they got 70 Adderall and 20 Naproxen pills from her. Contrary to your answer, she said that you insisted on giving those drugs to her to help you sell them to students even though she clearly refused. But she always refused to sell them because of her own sense of morality."

"That bitch is lying! That bitch's tenant is the real drug dealer!" Hugh Spade clenched his fists, knocked on the table and spoke in a stern tone.

The lawyer ignored Hugh Spade's anger and continued calmly, "Sir, you have already told the police what you said. The police are indeed puzzled as to why Dennis Herbers recorded the transaction process, but they are curious about another question, that is, why did the two of them lie to frame you? So far, no reason has been found. At least the police have not found any reason for them to lie about such a small matter as buying and selling prescription drugs. That's why I am asking you again here. I hope you can think carefully about why they lied to you. Maybe I can help you accuse them in return."

Hugh Spade suddenly froze and stared at the young lawyer opposite him!
He felt as if he was caught in a dilemma!

If he wanted to prove that Melonie was lying and deceiving him, he would have to admit that he had used the photos to blackmail him. Although he was not a lawyer, he still knew basic legal knowledge. Once he really told the truth, or the police finally learned from Melonie what he had done to her, the drug sales that were originally insignificant and at most a minor public security inconvenience would become a criminal offense involving suspected extortion and assault causing harm.

Either admit that he sold drugs and end the matter here, or admit what he did to Melonie before and give the police a clear enough direction for the investigation, but it will backfire on him in the end.

After silently calculating in his mind, he decided that the best option was to admit to selling 150 pills of drugs and get out of trouble quickly. If the number exceeded 100 pills, he would be registered with the Narcotics Enforcement Administration, put on the watch list, and be regularly tracked by the Food and Drug Administration. Although it would be troublesome, strictly speaking, it would not be a crime and he would not need to be imprisoned.

The other option, if he loses in court, is a real criminal offense. Before the police can get to know Melonie because the case is too minor, Hugh Spade feels that he should cut the Gordian knot and leave here first. Before Melonie tells the police what she did, he should find her and at least appease her to make sure she doesn't say anything she shouldn't to the police.

"I want to know, if I admit that what those two guys said was true, what will be the consequences? Will I lose my job?" Hugh Spade tried to control his emotions and asked the lawyer in a calm voice.

The lawyer shrugged. "If no other problems arise, the current situation will certainly not cause you to lose your current teaching job, but you will be put on the watch list. But don't worry, as long as you really don't do this kind of business in the future, then your life will not change at all."

"After I choose to admit it, when can I leave this damn place?"

"Are you sure you admit it? Do you admit that you left those 90 prescription pills for Miss Melonie Bianconi? I mean, if you admit it, you can sign the police warning and leave. After all, it's only 150 prescription pills."

Hugh Spade made up his mind and said, "I admit it. Let me get out of this damn place as soon as possible."

"Please follow me, sir." The young lawyer accompanied Hugh Spade and left the interrogation room. Then he went to the sheriff's office to sign a warning, register his personal information and acknowledge that his information would be handed over to the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Narcotics Enforcement Administration by the police. Finally, he sent Hugh Spade out of the police station.

However, the lawyer did not leave. Instead, he returned to the police station and knocked on the door of another waiting room. Then he opened it and said to Andy Nelson and Melonie who were sitting on the sofa and chatting:
"He admitted it and just left."

"OK, it's our turn, Miss Melonie Bianconi. I'll go with you to call the police. With the help of a lawyer, you muster up the courage to tell the police the details of the illegal sale of prescription drugs, such as the extremely cruel coercive means used by Hugh Spade. The poor man had to be brought back just after he walked out." Andy Nelson got up from the sofa and smiled at Melonie and stretched out his hand: "Miss, you have an extremely sharp and meticulous brain. You know what I'm talking about. Of course, you don't have to admit it. I just want to compliment you. With the help of the Holy Cross High School Parent Committee, you can deal with a man who hurt you and save expensive costs. It's a very beautiful method. My only regret is that you are a teacher, and you have never thought of relying on your brain to become a lawyer and join my firm. Otherwise, I promise that you will be my favorite student."

Melonie slowly stood up, took a deep breath, and shook hands with Andy Nelson. Instead of responding to him, she asked, "What kind of punishment will he get?"

"He himself admitted to selling a large amount of addictive prescription drugs. He admitted this, and everything that followed cannot be cleared, such as using bad means to force others to sell drugs for him for profit, and the means involved extortion and physical harm to others, etc. This public security case will be converted into a criminal case. Since that guy is a poor guy and can't afford a lawyer, the court can only appoint a young public prosecutor to defend him. The best lawyer in the state is standing in front of you at this moment, fighting for the minors who have been abused at Holy Cross High School. There is not much I can say." Andy Nelson adjusted his tie towards the reflection in the glass window, and finally said in a relaxed tone:

"Without considering digging into his other problems, I can give him a three-year sentence just for you to testify in court. You can wish him good luck in prison in advance."

(End of this chapter)