Chapter 56 2014
I stared through the windshield of Jacob Stein’s Range Rover at the modern facade of the Sherburne County Jail. Somewhere beyond the bricks, glass, and barbwire, Profe and Jacob were talking.
Finally the lawyer had gotten a copy of Profe’s arrest file, and it revealed two things of significance. The first was where Profe was being detained. The second was who had called in the tip to Ice that led to Profe’s arrest. Bart Reicher. On hearing Bart’s name, something cracked open inside me.
The detainment center limited visits to family members and legal counsel, so I sat in the car, staring at the cold bricks. It was probably good that I wasn’t allowed to go inside. I don’t know how I would have reacted to seeing Profe caged behind bars like an animal.
Jacob walked from the building, and I leaned forward in my seat. His expression was grim, and the fuzziness in my brain grew thicker, increasing to a frantic buzz.
“How is he?” I managed when he climbed into the car.
His face said it all. Jacob’s normally animated eyes were flat and serious. “He’s hanging in there, but I won’t sugarcoat it. Detainment is tough, and his case isn’t good.” He blew out a hard breath. “I think our only hope is to plead for political asylum and hope that it’s granted.”
In rare cases, if it could be proved that human rights had been violated, an exception to extradition could be made. If we could convince someone in power of the truth, there was a chance Profe could be offered political asylum.
“You’re a celebrity,” Jacob went on. “Maybe you can get someone, a senator or the governor, to listen.” He looked at the building, then back at me.
“I’ll do everything I can to delay things.
Extradition typically takes a couple of months, and I’ll stall that for as long as I can.
But unless something changes, I’m afraid there’s not much more I can do. ”