Chapter 632: Paroled (1/2)
Eugene Moyot glanced through the case file folder, even though he had read the virtual version many times. Since this was their first in-person meeting, he wanted something that he could page through. Being old school, he liked the feel of paper and folders.
[Case File B10-432]
Name: Dexter Wallace
Age: 18
Height: 6'4 Weight 175lbs.
Known Alias's: Dextron
[Criminal Convictions]
Industrial Espionage 2nd Degree
Compliancy in a Class 3 Felony
Virtual Trespassing: 211 Counts
Gene glanced at the youth's photo. Curly black hair and brown eyes, the kid had actually smiled in his mug-shot.
”Are you my Parole Officer?” A tall youth spoke from the open doorway; looking down at the card in hand, he read the name. ”Eugene Moyot?” His easy smile widened considerably.
The black man sitting behind the desk nodded and stood up. ”I'm P.O. Moyot. You seem to be amused. Do you find this situation funny?”
”Funny? No… Fucking tragic? Yes. I'm Dex Wallace.”
Eugene was built like a college linebacker; with his close-cropped hair and clean-shaven face, he could have easily graced the cover of any fitness magazine. ”Normally, people don't smile when they see me.”
Dex shrugged slightly. ”Every time I get angry about my parents giving me one of the ultimate nerd names, I console myself by being thankful that my name isn't Eugene.”
The black man laughed loudly; his dark brown eyes showed his good-natured amusement. ”I tell myself the same thing. Only I'm thankful for not being named Dexter!”
Dex chuckled in reply. ”Bet you don't go by Eugene.”
”Gene.” Another laugh escaped his lips as he motioned Dex towards an empty chair. ”Have a seat Dex.”
”Thanks, Gene.” Dex took a seat in an uncomfortable metal chair, his sharp eyes taking in everything in the Parole Officer's office.
Gene took a moment to let his amusement simmer down, covering his actions by glancing through the folder. Then, after a minute, he looked up. ”You were fifteen when your attorney plea-bargained your case. Had you been a legal adult at the time, you would have been facing a minimum of ten years in prison.”
Dex nodded, thankful that his attorney had been able to stop him from being tried as an adult. He had spent the last three years under house arrest. All virtual and electronic devices were removed from his residence. This forced his parents to move him to his grandfather's property, where he lived in a renovated barn loft. His grandfather was still living in the main house at the time, but the old man had no use for electronics. ”I understand. Are you going to remove this ankle tracker?”
The youth crossed his leg at the knee and rolled up his jeans. A rather bulky-looking electronic device beeped a steady green light. Its original setting limited him to his grandfather's property. He couldn't even cross the road to check the mail without the alarm notifying him. If the alarm sounded off, he had twenty seconds to return to his 'safe zone.' Failure to do this would result in the police making an appearance.
Gene shook his head. ”Your house arrest has been completed, but you will remain on parole for three years.” He turned to the last page of the file and pulled out a copied map of Massena.
Dex accepted the map, his face souring slightly. Massena, New York, was a small town very close to the Canada border. There were dozens of areas on the map that had been colored red. ”Why's it marked like this?”
”As per your parole, the electronics ban has been modified but is still in effect. That being said, you are not allowed to venture into these areas.”
”You realize that my grandfather died a few months ago. Living on my own without basic electronics will be difficult.”
”My condolences, Dex. We understand that every appliance requires a software interface. Therefore, our people will create a closed network that includes all your appliances. You will not be allowed any electronic or virtual items that connect to the Internet or outside networks.”
Dex shook his head in disgust. ”What about software updates?”
”Every piece of electronics in your home will be cleared and inspected by us first. Then, these items will be placed in our database; when we're notified that an upgrade is available, our people will install it for you.”
The youth let out a long breath; his restrictions were worse than expected. ”I'll have to order a lot of new items since everything I had belonged to my grandfather.”
”Did your address change?”
Dex shook his head. ”As directed by his will, the house was sold along with everything in my living space. The proceeds from this sale were left to me along with the old barn and the ten acres surrounding it. As a result, I have a long list of things that I'll need to buy.
Gene activated his hud and keyed a name. Immediately a face appeared in front of him. ”Hey, Kendal. Can you come to my office?”
”On my way,” a voice spoke from the desk HUD.
Gene closed the communication hud and opened up a standard pathway to Shopnet, an internet site that offered just about everything a person would want to purchase.
Kendal appeared in the doorway a short while later. He had long red hair that stopped at his shoulders and more freckles than a person could count. When saw Dex, they did a mutual fist-bump. ”Ride the wave, Dextron.”
”Ride the wave, Kenji.” Dex turned back toward the desk hud and leaned closer, only to be stopped by Gene.