Multi-Dimensional Merchant System

Oliver had never felt such a powerful urge to pull his own hair out in his entire life. Even as problematic as Jess and Carl had been, they had never frustrated him nearly as much as the hellish abomination that was the bureaucratic run-around. Two hours spent on the phone, calling the University to try and get answers as to why he was expelled, constantly being transferred from one person to another. Always with the same 'You'll have to talk to someone in another department' or 'We don't have that information available, please wait while I transfer you to someone that does'. Finally, he decided to head to campus to ask in person.

And frustration quickly turned to anger. After being run around for another hour he ended up in front of the Dean himself, and was promptly shut down.

“Mr. Silk, I understand you are upset over this situation, but my hands are tied. The Board determined that, for the well being of students and faculty alike, this was the best course of action. Concerns about the presence of someone being investigated for kidnapping on campus-”

“Wait.” Oliver interjected, surprised written clear on his face. “I'm not being investigated for anything, the Detectives already determined that.”

The Dean shrugged awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable with what was happening. “Again, my hands are tied. The Board made the decision to expel you. I've reached out to the Police in an attempt to confirm things, but they won't discuss active investigations.”

Oliver forced his fist to open and relax, knowing anger wouldn't serve him here. Especially when the Dean actually seemed sympathetic to him. “If the Police won't discuss an active investigation, then how would the Board even know if I was being investigated or not? For that matter, some of the guys that chased me into those woods with the intent to hurt me are still wandering around campus without issue... And they are already facing charges. For violent crimes. Why have I been expelled, but not them?”

The Dean shifted uncomfortably in his seat before sighing. “Mr Silk... Oliver. I honestly don't know what to tell you. I actually questioned the Board about this decision and was shut down. Hard. You understand?” He gave Oliver a disheartened look, and his meaning was clear: For whatever reason, the Board threatened his job if he pushed back on this decision.

At Oliver's reluctant nod, the Dean stood from his chair and patted the young man on the shoulder. “I'm sorry about this, Oliver. And I'm sorry for what is about to happen as well, but I'm not in a position to stop it.” At Oliver's questioning look, the Dean's shoulders slumped further.

“You've also been banned from campus. I was... Instructed... to have campus security escort you off. Again, for the 'well-being' of everyone.”

Oliver could hear the skepticism in the Dean's voice. The man was clearly aware that Oliver was a model student, even going as far back as middle school. But, just as clearly, he didn't have much of a choice in the situation.

So Oliver endured the humiliation of being escorted of campus. Past people he knew with questioning looks in their eyes. Past a couple of the guys that were with Carl in the failed attack on him, undisguised glee on their faces. Past some of his teachers who all looked concerned for him.

Oliver stoically endured being treated like a criminal, but he didn't accept it.

He knew, deep down inside, that he was in the right.

The security officers stopped at the edge of campus and watched as he walked away.

Oliver walked slowly as he headed for home, his mind running through what was happening and what he could do to fix it. Appealing to the school didn't seem to be an option, especially since he was banned from campus. Why was this even happening? He had already been cleared by the Police, so why-

He roughly pushed aside those thoughts. As important as they were, they wouldn't help him right now. He needed to be objective. Barring that, he needed someone that could be objective- or at least more so than he was. Without thinking, he pulled out his phone and called the first person he thought of, a small smile crossing his lips when it was picked up after the first ring.

“Hey Poli.”

“Oli! I was just about to call you!”

Oliver frowned at the obvious distress in her voice. Had she somehow already heard about him being expelled? But they hadn't spoken since he got the news, so how could she? “What's wrong hon?”

He could clearly hear her sigh and plop down on the couch before she spoke hesitantly. “It's... bad news, Oli. And incredibly stupid.” For a moment she was silent, and Oliver almost thought she wouldn't continue. “For whatever reason, the State Police have gotten involved with the Carl bullshit. They pushed for the investigation into you to be re-opened. And, since we're dating, I've been put on paid leave until it is resolved. No fucking idea why, seeing as I'm just a beat cop. I have no part in investigating the case anyway.”

Oliver stopped walking, his emotions rioting as he stared down at the ground and mumbled to himself. “It can't be a coincidence.”

“What was that Oli?”

Like flipping a switch, Oliver's gaze went cold, his emotions freezing in place even as his mind raced. “I got expelled today. For 'the well-being of students and faculty', according to the Board. They don't want someone that is being investigated for kidnapping to be on campus. They also didn't do anything about the guys that are actually being charged for attacking me.”

The ice around his emotions threatened to crack as his fury swelled, but he squashed it instantly as his words continued. “Add in the investigation being re-opened and you being put on leave, and it can't be a coincidence. There's no reason for any of it...”

The line went silent again as they both worked to process the whole thing. Suddenly Polina spoke, an idea having occurred to her. “Oli, you said Carl's family is rich, right? Do you know how rich exactly?”

Oliver grunted in annoyance as the obvious slapped him in the face. “I don't know exactly, but millions at least. They own some sort of agriculture distribution company, is what I think Carl said.” Oliver chuckled, though without humor. “Though I doubt that asshole knew much more about it than how to spend the money.”

He could hear Poli growl softly on the other end of the line, the adorably fierce sound somewhat soothing him- Though her next words caused his worry to spike. “You need to contact a lawyer, Oli. Companies like that always have connections, and if Carl's family are assholes like him... It wouldn't surprise me if they started calling in favors or bribing people. And you're not just the obvious target for them, you're basically the only target. The Department has no other leads.”

“So get a lawyer, Oli, before shit blows up. And come over to my place tonight, we'll figure this out together. Ok?”

Oliver was pleased to discover that acquiring a lawyer was much easier, and quicker, than he would have originally thought. A phone call, digital contract, and a direct transfer for payment and the whole thing was settled before he finished walking home.

And, on arriving home, he was instantly glad for it.

He could feel the vein throbbing in his temple from the quickly returning frustration at the sight of a Police car waiting in his drive way. Already anticipating the trouble this visit was likely to bring, Oliver had his phone ready with his new lawyer's number pulled up. The moment he set foot in his yard, two officers exited the vehicle and quickly approached him with stern looks on their faces.

“Oliver Silk?”

Suppressing a sigh, Oliver nodded slightly. “That's me.”

“We need you to come with us to answer some questions about the incident last Saturday night.”

Putting on his friendliest smile, Oliver glanced between to two of them. “I already answer the Detective's questions before he released me that very night. As far as I know, I've already been cleared of any sort of wrong doing.”

The two men shared a look before glaring at Oliver. “Be that as it may, we still need you to-”

“Am I under arrest?” Oliver smoothly cut him off, his friendly smile never wavering. “Or being detained for something?”

He could see the irritation flash through the officer's eyes at being interrupted, but the man suppressed it quickly before he spoke. “You are not under arrest, but we do have reason to detain you-”

“No, you don't.” Oliver immediately cut him, struggling to stop the brief flash of amusement he got out of their angry look. “To detain me, you would need both reasonable suspicion that I had committed a crime as well as at least some evidence to support that suspicion. As there is no evidence of me having committed a crime, there really isn't anything there for you to detain me.”

A cunning light flashed through the officer's eyes, and he smiled like he had caught something. “And how would you be so sure there isn't any evidence? Unless you managed to remove it before-”

Oliver's sudden laughter cut him off once again, eliciting an infuriated grunt from the man. Shaking his head slowly, Oliver smirked at the duo. “Trying to twist things to give yourself reason probably isn't the best idea. You want to talk to me, contact my lawyer. And if you want to detain me without cause, well, I'm sure my lawyer would just love that. So, are we done here? Or should I call my lawyer so he can get started?”

“This isn't a game, Mr. Silk.” The officer took an aggressive step forward. “Two people are missing, and no matter how well you managed to hide things-”

Quickly growing tired of the pointless exchange, Oliver hit dial on his cell phone. Placing the phone to his ear, he spoke while ignoring the officer. “Hi Mrs. Betty, this is Oliver again. I need to talk to Mr. Barton real quick; a couple of Officers showed up at my house and are insisting that I have to go answer some more questions.”

Oliver was grateful that involving his lawyer effectively chased off the clearly antagonistic officers. While it didn't settle the issue, he knew without a doubt that it was the right move to get things going in his favor.

Now he just needed to figure out how to thank Polina for suggesting it.