by E. M. Leya
"There are two other children with her. We were able to use some of our government programs to look at heat sources. It looks like two adults and three children. The building is alarmed and secure, but we can gain entry."
"Just call the police on this one, Bry," Becca spoke up.
"We've thought about that, but they won't act on a random call. They'll send out officers to investigate the home, but they won't be able to get a warrant or anything without solid information. We could give them that, but then we put the team at risk when they try to figure out where it all came from. That's why I wanted you all in for this meeting. Faith is Matt's daughter, and if we need to get the police out there now, we can, but it's going to be a slower process than if we act on our own as if this was just another sting." Bryon stepped toward Matt. "If you want us to call the police we can, but I honestly think us going in is faster, but there are conditions if we go in."
Matt was shaking so badly Xander thought he was going to collapse. Xander looked up, speaking for Matt. "What conditions?"
"We do it tonight, just like we do any other sting. I'll send two in, you take care of the perps and call the police. You don't bring Faith or the other children out. We leave them for the police just like we do with any other case. We let the police call you to meet them at the hospital. You act like you had no idea this was going to happen."
"You can't leave her—" Matt started.
Xander stood up, turning to Matt. "She'll be safe. We'll make sure. If they are in danger we'll get them out, I promise, but it's better for the case if the police deal with the children and not us."
Matt shook his head.
"If we let the police do this, we give them information, and we have to wait for them to verify it all before they will act on it. They may send a detective out to ask questions, but this will just give the perps warning that something is up, or someone is on to them. I'm sorry, Matt, but I can't go in and change up how we do things for even one case. It puts all of us at risk, not to mention the future of the team. I won't do that, even for your daughter. If she was in danger between the time we handle the perps and the time the cops get there, we would do everything we could to get her out, but this way, the team stays safe. The cops are used to how we work, there won't be any surprises if we stick to our M.O., and I promise we will have the house under surveillance until the police arrive."
Matt sank back down onto the couch. "How do you know for sure it's Faith?"
Bryon glanced at Carter, but it was Trenton who spoke. "We have hacked into the computers on site and they have uploaded photos of Faith and the other girls they are holding."
"Fuck," Dyson cursed.
Xander sat back down beside Matt, his hand going to his back. "One step at a time. Let's get her home, then we can deal with the rest, okay?"
Tears fell down Matt's cheeks as he nodded. "How soon can we go in?"
"Eleven tonight." Bryon glanced at his watch. "That will give the guys eleven hours to learn the layout of the house and everything they need to know about the perps. I'll send Dyson and Kasey in the moment it's safe. I don't dare go any earlier."
"I want Xander to go." Matt reached for Xander's hand. "He needs to be the one."
"I don't think—" Bryon started.
"This once, don't think, Bry, let Xander go in my place. I'll stay here with Matt." Dyson glanced over at Xander. "If Matt wants Xander to handle this, he has his reasons."
"Can you disconnect your personal feelings on this, Xan?" Bryon narrowed his eyes as he stared at Matt holding Xander's hand.
Xander fought back his anger. "The same way I disconnect with every case, Bry. The same way we all find a way to keep from feeding the perps their own balls every time we go in, knowing what they've done to the children."
"Bry, you know we are always professional. Give Xander a break. Today is not the time to hound him on whatever is going on between the two of them." Kasey smiled at Xander and Matt.
"Thanks, guys." Xander glanced back at Bryon. "I've got this. If Matt wants me in, then I'm in, if he wants me here with him, I'll stay."
"I want you to go." Matt turned to him, wiping tears with the back of his hand. "Make sure she's safe. Make sure you get them all, so they can't hurt her anymore."
"I promise. Kase and I will make sure it's secure before we walk out. We won't leave anyone there to hurt her. We'll wait outside until we know the police are there, then I'm coming right back to wait with you for that phone call, okay?"
Matt nodded. "I'll really get to see her tonight, won't I?" He buried his face in his arms and sobbed.
Xander couldn't imagine what Matt was feeling. His emotions had to be all over the place. As much as Xander hated waiting the long hours to go in and get her, it was for the best. There was no way that the police would act as fast as they could, and the police wouldn't make sure that the perps never hurt another child again.
"Here." Becca was suddenly in front of them, handing Xander a box of tissue and two bottles of water. "We're behind you no matter what you need."
"Thanks." Xander smiled at her, even though her words were meant for Matt.
"I'll be at the hospital when they bring her in. They'll bring her to Children's Hospital. I'm not working tonight, but since I'm part of the child sexual assault team, if I'm there, they'll call me in on Faith's case. This way, I can get you honest and straightforward information. You won't have to deal with all the bullshit, at least from the doctor's side. There will be a million questions and a ton of offers of help, but that can all wait."
"We have a counselor for the team if you wish to speak to her in time," Bryon said.
Xander held up his hand. "All this can wait. Let's give him time to get used to what is going on now and tonight." He leaned in close. "Do you want to be alone for a bit? We can go to the guest room if you want."
Matt shook his head. "No, I want to see the file you've got, Trenton. I want to know what I'm going to be dealing with once Faith is home. I need to know everything that you know."
Xander bit his lip, not sure that it was the wisest move, but then again, he'd have to know sooner or later. At least letting Matt see the file, Xander wouldn't feel as if he was keeping things from Matt. They would both know everything.
"You're sure you want to do this now? It's not going to be easy," Trenton warned him.
"I'd rather break down here with you guys than in front of Faith. I need to be strong for her." He glanced at Bryon. "I'm going to need some time off."
"Already planned on it. You take as long as you need. The team is here for you no matter what. You just have to call." Bryon nodded to Trenton. "Let him look through the file, and get Xander and Kase the information they need to be studying."
Matt stood, his eyes red and swollen, his face pale. "Thanks." He took the water Xander handed him and went to the kitchen, sitting down at the table.
Xander wanted to go with him, but something told him that this was something Matt needed to do alone.
After watching Trenton hand Matt the main file, he took the files that were handed to him and Kase. "Anything major we need to know?"
Carter sighed. "More than you're going to want to hear about, but not the worst we've seen."
As Kasey moved over to sit on one side of him, and Carter the other, Xander forced himself to focus. He needed a clear head for tonight. This case mattered more than any other because, for the first time, he'd see the after results happening right before his eyes.
"Okay, first security systems." Carter opened the file and demanded they get to work.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Xander glanced over at Kasey as they pulled up just down the street from the old blue farmhouse they were about to break into. Thanks to Carter and his knowledge, the alarm would be hacked and disconnected before they got to the side door where they would enter.
The location didn't make it easy on them, while there weren't any close neighbors, the house itself was huge, and from what little surveillance t
hey could do, the man and woman inside didn't spend much time together. That meant that Kasey and he would have to split up, something they never liked doing if they didn't have to. Depending on where they found the adults, they would either get to work where they were or drag them into the same room.
"I hate that we have to leave Faith." Kasey sighed. "I would love to rush her home to Matt."
"So would I, but Bry is right, this is the best way. We do anything different and it will put suspicion on Matt. We need him to be just another hysterical parent right now. He can't let on he knows anything about the perps or what happened to them, and he has to act surprised when the call comes in."
"I can't even imagine what he must be going through." Kasey shook his head. "I'd lose my fucking mind."
"I don't know how he hasn't." Xander stared out the window, wishing they would get the confirmation text telling them to go.
"What's up with you two anyway?" Kasey asked.
"Nothing really, just friends."
"You and I are friends and don't hold hands or touch all the time."
Xander laughed. "I never knew you wanted to."
"Fuck off, You two a thing or not?"
"Not. We just found a way to work off a little steam together. Call it stress relief. It's nothing serious. I think he needed the distraction, and you know how we get after a job…. Sex is a good way to work off some of that shit."
"So, you're just fucking?"
"And friends. I don't know what will happen once Faith is home. I'm guessing he might not want me around much while he deals with everything. I don't know, we haven't really talked about it."
"He was married to a woman before, right?"
"Yeah, she died a few years ago."
"So now men?"
"He dated men too before he got married. He's bisexual."
"That okay with you?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"I don't know. When I told you I was bi, you acted like I was mental." Kasey shrugged.
"No, not mental, well at least not because of that. You mentioned being asexual and that was what got me. Like you don't crave sex, want it with anyone."
"I'm not completely asexual. That's the wrong term. It's just I find sex to be boring most of the time. I mean, I like to get off, but it's better doing a solo run, if you know what I mean." Kasey fidgeted with his phone. "I guess there's probably a better word for it. I just don't know it. I like going it alone. I haven't met many who make me want to take the time to get to the sex part of a relationship."
"You know, you can have sex without a relationship." Xander smirked.
"Right, like you and Dyson do all the time. No thanks, I don't want to be sticking my dick in just anyone. I'll leave that to you two."
"Don't know what you're missing," Xander teased.
Before Kasey could answer, Xander's phone beeped.
Confirmed go. Be safe. STK
"Let's get this done." Xander double checked he had everything he needed as Kasey did the same.
With a final glance around them, the two exited the car, walking side by side as if they were just two friends on a walk. They'd gone over the plan several times, both ready to do exactly what they needed to so nothing went wrong.
They silently made their way to the side door, Xander trusting that Carter had cut the alarm. Using his lock pick, he quickly got the door open, slowly pushing it wider, making sure there was no one in sight.
Once inside, Kasey nodded to Xander and they both went off their separate ways. Xander walked through the darkened house as if he'd lived there his entire life. He always made sure he was prepared, but this sting was even more important. He wanted Faith back in Matt's arms where she belonged.
Refusing to distract himself with thoughts of Matt and what they were still going to have to face once she was home, he turned the corner, smiling to himself when he saw the man sitting at his computer. Photos of young girls filled the monitor as Xander quietly moved into position right behind the man's chair, syringe at the ready.
He didn't say a word as he slid the needle into the man's neck. The last thing he needed was for any sound to alert the woman they were there, since he didn't know exactly where or what Kasey was doing at the moment.
As the man jerked, then slumped in his chair, Xander carefully moved him to the floor. He grinned at the man, softly whispering, "I have looked forward to meeting you."
The man stared back at him, unable to move anything other than his eyes.
Xander didn't waste any time. The sooner they were done, the sooner they could leave and get the police in, and Faith safe. He tied his arms, then cut the clothes off the man, ignoring the look of fear in his eyes as he ripped them from his body. He didn't bother with the shirt. He only needed the pants off.
"Well, not much there to work with, is there?" He quickly tied the string to the man's cock and balls. "You shouldn't miss that little bit."
Tears fell down the man's cheeks.
"Stop crying. This is no worse than what you put those girls through." His voice was low, but he was sure the man could hear every word.
It took him only minutes to cut the man's balls and cock off. He tossed them aside before reaching for the tube. He inserted it, then quickly cauterized the area, finding the smell of burning flesh oddly satisfying this time around.
His stomach tightened at the thought of what this man was doing to Faith. He hadn't gone through the pictures, but he knew enough. This was one time he wanted to kill the man, let him bleed out slowly and suffer for what he did. If there was any other way to let him live and make him suffer, he would have gladly done it.
Kasey appeared in the doorway. "Done?"
"Yeah, everything okay?" Xander pulled the zip ties out and secured the man's legs to the heavy desk.
"She's tied in the bedroom. I've already spray painted the trail. Once you finish up, we can get out of here."
"Placed the file?" Xander asked.
"Right beside her." Kasey glanced at the pieces of flesh that Xander cut from the man. "Didn't give you much to work with, did he?"
Xander grinned as he gathered the last of the items and made sure there was nothing that would leave a clue to who had done this. "Had to cut close."
"Let's go." He followed Kasey out of the room and to the side door. "I hate leaving her."
"I know, but there's a spot where we can sit and watch for the police just over the hill. It looks like a lover's lane type lookout."
"Ah, you taking me parking, Kase?" Xander made his way outside, quickly moving up the road toward the car, glad when he could lift the mask from his face.
"If the cops come close, you're damn right I'm going to rip off your clothes and make us look like lovers instead of suspects. I'll suck your cock to keep out of prison."
Xander laughed as he pulled out the burner phone as he slid into the car. "Ready?" He held up the phone.
"Yep, make the call."
Xander hit 911. "Yes, there is a need for medical at 1834 Jasmine Road. Two victims." He hung up the phone without saying anything more.
Kasey pulled down the road as Xander fished out his own cell and sent a quick message to the team.
Completed. No issues. Waiting on response. STK
He sent it to the team, then sent another to Matt's phone.
We are done. Police on the way. She'll be with you soon.
He glanced at Kasey as he set his phone down. "I hope they are right and she's in there."
"Carter and Bry wouldn't say she was unless they knew for sure." Kase pulled off the road to a small overlook point that gave them a perfect view of the ranch house. "You saw the photos on the computer the man was using. They were of Faith."
Xander nodded. "What was the woman doing?"
"Sleeping. I walked in and had her subdued before she even woke up." Kasey put the car in park, then took a deep breath, resting his head back against the seat. "There was a ton of little girls' clothes in the room. My guess would be they d
ressed them up before photographing them. The cops will have their hands full going through this home."
"Good, let's hope it leads them to others." Xander stared down at the farmhouse. "How long do you think before they identify Faith and call Matt?"
"I don't know. I'm kind of curious about that myself. I'd hope it's right away, but I guess a lot will depend on the condition of the kids, if they can give their information to the police or if the cops have to figure it out on their own." Kasey tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.
"Waiting is going to kill Matt."
"Dyson and the others will take care of him, and even if they don't call and alert him right away, Beau will call and update them. She'll be in good hands, at least better hands than she's been in." He glanced over. "Is Matt going to be okay with all that he's going to have to deal with?"
"I don't know. Honestly, I don't know if I should keep coming around or give them space. I want to be there for them, but I don't want to be in the way either. I don't think Matt can do this alone. I know he's got family, but they aren't going to support him, they'll be there for Faith." Xander started to really think about things, trying to figure out why he was so uncomfortable with the idea of not seeing Matt as often as he was.
"Just wait and see how it goes. She'll be in the hospital for a few days I'm guessing, while they run tests and make sure she's physically okay, then I don't want to even think about her mental state." Kasey shook his head. "I wish there was a way to make these fucks suffer more than we already do."
"So do I." Xander pointed. "Cops are there with medical staging. We can go unless you wanted to start that make out session with me."
Kasey laughed. "Dude, you have too much hair on your face for me to get freaky with. Shave that shit and maybe we can have a go at it."
"Never." Xander gripped his beard protectively. "I haven't been clean shaven since I left the Army. I don't even want to think what I'd look like."
"Ah, it might actually help your looks." Kasey pulled the car onto the road.
"Right, like you know what good looks are. I saw your last—"