Page 28 of Heal
"If we can get enough information. We aren't going in blind. I want these kids out as much as you do, but if we have to wait a few days until the team is back, we wait. I won't put us in danger just because we are rushed." Bryon stared at Beau. "Get what information you can and we'll start looking at things on our end. Do you have any other information than names?"
"No, but I can get that tonight or tomorrow once I talk to Parson. I'm meeting with him after I leave here, but I'm not sure he can access the information until morning." Beau wished he'd been able to meet with Parson first.
"And when he asks what you'll do with the information?"
"I'll figure something out. It's on me. I know that. If he puts the pieces together, then I'll take the fall. The team is clear. I promise." Beau didn't think Parson would ask too many questions as long as children were safe, but he couldn't be sure.
"Beau, don't take risks," Bryon warned.
"I'm not. You know I won't. I'll be careful."
"Anyone else?" Bryon asked.
No one spoke up.
"Okay, we'll meet again on Thursday night to talk more about the Arizona sting. Beau, you don't need to be here, but keep in touch with any new information you get." Bryon stood.
"Check in with me, okay? Let me know the team is safe." He stared at Kasey, who had been shot on one of the out of state stings awhile back. "I hate I can't go with you."
"The less there, the better." Bryon pulled Becca up off the floor and into his arms.
Beau grunted. It was true that smaller numbers were better for the team, but it didn't help his feeling of helplessness. If something major happened and he couldn't help, he'd never forgive himself. The team was like family, closer than family in many ways.
"You want to come to dinner tomorrow?" Matt asked him. "Faith's been quiet the last week or two. I'm worried about her."
Beau sighed. "I can't do dinner, but I know about Faith. She said not to tell you, but I think you need to know. Some kids at school found out about her kidnapping years ago. They were giving her a hard time. She says it's gotten better, and the school is aware it was going on. She promised me she'd let me know if it continued."
Matt glanced at Xander. "Why wouldn't she tell us about that?"
"She's at the age where having parents handle things is only going to make it worse. She seems to have it under control. I'll talk to her and make sure." Beau grinned at Xander. "I'd suggest you pick her up from school more often. She said that made some of the kids hesitate."
Xander laughed. "Done. I have a friend with BACA, the biker group who supports abused children, who I can call if this keeps up. Let the kids see Faith surrounded by bikers and we'll see if they dare say anything more to her."
Matt shook his head. "I don't need drama. I just want to make sure my girl is okay."
"She's fine. She'd call me if she wasn't. Right now, it's better to let her deal with things on her own. We've talked a lot about this when she's with me. She's a strong kid. Trust her to come to us if she needs us." Beau had complete trust that Faith would open up about it if and when she needed to. "But, remember, she finds out I mentioned it to you and she'll stop coming to me with problems and we're all going to be left out in the cold."
"I hoped we were done with all this shit." Matt swiped his fingers through his hair.
"She'll always have to face the past. You've raised her to be strong. She'll get through it. She knows we're here for her." Beau gave Matt a sympathetic smile.
"I hate she comes to you and not me, but at least she comes to someone." Matt leaned against Xander.
"She comes to me because I'm a friend, not her father. It's what kids do. You'll be glad she comes to me when it's about sex and boys." Beau gave his shoulder a squeeze. "I've got a meeting. Will you tell Faith to call me? I'll make sure she's okay without her knowing we've talked."
"Text me after."
Beau gave him a nod.
"Thanks."
"If I don't see you before, be safe in Arizona." Beau tapped Xander on the shoulder.
"We'll be back before you know it." Xander sounded confident as always.
"Good." Beau gave them a wave before heading out.
Once in his car, he pulled out his cell phone and quickly hit Parson's number.
