Page 61 of Caged
He paced a moment before going back to the computer. He quickly hacked into Dale's work computers, hoping that possibly the creep was dumb enough to keep stuff there, but again, all he found were work-related files.
If Dale and Larry were living in the ranch house and doing anything criminal, they were hiding it well. His gut said there was more to this, and the feeling was strong enough, he was almost tempted to drive down to Colorado Springs and do some surveillance, but that wouldn't go well with the team, and honestly could fuck things up if anything went wrong. The last thing they needed was Larry running if it really was him there.
Frustrated, he shut off the computer and headed out to the living room, surprised to see Rani sitting on the couch. "You're off work?"
"I worked a double yesterday. I'm free until seven in the morning, but too tired to do anything but sit here." He reached for the remote and shut off the TV. "What are you doing here so late in the day? Don't you have a man at home now to spend time with?"
"Jessica is there with him teaching him how to make something with turkey. He's excited and says he's inviting everyone over for Thanksgiving in a few months if it's any good." Marshall was proud of Danny's enthusiasm. He really thought Danny should go into culinary school with the passion he was showing for cooking.
"I'm in," Rani said. "If I'm off work. I did manage to get the night off for his birthday party. I'll be there to help you celebrate. I thought I'd get him cooking classes atThe Seasoned Chef, but I wanted you to okay it first since you'll probably have to get him there. I was also worried he'd be nervous taking the class on his own."
Marshall shrugged. "I love the idea and I'll get him there, but I'm not sure how he'll do alone. A week ago, I'd have said he'd be fine, now, it could go either way."
"He having a hard week?" Rani sat forward, concern etching his eyes.
"Yeah, we went with the police into Larry's house the other night to help them locate something. We were only there maybe twenty minutes, but it messed with him. He's quiet, withdrawn. I'm hoping the afternoon with Jessica will help him. I don't know what to do. I can't force him to talk to me, and he says he just needs to work through it. He has counseling tomorrow again. I'm tempted to call Gary and give him a heads up, but not sure if that will piss Danny off if I do."
"Tough call. I think I'd stay out of it and let things play out. If it gets worse, you can call before his next appointment. Maybe I'll hold off on the cooking class and get him some online course or cooking program for the computer." Rani reached for a beer that sat on the table in front of him.
"He'll love it. He hasn't celebrated a birthday in so many years, I'm sure he'll love anything. He hasn't even mentioned his birthday is coming up. It makes me wonder if he even knows or understands that it should be celebrated."
"We'll make it one he won't forget." Rani smiled. "It's been a long time since I've been excited about a birthday party."
"Me too. They kind of lose their excitement the older you get, but this one will be special. He'll be twenty. It's a good year to have a big party. I'm trying to show him how great a normal life can be, but it's not easy when his past seems to haunt him so badly. I wish I could just erase it from his mind."
"If only it was that easy." Rani sat back. "Give him time. He's come a long way already for what he's gone through. It's because of you he's adapting so well. Imagine if he was going at this on his own in some halfway house."
A shiver went through Marshall's body at the thought. "He'd never make it."
"I'm sure many don't. He's been through a lot. It's a ton to work through. Even with the counseling, it's going to take time."
Marshall sighed. "I'm falling for him."
"I know." Rani smiled. "I've never seen you happier."
"Or more stressed. I want to get Larry. I want him locked up so Danny knows he's safe from him." He ran his hand through his hair. "Do you think I'm making this worse on Danny, pushing a relationship on him this soon after he's found his freedom?"
"Is that what you're doing, pushing it on him?" Rani asked.
"I don't know. Sometimes I feel like it is. I mean, what man in his right mind would jump into something so soon after escaping a pedophile and years of captivity? I really like Danny, and maybe in my longing for him, I've pushed him to do something he's not ready for. What if he's doing it because he thinks he has to or because he thinks he needs to make me happy so he can stay with me?"
"I can't answer any of that, but I know you pretty well, and I don't see you being pushy. If Danny didn't want to be with you, I don't think he would be. He's a strong enough person, even after all he's been through, to tell you no. I think he likes the closeness, the tenderness that you give him. It's something he hasn't ever had. I also know that you won't push him into more than he can handle. If he didn't want sex for five years, you'd probably be okay with that because you care about him and that's the kind of man you are. You might not be happy that way, but if you cared enough about him, you'd do what you had to so he was happy. Talk to Danny and tell him what you're feeling. Let him know this relationship means something to you and that you want a future. Assure him you'll go at his pace. See what he says. I don't know how serious this has gotten between you yet, but you're both smart. You'll figure it out if you just keep those lines of communication open." Rani gripped Marshall's shoulder. "You're not forcing him into anything. It sounds like whatever is happening is mutual. Stop overthinking things before you ruin them."
Marshall closed his eyes, taking in everything Rani said. "You're right. I just need to keep talking to him. Let him know he's safe and free to make his own choices."
"You've got this." Rani smiled.
"I'll talk to him tonight if there's time. I just wish I could get something on Larry. I think I know where he is, but I can't get proof, and without that, the team or the cops won't go after him. I need some evidence."
"Anything I can do to help?"
"No. It's all computer shit right now. I just need to verify Larry is in that house in Colorado Springs. I'm convinced there are children being held there, but I can't prove that either. All I have are some satellite images and heat signatures right now. I need something solid."
"Have you asked Jeremy to try?"
"Yeah, he's looking into it as well, but he's hitting the same walls I have. If there is something going on there, they've covered their tracks well."
"You're not one to give up. I'm sure you'll find proof if it's there to find."
