Page 64 of Caged
"No, I can't remember anything about Colorado Springs. He never talked about anywhere." Danny tried to remember any references to Colorado Springs. The good thing about being with Larry so long was almost any reference to something was because of Larry. He'd been too young to recall much from when he lived with his mom.
"Okay, I hoped something had been mentioned, but I'm not surprised. It might have nothing to do with Larry. It's a cousin I found of his that I'm hoping might lead us to Larry, but I have no way of knowing if they even still talk." Marshall shifted on the couch. "Enough about him. How about a couple more of your fantastic cookies, then we find something to watch on TV? We can cuddle and officially start this relationship we both want."
Danny smiled. "I'd like that. When I was being held, I used to try and imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't been kidnapped. I tried to think about what dating would be like. I figured it would never happen for me, especially after everything that went on. I'm glad I was wrong."
"So am I. Now that you're free, you can have anything in life you dream of. There's nothing to stop you."
"I think I have just what I need." Danny bent in and kissed Marshall. "Thanks."
"Come on, let's get those cookies." Marshall tugged Danny up from the couch with him.
Together they walked into the kitchen, and while nothing had really changed since they'd sat down, the conversation had somehow made things between them more solid. It had eased Danny's fears and worries. Jessica had been right, talking was a good thing. Now if he could just get over his fear that Larry was coming back, he'd be okay. At least that's what he told himself. The truth was, going to Larry's house the other night proved how easily the memories could come back and the fear brought forward. He needed to find a way to move past that. It was something he'd talk to Gary about at their next meeting.
As Marshall pulled four cookies out and set them on a napkin, he focused on the here and now. It was what mattered. The past was still haunting him, but with Marshall by his side, the ghosts were quiet. In time, they might not come out at all.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Marshall's neck ached and his shoulders were stiff, but he continued to work. Nothing was going to stop him until he tracked Larry down. His fingers flew over the keyboard as he hacked into Larry's cousin, Dale's phone records, praying that one of the calls he made would give him another lead. He scanned the list of outgoing calls first, looking at the ones used most. He made note of them, planning to put a name to each one. There weren't many. Dale looked like he kept to himself a lot. The main number called was one Marshall recognized as Dale's work. The others he'd have to research.
"Any luck?" Jeremy walked into the room. He handed Marshall a bottle of water before taking the seat beside him.
"Thanks." Marshall twisted the cap open and took a drink. "No luck at all. I'm going through cell phone records now, hoping something pops. If that doesn't work, I don't know what I'll do next. It's so tempting to go down to Colorado Springs and put a drone in the air over the area and see if I can get a visual on Larry."
"You should give it up for today. It's Danny's birthday, shouldn't you be with him?" Jeremy asked.
"I'm going to go soon. I didn't want to sit home all day and risk giving away that there's a party tonight. Besides, Jess is over at the house. Danny and she are making sure there are enough desserts for everyone. Danny thinks it's just another team dinner. I didn't even mention his birthday before I left, which I feel like shit about, but I figured it was best not to bring it up. He didn't mention it either."
"This will be the last year you'll have to play like you don't know. Next year, you can wake him up with party balloons and confetti."
Marshall raised a brow. "Please tell me that isn't how you and D celebrate each other's birthdays."
"Nah, I'd tell you how we celebrate but it might make you blush." Jeremy wiggled his eyebrows.
"Shut up." Marshall punched him gently.
Jeremy laughed but reached for the list of numbers that Marshall had printed out. "Want me to start going through these?"
"If you don't mind. The top number is his work. You can omit that one, but I don't recognize the others." Marshall went back to pulling numbers out of the incoming log.
"Not many to look through. The guy must not have many friends."
"Yeah, and there were even fewer texts. Only ones from one guy at work. Nothing of any importance." Marshall sighed.
The office door slammed open. "Miss me?"
Marshall and Jeremy both jumped, turning to see what or who had broken into the place.
"Xander!" Jeremy was up and out of his chair in one fluid motion. "I didn't know you were coming."
"It was a last-minute plan." Xander hugged Jeremy as Matt and Faith entered the room behind him.
"Faith, Matt, it's good to see you guys." Marshall stood, smiling at their guests. "What brings you to Denver?"
"We took a trip out to Pennsylvania to check out Faith's new school and see what the area had to offer." Matt put his arm around his daughter's shoulders.
Marshall had met all three a couple of times. They worked with the California team which D had used to be with. Being best friends, D and Xander kept in close contact. Matt was a whiz at computers, and Faith, she was special to everyone. Even though Marshall hadn't been around, he'd heard the story of how she'd been kidnapped and the STK team had tracked her down and gone in to rescue her. She'd been a child then. Now, she was a beautiful woman, and if he remembered right, on her way to becoming a doctor. "Pennsylvania, huh? That's a long way from home."
"Don't remind Dad of that." Faith grinned. "It was the premed program I think will work best for me."
