Page 88 of Caged
"They usually do."
They watched a few minutes more, sighing when they talked about D's arrest in California and how they think this situation was linked to what was going on there. Then a commercial came on. Marshall sat back, leaving the TV on as he wondered how the media got the news.
"Maybe someone at the hospital leaked it."
"Could be, but the last thing D needed was his face on the news again. He was finally feeling safer going out in public."
"He looks a little different now."
"But not enough. Even you knew who he was the moment you saw the stuff online about him."
"True, but I interacted with him. Most people don't. Still, I get why you're worried. I'm sorry if I caused this."
Marshall shook his head. "No, this isn't your fault. This is what the team does. It could have happened with any sting we do. It was only a matter of time before news of a new team in the area got out to the media. Now we'll see how the police play it. They will either support the media bringing attention to it or try and cover it up and ask the media to stop reporting. Either way, D needs to lay low for a few months again. As bad as that is, I can't say I'm unhappy the news is out there. I want pedophiles to know what we do and what will happen to them. Maybe just the thought this could happen to them will keep them from abusing another child."
"It wouldn't have stopped Larry. He didn't think anyone was smart enough to catch him. He was all ego. He thought he was better than anyone else."
"Sadly, that's how most of these assholes think." Marshall sighed as he leaned back. "Well, Jeremy asked us to spend a few days here and skip coming into the STK house. So it looks as if you're stuck with me for a few days."
Danny grinned. "That's not a hardship."
"How about I give you a break and I cook tonight? I'm nowhere as good as you are, but I can grill a good steak."
"Sounds good. Maybe I'll make some cookies or something while you do that."
"You know the way to my heart," Marshall teased.
"Sugar?"
"Yep." Marshall stood and went over to Danny before he leaned down and gave him a light kiss. "If we have to be stuck at home, there's no one I'd rather be stuck with."
"The feeling's mutual." Danny kissed him back.
The ringing of the doorbell forced them to part.
"Police again?" Danny stood.
"Maybe." Marshall headed to the front door and opened it. He sighed when he spotted a reporter standing on the porch with a cameraman beside her.
Spotting Danny, the reporter smiled. "Hi, I'm Rebecca Newby from ABC news. I was hoping you might give us a statement on your reaction to your kidnapper being arrested early this morning."
Marshall glanced at Danny who shook his head.
Happy to take the lead, Marshall kept a tight arm around Danny's waist. "While we are always happy to know that a kidnapper is off the streets, we have no comment at this time." He stepped back, ignoring the woman who was about to protest, and shut the door. He turned to Danny. "She won't be the last to show up or call."
"Guess staying home is a good idea all around if we want to avoid them." Danny glanced out the window. "There's two other news vans parked on the street and someone filming Larry's old house."
"This never ends for you." Marshall pulled him into his arms, hating that Danny couldn't escape the attention.
"It's the beginning of the end. The news just broke. Hopefully, it dies down in a day or two."
"Let's hope so. Come on. Let's ignore the doorbell and figure out dinner." He led Danny to the kitchen hoping that the remaining media outside would leave them alone. "Instead of using the grill and risking going out where they can get to us, how about we just toss in a frozen dinner and call it good for tonight. We'll hide out and watch a movie or something while Jeremy tries to dig up more information."
"That sounds good." Danny sighed as he sat down, oddly seeming fine with the simple meal and the quiet.
"It will be over soon." Marshall pulled a couple of frozen meals out. "Chicken or meatloaf?"
"Chicken and a beer."
