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CHAPTER ONE
The information on the computer screen was starting to blur as Trenton sat back in his chair and rubbed a fist over his eyes. He'd been working for nearly twenty hours straight. While that wasn't uncommon, tonight he was feeling the strain. "I think I'm going to head out for a while." He glanced at his teammate, Matt, who was busy working on the computer beside his.
"Go. You deserve a break. I've got to hang out a few more hours. I've got an online meeting with a guy who wants to sell me a bunch of baby porn."
"Fuck." Trenton shook his head. Baby porn was what the team called anything that had to do with children under the age of three. It was some of the vilest stuff they had to deal with. "You need me to stick around?" There wasn't much he could do other than offer moral support, but in their profession, moral support could go a long way.
"Nah, I'm good. Go get some rest. We've got that sting tomorrow night. Once I confirm this asshole has the images, I'm going to head home myself. I'm convinced this guy isn't just selling images. I think he's the one making them. If I can get an in with him, then it will make tracking him down easier." Matt reached for his coffee cup.
"I need to unwind a bit before I can sleep. I'm going to drop by Manny's for a drink before I head home." Trenton made sure his computer was shut down and everything he was working on was filed away and out of sight.
"Make Xander go with you. He refuses to go home until I'm done. He might as well go keep you company for an hour or two." Matt turned back to the computer as it alerted him to an incoming email.
"I'll ask if he wants to." Trenton grabbed his backpack from beside his office chair. "Good luck tonight. If you need anything, give me a call. I can be here in twenty."
"You need to rest more than I need help. Besides, Bry is here if I need him." Matt waved Trenton off. "Go rest."
As always, Trenton felt guilty for leaving. It wasn't like he had any reason to go home, but sometimes he just needed a change of scenery. He needed to get out of the small house that the team used as a base and remind himself that not everyone in the world was evil.
They'd been going hard the last few weeks, trying to find a missing boy from the area. They'd found images of him online shortly after his abduction, but they hadn't been able to find where the boy was being kept. It was frustrating. Trenton had a hard time leaving work when he knew just a little more work and he might be able to find that one clue that would allow them to find the kid.
He couldn't focus on that. He had to rest and take care of his own wellbeing if he was going to be any good at work. He walked into the living room to find Xander focused on his cellphone. "Hey, I'm headed over to Manny's for a drink before I go home. Want to join me?"
Xander looked up, surprise on his face. "You're going out?"
"Just for a drink or two." Trenton shrugged. So what if he seldom went out? He wasn't a complete homebody. It was just the fact that most days, after staring at a computer screen all day, he wasn't in the mood to be social. The things he saw on the screens stuck with him and it was usually better to go home alone than try and deal with people.
He never had been very social. Even as a child, he would spend time alone, only playing with his brother, but rarely with other friends. Having too many people around wore him out and always made him a little uncomfortable. He had enough going on in his own head. He didn't need to deal with others. But then there were nights like tonight where he felt the urge to go grab a drink and relax as he watched people go about their lives.
"I'm going to pass. I've got my session with Katie in the morning. I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to tell her this time to keep her from finding out how fucked up I am." Xander grinned.
Trenton laughed. They all hated the mandated therapy sessions they had to sit through to make sure the job wasn't causing them any issues. They all lied their way through them, but he was sure Katie knew that. No one could do the job they did and not come out fucked up. "You've been talking to her for years. She knows how fucked up you are. Hell, just talk about Faith and how she's doing at school and hope it distracts her from your shit."
Faith was Xander and Matt's daughter. She was back east going to school, but everyone missed her. She was one of the many kids they'd rescued over the years, and there wasn't a person who met her who didn't love her. Katie had gotten Faith through some of the hardest times in her life, and he was sure bringing up Faith would distract Katie somewhat.
"Hell, she talks to Faith more than we get to. Faith calls her almost daily to catch up. We're lucky to get a call once a week." Xander tossed his phone on the coffee table. "You okay tonight? This sudden need for a drink anything we should be concerned about?"
Trenton grinned. "Nah, I'm good. Just a need to remind myself there is life outside this house and not everyone is out to hurt kids. I'm just going to have a couple of drinks, then head home and get some sleep. I'll be back by noon tomorrow to make sure the thumb drive is ready to go for your sting tomorrow night."
"We couldn't do this without you. Be careful and enjoy yourself. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon." Xander gave him a nod.
"See you then." Trenton pulled his keys from his pocket and headed out. The afternoon heat caught him by surprise. He spent so much time in the air-conditioned house, he forgot what it was really like outside. He hurried to his car, grabbing his sunglasses from the console the moment he slid behind the steering wheel. He took several deep breaths, then started the car and pulled away from the house he spent most of his time at.
He didn't know why he kept his apartment. He slept at the team house more times than not, but sometimes he just needed his own space. A place away from the guys and all the action of the team. Now that most of the team were married or in relationships, he found it harder to be around them. He was the odd man out now, and that left him feeling like a third wheel. It was easier to hide behind his computer than deal with everyone.
He pushed thoughts of work from his mind and thought about all the things he needed to take care of once he got home. Most of his bills were on autopay, but there were a few he needed to take care of. He also needed to get hold of his brother. It had been a few weeks since he'd last talked to Levi. They were as close as two brothers could be growing up, but over the years, they'd drifted apart. A lot of the reason was Trenton's job. He couldn't include his brother in that part of his life. He told Levi he worked at some tech company and left it at that. Their past wasn't easy, but they had overcome and tried to be what the other needed. At times he wished they were closer.
The parking lot at Manny's was halfway full. He planned to leave before it got packed. The last thing he was in the mood for was a ton of people. He just wanted to unwind before he headed home.
He locked his car and headed inside. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust as he looked around. It was busier than it had appeared from the cars outside. Most of the booths were filled, and people stood around the pool tables and dartboards in the back. He'd hoped to find a stool at the bar, but it was also full. He decided on a two-top table against the wall and sank into a very uncomfortable seat.
"What can I get you?" A young woman asked from behind him. She came around to face him, giving him a tired smile.
"Just a beer. Budweiser."
"Anything to eat?"
He shook his head.
