Chapter 26
MCAT Office ~ Sunday ~ July 30
The big map was on the display board with colored pushpins marking the route of the trafficking task force. The agents had followed the u-haul to Phoenix, then to Las Vegas, and the next stop appeared to be an unknown destination to the North or Northeast of Nevada. The MCAT unit had been working at this for the last six hours and finally felt that they had the situation covered.
"We have Kellerman and Womack watching a house in Phoenix. They have already advised the Phoenix Police on the location and plan to obtain assistance setting up a stakeout. Wright and Carson are doing the same in Vegas. It looks as if the truck is heading N/NW so I have Lawrence, Gonzales, Garrison and Carlson on a plane to Vegas. They'll rent two cars there and while one team relieves the LVPD on surveillance, the other will try to connect with the team following the u-haul." Buck gave the locations of his task force members to the others.
"That only leaves you, Kel, Jacobs and Cordova here to work the raid in Denver. The rest of the unit will assist your task force with the takedown. It's going to take a helluva lot of cooperation to hit these places at the same time Buck." Chris was working it out in his head. "It won't happen fast."
"Yeah and if that truck makes more than two more stops, I'll have to rely on Local PD's to take over in the next city. It could be two or three days before we have all the pieces in place with warrants in hand and enough manpower to move in."
Pam walked up and handed a report to Buck. "This is the property information on the addresses you gave me. Both are rentals and the names on the leases are clean."
"Thanks Pam." Wilmington passed the folder to Chris, "Same set-up that we have here."
"First thing tomorrow morning let that federal attorney... What's his name? ...Alders… Jed Alders, let him know where we are and what we need in the way of warrants. You have to see Sorenson, too. Get what you can out of him, also get a warrant to search his house, maybe we'll get lucky and find a connection to Costa Mesa." Chris then ordered. "Cordova and Jacobs can monitor things for you here. Go home Buck, you need to sleep while you can still get it."
Standish stepped forward. "You too Chris, you have a wife and baby to take to the airport early in the morning. Besides, you need to keep a low profile on this one. I believe Vin is in charge as of tomorrow morning. Correct?" Ezra raised a brow and questioned.
"You're right Ez, Chris put me in charge and I agree with you that he needs to keep a low profile. Lar'bee, go home." The Texan crossed his arms in front of him and waited for Chris to reply.
Before their boss could answer, Ezra told Tanner. "You too, Vin. You and Kel have children waiting at home. I suggest you dismiss the rest of this motley crew as well. I am perfectly capable of monitoring the events as they unfold and will not hesitate to call, should your assistance become necessary. "
Chris eyed the Southerner for a moment before answering. "Cordova and Jacobs, stay with Standish, the rest of you go home. It's going to be a long week ahead and Captain Tanner will need rested and alert agents for training classes. Next session begins at six tomorrow morning." Chris laughed when he heard the moans and groans around the room.
Buck mumbled, "Vin's gonna train us to death before the bad guys even have a shot at us."
"Quit your whinin' already." Tanner called after Wilmington.
Larabee watched as his most of agents reluctantly left and then turned to Vin. "The warden over there," He indicated Ezra, "Wants me to stay in the background on this one. As soon as I see Linda and Grace off to Louisiana in the morning, I'll be in, but you'll be in charge.
"Not a problem Chris and Ez is right. You're too close to goin' under to chance bein' seen by the wrong people." Vin knew that Chris preferred to be in the middle of any action, but it was too risky that word could get back to California that he was involved.
"You do know Vin that you're getting good at being bossy yourself, don't you?"
"Hell yeah," Tanner grinned. "You're a good teacher. Course, you've had more years …a lot more years to practice bossin' than me. Years and years…" Vin moved toward the door.
"Tanner! I'm not that damn old!" Chris smiled as Vin disappeared around the corner. *You life is never dull, Larabee, that's for sure.*
Larabee 7
Linda silently shut the door to the nursery adjoining their bedroom, and made her way over to the bed, where her husband waited. Tonight was their last night together for a while and she wanted Chris all to herself. Snuggling close to him, she let out a deep sigh of contentment.
"Think she'll sleep?" Chris whispered.
"Long enough Larabee," Linda grinned and kissed his neck. "God, I miss you already."
Chris wrapped his arms around his blond and held her tightly. "Linda, I don't want you to take any chances while I'm gone. Stay close to family and do not let anyone except Vin know where you are going to be until you're there."
"Do you think Grace and I are at risk?"
"No, but …Hell, call me paranoid. This case involves some very bad elements and I want to make certain you are somewhere safe. Just humor me okay?"
"I already promised to keep Tanner informed, and I will not do anything impulsive. Don't worry about us; concentrate on what you have to do. Then I want you to get your butt home to us as quickly as you can, and in one piece."
"Deal," Chris rubbed her back and smile." Now we should talk about us."
"Uh uh Cowboy, no more talking," Linda grinned.
"Mrs. Larabee, are you propositioning me?" Chris asked, leering at her.
"Yes, I am. "
Linda rose up to kiss him, and Larabee offered no protest. In fact, he offered himself up to her to do whatever she wanted to, and Linda eagerly accepted the invitation. She started with his neck and worked her way down to his groin, where she paid special attention to the part of his anatomy that gave them both so much pleasure. When he was breathing heavily, and close to losing his control, Chris rolled Linda over onto her back on the bed and began to tease her as she had done him. He started with her breasts, paying tribute to them one at a time, until her nipples were standing at attention. Then he proceeded to lick his way down her smooth stomach toward the region between her legs, and began to torment her mercifully.
"Chris…" Linda moaned, her blonde head thrashing about on the pillows, as she was assaulted by waves of overwhelming passion that threatened to consume her from the center of her womanhood outward.
Larabee gave her no quarter, enjoying the erotic sounds his wife was making in response to his administrations, finding himself growing ever more aroused as time passed. With the first shudder of her body signaling to him how very close she was to climaxing, Chris positioned himself between her legs. He thrust into her wet opening, sheathing himself completely, and began to move inside of her. Linda hips rose to meet his as she wrapped her legs around him, and Chris nearly came undone then. He increased the tempo of their movements, recognizing how close to an orgasm Linda was by her responses to each thrust he made. Linda's body stiffened violently beneath him as she climaxed, her nails digging into his back, and with one final thrust, his own release came and he collapsed on top of her.
MCAT Office ~Monday ~ July 31
Tanner stopped at Gunny's desk and gave her a list of things to do before the rest of the team made their way back from this morning's training. Vin had Westin and Anderson put up the equipment, so he and Buck could get into the office and obtain an update from Standish.
Ezra was in the conference room marking the map when Vin walked in. "Mornin' Ez, tell me where we are." Tanner did not waste any time on extra words.
"The truck is on the move again after halting overnight in Carson City." Standish was tired and trying to control his underlying anger. "Garrison has it in sight and according to him the driver and his help went inside for the night, leaving the 'merchandise' locked in the truck. They made the exchange about thirty minutes ago. As of now the truck is still headed north and we have two teams tailing it. The Nevada State Police have been very cooperative with us and have freed up our third team so they may continue to follow the trail."
"What does Nevada need from us to correlate the bust there?' Buck was studying the map as he questioned.
"I have obtained the name of the man that will be our contact with the State Police, Captain Ron Nickels. It appears that Nevada is very interested in the fact that underage girls are involved and will cooperate fully with your task force. Samuel Carrington will be your man to talk to in Phoenix; he is a lieutenant in the sex crimes unit of the Phoenix PD."
"Buck, what time are you going to hit Sorenson's house with that warrant?" Vin was flipping through Ezra's notes.
"Alders promised to have it in my hands before nine and forensics will be there waiting for me at the rendezvous site by nine-thirty. I'm going by the hospital first and see if the bastard is up to talking."
Vin looked at his watch. "Carmen should be at our house right about now to see Caleb. Kel will stay with him until the counselor is finished, so call her and have her meet you. I'll keep an eye on the truck's movements for you. Chris should be back from the airport by eleven so let's have a unit meetin' at one and see where we're at by then. Does that give you enough time to do what you need to?"
"Yep," Buck was already walking out the door.
"Ez, get some sleep and thanks for stayin' last night."
"I did manage to accrue a few hours of sleep, but I will retire to our lounge for an additional hour or two, because I plan to be at that meeting." Standish sighed. "When I think about those girls being locked inside that truck all night I want to do grievous harm someone."
"We all do Ez."
Sorenson Residence
Greg Ramsey and Katrina Santos arrived at the two-story Tudor home, ten minutes before Wilmington. The MCAT mobile analysis' Unit (M.A.U.) was state of the art, a rolling lab on wheels. It was fully equipped with strobe lights and siren, which were standard on all MCAT vehicles. The difference was in the back that housed a stainless steel mobile command center. Online communication, satellite receiver, and three drawers with side slide storage were just a few of the many features on this truck. They were capable of performing all forensic activities, including fingerprinting. It also contained an array of ballistics tools, gloves, flares, lights and an illuminated slide out evidence tray.
When Buck arrived with a black and white unit behind him, they all met by the back of the truck. "I have the warrant and Kel should be here any…there she is now." Kelli parked behind Wilmington's truck, exited, and then joined the others. He smiled when he saw that she was wearing body armor.
"We're ready when you are Buck. If the man has anything to hide, we'll find it." Katrina grinned. "Not much that we can't find with all these gizmos."
"Let's do it." Instructing the forensics teams to wait, Buck had the uniform officers split up, one sent around to the back and the other to the side door. He and Kelli knocked on the front door, identifying themselves as federal agents.
Mrs. Amanda Sorenson answered the door. She was a young, attractive, petite blond and she was obviously hostile to this intrusion in her life. "What do you want?"
"Ma'am, I'm Agent Wilmington and this is Agent Coulter. We have a warrant to search the premises. Who else is in the house?"
"You have a lot of nerve, harassing decent law-abiding citizens. First you chase my husband and cause him to have an accident, then you shoot him and I'm not allowed to even visit him in the hospital. Now you want to invade my home and scare the hell out of my kids!"
"Mrs. Sorenson, please call your children, and then I need all of you to stay here with this policeman." Kelli indicated the uniform officer that now stood behind them.
Greg and Kat joined them as the team began a methodical search. The entire house was covered but they concentrated on Sorenson's home office. His computer was confiscated and the agents went through his paperwork, hoping to find a connection to Keats or Donner. What they found was a picture of Caleb, with a phone number written on the back.
"We've got the bastard!' This was the physical evidence that Buck had been hoping to find. He would also bet that once the hard drive on that computer was scanned, they would find more.
"Buck, it appears from these receipts that Mr. Sorenson keeps an apartment closer to town." Kelli passed the receipts to Wilmington.
"We're almost finished here. Can we get into that apartment?" Greg asked.
Already on the phone with U.S. Attorney Jed Alders, Buck was shaking his head. "We'll meet you there." He turned to his team. "Alders is procuring the warrant immediately and will meet us there. This picture gives him all the grounds that he needs."
It took less than an hour to secure the warrant and gain entry into Sorenson's' apartment. Twelve boxes of kiddy porn magazines, explicit videotapes, and pictures were carted off, along with another computer. Restraints and sex toys found in the bedroom painted an ugly picture of what had gone on here and what had been planned for Caleb.
"You have enough Alders?" Buck asked the prosecutor, forcing himself to remain in control of the anger he felt building inside him.
"You don't have to worry about this guy talking to the wrong people. The gun he used on you was registered in his name and twenty witnesses saw him shoot at you. The neighbors around here identified him by picture, as the man that lives here. The lease is in his name and with what you found at his home and here…Let's just say he's not going anywhere soon. His arraignment is this afternoon and I am sure I can have him held without bond." He put his hand on Buck's shoulder. "We got him right where we want him. If he has any information about a Californian connection, we'll have it." Jed Alders said his goodbyes and left.
"You okay Kel?" Buck asked as they prepared to leave.
"I just keep thinkin' that if it weren't for us Caleb could have been trapped in this hell. God, Buck this is only one guy, what about the ones we don't catch? Who's gonna help those other victims?"
"We're not super cops darlin'. We do what we can and then move on to the next case."
Kelli looked around the room and shivered from the images that flooded her mind. "Can you do that Buck? Just move on?"
Buck answered in a soft voice. "I hope so, I really hope so."
MCAT Office ~Conference room
Chris felt as if he was caught between Adam Carmichael and his real self. Ezra had given him enough information to become a new person, complete with a background that made him sound like everything that Chris Larabee stood against. He gave in on wearing the clothes that Standish had chosen, and most of the jewelry, but he drew the line at the earring. No way in hell would he pierce his ear, not even to complete this case. He had decided that it was good that Tanner was taking charge today so he could get his mind wrapped around being one of the bad guys. He was soon to find out that that was easier said that done.
Tanner watched the body language of the MCAT agents as they entered the room. It appeared that even with the stimulus of the extra training, some of them were letting this assignment drag them down. In particular Mark, Paul and Pam were having difficulty dealing with the subject of this investigation. JD was acquainting himself with the facts on his first day back to work and so far he had not seen enough to be too disturbed by it. Mallory, Nathan and Ross showed no outward sign that it was different than any other case.
The ops team was a whole different matter altogether. Justin carefully kept his 'Billy Ray Hackett' cell phone within easy reach, and the Texan swore that Chris' new appearance looked just like a guy they busted last year. Raphael was taking on his new persona with little effort; the years of undercover operations with the DEA had prepared him well. Vin laughed to himself when he thought about Ezra's role in this case. He had turned into 'mother hen Larabee' and did not even realize it.
A forensics' lab worker had called up and informed Vin that Greg and Kat would be delayed. That made Buck and Kelli the last ones to enter and judging by the look they both wore, it had been a tough morning. The remaining task force team members showed the strain of the last three weeks of surveillance duty. Tanner's first objective was to get them to loosen up. The next few weeks would be hard enough on most of them and unit meetings should not add to their stress, but instead, keep them informed of the case status.
Buck nodded when he sat down and Tanner began. "Welcome back JD, we've missed you."
"It's good to be back. You guys give me twenty four hours and I'll be caught up with the rest of you."
"We'll hold you to that." Vin waited for everyone to finished saying welcome. "Startin' today, I not only get to be your tormentor from hell in the trainin' room, I'm also in charge of you yahoos. Chris is officially out on assignment and the man that is sittin' over there is not Commander Lar'bee, but Adam Carmichael…or he will be when Ez is finished with him."
Chris grinned, "That is if I don't finish him first." Most everyone laughed and they began to relax.
"Josiah made it safely to California and is already set in his new role at themission in Costa Mesa. Chris and Raphael or Adam and Creed will be joinin' him there after today. Justin AKA Billy Ray is waitin' on a phone call to set his part of this operation into motion. Paul will be Josiah's contact man here and pass him whatever information he needs from us. Ezra will be callin' the shots on the covert ops and will keep me advised of how events are unfoldin' in Costa Mesa.
On the home front the case is heatin' up. Our trafficker is on the move and we have identified three other cities involved with this syndicate. Phoenix Arizona, Las Vegas, and Carson City, Nevada, and it seems that Seattle, Washington is the next stop on the list for these guys. We have secured the cooperation of the Phoenix police department, the Nevada State police and the State police in Washington. When the last drop off is completed we will take down all the locations in sync with the other involved law enforcement agencies. Buck, you want to update us on Sorenson?"
"We executed the warrant this morning and searched his home. His wife and two children were in residence at the time. A thorough search led us to proof that he was involved in the conspiracy to kidnap Caleb Evans and to a second location that Sorenson used for his secret life style. Jed Alders procured a warrant and met us there where we found…an assortment of kiddy porn, explicit sex tapes, pictures, restraints and other…tools of the trade. We confiscated two of his computers that Greg and Kat will be bringing up with the other logged in evidence shortly. Sorenson's arraignment is this afternoon and Alders is confident that he can keep the suspect off the streets of Denver."
Larabee and Tanner both recognized that Buck was wound up tight and it was taking a huge effort on his part to stay in control.
"That will take care of Sorenson. Kel, what about Caleb? Did he talk to the counselor about what happened to him and Danny?" Vin questioned.
"He did open up and tell her what he could remember, but 'm afraid it won't help much." Kelli did not want to go into details.
Nathan spoke up. "Caleb either is or is not a material witness. If he is then we need his statement and we keep him in protective custody. If he's not he should be returned to California without delay."
Kelli's temper flared. "I have his statement Nathan, and that child is NOT goin' back to California. I don't know what your damn problem is with Caleb, but I strongly suggest that you get over it!"
Chris started to stand up and intervene, but then he sat back in his chair and decided to let Tanner handle it. Two angry Larabee's was one too many and Kel did not seem to need help to get her point across to Nathan.
Vin deliberately kept the anger of out his words and spoke softly. "Kel, just tell us what he does remember."
Tanner's softly spoken words had the desired effect. Kelli's anger began to fade, and she repeated a shorten version of Caleb's story. "Caleb and Danny were the last ones on the playground at recess Tuesday afternoon. Their job was to put away the bats and balls the other kids had used. He and Danny were talkin' and never heard the two men that grabbed them or saw their faces. The boys were blindfolded and thrown into a vehicle that he thinks could have been a van. The boys were scared, cryin', and told to stay quiet. He did remember hearin' one of the men say, 'Two sweet treats, as ordered, one vanilla and one chocolate.' They were taken somewhere and forced to get into a box, probably the delivery crates that we saw. After that he said that he either cried or slept. He received no water or food and could only feel the movement of the box, sometimes a hard jolt."
Mark interrupted. "Did he understand what the men were talking about?"
"No, thank God, and he still doesn't. Anyway once the box was opened he was kept blindfolded. He worried because he couldn't tell if Danny was there too. Someone took him and made him bathe to get cleaned up and he said he felt hands on him that he thought maybe belonged to a lady. He was dressed in clean clothes and told again to keep his mouth shut, while they took his picture. They then left him in a small locked room downstairs. He was too frightened to do anythin' else, but did hear bits and pieces of conversation. After a while they came for him, made him get into an even smaller box and put into another vehicle. We know what happened after that, the smaller box was the dog carrier and the vehicle was Sorenson's car."
"They must have given him some water of food. Didn't they?" Serena was almost in tears thinking about what it must have felt like to a six-year-old.
Kelli shook her head no. "The first water or food that he had since he was abducted was at the hospital. I understood enough of what he overhead to know that the only thing they cared about was that he was virgin merchandise, and dark-skinned. That was what Sorenson was paying $25,000 to receive."
Silence reigned around the table until Buck started talking. "Take Caleb and multiply him a hundred times over. Keep in mind that the goal we want to reach is to rescue more kids like him and put away the bastards that are selling them."
"We will stay on top of that u-haul and be on standby status for the duration on this operation. We…" Vin was interrupted when 'Billy Ray's' cell phone rang, Justin picked it up and left the room. "JD, when Greg and Kat get here, I want you in charge of the evidence. Get into those computers and I want you to dig into the files, and then the information in goes into CASSIE"S databanks. Use the conflict room to store it all and keep it locked. The rest of you stay close to your own phones and carry on with your assigned duties. I'll see most of you after work in the trainin' room, dismissed."
Justin walked back in as some of the agents were leaving. Only Chris, Vin. Buck, Ezra, Nathan and Kelli remained. "That was Costa Mesa PD. They want me there at ten in the morning for an interview."
"Then I suggest that we practice for that interview this afternoon. We'll meet in one hour and go over what Billy Ray needs to do to get hired." Ezra instructed.
Chris had been quiet, but he had to ask. "Kel, how do you plan to keep Caleb in Colorado, now that he is not needed as a witness?"
"Vin and I decided to do what was necessary for him to stay, and I spoke to our attorney this mornin'. We are applying to be his legal guardians until we can find him lovin' parents of his own. Barbara has already set the wheels into motion, by filin' our petition with the court."
Nathan smirked. "What happens if you don't find him a new home?"
"I have no doubt that we will." Vin answered firmly. "For the record though, he has a home with us, for as long as it takes."
Kelli's cell phone rang. "Hi I was… "She listened. "Are you okay? …Yeah, I'll be right down, just stay calm." She closed her phone and turned to Vin. "It seems that we're not the only ones with jobs that are dangerous. I need to go to the courthouse; some disgruntled parent set off a small bomb in the family court center. Apparently there were no major injuries, but Barbara was at the courthouse at the time. She thinks she is all right, just shook up but…"
Vin stopped her and replied as he watched Ezra for his reaction. "Go, and call me if you need me."
Ezra stood and declared. "I am going with you."
"That's not necessary Ezra. She called me, and…specifically asked me to come alone." She hesitated. "I will call you and let you know how she is." Kelli left without another word.
Standish was already one the phone with the head of security at the courthouse and yelling. "This is FEDERAL AGENT Ezra Standish! I want to know how anyone can get into that courtroom with a bomb! What in the hell are you running down there a kindergarten class for security agents?