Chapter 6

It was early the next morning while Face was running the obstacle course that Sheriff Jenkins paid them a visit. "John I found this in the trash can in Brother Thomas' quarters. I think your son will want it back," as he handed over the ID bracelet.

"So they did find the bracelet, but was it because they suspected that there was a homing device in it?"

"I also found the remains of this bug on the floor," and handed the bits and pieces that were left of the bug.

"I bet Face planted the bug on himself for them to find so they wouldn't suspect the bracelet. I think they took the bracelet off him for spite." Hannibal stated.

"Did you find anything else interesting?"

"Yeah…in that room we found not only the men that your son took out but a place where someone could be chained. They had chains coming from the ceiling and the floor. Brother Thomas was in such a bad way that we had to use Mr. Michaels' pilot to fly him to the nearest hospital. Mr. Michaels is one of the buyers. John, he reports that Face was chained wearing only his briefs when he arrived and that he bought him from Brother Thomas for $5,000.00."

"Did he touch my boy?"

"He didn't say but he did smile at the question, so you have to believe that he did. Did your son say anything?"

"No."

"Maybe he's blocking it like he did with the ring."

"That's possible, but I'm thinking that he is trying to deal with it on his own. He doesn't want to appear weak especially now that I have curtail some of his duties on the A-Team due to his age. It was his idea to go undercover, knowing we could track him with his ID bracelet. It still has a working tracking device in it. I vetoed the idea because of his age and I didn't want to expose him to the possibility that he might be molested. But he disobeyed my direct order and did it anyhow."

"Is that why he is running that obstacle course of yours – as punishment?"

"Yes…he hates to run it anyhow when he is only just running. But I have him running it with a full pack until he drops. Murdock or BA will be keeping an eye on him and when they feel he has done enough they will stop it."

"Are you going to confront him about what happened yesterday?"

"Yes, but it will be like pulling teeth with that kid. He will downplay it for the time being. I just hope that it doesn't cause him to have nightmares."

Murdock chose that time to walk in and caught the last part of the statement.

"Facey is getting nightmares?"

Hannibal glanced at the Sheriff before replying. "Not yet, but he might. There's a great possibility that Face was touched inappropriately while in the clutches of Brother Thomas. Has he given you any indication of something bothering him?"

"No, all he's said is how well his plan turned out, like he knew it would. He seemed quite proud of himself."

"Is BA still watching him?"

"Yes, but I must tell you that he isn't going to last much longer. He was on his last legs when I left."

A few minutes later BA came in supporting Face as he struggled to walk in. He was covered in muck and breathing hard. "He's done, Hannibal."

"Lieutenant…report!"

It took a few minutes for Hannibal's words to sink in but when they did he pulled himself up at attention and saluted. "I completed the course twice sir…the last time I completed in twenty minutes, sir. After some rest I'll try it again…sir!"

"At ease Lieutenant!" And then in a softer voice Hannibal added, "Go and take a shower and don't you ever disobey my order again, son."

Face nodded, too tired to reply. He headed towards his room to do just that.

"Do you need any help, little bro?"

"No, I can handle it and thanks for helping me into the house, BA."

After watching their kid leave BA turned and saw the expressions on his team mates faces. "What's wrong?"

Before Hannibal could answer Murdock replied. "Those bastards might have molested Face."

BA hit the wall in anger and put a hole in it. "Let me at them, I'll tear them apart!"

"I don't think you have to worry about Brother Thomas. The doctor says that he will be peeing through a tube for the rest of his life."

"Justice for what he did to Face. What about the other one…Michaels?"

"Michaels is talking up a storm. He's trying to make a deal that will keep himself out of prison. He fears what will happen if the inmates learn that he has molested children. He is naming everybody involved…although I don't think it will save him from serving some prison time."

"Maybe I will just have to spread the rumors of his owning children for his own unmoral purposes," declared BA angrily.

"BA, that could cause his death!"

"Justice!"

"Facey is taking a long time in the shower; I had better check on him. As tired as he is he could fall asleep under the water." Murdock hurried to the kid's room.

"Murdock tell Face that I need to talk with him about what happened yesterday. Tell him to meet us in the family room."

"You got it Colonel."

When Murdock got to Face's room he heard the shower still going. "Face are you going to be finished soon?"

"A few more minutes HM. There was so much mud. I hope it won't stop up the drains."

"Well, after you finish and get dressed the Colonel wants to talk with you about what happened yesterday. Just come to the family room, okay?"

"I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."

"See you then kid," and left him to finish in private.

"Where is the Sheriff?"

"He had to get back to the office. Billy went with him; his grandparents will be there within the hour."

"Facey said he will be here in fifteen minutes."

While they were waiting for Face, Murdock poured himself a cup of coffee and grabbed some of Mrs. B. cookies. He followed Hannibal and BA into the family room to wait for their youngest to appear. While waiting Hannibal told them all that the Sheriff had told him so they would up to date. After a while Hannibal realized that Face was running late and got up to see what was keeping him.

As soon as he walked into his son's room he found the kid in the midst of putting on his shoes when he found him slump over on his bed. He had one shoe on and the other one on the floor. He tenderly straightened him out on his bed and took off the one shoe before pulling up a crochet throw to cover him. "We can talk after you rest," and bending over kissed him on his forehead. Face mumbled something before turning on his side asleep.

"Where is Face?" Murdock asked when he didn't see the kid following Hannibal.

"The obstacle course wiped him complete out. I left him sleeping. We can always talk with him later after he recovers some."