Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:50:20 -0500 From: chris james <drmeta4@gmail.com> Subject: On the Wire, Chapters 4 & 5 Dear Reader: this story is considered adult fiction and persons under the age of 18 are prohibited from reading this material. "on the wire" was an early term defining internet use, or being online. I have never seen sites such as I describe in the story but you can bet they exist. All comments welcome. Chris James drmeta4@gmail.com On the Wire (M/B) Chapter Four The motel rooms were adjoining. Kevin and Austin in one, the other three boys lumped together in another. There was a third room too, but Kevin said not to ask about it. The place had been chosen for proximity to the airport and Austin didn't understand that until Kevin showed him the laptop. The new modem revealed they were in a hot spot of wireless activity and within an hour Kevin had the site back up and running. He didn't have access to all his files and because of that Austin learned just how big this business really was. Kevin allowed him to watch as he transacted the business of the Golden Hand. The sales of pornographic images, digitalized video and stills of hundreds of boys, went to customers around the world. It all flashed across that screen. Kevin took the requests and passed them along to another mailbox. But Golden Hand was more than just a porn shop, it dealt in live flesh as well. Kevin was a clearing house for a dozen stables of boys across the country. The client requested a boy, gave a time and place, paid in advance and Kevin assigned the task of delivery to someone else. Austin didn't know how Kevin kept up with it; he seemed to know the names by heart. And he watched as a client was rejected and told not to bother making any further requests. "Either this guy gave us a bad credit card number or abused one of the boys, I don't remember," Kevin explained. "But I remember his name. Damn, wish I had access to my files." "You're doing all this from memory?" Austin asked. "Hmm, yes...pretty fucking amazing, huh?" Austin laughed. "Used to think I was pretty good with a computer until I met you." "Don't put yourself down; I've just been at it longer." Kevin smiled, and turned his head away from the moving data on the screen to give Austin a kiss. "I love you," he said, and then he was back in the flow. Austin turned on the television and sat back on the bed to watch some silly game show. He almost jumped when the cell phone started vibrating in his pocket. He let it go three times before shutting it off. Kevin didn't seem to notice, he was lost in the net. So the cop had found the note and called. Now he had to find a time to call back...but when. Maybe after lunch. "Hey, you want pizza for lunch," Austin asked. Kevin laughed. "You and your pizza...and you don't even look Italian. Sure, I'd go for that." "I better be the one to go then. I don't want the kids out on the street in the middle of the day." They had agreed that Austin was in charge of the kids. Kevin was only too happy in handing over that responsibility. They might be here a week, and the boys were not going to be allowed out of the motel; it was too risky for them to be seen coming and going. Austin told the boys that he was going for pizza and would be back with their lunch shortly. Of course it was a commercial pizza joint up on the highway, not one of good mom and pop stores. He kissed Kevin on the neck and grabbed the room key off the top of the television. "Hurry back," was all Kevin said, his fingers typing away on the keyboard. Austin shut the door and tested to make sure it locked. They were on a second floor of the motel, chosen because all the doors opened out onto a wide concrete deck. No one could approach without being seen, not even a SWAT team. He saw the drapes shift slightly on the room next door. Good, the boys were watching as told. They had been assigned sentry duty during the daylight hours, each having one hour on and two hours off in rotating shifts. It kept them busy and was probably totally unnecessary. The boys had been playing non-stop porn on the pay television since they had arrived. How many times they could jerk off Austin didn't even want to know. He was just glad he wasn't paying the bills. He could see the roof of the pizza joint up the road, a five minute walk, a thirty minute wait and five back. Kevin would worry if he took any longer. Austin bounced down the stairs to the parking lot and turned up the road. Once he was out of sight he pulled out his cell phone and turned it back on. He saw Alan's number and hit redial. The man had called forty-five minutes ago, and Austin quickly memorized the number. He would be stupid just to leave it in the phone's memory. Three rings and he got an answer. "Austin?" "Yeah...sorry, I had to get away from the others before I could call back." "Is everything OK with you, nothing bad happen from yesterday's events?" Alan asked. "Nope, I'm the hero...sorry about that." "You guys are pretty clever," Alan said. "Is everything still OK with you and Kevin?" "Um...yeah. Hey, thanks for asking. You remembered how important he is to me." "Love makes the world go round. So I don't suppose you called to tell me where you are," Alan chuckled. "Nope...look let me call you right back, OK?" "Sure, just don't forget." "I won't forget you," Austin said, and he hung up. He was almost at the door to the pizza place, but he"d seen the big jet take off from O'Hare and it now climbed over his head, the engines screaming as the heavy metal bird clawed its way into the sky. He didn't want Alan to hear the plane, no sense in having to run yet again. Austin ordered the pizzas and paid for them. Sodas they could get cheaper at the motel. He went back outside and walked around behind the store, looking towards the airport before redialing the number. "Sorry, I'm out getting us all lunch, I had to order," he explained. "Oh no, not pizza again...is that all you eat?" Alan laughed. "Um, mostly. No secrets there...must be a million pizza places around the city." "You got me on that one. So Austin, why did you want to talk?" "Well you're pretty smart, you found us yesterday...why do you think I called?" Alan paused, let the truth be told, he thought. "Well I think you want a little insurance in case things suddenly go bad...and you like me. Is that fair?" Austin felt himself blush, Alan was completely right. "Yeah, I like you. Too bad you're a cop." "Yeah, there is that issue. But I'm a good guy to know when you get in trouble." "Hmm, I sorta think that too." "OK, so we like each other, what does that mean in this situation," Alan asked. "I can't turn myself in, but I don't know where all this is going. We'll have a new place in a few days...we're already back in business. But there is some guy I don't know in control of all this...that makes me nervous." "Any idea who he is?" Alan asked. "Couldn't tell ya even if I knew. You guys find Bucky yet?" "No, still looking," Alan admitted. "I haven't seen him either, the bastard." "I didn't think you liked him very much when we talked," Alan said. "He's...well let me just say that he likes to hurt little boys, OK?" "Hurt? Really badly hurt?" "I don't know, but he does rape them, especially the new ones...I hate him," Austin said. "Did he hurt you?" "Nope, I wouldn't let him touch me...he was afraid to touch me. What will happen if I do turn myself in? Jail, huh?" "Maybe...maybe not. You'd be in a hospital lockup for a while; they would want to do some medical exams on you I'm sure." "Lookin up my butt, huh? That's creepy." "I think they would be worried that you caught some disease from your chosen profession, Austin. It happens you know." "Nothing goes up my butt without a condom on it, trust me," Austin said. "Not even Kevin." There was a pause and Alan could hear the boy breathing. "I don't believe I just told you that." "It's OK...I expect when you love someone that everything happens as a sign of that love." "I do love him...you're the only one I've told. Thanks for being my friend." "I sure wish there was a way to stop all this and let you have a normal life," Alan said. He was beginning to have real feelings for this boy. "Could I live with you?" Austin asked. And there it was...the crux of the matter. Austin needed security, a home place...a responsible person to look after his needs. What could he tell the boy? "You'd live with a cop?" "Yeah, sounds silly doesn't it?" "No Austin, it doesn't sound silly to me at all." Silence...a pregnant pause followed...Austin was thinking. "If I ever lose Kevin...I wanna be with you," Austin said. "I'll be here for you Austin, I mean that," Alan said. Austin sighed. "Look...you guys do a little research online. The key words are Golden Hand. That's all I can tell you for now, Alan. I have to go. Hey, and don't call me back on this phone, it's gonna be trashed very shortly. I'll call you again, OK? Soon..." "Remember my number, Austin. I'm willing to meet you halfway if that's what you want." "I want to believe that." "Well believe it because I mean it. You need my help then call...I care about you damn it." "I know you do...thanks. Bye" Austin leaned against the wall and felt the hot tears on his cheeks. It was so tempting. It would end all this confusion. He took the back cover off the phone and pulled out the battery, digging below it for the sim card. He rubbed the card on the brick wall, scratching the gold foil off the chip and effectively destroying it. He had felt Alan's sincerity; he wanted to believe that...the guy had feelings for him. Could he learn to love a cop? He wiped away the tears, hating his emotional release...and then he went in for the pies. * * * * * Austin had given him a piece of the puzzle, Golden Hand...but why? Maybe because he felt it wouldn't hurt Kevin...maybe he wanted it all to end. Mike would track it all down once he came back from lunch. The fact that Austin hated Bucky was helpful, maybe Kevin did too. Whatever happened, Alan understood that the boy's loyalty lay with his lover, there was no way he would betray that love. And yet it seemed that Austin wanted more, he wanted security. It meant there was still a reachable person under that street-smart exterior. Alan felt compassion for these two boys. Sure it would be good to stop the prostitution, return the kids to their parents, but that didn't mean he could just stop being a cop either. The law wouldn't see them as just victims, crimes had been committed. Kevin was in the worst position and Austin knew that. Nothing good comes easy. By three o'clock Mike had a line on Golden Hand. An arrest for assault in Los Angeles a month ago had produced some computer data with the name attached. During a search of the assailant's home a computer with porn had been seized. The website they were after was part of that evidence. The perp's records showed that he had used the services of the site to obtain digital images of naked underage boys. It was almost too easy, Alan thought. The key was...did Kevin know the guy was behind bars? Austin had suggested that they were in temporary quarters for the moment, but the site was up and running. Maybe Kevin wasn't back in full operation, and if his data base wasn't all there....well they had a shot anyways. Mike contacted the detective in Los Angeles case and the guy was most eager to help. Within minutes they had a logon name and password to use. Mike cracked his knuckles and opened the main page for the site. "Hmm look at all this," Mike said. The multi-colored page was covered in lists for chat rooms, links to sites for new music, movie reviews and fashion tips, all just general teenage stuff. "Appears to be like any one of a hundred sites that kids visit," Wilson said. "Where's the hook?" "We haven't logged in yet," Mike said. "I bet the site handles each log on differently. Kids only get to play around while the special members go straight to the hard core stuff." "Do it," Alan said. Brett and Wilson looked over Mike's shoulder as he pushed the cursor to the log in window. 'Perky Guy' Mike entered for the account name; '1234cutie' was the password. The screen froze a second and then the image of a golden hand appeared, palm facing outwards. An animated sequence began in which the hand closed, rotated ninety degrees and the thumb pointed upwards. It seems they were in. Mike sighed as the main screen for the private site loaded. A young boy appeared first and then several other boys popped up beside him, all nude, all smiling...all legal so far. The toolbar listed several categories. Media, Chat Rooms, Merchandise, FAQ, and Contact Us were the five offerings. "Where do we go from here?" Mike asked. "Merchandise," Wilson suggested. "Why not Chat Rooms?" Brett asked. "Not like they're gonna tell us where they are or who's involved," Wilson replied. "I bet on Merchandise...that's gotta be the hot ticket." Alan nodded. Mike clicked on the button...and was then presented with three more buttons. Toys, Companions and Rules of Play were the choices. "Damn, they make this pretty easy, don't they," Brett said. "I suppose their average client doesn't have much of a computer background. This has to be user friendly," Wilson said. "Companions," Alan suggested. The page revealed a map of the US. There were little star icons designating a dozen cities all over the map. "Wow, they do have long arms, don't they,' Brett said. Mike clicked on the star for Los Angeles and grinned. "Well, we're supposed to be in Los Angeles, right?" "Good thought, but I imagine some of these guys move around and enjoy the services," Wilson said. "There's a star for Chicago too." "Let's not press our luck," Alan said. Ten little thumbnail photos appeared, each the face of a different boy. 'Click to enlarge' were the only words on the page. Mike chose the third from the top and clicked on the boy's photo. A larger image of the kid appeared and then a whole slew of other poses, most of them nudes, peppered the page. And there was a biography of the boy. 'Jessie, age 14, loves to skateboard and bike. A naturally beautiful boy, he spends his free time skating and swimming to give him that all over dark tan so admired by our clients. At five foot six, Jessie is a natural blonde, uncut and sports a five inch erection at the mere thought of your loving touch. Jessie is available until ten pm weeknights and all night on weekends for an extra fee. Call ahead to reserve your appointment for this perky young stud, guaranteed to make you smile.' "Oh God, what a sales pitch," Wilson groaned. "What bullshit," Brett added. "I'm surprised they didn't say he was an 'A' student and his momma's pride and joy. Poor fucking kid." "Go back to the map and highlight Chicago," Alan said. "You thinking our young escapee will be on there?" Brett asked. "Bound to be," Alan replied. Mike returned to the map and clicked on the city. A moment later a sign appeared, 'Site under construction.' "Damn...what a clever kid, now we don't even know what they look like," Alan said. "OK, Mike you keep poking around, but not too deep, it might alert them somehow. Brett, you and Wilson get on the dispatch sergeant's case, I want the search for this Bucky character intensified. "He might be off the street, but I bet he lives within walking distance of that arcade. He has to eat, so have them check the fast food joints and grocery stores around there. Show that sketch around, start a buzz, let everyone know we're after him. If he panics we might flush him out of hiding." "Got it," Brett said, and Wilson started to follow him out of the squad room. "Wilson, wait up," Alan said. "Where would they buy another set of hardware like the one they abandoned?" "Hmm, well most high end places, business outlets mostly. Not going to find that stuff at Staples, that's for sure." "A lot of sources for that stuff here in town?" "Ahh, maybe a half dozen...you want us to check it out?" Wilson asked. "Yeah, see if you can grab a couple of uniforms to help out. Maybe Bucky is their gofer boy, be sure and give them a list of the stuff we inventoried. Those drives Kevin pulled need the same kind of hardware interface to be of any use. He probably needs them to get the local site up and running, it's just a thought." "Good thinking...that's why you're the boss," Wilson grinned. "Get outta here," Alan laughed. * * * * * The customer spilled several items on the counter, including a bag of Oreo cookies that had already been opened. "You're supposed to buy the items before you start eating," the cashier said. "Aw, fuck off, I'm payin ain't I?" "Watch your mouth, young man." The cashier bagged the groceries and totaled the sale. A small bell tinkled at the door as someone else came inside. She looked up and smiled, the customer ignoring everything except the handful of cash and change he was using to pay. "Afternoon, Mrs. Lawson," a voice said. "And a good afternoon to you, Officer Rollins," she replied. There were a few seconds of silence, during which the young man stiffened, his eyes shifting from the money in his hand to the shadow of the police uniform that loomed in his peripheral vision. The cashier immediately looked alarmed. Bucky brought his hands up to the middle of his chest and spun away, elbowing the uniform out of his way as he scrambled for the doorway. "Hey, watch out..." Rollins started to say. Bucky made it to the door and slammed it open, breaking the glass in the process. There was a patrol car outside at the curb, so he made a hard right and knocked an elderly man down on the sidewalk. Rollins was only steps behind him, Bucky could feel the guy giving chase, but he knew better than to look back. Instead he looked up just as a fist slammed into his forehead. He went down, the money in his hands flying all around him, coins and bills scattering on the concrete. Through blurred vision, he looked up into a face, a very large angry face. "You knocked my Pops down, you asshole. Pops...Pops, are you OK?" Bucky couldn't move, his head felt like it had split open. The angry face was replaced by another, that of Officer Rollins. "Goin somewhere, kiddo?" Rollins glanced at the paper in his hand and back down at the prone man. "Well, I'll be damned. Frank, we got a hot one here." Bucky was rolled over, his face numb from the shock of the blow. He felt the handcuffs ratchet down on his wrists before he was hoisted to his feet. "Let me go, I didn't do nothing," Bucky finally managed to say. Rollins held the sketch up to Bucky's face. "Tattoo matches, you want to give me your name." "Fuck off." "Ahh, well Mr. Fuck Off, we have a warrant for your arrest. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, and you have the right to an attorney. If you can't afford one...? "I ain't sayin nothing," Bucky muttered. Suddenly that large angry face was back and Bucky jerked backwards "My Pops has a cut on his arm from this asshole. I want to press assault charges." "You certainly can do that," Rollins said, "But that will be the least of his worries. Seems he's wanted for child abduction and prostitution of a minor." Bucky's eyes rolled up in his head and he passed out. Rollins and his partner carried the prone man over to the patrol car and lay him out on the back seat, locking the doors. Rollins turned to look at the large man standing beside his Pops. "Would you like me to call an ambulance for your father?" he asked politely. * * * * * Alan was stunned as he put down the phone. "A uniform patrol caught Bucky at a corner market six blocks from the arcade this afternoon, now there's a piece of luck." "Great, now we get a little closer to the organization," Mike said. "Maybe," Alan said. "But I still think Bucky is just the gofer. He probably delivers the boys to the clients, so at least we may find out where these kids are taken." "Well I have a bit of news," Mike said. "In searching the Golden Hand site I came up with some interesting information. In Chicago they charge five hundred for a date, eight hundred if the kid spends the night. But in L.A. they double that and in New York....well it starts at two thousand and goes up from there." "Damn, we're talking some high dollar stuff here," Alan said. "It means they have a lot of cash at their disposal. Any word back on the credit card usage?" "Not yet. I would bet the charging source changes frequently, mostly dummy accounts. I don't see this kid Kevin doing all that, he must be glued to that computer setup most of the time. That means someone else is doing the paperwork it takes to set up these phony companies." "Yeah, and we know there were at least two adults in that apartment, excluding Bucky." Alan said. "But there has to be someone who does the photos, I can't see Bucky as the photographer. And I bet all the boys were asked to pose in the nude, Austin seems to have enjoyed doing it." Mike grimaced. "Some of that shit he did was disgusting." "Yeah," Alan said. But I sure would love to get a private showing out of the boy someday, he thought. Alan was just hoping that whatever happened between himself and Austin could remain a private affair. The guys on the squad might accept him as a gay man, but they would turn away if he involved himself with a minor. Imagine the shame of being cuffed by his own friends...the boy wasn't worth all that. "So when are you gonna talk to Bucky?" Mike asked. "I was planning to let him stew in lockup for a while. They're going to call me if he contacts a lawyer. It will be very interesting to see what kind of council they might send him." "You think this organization will cover for him?" "If he were my gofer I'd be afraid he might talk," Alan said. "Did you read Rollins report on the arrest?" Mike smiled, "Yeah, the guy seems like a real lame brain. One punch and he was out." "Then you don't know the guy that hit him. Hugo the Terrible they call him, he's a big hit on the pro wrestling circuit. Just Bucky's bad luck I suppose. You mean you don't watch wrestling on Saturday night?" Mike laughed. "Alan...I have a wife who is six months along and two screaming little ones at home; I get tag-teamed every time I walk in the door...who needs wrestling?" Alan grinned. "Sorry, I forgot. I'm still the only bachelor on the squad." Mike mumbled something under his breath as he went back to his workstation; Alan swore it sounded like 'lucky bastard.' If Mike only knew he probably wouldn't think so. Wilson called in and he didn't sound happy, no luck on the computer sources. Alan told him about Bucky's arrest and that seemed to cheer the big guy up. But it was coming up on the end of their shift and so Alan told Wilson and Brett to knock off for the day. Mike left shortly after that and Alan sat at his desk. Austin had been on his mind all day following their brief conversation. The boy said he would call again...soon had been the word he used. Alan imagined the boy would get himself another phone before he did. He wasn't even gonna bother trying to trace it, the kids were too smart for that. Smart...yes they were, but they weren't alone in this. He could be sure that there was an older man involved even though Austin hadn't mentioned anyone. But he knew the boy had held back other things as well, who else was he protecting? Chapter Five The man drove a very nice BMW into the parking lot, one of the latest sports models. He parked the car next to the building, out of sight from the nearby highway. Getting out, he walked around to the passenger door, and opened it. The legs of his passenger swung out onto the cracked asphalt surface. In the gathering gloom of evening, the sparse security lighting in the parking lot revealed a woman's shapely legs. Her feet were encased in expensive high heels, matching the designer outfit she wore. The woman gave him a smile and they walked towards the outside staircase to the second floor balcony. Passing a half dozen rooms, the man produced a key and opened a door. The couple went inside and the door closed. To any prying eyes they could have been a married couple or even lovers looking for a little quiet time. The reality was...they were anything but. "You did that quite well," the man said. "Christ, Jack...you know I hate wearing heels unless I'm on stage." Jack laughed. "Well now, you played the part quite well. Besides William, you get to keep the dress. I promised you that didn't I?" Billy giggled, pulling the blonde wig from his head. "Yes, I suppose you did." He kicked off the shoes and shimmied out of the dress, leaving himself standing there in a T-shirt and shorts. Now Billy looked like the twenty something hot stripper that Jack had admired so much these past three months. He felt that familiar stirring in his crotch when he saw the boy's legs; he had a fetish for shapely legs. He had become so familiar with that young body, possessing every inch of it during their passionate moments. The best part was that Billy still had the body of a sixteen year old, he was virtually hairless. The best of both worlds, a man in a boy's body. Jack looked at the doorway to the adjoining room. Kevin would be over there. Dear sweet Kevin, my little fucking genius, Jack thought. Soon the boy would be legal and he would worry less. Jack could still remember that night not too many years before. A small boy huddled on the sidewalk outside that gay cowboy bar on P Street in D.C. It was a cold night and the kid had looked up at him as he passed. And something in those eyes had brought Jack to a dead stop in mid-stride. "Can you spare some change?" the boy had said. "What are you doing here?" Jack had asked. Maybe he had been a little drunk but the kid seemed to pull him like a magnet. "I...I just need some food," the boy stammered, his lips almost blue from the cold. Jack had looked around, but they were alone on the sidewalk since it was past midnight. He remembered dropping down beside the boy, taking off his leather jacket and wrapping it around the kid's shoulders. "What are you doing here?" he repeated. "I have no where else to go," the boy had said...tears appearing in his eyes. Those big brown eyes. My God, he'd thought, the boy can't be over twelve years of age. He shouldn't be here. "Can you buy me something to eat?" the boy asked. Jack noticed the necklace hanging at the boy's throat. It was the little pink triangle that caught his eye. The boy saw him look and smiled. "Yes...I am," he said almost proudly. Jack remembered laughing. "The best of us usually are," He'd said in return. The retort caused the boy's face to light up, his mouth open in surprise. "You too?" "Yes...now let's get you out of the cold and we can talk about it later, OK?" Jack had taken the boy home to the place he leased in Georgetown. His home was in Chicago...or Los Angeles, New York, Montreal...wherever business took him these days. But thankfully he had been in D.C. that night or the boy might have succumbed to the cold out there on the streets. Jack fixed the kid some hot soup and a sandwich. He ate most of his meals out, always looking for new clients. But now this starving boy had just fallen in his lap. With a little warmth in his belly, Kevin had begun to tell his story. Kevin...the name suited him so well. Kevin, age thirteen, had come out to his parents with a sincere wish that they understand why he was behaving the way he did. Everything went to hell almost immediately. They tried to have him committed to an institution; their son could only be delusional thinking he was gay. But the medical profession wouldn't cooperate; being gay was no longer considered a psychosis. So his parents had turned to friends looking for some religious organization that would change the boy. Feeling he was about to be brainwashed by some cult the boy had only one choice, he ran. It meant leaving behind everything he had come to know in his young life, the greatest loss being his computer. Kevin had been in a Northern Virginia school for gifted kids. He had rated genius on an IQ test in fourth grade. But now he doubted his own wisdom for leaving, the street was no place for him to survive; he just didn't have the skills. He'd been hungry and cold for three days...and he smelled bad. Jack led the boy to the bathroom, gave him a towel and a robe...then shut the door. He put Kevin to bed in his own bedroom and the boy was out in a matter of minutes. Jack went to his desk and began answering his e-mail, the flow of orders and requests never stopped. Business was good but also exhausting since he didn't trust anyone else to make the decisions. It was probably four in the morning when he felt the presence behind him. Kevin was standing at the door asking if he was ever gonna come to bed. Jack sat the boy on his lap and Kevin watched the flow of information cascading down the screen. "You know what this is?" Jack had asked. "Sure. You're running a business online," Kevin said. "You have a flow of orders coming in and you route them to...uh, well six sources I see here. This is some kind of mail order business...what do you sell?? The question begged an answer so Jack gave him one. "I sell sweetness and love, Kevin." Kevin grinned, "You sell porn, huh? Cool." It had been the beginning of a long and profitable relationship, four years and counting. Jack didn't expect a bump in the road like what had just happened would derail what they had going. Kevin knew the business better than he did and he completely trusted the boy. Jack went and knocked on the adjoining door to let Kevin know he was here. If any of the brats was in that room Kevin would clear them out before opening the door. Jack liked anonymity, he was Mr. G to any of the hundred or so boys scattered across the country. To Kevin he was Jack or even sometimes...Daddy. From day one they had never consummated their relationship with any sexual activity. It was hard, Kevin being the honest, pleading adolescent who would have done anything for the man that had literally taken him off the street and given him a life. And the boy had worked his wiles those first few months, but to no avail. Jack was quite attracted to the boy, but he saw so much more than sex between them. Kevin was like a son and incest wasn't on the menu. It had worked out for the best, they both finally agreed. Jack would have his legal boyfriends and Kevin could chose to sleep with any of the boys Golden Hand possessed. But until now Kevin had remained celibate. He had mentioned this boy Austin as someone special in a few emails. Jack knew the face from the site but was curious to see the boy in person. If Kevin vouched for this one then it seemed like an acceptable risk. He just hoped this boy wasn't some gawky adolescent pain in the ass. Kevin finally opened the door and threw his arms around Jack. There had always been real affection between them, but this time Jack detected a bit of insecurity. "Damn I've missed you," Jack said. "You all OK here? I know things have been a bit unsettled for you guys the past few days." "Yeah, it's been....weird," Kevin replied. "Have you seen Bucky? I haven't heard a word from him at all." "I told him to lay low after you called me, but he didn't listen. He got himself arrested yesterday for assault on some old man." Jack could hear the shower running in the bathroom. "Who's in there?" "Austin," Kevin said, and then he grinned. "You know, I told you about us." "The runaway from Oklahoma? Yeah, I remember him," Jack said. "He's been a real help with the kids. I needed the time to get things going again." "Yeah, been working on a new place for you guys," Jack said. "You remember Billy?" "Yeah...Hey Billy," Kevin said. Billy gave him a wave back in reply. "You get us a new place yet, Jack?" "Yes, that's what I came to tell you. Look sweetie, I know none of this mess is your fault so don't take this the wrong way. We're going to partner you guys up with someone who can mind the store while you run the business." Kevin looked surprised. Jack had never let someone else get close, and the very definition of partner was an insider. "Is it going to change the way we do business?" Kevin asked. "A little...I'm ditching Bucky." "Good...for a lot of reasons. Austin has been telling me about some of the games Bucky was playing," Kevin said. "I'm sorry, I was so tied down I didn't know he was breaking in the new boys like that." Jack smiled. "You're such a good boy. You work too hard and maybe this will alleviate some of that pressure. No more downtown apartments, you guys are going to live like kings from now on...." He stopped in mid-sentence. It was the moment Austin chose to exit the bathroom....sans towel or any form of cover. Jack gazed at the boy's naked body and Austin smiled back. Kevin giggled, knowing full well that the boy had no shame about his body whatsoever. "Austin...this is my...Daddy," Kevin said. "Uh...sorry," Austin said, and now he was blushing. "It's ok, kid, go get some clothes on," Jack said. It was amusing and yet Jack felt a surge of lust at the same time. Kevin was a lucky boy to have this one in his bed. He'd met so many of his boys over the years, and to some degree felt physically attracted to them. But most of them were kiddie trade, while Austin looked like a developing young man. Yeah, Kevin was very lucky. He sat the boys down for a talk while Billy remained in the room next door. It was a testament to Kevin's good judgment that he allowed Austin to stay. "I've known this man for a while now, his name is John Alderman. He used to be a lawyer with a large firm, but he's retired now. I'm sure you know the name Kevin, he's been a client on and off for years." Kevin nodded in reply. "Well," Jack continued, "I've decided to do away with the nest concept and bring all you boys together in one house...and it's a very large house at that. It's very private and there's a pool with room for a basketball court if you want. But above all it's secure and safe for you boys. I worry about that you know." "Without Bucky how are we going to conduct business?" Kevin asked. "John will see that the boys get rides, he owns a fleet of limousines. Pretty classy, huh?" "Wow...but it sounds expensive," Kevin said. "Prices are going up I'm afraid, but most of the clients won't care," Jack said. He turned to look at Austin and smiled. "Wouldn't you rather ride in a limo?" Austin stared back. "Depends...does the ride come out of my share?" Jack was a little startled at the reply. "Um, no it won't. John will cover that. What...you feel like you aren't making enough?" Austin shrugged. "I dunno. I let Kevin hold my money." Jack smiled, "That sounds like a wise move, and he'll keep it safe. One of these days you'll need that money to start building your life. I suppose you know you're one of the older boys in this business." "Yeah, I do," Austin replied. "But I also know that my body is worth more now." Jack grinned, looking over at Kevin. "You put him up to this?" "Nope...Austin speaks for himself. Maybe I'm to blame, but he does like to take charge." "Good, because I have a suggestion for Austin. If he wants I'll take him out of the lineup for dates and let him run the kiddie farm." "Wow...really?" Kevin said. "Yeah, well you need more time together I bet and at John's house there'll be the entire team in one location." He looked straight at Austin. "That means you might have to control a dozen boys...are you up to it?" Austin grinned. "You got your man, Mr. G." "Jack...you may call me Jack since you're almost one of the family now. Maybe Kevin will even teach you some of the business end." Austin smiled and Kevin grabbed him in a hug. Jack watched the boys' antics and then cleared his throat. Austin looked up. "And I think we can assure you of a raise in salary, will that suit you?" "Yes, Jack...thanks," Austin said. "Well you get Kevin to make a few investments for you, he'll put your money in all the right places, won't you sweetie?" "Yes...Daddy," Kevin grinned. "Now Austin, why don't you go next door and get the kids packed up. The van will be here in about an hour," Jack said. "Make sure they don't leave anything behind." "Sure thing," Austin replied. He unlocked the access door and slipped through. Kevin looked over at Jack, the smiles gone, the tension had returned. "What happens to Bucky?" Kevin asked. "He knows too much." "That's being taken care of, he won't be a liability for much longer. Does that bother you?" "Um...not really, he was never nice to me or the boys." "He had his uses and he blew it...we move on," Jack said. "Thanks for being so good to Austin," Kevin said. "I think he was about to make a move." "Really? Then you have to keep an eye on him, sweetie. He seems pretty content with your relationship." "I think I'm the only reason he stays. I'll watch him...I don't want anything bad to happen to him," Kevin said. "So did you spring for the new equipment?" "Yeah, the crate arrived from New York yesterday; it's already at the house." "So where is this new place, still in the city?" Kevin asked. "Lincoln Park, the place is really huge. I wish we had done this before; it makes a lot more sense. I don't see any reason that the new boys can't mix with the experienced ones, especially with Austin minding them." "I guess that means he'll have to break any new ones in for us. At least he won't abuse them like Bucky did." Kevin grinned, "I just hope they don't wear him out, I gotta get mine you know." Jack laughed. "Somehow I know you'll always get yours. Come on, you have to pack up too." Kevin packed up the meager amount of computer equipment and tossed his clothes in a bag. The idea of living in a real secure house was appealing. He wasn't sure what John would be like, but Jack trusted him so that was enough. Now all he had to do was worry about Austin. Something was different; he had sensed it the minute the boy returned to the apartments. Maybe that cop had gotten through to him, all cops played head games. What could he offer Austin? Dodging the law was part of their game and they knew how to do it quite well by now. The added responsibility would be good for the boy, make him feel more a part of the organization. Either way, Austin wouldn't be on the street anymore. Kevin really loved the boy, he didn't want Austin to become a liability and then disappear. Kevin shuddered; he knew what happened to liabilities. Jack had people for that, he had people for everything. Sometimes his Daddy could be a scary man. Anyone that became a threat to the business was taken care of, even if they were boys. Nothing would stop the Golden Hand. He had seen the photo online, the one of the dead boy. Jody had only been fourteen when he vanished. His body was found four months later, the case unsolved. Kevin knew the answers, but he couldn't tell anyone. A client had broken the rules and the boy had been badly hurt. Jack had sent some guys to talk with the client and he paid for the damages. Jody had just begun to recover when he decided to run, got caught in the act and taken away by Bucky. Even Jack knew Bucky wasn't the right man for the job, but there it was. The article said the boy had been raped and strangled...well, the article didn't say exactly what happened, but Kevin knew. God but he hated that pervert. Now he would get his just desserts. Kevin followed the other boys out to the van. It was late, the parking lot quiet. But he knew there were eyes on them out there in the darkness, Jack was always cautious. Maybe he could relax in this new place of theirs, he needed to rest. It had been almost four years of constant pressure. Austin took the backpack and laid it gently on the floor at their feet before grasping his hand. Kevin smiled. Yes, this was love, and this one beautiful creature made it all worth while.