Chapter 9 Lines in the Sand #2
Before the day ended, Colin had set up a meeting for the end of the week.
The attendees: Lucas Donovan, FBI Task Force Leader; Vivian Cortez, DOJ Human Trafficking Prosecutor; Shannon Nash, Charlottesville City Police—and Colin’s good friend.
Together, they’d lay out the steps to dismantle the operation, arrest those responsible, and ensure that the young victims had stability, medical care, and support.
Elias Moreno, as part of his deal with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, turned over actionable intel: names, roles, locations, communications, transactions, travel records. His associates, granted immunity, would testify, giving the prosecution an inside line on every facet of the ring.
The week blurred into tense phone calls and late-night sessions. By Friday, Colin was ready—at least on paper. But the responsibility pressed on him like a physical weight.
When he entered the conference room, Lucas Donovan, the FBI task force leader, sat at the end of the table, sleeves rolled up, studying a tablet.
Beside him, Vivian Cortez, the DOJ’s lead prosecutor, reviewed a stack of notes, glasses perched low on her nose.
Shannon Nash stood by the whiteboard, silently marking bullet points in careful handwriting.
Lucas lifted his head first, eyes sharp. “Colin,” the FBI agent said, extending a hand. “Lucas Donovan, FBI. Good to finally meet you.”
“Likewise,” Colin replied, shaking firmly.
Vivian stood as well, offering a brief smile. “I’ve heard good things, Colin.”
He nodded, eyes serious. “We’ve got a lot to cover. Let’s be seated.”
Shannon stepped away from the board, setting down his marker. He and Colin exchanged a brief smile and an affectionate arm bump. “I figured we’d map out our immediate targets. Elias Moreno’s intel has opened a window—but we all know it won’t stay open long.”
Lucas leaned forward. “Agreed. My teams are ready. Moreno’s given us enough detail to execute simultaneous raids. But timing’s everything.”
Vivian tapped her notes thoughtfully. “Colin, your role will be crucial in securing search warrants and handling witness prep. We need airtight warrants and flawless execution. Can your judges move quickly?”
“I’ve already vetted the ones we can absolutely trust,” Colin answered, eyes steady. “We’ll get the warrants signed as soon as you’re ready.”
Lucas nodded, satisfied. “Then I say we hit all locations at once—zero chance for warnings to spread.”
Shannon glanced toward Colin. “The safety of these kids is a priority. Do we have safe locations ready?”
“Joshua’s helped coordinate shelters and secure placements,” Colin replied. “Sarah Mitchell’s team will handle security and transportation. We’re ready.”
Vivian’s expression warmed slightly. “Excellent. Once we have these people in custody, I’ll handle the indictments. Moreno’s intel, coupled with any evidence seized during these raids, will ensure solid convictions.”
Lucas glanced around the table. “We all know Moreno’s cooperation doesn’t erase his past. But he’s giving us the chance to stop this operation cold. Let’s not waste it.”
Colin leaned forward, hands clasped firmly. “Then let’s finalize this timeline. We move decisively, we protect these kids, and we make Moreno’s cooperation count.”
Around the table, heads nodded in agreement.
“Now,” Colin said, looking around the room, “We need to discuss prosecutorial jurisdiction.” Shannon Nash leaned forward slightly, eyes moving carefully between federal and local representatives. The tension was subtle but unmistakable.
Vivian spoke first, measured and deliberate. “Elias Moreno’s cooperation is invaluable—but this operation is extensive. Human trafficking, particularly involving minors, clearly places this within federal jurisdiction.”
Lucas gave a slight dip of his chin, reinforcing Vivian’s point. “Our priority is dismantling the entire trafficking network, especially any interstate or international links. Moreno’s intel is already proving actionable. But our investigations must move fast and without confusion.”
Colin held their gaze, steady. “I understand federal primacy, but there are significant local crimes—kidnapping, exploitation, assault. Local offenders, local victims. The community expects my office to hold them accountable.”
Vivian considered this, then shook her head. “Joint jurisdiction gets tricky. We’ve made it work before—but only when roles are crystal clear.”
Shannon shifted slightly. “Local law enforcement is fully prepared to support FBI operations. But prosecution decisions directly impact our community. Colin’s involvement matters.”
Lucas exchanged a glance with Vivian, a brief unspoken communication passing between them. Vivian turned back to Colin, decision made.
“A joint prosecution, then,” she proposed firmly. “Federal charges for the core trafficking ring, with your office prosecuting local offenses. Separate charges, but fully cooperative investigations and evidence sharing.”
Colin nodded slowly, satisfied. “Agreed. And we coordinate on victim protection as well—Joshua and Sarah have already started preparations.”
Vivian’s expression relaxed slightly. “Then let’s formalize this clearly from the start. Federal lead, local partnership. One unified approach.”
Lucas leaned forward, extending his hand toward Colin. “It’s a deal. Let’s get these bastards!”
Colin shook Lucas’s hand, tension easing from his shoulders. “Damn right.”
He pulled into the driveway as twilight settled gently over their home, casting shadows across the porch where Joshua waited, leaning against the railing. The soft glow from inside the house spilled through the open doorway, a silent invitation that Colin was happy to accept.
“You’re early,” Joshua said, stepping forward as Colin climbed from the car.
“Made you a promise, didn’t I?” Colin murmured, reaching for Joshua’s hand. “Home before dark.”
Joshua squeezed his fingers, his eyes searching Colin’s face. “You look worn out.”
“Long day.” Colin drew Joshua closer, breathing in his familiar warmth. “I’ll tell you everything inside.”
Joshua led him indoors, the quiet embrace of their home easing the tension in Colin’s shoulders. The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, mingling with a faintly sweet aroma.
“Made blueberry pie,” Joshua confirmed, as if reading his thoughts. “Anxiety baking.”
Colin laughed softly, relaxing as Joshua pushed him gently onto the sofa. “God, that sounds wonderful,” he replied, settling into the cushions.
“Let me get you a piece.”
“Before dinner?”
“Anxiety eating!”
Joshua returned moments later; pie balanced carefully alongside two steaming mugs of coffee. As he sat beside Colin, the silence stretched comfortably between them, punctuated only by the soft clink of forks and whispered sips of coffee.
Finally, Joshua glanced sideways. “How did it go with the meeting?”
Colin hesitated, then set down his mug. “Federal’s taking the lead, but it’s a joint prosecution. I’ll handle the local charges. We’re moving soon—raids, warrants, the whole nine yards.”
Joshua studied him closely. “And the young victims?”
“Your plans for shelters and therapy were approved,” Colin said quietly. “Everything’s ready. You saved me hours of work.”
Joshua smiled. “Good. Those kids are going to need us.” He reached for Colin’s hand. “And speaking of that, I saw Alex today at the clinic,” he said, speaking of Alex Mayfield, a young man they had met and grown close to when Joshua ran a summer camp for LGBTQ+ young men.
Colin smiled, and his fingers tightened on Joshua’s. “Is he OK?”
“Wondering why he hasn’t heard from us lately,” he replied, and Colin winced. They had grown close to the young man, and in the chaos that followed the threats to their lives, they’d inadvertently lost touch with someone who mattered a great deal.
“Damn! I meant to call him,” Colin murmured. “We both did.”
Joshua nodded. “I told him we’ve been… dealing with a lot. I explained some of the situation, and he understood, but I could tell he missed us. You especially.”
A shadow flickered across Colin’s face, guilt tightening his jaw. “We can’t let him think we’ve forgotten him.”
Joshua squeezed his hand. “He knows we haven’t. But maybe we should prove it. Have him out here. Remind him—and ourselves—that we’re still… us.”
Colin looked down at their clasped hands, then back up at Joshua. “Yeah. I’d like that. I think we both need it.”
They fell into silence again, Joshua’s presence a warm anchor. Eventually, his voice broke the quiet, gentle and tentative. “Listen… David and Nate invited us to the cabin this weekend. Said something about walks by the lake, a fire pit, and gallons of Murphy’s Irish Stout.”
Colin smiled. “God, that sounds perfect. I could use some time away.”
Joshua’s smile widened, relief shining in his eyes. “Then it’s settled. Two days of peace.”
Colin slid his arm around Joshua’s shoulders, pulling him close. “Exactly what we need.”
Joshua shifted beside him, his voice low. “What’s Moreno really like, Colin?”
Colin sighed, wrinkling his nose in thought.
“I’ve never met him face-to-face, but… from everything I know?
Calculating. Ruthless. But…” He hesitated, searching for the right words.
“I honestly think he’s glad we’re taking down the sex trafficking ring.
His disgust with it seemed genuine. That was Lexi’s operation, not Elias’s.
None of Elias’s operations ever involved minors.
And honestly?” He smirked. “I get the feeling Elias isn’t overly fond of his whiny little brother. ”
Joshua rested his head against Colin’s shoulder, studying him. “Can you trust him?”
Colin stared into the darkened room, shadows creeping across the floor.
“I trust his self-interest. That’s it. He’ll never be on our side—but if helping us helps him, he’ll follow through.
” He shook his head slightly. “And if he even thinks about stepping out of line, Esther will drop a federal RICO case on his head so huge that his whole family will wish they’d gone legit twenty years ago. ”
Joshua gave a soft chuckle, then squeezed Colin’s hand. “I know you’ll keep your guard up.” His voice grew even softer. “How many youngsters do you expect to find?”
Colin sighed and lowered his head, silent for a long moment. “Moreno’s intel points to at least fifteen—maybe more.” He turned, meeting Joshua’s eyes. “The therapists you recommended are ready. They’ll be standing by to help them.”
Joshua nodded, his hand pressing Colin’s arm, grounding him. “Don’t worry. Once they’re medically cleared, the trauma-focused therapy teams are ready. We won’t just help them survive, Colin. We’ll help them reclaim their lives.”
Colin exhaled hard. “I’m so fucking tired of this. Every time we think we’ve made a dent, there’s a hundred more kids we’ll never reach. It feels endless.”
Joshua’s hand tightened on his. “Baby, we can’t save them all,” he said, his voice steady despite the heaviness in the room. “But tonight—for fifteen kids—we are the difference between life and death.”
He leaned in, pressing his forehead against Colin’s. “And that matters, Colin. It matters more than you’ll ever know.” He closed his eyes, leaning into his husband, their breathing slowly falling into the same steady rhythm.
Colin nodded and turned to kiss his hair.
“I know, babe. Every one of those kids matters. But, Jesus!” He shook his head in frustrated disgust, then, after a moment, he leaned back, pulling Joshua gently against him, eyes drifting closed.
For a moment, at least, the weight felt a bit lighter, shared rather than carried alone.
Tomorrow, they’d face it all again. But tonight, in Joshua’s warmth, Colin allowed himself the simple comfort of hope.