CHAPTER FOUR
It had been a week since Dyson had been arrested. The tension was high, and Noam wished he could find a way to ease things around the STK house. Bryon was taking things hard, blaming himself for everything. No matter how many times they told him it could have happened at any time to any of them, he insisted it had been his job to keep the team safe. Noam didn't see it that way. The word team said it all. It took everyone working together to keep them all safe.
He might not have been with the team as long as the others, and he may not be part of the ones who took the highest risk, but he was there enough to know that the whole group leaned on each other and worked together to protect one another no matter what was going on. More than once he'd seen Kacey go in when he was supposed to have the night off because a sting was more dangerous than they'd thought and they wanted an extra person there.
Noam signed in at the front desk of the jail. He'd had no problem convincing authorities that he had a good reason to speak with Dyson. He told them he wanted his sources, to find out all he could to help his own program of tracking down offenders and having them arrested. It was an easy cover story, but now that he was here, he had to figure out how he could discuss other things with him.
He'd hoped to get permission to meet with him face to face, but they would only allow him to meet through the normal glass window. It would have to be enough. At least he didn't have to wait for Dyson's normal visiting days, and could come and go as many times as he needed. If nothing else, seeing a friendly face would hopefully help Dyson's mood and assure him that he wasn't forgotten.
He walked down the long hallway, watching for B pod. Once he found it, he entered the small visiting area and took a seat behind one of the windows. It was five minutes before the door on the other side opened and Dyson walked in.
Noam had to school his features, not daring to show the shock at how thin Dyson was looking after only a week. He decided then and there, it didn't matter if it raised eyebrows, he was putting a hundred dollars on Dyson's books so he could order extra food. He reminded himself that he had to act as if the two of them had never met. He was aware that anyone could be listening and that everything was recorded.
Noam stood, giving Dyson a nod as he approached the window. He saw the wonder in Dyson's eyes. He had to be shocked that anyone from the team dared come in to see him. "Hi, my name is Noam Levinsky, and I'd like to ask you a few questions."
Dyson sat down, resting his arms on the small counter. "What kind of questions? I've already said everything I have to say."
"Which I hear isn't much." Noam smiled. "I'm not here to ask you about what you did to the men and women you hunted. Let's say I'm more on the same team as you are. I'm interested in learning about how you found them. How you figured out all these people were pedophiles."
Dyson shrugged.
"Listen. I work with a group that goes online with fake accounts, acting like they are young children. We lure the pedophiles in and get them to agree to meet us. When they do, we arrest them. Did you use any apps or anything that might help us?"
"What's in it for me?" Dyson narrowed his eyes.
"Listen, I know you might not know because you're in here, but you have support out there. People are calling you a hero. After years of no one knowing about what you do, the media finally found out and broke the news. You're the top story right now. Women and children you've saved are coming forward to defend you by telling their stories. I'm not here to judge you. I get why you did what you did. Right or wrong, you saved lives. I just want to continue to find these people. Continue to work with my team to help you." He was trying to word things so Dyson would know the team was working to get him out, but it wasn't easy.
"How can you help me?"
"What do you need? You got everything you need in here?" It was a simple enough question to find out if he was okay.
"I could use some books. They have to be sent from Amazon directly, but I'll read anything. I'd also like someone to go by my house and make sure it's locked up and safe. I know the cops had to have raided it. Can you drive by and check on it for me?"
"Sure will. Is there anyone I can contact for you?"
Dyson shook his head. "There isn't anyone."
"You have more people standing with you than you think. Have faith this will all work out." He stared into Dyson's eyes, hoping he caught that they were going to help him. They would get him out.
Dyson nodded. "Thanks. I don't know how much help I can be." He named off some of the more obscure apps that he knew they searched, ones that wouldn't be well known to anyone listening. "You could try those. Mostly it was surveillance. I'd watch them, learn everything about them. I was patient, took my time."
Noam nodded. "Think about things. I'd be willing to testify on your behalf if you are willing to share the names of those you were watching. Give us a lead so we can go in and save the children you didn't get to? I can't endorse what you've done, but I hate that there are others out there that we can save."
"Come back and see me soon and I'll have a list of names for you." Dyson stared at him.
Noam didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay, keep Dyson company, let him know that he wasn't alone. It was impossible. Any hint that they knew each other could ruin everything. "I'll be back then. Thank you. I promise to drive by your house and make sure it's secure. I'll also get you some books. Just promise you won't lose hope. What you did might have been illegal, but in my mind, and many others out there, it was deserved."
"Thanks, not that it will do me a lot of good." Dyson sighed.
"It won't take long to figure things out. You've got a good legal team behind you. They'll take care of you." Noam stood. "I appreciate you being willing to work with me."
"I want those kids safe." Dyson gave him a small smile. "I might be out of a job, but if others can save them, they need to do it."
"I promise you, my team and I will make sure the kids are saved." Noam gave him a wave. "I'll speak to you soon, Dyson. Take care, okay."
"Doing my best." Dyson stood and walked out without another glance.
Noam sighed. Hopefully, he'd been able to convey the message that the team was working to get him out. He'd figure out more to say when he came back.
