Chapter 40 - Finding Leo
After meeting with Valerie for over a week, Cat could feel herself getting stronger. She hadn't realized how much she needed to express her fears, insecurities, and needs to someone. Cat had talked to Trey, but what she was doing with Valerie was at a whole new level.
She was able to express herself in a way she never had before. When she cried, Valerie let her know it was okay to cry when her emotions overwhelmed her. When Cat wanted to scream and yell, Valerie told her to do it.
The hardest part was when Valerie walked Cat through the grieving process of losing her mother, which she had never had the chance to do. That day was draining for Cat, and she ended up staying at the main house with Valerie. She needed a mother figure, and Valerie had stepped into that role to help her through all the emotions she was experiencing.
Trey was glad that Cat was finally getting the help she needed, but it tore him up that he wasn't the one able to help her. Valerie explained that therapy was different from just having someone to talk to. She told him that she was assisting Cat in understanding her emotions and how to process them.
He understood, but when Cat finished with Valerie each day, she seemed worse. She would tell Trey she was fine, but he didn't always believe her.
After a few days, he began to notice changes in Cat. She was becoming more assertive and sure of herself. She started talking about her mother even when it upset her. Trey could tell she needed the release.
While Cat met with Valerie each day, he had been working on his laptop. Even though Trey wasn't going into the precinct, he was still helping them locate Leo. He knew he would try to stay underground where he thought no one would look. Trey was an undercover detective, so he knew how people like Leo thought.
He started looking at the cheap hotels and apartment most people wouldn't stay in if they had any other choice. Once he had a list, he asked Marc to work his magic. Marc did what he could to eliminate a few, but he had someone else go to the others to see what they could find.
After a few days, they had a hit at one of the apartment buildings. The clerk said a man that matched Leo's description had rented one over a week ago, and as far as he knew, the guy was still there. Roger placed an unmarked car for surveillance in the parking lot to watch for any signs of Leo.
There was no movement for a couple of days, but then they hit pay dirt. Leo left the apartment to go to the office. Once they had visual confirmation, Roger moved quickly to call in SWAT.
Trey wanted to be there with them so he could rip Leo apart limb by limb, but he refused to leave Cat. Even though he knew she was safe with Valerie, he wasn't taking any chances of someone getting to her.
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Roger and Ellie were waiting outside the apartment where Leo was hiding. SWAT should be there any minute. Roger told Trey he would let him know as soon as they had him in custody so he could share the news with Cat.
He smiled when he thought about Cat. Roger had never seen anyone who had gone through as much as that young woman and still had the courage to fight. He hoped after they apprehended Leo, it would give her some closure. He looked up and saw SWAT pulling up. The commander walked over to Roger for instructions.
"The suspect is a known pedophile responsible for a young woman's kidnapping. We need to arrest him and find evidence of who he's working for so we can take down the entire network. My team will wait for your all clear." The commander nodded and spoke into his mic to have his team move in.
Roger watched as they spread out around the building. Two went to the door of Leo's apartment, and one kicked it in before rushing inside. Roger heard someone yelling, and then he got the call from the commander that it was all clear.
When Roger and Ellie walked inside, they were shocked. Leo was alone but had a small desk and table covered with computer equipment. There were reports showing where merchandise went and how much money he received for each transaction.
Roger studied what was on the screen, and as he continued reading, he felt fury course through his veins. He could tell that Leo was the one running the operation; they had underestimated him. After Leo was read his rights, Roger walked up to him and smirked even though he felt like kicking in his teeth.
"Well, Leo, it looks like you've provided us with enough evidence to lock you up for life. Many people will sleep peacefully tonight knowing you've been put back in your cage." Leo's face got red with anger.
"You don't know anything. You can't decipher my records because you're too dumb to know what they say. Make sure you tell Caterina to come and visit me. I owe her." He laughed like a madman, and Roger clenched his fists to resist punching him.
"Get this idiot out of here before I rearrange his face," Roger yelled at one of the officers.
Once they had taken Leo to the patrol car, Roger pulled out his phone and called Trey. He answered on the first ring.
"Tell me you got him."
"We did. Tell Cat it's all over, and this time he won't be getting back out. It looks like he wasn't working for anyone. Leo was running the pedophile ring himself. We're going to try to track down the children from his records. I'm going to ask Valerie to talk to the children we find, but I wanted to see if you think Cat would talk to some of them too. She may be able to relate to them in a way others can't."
Trey thought about what Roger had said. He was glad they finally caught Leo, so that was one thing Cat would be able to put behind her. It made him sick to know what Leo was up to and all the children he'd hurt.
He didn't know about Cat talking to the children. Trey worried she might be too raw from dealing with her past. However, Roger was right; Cat may be able to connect with these kids.
"That's good news about Leo, but I don't know about Cat talking to the kids. Let me discuss it with her and Valerie. Keep us updated." Trey disconnected the call just as Valerie and Cat came into the room. They were both laughing, so he thought that was a good sign.
Cat saw the worry on Trey's face, and she assumed it was because he was worried about her. She knew her emotions had been all over the place now that she was working things out, but she felt better. Cat felt stronger than she had in a very long time. She walked up to Trey and put her arms around him.
"I just got a call from Roger, and I have some good news." Trey smiled at Cat, who was looking up at him.
"What is it?"
"They caught Leo and found that he was the one running everything. It's finally over. Roger said they have enough evidence to lock him up for life." He saw tears pooling in her blue eyes, making them look even bigger.
"They caught him? It's really over?" Cat suddenly started jumping up and down in excitement. She hugged Trey tight and then ran over to Valerie to hug her.
"Valerie, Roger said they may be able to locate some of the children, and he's going to ask you to talk with them." Trey glanced at Cat, and she was looking at Valerie.
"Okay, I'll be ready to go."
"Cat, he also wanted to know if you could meet with them. Roger said that you might have a connection with the children that others don't. What do you think? If you aren't comfortable, it's okay. We know you may not be ready for something like this." A part of him didn't want her exposed to anything like what she had endured.
Cat thought about talking to these kids who had most likely gone through some of the same abuse she had. Could she speak with them and help them overcome this trauma? If she were going to follow her dream and open a group home to help children that are survivors of abuse, this would be good practice. Cat decided it was time to use her past for good, and if she could get through to even one child, it would be worth it.
"I'll do it. Roger's right about me being able to relate to them. I told you once before that was one of the reasons I never talked to anyone because they didn't understand. I know this won't be easy for them or me, but I'll do it. I don't want them to be stuck like I was for so long." Cat looked at Valerie to see if she had her approval. Valerie smiled and nodded.
"I know this will be hard for you, but I think it may be good for you and the children." She walked over to Cat and put her arm around her. She was starting to feel motherly toward her, like she was the daughter she never had.
"Thanks." Cat hugged her and smiled.
Trey smiled at them both. His little kitten had come a long way in such a short time. His heart felt like it was going to explode with how much he loved her. Cat was his everything. Trey's phone suddenly rang, startling the three of them.
"Roger, we're all here, and I updated Cat and Valerie. We're ready to go when you tell us to." That was Trey's way of telling Roger Cat had agreed to his request.
"I need you all to head to the hospital where Cat used to work. We've found thirteen children, some of whom are in horrible shape."
