Unseen (Will Trent / Atlanta Series)

sometimes victims feel safer with men around. They think that brute strength can protect them.”
    Lila acknowledged, “I’ve had rape victims ask for a male detective. Sometimes, not always.”
    Will seemed more hesitant than any of them. “Are you sure?”
    Sara advised, “Just sit down when you get in the room. Let him get used to you first. Seven-year-olds are highly adaptable. They’re also extremely inquisitive. He’ll want to know details about what’s going on, what’s happening next.”
    “We didn’t tell him anything,” Lila said. “We just kept saying he was safe.”
    Jasmine offered, “That’s what he needed, Lila. You heard the doctor. He needed to feel safe and we made him safe.” She looked at Will. “I don’t know about you, though. I’m sorry, but he’s just a little boy, and the people who hurt him looked a hell of a lot like you.”
    Sara didn’t want to force it, but she said, “I’d really like him in the room. I think it would help.”
    The tension seemed to ramp up. Lila was the first one to break the silence. “She’s been right about the other stuff. I say we give it a shot. If the boy freaks out, then Will can always leave, right?”
    Will readily agreed. “Right.”
    Denise and Jasmine exchanged a look. Sara could tell they were used to acting by consensus.
    Lila said, “Dee, if something ain’t working, then you stop doing it and try something else.”
    Denise said, “The boy’s already broken.”
    Lila pointed at her with the spatula. “Maybe it’s time we let the professionals help put him back together.”
    Denise cupped her hands around her mug. She looked at the dark tea. Finally, she said, “All right. But the minute he even starts to look upset, you have to promise to leave.”
    “I promise,” Will said, though he still seemed to be the most reluctant person in the room.
    Denise stood up from the table. “I’ll be right outside the door so he knows I’m there.”
    “Thank you.” Sara retrieved her medical bag from the counter.
    Denise preceded them down the hallway. Sara could tell the woman wanted to stop this, to push both Will and Sara out of the house and do what she’d been doing from the moment she’d rescued the boy from that dark basement. They had been protecting the child for more than a week. They had tended him, fed him, looked over him like guardian angels. Letting a six-foot-three man waltz into the room seemed like the last thing the boy needed.
    At first, it looked as if the boy agreed. His eyes went wide when he saw Will. He shot up in bed, his back pressed against the headboard.
    Denise gently soothed, “It’s okay, baby. These people are friends of ours. They’re here to help you.”
    The boy pulled up the sheet around his chest. They had dressed him in Spider-Man pajamas and put matching linens on the bed. There were toys on every available surface—Matchbox cars, a giant Transformer, enough Legos to build a small town. Picture books were stacked on the dresser. Nothing looked as if it had been touched. Someone had obviously gone to the local children’s store and asked the clerk exactly what to buy for a seven-year-old boy, but this particular seven-year-old wasn’t interested.
    “Good morning.” Sara entered the room, keeping her tone as even as possible. She’d always made it a practice to never talk down to children. “I’m Dr. Linton. This is Agent Trent. He’s a police officer, but he works for the state, which is why they call him anagent instead of a detective.” She indicated for Will to enter the room. “Dr. Thomas isn’t going to be here this morning. He told me to say hello to you. I’m going to look after you if that’s okay.”
    The boy didn’t move, but he didn’t protest, either.
    Sara did a quick visual exam. Dr. Thomas had done a good job. For all intents and purposes, the boy looked like any healthy seven-year-old. His color was good. His weight appeared to be on the low-normal side. There were no indications of dehydration or neglect. The wounds on his face were healing well. Except for his fearful, cowering demeanor, she would never have guessed that the boy had been abducted.
    Sara motioned Will toward the chair in the corner. “Agent Trent’s been in a fight with some very bad men. That’s why his face is bruised. You can see the red marks on his neck. They’re going to heal in a few weeks. Have you ever been bruised before?”
    The boy stared at Will. He gripped the sheets up