Page 28 of Dead O’Clock

“Mr. Miller, this is Jude Byrne from the Salem Police Department. I’ve got Chief Cisco Jackson with me. We have reason to believe the man killing law enforcement personnel is in your house lying in wait for you to come home.”

“I appreciate your concern, detective, but my security system is top of the line. There’s no way anyone’s getting into my house.”

“Miller, this is Chief Jackson. We have a plan to catch this man, but it involves you not going home. Meet me at the police station. We’re going to send Detective O’Mara to your house in your place.”

“Chief, I don’t think-”

“I don’t give a flying fuck what you think!” Cisco thundered. “Not only is your life on the line but so is the life of one of my detectives and his entire family, which includes two small children. You’ve got two choices; do what I’ve asked and meet me at the precinct or I’ll send the entire fucking department to find you. You’ll be taken into custody and brought to the station. Trust me when I say spending the night in a hotel on the city’s dime is much more comfortable than sleeping in one of the cells in the Salem City Jail. What’s it gonna be?”

Miller sighed. “Fine. I’ll meet you at the police station. I’m in line at McDonalds’ drive thru. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

“What are you driving?”

Miller sighed, as if Cisco trying to save his life was an inconvenience. “BMW 228i, white with black trim. Mass tag 9973 BK.”

“Thank you, Mr. Miller.” Cisco ended the call. “Ronan, Ten, all of you, go pack, now. Take only what you’ll need for two nights away from home. Do the two of you want your families to go to the hotel too? Honestly, I think it’s the best course of action, but I’ll leave the decision to you.” He looked back and forth between Jude and Fitz.

“Yeah,” Jude said. “I’ll take Cope and the kids home. Let me know when the van gets here.”

“Same. I won’t be able to focus on getting Rhodes if my family isn’t somewhere safe.” Fitz got up from the table and headed into the living room.

“I’ll start packing for Ezra.” Ten dropped a kiss on Everly’s head. “I’m gonna need you to work fast, okay honey?”

“Yup.” Everly ran out of the kitchen.

“We’re gonna be okay,” Ten said, his voice shaking.

Josh Gatlin had been a thorn in Ten and Ronan’s side for years. When Josh was killed in prison several years ago, Ten thought that would be the end of it, but then his spirit started visiting their house, begging Ten and Ronan to solve his murder, and threatening to appear to Everly if Ronan refused to help. Ronan solved the case and Josh’s spirit had been carried away by a force Ten didn’t want to think about, except to say he hoped Damien Rhodes ended up in the exact same place for all eternity.

13

Ronan

An hour later, Ronan found himself sitting in a conference room at the Salem Police Department with Jude and Fitz. They were waiting for Cisco to join them after his meeting with the angry public defender. Ronan had a feeling Miller’s chat with the chief hadn’t gone well.

“Everyone is safe at the hotel,” Cisco said, walking into the room. “Everly and Ten have a walkie and instructions on how and when to use it.”

“Is Miller settled in as well?” Fitz asked. “The last thing we need is for him to show up at his house and ruin the whole plan.”

“He’s at a different location from your families with a guard at his fifth floor door. The only way Miller is getting out of that hotel room is if he’s Spider-Man.”

“Good to know,” Jude said. “Okay, so what’s our plan here?”

“We’re coming at this guy full-force. SWAT will surround the house and breach the door. The team is aware that Rhodes’s weapon of choice is a needle, probably an auto-injector pen, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he has other weapons as well like a gun or a taser, something that can immobilize a person from a distance.”

“Makes sense to me,” Ronan said. “Where do you want us?”

“As far away from the action as possible. You’re on his hit list, Ronan.” Cisco sighed. “I can’t believe I’m saying those words out loud. Rhodes might be upset over losing his chance to get to Michael Miller, but taking you out is the next best thing.”

Ronan had a feeling Cisco was going to say something like that. Frustration welled up inside of him. If they didn’t get Rhodes now, they could lose their opportunity altogether. If he went into hiding then Ronan would live under the proverbial sword of Damocles, waiting for it to fall and end his life or those of his family. That particular outcome was a no-go. They were going to take down Rhodes tonight, even if Ronan had to disobey a direct order to make it happen.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Cisco said.

“Respectfully, chief, I don’t think you do.”

Cisco raised an eyebrow. “Oh really, hotshot? You’re thinking there’s a possibility we won’t get him tonight and that Rhodes will strike out of the blue when you’ve all let your guards down. You’re also thinking that you’re going to do anything in your power to get this fucker even if it costs you your job.”

“I wouldn’t take it that far. Disobey an order or two, yeah, but not get myself thrown off the force.” Ronan paused. “The reason you know what I’m thinking is because you’d do the same thing if it were Luca and Frankie in the line of fire.”