“One more piece of advice,” Jude began, “make sure you’ve got someone on standby to take care of pets. Give someone the key to your house so it can be locked up after you’re arrested or after a search warrant has been served. I’m not saying you’ll need to put these things in motion, but it’s better to be prepared, just in case.”
Without saying another word, Oliver nodded and left the room.
Cope could hear the frenzy of reporters shouting questions. “Is there something you can do about the media being camped on our doorstep?”
“I’ll ask Cisco to post officers here and at Oliver’s house.” Fitz got to his feet. “We’ll text to let you know what happens in this meeting with Cisco.”
“No,” Cope said, standing up himself. “I’m coming with you. If you’re going to work this case, I want in on it. Oliver came to mewhen Frankie first went missing. He came to me today. I can’t walk away now. Don’t make me.” His eyes were on Jude.
“It’s not my decision,” Fitz said, “but come along. You can plead your own case.”
“You may want to mention Cisco’s pending adoption. If there is any news you can report, that will give you a leg up.” Jude waggled his eyebrows.
“Are you telling me to offer the chief of police a bribe?” Cope asked, sounding incredulous.
“Of course not,” Jude deadpanned. “You’re offering your friend the benefit of your supernatural expertise. Free of charge.”
“Let’s roll,” Fitz opened the conference room door and walked out of the room.
Cope would do anything he had to in order to work this murder investigation with Jude and the others. Oliver Adams deserved the best investigative team Salem had in order to solve his wife’s murder. Cope knew he was the best. All he had to do now was prove it.
3
Jude
Jude’s stomach dipped as he walked into Cisco Jackson’s office. It wasn’t like him to feel anxious over being assigned a case, but this wasn’t just any case. He felt like he personally owed it to Francesca to find her killer. Getting personally involved was not a good thing.
He noticed the look of surprise on Cisco’s face when he saw Cope walk into the office and shut the door. Jude wasn’t sure if he should explain Cope’s presence or let things play out. If Cisco wanted to tell them that he wasn’t giving them the Adams case, then Cisco didn’t need to know why Cope had come with them to this meeting. His gut was telling him that would not be the case.
“You know why I asked to see you,” Cisco said, steepling his fingers together.
“We assume it has to do with the Francesca Adams case.” Jude pulled out his notebook and prepared to scribble Cisco’s instructions.
“Indeed it does.” Cisco looked back and forth between the three detectives, seeming to ignore Cope for the moment. “I’m putting my neck out giving this case to you. It’s technically a cold case, but I would ordinarily assign an investigation like this to homicide detectives.”
“Why are you handing the case to us?” Fitz asked.
“To be honest, it wasn’t my call.”
“Whose call was it?” Ronan looked like he had an idea, but didn’t voice it.
“Sarah Corning, the lieutenant governor. Former mayor of Salem.” Cisco grinned. “Sarah was always the type who got emotionally involved in abduction and murder cases. She’d known Francesca for over a decade before she disappeared. We all did. None of us would ever have guessed that a prominent member of the city council would abscond with a cool million bucks, leaving her husband, family, and her community high and dry.”
“Even after the records showing Frankie had stolen the money came out, Corning was still on her side,” Ronan said. “We all thought it was a risky political move at the time, but seeing where she is now, I’d venture to say the risk was worth the reward.”
Cisco shrugged, obviously unwilling to commit either way. “I’ve got the file for you.” He pointed to the table behind the detectives, where several evidence boxes sat. The body is being autopsied today. The ME is expecting the three of you.” Cisco’s attention finally turned to Cope. “I’m assuming you want to be the cold case psychic?”
Cope nodded. “I was the one Oliver came to when Frankie went missing. He visits the shop every year, rain or shine, on the anniversary of his wife’s disappearance. I’d like to offer my services if you think there’s anything I can do to help.”
“You’re emotionally involved in this case.” It wasn’t a question. Jude knew Cisco made the statement simply to feel Cope out.
“I am,” Cope agreed. “A woman is dead. Frankie was someone who would give the literal shirt off her back if you were in need. It’s time someone return that gesture to her.”
Cisco looked impressed. “And if you discover Oliver Adams killed his wife?”
“I bring the information to you, Chief, or to Captain Fitzgibbon, just like I would if I knew Jude committed a crime.” Cope offered a small smile.
Jude didn’t take the bait. He could hear the earnestness in Cope’s voice and didn’t want to do anything that would make Cisco kick Cope out of his office. Tennyson had helped solve murders more times that Jude could count. He had no doubt Cope could do the same.
