“Uncle Cisco’s in trouble. How can I help?” Everly asked, folding her hands in front of her.
Ten looked to Ronan, who wasn’t sure how to handle the situation either. “Why don’t you start by telling us what you know.”
“Not much,” Everly admitted with a frown. “I can feel everyone’s anxiety, even Uncle Jude’s. I know that the reason is Cisco, but I can’t see why.”
“Your gift isn’t telling you anything?” Ten asked.
Everly shook her head sadly. “Tell me what’s going on so that I can help.”
Ten and Ronan looked at each other again. “A ghost made contact with a man being held in the Salem Jail a few nights ago. The man was a friend of Madam Aurora, who called Dad to see if he could help the spirit, who claimed he was murdered by a member of the Salem Police department. Dad and I went to see this ghost who told us his name was Jefferson McGrath. He also told us that there were more people who’d been killed the same way he’d been.” Ronan felt sick to his stomach over explaining the details of a serial murder to his daughter.
“And you all think Uncle Cisco hurt these people?” Everly asked.
“We have four suspects and Cisco is the last one we need to speak with. I thought it would be easier to invite him here instead of talking to him at the station.”
“He’s gonna be mad, Daddy. Hurt too.”
“We know,” Ten said, finally finding his voice. “You’ve known Cisco since you were a baby. Have you ever felt anything off or wrong with him?”
Everly set her chin in the cup of her hands and nibbled her bottom lip. “No. Neither have you.” She pointed back and forth between Ten and Ronan. “That’s why this is so hard. No one saw it coming.”
Ronan nodded. “We’re all hoping that means Cisco is innocent, but people who commit these kinds of crimes over long periods of time are experts at not showing that side of them to the people they love.” He thought aboutDexter, yes, he was a character on a television show, but he was able to hide the horrible darkness in himself from nearly everyone. When the people who’d seen glimpses of Dexter’s true self spoke up, they’d been dismissed, which also gave Ronan a ray of hope. In the eight years he’d known Cisco he’d never heard rumors of anyone thinking the chief had this same sort of dark side to him. Being the chief put an extra large bullseye on his back, but as far as Ronan knew, no one had taken aim or fired.
Until today.
Ten got up from the table as the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.”
Ronan felt as if a million butterflies had just taken wing in his gut. “I know this is going to be hard, little miss, but there’s no one I trust more than you to help us get to the bottom of what’sgoing on with Uncle Cisco. One last thing, if you’re able to see something with your gift, good or bad, ask for me to come help with the television.” Ronan swallowed hard, Christ, he’d just given his six-year-old a trigger phrase, like undercover cops used in dangerous sting operations. “Just know that no matter what happens, your Dad and I love you and we’re proud of you.”
“I’m proud of you too, Daddy. I can feel how hard this is for you.” Everly hopped out of her seat and hugged Ronan before she ran into the living room.
Asking for his daughter’s help to solve a murder case with the potential murderer in their home was beyond insane. All Ronan could do was keep his wits about him and hope that with Fitz and Jude, they could figure out what the hell was going on.
“Uncle Cisco!” Everly sang out from the living room. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“It’s good to see you too, honey,” Cisco said as they walked into the kitchen with Everly holding his hand. Jude, Fitz, and Ten were behind them. They all looked as if they were on their way to a dawn appointment with the electric chair.
“We called out for pizza and wings. Food should be here shortly,” Ronan said, distractedly. He hadn’t actually called out for food. The last thing he needed was one more innocent person, the delivery driver, in the line of fire. Not only that, but the thought of food made Ronan want to hurl.
As Ronan went to the fridge to grab drinks, the table was dead silent.
“What’s up with you guys?” Cisco asked, looking around the room. “I’ve never seen such long faces on the three of you before. Has a case you’re working gone off the rails?”
“Sort of,” Fitzgibbon said.
“Tell me about it. Maybe I can help.” Cisco turned to Everly. “How about you put on a movie? I’ll come watch it with you in a few minutes.”
“Okay!” Everly wrapped her arms around Cisco and happily danced toward the living room. She offered Ronan a happy smile before she disappeared from view.
Ronan took a deep breath. “A couple of nights ago, a man named Rhys James was arrested on OUI charges.”
Cisco gave his head a shake. “Never heard of him. Is he a repeat offender?”
“He is. The man was booked, fingerprinted, and given a cell in the Salem Jail. During the night he heard a voice asking for help. James was the only man in the jail. The voice kept saying, ‘Can’t breathe. Killing me.’ When James was released in the morning, he called a friend, Madam Aurora to tell her what happened.”
“Is this James guy psychic?” Cisco asked.
“Aurora said he’s sensitive to spirits, but can’t communicate with them like Ten can.” Ronan sighed. “Here’s where the story gets a little messy. In addition to hearing the cry for help, James heard a name, Jefferson McGrath.”
