“Okay, Everly, we’re all listening,” Ronan said, setting a hand on his daughter’s back. No matter what happened next, he would protect his daughter with his last breath if it came down to it.
“I know you’re Doom, Uncle Cisco.” Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
Ronan tightened his hold on Everly as feelings of shock and betrayal slammed his body like a rogue wave. He’d worked this case scrupulously, doing everything in his power to prove Cisco wasn’t a killer. Now, with the cold hard truth staring him in the face, there was nothing left to do but arrest his friend, his boss and let the legal system take it from there. An absolute shit storm would follow the arrest. Local and national media would invade Salem. Independent investigators would have to get involved along with the Massachusetts State Police and possibly the FBI. He, Jude, and Fitz would be in the eye of the hurricane, lauded by some, vilified by others. He wasn’t sure he had the strength or intestinal fortitude to weather the storm, but together with his husband, and his partners, Ronan would make it through to better days.
Cisco’s mouth hung open. All traces of anger were gone. In its place was hurt and betrayal.
Everly reached for a napkin and blotted at her tears. “Moose called you Officer Doom, and the name stuck, because you arrested everyone. He said you would have arrested your Abuela if she jaywalked. I don’t know what bluejays have to do with anything, but you didn’t kill those men.” Everly looked at Ronan and patted his shoulder. “You did a good job investigating, Daddy. You too, Uncle Jude and Fitz, but you’re all wrong.” Fresh tears spilled down Everly’s cheeks. “I didn’t know, Uncle Cisco. I swear I didn’t know, until you started yelling. I was scared and that’s when I saw something.”
Ronan sucked in a rough breath. His entire body shook and wasn’t sure his body would support him if he tried to stand. Everly saying Cisco was innocent was a good first step. Her gift had never been wrong before, but she was also six years old.
“What did you see, honey?” Ten asked.
“A bad man with a needle in the hospital. Just like what happened to Uncle Jude. He told Al-plop his time as chief was over. That he was gonna be the new chief and was gonna crack skulls. I saw his face. It wasn’t you. He was a stranger.”
Ronan gasped. He hadn’t heard that phrase since he was a kid and this was the second time in two days someone had said it. “Bobbo!”
“Jesus, Oliveri used to say that all the time when we were on patrol. He liked to rough people up. Nothing made him happier than when people resisted arrest and he could use force. I didn’t think much of it until he showed me a book with photos of bloody mugshots. Called it his greatest hits album. The images were all people he’d beaten up and arrested. It was like his book of-” Cisco stopped speaking, his eyes widened in apparent horror.
“Trophies,” Jude said.
Cisco nodded, looking shell-shocked.
“Did I do good, Daddy?” Everly asked Ronan.
“You did amazing, honey.” He hugged Everly and peppered her head with kisses. “We need to find that album, that is if we’re not all still fired.”
Jude and Fitz burst out laughing.
Cisco joined in, with budding tears in his eyes. “No promises. You assholes actually thought I was a serial killer? A fucking criminal mastermind?”
“We have a lot of compelling evidence,” Fitz said. “We found out that you’re living well above your means, which made us think…”
“That I was on the take?” Cisco rolled his eyes. “I told you numbskulls that Luca’s grandmother died and left him a boatload of cash. The money was the reason we decided to adopt another baby, because it meant Luca could stay home and not have to get a job. Tell me you remember that conversation.”
“Christ,” Jude said. “I said I wanted that giant Millenium Falcon LEGO set for Christmas, you know, the one that costs nearly a thousand dollars.”
“Ronan joked that you could be his sugar daddy,” Fitz added. “Cisco, I think I speak for all of us when I say how sorry we are.”
Cisco nodded. “We have to figure out next steps, but first, can we get some god damned pizza in here?”
“I’ll have god damned pepperoni and sausage!” Everly said with a giggle. She hopped off her chair and ran toward the living room before she stopped short. “Oh! I almost forgot to tell you where Doom’s trophy books are.”
“You know where they are?” Jude asked. “Way to bury the lead.”
“Yup! I can see them clear as day, but, I miss Brookie, Daddy. So does Aurora and Woofie. I think we should invite them to the beach in Rhode Island, don’t you?”
“Are you trying to blackmail me in front of the chief of police, and two detectives?” Ronan asked, narrowing his eyes at his daughter.
“What blackmail?” Cisco asked.
“I didn’t hear any blackmail.” Fitz shrugged. “But Everly’s right, Aurora does miss Brooke.”
“You little pirate!” Ronan snorted. “Dad and I will call River tonight, fair enough?”
“Okay. There are four albums. All of them are red. They’re hidden in Bobbo’s office under the floor.”
“You mean like in a secret compartment?” Cisco asked.
