After Ten climbed into Fitzgibbon’s SUV, it pulled into traffic and followed a safe distance behind Cisco. “Ronan, I want you and Jude at the back of the house, I’ll take the front along with the SPD officers, who I’ll bring in if needed. Ten I want you out of the line of fire, but I know that isn’t always possible. Lastly, I want all of you in vests. Got it?”
“Got it,” Ronan said, softly.
Ten knew Ronan was nervous about the operation. Cisco was going to try to get Oliveri to confess. If the plan didn’t work, Fitz would swoop in and arrest the retired cop and summon SPD officers to conduct the search warrant. He knew Ronan was itching to sink his teeth into the soon to be disgraced cop in an interrogation room. Ten hoped Oliveri would just confess and save everyone a lot of time and frayed nerves.
“This is it, Rockingham Drive, on your left,” Jude said. “Park here.”
Cisco had wanted the detectives to park two streets over from Oliveri’s house. They were supposed to wait for Cisco’s word before they moved into position. By all appearances, Fitzgibbon wasn’t in sync with that part of the plan.
When he parked the SUV, he climbed out and went to the back hatch. Inside were bullet-proof vests, which he handed out to everyone. Lastly, Fitz handed out headsets so they could communicate with each other and backup. Ronan had to help Ten with his.
“Jude, Ronan, take the next street over, which will position you at the back of Oliveri’s house. From what we saw on the satellite image, the backyard is wooded. Stay out of sight. I’ll approach from the front. The unit commander has us on their comms. If you’re in trouble, call for help. Don’t be a fucking hero.”
Ronan nodded. He pressed a kiss to Ten’s cheek and hurried off with Jude.
“I’m coming with you,” Ten said.
Fitzgibbon nodded and started moving away from the SUV.
“Cisco! You old son of a bitch! How the hell are you?” Oliveri’s voice boomed through Fitz’s phone.
“Been better. Been worse,” Cisco said, his voice shaking.
“Let’s go into the kitchen and get you a drink to calm those nerves. You always were a bit flighty.” The sound of the front door shutting came through the phone, as did Cisco’s footsteps.
“Kitchen’s at the back of the house,” Fitz said. “Let’s head for the front.” He took off at a jog.
Tennyson followed behind. His gift was focused on Cisco and Oliveri, who were talking about the weather while drinks were poured.
“Bottoms up, partner,” Oliveri said.
Glasses clinked. Cisco swallowed hard and coughed.
“Tell me what the hell is going on, Cisco. You look like shit.” Oliveri laughed.
“I feel like shit. It isn’t every day you find out you’ve been betrayed by someone you thought was a friend.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Who betrayed you?” Oliveri asked, his voice guarded.
“You!” Cisco shouted. “I can’t fucking believe that you were involved in this extortion scheme with that weasel Kirkpatrick.”
Oliveri laughed, but there was no mirth in it. “Nice try, Cisco. Lift up your shirt.”
“What the fuck, Bobbo? You think I’m wearing a wire?” Cisco snorted, as if the idea was ridiculous.
“Do it, asshole!” Bobbo said, his voice calm.
The sound of fabric rustling came through the phone’s speakers. “See, no fucking wire! Can we get down to business now?” There were a few seconds of quiet, before Cisco spoke again. “My god damned cold case team swore out an arrest warrant formethis morning. Was supposed to be all hush-hush, but the judge’s clerk owed me a favor and tipped me off. They want me arrested for murder, extortion, conspiracy to commit murder. All told, those convictions would add up to a minimum of four life sentences, no possibility for parole. They’d throw me in protective custody, but we both know there are ways to get to people in PC. Assholes with shivs and something to prove or guards with grudges would come for me.”
“That sucks, man, but what the hell that does that have to do with me?” Oliveri asked.
“We both know I didn’t do any of this. You on the other hand, well, let’s just say it tracks.” All traces of nervousness were gone from Cisco’s voice.
“Fuck you!” Oliveri sneered.
Cisco laughed. “Don’t forget you and I were partners for a lot of years, Bobbo. Alotof years. I was there for every suspect you manhandled and roughed up for resisting arrest. I was there for every woman you groped while you frisked them. I was there for the offers you made the hot ones. A quick blowjob on the side of the road was all it took for the ticket you’d written to turn into a verbal warning.”
“And?” Oliveri asked. “Everyone did it. Hell, everyone’sstilldoing it. One of the perks of the job.”
