Page 10 of Dead Sure
Ronan turned to Fitz who looked as surprised as he felt. “Arrested him for what?”
“They wouldn’t say at first, so I threw myself in front of the door and wouldn’t let them out until they told me what was going on. The man who arrested Ten was Captain Dutch Vance from the Danvers Police Department. He said they were arresting Ten for fraud.”
“Fraud?” Ronan and Fitz said together.
“He wouldn’t give me any more information than that. You have to hurry to get to him, Ronan. They were being awfully rough with Ten. Vance yanked him so hard that Ten fell into the street. His pants were ripped and his knee was bleeding.”
“I’ll call Cisco,” Fitz said, turning onto the highway. “I’m going to have him send a crime scene unit to take pictures and collect evidence. You may want to close the shop.”
“That was my plan.” Carson sounded on the verge of tears.
“Is anyone else hurt?” Ronan asked.
“No, we’re all fine. Shaken the fuck up, but fine. Cope is on the phone with Jude and he’s heading for Danvers with Greeley.” Carson’s voice cracked. “I’m so sorry, Ronan. I did everything in my power to keep Tennyson from being taken.”
“You did what you could, Carson,” Fitz said. “If you’d interfered they could have arrested you as well.”
“That’s what Vance threatened to do.” Carson began to weep. “I called Truman, he’s going to get the kids off the bus. Ten told me to call Reagan Pryce. I’m gonna do that when we hang up.”
“Give him all the information you gave us. Tell him to meet us at the Danvers Police Station.” Anger and fear warred in his gut. What the hell was going on?
“I will. Text with updates if you can. We’ll keep the kids overnight and won’t tell them anything.”
“Thanks, Carson.” Ronan tapped the phone to end the call. “Dutch Vance? Why the hell do I know that name?” Ronan asked, as Fitz gunned it down the highway.
“Fuck,” Fitz muttered.
“Fuck what?” Ronan asked, feeling his anxiety surge again.
“Vance had been pushing for a cold case team in Salem for years before Cisco got the grant to start the unit. When the money came through, he thought he’d be a shoe-in for the unit, but then Cisco hired you, me, and Jude. Vance had a screaming match with Cisco and two weeks later quit for a job in Danvers that came with a captain’s shield.”
“Is this revenge because I took a job that Vance thought should have been his?” Ronan’s head spun.
“I don’t know, Ronan. Let’s not jump to conclusions,” Fitz said, on a sigh. “We don’t even know what Ten’s been arrested for. Call Cisco and let’s see what he can tell us.”
Ronan did what Fitz asked.
Cisco answered on the first ring. “Jesus Christ, Ronan. What the fuck is going on?”
Ronan felt himself deflate. “I was hoping you’d be able to tell me, Cisco. All I know is that three cops burst into the magic shop with their guns drawn and roughly arrested Tennyson. They didn’t want to tell anyone why or even which department they were from. Carson managed to get the officers to say they were from Danvers and were arresting Ten on fraud charges.”
“Was he Mirandized?” Cisco asked.
“Shit, I don’t know. Carson didn’t say.” Ronan’s breath hitched and he had a hard time catching it.
“Ten’s worked with us long enough to know that the cops aren’t your friends when you’re arrested and to keep your mouth shut. Carson’s calling Reagan Pryce and he said Jude and Greeley are going to meet us in Danvers. Did you know anything about this?” Fitz asked.
“No,” Cisco said. “I hadn’t heard a peep. I wanted to hear what happened first before I called the chief of the Danvers police. I’ll do that now. But before I go-”
“I know, Cisco. Keep my mouth shut and don’t make this problem bigger than it already is. You have my word.” Ronan knew his mouth was his worst enemy when he was angry. Tenneeded Ronan at his best. Shouting the walls down wouldn’t help his husband.
“That’s not what I was going to say, but that’s a good plan. I was going to tell you to let Ten know we’re all on his side and I’m going to do everything in my power to help him. We’ve got this, Ronan. Fitz, take the lead here, use your charm to find out what the fuck is happening. Try to speak with the officers who were with Vance. Hopefully one of them won’t be as biased as their captain.”
“You got it, Cisco. Call us with updates.”
“You do the same.” Cisco ended the call.
The SUV was dead silent. Ronan didn’t think he’d ever heard such a loud silence before. “What the hell is going on, Fitz?”
