Page 16 of Dead Sure
“Your gift is what sets you apart. It makes you special, but more than that, you use it to help people. Spirits like me and grieving people like my parents. Salem needs you, Tennyson Grimm. It’s high time you realize that.”
“Will I see you again?” Ten asked, feeling stronger than he had all day.
“I’ll be around. Now, get some rest, you’re going to need it for what’s to come.” With a little wave, Michael vanished.
Ten laid down on his bunk. It was hard and offered no comfort whatsoever. Bertha, Erin, and Michael were right. It was time to get his head out of his ass and fight for himself, his family, and his freedom. Tonight would be the last night he spent in this hellhole.
9
Ronan
Jude had called out for pizza from Greek Life. The kids had laughed and told funny stories from school. Ronan had tried to eat, but didn’t manage much more than a slice of pepperoni. His mind was a whirlwind going back and forth between worrying about Ten, the state of their house, and the kids. Everly had given him some strange looks during dinner. Ronan knew he needed to sit down and have a talk with her. He’d never dreaded speaking to his daughter before. There was a first time for everything.
When Cope brought the kids upstairs for their baths, Jude motioned for Everly to stay downstairs with them.
“It’s about time we talk, Daddy.” Everly climbed into the seat beside Ronan, setting a hand on his shoulder. “I know you’re upset about Dad, but you need to tell me everything. Got it?”
Ronan snorted. “When did you become a good interrogator?”
“I learned from the best. Now, tell me what happened to Dad.” Everly paused, her eyes moved back and forth between her father and Jude. “Please.”
“Your father did a reading last year for a woman,” Ronan began.
“Autumn Miller,” Everly supplied. “This will go faster if you stop trying to protect me.”
“Your father did a reading last year for Autumn Miller.” Ronan paused to see if Everly would interrupt him again. When she didn’t he continued. “She was in love with a doctor at Salem Mercy, Elijah Logan. Autumn asked your father if they would end up together. Dad told her that he saw a marriage in herfuture, along with twin daughters and a house. He didn’t say who the husband would be, because he didn’t know.”
“Miss Miller spent thousands of dollars on the wedding that Ten predicted. She bought a house for them to live in.” Jude looked to Ronan, as if to ask if he should continue the story. Ronan nodded. “She was fired from the hospital last week for nearly killing one of her patients.”
“Jason Hughes,” Everly said. “I can hear his mommy screaming for help. All these sirens were wailing. She was terrified.”
Ronan imagined it would be a horrifying situation to witness.
“You need to talk to Jason’s parents, Rebecca and Mason. They tried for years to have a baby and they called their son a little miracle. It would be hard for any Mommy to almost lose a baby, but for this mom, it was doubly hard. Rebecca can help Dad,” Everly paused, as if she were trying to figure something out. “Autumn was out of control for a long time.”
“By out of control, are you talking about Autumn’s mental health?” Ronan felt awful asking the question, but knew that this case could very well hinge on Autumn’s mental state.
“Yup. Autumn was crazy for Dr. Logan. Like, crazy in love and acting crazy to get him to love her. Now that she lost her job and her doctor, she’s out for revenge.”
“Jesus,” Jude muttered. “Is there anything else you can tell us?”
Everly nodded. “Autumn is coming for Dr. Logan next. She’s gonna have him arrested for hairy sex or something.”
“Christ, if hairy sex was a crime, I-”
Ronan slapped a hand over Jude’s mouth. He shook his head and turned back to Everly, leaving his hand where it was. “Do you mean sexual harassment?”
“Right, something like that,” Everly shrugged. “Autumn’s gonna tell the police that the doctor touched her in her no-no place and said he’d fire her from the hospital if she didn’t put her mouth on his-”
Ronan set his free hand over Everly’s mouth. “I get it, you don’t need to paint me a picture.”
Everly pulled Ronan’s hand away from her mouth. “That’s good, because I wouldn’t know how.”
Jude shoved Ronan’s hand away and chuckled. “We’ll have a talk about that when you turn thirty.”
“Hilarious, Uncle Jude. I’m never putting my mouth near a boy’s no-no place.”
“Praise, Jesus!” Ronan lifted his hands to the sky. “Is there anything else we need to know?”
