Page 8 of Dead Sure
“Baby Jason is going to be okay.” Ten could see the little boy running around a lush backyard being chased by two golden retrievers.
“I know he is. I saved him.” Elijah paused, seeming to study Tennyson.
Ten shook his head. “No. I mean, yes, you saved him, but I can see he’s going to be the valedictorian of his Harvard Medical class and will match with you at Salem Mercy. You’re the reason he’ll want to be a doctor.”
“How do you know his name? We never released it to the press.” For the first time since he’d entered the reading room, Elijah looked curious rather than angry.
“Contrary to what you think of me, Elijah, my gift is the real deal. I remember reading the article online and was able to see his name and catch a glimpse of his future.” Feeling a bit more like his old self, Ten studied the doctor. He seemed to be a good man and an even better doctor.
“What do you remember about Autumn’s visit to you?” Elijah asked.
“It was about two years ago that she came to see me. I’d worked with one of her friends in the past who’d come to see me about her current boyfriend. I told her that the man she was dating was wrong for her and that her actual Mr. Right was just around the corner.”
“Did you speak in generalities like that to the friend or did you give her more targeted information?”
“I always speak in generalities when it comes to what will happen to someone in the future.” Ten knew never to speak in absolutes. The future had a way of changing and the last thing he needed was angry clients storming West Side Magick with pitchforks and torches.
“Explain that to me. Autumn made it sound like you’d confirmed to her that I was going to marry her and start this wonderful life together.”
“When Autumn came to me, she told me she was in love with a man named Eli and that he was a brilliant doctor.”
Elijah grimaced. “She’s the only one who’s ever called me Eli. I hate that name.”
“I told her what I saw in her future was a brick house on a cul-de-sac with twin girls. I never said the man in the picture was you. In fact, I never saw a name for him at all. Usually, I’ll see a first initial or, rarely, a first name, unless the person in the picture is already in the client’s life.”
“I don’t understand.”
“If you asked me if you were going to marry Helena, I’d be able to give you a direct answer, versus if you asked me if you were going to get married with no future wife in mind.”
“You know about Helena?” Elijah asked, a smile quirking his lips.
“I do,” Ten agreed. “She enjoys being an ER nurse, but her first love was working in the NICU. She’s the perfect replacement for Autumn. Helena would never abandon a patient for you or anyone else, for that matter.”
“I’ll take that under advisement, Tennyson.” Elijah paused. “I’m sorry I came in here raging at you. It’s just that this last year has been awful. That woman was putting not only her career, but mine on the line. She turned up everywhere; at my gym, the grocery store, on dates with Helena. I was reaching my breaking point. As Autumn was being hauled out of the NICU last week by the police, she kept screaming that Tennyson promised we’d be together. I asked around and found out who you were and what you did for a living.”
“No harm done, Elijah. I’m happy to help smooth out this situation, but there are a few things you need to know about Autumn, if you’re interested in what my gift has to say?”
“Please tell me what you know.”
“Autumn isn’t finished with you. She’s going to keep coming at you and Helena until she’s stopped. I’ve worked as a consultant, first with the Boston Police Department, and now here in Salem for the last eight years and I’ve picked up a few things over time about stalking cases. First of all, get a restraining order against Autumn. Have Helena do the same if she’s been harassed as well. Block Autumn’s number on your phones and think about getting new numbers. You may want to buy an alarm system for your house.”
“Do you see her coming for me, Tennyson?”
“Not at the moment.” Ten watched as Elijah’s gaze turned wary again. “What you need to understand is that the future is fluid. Right now, you’re planning to go to the gym after you leave here and you’re going to get there safe and sound, but if you stop off at the drug store for a Gatorade, you’ve changed that future. This is the reason I never give absolutes to my clients. The future can change at any moment due a decision you make or one that another person makes, throwing you into each other’s orbits. Do you see what I’m saying?”
Elijah nodded. “I do. Thank you.”
Ten stood up and grabbed his wallet, pulling out one of Ronan’s business cards. “Please feel free to call my husband if you want to talk. He’s a member of the cold case team, but he’d be willing to help out with Autumn.”
Elijah took the card and tucked it into his pocket. “I appreciate your help today and if you-”
Whatever Elijah had been about to say was interrupted by loud voices in the shop. Ten could hear shouting and a woman’s scream. “Excuse me.” Ten bolted for the door and when he pulled it open he saw three armed men walking down the halltoward his reading room. Two were tall and blond, the third was a redhead. All three wore buzzcuts and walked like they’d served in the armed forces. They were dressed in jeans and polo shirts. Golden badges glittered from chains around their necks. All three were armed. What the hell was happening?
“Tennyson Grimm?” the blond in the black polo shirt asked.
“Yes?” Ten felt his entire body start to shake.
“Turn around, you’re under arrest.” The officer pulled a set of silver handcuffs from around his back.
