Page 27 of Dead O’Clock

Ronan set down the phone and picked up the letter. He hesitated slightly before opening the envelope. He pulled out the message and read it aloud. “Ding! Dong! You’re dead! “Your time on this earth is near its end. Make amends, pray for forgiveness, for you die when the midnight bell tolls.”

“It’s just like the others.”

“There’s one last line,” Ronan said, his eyes on Everly.

“Read it, Daddy.” Everly looked scared, as if she already knew what the note said.

Ronan cleared his throat. “You took the most precious thing from me, now it’s my turn to return the favor. Enjoy your final day with your children for it will be their last on earth.”

Tears slipped down Ronan’s cheeks. He got up from the table and walked to the sink.

Ten reached for the letter and pulled it closer to him. He set his hands on it and shut his eyes, focusing his gift on the future. Slowly the image of a casket covered in an American flag came into view. He saw himself dressed in a black suit. The kids sat beside him, also dressed in black. Ten shivered. His eyes popped open to see Everly had added her hand to the letter.

“What do you see?” Ten asked Everly.

“The same thing you did, Dad. A coffin with the flag. Me, you, and Ezzie dressed in black.”

Ronan gasped. “You saw my funeral?”

“The church was so full that people were standing at the back and up the side aisles. You’d have liked the turn out.” Everly looked at her father, who was still standing in front of the kitchen sink. “This vision is bullspit. Damien might have been smart enough to hurt the parole guy and the warden, but we’ve got the best cops in Salem here in our kitchen. We’re not letting you go without a fight.”

Ronan’s lips quirked into a quick smile. “I appreciate your confidence in us, little miss, but the letter threatened the three of you, not me. I need you to go upstairs and pack a bag. You’re all going into protective custody tonight.”

“Uncle Fitz and Cisco have a plan to save us all and you’re going to follow it. Tell them.” Everly’s eyes were on Cisco.

“Like Everly said, “I want everyone to pack a bag. I’m calling one of those prison vans to come get you all. Play the part. Look scared.”

“That won’t be very hard,” Ten said softly.

“No, it won’t,” Cisco agreed. “The van will take you to the Salem Police Department. Ronan will stay there and the three of you will be taken to a hotel.”

“There’s no way I’m hiding out in the police department while the rest of you try to apprehend Damien Rhodes.”

“That’s right. You’re not,” Fitz agreed. “While the van takes you away, Jude and I will go to the courthouse and pick up Michael Miller and bring him to the precinct as well. The two of you will switch clothes. An unmarked car will take you to the courthouse where you’ll go through the motions of being Miller. We’ll find out what time he usually leaves the office and what he does on the way home. You’ll do those things too. We’ll get everyone walkies and get drones in the air with infrared cameras, so we’ll be able to see Rhodes’s heat signature. You’ll be armed and-”

“No,” Everly interrupted. “That’s not what’s going to happen tonight.”

“What do you mean?” Ronan asked, looking hopeful.

“He’s already in Mr. Miller’s house. He’s hiding and waiting for him to come home. The killer is upset because he won’t die at midnight like the others. He’s laughing at how clever he is and he thinks you can’t stop him.”

“What?” Cisco’s eyes widened. “Where is he hiding?”

“In an upstairs bedroom that looks onto the street,” Everly said.

“Thank you, honey.” Cisco tapped on his phone and the sound of a call trying to connect filled the kitchen.

“This is Michael Miller. I’m out of the office or on another line. Leave-”

Cisco ended the call before the rest of Miller’s voicemail greeting could play out. “Do you have Miller’s cell number?”

“I do,” Jude said. “I took one of his cards when we left this afternoon.” He grabbed his wallet and pulled out the card.

“Call him, Jude. Tell him not to go home.” Cisco wore a worried look.

Jude did as the chief asked. He entered the number and connected the call.

“Who the hell is this?” a grouchy, but familiar voice answered.