Page 29 of Dead O’Clock

Cisco slumped into one of the conference room chairs. “You’re right. I would move heaven and earth to keep my husband and son safe, but not at the expense of my life. You’re going to go in there like gangbusters, Ronan, putting yourself and the rest of the team at risk. Tell me I’m wrong.”

“Fuck,” Ronan muttered. “You’re not wrong.”

“So let’s come up with a plan that gets Rhodes out of the house and keeps everyone, including Ronan, safe.” Jude’s eyes never left Ronan as he spoke.

“What have you got in mind?” Cisco looked as if he knew he’d been beaten.

“Bring the whole department like you planned, but run silent. No lights. No sirens.” Jude paused. His eyes moved around the table until they landed on Cisco. “Give Ronan a megaphone and have him taunt Rhodes into coming out of the house. SWAT can arrest him and we can all go home to our families.”

“You want to give Ronan a megaphone?” Fitz asked, with a chuckle. “Shit, they’ll hear him in New Hampshire.”

“Do you really think this guy can be baited out of the house?” Cisco asked.

“From what we’ve learned about this guy, I’m his biggest target. Best for last and all that. Ten said that when Rhodes grabbed him in the reading room that he was blasted with rage. That kind of anger makes people do stupid things. I think he would come for me, even with half the department outside with their guns trained on him.”

“We’re gonna try it your way, but with SWAT ready to swoop in. If you do not obey my commands, Ronan, I swear to God, I’ll shoot you myself. Understood?”

“Loud and clear,” Ronan said. “Now, let’s get this motherfucker.” He strode out of the room ready to go.

In the parking lot, Ronan grabbed his bullet-proof vest and was in the process of putting it on when Jude caught up to him.

“We’ve got your back. You know that, right?” Jude asked.

Ronan nodded. “I know. I trust you and Fitz completely. Cisco too. It’s just that this is my family on the line.”

“You’re our family too, Ronan!” Jude half-shouted. “You and Fitz are like brothers to me. Yes, keeping our husbands and kids safe is the top priority, but you come in a very close second. Our team doesn’t work without you. My life doesn’t work without you. Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”

“You love me. I know. Everyone loves me. I’m a loveable guy.” Ronan snorted.

“No, what you are is an asshole!” Jude grabbed his vest and pulled it over his head.

Ronan’s mood sobered quickly. “I know what you’re trying to say. The last thing I want is for anything to happen to me, but at the same time, Rhodes needs to be stopped.”

“We’re bringing half of the Salem Police Department to the scene, along with SWAT members from all over Essex County. Goal number one is to have Rhodes in cuffs before the night is over. Goal number two is keeping you out of the emergency room. One more trip there and you win a set of steak knives.”

“I hear you. I promise not to go off half-cocked or let my emotions get the best of me.”

“Liar! I promise to be right behind you when you do all of those things.” Jude wrapped Ronan in a hug.

“What the hell are the two of you doing?” Fitz shouted. “Let’s get this son-of-a-bitch. The two of you can canoodle later.” Fitz climbed into the SUV and gunned the engine.

“He’s just jealous,” Jude snickered.

“I’ll hug him later,” Ronan muttered, climbing into the backseat of Fitzgibbon’s SUV. He hoped to hell there was a later. Ronan knew damn well that Rhodes wouldn’t have gone through this whole elaborate plan just to surrender to police on the one yard line. Ronan using a megaphone to speak to Rhodes wasn’t going to work. No, he was going to have to go into Michael Miller’s house and bring Rhodes out himself. There was no other way.

Fitzgibbon parked down the street from Miller’s house. From where Ronan was sitting, he could see the house was totally dark. Street lights lit the front porch, but that was it. Walking into a darkened house would be doubly dangerous. Cisco wasn’t going to like these conditions at all. Ronan climbed out of the SUV and walked toward the house, stopping when he was directly across the street.

Knowing what he needed to do, Ronan grabbed his walkie. “Come in, Nostradamus.”

“I’m here, Nostra-dumbass,” Ten shot back. “I know what you’re thinking of doing. Don’t do it. Listen to Cisco. Follow the plan.”

“Is it going to work?” Ronan asked.

“Yes,” Ten said after several seconds. “But it’s not without risks. Everly sees you getting electrocuted. I think she means tased, but either way, Ronan, please be smart.”

“I love you,” Ronan said. “Nostra-dumbass out.”

“Wait, Ronan,” Tell called back. “There’s something you need to know! Rhodes isn’t-”