Chapter 10
Tennyson
Ten sat in the backseat of his SUV as Ronan drove into Boston.
Jude rode shotgun. He’d hoped his part of the investigation was over, but apparently, Fitzgibbon had wanted Tennyson to interview Brian Cullen, Maria’s ex-husband, along with Ronan and Jude.
Ten knew he was being sent along as a human lie detector, but it wasn’t going to be as easy as their boss thought.
For one, the loud noises of the casino, combined with the hundreds of people begging to hit it big and who’d lost everything made for a distraction Ten wasn’t always able to overcome.
It was like dueling televisions. Turning the volume up on one, made it harder to hear the other.
According to Ronan, Brian Cullen loved to spend time at the new Encore casino, situated on the harbor. “How do you know this guy is gonna be at this casino?”
“I called an old friend in Major Crimes, who assured me Cullen would be at one of the blackjack tables after noontime. They’ve been trying to get him to turn on his father, but so far Brian hasn’t budged.”
Ten sighed. “That doesn’t bode well for us wanting to talk to him about Maria and the head.” He couldn’t believe he was talking so casually about a frozen head in a freezer. Twelve-year-old Tennyson would have never believed it.
“If he’s had a bit to drink, Brian might be feeling a bit nostalgic when we ask him about Maria.” Ronan wore a hopeful look.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Jude said. “He might relax when we tell him we’re aren’t there to talk to him about his father.”
Ten could only hope Jude was right and that there was a conference room or something they could use to speak to Brian Cullen.
Ronan pulled into the casino and tossed his keys to the valet. “Everyone be cool,” he said when they entered the casino.
Ten snorted, knowing full well that Ronan saw this as his Ocean’s Eleven moment. Who was he to ruin that for his husband? Ronan guided them from the lobby into the casino itself which took Ten’s breath away.
The room was a riot of color, flashing lights and sirens signaling someone had beat the machine.
Beneath his feet was a red, floral carpet and red chandeliers that looked like they had come out of the Moulin Rouge.
All of the new fangled slot machines were digital, gone were the days of the one-armed bandits.
Cocktail waitresses wore chic black dresses and matching heels.
“You okay?” Ronan whispered.
Ten nodded. “I shut my gift down for the moment. I’ll use it when we find Brian Cullen.”
“Gaming tables are this way.” Jude pointed toward the back of the casino.
As he followed behind Jude, Ten walked slowly, trying to get a feel for the casino. There was a lot of laughter and frivolity, but some of the faces Ten encountered were desperate and scared. He wished he could tell them all to walk away, but knew none of them would listen.
“There he is,” Ronan said. “Third Blackjack table on the right. Black tracksuit, slicked back grey hair.”
Jude shook his head. “I like The Sopranos as much as the next guy, but why the hell did male leisureware be the trend that caught on with retirees? Ronan, when we retire from the force, promise me you won’t let me dress like that.”
“Like I’d be able to stop you.” Ronan grabbed Jude’s arm. “Look, he’s getting up from his seat. The best time to approach him is away from the table.”
“Agreed. Looks like he’s heading for the bathroom.” Jude followed behind at what looked like a discreet distance.
“What do you need from me?” Ten asked.
“I want you to be the one to tell him about Maria. We’ll make it clear you’re not a cop. You have a way with people that Jude and I don’t have.”
That was the understatement of the century. “You mean empathy?”
“Yeah, that, plus you have this easy way about you.” Ronan nudged Ten’s shoulder and followed Jude.
As they were approaching the restrooms, Brian came out and Jude approached him.
“You’re Brian Cullen, right?” Jude asked, sounding casual.
“Who the fuck wants to know?” Brian eyed Jude suspiciously.
“We’re here about Maria,” Ten said softly, noticing how green the man’s eyes were.
Brian’s nostrils flared. “This better not be a trick.”
Ten set a hand over his heart. “Is there a quieter place we can talk for a minute?”
“It’s bad, ain’t it?” Brain looked as though he already knew the answer.
“Let’s talk and I’ll tell you what I know.” Ten couldn’t believe Brian was listening to him.
Brian motioned for Ten to follow him. They walked past the Roulette wheels and tables of people playing poker.
He stopped in front of a black door with the word Vacant on a placard beside it.
Brian opened the door and turned on the lights.
“This is a room for private high-roller games. We can talk in here. Have a seat.”
Ten settled into a seat across from Brian. Ronan sat beside him and Jude stayed by the door.
“Okay, who the hell are you guys anyway?” Brian’s eyes moved between the three men.
“My name is Tennyson Grimm. I’m a psychic from Salem.”
“Jesus Christ on the cross!” Brian half-shouted. “You think I’m gonna sit here and listen to some kook tell me my future?”
“No, sir.” Ten pulled out his badge and set it on the table in front of himself. Ronan did the same. “I think you’re going to listen to members of the Salem Police Department.”
“I ain’t saying nothing without my lawyer.” Brian made the move to stand up.
“Listen to what Tennyson has to say, Mr. Cullen. Then you’ll be free to leave,” Jude said. “We’re not here to jack you up on any charges.”
Brian pointed to Tennyson. “Talk. Make it fast.”
Ten could do that. “A frozen human head was found in a freezer at Maria’s house the other day.”
“Fuck me, that was Maria’s house? I heard the story on the news.” Brian looked genuinely surprised by the news.
“Yeah, it was Maria’s house. The reason it was found in the first place was because Maria is in the hospital.” Ten knew the key with Brian Cullen was to give him small doses of information.
“In the hospital? For what? No one told me.” Brian’s earlier cocky attitude was gone. In its place was genuine concern.
“According to her niece, Sofia, Maria fell at her house two weeks ago and broke her hip. She had to have surgery and now she’s in a rehab center in Salem. Her family wants to put her in assisted living and they were cleaning out the house when the nephews found the head.”
“Is she going to be okay?” Brian asked.
Ten shook his head. “In the process of operating on the hip, the doctors found cancer. Her body is riddled with it. I estimate she only has a week or two left.” He watched Brian’s reaction closely. Instant pain flashed through his eyes, before his cocky mask fell back into place.
“You estimate? Who the hell are you, some circus freak? What the hell do you know about medicine?” Brian’s hands fisted on the table.
Ten sighed, he didn’t have time for this bullshit. “Please don’t make me go through my whole rigamarole where I tell you about your mother and the song she sang to you when you broke your wrist when you were twelve. Just go on faith that I know what I read when I saw Maria.”
“You know the song?” Brian asked, most of his skepticism gone.
“I can sing the chorus if you like?” Ten was a huge Bette Midler fan. There was no way he could do “Wind Beneath My Wings” any justice, but if Brian forced the issue, he’d give it his best shot.
Brian shook his head and held up a hand. “Not necessary. Does Maria know how sick she is?”
“She does,” Ten agreed, “but the rest of her family does not.”
“Damn,” Brian said, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’re here to ask about the head?”
“We are,” Ronan said. “It has a seventies-era haircut and based on tissue samples, it has been dead for decades. We’re hoping you can help us identify this man so that the remainder of his remains can be searched for and returned to his family.”
“No, I don’t believe that. You want to know if I know who this guy is and who killed him.” Brian crossed his arms over his chest.
“Look who’s psychic now.” Ten grinned at the mobster’s son.
“I know you’re reluctant to do or say anything that would put the bullseye on Maria, but based on what I saw and felt yesterday, the law won’t have time to catch up with her if she killed this person.
On the other hand, if this was done by a member of your family or the Marinos, well, then that changes things, doesn’t it? ”
“I don’t know who he is,” Brian said.
Ronan opened his mouth, but a kick from Ten kept him quiet.
“He was before my time.” Brian set his hands over his face and took several deep breaths.
“I loved Maria, you know? She didn’t love me.
Her father forced her to marry me. I didn’t know why Sal insisted then and I don’t know why now.
I think he had something to do with Hatpin Hattie, but I’m not sure. ”
“Who the hell is Hatpin Hattie?” Ronan asked, looking more curious than angry.
Brian grinned. “Hitman for the Marino family. Hitwoman, I suppose I should say. She hit you where it hurt.” Brian tapped his chest. “Got close to you. Close enough to uh,” Brian looked down at his lap. “Well, you know and then BAM, you’re dead. Hatpin to the heart!”
“Have you ever heard of this woman, Ronan?” Jude asked from behind him.
“No, I’m only familiar with more recent families and what-not.” Ronan wiped a hand down his face. “People I would have looked into when I worked for the Boston Police.”
“Ten?” Jude asked.
Ten was having a hard time reading Brian, not because the casino was overwhelming his gift, but because just about every word out of Brian’s mouth was a lie.
There weren’t just two sides to this man’s stories, there were twelve.
“He’s telling the truth,” Ten said. “He doesn’t know who Head Doe is.
” At least Ten thought that was the case.
He’d fill Ronan and Jude in when they were back in the car heading north.
“Any idea who might?” Ronan asked.
“All roads lead to Fat Sal.” Brain got out of his seat and headed for the door. He stopped before opening it. “Since I told you what I know, can you tell me where Maria is? I’d like to pay my respects. She wasn’t a very good wife, but then, again, I wasn’t a very good husband, either.”
“Maria’s being treated at North Shore Rehab on Bridge Road in Salem. She’s in the ICU. They have twenty-four visitation, if you catch my drift.” Ten offered a solemn smile.
Brian nodded.
“Look, I get it if you don’t want to talk to us because of your relationship with Maria,” Ronan began, “but if a time comes when you do…” Ronan handed the man his card. “I meant what I said. All we want to do is get this man’s remains home to his family.”
“Cold Case Unit investigating a frozen head?” Brian barked a laugh. “Can’t make this shit up.” Without looking back, he left the room.
“Was Brian telling the truth?” Ronan asked.
“I have no idea,” Ten said, quickly explaining what he’d seen in Brian’s mind. “I get the feeling Head Doe was a former lover, boyfriend or whatever. He’s the reason Maria didn’t want to marry Brian and never warmed up to her husband.”
“Are you sure he has no idea who the head belongs to?” Ronan asked.
“If he does, it’s well hidden. I didn’t catch sight of it. Brian’s mind is nothing but a jumble of lies and stories.” Ten needed a hot shower after reading the man.
Ronan sighed. “Jude, call Fitz and update him. Like Brian said, all roads lead to Fat Sal. I want Fitz with us when we go interview this guy. He’s still dangerous even if he’s over ninety years old.”
Ten couldn’t agree more. The last time he met a crime boss, Vito Dragonni, he ended up kidnapped and being used to flush out Vito’s enemies. He wasn’t looking forward to meeting Fat Sal, but if it got them closer to identifying Head Doe, it was a risk Ten would have to take.