13
Ronan
An hour later, Ronan found himself sitting in a conference room at the Salem Police Department with Jude and Fitz. They were waiting for Cisco to join them after his meeting with the angry public defender. Ronan had a feeling Miller’s chat with the chief hadn’t gone well.
“Everyone is safe at the hotel,” Cisco said, walking into the room. “Everly and Ten have a walkie and instructions on how and when to use it.”
“Is Miller settled in as well?” Fitz asked. “The last thing we need is for him to show up at his house and ruin the whole plan.”
“He’s at a different location from your families with a guard at his fifth floor door. The only way Miller is getting out of that hotel room is if he’s Spider-Man.”
“Good to know,” Jude said. “Okay, so what’s our plan here?”
“We’re coming at this guy full-force. SWAT will surround the house and breach the door.
The team is aware that Rhodes’s weapon of choice is a needle, probably an auto-injector pen, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he has other weapons as well like a gun or a taser, something that can immobilize a person from a distance. ”
“Makes sense to me,” Ronan said. “Where do you want us?”
“As far away from the action as possible. You’re on his hit list, Ronan.” Cisco sighed. “I can’t believe I’m saying those words out loud. Rhodes might be upset over losing his chance to get to Michael Miller, but taking you out is the next best thing.”
Ronan had a feeling Cisco was going to say something like that.
Frustration welled up inside of him. If they didn’t get Rhodes now, they could lose their opportunity altogether.
If he went into hiding then Ronan would live under the proverbial sword of Damocles, waiting for it to fall and end his life or those of his family.
That particular outcome was a no-go. They were going to take down Rhodes tonight, even if Ronan had to disobey a direct order to make it happen.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Cisco said.
“Respectfully, chief, I don’t think you do.”
Cisco raised an eyebrow. “Oh really, hotshot? You’re thinking there’s a possibility we won’t get him tonight and that Rhodes will strike out of the blue when you’ve all let your guards down.
You’re also thinking that you’re going to do anything in your power to get this fucker even if it costs you your job. ”
“I wouldn’t take it that far. Disobey an order or two, yeah, but not get myself thrown off the force.” Ronan paused. “The reason you know what I’m thinking is because you’d do the same thing if it were Luca and Frankie in the line of fire.”
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-”
“Damien Rhodes!” a voice called over a loud speaker. “The house is surrounded. Come out with your hands up. SWAT is on scene and will breach if you do not come out voluntarily.”
“What the fuck is happening?” Fitz shouted, running toward the officer with the megaphone.
The living room light flashed on revealing a woman standing in the window. It was Sarah, the receptionist from the public defender’s office. “He’s got a hostage!” Ronan shouted. Rhodes stepped out from behind her. He held what looked like a taser to her head.
“Ronan, we need you on the megaphone. Talk to Rhodes.” Fitzgibbon handed the device to Ronan.
“I’m here, Rhodes.” Ronan’s voice sounded tinny through the megaphone. “You don’t need Sarah. Let her go.”
“You took everything from me!” Rhodes shouted. “This bitch can fry for all I care!”
“Let her go, Rhodes and I’ll take her place.” Ronan set the megaphone down and held his hands out.
“Ronan, no!” Fitz shouted.
Ronan kept his eye on the front window of the house. He heard Fitzgibbon, but couldn’t afford to look away. “If I’m the object of your sick game, take me.” Ronan crossed the street and climbed the stairs. He kicked the front door with his boot. “Here I am. Send Sarah out!”
“It’s a trick! When I open the door they’ll shoot me,” Rhodes yelled back.
“It’s not a trick. Have Sarah open the door and walk outside.
She’s not part of this. Let her go.” Ronan didn’t know if his plea would work.
All he knew at the moment was that he was on a short leash.
It wasn’t going to take much for the SWAT team to come barreling toward the front door.
He was sure there were men stationed at the back of the house. All were waiting for the command to go.
The front door opened slowly. Ronan could see Sarah. She was terrified. Dried blood was crusted to the left side of her head where Rhodes had hit her with something. “That’s right, Sarah. Come on out.”
“He’s fucking nuts. He’s going to kill you. Don’t go in there. Don’t-” Whatever Sarah had been about to say died in her throat when members of the SWAT team grabbed her and pulled her away from the house.
“Ronan,” Fitzgibbon shouted. “Do not go into that house.”
“Sorry, Cap. A deal’s a deal.” Knowing he was the stupidest man on earth, Ronan walked into Michael Miller’s house and shut the door behind him. “Damien Rhodes, I presume?”
“You know damn well who I am!” Rhodes shot back. Damien Rhodes wore black jeans with a black tee. His hair looked as if it hadn’t been washed in several days, while his eyes were red and bloodshot.