Chapter 4 #2
“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 hall toward 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.
“Arrested?” Carson screeched from behind the cops. “For what?”
Ten was frozen. He couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. It was like his brain had short circuited.
“I said turn around!” The cop grabbed Ten and threw him against the wall. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you.”
Ten felt a flash of pain before feeling blood gush from his nose.
The officer twisted back his left arm and slapped a cold cuff around his wrist. It was so tight, Ten could feel his hand start to tingle from lack of circulation.
The cop did the same with his right arm, wrenching it back so hard that he cried out in pain.
“I’m a doctor. He’s bleeding, let me help!” Elijah said before the cop elbowed him out of the way.
“Let’s go, asshole!” The redhead yanked Ten forward so hard that he nearly lost his balance. He felt himself start to go down and was grabbed by someone from behind.
“Stop resisting!” the second blond officer yelled. “Stop resisting!” he shouted again, sounding as if he were enjoying himself.
“He’s not resisting!” Carson shouted. “Cole, call Ronan, Jude, and Fitz!” He chased after Tennyson as the cops led him toward the door of the shop. “Where are you taking him?” Carson threw himself in front of the door, holding his arms in front of him.
“If you don’t move your ass, I’m taking you in for obstructing justice!” The redhead pulled cuffs from his pocket and jingled them at Carson.
“I know my rights!” Carson fired back, not moving an inch. “What’s your name and badge number? What is Tennyson being arrested for and where are you taking him?”
The officer sneered at Carson. Ten was afraid his friend was going to end up in the jail cell next to his own, but Cope had a point, what the hell was he being arrested for and by whom?
Ten had never seen these officers before in his life.
They weren’t from the Salem Police Department, that was for sure.
“I’m Captain Dutch Vance from the Danvers Fraud Squad. Tennyson is being taken to our police headquarters. Get your asshole friend a good lawyer, he’s going to need it.” With that Vance shouldered past Carson and dragged Ten out the door.
“My wallet and phone are in my office! Find Ronan!” Ten called back to Carson. “Get the kids off the bus and call Reagan Pryce!”
“Don’t say a word, Tennyson!” Carson shouted. “We’re getting help.”
Vance wrenched Ten forward, sending him sprawling. Pain bolted through his knees as he crashed into the street. When he was pulled to his feet, he could see the legs of his pants were torn and his left knee was bleeding.
As Ten was being shoved into the back of a Danvers Police cruiser, he couldn’t help but think this was the something bad Everly had seen coming. At least he hoped the hell it was.
What could be worse than being arrested for fraud and hauled out of his place of employment in front of his co-workers and clients? Ten shuddered at the possibilities.