Chapter 7
Ronan
Ronan followed Fitz into the conference room at the Salem Police Department. Cisco and his Deputy Chief, Eli Dixon, were already in the room. Jude and Greeley were behind him. Ten had been arrested three hours ago, but to Ronan it felt like days had passed.
After leaving the Danvers Police Department, they’d grabbed McDonalds.
Ronan made sure the kids were okay with Truman.
He’d assured Ronan he had clothes both kids could wear and that he’d keep them safe from what was happening with the police at their house next door.
Jude invited Ronan to spend the night at his house, so he wouldn’t have to be alone.
He wasn’t sure if he was going to take Jude up on his offer.
The house needed to be put back to rights before he could bring Everly and Ezra home.
Who the fuck knew how much of it had been torn apart in the search.
Everyone settled around the table. All eyes were on Cisco, who opened a folder and pulled out stacks of stapled papers. He handed them out. “This is the police report that led to Ten’s arrest. Have any of you heard of a woman named Autumn Miller?”
Ronan shook his head. He didn’t know this woman from a hole in the ground, but she knew his husband well enough to have sworn out charges against him.
Taking a deep breath, Ronan began to read the report.
Autumn Miller had been a NICU nurse at Salem Mercy Hospital until last week and claims Tennyson Grimm was the reason she lost her job, her house, and nearly sixty thousand dollars in cash.
“What the fuck? Tennyson didn’t take away this woman’s livelihood and money. ”
“According to the report,” Dixon began, “Miss Miller was a client of Tennyson’s.
She claims she went to him for a psychic reading regarding the man she was in love with, a Doctor Elijah Logan.
Ten allegedly told her the two of them would fall in love, marry within a year of the reading, have twin daughters, and a house with a white picket fence.
Not only did Dr. Logan not fall in love with Miss Miller, but he was the one who had her fired for negligence last week. ”
Ronan sat with his mouth hanging open. This woman was accusing Ten of fraud because the man of her dreams wasn’t in love with her? It made no sense.
“Just between us,” Cisco said, “Miss Miller is under investigation for the incident at Salem Mercy that led to her termination, as well as potential stalking and harassment issues. She is unaware of that at the moment.”
“I’m not a lawyer by any stretch of the imagination, but how can Ten be arrested for a psychic prediction that didn’t come true?” Ronan asked as the conference room door opened.
In walked Reagan Pryce. “It’s a good thing I’m here, Ronan.” He held out his hand to shake. “We have a lot to talk about, so let’s get to it.” He settled into the seat beside Fitzgibbon. “Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140, Section 1851 deals with fortunetellers.”
“I didn’t know we had a fortuneteller law on the books,” Fitz said. Ronan nodded along. He had no idea either.
“Exactly,” Pryce said. “That’s because it’s so seldomly used.
The statute says that you have to be licensed to practice in Massachusetts, which Tennyson is.
I checked his status before coming over here.
I did the same for the other psychics in his shop and they’re up to date on their certification as well, which is good. ”
“I’m guessing the bad news is next,” Ronan said, his entire body shaking.
“The other pertinent section of the law deals with prohibition of fraud. I won’t bore you with the legalese, but the long and short of it is that law prohibits the use of fortunetelling in order to acquire property.”
“What property? Ten hasn’t acquired anything.” Ronan took a deep breath and felt his nerves calm.
“You didn’t let me get to the really bad news.
” Pryce shook his head. “The law was challenged last year in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The argument was that loss of assets at the hands of fortunetellers should be the same as the psychic obtaining property by way of fraud. The court agreed.”
Ronan’s head was swimming. “You’ve lost me. What assets did this Miller woman lose because of Tennyson?”
“Miss Miller spent fifteen thousand dollars on a wedding dress, veil, shoes, etc.” Pryce rolled his eyes.
“She spent another twenty thousand securing a down payment on a wedding venue and on the caterers. Lobster and prime rib, with all the fixings, and red velvet cake for dessert. Lastly was a ten thousand dollar deposit on a brick house with a picket fence in Beverly, which I assume is going to go into foreclosure before long due to the loss of Miss Miller’s job at Salem Mercy. ”
Ronan couldn’t believe his ears. “Let me get this straight, Miss Miller bought a wedding dress, a house and put a deposit on a venue based on Ten’s reading? He didn’t con her out of anything or tell her she needed to keep coming back for more readings that would clarify her future?”
“Correct. Miss Miller spent her own money of her own accord.” Pryce sat back in his chair.
“She claims the fraud was in Ten assuring her that his predictions for her future would come true. No, he didn’t take her assets fraudulently, but it was his professional opinion which caused her to spend the money.
As the law was originally written, these charges could not have been brought, but thanks to last year’s SJC ruling, here we are. ”
Ronan felt lost. He was sure that the charges were a misunderstanding that could be cleared up before dinner, but after hearing what they were, nothing could be further from the truth.
“In other news,” Cisco said, “search warrants are being carried out at your house and West Side Magick. I’ve got officers in both places to make sure things go smoothly and that nothing is disturbed or destroyed in Everly’s room.”
Tears flowed down Ronan’s cheeks. His sweet, innocent daughter was having her personal space violated by law, and there was nothing he could do about it.
“I spoke to Carson and Cole, who are pissed about what happened today. They’re one hundred percent on Ten’s side. So is the Salem Police Department, but I’m going to have to put him on unpaid leave. Department policy.” Cisco wore a guilty look. “If you need anything, Ronan, call me. Understood?”
Ronan knew exactly what Cisco was saying. If he ran out of money and couldn’t pay the mortgage or feed the kids, Cisco would be willing to help.
“We’re going to get through this, Ronan. I promise.” Reagan Pryce set a hand on Ronan’s shoulder.
“I believe you.” Ronan meant every word. He also knew how much a defense attorney cost. It shouldn’t cost as much to defend Ten from fraud charges as it had been to defend Ronan for murder, but he was sure the cost would be substantial.
“The other thing we need to talk about is Dutch Vance.” Cisco pointed to the lawyer.
“We had a professional dispute a few years ago when the cold case unit was created. Vance thought he should head it and I told him to pound sand. I believe he’s running his own agenda to get revenge against me, the Salem PD, and my cold case detectives. ”
“That’s good to know, Cisco. Get your people to send me everything you have on the employment dispute.”
“You got it,” Dixon said.
“What’s happening with Tennyson?” Ronan asked. “Were you able to see or speak to him or someone at the jail?”
Pryce nodded. “I spoke with the warden of the county jail, Jeff Brinks. He’s a member of my poker game.
I explained the situation about Ten working for the Salem PD and being openly gay.
Jeff hadn’t been made aware of either of those things.
They had Ten scheduled for a cell in general population, but Jeff was able to get Ten into protective custody.
He’ll be safe for the night, but won’t have access to a phone to call you, Ronan. ”
Fresh tears flowed down Ronan’s face. “Are they feeding him? Can I bring him dinner or a warm blanket?” The idea of Ten being alone in a cold jail cell was almost more than Ronan could bear.
“Yes, Ten’s being fed and was issued with a standard bed roll and linens. You can’t see him or send him anything,” Pryce said.
Ronan felt like he was on the verge of collapse.
“I’ve got this, okay?” Pryce squeezed Ronan’s shoulder. “I’m going home to prepare my arguments for the arraignment tomorrow. How much money can you get together for bail?”
“As much as he needs,” Fitz said. “Jace and I will take care of it.”
Ronan’s eyes widened. “Jesus, Fitz, I can’t let you-”
“It’s been decided, Ronan. We’ve got it and anything else you guys need. We’ll keep the kids out of school tomorrow. Jace can stay with them.”
“Same with Cope,” Jude chimed in. “Carson’s closing the shop tomorrow. The guys are going to clean up after the search warrant and do phone or Zoom readings with clients who don’t want to reschedule. He also said to expect a huge surge of customers over the next few days.”
“Why?” Ronan asked. “Rubbernecking?”
Jude smiled. “Your husband is beloved in this city, Ronan. There’s already a GoFundMe one of his clients set up to take care of you and the kids. Salem is behind Tennyson all the way. Now let’s get your weepy ass out of here and make a plan of battle.”
“Battle?” Ronan asked. What the hell could he do with Ten stuck in jail on trumped up charges?
“We’re not gonna sit here and let Vance walk all over Ten, right Cap?” Jude grinned.
Fitzgibbon nodded. “We’re gonna work the Autumn Miller case. If you’ve got a problem with that, chief, speak now. It won’t change my mind, but your objection will be on the record.”
Cisco sighed. “All above board, you three. I fucking mean it. Dot every I. Cross every T. Dig up every speck of dirt there is on this woman and maybe we’ll be able to get her to drop the charges against Ten.”
“What about Dutch Vance?” Ronan asked, envisioning himself wrapping his hands around the man’s throat and squeezing until his face turned purple.
“Leave that motherfucker to me.” Cisco grinned. “Get some sleep. Call if you need anything. I mean it, Ronan.”
“Thanks, Cisco.” Ronan got out of his seat.
“I’ll call when I get an arraignment time for Tennyson.” Pryce shut his briefcase and left the room. “I’ll need my retainer before then.”
“Email the invoice to me and I’ll pay it tonight,” Fitzgibbon said, in a voice that brooked no argument.
Ronan followed Fitzgibbon out of the conference room. He felt the love and support from his boss and colleagues. Tennyson was in for one hell of a fight and Ronan would stand by his side every step of the way.
When all of this was behind them. Vance had better watch his step. Ronan wasn’t going to let him get away with what he’d done today.