Chapter 10
Tennyson
The night in jail was the longest of Ten’s life.
He’d caught a few catnaps, but that was it.
He wondered how the hell people who were incarcerated long-term were able to get a full night’s sleep in this place.
In addition to his anxiety over the case, his entire face throbbed from it being slammed against the wall at West Side Magick.
He’d checked his face in the little metal mirror in his cell and saw both eyes were blackened.
Ten kept his mind on the arraignment and getting the hell out of the jail.
When his name was called, he was brought back to the intake department, where he was searched again.
Thankfully, he was allowed to dress in his own clothes, which smelled like home, even if they were a little wrinkled and torn.
He boarded a transport bus that would take him from Middleton to Salem, where his hearing would be held.
He’d left his phone and wallet in his office back at West Side Magick. He hoped Carson had been able to get them for him. Aside from the brief five minute call with Reagan Pryce, Ten hadn’t spoken to anyone in the outside world in nearly twenty-four hours.
When he got to the courthouse, familiar faces were waiting for him. Cisco Jackson stood with Eli Dixon. The correction’s officer got Ten off the bus, frisked him again, and pushed him toward the courthouse.
“We’ve got it from here, officer,” Cisco said, flashing his badge.
“It’s my job to get this dickhead into the court, not to turn him over to you, whoever the hell you are.”
“I’m Salem Police Chief, Cisco Jackson, and I’m taking possession of this prisoner.” Cisco’s tone brooked no argument.
The officer’s eyes widened. He thrust a clipboard at Cisco. “Sign for the prisoner’s release.”
Raising an eyebrow, Cisco did as he was asked. “In future, I suggest you adjust your attitude. I would hate for your promising career to be derailed because you were insubordinate to a senior officer.” Without looking back, he took Ten’s arm and led him into the courthouse.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes, Cisco.” Ten couldn’t help thinking he was glad Cisco was on his side. He wouldn’t have wanted to go up against the man he’d witnessed outside.
“Jesus, Ten, what the hell did they do to you? Can you even see?” Cisco pointed to Ten’s bruised face, as he led Ten into the courthouse.
“Vance shoved me into a wall when I was arrested. My nose bled like hell, but I’m fine.” Ten could see the concern in Cisco’s eyes and knew Ronan was going to go nuclear when he got a look at Ten’s face.
“I did everything I could to get you out of jail last night. Meeting you outside was the best I could do.” Cisco led Ten to a closed door on the second floor of the courthouse.
“I have to put you on unpaid administrative leave until this situation is sorted out. The second these bullshit charges are dropped, you’re getting reinstated.
This is policy and I can’t go against it for you. For any of my officers.”
“I understand,” Ten said. “To be honest, I’m surprised I still have a job.”
“Listen to me very carefully, Ten,” Cisco began, “everyone in this town loves you. We all know what you contribute to our community, to our schools, and to our tourism. I think you’re going to be surprised when you walk into that courtroom.
” Cisco knocked on the closed door and opened it, motioning Ten inside. “I’ll see you soon.”
“There you are!” Ronan rushed to the door and pulled Ten inside before wrapping his arms around him. “I’m gonna make that son-of-a-bitch pay for hurting you.” Ronan kissed Ten’s cheek. “I missed you.”
“Me too,” Ten said, holding on for dear life.
“As wonderful as this little reunion is, we’ve got work to do before the hearing starts.” Reagan pointed Ten to a seat at the table.
Getting a good look around the room, Ten saw Jude, Fitz, Cope, and Carson on one side. His mother, Madam Aurora, Principal Max Preston, and Cole were on the other. “Hey, everyone.” Ten’s eyes moved to Kaye, who was dabbing her eye with a tissue. “I’m so sorry, Mom.”
“I haven’t been this angry in years!” Kaye said, sounding as upset as Ten had ever heard. “Don’t you dare be sorry, Tennyson. You go in there and you fight these bullshit charges. We’re all behind you.”
“Bullshit?” Ten asked. This was the first time in his life he’d ever heard his mother say that word.
“I blame Ronan. I must have picked up that word at your house.” Kaye smiled at her son-in-law.
“I know there’s a lot to do, Reagan, but how are my kids?” Ten’s eyes were on Ronan.
“They’re good. Ezra’s at preschool and Everly is home with Jace, Wolf, and Aurora. She wanted to come today, but I said no. She’s angry at me, but I knew you wouldn’t want her to see you like this.”
Ten nodded. As disappointed as he was not to see his daughter, Ten knew Ronan had made the right decision. “I’m ready, Reagan.”
“The arraignment is a simple hearing. We go before the judge, who’ll read the charges against you. He’ll ask how you want to plead and you’ll say, ‘not guilty, your honor.’ He’ll decide if you get remanded back to jail until the trial or will grant bail, and in what amount.”
“Is there a chance Ten will be remanded?” Cope asked, looking horrified.
“There is a chance. The district attorney is out for blood. He called you a public menace at his press conference yesterday. He’s looking to make an example of you.”
“Why?” Ten asked. What the hell had he done to catch the attention of the Essex County District Attorney?
“Kent Briggs is one of those Christian Nationalist assholes,” Jude said.
“How the hell did that kind of man get elected here in Massachusetts?” Ten asked. He didn’t pay a lot of attention to local politics, but maybe he should start now.
“He wasn’t elected,” Jude continued. “The DA we elected was asked to serve on the governor’s staff and Briggs was his replacement.
He hates witches and wants to see all of the psychic shops in Salem shut down.
Same goes for the Witch Museum and the local monuments to the innocent people lost in 1692. ”
“Lucky me,” Ten said, under his breath. “How do we get around him?”
“We don’t for the moment,” Pryce said. “This hearing is just for you to enter a plea. Now isn’t the time to litigate our case. That will come later, hopefully never.”
A knock sounded on the inner door of the room. “Your case is up, Reagan,” a bailiff called through the door.
“We’ll see the rest of you in there.”
“You’re coming home with me, Ten. I promise.” Ronan pressed a kiss to Ten’s lips and filed out of the room along with the others, leaving Ten alone with Reagan.
“Am I going home?” Ten asked, scared of the answer.
“Ordinarily, I would guarantee it, but with this DA, I’m not sure.
If it helps, Everly said you would be, but Ronan reminded me that the future is fluid, so at this point, your guess is as good as mine.
Just remember to control your emotions and leave the rest to me.
” Reagan grabbed his briefcase and opened the connecting door.
Ten followed behind him, taking a seat at the defense table.
He turned around to see all of his family and friends sitting behind him.
Cisco Jackson, Eli Dixon, Fitz, Ronan, and Jude sat in the front row, their badges gleaming under the fluorescent light.
“All rise for the Honorable Judge Matthew Clayton,” the bailiff called out.
Ten’s eyes widened at the Judge’s name. He was one of Ten’s clients.
Matt came in every year on June 27, to speak to his deceased mother on her birthday.
Ten knew judges were supposed to be unbiased, but he hoped to God that in this one situation the judge was on his side.
If he went to jail, Mrs. Clayton was going to miss her birthday meeting with her son.
“Be seated.” Judge Clayton made eye contact with Tennyson, but Ten couldn’t tell if he was on his side or against him.
“Docket 2026-5593, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Tennyson Grimm,” the bailiff read. “Three charges of fraud stemming from fortunetelling.”
“Mr. Grimm, how do you plead to these charges?” Judge Clayton asked.
Ten stood, his eyes on the judge. “Not guilty, your honor,” he said, proud that his voice and knees hadn’t shaken.
“I’ll hear arguments on bail, District Attorney Briggs.” The judge’s eyes were on the prosecutor.
“Conman Tennyson Grimm is a menace to society. Over his ten plus years working in Salem he’s defrauded thousands of victims. The Commonwealth asks for remand, your honor.” Briggs smirked at Tennyson.
“Attorney for the defense?”
“Reagan Pryce, your honor. Tennyson Grimm is an upstanding member of this community. He has no criminal record and is not a flight risk. I request that the defendant should be released on his own recognizance.”
“So ordered. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for May 4, 2026. The court is in recess.” The judge banged his gavel and left the courtroom.
“What just happened?” Ten asked, feeling scared. He’d been a fan of courtroom dramas his entire life, but at the moment, he had no idea what the judge’s ruling meant.
“You’ve been released, Ten. No bail was required. Now, let’s get you home.” Reagan hustled Ten toward the first row where Ronan and the others were waiting for him.
“Ready to go home?” Ronan asked, reaching for Ten’s hand.
Ten nodded. He followed behind Ronan out of the courtroom and into the hallway.
“Hey! Grimm!” a voice bellowed, stopping Ten and Ronan in their tracks.
Ten instantly recognized Dutch Vance’s voice.
“This isn’t over by a long shot, you little freak!”
“Are you threatening my client, Captain Vance?” Reagan squeezed himself between Ten and Vance.
“Of course not, Pryce.” Vance turned his attention to Tennyson. I’ll be seeing you soon.”
Ronan put an arm around Ten and shepherded him out of the courthouse. Minutes later, Ten was in the Mustang headed home.
All he wanted was a long hot shower and to hug his kids. He would deal with the rest of the bullshit this case brought with it later.