Page 21 of Dead O’Clock

10

Tennyson

After Ten got the kids fed and cleaned up, he walked them over to Jude and Cope’s house. Jude came back with him, anxious to get to work on the case. Ten felt like he was running on empty. He’d spent the night tossing and turning. Ronan didn’t look like he’d slept much better.

“I know you didn’t want her to get involved, but did Everly have anything to say about the letters and who might be next?” Jude asked.

Ronan nodded and filled Jude in on what his daughter had seen with her gift. He was finishing up what had happened with Everly, when Cisco called. “Morning, Cisco.”

“Hey, Ronan, how are you?” Cisco sounded as tired as Ten felt.

“I’m okay. Everly was able to pass along some valuable information.”

“I had a feeling she’d come through for us.” The smile in Cisco’s voice was obvious.

Ronan repeated everything Everly had told them.

“I think the guy you’re looking for is Michael Miller. He’s been with the public defender’s office since the Clinton Administration. He’s just sucking off the government tit. Hates his job, does the bare minimum to earn his paycheck, and to keep his benefits, and pension.”

“Everly said he won’t believe us when we go see him. Do you want us to bring him in, and we can force him into protective custody?” Ronan looked as if he hated the idea of doing something against this man’s will. Ten knew it was either that or he’d end up on a mortuary slab like Roderick Crews and Paul Jones.

“No, don’t bring him in unless you can convince him he’s in real danger.” Cisco paused. “Use your time with him to get a client list from the last four years. We can compare that to the people the cold case team has arrested since the inception of the unit.”

“That’s a no go,” Ronan said. “Attorney/client privilege prevents that sort of information from being shared.”

“Shit, you’re right.” Cisco sighed. “I was thinking since trials are public record that we’d be able to get a list of the clients.”

“We could try to match the people we’ve arrested against court filings, but that could take a while.” Jude wore a frustrated look.

“I’ll put some detectives on that. You guys focus on Michael Miller. Ask him if there are any clients who threatened harm against him or others. Privilege doesn’t exist in cases of threats of extreme violence or death against the public defender or anyone else. He can give you those names.”

“Just an FYI, I spoke to Fitz last night. I have a feeling he’s coming home early.”

“Did he recognize Ten’s client from yesterday?” Cisco sounded hopeful.

“No, but Everly said Ten, Jude, and myself know him. She didn’t make any mention of Fitz or where we know this man from.”

“Keep me in the loop, Ronan. I want to know everything that’s happening today, got it?”

“Yeah, I hear you. I’ll be in touch.” Ronan was itching to get out the door and get to work.

“Above all, stay safe. The last thing I want to do is to spend the night at your bedside in the hospital and I’m sure as fuck not in the mood to write your eulogy.”

“Gee, thanks, boss. Good talk.” Ronan rolled his eyes and ended the call. “Let’s hit the road.” Grabbing his keys, Ronan left the house and let himself into Ten’s SUV. If something awful was going to happen, he didn’t want it to be in the Mustang.

“That’s a pretty morbid thought,” Ten said, getting into the passenger seat.

“Yeah, well, it’s a pretty morbid day.” Ronan sighed, as Jude got into the backseat.

“What’s our plan with Miller?”

Ronan started the car and pulled into the street. “I haven’t really given it a lot of thought. We need to find out if he’s heard about the other murders and if he’s gotten a letter. Everly said he’s not going to listen to what we have to say, so we need to find another way to save his life.”

“We can’t do another stakeout. The killer got the jump on us last night. Maybe if we stay with him in his house? Or a hotel?” Jude asked.

“Maybe,” Ronan muttered.

Ten had to admit Jude was right; another stakeout would be just as fruitless as it had been the night before. Not to mention the thought of the public losing faith in the Salem Police. If some dirtbag could kill two members of law enforcement right under the police department’s noses, how would the people of Salem ever feel safe again?