“It’s December in New England, hot pants! My feet are literally two solid blocks of ice!” Ten shook his head while Fitzgibbon howled with laughter. “I’m so glad I’ve got my team to buck me up in times of trouble. Rocky had Mick, Apollo, and Paulie. I’ve got the hyena, the whiner, and the boner.”
“That’s Mr. Boner to you.” Ronan crossed his arms over his chest and pouted.
Fitzgibbon laughed even harder. He gasped for breath before getting himself under control. “If Ronan’s right about cornering the siblings, this could get us one step closer to solving this case and not a minute too soon.” Fitzgibbon’s smile had turned into a frown as he spoke. “Aurora’s been in a finicky mood this week. Jace thinks she’s modeling my behavior. I’m literally two steps away from sleeping at Ronan’s house.”
Been there. Done that. Ten bit his lip to keep from laughing.
“What the hell is so funny?” Kevin growled from the front seat. “And don’t you dare tell me nothing. I can see your laughing eyes in the rearview.”
Ten would rather have laughing eyes than crying. “I was just thinking about the last time you lived with us, Kevin. Remember?” After Ronan had been shot on their front steps, Kevin and Greeley had moved in with them to keep Ronan safe from the shooter.
“Maybe.” Kevin’s pout was full on now.
“What happened?” Jude turned in his seat so he could face Tennyson.
“I had a bit of a fight with my father’s ghost the night he died. I may have been yelling at him.” Tennyson had definitely been yelling at his father.
“You had a fight with your father’s ghost?” Jude’s eyes widened.
“He was upset that Ronan and I were sleeping in the same bed, so I lit into him. Unfortunately, Rambo,” Ten poked the back of Kevin’s shoulder, “thought Ronan and I were in danger and started pounding on the bedroom door.”
Kevin snorted. “I thought they were roleplaying. I didn’t want to burst in on the two of them getting their groove back.”
“I think this case is weighing heavily on all of us,” Ten said. “The sooner we solve it, the sooner our lives can go back to normal.” At least Aurora only had one parent on edge. Everly had two.
“Agreed,” Kevin said as he parked a few houses down from the Washington house. “How are we going to do this, Ronan?”
“Ten and I are going to the front door. I want the two of you around the back in case Butchie and Kate make a run for it.”
“Good plan,” Jude agreed, cracking his knuckles. “I haven’t had the opportunity to take my anger out on someone in a while. I hope Butchie runs.” With those words, Jude unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the SUV.
“Are you ready to do this?” Ronan asked.
“As ready as I’m going to get,” Ten agreed. He was just glad he wasn’t going to be the one tackling Butchie, or Kate, for that matter. He opened the door and got out of the SUV. When he walked around to the passenger side, Ronan was standing there quietly. “Are you okay?”
Ronan nodded. “I just hope neither of these people had anything to do with the death of their sister. The Washingtons have been living an American tragedy for the last thirty-five years. I don’t want to add to their burden.”
Ten gave Ronan’s hand a squeeze. “I hear you, but the truth has to come out. It’s been hidden for long enough. We’re going to go in there and do our jobs. It’s all we can do.”
Nodding, Ronan signaled Fitzgibbon and Jude to get into position before he walked up to the Washingtons front door. His hand was steady as he rang the bell.
There was no answer. Ten could hear a commotion going on inside and knew it was Butchie and Kate scrambling to get out the back door. “We’ve got runners.”
Ronan snorted. “We’ve got the hyena and the whiner.”
Ten was about to respond when the front door opened. “Detective O’Mara! This is a surprise.” Butch Washington, wearing a guilty look, opened the door and ushered them into the house. “Muriel! Tennyson and Ronan O’Mara are here.”
“Do you have news about the case?” Muriel was wiping her hands off on a towel.
“We need to speak with Butchie and Kate,” Ronan said softly, not betraying any emotions.
“I’m afraid they aren’t here at the moment. I don’t know when they’ll be back.” Muriel offered a brittle smile.
“I do,” Ten said. He walked into the dining room and took a seat at the table. His chair was next to the one occupied by Skye’s hoodie.
“I don’t understand,” Muriel look turned wary.
“Psychic, remember?” Ten tapped the side of his head.
Butch stepped forward. “Look here—”
“No, you look!” Ten interrupted. It wasn’t like him to be rude to a grieving family, but he’d had enough. “We’ve been trying to get in touch with your son and daughter since the investigation was reopened.”
“Our kids had nothing to do with Skye’s death.” Butch’s hands were fisted at his sides.
“If that’s the case, then they should have spoken with us in the beginning. We’ve done nothing but waste time and resources here. Ronan and I took this case as a favor to the police chief, but also because we understood how hard it’s been not to know what happened to your youngest daughter.”
“Got them!” Jude announced triumphantly as he walked into the house with a firm grip on Kate Washington’s left elbow.
“Let go of me!” Kate howled. “I want this fucker arrested for assault, and I’m going to sue for unlawful imprisonment.”
“Sit down, Kate,” Tennyson commanded. He knew full well he had no authority to speak to her this way, but his patience was gone.
“Here’s the brother.” Fitzgibbon pushed Butchie into the house. Both men were panting for breath.
“What the fuck, Mom?” Butchie whined to Muriel.
“These men are trying to solve your sister’s murder. They work for the Salem Police Department. Why on earth wouldn’t either of you speak with them?” She frowned at her adult children.
“Because we’ve had enough!” Butchie bellowed.
“Enough of what?” Muriel looked and sounded bewildered.
“Enough of Skye,” Kate said matter-of-factly. “Enough of living in the past. Enough of our lives stopping in their tracks when Skye died. You had two other kids who needed you, but all your time and attention went to Skye.” Kate made eye contact with her brother who slumped into the seat next to her.
Butch, Sr. looked stunned. His mouth opened but no sound came out.
“Don’t look so surprised, Dad.” Butchie rolled his eyes. “Don’t stand there and pretend like you didn’t notice our pain.”
“Stop!” Ronan held up both hands like a referee in a prize fight. “I couldn’t care less if the two of you weren’t hugged enough as teenagers. What I do care about is your sister. What happened the night she died?”
“What evidence do you have to prove we killed Skye?” Kate had gone from reliving her teenage angst to spitfire in record time.