“I thought they were at each other’s throats.” Fitz shook his head. “I mean, shit, that’s all we would have needed.”
Ronan snickered.
“What the hell is funny about that?” Fitz asked, fisting his hands on his hips.
“For once, I wouldn’t be the problem child!” Ronan hooted. He grabbed a plate and piled several donuts on it before fixing himself a coffee.
“You’realwaysthe fucking problem child. If you’re not causing trouble yourself, you’re instigating it.” Fitz grabbed his coffee and a Boston cream donut and headed back into the living room.
Ronan followed behind and offered his plate to Greeley and Jude, who both snagged their requested donuts. I guess I don’t have to ask how you’re feeling today. We could hear you shouting from across the street.”
“I’m much better.” Jude offered a sincere smile. “It’s really helped having Greeley here for the last two days to play video games with me. It’s helping with my hand-eye coordination. Plus when he comes to visit, he brings junk food, unlike you two chuckleheads.”
“Strawberry glazed donuts aren’t going to get you back to work any faster,” Ronan said, sounding mature, for once.
“Is that what the two of you are here to talk about?” Jude asked, his glittering eyes dulling down.
“Sort of,” Fitz admitted, turning to Ronan.
“Cisco called to talk to Fitz this morning,” Ronan said, setting the story up for Fitz, who looked reluctant to talk.
“What the hell did you dothistime?” Jude and Greeley asked at the same time.
“Seriously. What the fuck?” Ronan asked with a snicker. “Cisco wants to add someone to the team.”
“What? To replace me?” Jude asked, sounding alarmed.
“God, you’re an asshole.” Fitzgibbon sighed heavily. “Notto replace you, Jude. What the dumbass to my left wastryingto say is that Cisco got funding for a fourth detective. He presented data on our solve rates and how many cold cases were left to be solved. The budget was approved and now we can add a fourth person.”
Jude was silent for a few seconds. “Whoever we choose has to be someone who will gel instantly with the two of us and our dumbass.” He blew Ronan a kiss.
Ronan shot Jude the bird. “That was my first reaction as well.”
“Thankfully, I, as the captain of our illustrious team, have the perfect solution to who we’re going to bring on.”
“Oh, Gibson from patrol! He’s great. No one writes speeding tickets like Ike Gibson.” Jude’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
“No way,” Ronan said. “He chews with his mouth open. How about Crosby from property crimes?”
“What, the short guy who always has gummed up saliva in the corners of his mouth?” Jude gagged.
“God, none of us would make it through a shift working with him.” Fitzgibbon laughed. “Who do you suggest, Greeley? You know the job and all the officers with the Salem Police Department.”
“Well,” Greeley said, “I agree with Jude that you need to pick someone who can deal with the three of you. Whoever you hire is gonna need hazard pay just from dealing with Ronan alone.”
“Hey! I’m right here, you know.” Ronan pasted on a wounded look. Greeley had a point.
“I do know, Ronan. So does half the neighborhood.” Greeley rolled his eyes. “You want a detective who can give as good as he gets and I know the perfect person to join the team. Me.”
“What?” Jude’s eyes widened. “You’d be willing to leave the BPD to come work with us?”
“I’m already gone. I put in for a transfer before the holidays. Captain Armstrong called Cisco and let him know I wanted to come work for him. I assume that’s what started the chief off on asking for the budget to bring me to cold case.” Greeley looked to Fitzgibbon.
“That’s what he told me this morning. Are we all unanimous in welcoming Greeley to the team?” Fitz looked between Ronan and Jude.
“I vote yes!” Jude said.
“Me too,” Ronan agreed, feeling his anxiety slip away. Like Fitzgibbon, he’d been scared to death hearing Jude and Greeley arguing before they came into the house, but seeing the two of them interacting together quelled any lingering questions about Fitz’s decision.
