“I’ve got your son!” the voice crowed and swung his weapon again.
Jude’s last thought before the darkness claimed him was that Everly had been wrong about Wolf’s safety.
12
Cope
The closer the clock inched to showtime, the more nervous Cope got. He and Ten were in their seats, where they belonged. Ronan was at the opposite end of the aisle. Cope could see his lips moving, as he spoke to the team through their earpieces. He should have insisted either he or Ten be on that call as well, especially with Jude not having taken his seat yet.
“Where the hell is Jude?” Cope asked Ten. “I’ve texted him several times, but haven’t heard back.”
“I was just thinking the same thing.” Ten waved to Ronan to catch his attention. “Where’s Jude?” he mimed.
Ronan shrugged. “He’ll be here in a sec.”
Not exactly a comforting response. Cope was sure Jude was in the bathroom or checking out something suspicious in the hallway. If there was something really wrong, Ronan wouldn’t be calmly sitting in his seat, so he had that little bit of knowledge at least.
Even that didn’t keep Cope from worrying. Every time the stage right door opened, his head swiveled hoping Jude would stroll through it, but he didn’t. He didn’t know a lot about police work, but did know that plans changed along with circumstances, which meant he shouldn’t be as nervous as he was, but something was wrong. How wrong, Cope didn’t know.
The stage lights dimmed several times, letting the crowd know the show was about to begin. Turning around to check out the theater, there weren’t any people in the seats. Cope wasn’t entirely surprised, but he figured people would want to be here to see the fight. What happened the other night had been extensively covered in theSalem Newsand on local television. He’d declined all interview requests. Alistair hadn’t, making sure to let people know that his comeback event would be the talk of the town. Even with the debunked psychic’s bold proclamation, ticket sales had been in the toilet.
“Ladies and gentlemen, kids of all ages, I welcome you to Resurrection Night with Alistair Hooke.” The bright red curtain parted and out stepped the man of the hour. Alistair was dressed in a black suit with a red tie. No glittery pants or top hat for this event. He looked like a serious man on a mission.
Cope’s stomach clenched as he made eye contact with Alistair. He felt like he was going to throw up. The fact that Jude hadn’t arrived yet only made him feel worse. Where the hell was his husband?
“Here we are, together again!” Alaistair said in a triumphant tone. We have one of Salem’s finest, Cold Case Detective Ronan O’Mara here with us tonight. It’s wonderful to see you. We also have his husband, psychic Tennyson Grimm. I’m disappointed you left your daughter in the parking lot, Ten. I’m sure she’d rather be in here where all the action is.” He offered a syrupysmile. “Then there’s psychic and witch, Copeland Forbes. It appears you too are missing some people this evening.”
Cope’s hands fisted, but he kept silent. The last time he’d gone off the rails, it hadn’t ended well for himself and his family. He knew Alistair was going to come for him, but had he done something to Jude, is that why he wasn’t in the theater?
“Wherever could your beloved husband, Detective Jude Byrne be?” Alistair put a hand up to shade his eyes from the brilliant spotlight. “Jude? Ohhhh, Jude? Are you here?” Laughing, Alistair zeroed back in on Cope. “Well, thank goodness your son, Wolf, is home safe tonight.” He set a hand against his heart in mock thankfulness. “Or is he?”
Cope’s worry ratcheted up a notch. He turned to Tennyson, who’d gone white as a sheet. “Jesus, Ten what is it? Is it Jude?”
Ten shook his head and pointed to the stage with a shaking finger.
Alistair had stepped to the side of the spotlight. Cope could see movement at the darkened back of the stage. Someone was walking toward the light. He watched in growing horror as Wolf stepped into the spotlight. Standing behind him, was someone else with their hands on Wolf’s shoulders. They took one more step forward to reveal a woman, who was dressed in a bright red cloak, with the hood pulled up over her head. She looked like Little Red Riding Hood brought to life, but who was this woman and how did she have Wolf?
“What the fuck is going on here?” Cope got to his feet. His eyes were on Wolf’s who looked scared. “Ronan! Go find Jude!” As he shouted, the woman behind Wolf stepped forward, her hood tipped backward to reveal a beautiful young lady with icy blue eyes and long, dark hair, which hung almost to her waist.
“It’s Amity,” Ten whispered.
Ronan was halfway to the theater doors when they all banged shut and locked. He ran toward the doors, yanked and pulled on them, but Ronan was unable to open them. From the other side of the doors, pounding and shouting could be heard, but the words couldn’t be understood.
Cope took a breath and assessed the situation. Jude was missing, Greeley and Fitzgibbon were locked on the other side of the doors. Wolf was being held captive on the stage and Cope had no idea what Alistair and Amity’s intentions toward him or the rest of them were. He reached out to Everly with his gift, hoping she could hear him. He’d warned her of the trouble they were in and to call Cisco and tell him to bring help.
“Your mind is a wonderland, Cope,” the woman said, digging her fingers into Wolf’s shoulders. “You are correct, I am Amity Wellington. It is nice to meet you, although I wish it were under different circumstances. The Devereaux coven is known far and wide. I heard rumors of them when merchant ships arrived from France. Yes, I would like to have discussed our magick, but alas, there will not be time for that now.” Her hands tightened on Wolf’s shoulders.
The little boy squirmed to get away, but Amity held fast.
“What do you want from my son, Amity? Your name means friendship. Is that what you’re offering him?” Cope’s entire body felt like it was made of gelatin. His knees wobbled and his hands shook. He tried reaching out to Amity, but felt a wave of energy strike him like an ocean wave. Fuck, she was powerful.
“I want nothing with thisordinaryboy. He’s of no use to me, nor to Alistair.” Amity looked down at Wolf, who yanked himselfforward breaking her grasp on his shoulders. He kicked at Amity before Alistair stepped in, grabbing Wolf by the shoulder.
“Your son is here to make sure you listen to everything I have to tell you.” Alistair shoved Wolf forward. He stumbled and fell to the stage, hitting his head. He didn’t move after that.
Cope ran down the aisle toward the stage, shouting Wolf’s name.
“That’s far enough, Cope,” Alistair said. “One more step and we’ll be forced to hurt him worse than he is. You wouldn’t want that for your sweetWoofie, would you?”
