With Maria on her death bed, Ronan and Jude needed to work fast to bring Head Doe’s killer to justice.
10
Tennyson
Ten sat in the backseat of his SUV as Ronan drove into Boston. Jude rode shotgun. He’d hoped his part of the investigation was over, but apparently, Fitzgibbon had wanted Tennyson to interview Brian Cullen, Maria’s ex-husband, along with Ronan and Jude. Ten knew he was being sent along as a human lie detector, but it wasn’t going to be as easy as their boss thought. For one, the loud noises of the casino, combined with the hundreds of people begging to hit it big and who’d lost everything made for a distraction Ten wasn’t always able to overcome. It was like dueling televisions. Turning the volume up on one, made it harder to hear the other.
According to Ronan, Brian Cullen loved to spend time at the new Encore casino, situated on the harbor. “How do you know this guy is gonna be at this casino?”
“I called an old friend in Major Crimes, who assured me Cullen would be at one of the blackjack tables after noontime. They’ve been trying to get him to turn on his father, but so far Brian hasn’t budged.”
Ten sighed. “That doesn’t bode well for us wanting to talk to him about Maria and the head.” He couldn’t believe he was talking so casually about a frozen head in a freezer. Twelve-year-old Tennyson would have never believed it.
“If he’s had a bit to drink, Brian might be feeling a bit nostalgic when we ask him about Maria.” Ronan wore a hopeful look.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Jude said. “He might relax when we tell him we’re aren’t there to talk to him about his father.”
Ten could only hope Jude was right and that there was a conference room or something they could use to speak to Brian Cullen.
Ronan pulled into the casino and tossed his keys to the valet. “Everyone be cool,” he said when they entered the casino.
Ten snorted, knowing full well that Ronan saw this as hisOcean’s Elevenmoment. Who was he to ruin that for his husband? Ronan guided them from the lobby into the casino itself which took Ten’s breath away.
The room was a riot of color, flashing lights and sirens signaling someone had beat the machine. Beneath his feet was a red, floral carpet and red chandeliers that looked like they had come out of the Moulin Rouge. All of the new fangled slot machines were digital, gone were the days of the one-armed bandits. Cocktail waitresses wore chic black dresses and matching heels.
“You okay?” Ronan whispered.
Ten nodded. “I shut my gift down for the moment. I’ll use it when we find Brian Cullen.”
“Gaming tables are this way.” Jude pointed toward the back of the casino.
As he followed behind Jude, Ten walked slowly, trying to get a feel for the casino. There was a lot of laughter and frivolity, but some of the faces Ten encountered were desperate and scared. He wished he could tell them all to walk away, but knew none of them would listen.
“There he is,” Ronan said. “Third Blackjack table on the right. Black tracksuit, slicked back grey hair.”
Jude shook his head. “I like The Sopranos as much as the next guy, but why the hell did male leisureware be the trend thatcaught on with retirees? Ronan, when we retire from the force, promise me you won’t let me dress like that.”
“Like I’d be able to stop you.” Ronan grabbed Jude’s arm. “Look, he’s getting up from his seat. The best time to approach him is away from the table.”
“Agreed. Looks like he’s heading for the bathroom.” Jude followed behind at what looked like a discreet distance.
“What do you need from me?” Ten asked.
“I want you to be the one to tell him about Maria. We’ll make it clear you’re not a cop. You have a way with people that Jude and I don’t have.”
That was the understatement of the century. “You mean empathy?”
“Yeah, that, plus you have this easy way about you.” Ronan nudged Ten’s shoulder and followed Jude.
As they were approaching the restrooms, Brian came out and Jude approached him.
“You’re Brian Cullen, right?” Jude asked, sounding casual.
“Who the fuck wants to know?” Brian eyed Jude suspiciously.
“We’re here about Maria,” Ten said softly, noticing how green the man’s eyes were.
Brian’s nostrils flared. “This better not be a trick.”
