Ronan opened his mouth, but a kick from Ten kept him quiet.
“He was before my time.” Brian set his hands over his face and took several deep breaths. “I loved Maria, you know? She didn’t love me. Her father forced her to marry me. I didn’t know why Sal insisted then and I don’t know why now. I think he had something to do with Hatpin Hattie, but I’m not sure.”
“Who the hell is Hatpin Hattie?” Ronan asked, looking more curious than angry.
Brian grinned. “Hitman for the Marino family. Hitwoman, I suppose I should say. She hit you where it hurt.” Brian tapped his chest. “Got close to you. Close enough to uh,” Brian looked down at his lap. “Well, you know and then BAM, you’re dead. Hatpin to the heart!”
“Have you ever heard of this woman, Ronan?” Jude asked from behind him.
“No, I’m only familiar with more recent families and what-not.” Ronan wiped a hand down his face. “People I would have looked into when I worked for the Boston Police.”
“Ten?” Jude asked.
Ten was having a hard time reading Brian, not because the casino was overwhelming his gift, but because just about every word out of Brian’s mouth was a lie. There weren’t just two sides to this man’s stories, there were twelve. “He’s telling the truth,” Ten said. “He doesn’t know who Head Doe is.” At least Ten thought that was the case. He’d fill Ronan and Jude in when they were back in the car heading north.
“Any idea who might?” Ronan asked.
“All roads lead to Fat Sal.” Brain got out of his seat and headed for the door. He stopped before opening it. “Since I told you what I know, can you tell me where Maria is? I’d like to pay my respects. She wasn’t a very good wife, but then, again, I wasn’t a very good husband, either.”
“Maria’s being treated at North Shore Rehab on Bridge Road in Salem. She’s in the ICU. They have twenty-four visitation, if you catch my drift.” Ten offered a solemn smile.
Brian nodded.
“Look, I get it if you don’t want to talk to us because of your relationship with Maria,” Ronan began, “but if a time comes when you do…” Ronan handed the man his card. “I meant what I said. All we want to do is get this man’s remains home to his family.”
“Cold Case Unit investigating a frozen head?” Brian barked a laugh. “Can’t make this shit up.” Without looking back, he left the room.
“Was Brian telling the truth?” Ronan asked.
“I have no idea,” Ten said, quickly explaining what he’d seen in Brian’s mind. “I get the feeling Head Doe was a former lover, boyfriend or whatever. He’s the reason Maria didn’t want to marry Brian and never warmed up to her husband.”
“Are you sure he has no idea who the head belongs to?” Ronan asked.
“If he does, it’s well hidden. I didn’t catch sight of it. Brian’s mind is nothing but a jumble of lies and stories.” Ten needed a hot shower after reading the man.
Ronan sighed. “Jude, call Fitz and update him. Like Brian said, all roads lead to Fat Sal. I want Fitz with us when we go interview this guy. He’s still dangerous even if he’s over ninety years old.”
Ten couldn’t agree more. The last time he met a crime boss, Vito Dragonni, he ended up kidnapped and being used to flush out Vito’s enemies. He wasn’t looking forward to meeting Fat Sal, but if it got them closer to identifying Head Doe, it was a risk Ten would have to take.
11
Ronan
Ronan sat in the backseat of Fitzgibbon’s SUV sandwiched between Tennyson and Jude. Greeley sat in the front with his father as they crossed the town line from Salem into Marblehead. According to Google Maps, the Marino estate sat overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
“Wow, this is quite a place,” Ronan said when Fitz stopped the car at the gate and rang the buzzer.
“Yes?” a stern voice asked.
“Salem Police. We’re here to see Sal Marino.” Fitz sounded matter-of-fact.
“Mr. Marino isn’t available,” the voice returned, with no hint of emotion.
“That’s okay, we’ve got a warrant.” Fitz held the paper up to the camera mounted beside the buzzer.
A loud click sounded and the gate swung open.
“Good call,” Greeley said. “There’s no way we would have gotten in here without the warrant.”
