“We spoke to Brian Cullen today.” Jude kept his cool as he changed subjects seamlessly.
“Two-bit hood, trying to play tough guy.” Sal shook his head. “Wasn’t worth the powder to blow himself to hell.”
“It’s interesting you say that,” Jude continued, “he said you forced Maria to marry him.”
“I understand now why your friends call you an asshole.” Sal’s eyes darkened and narrowed in on Jude.
Ronan imagined this was the look Fat Sal’s enemies got just before he had them whacked.
“My daughter came home from college with a French boyfriend. Can you believe it? An honest to goodness, frog leg-eating, beret-wearing Frenchman. His name was Jean Paul or George or Ringo. Hell if I know. He was an architecture major. Wanted to build high-rises in New York. Maria wanted to marry him. I said no. She planned to elope, but things fell through at the last minute.”
“That must have been awful,” Jude said.
Ronan squeezed Tennyson’s hand and Ten shook his head. Sal was telling the truth, at least, so far.
“As my daughter, I had plans for her future. Ones that didn’t include eating cross-ants and snails.” Sal sat up a bit straighter. “We did things my way in this house.”
“I hear you,” Jude said. “If my daughter ever brought home a Frenchman, I’d disown her on the spot.” Jude dropped Ronan a wink. He was having the time of his life interrogating Fat Sal. “I want my daughter to be a doctor. What did you want for Maria?”
“I wanted her to join the family business. My Maria was brilliant, imaginative and good with numbers. I needed her at my side.”
“To butcher livestock?” Jude asked, somehow managing to keep a smirk off his lips.
“How the hell have you made it this far in life without someone giving you a kick to the head?” Sal cleared his throat and continued. “I needed her to dospecialerrands. Things only a woman could do. Maria didn’t want to work with me.”
Ronan met Jude’s eyes. It was obvious they were thinking the same thing. “Hatpin Hattie, right?” Jude asked.
“Where the hell did you hearthatname?” Sal asked, coughing. He reached for his water. “Don’t tell me, my big-mouthed son-in-law. What a prick! Don’t let that little girl of yours marry an Irishman either. The only thing they’re good for is sucking dick.”
“Tell me about it!” Jude said, looking as if he were in physical pain, not being able to laugh. “It was Brian who mentioned that name.”
“I would expect as much. Boy could never keep a secret. Hattie’s long gone. I don’t know where she is and she hasnothingto do with the head in the freezer.”
Ten squeezed Ronan’s hand. Sal was lying, but why?
“Is my daughter going to be okay, detective?” Sal asked Jude.
“She’s recovering from the surgery, but there’s a complication.” Jude looked as if he didn’t know how to tell the man about his daughter’s cancer. “When was the last time you saw her?”
Tears slid down Sal’s wrinkled cheeks. “Thirty years ago. Told me she hated me and never wanted to see me again. I did what she wanted and haven’t tried to get in touch.”
“If I may be so bold, now would be a good time for you to visit her. Maria is at North Shore rehab in Salem. The sooner the better.”
“I understand.” Sal bowed his head. “I never got your name, young man.”
“Detective JudeByrne.” Jude offered a shit-eating grin. “And these are my partners, Detective RonanO’Maraand Captain KevinFitzgibbon.”
“Irishmen, the whole lot of you?” Sal barked a laugh. “What about the little guy?”
“Tennyson Grimm, sir. My parents are German. I’m Ronan’s husband and I can attest to the fact that the only thing the Irishare good for is sucking dick.” He burst out laughing along with Sal.
Ronan pulled out one of his cards and set it in front of Sal. “If there’s anything you want us to know, before it’s too late, call day or night. We’ll keep what you tell us out of the media. There are families who need closure. Let me know if you can provide that.”
Sal nodded.
Alex stepped back into the room and ushered them out.
Walking out to the car, Ronan couldn’t help but wonder if Sal would ever call. He had a feeling the old man knew the identity of the frozen head. The only question now was how to get him or Maria to say his name.
