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Ten grinned. “I don’t think we have to worry about Everly using her gift against either one of us. As for someone else trying to exert mind control over us.” Ten sighed. “I guess we’ll just have to deal with that when or if it rears its ugly head again.” He reached over and shut his light off. “Let’s get some sleep, babe.” Ten pressed a kiss to Ronan’s cheek and leaned his head on his husband’s chest.

Ronan wrapped his arms around Ten and hoped tomorrow would be a better day.

The ringing phone startled Ronan out of a deep sleep. He cracked an eyeball open and saw it was half past twelve. Reaching for the phone, he briefly saw the name on the caller ID before answering it. “Cisco, what’s up?” It would have to be something very important for the police chief to be calling him at this hour of the morning.

Ten sat up beside him. Ronan could see the concerned look on his face in the dim light of the phone.

“You know I don’t like to make calls like this in the middle of the night…” Cisco began.

“Sweet Jesus, is it Fitz? Is he okay?” All sorts of terrible images ran through Ronan’s head. Not to mention the unbearable weight of guilt over not doing more to help his friend and boss.

“It’s not Fitz, Ronan, but he’s my next call. I need you all to work on a case.”

“I don’t understand.” Ronan rubbed his eyes. “If it’s a cold case, why can’t it wait until the morning?” It wasn’t unusual for people with money and influence to demand Cisco put the cold team on a particular case, but never in his years with the Salem Police had the chief ever called in the middle of the night to do a citizen’s bidding.

“The case isn’t cold, Ronan. I need you and Ten to meet me at the Salem Witch Board Museum. It’s on Essex Street near Madam Aurora’s shop. My next call is to Fitz, then Jude. I need you all here, Ronan. I know Fitz is your captain, but do whatever you need to do, just bring Fitz.”

“You got it,” Ronan said, as Cisco disconnected.

“I’m coming with you,” Everly said from the bedroom door.

“Me too!” Aurora agreed.

Ronan wasn’t in the mood to argue. “Get dressed, girls. Long pants, socks, and hoodies. It’s cold out tonight.”

“What about Ezra?” Ten asked.

“Pack some school clothes and we’ll bring him over to Cope.” Ronan got out of bed and walked to the dresser, where he grabbed a pair of underwear and jeans. “Are you getting anything about this?”

Ten shook his head. “No, nothing, but Ronan, I have to tell you that witch boards freak me the hell out. I went to a slumber party when I was thirteen and something happened that I’m still not over. Those boards channel evil. My father had come and get me early from the party when I started throwing up. Thankfully, he thought it was from eating too much junk food. I never corrected him on the matter and did my best to forget it.”

Ronan didn’t like the way Ten’s voice shook. He was obviously scared. “Is what’s worrying you about the case or about all of those boards and memorabilia all in one place?”

“I think it’s the latter. You know what it’s like for me in prisons and the morgue. I’m worried that the same thing will happen at the museum.” Ten shivered.

“Okay, let’s get down there and see what the hell’s going on. Take your SUV and I’ll ride with Jude. We’ll find out what’s going on, get your input, then I want you to take the girls home. I don’t care what Cisco says, I’m not putting you or Everly in the line of fire.”

“Good plan,” Ten said before hurrying out of the room.

Ronan had no idea what the hell was going on at the museum. What he did know was that the kids had school tomorrow and he didn’t want Everly and Aurora in the middle of a crime scene. Halloween celebrations in Salem started in September and continued on through La Dia De Los Muertos. The crowds of tourists were usually well-behaved, but there was always a rotten apple in the barrel, people who drank too much and caused a ruckus or drove drunk. Ronan couldn’t imagine being called out for an OUI case, unless of course the suspect was someone with a public reputation, be it a politician or a member of the Salem Police.

Wondering about what was happening wasn’t getting Ronan out the door any faster. He dressed quickly and texted Jude. Both detectives were worried that Fitz wouldn’t heed the chief’s call. Thankfully, he needn’t have worried. When Ronan, Ten and the girls walked out of the house fifteen minutes later, Fitz was walking up the street toward his house.

“What the hell are you thinking, bringing my daughter to a crime scene?” Fitz asked with anger in his voice, as Everly and Aurora climbed into the back of Ten’s SUV, while Ten ran across the street to leave a sleeping Ezra with Cope.

Ronan saw red. He was about to open his mouth and hit Fitz with both barrels, about making decisions for a child Fitz had left in his care, but thankfully reined himself in. “Everly insisted on coming with us and Aurora said she was coming too. Let’s just get down there and see what’s going on. Cisco didn’t mention anything about this being a violent crime or about anyone being dead. I have a feeling Cisco needs Ten more than he’ll need us. Everly’s gift will make everything move more quickly. After she and Ten have done their thing, he’ll bring the girls home.”

“Fine. Whatever,” Fitz muttered. He crossed the street to where Jude was waiting beside the Thunderbird.

Ronan hurried after him and climbed into the back of the classic car. Jude eyed Ronan in the rearview as he pulled out onto the street. “Did Cisco give you any details about what’s going on?”

“Not really. He just said to get to the Witch Board Museum and that he was calling in Fitz, you and Ten. Looks like we’ve got two tiny detectives joining our team.”

“Everly told us she was coming.” Ronan knew it sounded like the inmates were running the asylum at his house, but if he were being honest, he didn’t care.

“And you thought it was okay to let my daughter make adult decisions for herself too?” Fitz asked, his voice dark.

“Since she was in my care, yes!” Ronan said, sounding angrier than he’d intended. “Look, we both know how responsible Everly is. She wouldn’t have gotten herself and Aurora in a situation that was inappropriate.” At least that’s what Ronan hoped. Everly didn’t like blood or the thought of seeing a dead body, so Ronan highly doubted his daughter would insist on going to a bloody crime scene. He couldn’t help thinking about both girls wanting villain costumes for Halloween and hoped there was no correlation between that decision and what they were going to see when they reached the museum.