Page 96 of The Boy from Half Moon

A gentle nudge woke me from a deep slumber. I was wrapped in Luke’s arms, facing away from him, his arm draped over me.

“Someone’s buzzing the door, Tate,” he whispered, squeezing my shoulder.

“What?” I mumbled.

“The door,” he said again. “Someone is downstairs.”

Luke jumped out of bed and pulled gym shorts and a tank top on before heading downstairs. I was right behind in a robe. When I joined him at the intercom system, the small screen showed three officers, all in uniform. We glanced at one another and Luke’s eyes doubled in size as he realized who was buzzing the loft.

“Hello,” I answered.

“This is Officer Jackson from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office,” one of them spoke. “We need to speak with Luke Oliver.”

“I’m Tate Finnigan, his attorney. May I ask what this is about?”

“We were told that Mr. Oliver lives here. We need a few minutes with Mr. Oliver, if you could please let us in.”

I moved my hand from the intercom button and looked at a frightened Luke. “What do you think they want?” he asked, sliding his hand into mine.

My mouth pinched as I wondered the same thing. “Not sure,” I mumbled. “I’ll let them in, but you say nothing to them, okay?”

“What if they ask me a direct question?”

“Nothing, Luke. Let me be your voice on this,” I urged. “It’s probably just follow-up questions concerning the investigation, but you say nothing. I need to know everything you say before you say it. Understand, my love?”

Luke nodded and made his way to the sofa, where he sat down, placing his chin in his hands as he leaned over. He was afraid, and his body language proved the point.

“Come on up, Officer Jackson.” I opened the door a crack and joined Luke on the sofa, my hand on his thigh. “It’s just a routine follow-up. Let me do the talking. And breathe,” I added, a knock on the door diverting our attention.

“It’s open,” I said, standing.

“I’m Jackson. This is Purcell and Rogers,” he said, gesturing to the other officers, holding out his badge.

“What can we do for you?” I asked, moving away from Luke so as not to give them an indication of our closeness. “Kind of early for house calls.”

Officer Jackson glanced at the other men, sending a silent signal. My stomach flipped immediately. This was no quick Q&A. Luke twisted his hands in his lap, glancing from me and then to the officers repeatedly. I shook my head ever so slightly, reminding him that whatever they were here for, he needed to let me do the talking.

“We’re here to arrest Mr. Oliver for the murder of Franklin Smith,” he stated, motioning his men to secure Luke, who was cowering in fear.

I raised a hand toward the two men. “There’s no need to cuff Mr. Oliver,” I stated, standing and moving to Luke’s side. “Mr. Oliver will cooperate.”

“We’ll be taking him to the County Jail,” Officer Jackson announced.

“Please give us a moment to change into more appropriate clothing,” I said, touching my robe. “Mr. Oliver needs to change as well.”

“You can do what you want, Mr. Finnigan, but the suspect is going as is right now.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I hissed. “He is not a threat and I want to accompany him.”

“Like I said, you can do whatever you like, but we’re arresting Mr. Oliver in cuffs!”

He motioned toward Luke and the other two officers stepped toward him. “It’s okay, Luke,” I said. “Let them take you and I’ll be right behind, promise.”

Luke looked terrified and there was nothing I could do at that moment to console him. I was more than petrified at the visual in front of me. These officers didn’t know Luke like I did. He may look like a threat because of his size, but he was a teddy bear.

Officer Jackson pulled out a small notepad and began to read Luke his rights. “Luke Oliver Junior, you are under arrest for the murder of Franklin Smith Junior, formerly of Half Moon Ranch. You have the right to remain…”

The room went silent even though alarm bells were blasting in my head.

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