Page 63 of Legends Luke

Melody smiled. “I can relate. My sister was late once coming home from a date. My dad was ready to send out a search party. He was convinced her date was up to no good and was the reason his baby didn’t make it home on time. Turns out they had car trouble and were in a dead zone with no cell service. The cops found them and brought them home. I’d never seen my dad cry until then. I realized just how deeply he’d been afraid something terrible had happened to Lyric. But it didn’t. And you don’t know something hashappened to Erin. Until you know more, you have to hope that she’ll be found and returned safely.”

“I wish I could, but I’m a criminal defense attorney. I’ve seen too much to have hope right now. I can’t explain how I know, but I think Erin has found herself in some kind of trouble. She’s either afraid to come home, or she can’t.” Sandra choked up and looked away as she struggled with her emotions.

Melody’s cell phone rang, but she ignored it. The only call she expected was Lyric providing an update on her plans for tomorrow, and she knew from the ringtone that the caller wasn’t her sister. She pulled a tissue from the box on her desk and passed it to Sandra. The ringing stopped only to start up again almost immediately.

“You should get that. I need to go home.”

Sandra started to stand, but Melody touched her hand to stop her. “No, stay. It won’t take me but a minute. I can take you home then, or we can drive around and look for Erin on our own. Whatever you want.”

“I can’t ask you to do that,” Sandra protested.

“You didn’t. I volunteered. Just wait, okay? I’ll only be a minute.”

She didn’t take her eyes off Sandra as she reached for her phone. She didn’t want her boss to leave while she spoke to the caller. She didn’t think it was a good idea for Sandra to be driving when she was this upset.

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to call—”

“Mel, it’s me. Don’t hang up. It’s important.”

“Luke? What’s wrong?”

“It’s complicated, and I don’t have time to go into it right now. I need you to follow my instructions to the letter.”

“Yes, of course,” she agreed without hesitation. “Whatever you need me to do.”

“We’ve been working on a case, and I got a lead while I was helping you yesterday. The police are about to close the case, but because of our involvement, you, Reagan, and Jax could be at risk. I need to see this through, sweetheart, but I can’t unless I know you’re safe.”

“I can take care of myself, Luke. I’ll be careful. I’m at work now, but I’m about to take Sandra home. Then I’ll go straight home and wait for you there.”

Luke sighed, and Melody felt her heart squeeze. “Baby, I can’t make it tonight. I wish I could, but this is important. I have a friend, someone I trust, who’s coming to take you home and wait outside the house as a precaution.”

“You think someone is out to hurt me?”

“No, I don’t think it’ll come to that, but I won’t be able to focus on what I need to do until I know you’re safe just in case. We have someone watching Ray and Jax too. Did you say Sandra Bleekley was with you?”

“She is.”

“Are the two of you alone?”

“Luke, what’s going on?”

“Baby, put me on speaker. I need to speak to her too.”

“Hold on.” Melody lowered the phone from her ear and motioned for Sandra to follow her to the break room. She closed the door behind them and pressed the button on the screen. “You’re on speaker.”

“Okay, good. Mrs. Bleekley, you don’t know me. My name is Luke Meade. I operate the Barlowe Auto Shop in town. Melody has told me a lot about you. I’m sorry for what you’re going through with your daughter.”

“Thank you, Mr. Meade. I understand from Melody that you helped her find my daughter yesterday.”

“Melody was on the phone with me when she saw Erin leave the shelter, and I offered to assist. I have experience in finding just about anything,” Luke explained.

“I could use your experience to find her now.” Sandra’s voice dipped on a note of despair.

“That’s just it, ma’am. My brothers and I think we know where Erin is. We’ve shared the information with the police, and they’re investigating. I believe you and your husband will hear from them soon.”

Sandra sat very still, and Melody wondered if she heard Luke clearly. Sandra cleared her throat, a tear slipping from her eye.

“I want to thank you, Mr. Meade, but I have a feeling there’s something you’re not saying.”

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