Page 77 of Legends Luke

The cabin was a nice one, which didn’t surprise Melody. Sandra and Hayden weren’t frivolous with their money, but they enjoyed nice things. It had a rustic feel but was large enough to accommodate several people. A car and a truck were parked in front with a few ATVs scattered at the front and back. So far, the only people they noted were three young ones, but from a distance, Melody could only discern that they were in their teens. The one who appeared the oldest among them shouted orders to them as they carried boxes from the truck bed into the cabin.

“They’re children,” she muttered to herself. She hated the idea of what could happen once the police made their move. “Why are they with this guy?”

“We may never know.” Drake stood at her side, but she hadn’t been aware he was listening to her. “Drummond likely manipulated them into believing he was the only one who cared about them. He learned from the best, so it makes sense he would continue with what he knew.”

Melody took her eyes from the cabin to study Drake’s profile. “What do you mean, he learned from the best?”

“We found his fingerprints in the other house and ran them through our system at Atlas. He’s the protégé of the cult leader Abraham Drummond, whose real name was Wayne Drummond, but he changed his name and opened a new wave church called the Enlightenment. Blake and his family were part of the movement. Back then his name was Blake Carver. According to the investigation notes, Abraham killed Blake’s father and convinced his mother to drink the Kool-Aid, which killed her and several followers. Abraham then claimed Blake’s sister, Blair, as his wife and named Blake his disciple. Abraham was found dead a couple of years ago when the FBI took down his compound. Blake and his sister weren’t there, but they rounded up several adults and children who were brainwashed by Abraham. Anyway, it seems in the years since the cult disbanded, Blake changed his last name and his appearance and, instead of starting his own cult, he started his own criminal enterprise.”

Melody paled. “Oh my God. What’s going to happen to the young people who committed the crimes with Blake?”

“I don’t know. It’s going to take a while to sort it out.”

The mood around them shifted, and Melody stepped closer to Drake without realizing it.

“What’s going on?”

“They’re getting ready to move in.”

She wrapped her arms around her middle as her stomach churned. “Do you think Lyric is in there?”

“I don’t know.”

Melody appreciated Drake’s honesty, but she wished he’d lied to her this time. She desperately wanted Lyric to be in the cabin and be alive. Despite preparing herself for the worst-case scenario, she didn’t think she could keep her calm if she couldn’t lay eyes on her sister safe and sound.

The scene unfolded quickly, but she felt like she watched it in slow motion. Officers moved in behind two SWAT units from different police departments. They subdued one person as he exited the cabin before he could alert the others. She held her breath as they burst their way inside. Shouts rose, and Melody tensed. Fortunately, no gunshots erupted, and she took a step forward as the police started leading people out. The cops escorted the three they’d seen when they arrived as well as another four.

“Where’s Lyric?”

“Come on. I think it’s safe for us to go over there. We can find out.”

Drake took her elbow and escorted her from their hiding place. As they made it to the yard, Luke was coming from inside the house. He stepped toward her, shaking his head.

“I’m sorry, baby. Lyric’s not in there.”

“W…What? But Erin said…She has to be in there!”

Luke smoothed her hair. “She’s not, honey. Neither is Drummond. When Erin got away, he could have decided to cut his losses and run. He probably took Lyric with him as insurance against being caught.”

“What do we do? What if he decides he doesn’t need her and kills her? We have to find her.”

“We will. My brothers and I are on it. I need to talk with them and with Tater to figure out what happened. Stay here with Drake for now, and I’ll come back for you. Just hang on, Mel. Can you do that?”

Melody nodded. “Yes, I can.”

When Luke released her, she felt the numbness seeping through her limps, spreading through her body. She didn’t realize she was shaking until Drake lightly touched her arm.

“Hey, come with me. You can sit in one of the SUVs while we wait. I can probably scrounge up a bottle of water for you too.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want anything. I’m going to wait right here. Luke asked me to.”

“Melody, look at me.”

When she didn’t respond right away, he nudged her until she finally turned her head. He bent at the waist enough to be eye-level with her, and he seemed to be looking for something in the depths of her gaze.

“It’s okay if you sit, Melody. Look, one of the cops drove theirSUV up here. I asked, and she said you’re welcome to sit in it. You’ll be able to watch what’s going on, and Luke will see you. You’ll have more privacy than standing out here. Come on. It’s okay.”

Something about his tone had her following him. As shaky as she felt, she was surprised her legs supported her. She climbed into the SUV, sitting sideways so her legs dangled out the open door. She leaned against the headrest. Drake stepped away to give her space, but he hovered close by in case she needed him. She was surrounded by people, but none of them paid attention to her as they questioned the kids and searched the cabin. She wasn’t aware of the tears streaming down her face until they dripped off her chin onto her shirt. She didn’t bother wiping them away.

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