Luke's Fate

by Kathleen Ball

  Luke nodded at Detective Timbers. “I need to speak with you.” He could see the questions in Meg’s eyes. “It’s fine. I’ll be right back.” Leaving her side chilled him. He walked toward Timbers and both men went into the house.

  “What is it?” Timbers eagerness disgusted Luke.

  “I think we should talk in the office.” He led the way, wondering the whole time if he was doing the right thing. Protecting Meg and David was his main concern. He didn’t know why they had been shot at, but maybe the truth would make it stop.

  “Have a seat.” He gestured toward a chair in front of the big desk. It felt a bit odd sitting behind the desk and having Timbers on the other side. From the frown on Timber’s face, he didn’t like the set up.

  “You have something to tell me?” Timbers leaned forward.

  “I believe my father killed those women.” His throat felt sandpaper dry.

  “Your father? I had considered it at one time, but I don’t think—”

  “This isn’t about what you think. It’s about what I know.” Luke jumped up and began to pace behind the desk. “I helped my dad bury one of the bodies.”

  Timbers stood up clutching his gun in his hand. “Sit down slowly and keep your hands on the desk.”

  Shaking his head, he did as Timbers asked. “I didn’t know it was one of the women at the time.”

  “What the hell did you think you were burying? A dead dog?” His voice rose with each question.

  “No, I thought I was burying my brother.” The room grew silent as they stared at each other.

  “So, you bury your brother and you thought it was okay? What the hell is wrong with the whole Kelly family? In what world is it fine to help bury your brother? You’d better start at the beginning.”

  Luke swallowed hard and ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Hands on the desk.”

  He placed his hands on the desk. “The night David left, I thought I had buried him. I didn’t know he’d run off. My father told me it was an accident, and we had to bury him or we’d both go to jail. I helped to put the body in the truck bed, and I even dug the hole. I left that same night and stayed away for five years.” He sat back in the chair, exhausted.

  “So, let’s pretend I believe you. Why didn’t you say something as soon as the first body was found? This does not look good. I believe you and David did this together.”

  “David had nothing to do with it. Dad knocked him out and stole his girl. That is whose body you found, the first one. I don’t know who was shooting at us tonight. I don’t know if it was connected or not.”

  Timbers’ eyes widened as his lips formed a tight, straight line. “Stand up and put your hands behind your head. I’m taking you in. I don’t know who you think you are fooling with your bizarre story, but it doesn’t add up.”

  Luke stood and did as directed. He closed his eyes as the handcuffs went on. “This is why I didn’t speak up before. I knew you’d throw me in jail.” His words were laced with the same bitterness he held in his heart.

  Fear clutched her heart as she watched Luke ride away in the police car. What had he said to Timbers to be arrested? David didn’t seem surprised. He shrugged his shoulders and went inside the house as though he hadn’t a care in the world. Did he already know what Luke had told Timbers?

  Her head swirled with worry, and her heart hadn’t stopped pounding since she had heard about the shots fired. Luke was safe, but it didn’t stop the intense fear. Standing outside in the dark, she saw David inside talking to the police. There was only one way to find out what he was saying. She headed inside.

  “If he said he buried a body, he must be involved,” David said in a loud, calm voice. “I just wish I had known. I could have saved a few lives.”

  “So you had no reason to suspect him? He hadn’t acted strange at all?” Meg walked into the room and stared at David waiting for him to answer the officer’s question.

  “Not at the time. Tonight, though, he did say he had to confess to Meg.” He glanced in her direction and gave her a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry, Meg. I can’t believe it myself, and he’s my brother.”

  She clasped her hands together to stop them from shaking. Her stomach dropped and she felt a bit faint. “Luke confessed to something? Confessed to what?”

  David stood and put his hand on the small of her back. “Come, sit down. You look white as a ghost.”

  “I do feel a bit shaky.” She sat on the couch, and David sat next to her. Immediately she moved over to put more space between them. Something was wrong, and she didn’t trust him.

  David sighed noisily. “I wish I had good news for you, Meg, but it looks as though Luke is the killer. He told me he buried the first body. Why he didn’t confess to more, I have no idea except for maybe he wants to use the rest of his confession as leverage against the death penalty.”

  She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Her eyes widened as she looked at one police officer to the other, then finally at David. They all believed him. Dropping her hand back into her lap, she shook her head. “I don’t know what is going on here but you’re lying. Luke would never kill anyone!”

  “Whoa now, he never mentioned killing just burying. But you have to admit it isn’t a far stretch from burying to killing.” David slowly shook his head. “I have a feeling the shooting tonight is tied to Luke. Someone else must know or maybe Luke hired someone to take pot shots at us.”

  “Why on earth would he do that?”

  “He wants your land. I think he has some grand plan to scare you away from the ranch. I thought he’d marry you to get the land, but now I’m thinking he doesn’t want to go to the bother.”

  “The bother? You know, the more you talk, the less I believe you. Luke loves me.”

  His eyebrows rose. “Is that what he told you?”

  Her stomach clenched. “Yes, he told me he loves me, and I believe him.”

  David smirked. “Did he show you a good time in bed?”

  Rage filled her as she stood up and slapped David across the face. “I don’t know why you think you have the right to speak to me in such a way. Whether Luke loves me or not is between us. It has nothing to do with you.” Her voice shook and sounded high-pitched. Quickly she took a step back, waiting for David to retaliate.

  He rubbed the red mark on his cheek slowly, studying her the whole time. “You’re right and I’m sorry. You know, even though Harry beat the hell out of both of us, I could see the approval in his eyes for Luke. Never for me. Never a smile or word of praise for me, ever. I wished I could run away and come live here with your family. Stupid really.”

  Shaking her head, she sat next to him. “I’m sorry I hit you. Harry is a monster all around. He knows much more than he’s saying, and good or bad we need the truth.”

  David stared at nothing in particular. Probably trying to gather his thoughts. She didn’t say another word.

  Finally, he shrugged. “I guess you’re right. Luke says he’s still sharp as a tack and the police think he’s off his rocker. I just can’t bring myself to see the old man again. Would you go with me?”

  “Of course, but first I need to call Luke’s Lawyer, and I’m going down to the police station.”

  “I doubt there is much you can do tonight.”

  Standing she straightened her shoulders. “You might be right but I need to be there. He’d do the same for me, and I love him. I know he’s innocent. He’s no killer.”

  “He might not be a killer but he buried a body. That’s serious.”

  She nodded as she grabbed her cellphone and sweater. She was out the door before he had a chance to invite himself along. She needed time alone without David planting doubts in her mind. He was right about one thing; Harry needed to come clean and soon.

  Her heart beat painfully against her chest as she thought about Luke in jail or worse, being interrogated by Timbers. If he weren’t the sheriff’s cousin, he probably wouldn’t be given such latitude to arrest peop
le whenever he felt like it.

  The truck slid as she slammed on the brakes to turn into the police station parking lot. She hadn’t realized she’d been driving so fast. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself as she parked. She turned off the engine and closed her eyes, saying a quick prayer for Luke. She needed to pull herself together. He needed her and he needed her to be strong.

  He loved her didn’t he? She flew out the truck, slammed the door, and hurried across the parking lot to the front door. Of course, he loved her. Damn David for putting doubts into her head.

  The aging desk Sergeant scowled at her as she came through the door. “You might as well go home. They won’t let you see him.”

  Her heart dropped. “Is his lawyer here?”

  “Sure is, but I’m not sure there’s a thing he could say to save Luke. I’d say his fate is sealed. Go on home.”

  His fate is sealed? It just couldn’t be true. Why was everyone so quick to believe him guilty? She glanced at her watch. It was only one in the morning. Yanking the door open, she shot out of the station, scrambled to her truck and hopped in. Going home to David was not an appetizing option. She drove out of the parking lot and down the main street to Benny’s Diner. It was open twenty-four hours a day. Coffee sounded good, and hopefully, she’d have a chance to think.

  She pulled her wool sweater tighter around her as she ran from the truck to the diner. It was cold out. She opted for a booth in the corner where she could look out the front window. She nodded at the pretty waitress as she started to pour her coffee.

  “What else can I get you?”

  “Evie, I just don’t know. How about some toast to start with?”

  “You got it, sugar.”

  Her hands warmed instantly as she wrapped them around her mug. Life had been peaceful before Luke came back. She’d always felt a constant ache while he was gone, but she’d been as much at peace as she could possibly be. Now her father was dead, Luke was in jail, and David… well, she still wasn’t sure about David.

  The bell over the diner door jingled as the door opened and Benny ambled in. “Colder than a witch's… Hi ya, Meg, good to see you.”

  He shed his coat and put it the counter. Evie, quickly grabbed it and carried it into the back. Benny sat down across from Meg. “I’ve never known you to be a late-night coffee drinker.”

  Benny had been one of her father’s best friends. “Usually I’m not, Benny.” The concern in his dark brown eyes was her undoing and tears started to fall.

  “Meg, tell me what’s got you turning on the waterworks.”

  She stared at the gray-haired man and nodded. “It’s a long story.”

  “I have time.”

  She poured her heart out to Benny, who nodded a few times. It felt good to talk to someone.

  “Well, first of all, Harry never owned that land. It had always belonged to your father. He leased it to Harry until David came along. Then Harry threatened to ruin your dad and never paid a penny after that. In fact, your dad loaned him money a time or two when it looked as though they were going under. The money was never repaid. Harry also took great delight telling your dad how he treated David.” Benny paused when Evie approached the table with toast and coffee. “Morning, Evie.”

  Evie blushed and said a soft good morning back. Benny watched her the whole way back to the counter.

  “Where was I? Oh, Harry was always bragging he was going to ruin Owen and his family. He’d get his and stuff like that. He was a big drinker, and most folks didn’t take him seriously. He got back at his wife plenty. He was always running around on her. What those pretty young things saw in him, I’ll never know. A few I think he paid.”

  “Wow. But Harry sold the house.”

  “He did. It was all he owned with the provision he allowed his wife to stay as long as she wanted. The provision wasn’t enforceable, but Harry didn’t know that.”

  “There have been so many secrets since my dad’s death. I swear my head is spinning.”

  “I don’t blame you there. That Luke of yours is a good man. Now David, there has always been something not quite right about him. I could never put my finger on it. And Harry is as crazy as they come.”

  She nodded. “There’s crazy and then there is really crazy. There’s nothing wrong with Harry but half the town believes he has Alzheimer’s.”

  “I heard that rumor too. I hope they let Luke go soon.”

  “You already know he’s in jail?”

  He smiled. “Not much gets by me. I have folks telling me stuff all day long as though I was some type of priest. It’s amazing how much people talk. Are the authorities going to talk to Harry? I think he’s behind this whole fiasco. Your cattle problems too.”

  “Thanks, Benny. I appreciate the info.”

  Benny stood up and winked. “You need anything let me know.”

  She watched him go into the kitchen. She’d always thought Harry had something to do with the whole thing. It was hard to believe her dad had owned all the land this whole time and had still wanted David and Luke to have a share. Her dad was a good man. You couldn’t judge someone from one mistake. Even if it was a huge mistake. Could it be Harry? He wouldn’t have had a way to shoot at Luke and David. Had her dad known about the cabin?

  “More coffee?” Evie asked. The coffee pot hovered over the mug.

  “I’d better head on home. I need to get to the canyon as soon as the sun rises.”

  “You only have about an hour now.”

  Meg’s eyes widened. “I’ve been sitting here that long?”

  “You sure have. I hope you found answers to what’s troubling you. You have a good day now.”

  Meg sat there another minute before she took money out of her purse and left it on the table. Luke had his lawyer, and she needed to check on the cattle. David would probably want to go with her. “Thanks, Evie!” she called as she headed out the door.

  She’d have just enough time to change her clothes before sunup. Whoever had killed her bull was in big trouble. That damn bull had cost a ton but he threw good calves. He hadn’t been with the rest of the cattle so how they all ended up in the canyon together was a mystery.

  The light was on in the house, and she sighed. That meant David was probably up, and she wasn’t in the mood to talk to him. Her best bet was to ignore him if possible. She wouldn’t take his bait and have him give her more reasons why it had to be Luke behind all of the trouble.

  Meg got out of the truck and walked into the house. David lounged against the counter right next to the coffee pot. She thought she saw a glint of humor in his eyes, but it disappeared so quickly she could have imagined it.

  “I was getting worried about you. I called the station and they told me you’d left hours ago.”

  “Luke’s lawyer was there, and they weren’t going to allow me to see him.”

  “Where were you?” His eyes narrowed as he stared at her.

  “At Benny’s. Benny and my dad were good friends.” She waited for his reaction. She didn’t trust him.

  “Yes they were.” He set his mug on the counter. I’ll saddle up the horses. It’ll be daylight soon.”

  She nodded. “I’ll need a minute to change clothes. I’ll meet you at the barn.”

  He stared at her again. “Okay. See you in a few.”

  When he finally left, she headed toward her room. It wasn’t until she opened one of her dresser drawers that she noticed things were out of place. She opened the rest of her drawers and things had been shuffled around as if someone was looking for something. It had to be David, but what was he looking for? Now she doubly dreaded riding out with him. After she changed, she grabbed her handgun out of the lockbox and put it in her saddlebag. Better safe than sorry where he was concerned.

  Her nerves started to fray. How could this be happening? Maybe she should just wait for Wayne and his deputies to show up, but that could take hours. Grabbing the saddlebag, she headed to the barn.

  “Ready?” David asked
. He looked as tired as she felt. At least she’d combed her hair and didn’t look scruffy.

  She secured her bag and got on Merry’s back. “Let’s go.” She turned the horse and off they went. She tried to stay just far enough ahead of David to avoid talking to him. He kept catching up. So she tried to keep behind him, but he slowed. Plastering a fake smile on her face, she hoped she was hiding her annoyance.

  “We should be there soon.”

  She nodded. “Just around the bend.” She heard the helicopter before she saw it and sighed. “Let’s pick up the pace. I don’t want to miss anything.”

  They got there just after the chopper put down. Wayne had two of his deputies with him. As soon as all the noise stopped, she jumped down, gave Merry a soothing pat on her muzzle, and joined the sheriff.

  “Don’t get too close,” He warned. “The feds will be here soon.”

  “What—?”

  David came to her side. “What does the FBI have to do with a dead bull? You’d think they’d want to handle the case against Luke.”

  The clenching of her stomach was only the beginning of her pain. Her heart squeezed and her head ached. Case against Luke? David knew more than he was saying. He didn’t seem to be too upset about Luke being in jail accused of being a serial killer. To keep from flying apart, she folded her arms in front of her.

  Chapter Seven

  “There seems to be some evidence the killings and the events of last night are connected. The FBI has been working on the case off site.” Wayne smiled at her. “Don’t you worry we’ll get the right person behind bars.”

  She recognized the look; Wayne knew Luke was innocent. She wanted to weep with relief. There was too much pent up emotion inside her trying to burst out. Another helicopter flew into the canyon, and she set her focus on it. Two men got out. Both were tall and blond. One wore dress shoes and the other boots. It made her smile. The one wearing the boots was the trustworthy one as far as she was concerned.

  The new comers didn’t acknowledge anyone at first. Instead, they walked over to the dead bull and began to scan the walls of the canyon. The one wearing the boots pointed to the cave and began to walk toward it. The other man shook his head and followed. His feet were bound to hurt after a bit, the walls looked closer than they actually were.