football team a decade ago and he’d gotten stronger and faster since then. He was a friend to the community and a presence at every call he answered. Black and bald with warm brown eyes and a keen perception. The sort of cop who could see right through you. Which was why the IMPD had promoted him to detective.
The two shook hands and Mike sat down. Luke didn’t waste time getting to the point. “Tommy rocked our world last night.” He shrugged. “He wants to join the police force.”
Mike squinted. “Tommy who?”
A ripple of laughter caught Luke by surprise. “That pretty much sums up our reaction.”
“Your Tommy?” Mike leaned forward. “The one bound for Harvard or Duke?”
“The very same.” Luke sighed. “I’ve been thinking all day how I should’ve seen the signs. Tommy’s always had the heart of a cop.”
“Hmm.” Mike crossed his arms. “How did Reagan take the news?”
“Terrible. We haven’t talked about it since.” He hesitated. “It was my fault. I brought you into it. Told Tommy he could maybe do the ride-along program with you.”
A flash of understanding filled Mike’s eyes. “Not the best timing.”
“Right.” Luke nodded. “Definitely.”
Mike thought for a moment. “You think he’s serious? About applying to the department?”
“As serious as I’ve ever seen him.” Luke paused. “I just thought your ride-along program could help him know.”
“I agree.” Mike leaned back against the bench. “Things can get pretty intense out there.”
Mike went over the specifics of the program. “Tommy’s eighteen, right?”
“He is.”
“He’d need to be 21 before we’d hire him.” Mike blinked. “Does he know that?”
“Hmm.” Luke imagined Reagan’s relief at the news. “I don’t think so.”
“There are a few states that’ll take him at eighteen. But it’d be a move for sure.”
What would Reagan think about that? Tommy becoming an officer and moving away all at the end of this school year. Luke put the thought out of his mind.
Mike ran his hand over his head. “As for the ride-along program, there are risks.” Mike raised his brow. “We had a deputy from another department do a ride-along last month. The officer he was with got ambushed, and both men were shot in the hail of bullets.” Mike paused. “They both lived, but it was touch and go for a few weeks.”
The news hit Luke hard. He hadn’t considered the possibility that Tommy could get shot on a ride-along. Somehow he had thought the program would be more informative than dangerous. Like when law school interns from IU shadowed Luke in the courtroom for a day. But of course spending a day with a police officer would be risky. Criminals didn’t care if a kid was along for the ride. To them, a cop was a cop.
Luke clenched his jaw. Reagan wasn’t going to like this news. He sighed. “If it’s what Tommy wants to do, I think a ride-along is the best thing. Even with the risks.”
Mike gave Luke a light slap on the shoulder. “Your boy will be okay. And maybe he’ll find out it isn’t for him.” Mike smiled. “Then he can get on with college.”
Luke weighed his friend’s words on the drive to his next stop. A visit with his father. After all, many years ago Luke had thrown his parents a curveball far worse than what Tommy had tossed them last night.
If anyone could help him process Tommy’s announcement and what should happen next it was his dad.
Dr. John Baxter.
* * *
REAGAN SPENT THE day running from Tommy’s news. How was it possible that her Ivy League son was choosing a life of law enforcement? Putting himself in harm’s way when he was supposed to be helping people in some medical office or courtroom?
After her workout she drove straight to Indiana University Health Center. She met Annalee’s mother, Donna, in the lobby. The woman had dark circles under her eyes and her smile didn’t last long.
“Annalee’s struggling.” Donna led Reagan to the bank of elevators. “The nausea is kicking in… a couple days early according to her doctor.”
They made their way up to the fourth floor and down a hallway to Annalee’s room. She was asleep when they walked in, but it was all Reagan could do to hide her shock. The girl who had always been so vibrant and full of life had seemingly overnight become small and frail. Her face was sunken and her cheekbones stuck out in a way they hadn’t before.
“She’s lost weight.” Donna whispered as she took the chair beside her daughter’s bed. “I