arrived. One of the cops who had chased down the suspects took statements from Luke and then from Reagan.
Luke still felt dizzy as they told the officers what they knew. Reagan clung to him, like she might collapse otherwise. Yes, they had guns. Yes, they had pointed their weapons at them and demanded money. Yes, they had threatened to kill them.
The cop was maybe in his late twenties. Dark skinned. Good looking, fit. Willing to put his life on the line for Luke and Reagan. The sort of officer Tommy would be. The guy shook his head. “So sorry about the scare. Those two have been on a robbery spree since midday.” He tapped his pen on his clipboard. “We’ve been in pursuit on and off from the first call.”
Luke’s lawyer brain had a handful of questions about the suspects and whether the district attorney would file the most severe charges against the men. But that wasn’t his job, and he still wanted to go dancing with his wife. He put his hand on the young officer’s shoulder. “Thank you. If you hadn’t come just then…”
“I know.” The man clenched his jaw. “They fired shots at a few of their victims.” He took a deep breath. “We’d been following them for several blocks.”
Half an hour later, when the lesson portion of the ballroom dancing was over and free dance began, Luke waltzed Reagan across the floor. His heart was beating normally again. “That was awful.”
“Those officers… they saved our lives.” Reagan looked deep into Luke’s eyes. “If they hadn’t shown up when they did…”
“Anything could’ve happened.” Luke ran his hand along the back of her head. “I can’t think about it.”
She stayed in time with him. No matter how many years had gone by, the two of them still shone on the dance floor. Like a single moving, breathing unit, gliding across the polished wood. His Reagan, the love of his life.
Later over dessert, they told the story to Mike and his wife, Trudy. They all agreed that if the officers hadn’t already been in pursuit of the suspects, the night could’ve ended much differently.
Luke watched the way Reagan seemed fully engaged in the conversation with the couple. Maybe the incident at the parking lot had given her a new perspective. She looked from Luke to Mike and his wife across the booth. “For years we’ve watched Cops with Tommy. He’s always wanted to be an officer, you know.”
“That’s what I heard. Our kids watch it, too. They love the show.” Mike put his arm around his wife. “Tommy’s a wonderful young man. We already love him at the department.”
“I’m sure.” Reagan was still fired up. “I always say high school kids should be required to watch a season of Cops.” She looked at Mike. “So they can see what not to do… drugs and robbery and violence. And so they can appreciate the danger you and your fellow officers put yourselves in every day.” She took a quick breath. “Police work isn’t a job. I saw that tonight. It’s a calling.”
Luke could hardly believe what he was hearing. It had been a while since they had all watched Cops together, because Tommy was too busy. But Reagan was right. She absolutely used to say that. All students should have to watch Cops.
Reagan was still talking, still singing the praises of police officers. And all Luke could do was watch and listen, his heart full. Because here and now, in light of what had happened tonight, the most amazing change seemed to have occurred in Reagan. She no longer sounded afraid or worried or panicked about Tommy being an officer. Quite the opposite.
His beautiful wife sounded proud.
24
The last of Tommy’s ride-alongs was one for the books. He spent the afternoon with Officer Nick Conway, a twenty-two-year veteran. So far Officer Conway had responded to a bank robbery in progress where it took three officers to apprehend the suspect. There had been a domestic violence arrest, a foot chase after a guy with a stolen gun and a sex-trafficking bust.
From his spot in the passenger seat, Tommy had been close enough to hear most of what had gone on.
“You sure you want to do this?” Officer Conway cast a wry smile at him on the way back to the department. “It’s crazy out here.”
Tommy didn’t hesitate. “More sure than ever.” He stared at the city streets as they drove. “Especially after that last bust. I want to see sex trafficking closed