I scoffed.
"I want a lawyer. Now!”
That was the end of the interview.
JD and I pushed away from the table, stood up, and made our way to the door. The guard buzzed us out, and we stepped into the corridor.
Jack said, "I don't think he's our guy. I think we’re going in the wrong direction on this thing.”
I couldn't disagree with him. But at least Clarence was off the street for the moment. He wouldn’t be selling drugs to anybody for at least 24 hours. Once he got arraigned and made bail, he’d probably be back in the clubs, business as usual.
We drove back to theAvventuraand called it a night. After taking Buddy for a walk, I settled in for bed.
In the morning, I got the strangest phone call.
18
“Is this Deputy Wild?” a timid voice asked.
“Speaking,” I said, not recognizing the number.
“This is Luther. I’ve been thinking a lot about this. I’d like to turn myself in.”
That got my attention. “Where are you now?”
“I’m at my boat.”
"I'll be there in 15 minutes. I’ll bring you in, and you can tell me all about it. It'll be easy, no stress, no hassle. You’re doing the right thing."
"Okay," he replied.
A rush of optimism filled me.
"Stay on the line with me. I'm going to click over to make another call, and I'll be right back." I didn’t want this guy to have a change of heart.
I clicked over, called the sheriff, and told him to send a patrol unit to the Mangrove Bay Marina.
I clicked back to Luther. "Are you there?"
There was no reply.
"Luther?"
Still nothing.
I ended the call and hustled down to the main deck and banged on the hatch to JD’s stateroom. "Get your ass up! We've got somebody to arrest."
Jack groaned.
I didn’t have time to wait. I grabbed my helmet and gloves and hustled down the dock to the parking lot. I hopped on the bike, fired it up, and zipped out of the lot.
I made it to the Mangrove Bay Marina in no time and beat the patrol car. I found a place to park, hopped off the bike, and hustled down the dock to the Versailles. I stepped onto the swim platform and banged on the hatch. To my relief, footsteps shuffled toward the door, and Luther pulled it open. A sad expression washed over his face as he held out his wrists, waiting for the handcuffs.
"I know you’re not going to give me any trouble,” I said, trying to set expectations as I cuffed him. “I have to keep you in handcuffs for procedural reasons.”
Luther nodded.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say…”
