Yuletide Defender

by Sandra Robbins

  “That’s what you said. It was a good try to make some peace between the two gangs, Matt, but after what happened I’m afraid it’s not going to work.”

  Matt sighed and turned back to his desk. “I think you’re probably right.”

  Philip straightened and walked over to Matt. He balled his fist and gave Matt a playful punch on the shoulder. “Come on, man, we’ll catch this guy. It’s just going to take us some time. Until we do, you have other things to concentrate on.”

  “Like what?”

  Philip’s eyebrows arched and he chuckled. “Don’t pretend you don’t understand. I saw how you looked at that newspaper reporter and how she looked at you when you weren’t watching.”

  Matt’s face grew warm. He ducked his head and reached for the report on his desk. “She did?”

  Philip stepped over and took the papers from his hand. “Yeah. It’s obvious there’s something going on between the two of you.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost quitting time. Why don’t you let me finish these reports and you go check on her. See how she’s feeling. Maybe take her out to dinner. Besides, I have to record my conversation with that custodian at the paper.”

  “I really appreciate you taking care of that while I was finishing up at the dry cleaners.” Matt glanced at the papers Philip held. “But I hate to leave you with this.”

  Philip laughed and shook his head. “I’m just glad to be back at work today. I don’t mind. Now go on.”

  Matt grabbed his coat from the rack by the door and pulled it on. “Thanks, Philip. I’ll pay you back for this.”

  Philip had already sat down at his desk and waved. “Get out of here. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Fifteen minutes later Matt stopped at Rachel’s open office door and peered inside. She sat at her desk and appeared to be concentrating on something on her computer screen. For a moment all he wanted to do was stare at her. He should have known the first time he looked into her blue eyes that he was in trouble, but he’d resisted. Now he couldn’t deny it any longer, he’d never felt about any woman the way he felt for Rachel.

  He still hadn’t come to grips with his reservations about Rachel’s true feelings, but her words at the crime scene had given him hope. All he could do was to follow David’s advice. He had to put their relationship in God’s hands. Then he would know if he should trust his head or his heart.

  A movement at the door caught her attention, and Rachel glanced up from the computer. At the sight of Matt, her heart squeezed with the fear she’d now experienced twice—once when he was hurt at Pepper’s Bar and today when she feared he’d been shot. The memory of her words to him made her skin warm.

  She smiled and stood. “Matt, what are you doing here?”

  He sauntered into the room and she clutched the side of her desk to keep from running toward him. It had felt so good when he had his arms around her today, but she needed to remind herself he would have done the same to any witness at a murder scene. He stopped in front of her. “I thought we might grab a bite to eat.”

  Disappointment washed over her. “I would love to but I can’t.”

  He blinked and the expression on his face darkened. “That’s okay. Maybe another time. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  He turned toward the door, but she rushed around the desk and grabbed his arm. “Wait, don’t run off. You didn’t let me finish.”

  Her fingers tightened on his arm as he faced her. “What?”

  Rachel relaxed her grip and smiled. “I was going to tell you that my mother called and wants me to come to dinner there. I know she and Cara would love to see you again.”

  He shook his head. “Your mother’s not expecting me and I wouldn’t want to impose.”

  Rachel laughed. “Impose on my mother? If I know her, she’s cooked up enough for me to carry leftovers home. You’ll save me a lot of repetitious meals this next week if you’ll eat part of it.”

  He smiled and her heart pounded. “In that case, I’d love to go. I need to check on our tree anyway and see if Cara’s taking care of it.”

  Rachel hurried back to her desk and pulled her cell phone from her purse. “I’ll call Mama and tell her to set another plate.”

  Her mother answered on the first ring. “Hello.”

  “Hey, Mama. I thought I’d give you notice that I’m bringing someone home for dinner.”

  A chuckled rattled in her ear. “I hope it’s Matt. Cara’s asked a dozen times today when he was coming back.”

  Rachel smiled. “Yes, it’s Matt. So set an extra plate.”

  “I will. See you later.”

  A wave of happiness washed over Rachel as she ended the call and bent over her computer. “Let me turn this off and I’ll be ready to go.”

  As she reached to close out the email she’d been reading, she remembered what she’d been pondering when Matt walked into her office. She reread the message Cal had sent out to all the employees that afternoon and bit her lip. Glancing at Matt, she pasted a smile on her face that she hoped hid the uncertainty she felt.

  “As long as I’m extending invitations to you, how about one more?”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “What kind of invitation?”

  She pointed to the computer. “When you came in, I was reading the final arrangements for the newspaper’s Christmas party for employees. It’s Friday night at the Stargazer Ballroom. I’d love for you to go as my guest.”

  His eyes twinkled. “Are you asking me out on a date, Miss Long?”

  Her pulse raced at the smile he directed toward her. “I suppose I am, Mr. Franklin.”

  “In that case, I’d be honored to be your escort to the Christmas party.”

  “Then let me reply to this message that I’m bringing a guest. They’re trying to get a count for dinner.”

  She sank into her chair, typed her response and hit Send. When she glanced up, Matt was studying her with an intense stare. His gaze appeared riveted to her lips and she wondered what it would feel like to experience his kiss. With shaking fingers she turned off the computer and took a deep breath.

  Rachel hadn’t lost the cheerful feeling Matt’s presence had brought when they walked from her office a few minutes later. He brushed against her arm as he pushed the down button for the elevator, and a tremor of pleasure surged through her.

  As they stepped into the elevator, she glanced down the hall and spied Toby Jones standing next to his maintenance cart outside her office. His penetrating stare evaporated the joy of a few minutes before and she took a step back. As the door closed, she caught a last glimpse of him entering her office.

  Beside her, Matt frowned. “What’s the matter?”

  “I saw Toby going into my office.” She struggled to voice the question she’d wanted to ask Matt ever since the shooting. “Do you think he killed those two men today?”

  Matt thought for a moment before he replied, “We didn’t find any evidence that he was at the crime scene, but then we really didn’t find anything. All I know at this point is that Toby was in the neighborhood, which casts suspicion on him, but we can’t connect him to the murders. Philip came by and questioned him earlier.”

  The news surprised Rachel. “I didn’t know that. What did Toby say?”

  “That he took a late lunch and went Christmas shopping. He said he saw an ad in the morning newspaper for some shirts, but when he got there, they’d all been sold. And we do know there were a lot of shoppers in that store.”

  Rachel thought back to their search of the store. She knew they had covered the entire place without seeing him anywhere. “He could have spotted us and ducked out the back door. He had plenty of time to get in position for the shooting. Can’t you arrest him on suspicion of murder?”

  “Not without proof.”

  Rachel sighed. “I know you’re right. I guess I was just hoping. You will be watching him, won’t you?”

  “Oh, yeah. After this afternoon, he went to the top of my list as the suspect. Have you thought about w
hether or not he might have been the Santa who stole your purse?”

  “I’ve thought about it. It’s possible, I suppose.”

  The door opened and they stepped into the lobby. Matt turned to her. “Then I’ll warn you again to be careful. Until we catch this vigilante, don’t trust anybody.” He took her arm and started toward the door but stopped and looked at her. “Are you back in your apartment?”

  “Yes. The superintendent changed the locks.”

  Matt nodded. “Then I’ll follow you home. I want you to leave your car there and ride with me to your mother’s house. I’ll bring you home later and make sure you get in safely.”

  “Thanks, Matt. I appreciate it.”

  They stepped into the late afternoon shadows and headed toward the parking lot. Her gaze darted across the nearby buildings and at the street where the Santa had run the day of the theft. The vigilante could be hiding anywhere with his gun trained on them right now. The thought almost paralyzed her with fear.

  She wanted this nightmare to be over. She wanted her life back.

  Matt’s grip on her arm tightened and she glanced down at his fingers. No, she didn’t want her old life back. She wanted a new one that included Matt Franklin, but he’d given her no sign that their relationship would continue after this case was solved.

  And should it continue? After the rejections she’d received from her father and Justin, she didn’t want to open herself up to that kind of hurt again. Perhaps it was better if they didn’t see each other after the vigilante was caught.

  Her responsibility to Cara’s future had always been the most important thing for her, and she needed to remember that. She couldn’t be selfish and want something for herself. She shook her head and blinked back tears. She’d never known caring for a man could produce so many problems.

  FIFTEEN

  Dinner had gone well. Rachel put the last plate in the dishwasher and glanced around the kitchen for anything she’d missed. Cara had been thrilled to have Matt back for a visit, and Matt appeared to enjoy all the attention Cara lavished on him throughout the meal. She’d never seen her sister so taken with anyone. Even better than that was the fact that she’d never had one of her male friends act as if he really liked Cara.

  Rachel turned back to the sink and pulled the dishwashing detergent from underneath. Footsteps tapped across the floor behind Rachel. She smiled at the sight of her mother entering the room.

  “Rachel, you didn’t have to clean the kitchen. I got to talking to Matt and stayed in the living room longer than I meant.”

  Rachel turned back to the dishwasher and poured the detergent in the receptacle. “Oh? You weren’t showing him my baby pictures, were you?”

  Her mother laughed and sat down in a chair at the kitchen table. “No. I asked him about his family.”

  Rachel’s eyes grew wide and she plopped down opposite her mother. “He’s told me a few things about his parents. What did he tell you?”

  Her mother shrugged. “Just that he doesn’t see them often. Evidently he comes from a very wealthy family.”

  “I know. What else did he say?”

  “Well, he talked quite a bit about his church and his beliefs.” Her mother reached across the table and squeezed Rachel’s arm. “He’s a believer, Rachel. Not like all the other men you’ve brought home. I think Matt’s a keeper.”

  Rachel folded the dish towel she held and laid it on the table. “You know I haven’t had much time for God or church lately. So the fact that he’s a believer really doesn’t matter to me.”

  Her mother’s gasp made her heart lurch. She had hoped they wouldn’t get off on her mother’s favorite topic tonight, but here they were discussing it again.

  “I can’t believe you’d say that. I pray every night that you are going to wake up and see how much God loves you. He’s sent you this wonderful man who wants to share the joy of being a believer with you. Matt told me he’s been trying to get you to join their Bible study.”

  “He has. But I don’t have time to do that. I’m volunteering with David at the Center. That takes up enough of my time.” Rachel shook her head. “Besides, Matt and I are just friends. I can’t be involved with any man, Mama.”

  Surprise flashed across her mother’s face. “What does that mean?”

  Rachel grasped her hands in her lap and took a deep breath. “I have Cara to think about. Someday you may not be here. Then I’ll be all that Cara has. I have to make sure that she’ll be cared for in the future.”

  Her mother closed her eyes and shook her head. “Oh, Rachel. Since you were a child, you’ve believed that Cara was your responsibility. But you can’t put your life on hold for what may never happen.” She stood, came around the table and knelt by Rachel’s chair. Clasping Rachel’s hand, she stared into her eyes. “You deserve to love and to be loved.”

  Tears trickled down Rachel’s face. “I love Cara with all my heart and I want to do what’s best for her.”

  Her mother’s hand tightened. “You can do that by opening up your eyes to what God has planned for you. God loves you, Rachel, but He loves Cara, too, and He’s going to take care of both my girls. Just trust Him. I know He’s going to send you a man who has the strength of character to look beneath the surface and see what’s really important, and Matt may be the one.”

  Rachel hugged her mother. “Let’s not talk about this tonight. It’s almost Christmas and I want this to be special for Cara.”

  “I want it to be special for both of you.” Her mother rose and kissed the top of Rachel’s head. “Now dry those eyes and get in the living room. I think Matt needs to be rescued. He’s probably had to read Cara her favorite book three or four times by now.”

  Rachel laughed and wiped the tears from her face. She wished she could confide in her mother how much Matt had come to mean to her but she couldn’t. Rachel knew there was no use in getting her hopes up. She’d been disappointed in the past and she might be again.

  An hour later, Rachel snuggled back in the rich leather seat of Matt’s car and sighed. She didn’t know when she’d enjoyed an evening more. The meal, the Christmas decorations in the house and being with people she loved had made it a time she wouldn’t forget.

  “Are you warm enough?” Matt’s voice cut into the silence. He’d been quiet on most of the ride and she’d been content to bask in her private thoughts.

  She sat up straighter. “I’m fine. I was thinking about the evening. I hope Cara didn’t tire you out. When she finds someone who’ll read to her, she won’t leave them alone.”

  He chuckled. “I enjoyed it even though I did get a little tired about the fifth time through the book.”

  Rachel laughed. “I understand. She usually drafts me for the job. Thanks for filling in for me tonight.”

  “No problem. I really enjoyed it.”

  Rachel thought back to what her mother had said earlier. Could Matt see beneath the surface to Cara’s beautiful soul and accept her or was he only being a polite guest in their home? She needed the answer to that question.

  Her cell phone rang and she fished it out of her bag. She hoped Cal wasn’t calling with a late-night assignment. She put the phone to her ear.

  “Hello.”

  “Did you enjoy the evening at your mother’s house?”

  Rachel stiffened and swiveled toward Matt. “Who is this?”

  The laugh she’d come to know drifted into her ear and chilled her blood. “You know who this is, Rachel. By this time I feel like we’re old friends.”

  “How did you know I was at my mother’s house?” Her voice grew shrill.

  “I know everything about you. I’m watching you. I’ve also got my eye on your mother and sister.”

  Matt gripped the steering wheel and leaned closer. “Is that the vigilante?” Rachel nodded.

  “Keep him talking until I can stop.”

  She could hardly hold the phone still for her shaking hand. “What about my mother and sister?”

  “I’d
hate to see anything happen to them. Wouldn’t you?”

  The evil words meant to scare her had the opposite effect. Anger surged through her and she gripped the phone tighter. “Now you listen to me, you’re a murderer and a coward who kills from a hiding place. You can’t scare me because your time is about up. The police are closer than you think.”

  “Oh, really?”

  Matt swerved into the parking lot of an all-night convenience store and skidded to a stop. Grabbing the phone from Rachel, he jammed it to his ear. “What do you want?” Rachel leaned closer hoping to hear the caller’s answer. Matt frowned. “Answer me. What do you want?”

  After a moment he handed the phone back to Rachel. “He hung up. What did he say?”

  Rachel clutched the phone in her hand and squeezed it as she recalled his words. “He threatened my mother and sister.” She grabbed Matt’s arm. “Do you think they’re in danger?”

  Matt shook his head and pulled his cell phone from the clip on his belt. “I don’t know. I’ll call dispatch and have them send patrol cars by the house on a regular basis tonight.”

  As Matt made the call, Rachel closed her eyes and concentrated on the voice of the vigilante. Although she didn’t recognize it, there was something familiar in the way he spoke. After several seconds, she opened her eyes. It was no use. She had no idea who he was. All she could do was hope that her mother and sister wouldn’t be harmed because of the story she thought would move her up the ladder to success.

  Matt paced back and forth across the office he shared with Philip. He couldn’t shake the memory of the fear he’d seen in Rachel’s face last night. “He threatened her mother and sister, Philip. They’re two of the gentlest souls I’ve ever met. What kind of monster would threaten innocent people like that?”

  Philip, who’d sat silent while Matt poured out the events of the previous evening, stood and came around his desk. “I don’t know, Matt. This guy already has a long list of victims. He killed an innocent guy at Pepper’s Bar, so maybe he doesn’t care.”