Yuletide Defender

by Sandra Robbins

  The ringing of her cell phone interrupted her thoughts. She pulled it from her purse and frowned at the caller ID. Private number? No one she knew blocked their number.

  “Hello?”

  “Good evening, Miss Long. Did you enjoy the ballet?” The raspy voice was unfamiliar.

  A tremor rippled through Rachel’s body. “Who is this?”

  A soft laugh echoed in her ear. “It doesn’t matter who I am. But I know who you are.”

  The hand holding the phone shook. “What do you want?”

  “Why, nothing.” A hint of surprise laced the words. “I just wanted you to know I’ve been reading your stories. You’re making quite a name for yourself in Lake City.”

  “I only report the news.”

  “Ah, the news. You’ve reported quite a bit lately about the gangs. Doesn’t it ever scare you that they might decide you’re a threat to them? They might even decide to harm you in some way.”

  Rachel didn’t like the way this conversation was going and summoned every bit of courage she possessed. “I’m not afraid of them. Now tell me what you want or I’m going to hang up.”

  “That would be a mistake, Miss Long. I only wanted to tell you that I’ve been watching you. I especially like that red dress you’re wearing tonight. I have a cross necklace that would look great with it.”

  The words hit Rachel like a punch in the stomach. “W-w-who are you?”

  “We met outside your office. I’m sorry I had to hurry away so quickly but I had to get back to the North Pole and check my list for all the good little boys and girls. Unfortunately, your name wasn’t on there.”

  “Look, whoever you are, this isn’t funny. Are you the creep who stole my purse?” Rachel struggled to keep from screaming.

  He sighed and the sound sent shivers down her back. “Don’t you want to know if I also took a shot at you and if I set off some fireworks at Pepper’s Bar?”

  Rachel sucked in her breath. “You’re the vigilante.”

  “Vigilante? I prefer to call myself a gallant knight who wants to rid this town of vermin. You wouldn’t let me do that. So now I’m going to make you pay.” Hatred oozed from the words.

  Rachel could hardly breathe. “What are you going to do?”

  “Remember the man with the lunch box?” His words fell like thunder on her ears. “You’re going to be just as dead as he is. Watch out for me, Rachel. I’m coming for you.”

  The call ended but Rachel couldn’t pull the phone from her ear. How did he know she was going to the ballet? And the red dress? He said he was watching her. Was he close now?

  She spun around and let her frightened gaze dart about the room. Her gaze fell on a table near the back of the room. The man sitting there looked up from his plate, frowned and rose from his chair.

  Smothering a cry for help, Rachel whirled and bolted through the double doors of the restaurant.

  Matt pulled to a stop in front of the restaurant and waited for Rachel to exit. He leaned over the passenger seat and stared through the car window. She stood inside the front door with her back turned and her cell phone pressed to her ear.

  When she didn’t turn around, he shoved the gearshift into Park and climbed out of the car. He hurried across the snow-covered sidewalk and had just reached out to open the door when Rachel whirled, barreled through the doors and plowed into him.

  She screamed at the contact with his body and jerked away. Grabbing her by the arms, Matt steadied her and pulled her closer. She struggled to twist out of his grasp and her head lolled backward. Stark terror radiated from her eyes.

  His lips stretched taut across his teeth and he gave her a gentle shake. “Rachel, what’s the matter?”

  She glanced up at him as if seeing him for the first time. Then she threw her arms around him. He tightened his embrace and she clung to him like a frightened child. When she didn’t answer, he prodded her again. “Rachel, tell me what happened.”

  She pulled away and glanced over her shoulder. “That man was after me.”

  He peered past her and tried to get a glimpse of someone in the restaurant. “A man in the restaurant?” Matt took her by the arm and stepped to the door. “What man?”

  Rachel pointed at a man who was making his way across the dining room. “Th-that one.”

  The man sidestepped one table, then stopped at another where an elderly couple were seated. He bent over to say something to the woman, then walked behind her and scooted her chair closer to the table. The lady smiled up at him and patted his arm before he returned to his table.

  Matt heaved a sigh of relief. “He was only helping an elderly woman. What made you think he was after you?”

  Rachel stood transfixed, staring through the front door. She slowly raised the cell phone she had clutched in her hand. “A man on the phone said he was watching me. He said I was going to die just like the man with the lunch box.”

  “What?” Matt grasped her arms tighter.

  She nodded. “He called while you were getting the car.”

  The engine hummed in his ear and Matt remembered he’d left the car running when he went to get Rachel. He turned her toward the vehicle and steered her down the steps. “Let me get you in the car where it’s warm.”

  “Y-y-yes.” Her teeth chattered as if she was freezing, but Matt suspected it was from fear.

  Once inside the car, he swiveled in the seat. “Now tell me exactly what happened.”

  Rachel took a deep breath and related the phone conversation she’d had while she waited for him. Matt’s heart beat faster with every word. When she’d finished, he reached across and wrapped his fingers around hers. Earlier he had pulled away from her. Then her hands had been warm. Now they were cold and stiff with fear.

  He stroked her hand for several seconds before he spoke. “It seems obvious that your caller was the Santa who stole your purse and most likely the sniper as well. Maybe he’s trying to scare you.”

  The fear in her eyes told him she didn’t believe that. “You didn’t hear him. He sounded like he hates me.”

  Matt reached across and buckled her seat belt around her. Placing a finger under her chin, he lifted her head until she stared into his eyes. At that moment, Matt knew he would do anything he could to protect Rachel. Later he would have time to sort out his feelings for her.

  “Don’t worry,” he whispered. “I’m not going to let that killer get close to you. I promise you that.”

  Her chin trembled and a tear slipped from the corner of her eye. “Thank you, Matt.”

  His gaze locked on her lips. He wanted to seal his promise with a kiss but he couldn’t be distracted from the promise he’d just made. The problem was that he had to figure out a way to keep it.

  TEN

  When Matt had picked Rachel up earlier for the ballet, she had met him at the door. Now he sat on the couch in her small living room and sipped a steaming cup of coffee. Her hands shook as she raised her cup. Color was beginning to return to her pale face. He winced at the memory of how frightened she’d looked when she ran from the restaurant.

  He set his cup on the coffee table and glanced at her. “Are you feeling better?”

  She nodded and wrapped her fingers around her cup. “Yes, thanks.”

  She smiled at him and his heart did flip-flops. His earlier resolve to end his relationship with Rachel melted. Being with her could get to be an addiction, and Matt had no idea how to overcome it.

  He glanced around the apartment in an effort to divert his thoughts. “You’ve done a great job decorating this place. I had no idea you were a talented interior designer.”

  She chuckled and set her cup down. “I’m afraid I can’t take credit for most of it. My mother helped me. We searched flea markets and secondhand stores until we came up with enough furniture to get me started.” Her gaze drifted around the room. “But it’s home to me, and I love it.”

  “Do your mother and sister live nearby?”

  She nodded. “Just outside of t
own.” She reached over to a table at the end of the couch and picked up a picture frame. She ran her fingers over the glass before she handed it to him. “This is my family.”

  Matt gazed at the picture of Rachel, her mother and her younger sister. The mother looked very much like an older version of Rachel. It was the younger sister, however, that drew his attention. The rounded face and almond-shaped eyes made the signs of Down syndrome unmistakable, but the smile on the girl’s face radiated joy like none he’d ever seen. Rachel sat next to her, their fingers laced together, and their mother stood behind with a protective hand on each one’s shoulder.

  Matt glanced up and Rachel was studying him with an intense look. “Three beautiful women. Your family is lovely.”

  Rachel bit her lip and reached for the tray on the table. Without a word she hurried from the room. He could hear the rattle of dishes in the kitchen.

  Matt’s fingers gripped the frame tighter. He closed his eyes and wondered what it would be like to come home in the evenings to a family. Growing up, he’d only known life with his staff, never a real family. There was no telling what country his mother was in tonight.

  Rubbing his eyes to erase the hunger for the woman who was like a stranger to him, he rose, shoved his hands in his pockets and stepped to the balcony doors. He pulled the curtain back and stared down. A car drove into the apartment building parking lot. A young man got out and hurried around to the passenger side.

  Matt watched the man open the car door and assist a woman from inside. She stepped close to him and he bent to kiss her. The couple pulled away from each other, laughed and headed into the building.

  That’s what he wanted. A woman who would love him and not be swayed by his family’s money. Swallowing back the loneliness he’d felt for years, Matt let the curtain drift from his hand. He rubbed the back of his neck and turned as Rachel reentered the room.

  The light from overhead glimmered in her blond hair and he thought she’d never been more beautiful. He cleared his throat and moved back to the couch.

  “We need to talk about your phone call.”

  Her eyes clouded. “I know. What do you think I should do, Matt?”

  “Well, I’ll make a report about it. Until this guy is caught, I think you need to do everything possible to protect yourself.”

  “Like what?”

  “You don’t need to go off by yourself, especially to meet that source. He may be involved in this more than we know. And I think I need to stick close to you.”

  She shook her head. “I have a job and so do you. There’s no way you can be with me twenty-four hours a day.”

  “I know, but Philip will help out. We can pick you up and take you to work.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “Matt, there’s no need for that. I knew when I became a reporter that I might find myself in some dangerous situations. I know how to be careful.” She swallowed and straightened her shoulders. “Really, you don’t have to worry. After all, it’s not your problem.”

  Matt wanted to pull her into his arms. How he wished he could whisper to her that she’d become his problem since the first time he saw her. Instead he frowned. “It’s my job to see that every citizen is safe.”

  She nodded. “I understand that, but I can’t let you and Philip ignore other duties just for me.”

  He realized arguing with her was going to do no good. Perhaps he should take it one day at a time. He exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck. “You are one of the most stubborn women I’ve ever met, but I see your point. Why don’t we see how things go for the next few days and then decide what we need to do?”

  “That sounds good to me.”

  “So, how about going to church with me tomorrow? You came with Mindy last Sunday. I’d really like for you to go with me.”

  She hesitated for a brief second and he thought she was going to decline. Then she smiled. “I’d love it. Do you want me to meet you there?”

  “No, I’ll pick you up. Say ten o’clock? Then we can have lunch somewhere afterward.”

  She chewed on her lip for a moment. “We could have lunch here if you’d agree to do me a favor.”

  “What is it?”

  “I’d like to put up my Christmas tree tomorrow afternoon. Would you be willing to help?”

  Matt’s heart thudded in his chest. When he was a child, he’d always wished he could help decorate the tree in their home but his mother always hired the most expensive floral decorators in New York to turn their home into a showcase. He’d promised himself when he grew up, he’d have a tree like he wanted, but he hadn’t decorated for Christmas since leaving home. The fact that Rachel lived alone and still followed tradition thrilled him.

  “I’d be honored to help.”

  “Good. Then I’ll dig out all the boxes tonight and have them ready for us tomorrow.”

  Matt tried to reply but his emotions had kicked into gear. His evening with Rachel, his conflict over her determination to get money, the anonymous caller and now a childhood wish remembered converged in his mind to produce helplessness like he’d never known. He had to get out of there. Snatching his coat from the couch where he’d dropped it, he pulled it on. “Guess I’d better be getting home. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  She walked to the door and opened it for him. “Even with the phone call, I had a wonderful evening. Thank you for the ballet and dinner and for being such a good friend.”

  “You’re welcome.” He brushed past her, hurried to the elevator and punched the button. As he waited, he heard the patter of footsteps and turned to see her coming toward him.

  “One more thing, Matt.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Thank you for what you said about my family. You know, about the three beautiful women. No one has ever told me that Cara is beautiful.”

  His eyes widened. “But she is. I could see the beauty of her soul shining in her face.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “I’ve always seen it, and I’m glad you did. Cara is the most beautiful person I know.”

  His breath caught in his throat. “Maybe you’ll introduce us sometime.”

  She smiled. “I’d like that.” She turned back to her apartment but stopped at the doorway and waved. “See you in the morning.”

  The elevator door slid open and he stepped inside. He couldn’t forget how scared she’d looked when she ran out of the restaurant tonight, but he also remembered the glow in her eyes when she showed him the picture of her family.

  He punched the lobby button and shoved his hands in his pocket. He’d pegged Rachel earlier as a gold digger like so many other women he’d known. Now he wasn’t so sure. He’d just have to see what the future held. He only hoped his heart didn’t get trampled in the process.

  Rachel watched the elevator close behind Matt before she reentered her apartment. When she closed the door, she leaned against it and smiled. Even with the scare of the phone call at the restaurant she had to admit this had been one of the best evenings she’d ever had. Closing her eyes, she recalled the images of the ballerinas on stage as they moved to the music. Melodies from The Nutcracker played in her head, and she swayed in rhythm to the music. She imagined herself a member of the troupe and began to hum the melody from “Waltz of the Flowers.” Stretching onto her tiptoes, she hummed louder and twirled across the living room, her arms fluttering at her sides.

  Her movements grew bigger as she waltzed down the hallway to her bedroom. Grabbing her pajamas and robe from the closet, she directed her steps back into the hall and toward the bathroom. With a flourish she pushed the closed bathroom door open and swept into the room.

  Stifling a scream, she fell against the door and clung to it to keep from sinking to her knees. A twitching she couldn’t control began in her legs and worked its way up to her head. Her body shook uncontrollably with a fear greater than anything she’d ever known. She couldn’t look away from the mirror and the message scrawled on its surface with her red lipstick.

  Merry Christ
mas, Rachel. Your present from me will arrive soon.

  Santa

  Rachel staggered backward and grabbed the door for support. Her eyes skimmed over the mirror once more before she screamed and bolted from the bathroom.

  Matt’s thoughts centered on the evening he’d spent with Rachel as he drove toward home. Even with his conflicting feelings, he’d enjoyed the time they’d spent at her apartment and he looked forward to taking her to church.

  The Christian music station he was listening to on the radio began to play one of his favorite songs and he leaned over to turn up the volume. His fingers tapped a drumbeat on the steering wheel as he listened.

  The ring tone of his cell phone blared, the sound competing with the music from the radio. He pulled it from his pocket and stared at the caller ID. Dispatch? With a sigh he hoped he wasn’t being called out on a homicide tonight. With Philip sick, he didn’t look forward to working a case alone.

  “Hello.”

  “Matt, this is Jason at dispatch. We received a call I thought you might be interested in.”

  Matt’s eyebrows lifted. “What is it?”

  “It’s that newspaper reporter you and Philip went to see at the Beacon. Rachel Long.”

  His body stiffened. “Rachel? What about her?”

  “She just called hysterical. Said somebody’s been in her apartment. We’ve sent two patrol cars over there, but I thought you might want to follow up with her tomorrow.”

  Matt glanced in front and behind him for cars but spotted none. After a U-turn in the middle of the street, he headed in the direction he’d just come. “Thanks for letting me know, Jason.”

  He wished he had a siren but he didn’t have one in this car. Praying that he wouldn’t be stopped for speeding, he accelerated and sped down the street. It seemed forever before Rachel’s apartment building came into view.