Yuletide Defender (19 page)

Matt nodded and smiled down at Rachel. “I'll be outside while you're getting ready to leave but I won't go far.” He started for the door but turned back. “Emily, do you have your car here?”

“No, David picked me up.”

“Then would you mind if I drove you and Rachel to her apartment? I want to be with her as long as I can.”

Emily smiled. “Of course. David will understand. We'll be ready in a few minutes.”

Matt walked into the hall, closed the door and slumped against the wall. He covered his face with his hands and said a prayer of thanks to God. After his argument with Rachel, he had thought she was lost to him. Tonight she'd almost been taken from him and her family for good. God had brought her through that terrifying experience and He had given them another chance to mend their broken relationship.

Now, Matt had to do everything in his power to see that a crazy killer didn't take it all away.

 

An hour later, Rachel glanced across her living room and studied her mother and Matt over the rim of her cocoa cup. The events of the night seemed to have taken as much of a toll on them as it had on her. She would never forget the fear on her mother's face when she'd come into her room at the hospital. And then Matt had arrived. Their conversation still echoed in Rachel's mind and sent ripples of happiness through her.

Matt set his cup on the coffee table. “So, I think you need to take a few days off and let us concentrate on catching this
guy. Maybe Hunter can remember something about the car that followed you or we might find someone else who was in the parking lot when you left.”

Her mother nodded. “I think that's a good idea. I can make arrangements for Cara and stay as long as I need.”

Rachel shook her head. “I'm glad you're here tonight but you need to go home tomorrow. I have new locks on the door and Matt will come by every chance he can.” She glanced at Matt. “You will do that, won't you?”

He smiled. “Just try and keep me away.”

Her mother chuckled and set their cups on a tray. As she rose, she glanced out the sliding glass door that led to the balcony. “Oh, look, it's starting to snow again.” She put the tray down, walked to the door and started to open it. “Let's get a better look.”

Rachel sprang to her feet. “Don't go out on the balcony, Mama.”

She turned in surprise. “Why?”

“Because it's not safe. The railing is loose. I've been after the superintendent to fix it and he keeps putting it off. I guess I was lucky to get him to change the locks.”

Her mother backed away. “Thanks for telling me. I'll stay away from there while I'm here.”

She disappeared into the kitchen. Rachel turned back to Matt. “You've been mighty quiet since we got home. Is something wrong?”

The muscle in his jaw twitched and he gritted his teeth. “I want to catch this guy more than I can tell you, Rachel. At first it was about the gang members he killed, but now it's like he blames you for telling your readers about him. I've got to stop him before something else happens.”

“You'll get him, Matt. I know you will.”

He raked his hand through his hair. “I just need a break.” His cell phone rang and he pulled it from his pocket. “It's
Hunter Ward. We exchanged numbers at the hospital. I told him to call if he remembered anything.”

“Maybe he did.”

Matt flipped the phone open. “Hello.” Matt listened for several minutes before he nodded. “Thanks, Hunter. Maybe this will help.” Matt flipped the phone closed, pulled a notepad from his pocket and wrote something down.

“What did he say?'

“He thought he remembered the first two numbers of the SUV's license plate. They were 97 or 79 or maybe it was 90 or 99. He said it was hard to tell in the dark.” Matt sighed. “That's not a lot of help. I wonder how many license plates fit those descriptions.”

Rachel smiled and stifled a yawn. “If he's going to be a reporter, he better learn how to get his facts straight.”

“You're right. I need to get out of here and let you get in bed.” He took her hand and pulled her toward the door. Before he stepped outside, he turned and kissed her on the cheek. “Good night, Rachel. I'll see you tomorrow.”

“Good. I can't wait.” His gaze drifted over her face and she wanted to throw her arms around him. After a moment, she reached around him and opened the door. “Thank you for everything, Matt.”

“Take care of yourself. I don't want to lose you.”

Her breath caught in her throat and she could only smile as he disappeared out the door. She touched her cheek where his lips had kissed her and trembled at the memory. God had brought her through a terrible ordeal tonight, but He had blessed her with Matt's return. Now she had to make sure nothing happened to jeopardize their journey toward a new relationship.

H
e walked into the kitchen and turned on the small television set on the counter. There was enough time to catch the local news before he had to leave. In fact, there was plenty of time to hear the sad report about the death of the
Lake City Beacon
's favorite investigative reporter.

A commercial blared in the stillness of the morning and he sang along with the jingle advertising a car dealership. Maybe he would get a new car. With the side of his SUV banged up from sideswiping Rachel's car last night, he would have to do something. Right now it was covered with a tarp in the apartment's parking garage. It was a good thing he had the Jeep he used when he went camping. That would have to do until he decided about the SUV.

The TV station's logo introduced the opening of the news and he turned the volume up in anticipation of what he was sure would be their lead story. The morning news anchor picked up several pieces of paper lying on the desk in front of him and smiled into the camera.

“A local newspaper reporter escaped death last night when her car was forced off the road into Moon Lake.”

The excitement he'd felt moments ago evaporated. He listened with growing anger to the miraculous escape, as the newscaster called it, of Rachel Long from her submerged car.
How could this have happened? He was sure she'd drowned, but she hadn't.

He picked up a cup he'd just pulled from the cabinet and hurled it across the room. Pacing back and forth in the small kitchen, he grew angrier by the second. He had to finish what he'd started, and he had to do it today.

There would be no more phone conversations for him to hear because her phone probably lay at the bottom of the lake. He'd learned in the last few days from what she and Matt had discussed that Little Eddie, the one person who could identify him, was at the Lake City Youth Center.

He walked into the living room and picked up the framed picture on the mantle. His brother's face smiled at him and he rubbed his fingers across the glass. “Don't worry. I'll make her pay. But first I have to visit Little Eddie.”

 

Matt pushed his half-eaten lunch to the side of his desk and picked up the background check he'd run on Hunter Ward this morning. From what he'd found, Hunter's past didn't reveal any run-ins with the law, not even a speeding ticket. If he'd been looking at the report as a perspective employer, he would hire the young man without any reservations.

The fact remained, though, that he had a different reason for digging into the student's past. As a suspected stalker and possible murderer, Hunter bore more scrutiny. Matt had tried to impress that on him when he'd come in to sign a statement about the attempt on Rachel's life.

Hunter appeared remorseful now about following Rachel, and Matt wanted to be as objective as possible. But he found that hard. After all, Hunter had terrorized Rachel. Too bad Hunter hadn't thought about the consequences of his actions earlier.

His cell phone rang and he pulled it to his ear. “Hello.”

“Hello, Matt.”

His heart swelled at Rachel's soft voice. “Rachel, how are you feeling?”

“Much better. Mama let me sleep late this morning. I'm a little sore but glad to be here.”

Matt pushed the thought from his head that Rachel had nearly died the night before. “Good. Just take it easy today. Don't worry about newspaper deadlines or vigilantes.”

She laughed. “I won't.”

He leaned back in his chair. “Your mother told me last night that she had to be home before lunch today because the lady keeping Cara was going out of town. Has she left yet?”

“Yes. David came about an hour ago to pick her up. She said you were going to drive me to her house after you got off work.”

“I am, but you have to promise me you'll stay locked in that apartment until I get there.”

She chuckled. “You don't have to worry about me. I'm not moving from here without you beside me.”

Her words sent a warm rush through his body and he smiled. “I'll come as soon as I can get away.”

“Good. Mama says you're to stay for dinner with us.”

“I wouldn't miss it for the world. See you later.”

Just as he disconnected the call, the office door opened and Philip walked in. He hung his coat on the rack by the door and rubbed his hands together. “It's getting colder out there but the snow's stopped.”

Matt stood as Philip walked toward him. “How did it go out at the lodge? Were you able to find any witnesses who saw the car following Rachel from the parking lot?”

Philip shook his head. “I talked to everybody there. Of course some of them weren't on duty last night, but I was able to question some guests who were there. Nobody saw anything. I'm beginning to wonder if that Ward kid really ran Rachel off the road and made up the story about another car
just to shift the suspicion off him. You questioned him this morning. What did you think?”

Matt's forehead wrinkled. “I guess it's possible, but I didn't see any new dents in his car. If he'd sideswiped Rachel, there should have been some damage.”

Philip chuckled. “How could you tell? His car was so banged up, I couldn't tell the difference between what was new or old.”

“I'm not through with him yet. I'll question him again.”

The phone on Matt's desk rang, and he sighed as he glanced at the light flashing on line one. “Looks like dispatch has a case for us. I was hoping for a peaceful day.” He picked up the receiver. “Hey, Mary Jo, what's up?'

“Matt, I've just sent two squad cars and an ambulance to the Lake City Youth Center. I think you and Philip need to go, too.”

Shivers raced up Matt's spine. “What happened?”

“The director, David Foreman, just called. He had to drive a friend to her home and when he returned to the Center, he found a young man had been shot.”

Philip inched closer. “What is it, Matt?”

Matt frowned and held up a restraining hand. “Who was shot?”

Matt heard some papers rattle before Mary Jo replied. “The victim is a young male named Eddie Haines.” In the background Matt heard the dispatch radio crackle, then Mary Jo's response. “Sorry, Matt. That was one of the EMTs. The victim is still alive and they're taking him to the Lake City Hospital.”

“We're on our way.” Matt slammed down the phone and ran to get his coat. “Let's go, Philip. Somebody shot Little Eddie. They're taking him to the hospital.”

Philip turned away and pulled his coat from the rack. “There's no need for both of us to go to the hospital. You go
on and see if you find out anything there and I'll go to the shooting scene. Maybe I can get a lead on who shot him.”

Matt nodded. “That's a good idea. I'll call you if he's able to talk any, but he may be dead before I get to the hospital.”

As Matt ran down the hallway, he prayed that Little Eddie would live. He'd been so close to escaping his gang life, but someone hadn't wanted that to happen. Had the gang members found out where he was hiding and decided Little Eddie was a danger to them? Or had the vigilante found him? He and Philip had to find the answers to those questions.

 

Rachel switched off the television and tossed the remote on the coffee table. After surfing through the entire afternoon lineup, she'd found nothing interesting in the soap operas and talk shows. She rose from the couch and stretched her arms over her head. She could hardly wait until Matt got there to take her to her mother's house. Maybe a cup of coffee would make her feel better while she waited.

She sauntered into the kitchen and was about to pour herself a cup when the doorbell rang. Every muscle in her body tensed as she waited to see if it chimed again. She jumped when a fist pounded on the outside of the door.

Easing into the living room, she tiptoed to the door. “Who is it?”

“It's Philip Nolan.”

Rachel leaned closer to the door and stared through the peephole at Philip standing in the hallway. She turned the lock and opened the door. “Philip, what are you doing here?”

“I'm afraid I've got some bad news.”

Fear gripped her heart at the sad expression on his face. Had something happened to Matt? She reached out and drew Philip into the apartment. “What is it? Is it Matt?”

He shook his head. “No, it's not Matt. It's your source.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Little Eddie?”

“Yes. Someone went into the Youth Center and shot him.”

Rachel covered her face with her hands. “I-is he dead?”

“I think so. He's been taken to the hospital. Matt's there now. I was on my way to the Youth Center. But I thought you should know, so I came by to tell you.”

Tears rolled from her eyes. “I can't believe this. I thought we were so careful. Do you know who did it?”

Philip shook his head. “No. It could have been a gang member because he was leaving or it could have been the vigilante.”

She reached out and grasped Philip's arm. “I need to go to the hospital.”

He patted her hand and smiled. “I don't think that's such a good idea. Matt's busy and I need to get to the crime scene. You should stay here until we know something for sure.” He glanced past her toward the kitchen. “I hate to leave you upset like this. Before I go, can I get you something? A cup of coffee maybe?”

“I was just about to pour a cup when you arrived. Do you have time for some?”

He glanced at his watch. “I suppose so. The crime scene guys are busy right now, and I'd probably be in the way.”

“Good. Come on in the kitchen.”

Philip followed her from the room and stopped inside the kitchen door. “You have a nice apartment. Do you enjoy living here?”

“I do.” She pointed for him to sit at the table and pulled two cups and saucers from the cabinet. Behind her his chair scraped the floor as he pulled it out. She poured him a cup of coffee, set it before him and stepped back to the counter. “I haven't done as much with the apartment as I planned because I've been so busy, but I'm going to do some painting after Christmas.”

Philip's cup clinked against the saucer. “I hope you're not going to change the colors in the bathroom. I like them.”

She chuckled. “No, I'm…” Turning slowly, she stared at him. “How do you know what the colors are in my bathroom?”

He smiled. “I know a lot about you, Rachel.” A slight frown flashed across his face. “Oh, I almost forgot. I brought you a Christmas present.” He slipped his hand in his pocket and pulled something out. With a smile he held out his open palm. “I wanted you to have this.”

Rachel glanced at his hand and pressed her fist against her mouth to stifle the scream that rumbled in her throat. He stood and walked around the table—her cross necklace dangling from his outstretched fingers.

Cold fear raced through Rachel's veins at the hatred flashing in Philip's eyes, and she stumbled backward. She'd tried for weeks to discover the identity of the vigilante. Now she knew, but it would do her no good if she was dead. She had to live so that she could tell Matt. He had to know that the partner he had trusted and worked with was, in reality, the sadistic vigilante that had terrorized Lake City.