Yuletide Defender (20 page)

M
att sat beside David in the waiting area of the Lake City Hospital emergency room. There weren't as many people sitting around as there had been the night before when Rachel had been here. But then, as a policeman he knew that hospital emergency rooms tended to be busier at night than in the day.

David glanced at him. “What did the receptionist say when you told her you were a policeman?”

“She said they were trying to stabilize Little Eddie and she would let me know when the doctor said I could come back. I just hope he lives so I can talk to him.” The receptionist stood and motioned for Matt. He hurried to her desk. “What is it?”

“The doctor says you can come back for a minute.”

Matt strode through the doors where he had entered last night and was met in the hall by a tall man in green scrubs. “I'm Dr. Hailey. We're about to take our shooting victim to surgery, but he's awake and insists on seeing you before he goes. We've only got a few minutes, so make it quick.”

Matt nodded and hurried into the room Dr. Hailey indicated. Little Eddie lay on the bed surrounded by machines with tubes and wires attached to his body. The beep of a heart monitor filled the room. Matt stopped beside him, stared down
at the young gang member who'd wanted a better life and said a quick prayer for Little Eddie's survival.

Little Eddie's eyelids fluttered open and he blinked at Matt. “Glad you're here.”

Matt leaned closer to the bed. “Who did this to you?”

Little Eddie's Adam's apple bobbed as he struggled to speak. “Santa Claus.”

Matt frowned at the memory of a purse-snatching Santa. “Somebody in a Santa Claus suit?”

Little Eddie nodded. “He said he was there to finish what he started at the pizza parlor.”

“What does that mean?”

Little Eddie coughed and the doctor entered the room. “We need to get him to surgery.”

“No.” Little Eddie coughed again. “Got to tell this. I seen the vigilante the night he killed my friend at the pizza parlor. Chased me but I jumped in a Dumpster to hide.”

Matt glanced at the doctor. “Is there anything you can tell me that will help me find this Santa Claus?”

Little Eddie gulped a large breath. “I forgot 'bout his ring until I seen him pull the gun out. The shooter at the pizza parlor wore the same one.”

“What kind of ring?”

A frown pulled at Little Eddie's forehead. “Funny lookin' one. It was gold and had a crown at the top with two hands under it. I never seen nothin' like it before.”

Matt stood in stunned silence. A ring with a crown? Philip wore one that had passed to him when his brother died.

“Did he say anything else?”

“Yeah. Right before he pulled the trigger he said, ‘This is payback for my brother.'”

The doctor stepped forward. “That's enough. We're going to surgery now.”

Matt stepped out of the way as several nurses entered the room. He stumbled back down the hallway and through the
swinging doors into the waiting room. He still couldn't believe what he'd just heard. Philip, the vigilante? There had to be an explanation. He rushed to the receptionist's desk.

“Is there a computer around here I can use? This is a police emergency.”

The startled woman looked up and nodded. “There's one in the office in back of me. The girl who works in there is on break right now. You can use it.”

Across the room David rose and came toward him. “Matt, what's wrong?”

“I'll tell you later, David. Right now I need to get on the internet.”

Hurrying into the office behind the receptionist, Matt dropped into the chair at the computer and accessed the internet. He searched his mind for the name of the brother Philip had mentioned from time to time who died in Chicago. After a few seconds it popped into his mind—Michael Nolan.

Matt typed the name in the search engine and waited. Within minutes he'd accessed the obituary of Michael Nolan, a successful pediatrician who worked on his days off in a free clinic for destitute families in Chicago. The write-up listed Philip Nolan as the only family member.

Matt clicked back to the search page and found a newspaper article about the death. His eyes grew wide as he read the story detailing the murder of the prominent doctor who spent his spare time trying to make life better for the residents of inner-city areas. It said the police were still searching for the shooters who'd killed the doctor when he was caught in the cross fire between two rival street gangs.

“Philip's brother was killed by gang members?” Matt glanced around to see if anyone had heard his whispered words.

Had he been working alongside a killer for months and hadn't realized it? Matt jerked his cell phone from his pocket
and dialed the head of the crime scene investigators who should be at the Center.

The chief investigator answered right away. “Hello.”

“Jack, this is Matt Franklin. Is Philip there?”

“No, Matt. I haven't seen him. I was wondering where you guys were.”

“Thanks, Jack. I'll get back to you.”

Matt flipped his phone closed. Where could Philip be? He'd left the station to go to the Center. The truth hit him and he groaned. There could only be one place where he would be. Rachel's apartment.

He jumped to his feet and dialed her home phone. It rang until it went to her answering machine. He waited until the beep and then yelled into the phone, “Rachel, don't let Philip in. He's the vigilante. I'm on my way.”

Matt disconnected the call and punched speed dial for dispatch. “I need backup at the Regency Apartments. Third floor.” Without stopping, he ran through the waiting room past a startled David Foreman and to his car. He gunned the engine and careened from the parking lot. He had to get to Rachel before Philip did.

 

The phone on the kitchen counter rang and Rachel reached for it. Philip pulled a knife from his coat and waved it in her direction. “I wouldn't answer that if I were you.”

She inched backward to put some space between the two of them and listened to Matt's voice warning her about Philip. When the message ended, Rachel stared at Philip. “What made you into a killer?”

His mouth hardened into a grim line. “My brother was killed in the cross fire of two gangs that were having a street war. When I saw how the Rangers and the Vipers were spreading out over our town, I decided I had to do something. My plan was to kill enough members to spark a war and let them kill each other off. It would've worked if it wasn't for you.”

She curled her fingers to stop their trembling. “I don't understand.”

“Only gang members were supposed to die. When that man on the sidewalk died at Pepper's Bar, I knew it was your fault. You'd turned me into a murderer just like they were. So I decided one more murder wouldn't matter.”

“So you're the one who stole my purse, broke into my apartment and forced me into the lake last night?”

He chuckled and gave a little salute. “Guilty as charged, ma'am.”

“B-but all those phone calls. How did you know so much about me?”

He laughed. “That was the most beautiful part of all. When I stole your purse, I downloaded spyware on your phone. I heard every conversation and read every text message. I knew your every move.”

Anger boiled up in her. “You're a sick man, Philip, and I'm not going to let you get away with this.”

His eyebrows arched and he glanced around the room. “And who's going to stop me? You? I don't think so.” He lifted the knife and smiled. “This time I'm not using a gun. The noise might alert the neighbors.”

He lunged for her, but Rachel ran around the opposite side of the table. Philip pushed a chair out of his way and advanced on her as she raced toward the front door. She twisted the lock and was about to open it when Philip's palm slammed against the door right above her head. His hand holding the knife plunged downward, sideswiping her arm. She twisted away from the door and stumbled backward.

He smiled and eased forward, the knife ready to strike. She held out her hands. “Philip, no.”

“Come on, Rachel. You've wanted to meet the vigilante. Now you have. Too bad you won't be around to write a story about it.”

Her foot struck the double doors leading to the balcony.
There was nowhere else to go but outside. Pushing the doors open, she stepped onto the snow-covered balcony. In the distance police sirens wailed. “Philip, the police are on their way. It'll be better for you if you give up now.”

He laughed and followed her onto the balcony. “Don't be absurd, Rachel. They could be going anywhere.”

Rachel cowered against the railing and felt it shake. With a gasp she straightened, but her throat refused to scream. She glanced at the ground three stories below and back to Philip. There was no escape.

“God, help me.” The cry ripped from her throat.

A splintering crash echoed through the apartment and Philip whirled toward the sound.

Matt, his gun trained on Philip, burst through the open door and inched across the living room. “Philip, get away from her.”

Philip glanced at Matt and back at Rachel. “You're not going to stop me, Matt. Not when I'm this close.”

With the knife raised above his head, Philip lunged toward Rachel. A shot rang out and Philip clutched his chest. The knife clattered to the balcony floor. Stumbling forward, he fell against the balcony railing. His eyes grew wide with fear as the railing ripped loose from its supports. He grabbed for Rachel but she jerked free as he tumbled from the balcony toward the ground.

Rachel flailed her arms for something to steady her but there was nothing. Fighting to regain her balance, she teetered on the edge and stared at Philip's body hurtling downward. She screamed, “Matt!”

She swayed forward. Then two arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her to safety. Matt held her close and crooned in her ear. “Rachel, Rachel. You're safe now.” He guided her back into the living room to the couch. “Sit here. I need to check on Philip.”

She nodded, unable to speak, and sat there trembling as he
ran from the room. It seemed like hours before he reappeared. When he did, he sat down beside her and took her hand in his. “Philip's still alive. He's on his way to the hospital. He can't hurt you anymore.”

Her fear returned at how close she'd come to death and tears gushed from her eyes. “Oh, Matt. If it wasn't for you, I'd be dead.”

He put his arm around her and drew her against his chest. “I'll always be there for you, Rachel. I love you.”

The words she'd wanted to hear for so long filled her with peace. She snuggled close to him and smiled. “I love you, too.”

They loved each other. That's all she needed to know. There would be time later to sort out their problems. For now she just wanted to feel Matt next to her.

 

Four days later Rachel still could hardly believe how happy she was. She took a sip of her after-dinner coffee and snuggled into the cushions of her mother's living room couch. The events of earlier in the week hadn't spoiled this Christmas Day. It had been her happiest ever from the opening of presents to the huge dinner her mother prepared.

She thought of Little Eddie and hoped his mother had been able to spend time with him at the hospital this morning. His recovery and the family in another state who'd agreed to take him in had made this a happy Christmas for him, too.

Philip wasn't going to be quite so fortunate. In addition to the chest wound from the gunshot, Philip had also sustained severe injuries to his spine in the fall. He still had a long hospital stay and several surgeries ahead before he'd have to face the consequences of his crimes. She shivered at how close Philip had come to carrying out his plans and would have if not for Matt.

She glanced at Matt sitting beside her and smiled. He set his cup on the end table and rubbed his stomach. “I'm as
stuffed as that turkey was an hour ago. Your mother is a great cook.”

Rachel smiled. “I noticed you ate like a maniac. I imagine Christmas dinner at your house was a bigger occasion than ours.”

He shook his head and frowned. “No, it wasn't, Rachel. This is the best Christmas I've ever had.”

She scooted closer and grinned at him. “And just what makes this Christmas Day so special?”

He reached out and traced his finger down the side of her cheek. “Because I'm here with you. And because for the first time in my life, I'm in love. I never thought it would happen to me.”

Tears blurred her vision. “I didn't think it would for me either.”

He pulled his hand away and frowned. “And to think I almost messed it up. I'm sorry I accused you of those awful things.”

She smiled. “It's all right, Matt. I think we've both laid our doubts to rest. After I escaped from my sinking car, I realized God had given me a chance at happiness and I'd almost let it slip away. I decided that I was going to put my life in His hands and let Him show me how to live without worrying about what might happen.”

“I'm glad. I want that, too.” He leaned back and stared at the Christmas tree and all the opened presents underneath. “I think Cara liked the bracelet you gave her.”

Rachel laughed. “Not as much as she liked the perfume you gave her. Thank you for giving my mother and sister those gifts. You didn't have to do that.”

“But I wanted to.”

She reached up and touched the earrings he'd given her. “I love these earrings. Thank you.”

He turned to face her. “I have one more present for you.
Well, I don't actually have it here but I have a promise of what's to come.”

She sat up straighter. “You didn't have to get me anything else.”

He pulled a small wrapped package from his pocket. “I hope you like it.”

Rachel tore the package open to reveal a small plastic box. When she lifted the top, a folded piece of paper lay inside. She frowned. “What's this?”