Free Yuletide Defender by Sandra Robbins

since I’ve protested so much about this being my story.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll see you later.”
    Her stomach fluttered when he flashed a smile at her, and she clasped her hands in front of her in an effort to stop the trembling. What was the matter with her? She hadn’t been affected like that since she had her first crush in high school.
    When Matt walked from the office, she sank down in her chair, rested her elbows on the desktop and covered her face with her hands. Her skin warmed at the memory of Matt’s smile. She’d told Matt earlier today that she’d learned two things. Now she had to admit she’d made a third discovery. If she didn’t watch out, she could become interested in Matt. She had to make sure that didn’t happen.
    Â 
    Matt finished the paperwork on a case he and Philip had closed earlier and laid the folder aside. Across the small office, Philip glanced up from his desk where he was studying the reports on the shooting deaths the night before.
    Philip rubbed his eyes and stood up. “I just don’t understand it. How could a good cop like Tom Carr get involved with the gangs?”
    Matt shrugged. “I don’t know, but we’ve seen it happen before. An officer gets closer to retirement and he begins to think how little he’s going to be drawing. So he decides he has to make some quick money. Unfortunately, taking bribes to look the other way can be mighty tempting.”
    Philip nodded. “I guess so, but it sure didn’t pay off for Tom. He’s dead and his family has to deal with the fact that he died a criminal just like the ones he arrested for years. It’s sad.”
    Matt thought of Tom’s wife, who was a member of his church, and guilt flowed through him. “I need to go see Janine, but I thought I’d give her some time. I heard the funeral is going to be a private one. And there isn’t going to be a wake.”
    â€œMaybe we can visit her together in a day or two after the funeral.”
    â€œThat sounds good. We’ll plan on that.”
    Philip reached for his jacket that hung on the back of his chair. “I think I’ll go on home. It’s been a long day.”
    Matt thought of the long night ahead and sighed. “Yeah. Have a good night.”
    Philip waved as he headed out the door. “See you tomorrow.”
    Matt glanced at his watch and wondered why Rachel hadn’t called. It had been over an hour since he’d arrived back at the office. He’d no sooner had the thought than his cell phone rang.
    He pulled the phone to his ear. “Hello.”
    â€œHi, Matt. This is Rachel. I’m on my way to the newspaper parking lot and should be at the station in about fifteen minutes.”
    â€œLook, Rachel, are you sure you want to go through with this? I still don’t feel good about you meeting this guy alone. I think I should be the one to talk to him.”
    â€œOh, no.” A small groan came over the line and he frowned.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?”
    â€œNothing. I was having trouble getting the door of the rental car to unlock. I’ll be glad to get my car back, but the garage said it could be several weeks. Anyway, to answer your question, yes, I want to go through with this. We decided that I would talk to him and you would wait in the car. There’s no need to change things now.”
    â€œAll right, but I may try to convince you differently at dinner. Hurry up. I’m starving.”
    She laughed and a thrill raced through him. “See you in a few minutes.”
    He ended the call and stood by his desk thinking how Rachel had looked the first time he’d met her at a murderscene. She hadn’t been wearing a hat that day and the wind had blown her blond hair about her face. When she tucked a strand behind her ear, he gazed into the most beautiful blue eyes he’d ever seen. She had smiled and he hadn’t been able to get her