Debby Giusti - Holiday Defenders

“No wonder the cops are upset,” Nick said. “Zack exposed their duplicity.”

Lizzie shuddered when Annabelle’s name was mentioned.

“Tate’s wife died thirteen months ago, and an unnamed source questions whether foul play could have been involved. His two young children, age six and four, are missing along with his sister, Elizabeth Tate, a teacher at Lassiter Elementary. She’s also wanted for questioning.”

Nick didn’t like hearing Lizzie’s name mentioned in connection with the murder. If law enforcement wanted to question her, she would be in added danger if the police turned a blind eye to the law.

When the newscast went to a commercial break, Nick lowered the volume and threw the remote on the couch. “Zack was right. Everyone’s on the take. He’s being set up to take the fall for the informant’s death. They want so badly to smear his name that they’re even creating suspicions about his wife’s death.”

“At least the police haven’t apprehended him yet.”

The police wouldn’t find Zack if the four thugs had already grabbed him. Not that Nick would share that thought with Lizzie.

“His past blogs hit too close to home,” he said. “Someone must have decided he needed to be silenced. Maybe the meeting with the whistleblower was a setup to lure Zack in. Dirty cops can’t be trusted, especially if someone threatens to expose their underhanded dealings.”

She rubbed her arms. “What’s our plan if the killers come looking for us?”

“We’ll grab the kids and then head out the back door off the kitchen. I’ll park your SUV on a small path that leads higher up the side of the mountain. With the long access road, we should have time to spot an approaching vehicle and get away.”

“But they’ll keep following us.”

“The access road dead ends here at the cabin. If they don’t know about the mountain path, they’ll think we left before they arrived.”

“At least that’s what you’re hoping.”

She had given voice to his own concerns. Nick glanced at his watch. They had a few hours before dawn. Hopefully they’d be secure here, at least for now.

They still needed to uncover information that could lead them to Zack, or give them leverage against the men trying to kill him. Knowledge was power, and they had to uncover the corruption that had placed him in danger and led to the taking of another man’s life.

Just so the violence ended there. Nick wouldn’t let anything happen to Lizzie and the children. He’d protect them with his last breath, if need be. If only they could be safe.

FIVE

Lizzie’s head was still reeling from seeing Zack’s picture on the news. Hoping to calm her racing pulse, she pulled back the blind and watched Nick maneuver the SUV out of the driveway and onto a path that rounded the cabin.

The night was pristine and still and devoid of anything that seemed threatening. Feeling a need to breathe in the freshness of the outdoors, she opened the front door and stepped onto the porch.

Her gaze took in the expansive mountain landscape dotted with evergreens, heavy with snow. Moonlight wove through the bare branches of the hardwoods and bathed the snow-covered walkway in light.

Something on the side of the path caught her eye. Relief swept over her, seeing the camel from Mary Grace’s Nativity set. The child doted on the various figures and had played with them constantly during the holiday season as if to draw closer to the mother she missed.

Lizzie hurried down the steps and ran to where the object lay. The plump camel must have fallen to the snow when Nick carried the sleeping child inside. Bending, she picked up the stuffed animal and clutched it to her heart, finding comfort in the tiny toy. Turning back to the house, she stared for a long moment at the A-frame, once again appreciating the simple lines of the mountain lodging and Nick’s expert craftsmanship.

A sharp wind cut through her clothing. Shivering in the night air, she hurried toward the porch.

A twig snapped behind her.

She stopped short and listened. All she heard was the rumble of the car engine on the far side of the house.

Snow crunched, signaling a footfall.

Run!

Liz stumbled forward, needing to get inside and lock the door. She had to protect the children.

Her heart pounded, and she gasped for air, hearing another footfall.

Cold winter air took her breath and clamped down on her lungs. Fear clogged her throat.

Someone was behind her, closing in.

Racing to the stairs, she struggled to maintain her footing. She slipped, righted herself and took the stairs two at a time.

A hand grabbed her shoulder.

Her heart burst.

“I’ve got you.” A voice, low and menacing.

Liz’s knees went weak.

Tears stung her eyes.

She had opened the door to danger and allowed the killer—or killers—access.

Liz screamed for the one man who could save her.

“Nick!”

* * *

Nick parked the SUV in the rear of the cabin, satisfied it was well hidden from sight, yet still close enough to the house for easy access. If need be, he and Lizzie could carry the children to the car and drive them away from danger before either the killers or the cops arrived.

Good police he’d welcome on the mountain, but Zack had warned about cops on the dole. If they approached the police directly, it would be too hard to determine who was good and who was bad. Better not to deal with any of them.

A voice screamed his name.

Nick’s heart crashed against his chest.

Lizzie.

Racing at breakneck speed, he rounded the house and stopped short when he saw the burly mountain man. Full beard. Fur cap pulled low over his head with woolly flaps that covered his ears and tied under his chin. His left hand clasped Lizzie’s upper arm. His right hand held a rifle.

“Burl?”

The old codger kept a tight hold on Lizzie’s arm but turned in surprise at the sound of Nick’s voice. Recognition spread over his weatherworn face.

“That you, Nick? I thought you were still fightin’ in Afghanistan.”

Nick stepped closer and pointed to Lizzie. Her eyes were wide with fright, her face pale and drawn. She stared at him like a wounded animal caught in a trap.

“You need to let the lady go.”

“Is she causing you any harm, Nick?”

Only to his heart, but that wasn’t what the old guy meant. “She’s a guest, Burl. I invited her here.”

The mountain man dropped his hand and took a step back as if flustered by his evident mistake. “Sure am sorry I caused you any concern, ma’am. Nick trusts me to look after his property when he’s gone. Fact is, I’ve been laid up with the influenza for a few weeks and couldn’t make my rounds. Now that I’m better, I wanted to check the house. Thought you might be breaking in.” Burl sniffed. “Can’t be too careful.”

Liz stared back at him. “And I...I thought you were—”

Nick climbed the steps and put his hand on her arm, hoping to reassure her. “You’re safe, Lizzie. Burl didn’t mean any harm.”

“That’s right, ma’am. I was just making sure the cabin was okay.”

Nick glanced at the road that led up from the valley below. “Let’s go inside. We need to talk, Burl.”

“I hope you’re not too upset, ma’am.”

“Just startled.” She let out a ragged breath. “The night seemed peaceful. I never thought—”

“It’s okay, Lizzie.” Nick pushed the open door wide. “How about a cup of coffee, Burl?”

“That’d be mighty nice.”

Nick ushered Liz into the cabin. She rubbed her arms, no doubt appreciating the warmth that greeted her.

Burl left his rifle at the door and followed them inside.

“I’ll get the coffee while you two talk,” she volunteered.