Read Online The Christmas Clue by Delores Fossen - Free Book Online Page A

years and trusted her. Well, at least, he had before tonight.
    There weren’t many people he trusted now.
    “I know you’re in your apartment,” Libby informed him. “I scanned it with infrared. Don’t worry. I’ve been monitoring signals, and no one else has attempted to scan the place.”
    That was good. But it didn’t mean it would stay that way.
    “Who’s with you?” Libby asked.
    “It’s a long story. I’m more concerned about a leak in the department communications and the fact that someone tried to murder me.”
    Libby didn’t answer right away. “We’re looking into that. For now I have the parking lot fully monitored.”
    “Well, it can’t be that secure because I got in,” Matt pointed out.
    “Through the greenbelt. Yes. I missed that at first, but it’s covered now.”
    Matt didn’t know what to make of that. “Considering there’s almost certainly a leak in communications, I’m not relieved about that. The person responsible for that leak could already be here.”
    “I’m monitoring the area with equipment, not agents.” She glanced down at the screen of the infrared device. “I’m coming up.”
    And that’s exactly what she proceeded to do.
    “It’s late,” Matt said. “I’m with someone.” He caught on to Cass and pulled her closer to him. She gave him a puzzling glance and even a nudge in the ribs with her elbow. “Play along,” he mouthed. “She’s monitoring us with infrared.”
    Cass quit struggling and stared at Matt.
    Because he figured there was nothing he could say to stop Libby from walking up the stairs, he had a decision to make. If he didn’t answer the door, she’d probably knock. That might alert neighbors. It might also make Libby more concerned than she apparently already was. Heck, maybe she thought he was being held hostage or something. Either way, he didn’t want her there. She’d have too many questions, and besides, Ronald was on the way with the equipment. Matt definitely didn’t want to have to answer anything about that.
    Matt clicked the end call button, caught on to Cass’s arm and pulled her toward the door. “Keep your weapon out of sight,” he instructed.
    “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Cass asked.
    There was a soft knock at the door. “Keep your face hidden, and pretend you’re my lover.”
    Cass’s mouth dropped open. “Huh?”
    He didn’t really have time for a further explanation, but Cass caught on, anyway. If Libby thought they were on the verge of having hot sex, she might leave right away.
    Cass stuffed her gun into the back slide holster of her jeans, and Matt waited until she stepped behind him before he opened the door to face his fellow agent.
    Not that she looked much like an agent.
    Libby looked more like a model. Tall, attractive. She also had a brooding intensity and was married to the badge. In the two years that Matt had known her, she’d never spoken of her personal life. It was one of the reasons Matt enjoyed working with her. There was nothing wrong with being all business.
    Except he no longer felt that way.
    Molly had changed the way he felt about a lot of things.
    Libby’s curious blue eyes landed on him first. Then, what she could see of Cass’s arm.
    “Libby, I’m with a friend,” Matt offered. And that was the only introduction he intended to make.
    “You don’t want me here,” Libby said. “Yes, I got that from your tone. But you need help, Matt. Were you hurt in the attack?”
    “Not a scratch,” he lied. Matt didn’t want to answer questions about that, either.
    Libby’s mouth tightened. “Do you really think I believe you’re about to haul this woman off to bed?”
    “Adrenaline lust.” Matt dragged Cass even closer. She did her part. Cass snuggled close to his back while keeping her face hidden.
    Libby made a sound to indicate she didn’t believe any of this. “Are you planning to stay here tonight?”
    “Yes,” Matt lied again.
    He didn’t have to add to