Read Online Yuletide Defender by Sandra Robbins - Free Book Online

picked up her cell phone. It seemed only a few years ago that cell phones were unheard of. Now they were a link to everything and everybody in a person’s life. And Rachel’s phone was about to give him the answers he needed to put an end to the nosy reporter.
    He reached for a box on the kitchen cabinet and sat down at the table. Opening the box, he read the instructions. When he’d finished, he picked up Rachel’s cell phone and began the process of downloading spyware to her phone. When he was finished, he would have access to every conversation, text and email she received or sent.
    There were still a few details he had to take care of before the fun could begin. He had to toss the purse in a Dumpster and then call the police to report seeing a Santa Claus throwing a woman’s bag into the garbage bin. After that, he’d know every move Rachel Long made.
    She had no idea what was about to happen to her.

FIVE
    M att Franklin swallowed the last bite of his hamburger and washed it down with a soft drink. Eating lunch at his desk was getting to be a habit, but he didn’t mind. He’d never cared much for joining the guys on the force at the crowded diner down the street from the station. He always felt out of place with all the good-natured laughter and joking that went on with his colleagues.
    That feeling of insecurity probably came from all the time he spent alone growing up. He’d just never learned to fit in. Quiet times—like candlelit dinners and walks along the lakeshore—appealed to him more. He wondered if Rachel Long enjoyed things like that. He kept telling himself not to get his hopes up too high about their date on Saturday night but he couldn’t help it.
    From the first time he’d seen her, there was something about her that drew him to her. And yet he was afraid to get better acquainted. He’d been disappointed too many times before.
    One of the things he liked about Rachel was that she had a reserved quality about her that made him want to know her better. She accepted him as just another police officer she’d met at crime scenes and never plied him with questions about his personal life. Most women he’d known in the past weren’t like that. Their main interests centered on his family.
    He’d been a little uncomfortable this morning when Rachel had mentioned her family to Philip. Although he dreaded telling her about his, he really wanted to know more about what it was like for her growing up.
    The ring of the phone on his desk interrupted his thoughts. “Detective Matt Franklin. May I help you?”
    â€œMatt, this is Rachel.”
    His heartbeat quickened at the sound of her voice. “Rachel, to what do I owe the pleasure of a call from you?”
    A long sigh echoed in his ear. “I wanted you to know I’ve learned two things today.”
    Puzzled, he frowned. “And what would those be?”
    â€œWell, for one I’ve learned what a BOLO means.”
    His frown turned into a grin. “That’s what the police use now instead of APB, all-points bulletin.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œAnd what does a ‘be on the lookout’ have to do with what else you’ve learned?”
    â€œBecause the second thing I know is that you can’t trust Santa Claus. The police have a BOLO out for him.”
    He sat up straight and gripped the phone tighter. “Rachel, what are you talking about?”
    Matt listened as she told him about the purse snatching. “I’ve reported the incident to the police, but I wanted you to know that today isn’t much better than last night. There is one good thing, though. At least Santa didn’t shoot at me.”
    Matt shook his head. “I don’t like this, Rachel. There are too many things happening to you at once.”
    â€œBut I don’t think the two could be related. I can’t imagine a Ranger or a Viper dressing up like Santa just to