Holiday Defenders: Mission: Christmas Rescue / Special Ops Christmas / Homefront Holiday Hero. Debby Giusti

       ONE

      Elizabeth Tate pulled back the living-room curtain and stared into the night. All she saw in the windowpane was her own reflection and the twinkling lights from the Christmas tree.

      Unable to shrug off her unease, she dropped the curtain into place and headed down the hallway to check on Joey and Mary Grace.

      Ever since her sister-in-law had died thirteen months earlier, Liz frequently stayed overnight at her brother’s house to babysit his four-and six-year-old children when he was on assignment for a story. His job as a newspaper investigative reporter often took him out of town. Tonight he was working on something closer to home, although he hadn’t shared the details with Elizabeth. All she knew was that it involved the rather controversial “Z” Notes whistleblower blog he wrote on the side to bring public attention to unethical or illegal corporate practices. Normally, Liz treasured the time she could spend with Zack’s little ones. Tonight she was anxious and worried.

      Perhaps it was Zack’s warning to remain vigilant that had her conjuring up all types of scenarios. None of them good.

      Ever since he’d launched “Z” Notes, she’d been concerned about her brother’s safety. Exposing corruption at any level wasn’t for the faint of heart. Usually Elizabeth could overlook the downside of his work by reminding herself of the good he was doing. And besides, his dedication to his work meant that she had the joy of being deeply involved in her niece and nephew’s lives. As an elementary school teacher, she loved all children, but Mary Grace and Joey held a special place in her heart.

      Slipping into their bedrooms, she sighed with relief, feeling both comforted and reassured that they were nestled in their beds, fast asleep. From the looks of contentment on their sweet faces, they were probably dreaming of Christmas, only two days away. By then, her nervous unrest would be a memory and another reason for Zack to poke fun at her concern for his well-being.

      Called back to the living room by the shrill trill of her cell, she reached for her BlackBerry and smiled at her brother’s picture on the screen.

      “Hey, bro. What’s up?”

      “Lizzie, listen to me carefully and do exactly what I tell you. Pack a bag for the children. A couple outfits each. Some underwear. Extra warm clothes. Don’t forget Mary Grace’s toy Nativity set and Joey’s lamb.”

      “But—”

      “You have to leave the house and go somewhere safe. Hide out until I contact you.”

      She pushed the cell closer to her ear. “Is this a joke?”

      “I wish it were.”

      The urgency in her brother’s voice brought a renewed volley of concern.

      “What happened, Zack?”

      “An ambush. The guy I was supposed to meet—” He hesitated. “The whistleblower’s dead.”

      Liz gasped. “Where are you?”

      “On the run. There’re four of them. They want information I’ve uncovered. Grab my laptop and take it with you. Be careful, Liz. Don’t let them find you or the kids.”

      “Where can we meet up?”

      “We can’t. They’re on my tail. You’ve got to hurry. Take the children and escape.”

      A roar filled her head. She tried to think. “But where should we go?”

      Zack hesitated. “I...I’m not sure.”

      “The Lassiter police can help, Zack. I’ll call them.”

      “No.” His firm reply frightened her even more. “You can’t trust them. You can’t trust anyone, except—“

      “You’re scaring me, Zack.”

      “As much as you won’t like it, sis, there is one person you can trust. Nick Fontaine’s back from his military deployment. I’ll call him. He’s the only person I can depend on.”

      She shook her head, vehemently opposed to her brother’s suggestion. “I don’t want Nick’s help.”

      “There’s no one else.”

      “Then I’ll handle this myself.”

      “You’ll need Nick. Hurry. You don’t have much time.”

      “Zack—”

      “Stay safe, and take care of my babies.”

      The connection ended.