Yuletide Protector (Love Inspired Suspense) by Lisa Mondello Read Free Book Online Page A

in the hall outside his office door.
    “We’ve got company,” he said as he rose from the seat behind his desk. “Why do I have a feeling I’m not going to like this?”
    Kevin threw open the door and stared into the cold eyes of George Carlisle’s attorney. He was Lawrence Bingham, a partner at one of those uptown law firms with a string of names no one but the partners ever remembered. Kevin had met the man the previous morning when Bingham strode into the station in high-class loafers and Sunday casual clothes that probably cost more than a month of the average cop’s salary. Kevin had never begrudged anyone with money. He’d always had enough to satisfy himself and figured most people worked for what they wanted or needed. But he’d never cared for people who flaunted their wealth as a way to set themselves above others.
    “What is going on here?” Matt asked.
    District Attorney Martha Landers stepped into the office beside Bingham, her expression tight.
    Bingham’s cool smile had just enough edge to be annoying. “That’s what I’d like to know.”
    Martha sighed. “Mr. Bingham tells me one of your officers is harassing his client.”
    Matt shook his head. “We went over all this the other morning. My officers were doing their job.”
    “Does that include false arrest, too?”
    “That arrest was perfectly legal,” Kevin said firmly. “Textbook, even.”
    Matt nodded. “I agree. I’ve read the report. Detective Gordon had probable cause. The arrest was clean and as soon as the mistake was cleared up, your client was released without any harm.”
    Bingham laughed harshly. “I’m not here to debate what you perceive as probable cause these days. I’m talking about this morning when my client found one of your officers tailing him.”
    Jorgensen tossed a disgusted look at Kevin that might as well have been a flogging. Kevin was almost too surprised to notice. Ski was usually stealthlike when he was tailing someone. Despite his nervous twitch, he was good at keeping himself invisible. Carlisle hadn’t seen him for the two weeks they’d been tailing him before the meeting. But obviously Carlisle was aware of them now and that meant they’d all have to be more careful.
    “It’s bad enough to be falsely accused, to have your reputation tarnished with innuendo. But to be stalked and made to fear the very people who’ve sworn to protect and serve, well…”
    Kevin shoved his hands into his pockets in an attempt to give them something to do other than grab Bingham by the throat. Bingham was baiting Kevin. He wanted Kevin to lose his cool, act like a crazed cop to strengthenhis case against the department and to give credence to George Carlisle’s claim that he was being harassed. But he wasn’t about to let Bingham get the best of him.
    “My client had some banking business this morning and found Detective Gordon sitting outside the building when he came out.”
    Kevin quickly ran the events of the morning through his head. He hadn’t seen Carlisle leaving the building after Daria went inside. He’d only waited long enough for Daria to enter the building before leaving himself. Ski had told him Carlisle was long gone before Daria had arrived. The only way Carlisle would have known Kevin had been there was if he’d come back.
    “I was doing my job, which is to protect Ms. Carlisle from your client,” he told Bingham.
    Martha cocked her head. “So you were at Ms. Carlisle’s office building this morning?”
    “Yes.”
    Bingham flipped his hand. “There. He’s admitted to stalking my client. I want charges brought against Detective Gordon and a restraining order issued. I won’t tolerate Gordon harassing my client any longer.”
    “He’s done no such thing,” Martha said firmly, shifting her briefcase from one hand to the other. She shook a head of short salt-and-pepper curls in impatience. “And none of this will hold up in court. You and I both know that, Mr. Bingham. I will also not