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

list of names, and motioned Burl closer to the laptop. “Do you know any of these folks?”

      The mountain man peered at the monitor. His lips moved as he silently read each name. “I know Everett Meeks, Sam Bellows and Hugh Garrett.”

      “Are they from Lassiter?”

      “Those three are. Can’t say about the others.”

      Nick pointed to the people Lizzie had recognized. “Do these names mean anything to you?”

      Burl shook his head. “’Fraid not.”

      “I’m trying to find a common link between these folks, Burl. Anything come to mind? Do their children go to the same schools? Maybe they attend the same church or work for the same business?”

      Burl rubbed his chin. “Don’t know about their religious views or their kids.”

      “Does anything else come to mind?”

      “Doyle Manufacturing.”

      “They work for Colin Doyle?”

      “That’s right.”

      “Any idea what type of jobs they have?”

      “No clue.” Burl hesitated for a long moment. “Does the list have something to do with the men in that van you’re worried about?”

      “I’m not sure.”

      “Sorry I couldn’t be more help.” He patted his pocket containing the cell. “I’ll call you if I see anything.”

      “Keep this between us, Burl. If someone asks, tell them you haven’t seen me.”

      The man glanced at Lizzie. “I haven’t seen her, either.”

      Nick nodded. He escorted Burl to the door and watched as he grabbed his rifle and disappeared into the night. Nick needed his help, but he didn’t want any harm to come to his old friend. Burl was a good man with a big heart, and Nick wouldn’t have mentioned the danger except he needed someone to watch his back. Burl would do that. He’d guard the mountain road with his life.

       SIX

      “Can you trust Burl?” Lizzie asked when Nick stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

      “Absolutely. He won’t divulge our whereabouts, and he won’t let anyone up the hill without notifying me.” With a definite nod, Nick added, “I’d trust him with my life.”

      Which is exactly what Nick might have to do.

      She glanced down at the tiny, handmade camel. “In that case, I’m glad I went outside, after all. He wouldn’t have even known you were here, otherwise. And my little Sunshine would have been upset about losing one of her animals.”

      Nick nodded. “She likes Christmas?”

      “What child doesn’t? But the Nativity set has special meaning. Her mother made it for Mary Grace’s first birthday.”

      “The scruffy lamb Joey won’t let out of his grasp looks handmade, too. Was that a gift from his mom?”

      “Annabelle finished some of the hand stitching when she was in the hospital. I’m afraid to think what would happen if he lost Lamb.”

      “Human nature to hold on to the memories.”

      Exactly as Elizabeth had done. She’d held on to the memory of Nick’s kisses, believing they signaled the start of something wonderful between them. Only later—after he’d left town—had she learned he’d only taken her to prom as a favor to Zack.

      She’d been a fool back then to give her heart so readily to a guy who didn’t care. She was Zack’s baby sister then. Nothing more. Just as now.

      Averting her gaze, she glanced at the television. A News Alert flashed on the screen. She reached for the remote and turned up the volume.

      “Police are seeking information about Zack Tate, last seen fleeing the crime scene. Tate had recently been in contact with Nicholas Fontaine, a captain in the U.S. Army, currently stationed at Fort Rickman, Georgia.”

      Nick stepped closer to the television.

      “Fontaine was wounded in Afghanistan but survived his injury due to a new tactical vest issued to military personnel in Afghanistan. We spoke to noted local psychiatrist David Wax who mentioned the high incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in returning military personnel. Although Fontaine has not been diagnosed with PTSD, Wax said symptoms could develop at any time.”

      Liz turned to Nick, confused. “How did they connect you to Zack?”

      “I’m not sure.”

      Fear came with the realization that made her shudder. “Someone got hold of Zack’s cell phone and tracked the calls he made. That means he’s been captured by either the police or the killers.”

      “Maybe, but also they could just be guessing. Lots of people in town knew Zack and I were friends in high school.” Nick rubbed his forehead. “I’m more curious as to why the news mentioned the vest I was wearing that supposedly saved my life.”

      “Supposedly?”

      He let out a frustrated breath. “I was issued the new vest, but I gave it to a buddy. He was going out on patrol. He had a wife and two kids, and the mission that night was dangerous. His unit came under attack, and my unit was called in to help rescue them.”

      “That’s when you were hit?”

      He nodded. “But I was wearing an old vest, the one Jeff should have had on.”

      “I don’t understand. You gave him the newer, supposedly more protective model?”

      “Exactly. We both came under fire. I took a hit to the chest and sustained a bruise, but the vest I wore—the older vest—stopped the bullet.”

      “Yet you were injured.”

      Nick nodded. “A second round penetrated my side where the vest doesn’t offer protection. The second hit did the damage, but the old vest protected me from a chest wound that would have been fatal.”

      He stared at her as if unable to go on.

      “Your buddy Jeff,” she said, realizing what had happened. “He didn’t survive.”

      “The ceramic plate inserts in the new model were faulty and didn’t stop the hit to his chest.”

      Nick rubbed his neck. “I started asking questions and found other cases when the supposedly improved vests had failed. Jeff’s dad has ties with government at the national level. I told him my concerns at the funeral, hoping he’d push for an inquiry, but—”

      “But what?”

      “He was angry at the military and with anyone in uniform, including me. It was easier to blame Uncle Sam for his son’s death, instead of Stratford and Castings, the company that produces the vests.”

      “Does that company make the ceramic plate inserts, as well as the vests?”

      “I’m not sure. The information’s not readily available.” Nick raised his brow. “Did Zack mention ceramic plates?”

      Liz shook her head. “Why would he?”

      “I told him my concerns when I got back to the States. I thought he might have looked into it.”

      “If he did, he never mentioned it, but then Zack keeps a lot to himself.”

      Nick’s expression was telling. He still carried the guilt of his friend’s death. “Was Jeff’s wife’s reaction like his father’s?” Liz asked.

      “She was the exact opposite and even thanked me for trying to help her husband. Only swapping