Daddy's Home by A. K. Alexander Read Free Book Online Page A

cop.”
    “Greenfield is not one to go light on people he considers weak. Craig is lucky he let him keep his job. By the way, does anyone know how Greenfield’s wife is doing?” Chad asked.
    “No, but I think I’ll check in with him in the morning and send over some flowers from all of us,” Holly replied, climbing in her car.
    “You are such the politician,” he said.
    “Right on up there with the president,” she joked. “Now let’s get this over with.”
    The dating service was only moments away from the station, located downtown on Fourth and B, a decent enough area, but most of downtown San Diego was fairly upscale. Maureen and Chad pulled into an empty parking spot right across from the service. The van’s disguise showed it to be a cable company vehicle. Chad sat up front dressed in a cable man’s uniform.
    Maureen was working the communication center in the back. Holly knew the plan was simply to go in, do a little fishing expedition, and find out what these people knew about Shannon and if there was any apparent illegal activity going on. If they or this William James knew something, then Holly’s crew might be able to gain some info and have quite a bit of leeway. Holly had the distinct feeling that this guy was going to slip right into her category of filthy slime balls.
    “I cannot believe that I’m doing this. We really should have sent you in, Maureen,” Holly whispered into her wire as she started to walk the half-block up to the dating service’s entry. She noticed a leering homeless man and a couple of construction guys heading into a bar for a couple of after-work beers. They whistled and looked her up and down.
    “Nice ass,” one said.
    “Nice tits,” another one replied.
    She kept walking. A strong urge to pull her Glock from her purse and go Jennifer Garner à la Alias on them crossed her mind. She whispered, “Assholes.”
    “I think you look hot, too, baby,” Chad laughed over the wire in her ear.
    “Watch it. I know where you live, cable guy.”
    Maureen cut in, “Leave her alone. You’ll be fine, Holly. We’ve got your back.”
    “Okay, you ready?” Chad asked. His jovial tone downshifting.
    “Ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied.
    She felt like a hooker in the spiky high heels, low cut, slinky red dress, and more makeup than she had ever worn before. This was gonna suck.
    She opened the door to Elegance Dating Service. A discreet sign just inside the door read, “We provide a place to meet for those people with the love for pleasure.” Oh, God, this was really gonna suck.
    Holly tried her best to stay balanced on her spiked heels, but it was damn hard. She approached the front desk where a way-too-thin peroxide blonde sat behind a black lacquered desk—tacky all the way. In the center of the room a coffee table in front of a red velvet couch held a black vase filled with fake flowers the color of the gold silk drapes. A truly pretentious room, it was something out of a bad Vegas casino, or a Mafioso boss’ home.
    “Can I help you?” the blonde asked.
    “I have an appointment,” Holly answered.
    “Do you mean an interview?”
    “I suppose I do.” Holly shifted as perspiration made her itch at her panty hose line.
    “Hmmm, name?”
    “Katrina Richards.”
    The blonde looked down at her scheduler. “Yes, Mr. James will be with you in a moment.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Would you like some coffee, water, tea? A glass of wine, perhaps? We can even mix you something stronger. It might help relax you during the taping process.”
    Wonder where they got their liquor license? “No. I’m good, thanks.” Holly sat down on the couch, sinking nearly all the way into its plush fabrics. She reached for a magazine— Playboy, Penthouse, Hustler. Great. She finally found a Cosmopolitan , not really her cup of tea, but better than her other choices. She crossed her legs and tried to look comfortable. She wondered if the receptionist knew Shannon McKay. She decided to