Serial Date: A Leine Basso Thriller by D.V. Berkom Read Free Book Online Page B

contestants were: narcissistic little harpies. Gene's mood plummeted. He wondered how long it would take before that changed.
    “Hi Uncle Gene, Mr. Bronkowski. You wanted to see me?”
    Peter offered her the chair next to Gene.
    “I did, Brenda. Gene's informed me that you might be interested in becoming a contestant on Serial Date.”
    Brenda's eyes widened. “Are you kidding? A contestant?” She looked at Gene for confirmation. Gene glanced at the floor, trying to avoid eye contact. She nodded her head. “Yes—of course I would. But I thought this season's lineup was already filled.”
    “A slot recently opened up and we need someone who's familiar with the show. There's going to be some fallout from the fans. Kaneesha was popular. Think you can handle that? They're going to compare you two, at first.”
    “You bet, Mr. Bronkowski. I could care less what people say. It's all just made up stuff, anyway.”
    Peter raised an eyebrow at Gene. “Exactly. Go and see Helena. She'll set you up with wardrobe, hair and makeup. Paula will help you with the paperwork.”
    Brenda bounced out of her chair and threw her arms around Gene. “Thanks, Uncle Gene.” She extended her hand to Peter, who shook it. “And thank you, Mr. Bronkowski, sir. This is a fantastic opportunity.” She turned and bounded out the door. “Wait until Mom hears about this!”
    Gene covered his face with his hands and groaned. He pushed himself out of his chair and started for the door.
    “Where are you going?” Peter asked.
    “Change the locks on my apartment.”
     
    ***
     
    Leine fired her last round at the beer can on top of the rock, hitting it dead center. She shoved the Glock back into her shoulder holster and walked over to the cans she'd used for target practice, throwing them into a grocery bag.
    The theme from The Godfather played inside her rental car, interrupting the desert silence. Tossing the bag into the backseat, she leaned across the console and grabbed her phone.
    “Leine Basso.”
    “Hi.”
    Leine stiffened at the sound of the caller's voice. “April?”
    “Yeah.” Her daughter sniffled like she had a cold, or maybe allergies.
    “Where are you? Are you all right?” She pulled her hair out of its ponytail holder and took out the two bobby pins she'd used to keep the rest of it back and put them in her pocket.
    April sighed, her impatience magnified over the wireless connection.
    “I'm fine.” There was a short pause, then, “I need a place to crash for a few days.”
    “I'm not in Seattle.”
    “Yeah. Del said you got a gig in L.A. Thought you said you'd never go back.”
    “Things change. Look, I don't know how long I'm going to be in L.A., but...” Leine couldn't squelch the hopeful emotions that surged to the surface. Maybe April was willing to work things out, become a family again.
    “It would only be for a couple days. Frank should be back by then and I can stay with him.”
    Leine's heart sank into her stomach. Frank. April wouldn't have even called if Frank was in town.
    “Where'd he go this time?” Leine found it hard to keep the bitterness from her voice. She really meant to ask who he'd gone with, but stifled the jealousy threatening to derail even the slightest chance to see her daughter again.
    “Lake Como. He took Denyse.”
    Denyse. That piece of work. Leine always thought of her as a sterling example of the three B's Frank had taken to dating: a blonde with big boobs that gave blowjobs—anywhere. Remember, Leine. You divorced him, not the other way around.
    “So—is it okay?”
    “Of course. Where are you? Do you need a ride?”
    “Just an address.”
    Leine gave her directions to the house she was renting and told her she'd be home in a couple of hours. April repeated it back to her and ended the call.
    Butterflies flitted through Leine's stomach at the thought of seeing her daughter again. Maybe this time she could make her understand why she'd done what she