A First Date with Death Read Online Free PDF Page A

orders; my stomach churned at the thought that that very trait had been one of the reasons for the end of my police career and likely even one of the reasons for the end of my engagement with Paul. But, hell, sometimes you can’t fight your nature.
    “What’s going on?” I demanded.
    Harris linked his arm through mine. “I know you’re probably watching your figure, but they have amazing doughnut holes next door. Why don’t you have one? I’ll watch your figure for you.”
    He raised his eyebrows at me in what I was sure was supposed to be a flirtatious way, only it came off flat and sort of like a cautionary signal.
    I glanced at Paul. His smile was intact but the warning message in his eyes remained.
    Everyone was telling me to shut up and leave the room.
    •   •   •   •   •   •   •   •   •
    “W e’ll have you change into your date clothes and then you can get back to hair and makeup,” Harris said, as he led me to the craft services area.
    I was fuming. “Tell me what’s happening.”
    He looked confused. “With what?”
    “With what?” I practically screamed at him. “With Aaron, with Paul, with the do-over, with—”
    The cameraman at the craft services table stared at us. Becca appeared at my side and grabbed my elbow. “Hey. That was fast,” she said.
    Harris ignored Becca. “Well, you were there. You know the poor guy isn’t coming back and we can’t air what we shot. So we’re doing it over on a set, with safety nets.”
    Becca glanced at her watch. “In about forty minutes, to be exact—”
    Harris laughed. “You better skip the doughnuts, cupcake!” he said, proceeding to pop three doughnut holes into his mouth in rapid succession.
    Becca rolled her eyes at him, telegraphing that the conversation was over. Then she piled a plate with cheese and crackers, placing two grapes on top. “One for me, one for you. We need to eat our fruit. Come on. We’ll take this to go.”
    “Spill it,” I said the moment we were outside.
    She shrugged. “We need to reshoot the first date. What was that about Paul, though?”
    “He’s here. He’s the bachelor replacing Aaron.”
    Becca’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
    I leaned into her personal space. “Yes, Becca, exactly. How
did
that happen?” I mocked her expression of outrage and matched it with my own.
    She closed her mouth and stood up straight, taking on an air of indignation. “You’re not accusing me of anything, right?”
    I squinted at her. “What could I possibly be accusing you of?”
    “I . . . um . . . I wasn’t for getting him on the show,” she stuttered.
    I pressed my lips together and motioned with my hand for her to continue.
    She glanced around to make sure we were alone. “I told Cheryl it was a bad idea.”
    “Uh-huh. And how did Cheryl come up with the idea exactly?”
    “It wasn’t me. I swear.”
    “Is he undercover?”
    Becca shrugged helplessly.
    Paul worked on 35 Car for SFPD. It was an undercover detail known to have free range to do what they pleased. But if Paul was here on assignment, why had we been able to leave the jurisdiction of San Francisco?
    Further, if Paul was undercover, it could only mean that Aaron’s fall hadn’t been an accident.
    A strange energy surged through my body.
    An active investigation?
    The door from the craft services room flew open and Cheryl appeared next to us on the sidewalk. She quickly assessed the situation. “What are you doing still in your evening clothes? Didn’t Becca tell you that we’re leaving in a few minutes?”
    Becca popped a grape into her mouth and gave me a “don’t tangle with Cheryl” look.
    I ignored her. “What’s the deal with my ex-fiancé showing up as a bachelor?”
    Cheryl’s face registered surprise, then changed into something else. Something along the lines of devilish delight. “Your what?”
    I stared at her, then at Becca, who now seemed to have enormous interest in the sole