THE DARE (G!P Freenbecky)

Chapter 29

The concierge's checked his DVD movie list.

"Here's a child's film and an excellent one. Charlotte's web." His brow wrinkled with concern, then he quietly cleared his throat. "Oh dear, obviously not. The beginning might not be quite suitable for your porcine friend; it might disturb him."

"I agree."

"Hmmmm. There's nothing else really suitable for children."

"What else do you have?"

"When Harry Met Sally?"

"Too close to home."

"Eat, Drink, Man, Woman?"

"Nope. I'm stuffed."

"Ah, Here's one. Die Hard, the original, with Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman. And based on quite excellent novel by Roderick Thorp, if I do say so myself."

Bruce. Explosions. Nonstop action.

Freen glanced down. "You like that, Baco? And of course, you understand that all the bloodshed is merely special effects."

Baco looked up at her adoringly, snorted happily, and leaned against her, all 120 pounds. He was like a very large dog with a snout and rough, wiry hair.

"Die Hard it is."

"Will that be all, Ma'am?"

"I hope so," Freen sighed. "But who knows, the night's still young."
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Once she and her animal friends were settled in her suite, Freen knew there was one phone call she had to get out of the way as soon as possible. Stretched out on her bed, she reached for the phone and called Heng.

Her friend and business partner mumbled a sleepy hello.

"Hey Heng, I just wanted to let you know that I spent a little more money than I intended at the charity dinner tonight."

That woke him up.

"How much are we talking about?"

"Eighteen grand."

"Eighteen grand! Just what exactly did you get for that?"

As succinctly as possible, Freen told him.

"I even got a bichon frise."

"A bitching what?"

"A bichon frise."

"God, I'm sorry to hear that. Is it something penicillin can take care of?"

"You idiot, it's a dog!"

After Heng finished laughing, Freen said, "What do you think about opening an office out here?"

"Why?"

Freen sighed. "I really like the coffee."

"It's that woman, isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"What about earthquakes?"

"Would you rather freeze to death out there?"

"Good point."

"I'm thinking we're about ready for a change," Freen said.

"You just don't want to move all those animals back here. And speaking of animals, Riley's doing just fine."

"I'm glad."

"I can't believe you won a pig."

"I can't, either." Freen glanced towards the big-screen television, where Bruce Willis got on an escalator with a huge stuffed bear for his children. The movie had just started, and as soon as she finished up this call with Heng, she'd microwave herself some popcorn and join Baco on the couch.