Here Comes the Bribe Read Online Free

hundred years from now when I’m dead. “Have you tried the hors d’oeuvres?”
    â€œNot yet,” the rev said. “I fast between meals.”
    â€œPrudent,” Judith responded, noting that the goatee looked as if it had been blackened with shoe polish. “I should show you the parlor. I’ve had weddings here before. That’s the best place to conduct the service because it’s so cozy, private, and intimate.”
    â€œVery nice,” he murmured. “I trust your judgment. We’ll talk more tomorrow. I must pray for a few moments.” With a slight bow he moved away to the bay window.
    The strawberry blonde was tugging at Rodney’s short-sleeved shirt. “When are we leaving for dinner? This wine sucks donkeys.” She sneered at her half-empty glass. “It’s not from California. Or France. Yuck.”
    Judith felt obligated to stand up for the local vineyards. “I try to show visitors that we have our own wineries here in this state. Many of them are excellent.”
    â€œNot this one,” the blonde shot back before her azure eyes widened. “Am I supposed to call you Granny? I’m Belle.”
    â€œCall me Judith. Please. I can find a different wine if you’d like.”
    Belle shook her head. “No thanks. We have a seven o’clock reservation somewhere on the bay.” She turned around. “Where’d the nerd go?” She moved off to the far end of the table where a skinny man with a shaved head and a shapeless woman with long, straight gray hair were filling their faces with appetizers.
    â€œThe nerd?” Judith said to Rodney, who’d already drained his wineglass and was fingering a cigar in his shirt pocket.
    â€œShe means the groom,” he explained. “She calls him that because he’s a tech wizard. Makes big bucks with Zootsky. Huge honkin’ deal up in Silicon Valley, one of the biggest high-tech companies around. Started there when he was only seventeen. Guess he’ll be runnin’ the place in a couple of years. Great to be young, huh?” He grinned again. “I bet you must’ve had a pretty hot youth yourself, Mama.”
    â€œStudying to become a librarian was very rewarding,” Judith said, reverting to her previous tight tone while handing him the guest book. “If you’ll sign this and show me your driver’s license, please . . .” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her cousin enter the room.
    Renie paused briefly by Judith. “The husbands are eating dinner,” she announced, and kept going toward the buffet table.
    â€œNot this husband,” Rodney said, scowling while handing over his wallet. “Truth is, I’m hungry. The airlines are cheap about snacks these days. I remember when you got a real meal.”
    To Judith’s relief, the California driver’s license looked authentic. She already knew the Visa card was good, since the Schmucks had paid in advance and the charge had already cleared. “You should meet the missus,” Rodney was saying as he signed the register. He turned and shouted across the room. “Millie! Get your rear in gear and meet Mama.”
    Judith assumed Millie was the tall woman who wore her dark hair in a French roll and had a red patent-leather purse slung over her left shoulder. She batted what looked like false eyelashes and appeared to mouth the word later .
    â€œOh, well,” Rodney muttered. “She’s enjoying herself. Guess I’d better do the same.”
    â€œBy all means,” Judith said. “Oh—I noticed you signed the register as ‘self-employed.’ What do you do for a living?”
    Rodney beamed again. “I’m a motivational speaker. And a damned good one. Aren’t you proud of me, Mama? I’ll show you my proof of maternity after we unpack.” He patted Judith’s shoulder before heading to the buffet table and barely