Pipeline: a Novelette: The Mommy Mysteries, #6

By D.K. Greene

When the Jones brothers beg for a sleep-over with a friend from school, Mac doesn't see a mysterious plot unfolding.

She sees the opportunity to watch a movie away from her kids' prying eyes.

Mac doesn't know the sleepover guest is smuggling something vile into the house, and he won't be taking it with him when he leaves.

As a ferocious beast tears her home to shreds, Mac is forced to discover the true identity of a hideous doppelganger, track the savage creature taking up residence in the bathroom, and take cupcakes to school.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D.K. Greene
• Release date: Oct 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393125297

D.K. Greene

D.K. Greene writes at a small folding table below a tiny window overlooking a narrow street. While her work area is small, she has an overwhelmingly large imagination. It all comes out in strings of stories about family, fraud, and fatal events. Readers can get an insider's look at her upcoming projects, promotions and free stories by going to https://www.subscribepage.com/dkgreene

Book preview

Also by D.K. Greene

The Mommy Mysteries

Lost Keys

Drunk Octopus

Devious Device

Trail of Wrappers

Unexpected Jailer

Dedication

To Jen, and Pants the lizard.

Saturday

C an Grant stay the night? Robby asked with round, puppy-dog eyes. Long lashes fanned over his glassy eyes in a way that would make most mothers melt.

We haven’t played with him in a long time. We miss him! Ryan added with a Cheshire smile. His lashes batted, too, but the effect was saturated with villainous intent.

Mac set her book beside her on the couch cushion. You see him every day at school.

Hanging out at school isn’t fun, Mom. There’s too much learning. We want to hang out and have fun. Ryan put his hands on his hips, which did nothing for his shady appearance.

Too much learning, you say? Mac ran her fingers through her hair as she considered her charges. What will you do during this party of slumber?

The boys shifted their attention to one another. They twitched and writhed in a silent conversation that required a level of creative body language interpretation Mac had yet to master. Robby flung his arms in wild gestures, and Ryan rolled his eyes to the ceiling. When their mimed conversation ended, Ryan looked up with the wild gaze of a child about to get lost in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

We’ll play board games, read, whisper to one another... you know, quiet stuff.

A snort ripped through Mac’s ladylike features. Quiet? You two haven’t been quiet since the day you were born... unless you’re in trouble. She narrowed her eyes. Do you plan on being in trouble?

No, ma’am, Robby insisted. We’ll be good, promise.

Mac leaned into the sofa’s cushions and searched for holes in the boys’ plan. I don’t think I’ve met Grant’s parents. I’m not sure they’re going to want their kid staying the night with a bunch of weirdos they don’t know.

We’re not weirdos! Ryan insisted, trembling with fury. He was like a rocket, ready to blast off; an invisible bubble of energy ready to rupture after staying in one place too long.

His mom said it’s fine already, Robby announced.

Mac lifted her eyebrow’s arch in suspicion. She did? When was this permission granted? I have seen no dossier of agreement.

We’re not going to dossier, Mom, Robby said with a frown. We only square dance in P.E.

Grant asked yesterday after school. His mom said he could, Ryan announced. His brother took two steps backward and nodded in agreement.

I’ll call her. Need to cover our bases, make sure we know what’s expected of us. When do you want this slumber party to happen?

Tonight, Ryan blurted out. Robby elbowed him in the side.

Any time would be great, Mom, Robby said in a tone smoother than his brother’s. "But Grant’s mom said he could come over