stood there smiling warmly. Piper was slightly shocked by her beauty. She assumed perhaps the exotic features she had seen from a distance would look more weathered up close and her age would show. It was quite the opposite. The judge’s wife was stunningly pretty. Her hair was silky black, and perfectly styled. She wore a tracksuit made of luscious pink suede that hugged her fit body. Her jewelry was simple and elegant, but her most attractive accessory seemed to be her confidence.
The smell of cinnamon poured from the house and filled Piper with a sense of temporary calm as the woman began to speak. “I’m so glad you were able to come out so quickly,” she gestured for Piper to come in. The house was so warm, not in temperature, but in its welcoming feel. Flickering candles filled the house with the scent of fall. There was a plate of baked goods laid out on the kitchen counter next to a small plate, cloth napkin, and an empty glass. “Please have a seat and enjoy a little refreshment first. I know how hard you work all day, you deserve a little break.” She waved Piper over to the bar stool in the kitchen.
“Ma’am that is so kind of you. Unfortunately my schedule today is really full, and I have some appointments I’ve already had to push back. I should get right to work. I want to make sure we get you up and running before the end of the day. If not, you’ll probably have to wait until Monday, and I don’t want that to happen.” Piper kept running the word personable through her mind. Michael had been successful in slightly psyching her out about her likability.
“I completely understand. My husband will just die if I don’t have this all sorted out tonight. There is a boxing match this weekend, and we are expecting company. I can’t stand it, such unnecessary violence, but you know how it is, we do anything for our husbands.” She smiled big enough to show her perfect white teeth and, again, Piper couldn’t understand how anyone could turn outside his marriage to such a beautiful woman.
Right on cue, the chimes of Mrs. Lion’s phone began to ring. “The television is right through those doors. I’ll take this call and be right back with you.” She brought the phone to her ear and gave a cheerful greeting. Piper wanted to listen in on the call to ensure it was going as planned but knew she should set up her tools and look thoroughly busy by the time the judge’s wife rejoined her.
“Oh, you’ve already started?” she said as she came fluttering into the room where Piper had laid out numerous tools and rolls of unnecessary cable. “I’ve got to run out for a few minutes and take care of some paperwork down at town hall, is it possible you can come back later on today?”
“I’m sorry, we’ve got so many people anxious to get their cable working before the boxing match that we’re a little flooded. I think I have the problem figured out here. I’ll need about an hour to get it all squared away. I guess if I hurry I could be out of here in forty-five minutes.” Piper knew if Jules had done her job then she had created an urgency Mrs. Lions would not be able to ignore. If Jules had told the story properly then she would have relayed how an auditor was making his way through their files and it was imperative she arrive quickly to correct some missing paperwork.
“I really must go get this paperwork fixed. I know I’m not supposed to, but can I leave you here for just a few minutes? I won’t be long at all.” Mrs. Lions was already pulling on her coat and searching for her keys.
“It is against the rules, but as long as you won’t be too long I won’t tell anyone. I might need to access other televisions in the house; can you point them out quickly before you go?” Piper could feel the corners of her mouth tugging into a smile and she fought the urge to prematurely celebrate.
“Sure, there is another television here in the kitchen that folds down from under the cabinet, and one in the spare bedroom at the top of the stairs. Around the corner here in my husband’s office, but you can’t go in there. All the other rooms are fine but that room