As Joanna busied herself in the kitchen fixing some coffee, Fran sat at the table and perused her surroundings. It was a home lived in by those who couldn’t afford much. With no wall separating the living area from the kitchen, she could see that the furnishings in the lounge were old and stained. The love seat and upholstered chair showed their age in the faded fabrics covering their cushions, and the rectangular coffee table carried the scars of misplaced glasses, feet, and no doubt a dozen moves over the years. In the corner of the room, a cable wire slithered out of the wall and ran to nowhere, and with a few hooks missing, the drapes covering the front window drooped in despair. There were no magazines or newspapers in sight and as Fran looked around, she realized there wasn’t even a light in the lounge to read by. It was just a space forgotten by those who lived there, for they were too busy to notice.

“Here you go,” Joanna said, returning to the table carrying two cups of coffee.

“Thanks,” Fran said. “So, have you lived here for long?”

“Um…about eight years, I guess. It’s a lease.”

“One you can get out of?”

“You tell me,” Joanna said through a grin.

”Good point,” Fran said, smiling.

“So how does this work?”

“Well, I thought today I’d just come over and meet you. See what you were like—”

“Check me out, in other words? See what I look like.”

“I’m sorry,” Fran said as her shoulders dropped. “I know that probably sounds coarse, but we’re talking about a wife for Addison Kane. If you don’t look the part, the press will have a field day with it, and the last thing Addison wants is publicity.”

“So, should I assume since you’re still here talking to me, I at least look the part?”

Fran had made it a point of not trying to stare blatantly at the woman, but by asking the question Joanna had just given her permission. Fran sat in silence as she sized up Joanna, and she came to the same conclusion she had when Joanna opened the door to greet her. While the woman looked worn down and her clothes were out of style and somewhat faded, she was nonetheless, attractive. As far as Fran was concerned, with some proper rest and a visit to Bond Street, she was looking at the future Mrs. Addison Kane. With her perusal completed, Fran raised her eyes to meet Joanna’s. “You most definitely look the part.”

Joanna relaxed back in her chair and tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “I wasn’t really fishing for a compliment, but thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” Fran said as she reached into her attaché and pulled out a folder. Opening it, she scanned her notes. “I do have some questions I need to ask though.”