Beck sat on the sofa next to David. He was waiting very patiently for the disturbance to arrive. She was not going to pass up getting access to the house, and even access to his stomach. Too easy to poison. She was sure to come and she was to get the job no matter what.

"Well, thank you for your time." With a smile, the interviewee grabbed her jacket and walked out.

"She seemed nice. What was her name again?" David asked, then answered himself. "Marlene Fox. I think you should hire her."

"Possibly. We'll interview a few more, then decide," Beck said calmly.

"But sir! You've been saying that for the past few days! Just hire a cook already!"

"I want one who is exceptional."

"You tasted her food!" David argued. "Did you not think it was exceptional?"

"No, it was fine."

"It was a meal fit for a king!"

"Perhaps someone else can do better. Just bring in the next one."

"Fine," David growled. "Her name is Jade West." He left the room, then returned a few moments later with the disturbance.

So Jade West was her name. He tried to act nonchalant. "So, Jade, is it?"

"Yes," she said flatly. Up close, she seemed even more lethal. She was completely deadpan, with accusing eyes and a sort of naturally angry face.

"Where are you from?"

"Pine Needle, Divinus."

"Very well," Beck said simply, and wrote it down. He wanted to know everything about this disturbance—every weakness and every strength—so he could outsmart her.

"Um, may I see you for a moment?" David whispered through gritted teeth.

"Fine, but make it quick. Excuse us, Miss West," Beck said politely. You know, trying to act as though he wasn't planning to kill her.

David pulled Beck into the hallway. "Are you mad? You simply cannot hire a Rustican chef. They will make Rustican meals and bring their reckless, Rustican lifestyle into your home! Not to mention their ridiculous obsession with naming cities after plants! Who names a city Pine Needle, anyway?"

"Have you forgotten that I lived my entire childhood in Rusticus? I find their ways refreshing," Beck lied.

"With all due respect, sir, nobody finds cold-blooded murder refreshing."

"I didn't mean the murder part. Come. We will continue with the interview and you will not say another word."

"Fine."

Beck led David back into the room where Jade was sitting, observing the house carefully. (Probably looking for any flaws in the security system.)

"We are back, Miss West," Beck announced. "Where were we? Oh, right Pine Needle, Rusticus. A fine area if I do say so myself."

"I would have to disagree," Jade said truthfully. "But go on."

"I would like you to prepare me a simple meal—meatloaf. It's one of my favorites. The ingredients are in the kitchen, but there is no cookbook."

"Not a problem."

Beck discovered that she was actually a very talented chef, and even if she was not looking to interfere, he probably would have hired her.