THREE

Piper was all ready fixing breakfast the next morning when Phoebe and Paige came into the kitchen. As the two sisters entered the kitchen she turned and smiled at them.

"Good morning, sunshines," said Piper, smiling broadly. "I thought you might sleep your lives away."

"Someone's in a good mood this morning," said Phoebe. "And you must have been up for hours. Look at all this food."

"And why shouldn't I be in a good mood?" Piper asked. "The first day of the competition and I got second place. Not too bad, really."

"You're not upset you didn't get first?" Paige asked.

"A little disappointed," said Piper. "But there are nineteen other contestants. I can't expect to be first all the time. Speaking of which, some of this food is from the contest. There was plenty left over so they said we could bring it home with us."

"You're going to serve someone else's food at your table?" Phoebe asked as she and Paige sat down at the table.

"I just thought I'd give you an opportunity to see what my competition is like," said Piper.

"So, how are things going with Henry?" Paige asked. "You two seemed to like antagonizing each other."

"Harry Pettigrew?" Phoebe asked. "That overbearing snob who used to work at Quake with you?"

"One and the same," said Piper. "Actually he's not so bad once you get to know him. He used to infuriate me so much I never took the time to get to know him. As a person."

"Okay, who are you and what have you done with my sister?" Phoebe asked mockingly. "Is this the same Piper who once threatened to turn Harry into a real pig?"

"I know, I know," said Piper. "We really didn't get along that well at Quake. But it's different now. We talked for a while and he's not really such a bad guy. Once you get to know him."

"Where's Leo?" Paige asked as they ate.

"White Lighter meeting," said Piper. "He said he'd be back soon."

"This has an unusual taste," said Phoebe, eating a piece of ham. "I can't quite place it."

"I know," said Piper. "That belongs to Thomas Bishop. He says it's his secret ingredient and won't tell anyone what it is. I'm still trying to figure out what it is."

"Ew," said Paige, spitting out a piece of ham into her napkin, "that's awful. It tastes like raw sewage."

"It's not that bad," said Phoebe, taking another bit. "In fact, I kind of like it."

"You can have it," said Paige.

"Leo better get back soon," said Phoebe as she sampled one dish after another. "These are all great."

"Hey," said Piper, mock anger in her voice, "I am still the main cook at this house, you know."

"I know," giggled Phoebe, "and your meals are still the best."

"Damn right they are," laughed Piper. "Well, I need you guys to clean up when you're done. I've got to be heading for the studio."

"No problem," said Paige. "We did say we were going to help out while you're involved in this."

"Well, I guess I'll see you guys tonight," said Piper. "Today's meal is French and that's one I've always had trouble with."

"You'll do great, sweetie," Paige said. "We have faith in you."

"Thanks," said Piper. "I'll see you tonight."

Cole Turner sat at his desk. He looked over at his "In" box. It was piled high with paper, envelopes, folders, and all sorts of other work. To most attorneys it could be near overwhelming. Cole Turner was not most lawyers.

He passed his hand over the stack of work. Instantly the pile vanished from the box to reappear a moment later in his "Out" box. Several hours' worth of work finished in mere moments. Sometimes having the powers of upper level demons could be quite useful.

Just then his secretary came into the office. She was carrying a stack of letters with her. She glanced at the "Out" box but didn't say anything. She had long ago stopped asking how Cole was able to finish so much work so quickly.

"Here's your morning mail, Mr. Turner," said the young woman, putting part of the stack of envelopes on the desk. "As soon as I finish with these I'll be back to take care of your Out box."

"Thanks, Heidi," Cole said, thumbing through the letters. "No big rush. The only thing that's critical is the Henderson deposition. There's no rush on the rest of it. Anything of any interest today?"

"Just the usual," said Heidi. "Judge Parker called. He gave you the continuance on the Grippen case. And ADA Henson wants to discuss a plea agreement on the Coultrain case."

"Set up an appointment with Henson," said Cole. "That shouldn't take too long."

"I was wondering," said Heidi, glancing again at the "Out" box, "would it be possible for me to take off early this afternoon?"

"I don't see why not," said Cole. "As I said, there's nothing critical. Do you have a doctor's appointment or something?"

"Oh, no, nothing like that," said Heidi. "Actually, it's something personal. Do you remember that letter you got a while back asking if you wanted to be a celebrity judge for a cooking contest?"

"Vaguely," said Cole, not really remembering it at all.

"Well," said Heidi, "it's actually some sort of reality based television show. Each day they have a different studio audience and panel of local celebrity judges. Anyway, I learned that one of my favorite chefs is involved in the competition."

"And you thought you'd go lend him your support, is that it?" Cole asked, smiling at her.

"Something like that," said Heidi. "Only it's a she. She used to be a chef at Quake a couple of years ago. She's very good. I just thought I'd try to help her win if I could."

"Sounds like a worthwhile endeavor," said Cole. "Take off as early as you need."

"Thanks," said Heidi, smiling. "Piper is the best chef I ever knew. My husband and I used to eat at Quake all the time when she was there."

"Piper Halliwell?" Cole questioned.

"Why, yes," said Heidi. "Do you know her?"

"Sort of," said Cole, smiling again. "I was kind of married to her sister for a while."

"Really?" Heidi questioned. "I didn't know that."

"Ancient history," said Cole. "You said it was a reality based television show?"

"Yes," said Heidi. "Apparently the winner gets their own restaurant. Piper's a great chef and I'd like to help her win if I could."

"And you said they asked me to be a celebrity judge on this show?" Cole asked.

"Yes," said Heidi. "You're a celebrated attorney in San Francisco. As I remember they said they thought you'd make a good judge."

"Do you still have the information they sent us?" Cole asked.

"I should have," said Heidi. "It should be attached to the letter you sent them. You politely declined their offer."

"Get me the information, will you?" Cole asked. "If Piper's a contestant maybe I will be one of their celebrity judges after all."

"I'm not sure they'll let you," said Heidi. "I mean wouldn't that be considered a conflict of interest since you were married to her sister?"

"It can't hurt to check into it," said Cole.

"I'll get that letter right away," said Heidi.

As Heidi went to get the letter Cole thought about the turn of events. Piper's dream had always been to own her own restaurant. If he could help her realize that dream it would show Phoebe how good he was. That he truly had changed. Someone evil would never help another person realize their life long dream.

This was going to be easy. If, as Heidi had suggested, they wouldn't let him judge because of his association with Phoebe, his magic would get around that little obstacle. And once he was inside his magic would assure Piper won. Of course, he'd have to be careful. Neither Piper nor Phoebe could know he had used magic to help. He'd have to make it appear as if it had all happened naturally. Once Piper won he could tell them. Phoebe would have to agree that he was good if he helped Piper realize her dream.