As if anyone could.

"Oh!" She brought a red-nailed hand to her boobs and breathed deeply. "Oh, my! You're our mystery man!"

He smiled politely. "I understand you have the keys to Twelve thirty-two Hayden Circle."

"Well, of course, but… let me introduce myself." She rounded the corner of her desk, brushed a swinging hip against her in-box, and now stood too close to him, close enough that he got a blast of severe perfume and could see right down into the dark roots of her hair.

She held out her hand. "LoriSue Bettmyer. That's my married name. But I'm not married. I mean, well, we're separated." She shrugged and giggled. "I'll be going back to my maiden name professionally. Very soon now. Probably within the month."

"Great." He gave her hand a perfunctory shake. "I'm kind of in a hurry, so if you don't mind-'*

She smoothed her blouse again.

Joe looked at his watch.

"Oh! Please. Just follow me."

Then LoriSue Bettmyer strutted her stuff in front of Joe with such resolve that he feared she'd dislocate her pelvis. They went down the hall and out into the reception area of Sell-More Real Estate, where half a dozen women waited for him with open mouths and wide eyes. A pudgy grandmother type spilled her coffee.

"Everyone, this is Joseph Mills. He's the client who bought the Connor house."

They all nodded and stared at him as LoriSue bent over a file cabinet and rooted through envelopes, wiggling as she worked. Joe thought the woman should just get a tattoo on her rump that read: "I'm LoriSue and this is my ass." It would save time.

"So, are, you getting settled in?" the youngest of the women asked. She blinked rapidly.

"Just got to town. I need my keys before I can settle in."

"Oh! Right." She laughed nervously.

Then a rather mousy woman in a brown sweater asked, "Are your wife and children excited to be moving to Minton?"