Transcript of encrypted message exchange between private investigator Veena Lion and her executive assistant, Janie Hall
VEENA LION: Looks like we’re getting the Archie Hughes case from that dirtbag Mostel. I hate the creep, but how can we resist something like this?
JANIE HALL: Hang on. You sure about this, boss? Do you remember the document you signed swearing you’d never, ever work for the DA again?
LION: This is different.
HALL: You had me notarize that document.
LION: Ha, that’s right. I did, didn’t I?
HALL: Not only that, but you had me become a notary just so I could notarize that document. There was a course, a written exam, a background check, not to mention the fees—
LION: Thereby giving you a lucrative side hustle. You’re welcome.
HALL: My point is, you were pretty sure about never working with DA Mostel again.
LION: Point taken, but this is the Archie Hughes case. There is no other case right now. This is the Beale and Adderall of murder cases.
HALL: Are you speaking your texts again? Did you mean the be-all and end-all?
LION: My fingers are occupied at the moment.
HALL: Ah, nice. Which color did you pick?
LION: You’ll see in about twenty minutes when I’m back at the office. In the meantime—
HALL: In the meantime you would like me to compile every possible scrap of coverage and footage from the past thirty-six hours as well as the usual deep-background dossier on Mr. Hughes and all of his known business associates.
LION: And everything the police have. Did you get that last part, Janie?
HALL: Oh, I see Detective Mickey Bernstein is on the case.
LION: Easy there, lady.
HALL: Yum.
LION: Archie Hughes files first, flirt with the handsome detective later.
HALL: Yes, boss. Anything else?
LION: A triple draft latte from La Colombe, please.
HALL: Cold espresso? You know it’s like two degrees outside, right?
LION: I have to swallow an ingestible recorder capsule and it goes down easier with something cold.
HALL: Is that a good idea, Veena?
LION: The latte or the hidden recording device?
HALL: Either. But especially the device.
LION: It will dissolve in a few hours, you know that. Just make sure the file has uploaded to the server and have a transcription prepared.
HALL: What I mean is, if Mostel finds out—
LION: I’m after the truth, no matter what state privacy laws say. Also, that pompous windbag won’t suspect a thing.