Transcript of private conversation between Cooper Lamb and Lisa Marchese, senior partner at Kaplan, DePaulo, and Marchese, captured using an ambient recording app on Lamb’s smartwatch
LISA MARCHESE: You’re seriously going to walk away from the biggest murder case in Philadelphia history?
COOPER LAMB: Why don’t you try Veena Lion? She’s the best. Well, second best, if I may be so immodest.
MARCHESE: Maybe we already called Veena.
LAMB: Nah, she’d never work for you guys. She hates big law firms even more than she hates authority figures.
MARCHESE: You’ve had no problem cashing our checks in the past.
LAMB: And in the past, the checks have been generous. But when it comes to…what did you say? “The biggest murder case in Philadelphia history”?
MARCHESE: Ah. I see. You’re negotiating.
LAMB: Of course I am. I wouldn’t want you to lowball me simply because I’d kill for this job. I loved Archie and I pretty much bleed Eagles green. I bet on them every week, even during their not-so-stellar seasons. And I’ve had a massive crush on Francine Pearl ever since that music video where she’s wearing that…ah, never mind. But yeah. I’m all in. Wait, what are you writing there?
MARCHESE: How’s this for a retainer?
LAMB: That is…impressive. Lupe, my faithful friend, I think that will keep you in dried salmon treats for months to come.
MARCHESE: So we have an agreement?
LAMB: Just one thing. Two things, actually.
MARCHESE: Go on.
LAMB: I’ll need full access to the team. And the owners.
MARCHESE: You don’t honestly believe one of Archie’s own teammates murdered him, do you? Or the Sables?
LAMB: Maybe I’m a huge fan and milking this situation for all it’s worth.
MARCHESE: I’m sorry, what?
LAMB: Maybe I promised my kids some autographs.
MARCHESE: But—
LAMB: Or maybe I’m really good at my job, and you should trust my instincts.
MARCHESE: (Sighs) Fine. What’s the other thing?
LAMB: If you hire me, I’m not going to stop until I find the truth.
MARCHESE: That’s what we want.
LAMB: Even if the truth is very bad for your client?
MARCHESE: (Slight hesitation) That’s what we want, Lamb.
LAMB: You’ve got yourself a private eye, Marchese.