VEENA KNEW the kids were a deflection, but she went along with it; she’d wanted to meet them anyway. The boy was in sixth grade, and the girl—who was a miniature version of her famous mother—was a kindergartner. Both were absorbed in their handheld devices and barely noticed Veena’s entrance.
“This is Miss Veena Lion,” Maya said. “She’s a private investigator who is working with the district attorney.”
“Rowrr,” Maddie said, then collapsed into giggles.
The son, Archie Jr., looked up. “You’re helping the DA find out who did this.”
“I’m trying my best, Archie,” Veena replied. “What are you watching on your phone?”
“Just some stuff on YouTube.”
“The hour before dinner is device time,” Maya explained. “I don’t want you thinking the worst of me.”
“No judgments here. I live on my phone.”
“The police asked us lots of questions already,” Archie Jr. said. As he lowered his phone Veena stole a glance at the screen. Based on the graphics and framing, the boy was watching some sort of true-crime show.
“Yeah? What kinds of things did they ask you?”
Maya rubbed Archie Jr.’s shoulders. “You should probably wash up before dinner.”
“Lions go rowrr,” Maddie said, then giggled again.
“That’s right, they do.”
“Do all private eyes have animal names?” Archie Jr. asked.
Responding to Veena’s puzzled expression, Maya said, “A colleague of yours was by earlier today.”
“Ah, Mr. Cooper Lamb,” Veena said, nodding.
“Lambs go baaaaa and lions go rowrr,” Maddie announced. “Do you know his dog, Loopy? He’s so cute!”
“I know Lupe, and he is indeed adorable,” Veena said. “But watch out for Mr. Lamb. Sometimes big bad wolves like to hide in sheep’s clothing.”
This caught Maya’s attention, just as Veena had intended it to.