Page 29 of Lion & Lamb

“OH, ANDthis is Maya,” Francine told Cooper.

Maya Rain—the “hillbilly from West Virginia,” as Glenn Sable had called her—was sitting cross-legged on the floor with the Hughes children as they played with Lupe, who was relishing all of the attention.

“Traitor,” Cooper told his pup.

“Quiet, kids. Mr. Lamb is a private eye,” Maya said in mock fear. “His job is to listen to everything we say.”

“I think Mr. Lamb is a sheep!” announced five-year-old Maddie Hughes, who was utterly adorable.“Baaaaa,”she said. This was followed by a giggle fit.

“I’ve been called worse,” Cooper said. “And don’t worry, Ms. Rain, I’m just here to retrieve my partner, Lupe, who is clearly falling down on the job. Unless he’s managed to take statements from all of you between treats?”

Three people in the room—Francine, Maya Rain, and Maddie—smiled at the joke, but not twelve-year-old Archie Hughes Jr.

The boy sat on the floor too, legs crossed, but his attention was miles away. Cooper had seen that look before. Back when he was in the army, Cooper had spent countless days in Fallujah and Baghdad staring into the eyes of children who’d lost a parent and couldn’t understand why everyone was acting like nothing was wrong. Cooper felt his heart implode.

Maya Rain caught Cooper looking at Archie Jr. and quickly stood up. “Let me show Mr. Lamb out while you kids have your snack.”

“Thank you so much, Maya,” said Francine.

“Children, I’ll be rightbaaaaaack,” Maya said, which made Maddie giggle all over again. Maya looped her arm through Cooper’s and gently guided him toward the servants’ entrance.

The touch wasn’t flirtatious—it was as if she knew he needed to touch another human being in that moment, which was even more startling.

Transcript of recorded conversation between Cooper Lamb and Maya Rain

COOPER LAMB: I’d love to speak with you too, if you have a minute.

MAYA RAIN: Not here. Not right now.

LAMB: Where and when?

RAIN: Hmm. That eager to see me again?

LAMB: I’m just doing my job, and your name has come up a lot.

RAIN: I’m sure it has. I’ll be in touch.

LAMB: Where and when?

RAIN: I don’t know. The kids keep me pretty busy most days. Cleaning up messes, that’s what I do.

LAMB: Funny—looks like we’re in the same business. But name the time and place. Seriously.

RAIN: I’ll let Lupe know. And be careful on your way out, Cooper. Mr. Lopez is picky about the grounds.

Transcript of recorded conversation between Cooper Lamb and Mauricio Lopez

COOPER LAMB: Hey, you’re Mr. Lopez, right? My name is Cooper, and I’m working for Ms. Hughes’s lawyers. Do you have a moment?

MAURICIO LOPEZ: That stupid dog is going to dig up my garden!

LAMB: That dog’s name is Lupe and he will do no such thing. I wanted to ask you about the g—

LOPEZ: I can’t speak right now. I’m sorry.

LAMB: It’s just a simple question and nothing you haven’t already told the police.

LOPEZ: What is that in your hand? No tape-recording!

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