Page 34 of Lion & Lamb

Chapter29

Transcript of encrypted message exchange between private Veena Lion and Janie Hall

JANIE HALL: Hey, V., you know that chef you interviewed earlier today?

VEENA LION: Oh, did April find him a job already?

HALL: What job? No. Veena, this is important: He’s over at Lankenau. Someone beat the hell out of him and then shot him twice. You there? You’ve been typing a long time…

LION: Is Roy alive?

HALL: I’m waiting for a call back from one of the nurses. She’s a friend from high school, a straight shooter, so she’ll give me the real deal.

LION: Okay, I’m headed there now. Give me any updates as soon you hear.

HALL: Of course. But V., be careful out there.

LION: I appreciate that, but I’m not the person who was attacked.

HALL: Sure, but the person who did the attacking is still out there. And he might have been watching Chef Nguyen. More to the point, he might have watched you meeting with Chef Nguyen just a few hours ago.

Chapter30

Transcript of Detective Michael Bernstein’s recorded interview with Justin Sugarman, aka Shuggie, currently residing in a homeless camp on Lemon Hill

MICHAEL BERNSTEIN: Justin? Hey, man, you around? I’m looking for Justin Sugarman!

JUSTIN “SHUGGIE” SUGERMAN: Quiet down, yo, I’m tryin’ to sleep.

BERNSTEIN: That you, Justin? It’s your old pal Mickey Bernstein!

SHUGGIE: Man, stop that Justin shit. You know everyone calls me Shuggie.

BERNSTEIN: Ah, there you are. Come on out, let me see that pretty face. How’s it going, Shuggie?

SHUGGIE: Living my best life, man. You know me. The usual ups and downs. Mostly downs, if I’m being honest. But I don’t let that keep me down, if you know what mean.

BERNSTEIN: I don’t understand half the shit you say, ifI’mbeing honest. But I think you can help me out with something.

SHUGGIE: No way, man. I don’t help the police. Y’all hear that? (Shouts) I don’t help law enforcement, like, ever!

BERNSTEIN: Save the outrage, Shuggie. No one else is around right now. Who could handle all the raccoons and garbage?

SHUGGIE: No, that’s cool, man. You always insult people whose help you desperately need?

BERNSTEIN: Often as I can. Did you happen to see Archie Hughes’s Maserati a few nights ago?

SHUGGIE: Come on, man. Get out of my camp.

BERNSTEIN: This so-called camp belongs to the city. I could tellyouto leave.

SHUGGIE: Yeah, that’s just perfect. Price hardworkin’ people out of every affordable living space so we’re all forced to live in a dump like rats. And then you want to take away our dump! So what are the rats supposed to do, huh, Mr. Detective?

BERNSTEIN: I don’t know, Shug. Maybe the rat should just answer my questions. Did you see the Maserati or not?

SHUGGIE: Screw you.

BERNSTEIN: You’ll have to talk to the missus about that, but I don’t think she’s flexible.

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