Page 16 of Lion & Lamb

LAMB: Goody. Can you both hear me? Am I on speaker? Excellent. Tomorrow I am headed into the mouth of madness that is the locker room of the Philadelphia Eagles. Yes, your father, the man who provided quite a bit of your DNA, will be interviewing the possible NFC champions tomorrow. I’d like you to give me your autograph requests in order of preference.

COOPER LAMB JR.: Cool!

ARIEL: Isn’t that highly unethical? To use your privileged access for personal gain?

COOPER JR.: Will you shut up, Airy?

LAMB: No, Coop, my boy, your sister makes an excellent point. And you know what? I’m scared straight. See this leaf? It’s turning over. Thanks for setting me straight, daughter.

ARIEL: Uh-huh.

LAMB: (Whispering) Coop, text me who you want. Don’t tell the killjoy.

Chapter12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, January 24

STATEMENT FROM COMMISSIONER MAHONEY REGARDING THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH OF ARCHIE HUGHES

As the city of Philadelphia—and, indeed, the world—continues to mourn the loss of “Greatest of All Time” Eagles quarterback and beloved father and husband Archibald “Archie” Hughes, I want to assure my fellow citizens that justice will be sure and swift.

We have created a special task force composed of dozens of highly trained detectives, forensic analysts, and scientists.

Detective Michael Bernstein is leading the task force investigating this brutal crime, and he assures me they have made tremendous progress in the past thirty-six hours. There are already several persons of interest.

Our hearts and prayers are with Archie’s friends and family, especially Francine Pearl Hughes and their wonderful children, Maddie and Archie Jr., in this extremely difficult time. I urge the citizens of this city to treat the family with the greatest respect and understanding and refrain from any ugly public displays. Such behavior will not be tolerated.

If you have any information regarding the case, you may contact the department safely and anonymously on ourtip line.

Chapter13

9:50 p.m.

“HENDRICK’S MARTINI,up, with Noilly Prat vermouth, just a splash, and three blue-cheese-stuffed olives.”

Veena Lion gave her order without looking up from the menu. The bar was dim, but her eyes remained hidden behind her sunglasses.

“And I’ll have the Citywide Special,” Cooper Lamb said. “Thanks, sweetie.”

Veena raised an eyebrow. “You know we’re not at Dirty Frank’s, right?”

“The Citywide Special, as the name implies, is honored all over the city,” Cooper said. He looked up at the server. “Is this not true?”

The server smiled shyly. “I’ll see what I can do.” Cooper watched her leave, then turned to see that Veena had been watching him watching the server leave. “What?”

Veena shrugged. “She’s going to bring you the Rittenhouse Hotel version of the Citywide, you know.”

“A thimble’s worth of WhistlePig and a jewel-encrusted goblet of Duvel?”

“My point is, it’s going to be more than five bucks.”

“Good thing you’re picking up the tab.”

“Oh, am I?”

“Of course you are—you’ve got that big DA paycheck coming.”

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