Page 8 of Lion & Lamb

“What is this concerning?”

“You’ll have to speak with the district attorney about that.”

Veena sighed. “Why don’t you spare me the suspense.”

“As I said,” the voice continued, barely containing the speaker’s annoyance, “you’ll have to talk to the dis—”

Veena tapped the earbud, ending the call. She exhaled slowly, letting the tension leave her body. The girl in the mask raised her eyebrows. Veena held up her index finger:Wait for it.Her phone buzzed again.

“Apologies, Ms. Lion—please don’t hang up!”

“Who is this?”

“It’s the district attorney’s office! This is about Archie Hughes. Might you have a moment or two to speak with Mr. Mostel?”

“Let Mr. Mostel know that I’ll stop by his office at my earliest convenience.”

“Couldn’t you spare a moment now?”

“Right now,” Veena said, “is not convenient.”

Veena ended the call. Waited. The phone did not buzz a third time. The girl in the mask raised her eyebrows again. Veena shrugged. The girl in the mask resumed her work. “You know what? I believe I will have some wine.”

“Red or white?”

“Consider what you know about me, then follow your instincts.”

The nail girl’s mask twisted up, barely hiding the wry smile beneath. “I thought you didn’t drink while you were working.”

“Sometimes it’s absolutely necessary. Andsometimeshappens to be right now.”

While Veena waited for her beverage, she tapped her earbud three times.

Chapter4

Transcript of encrypted message exchange between private investigator Veena Lion and her executive assistant, Janie Hall

VEENA LION: Looks like we’re getting the Archie Hughes case from that dirtbag Mostel. I hate the creep, but how can we resist something like this?

JANIE HALL: Hang on. You sure about this, boss? Do you remember the document you signed swearing you’d never, ever work for the DA again?

LION: This is different.

HALL: You had me notarize that document.

LION: Ha, that’s right. I did, didn’t I?

HALL: Not only that, but you had me become a notary just so I could notarize that document. There was a course, a written exam, a background check, not to mention the fees—

LION: Thereby giving you a lucrative side hustle. You’re welcome.

HALL: My point is, you were pretty sure about never working with DA Mostel again.

LION: Point taken, but this is the Archie Hughes case. There is no other case right now. This is the Beale and Adderall of murder cases.

HALL: Are you speaking your texts again? Did you mean thebe-all and end-all?

LION: My fingers are occupied at the moment.

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