Page 9 of Lion & Lamb

HALL: Ah, nice. Which color did you pick?

LION: You’ll see in about twenty minutes when I’m back at the office. In the meantime—

HALL: In the meantime you would like me to compile every possible scrap of coverage and footage from the past thirty-six hours as well as the usual deep-background dossier on Mr. Hughes and all of his known business associates.

LION: And everything the police have. Did you get that last part, Janie?

HALL: Oh, I see Detective Mickey Bernstein is on the case.

LION: Easy there, lady.

HALL: Yum.

LION: Archie Hughes files first, flirt with the handsome detective later.

HALL: Yes, boss. Anything else?

LION: A triple draft latte from La Colombe, please.

HALL: Cold espresso? You know it’s like two degrees outside, right?

LION: I have to swallow an ingestible recorder capsule and it goes down easier with something cold.

HALL: Is that a good idea, Veena?

LION: The latte or the hidden recording device?

HALL: Either. But especially the device.

LION: It will dissolve in a few hours, you know that. Just make sure the file has uploaded to the server and have a transcription prepared.

HALL: What I mean is, if Mostel finds out—

LION: I’m after the truth, no matter what state privacy laws say. Also, that pompous windbag won’t suspect a thing.

Chapter5

Transcript of conversation between Veena Lion and Philadelphia district attorney Eliott K. Mostel

ELIOTT K. MOSTEL: So, to be clear, you’re prepared to swear on a Holy Bible that you don’t have a tape recorder on you? Like, anywhere?

VEENA LION: Do you see a recording device anywhere, Eliott?

MOSTEL: I’m not falling for that again, Veena. You tapeeverything. I found out the hard way, if you recall. I’m thinking of the Gillespie case specifically.

LION: I recall the Gillespie case. Specifically. And I never used the tape in court.

MOSTEL: I just want to make it clear that if youdohave such a device and this conversation is being recorded right now, it’s a felony. Pennsylvania takes privacy law seriously.

LION: Do you want to send me to jail or do you have a job for me?

MOSTEL: At times I find you needlessly infuriating, Veena. Do you know that?

LION: How about we skip the flattery and get down to it.

MOSTEL: Can you at least take off the sunglasses? I’d like to see your eyes as you insult me.

LION: No.

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