Page 64 of Dial L for Lawyer
I show Serena the text. "Your friend is demanding you have fun."
"Layla doesn't demand. She orchestrates situations where resistance is futile."
"You should go," Logan says, not looking up from his screen. "Both of you. Let me work on cracking this system. Sometimes it's easier without distractions."
"I don't have anything to wear to a club," Serena protests.
"The dress you're wearing is fine."
Logan finally looks up. "She can't wear cashmere to Violet Room. She'll get drink spilled on it within five minutes."
"Speaking from experience?"
"Speaking from watching drunk girls destroy expensive clothing every weekend." He pauses. "Not that I go there every weekend. Just... sometimes. When Dominic drags me."
My phone buzzes again.
Dominic:
As if I'd ever say no to a night out. Someone make sure Logan is there. Watching him try to flirt is better than Netflix.
"You're coming tonight," I tell Logan.
"I have work to do?—"
"You just said you need hours to crack the system. You can do that tomorrow."
"But—"
Serena cuts him off. "Audrey will be there. She's been doing some new tests on NeuraTech's cross-applications. Something about using the neural mapping for predictive behavioral modeling in addiction treatment?"
Logan's head snaps up so fast I'm worried about whiplash. "She cracked the dopamine pathway problem?"
"I... maybe?" Serena looks confused. "She mentioned something about isolating neural patterns during craving episodes?—"
"Holy shit." Logan's eyes go wide. "That would mean she could theoretically predict relapse triggers before they happen. The applications for addiction medicine would be revolutionary. We could save thousands of lives, maybe millions if we scale it globally." He's practically vibrating. "How did she solve the noise-to-signal ratio? The last papers I read said the neuralstatic made it impossible to get clean readings during emotional dysregulation?—"
He slams his laptop closed and starts shoving everything into his bag with manic energy.
"Ten o'clock, right? Violet Room?" He's already heading for the door. "I need to review the latest journal articles on neural pathway mapping. And shower. And find something clean to wear. Fuck, I hope she brings her data models?—"
He's gone before we can point out that's not how dates work.
"That was..." Serena starts.
"Easier than expected."
"I've never seen him move that fast."
"You weaponized neuroscience." I pull her closer. "I'm genuinely impressed."
"Audrey's going to be thrilled. She's been dying to talk to someone who actually understands her work." She finishes her scotch. "Now, are you taking me home to change or not?"
"Definitely taking you home. The changing part is negotiable."
She laughs, grabbing her blazer. "Non-negotiable. I'm not wearing this beautiful dress to a nightclub."
"Fine. But I'm watching you change."
