Sophie called an emergency meeting at Marlene's Corner, and I received the text at seven in the morning. Seventeen messages in rapid succession, all capital letters and excessive exclamation points, the words "EMERGENCY" and "URGENT" and "DROP EVERYTHING" featured prominently.
Kevin received the same messages and forwarded me his reply: "I'll bring my laptop." Marlene received the messages and responded with a single emoji... a slice of cake... which Sophie had interpreted as enthusiastic agreement.
I left Elaine at the penthouse with a cup of tea and a vague explanation about "friend obligations." She waved me away without looking up from her book. "Go. Your chaotic waitress needs you. I'll observe your assistant and determine if he's truly sufficient."
"He's sufficient, Aunt Elaine."
"I'll be the judge of that."
