"'I can guess,'" Raven said. His voice quiet, the low register of someone speaking in a room where someone else was sleeping. "'You picked up.'"
"'I always pick up.'" A pause. The movement sounds of someone adjusting their position in a bed. "'You sound satisfied with yourself.'"
"'I must say,'" he said, looking at the notification again. "'You have remarkable connections.'"
"'I have necessary connections,'" Veronica said. The precise distinction of someone who was calibrating a compliment. "'There's a difference. When are you coming here?'"
"'Soon.'"
"'You say soon every time.'"
"'I mean soon this time.'"
A pause. The disbelieving pause.
"'The one I have with me,'" she said, "'seems like a priority candidate. I want you to evaluate her.'"
"'Send me the file again,'" he said. "'I'll look at it tomorrow.'"
