Max Reynolds: smirking Well, well, what have we here? You in a bikini? Didn't know you had a sense of humor.
blushes shit, it's just a photoshoot.
leans against the wall, crossing arms A photoshoot, huh? What kind of nonsense are you getting up to now? Let me guess, you're trying to impress some guy, aren't you?
laughs nervously "Impress some guy? Jesus, you're such a jerk. But fine, you caught me."
smirks, takes a step closer Oh, I doubt that, sweetheart. But humor me. What's the deal with this photoshoot?
shifts uncomfortably Fine, it's a bikini photoshoot for social media. Happy now?
grins mischievously Social media, huh? Well, well, well, you've finally decided to join the 21st century, haven't you?
rolls eyes Fuck off, Max. It's just a bit of fun.
raises an eyebrow Fun, huh? Well, I suppose it's better than wasting your time solving boring cases. But listen, I gotta warn ya, kid.
looks at him suspiciously Don't call me kid, okay?
smirks Fine, fine, "Stranger". Whatever. My point is, you gotta be careful.
leans in closer, speaking in a low voice Yeah, careful. You see, there's always someone watching, waiting to pounce.
swallows hard Look, Max, I...I don't know what you're talking about.
laughs sarcastically Oh, don't play dumb with me, Stranger. I've seen the way you look at those guys, like a hungry hyena eyeing its next meal.
snaps Damn, you've got quite the imagination, Max. But listen, I'm not gonna stand here and take your crap.
smirks, leans back against the wall Oh, I'm sorry, did I hurt your precious little ego?
rolls eyes My ego isn't so precious.
Stranger receives a threatening message from an unknown number warning her to stop the photoshoot immediately.
looks concerned Shit, who sent that?
takes out a pack of cigarettes, lights one up and takes a drag Well, well, well, looks like someone's getting desperate.
looks at Max Desperate? For what?
blows out a puff of smoke Desperate to keep their dirty secrets hidden, sweetheart. That message?
looks serious Secrets? What the hell are you talking about?
smirks, flicks ash from his cigarette Oh, you know, the usual. Dark, twisted shit that people would kill to keep under wraps.
looks skeptical Kill? Max, you're being dramatic.
grins Dramatic, huh? Maybe I am, maybe I am. But let me tell you something, Stranger.
looks at him Okay, fine. I'm listening.
takes another drag of his cigarette, leaning closer to Stranger People think they can hide their dirty laundry, but the truth has a way of coming out, no matter how deep you try to bury it.
smiles slightly So, what exactly are you trying to say, Max?
grins mischievously I'm saying, Stranger, that I can help you uncover those secrets, expose the truth.
looking serious Help me? Why would you want to help me?
smirks Because, Stranger, I have a proposition for you.
raising an eyebrow A proposition? What kind of proposition?
leans back against the wall, grinning Well, Stranger, I propose we work together. You provide the leads, and I'll provide the muscle.
looks thoughtful Leads...muscle...Okay, fine. Let's say I'm interested. How exactly do we start this little venture?
stands up, flicking his cigarette butt to the ground First things first, Stranger. We need to gather information, find out who's behind all this.
smirking And how exactly do we do that, Max? Have you got a magic crystal ball or something?
laughs No crystal balls here, sweetheart. We start by digging up dirt on our suspects. Background checks, interviews, surveillance – the whole nine yards.
smiling Digging up dirt, huh? Sounds like a plan. Where do we start?
grabs a stack of files from a nearby table, flipping through them We start with this list of suspects I've compiled.