The Past
Young Emerson gets his start as a private investigator thanks to his mother, private investigator Callista Cod. Mother and son worked together as detectives throughout Emerson's childhood, and vowed to never let lies come between them.The Present
Emerson is trying to get his pop-up book, L'il Gumshoe published, in the hopes that it will bring his daughter back to him. But his investigation is derailed when his own mother pays a visit; despite his promise to never lie to his mother, he never told her that he had had a child.The Pie Hole crew—plus Callista—gets involved in the death of Joe, who says his "best friend" did it. But Joe was a "frescort", a friend-for-hire, in the employ of "My Best Friend, Inc.", and had several best friends.
He also had a roommate: amateur taxidermist Randy Mann. Ned recognizes a kindred spirit.
Tropes
- Born Detective: Emerson started so early his mother was using him as part of her stings when he was still an infant.
- Disposable Frescort: Joe, whose death they are investigating in this episode.
- Meaningful Name: Buddy Amicus, who works as a Frescort.
- Paid-for Family: The Frescorts business provides companionship for people who struggle to make friends.
- Similar Squad: Randy Mann is Ned without the supernatural ability.
- So Beautiful, It's a Curse: Veronica Villanueva used the Frescort service because her good looks made it nearly impossible for her to make friends the traditional way. Men just saw her as a potential conquest and women would get jealous of her looks/the attention she'd get.
- Victoria's Secret Compartment: Veronica keeps her money and a picture of Joe in her cleavage.
