The Detective

Pain tore through my chest. I struggled to breath, my lungs unresponsive, my heart fluttering weakly. The world seemed to fade into the background, but not quite like they tell you it happens on TV. Things didn't slow down, they just got less important. You'd think, with the hole in my chest, I could have been spared the pain of hitting the ground. Nope.
I suppose it is a bit unfair of me to start here, wherever here is (hopefully not the end of our story, I mean, I haven't even gotten paid yet). Alright, I'll recap for you. About a month ago I got a call, went something like this:
"Robert Locke, investigations."
"Mr. Locke, I may have need of your services."
"I see, would you like to come in and talk with me in person? I don't usually accept jobs without being able to shake on it."
"I am afraid, Mr. Locke, that will not be possible in this case. However, I am hoping that the substantial sum of money I am prepared to offer you will be enough to persuade you to take this case."
There was a pause, probably for me to think about what he'd just said. There is an old maxim that goes something like 'every man has his price'. Now, I knew very well that I had mine, but there is one thing you learn quick in this business, and that is: if the money is good, the job ain't. Doesn't mean I'd turn down the money, just a way of keeping myself cautious.
"How much are you prepared to offer?"
"You will be given $20,000 in advance. We will cover expenses, within reason of course. Finally, upon completion of your task you will be paid $500,000."
There was another pause. This one was mainly caused by my brain quickly processing a long series of thoughts.
"And what, exactly, would I be doing to earn this sum of money?"
"We need you to track down and retrieve something that has been stolen from us, Mr. Locke. That is all."
"That's all, eh? Six hundred thousand, then."
"I am afraid I am not authorized to give you more money, Mr. Locke."
"Ah, so you aren't the one offering me the money. I would assume these authorizers are rest of the 'we' you keep mentioning? If you're offering 500 grand that means I am getting into a hell of a lot more than parcel services. You don't wanna share, fine, but that means I need more money, so go discuss amongst yourselves and get back to me when you can offer me the six hundred and fifty thousand."
The man on the phone paused. It wasn't a long pause, but it was a heavy one.

"One moment, Mr. Locke"

I listened to hold music for a few minutes, then my mysterious benefactor came back on the line.

"six hundred thousand, twenty of it in advance, we cover expenses. That is the offer."

"Alright, I'll take the job. You going to brief me and give me my advance through the phone or what?"

"The money will be transferred to you immediately, and a brief has been sent via secure channels to your office. Both should arrive before evening. Start immediately. While the object in question is not time sensitive, our profits are, and they are where your paycheck is coming from."