Heh, no, you're not 'assigned to this case' yet. You'll each have your own little storylines to start the 3rd issue...as will every other PC, concurrent with one or two NPC storylines. That should be quite maddening for me.
A 37 diplomacy check... 37? Isn't this opposed by sense motive? Who in the hell has a 17 sense motive that can even try to oppose that!
*rattle rattle* 20! That's a 37 diplomacy check!
Diplomatic person: "Um... 'scuse me mister evil mastermind, but could you please forgoe your evilness, dismantle your sinister death ray and become the fifth teletubby?"
Evil Mastermind: "Well, damn... you convinced me!"
And the world was saved from ruin... and children rejoiced.
No, Bluff is opposed by Sense Motive, not Diplomacy. Diplomacy has static DCs to shift the attitude of your target or targets, from hostile to ally. However, there's quite a bit of leeway on determining when or even if Diplomacy is successful.
Well if it is any consolation Misha has a Sense Motive +10, and a Diplomacy Check of +15, with a +18 versus females and those that find him attractive with a Bluff of +14 as well, again +17 versus females