I think you are working on this, but I thought I would ask for it anyway – I have your notes in the right column.

would在这里是表示will的过去式，表示过去打算做某件事情。邮件本意是我现在就很想问一下事情的近况，用过去式表示委婉！

If you could, please try to get these items for us today.

could在这里是表示可能性较低