Bones of the Lost by Kathy Reichs Read Free Book Online

quickly.”
    Noncommittal silence.
    “I’m with the medical examiner’s office.”
    “Yes. I just phoned you at this number.”
    “I’m working on the Peruvian mummy bundles.”
    “You’re the anthropologist?”
    “I am.” Matching Dew’s prim with prim. “I wondered if I might have some background on the case. On Dominick Rockett, the importer.”
    Dew gave an annoyed little click of his tongue.
    “Sir?”
    “Importers are legal and adhere to U.S. Customs regulations. They file proper paperwork. They bring in only what is allowed. None of that applies to Mr. Rockett in the matter of these artifacts.”
    Of
these
artifacts?
    “Has your agency had other interactions with Rockett?”
    “I am not at liberty to say.”
    Alrighty, then.
    But I hadn’t called Dew to talk about smuggling. His Peruvian dogs were simply my lead-in, a means to schmooze him for what I really wanted to know.
    “Can you share anything on Rockett?”
    “I cannot divulge the specifics of an open file.”
    And I don’t give a rat’s ass about Dominick Rockett.
    “I understand, sir. But mummified dogs are unusual for this facility. I assume you got a peek at the one that was partially unwrapped?”
    More noncommittal silence. But a hitch in Dew’s breathing suggested he might be thawing.
    “If that pooch opened its eyes and asked for Alpo, it wouldn’t surprise me.” I chuckled, congenial as hell. “He’s that well preserved.”
    “Is he.”
    “These dogs were quite a score for your department.”
    “You wouldn’t believe the items we confiscate.” Did the prig actually sniff?
    “I’m sure the array is impressive.”
    “Take rhinoceros horns. Traditionally, smugglers would grind them and hide the powder inside statues or other hollow objects. Now they’re importing whole heads, declaring them as legal antiques. They sever the horns, replace them with synthetics, and think they’re in business. How dumb do they think we are?”
    “The Peruvian dogs came through Charlotte-Douglas, right?”
    “Smuggling isn’t limited to big cities. Contraband can arrive at any port of entry.” Dew was opening up, though revealing only what was public knowledge. I knew the ploy. Had used it myself. “Did you read about the Tyrannosaurus bones seized up north?”
    “Sir?”
    “A semicomplete skeleton from the Gobi Desert. The imbeciles listed it on two different importation documents. As if we wouldn’t check. “Yep. Dew actually sniffed in disdain. “They declared reptile heads, broken fossil bones, and a couple of lizards.”
    “What was the tip-off?” I picked up and started flipping a pen on my blotter.
    “The materials were wildly undervalued. But the flashing red was the information entered as country of origin.”
    “Which was?”
    “England.”
    “Tyrannosaurus-on-Thames?”
    “Yes. The Mongolians had a giggle over that.” Delivered without a hint of a laugh.
    “Good work.”
    “The American people don’t fully appreciate what ICE does for international relations.”
    “I’m sure the Peruvian government is thrilled you recovered their artifacts.”
    “Which brings up a good point. Their head archaeologist is quite anxious to have the specimens returned promptly. And he very much hopes your examination can be as noninvasive as possible.”
    “Of course. I’m hoping I can see all that I need to with X-rays.”
    There was a long pause. Then, “I suppose I can share some facts,since you are involved in the case. The mummy bundles arrived as part of a shipment of pottery. Apparently Mr. Rockett thought we couldn’t tell bones from ceramics.”
    “Seems pretty amateurish. Has Rockett been in the import business for long?”
    “Since the early nineties.”
    “In all that time he’s never been caught with illegal goods?”
    “Mr. Rockett has either been straight, careful, or extraordinarily lucky. But the gentleman’s luck ran out on this one. The bundles turned up in a random check.”
    “What’s his