Page 70 of Fire and Bones

The ferocious eyes rose again, wide and excited.

“Are you ready for this?”

“Hit me,” I said.

Before Doyle could do that, my mobile rang.

CHAPTER 16

The ginger brows floated to the ginger hairline. In a moment of boredom, I’d switched my ringtone to Jelly Roll singing “Need a Favor.”

“Sorry,” I said, recognizing the number. “This has to do with the subcellar vic.”

“Take it,” she said.

“Brennan,” I answered.

“Waylon Colt here.” Then, in case I didn’t recall his name, “At NYP Corp.”

“Thanks for getting back to me, Mr. Colt.”

Doyle made a “who-the-hell” face at me.

“Do you mind if I put you on speaker, Mr. Colt?”

“I sure as sugar don’t.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Your bag’s a good un’,” Colt said. “But it took some digging to track her down.”

Which was my cue to say how much I appreciated his help.

“I really appreciate your help, sir.”

I mouthed “burlap bag” to Doyle. She shook her head, not understanding.

“Yes, ma’am. Your Swifty Spud’s a dandy. Can’t say as I minded looking her up.”

“I’m glad you found the burlap bag of interest.”

I enunciated clearly for Doyle’s sake. She raised a thumb to show she got my meaning.

“I’ll cut right to the chase, seeing as that’s what you said you was after. That bag was made by KAT, Inc. of Patterson, New Jersey. She was produced as a limited run for only five years.”

I waited for Colt to expand. He didn’t.

“And those five years were?” I prompted.

Colt made a chuttery noise that might have been a chuckle.

“Your bag is a war baby. Born between 1940 and 1945.”

“That’s very helpful, Mr. Colt. Thank you so much.”

“You’re most welcome, ma’am. You ever want to sell that lovely lady, you give me a ring.”

“Will do.”

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