Page 201 of Mayhem and Minnie

“Yes?”

“I have secured the remains. We are loading them on the jet as we speak. They should reach you sometime in the morning,” he states, cutting straight to the chase.

“Perfect. Good job, Giles.”

“You owe me one, Marlowe.” He chuckles.

“I’m letting you fuck my mother. I’d say we’re even,” I add drily and hang up.

Minnie is watching me with a perplexed expression on her face.

“What was that about?”

“A surprise.” I wink at her. “I have a very special surprise planned for you tomorrow.”

Her face lights up just like her former fiancé’s remains are going to light up in my furnace—after I desecrate them a bit more.

I might be a little mad at her for hiding so much from me, especially concerning her amorous past. But I’ll take my anger out on Lucien’s remains.

Ah, but the anticipation is killing me.

I just hope Minnie will be a good sport about it.

27

When I asked for Lucien’s remains to be brought to me, I expected some scattered bones, maybe a few textile scraps.

I didn’t expect a mummified body!

I stare in shock at the large box Giles brought over.

His skin is a brownish color, and though a little desiccated, his face retains most of its features.

High cheekbones, a defined jaw, and a strong nose. His eyes are closed, lending him a peaceful image in his death—almost as if he were asleep.

He’s still wearing his military uniform, though some of the material is worn and torn.

“What’s this, Giles?” I ask as I raise my gaze to meet the nonchalant one of my secretary.

“Lucien de Vitry,” he answers in a bored tone.

“That I know. But how the hell does an old corpse look like this? Shouldn’t he be a mass of bones right now?”

Giles purses his lips.

“His burial place was on a plot of land in Southern France. Incidentally, that happens to be one of the only peat bog locations in France.”

I frown.

“Peat bog? What’s that?”

He rolls his eyes.

“It’s a type of wetland that accumulates large deposits of dead plants. It’s known to be a good environment for natural mummification.” He pauses. “I should let you know that I had a very hard time finding the body, especially considering your deadline. The area is a national reservation and access is prohibited to the public. You have no idea the ropes I had to pull to even find the burial place, let alone find someone willing to go dig for it.”

“Yet you found it,” I remark.

“I’m good at my job.” He inclines his head.

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