Page 2 of 1st Shock
"Small head," I comment.
"A child?"
"I didn't say that. Maybe a woman. We'll see."
I set Avery—a nice, gender neutral name—back on the table and walk to the narrow storage closet where I keep extra sculpting stands.
"Tell me about her," I say as I place the skull on one. "Do we have the rest of her?"
"Not all, but some. ME has them."
"Animals got to her?"
JJ shrugs. "I'm guessing. They searched the area around the body, but we're still missing twenty-five percent of the bones."
Like I said, the wrath of the elements. "Cause of death?"
"Based on fractures in the neck area, ME says asphyxiation."
Interesting. "Can I see what you have?"
I have a process and part of it is seeing all the bones, getting the measurements and figuring out the person's height and age.
JJ nods. Of course. He knows I'm good. The myriad of awards hanging in our reception area attest to it. Plus, this isn't his first rodeo.
I circle the stand, examining the back, running one hand over the smoothness. I reach the front, my fingers lightly touching Avery's cheek and lower jaw and something inside me fires.
"JJ."
At the sound of my sister's voice, I glance at the doorway where Charlie's gaze is glued to the Emperor. He smiles at her and the energy in the room changes. Charlie and JJ have a...thing. Insane chemistry that crackles between them every time they get within ten feet of each other. I'd like to tell them to get a room, but their relationship is complicated. He's in the process of a divorce and my sister doesn't screw married men. He's been separated over a year, but until he works out his marital issues, Charlie has deemed him untouchable.
Even so, I'm a little jealous. I haven't felt that kind of passion in a long time and I miss the buzz that comes with it. Unfortunately, I have too many victims parading in and out of my life to focus on any living, breathing man that might spark something.
Like I said, Charlie thinks I'm obsessed.
As the stare down between them continues, she leans against the doorjamb and crosses her legs. She's wearing one of those fitted pencil skirts she likes and a blouse straight out of Vogue. Me? I play with paints all day. I'm a ripped jeans and T-shirt girl.
Charlie appears relaxed, but inside she's seething. I sense it in her slightly puckered and expertly lipsticked mouth.
"If you've brought her that skull," Charlie says, "I'll kill you."
Poor JJ. First I threaten to stab him and now Charlie will kill him. Our threats come for two very different reasons. I'm pissed about the shopping bag.
Charlie the skull.
JJ holds up both hands. "We need help with this one."
"I'm sure." Charlie nudges her chin at me. "But look at her, she's already bonding."
"I'm fine," I say.
My sister rolls her eyes. She knows me. Understands the second I put my hands on someone, they become part of me.
I look back at Avery. "This is Avery. She’ll be staying for a bit. JJ tell the ME I'd like to come by in the morning. After that, I need to finish Joseph." I point to the other skull. "Once I'm done with him, I'll work on Avery."
Charlie straightens and points at JJ. "You. In my office."
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