Bones of the Lost

recorded voice cut the game short.
    “Special Agent Dew is not available to take your call. Please leave a message after the beep.”
    I left a message.
    Glanced at my watch. The time was movin’ on to 5:30 P.M. To be a travelin’ woman I’d need my car.
    I opened the file again and stared at the photo of the unwrapped dog. What were they called? Chiribayan shepherds? Looked like a snoozing spaniel to me.
    My eyes shifted to the phone, willing it to ring.
    It didn’t. Of course.
    My mind looped back to the Jane Doe who’d recently left Larabee’s table.
    Had I missed something?
    Before I could consider the possibility, the landline shrilled its after-hours ring.
    “Dr. Brennan?”
    “Speaking.”
    “Due here.”
    Confused, I looked at my watch again. Had I forgotten an appointment?
    “Luther Dew. Returning your call.” The voice was high and somewhat effeminate. I pictured Truman Capote in bow tie and fedora.
    “Thanks for calling back so 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