Page 62 of The Bone Code

It wasl’heure de pointe, rush hour, though rushing anywhere was impossible. Still, we diverted to rue Saint-Laurent for smoked meat. While Ryan ran into Schwartz’s deli, I checked my email, fingers at last warm enough to work the keys.

Herrin’s DNA reports had arrived.

I opened and skimmed both documents. Casual, convinced we’d soon have the younger vic ID’d. That her name would lead to the identity of her companion.

As I squinted at the data on the tiny screen, something far down in my psyche said,Huh?

What?

Hard as I tried, I couldn’t budge the thought from the subliminal cranny in which it was wedged. Was still trying when Ryan opened thedoor and slid behind the wheel. The car filled with the contradictory scents of wintry air, wet wool, and warm spiced meat.

Not sure why, I forwarded Herrin’s reports to Willoughby. Expected no reaction.

How wrong I was.

15

Friday, October 29

My mobile rang at midmorning Friday with a significant development.

“The older girl in Charleston is related to the woman here.”

Willoughby’s words sent a jolt of adrenaline through my body.

“You’re sure?” I asked, momentarily taken aback.

“Yes.”

“What about the child here?”

“Her sample was too degraded.”

I knew just enough to understand that Willoughby and her counterpart in South Carolina had looked at gene variations in short repeat sequences of DNA at specific loci on the chromosomes. Willoughby had been able to amplify enough from the Montreal woman for comparison to the two teens in Charleston. That had not been possible for the Montreal child.

“—catch these tossers.”

Willoughby’s words brought me back.

“But you were able to determine that the child here is related to the woman in the container with her.” More question than statement.

“Yes. But that comparison was based on fewer loci. It’s complicated. Do you want me to walk you through it?”

“Not right now.” My mind was racing to process. “So, if the Montreal woman and child are related, presumably both are related to the older girl in Charleston.”

“Presumably.”

“Wow.” I’d started to sayNo shit.

“Your hunch was spot-on.”

“What prompted you to try the comparisons?” I hadn’t asked her to do that.

“Something in the genomes caught my eye, so I figured, why not have a punt?”

“Ryan ran your profiles here and in the States. Came up empty.”

“Not surprising.”