Maximum Security (A Dog Park Mystery) Read Online Free PDF Page B

intact skeleton? Terry asked.
    “You don’t need to be so happy
about it,” Bailey grumbled at Terry.
    “I don't know anything about
that,” Lia evaded.
    “There are many methods of
removing flesh from bones. Dermestid beetles are the preferred
method. They leave the skeleton in pristine condition. Unless
someone cut most of the muscle mass away, it would take a
significant amount of time to complete the process.”
    Lia looked at Bailey, whose throat
was making tiny convulsive motions.
    “Maceration also works. It
requires containing the body in an enclosed space, preferably with
water and enzymes of some sort. It’s unpleasantly aromatic.
Unlikely in this instance, since I’m assuming the bones were
unarticulated, and you’d have to wonder why someone went to the
trouble to move the bones to the woods.
    “Boiling is the quickest method,
but it makes for a brittle final product . . .”
    Bailey’s face was turning
green.
    “ . . . and all
of these processes presume that most of the flesh has been stripped
from the skeleton by some mechanical means first. I wonder, did
they find any tool marks? That would indicate dismembering. If the
bones have teeth marks instead . . .”
    Bailey backed away from the group
with her hand over her mouth. Lia looked at Jim, who was drawing a
werewolf that looked like a collie on his Kindle. She looked back
up at Terry.
    “Scavengers must have gotten to
it. It’s the only thing that makes sense,” Terry
concluded.
    “That’s very . . . informative,
Terry. It’s like watching CSI. I’ve got to walk Max.” Lia stood up,
and Max stood with her, stretching and yawning, then wagged her
tail. Viola jumped down from the table and ran ahead. She looked
back over her shoulder and barked. “Yes, Princess, I’m coming.” A
firm grip on the leash, she headed for the back of the park, where
Bailey was tossing a ball for Kita, Honey and Chewy.
    “You abandoned me,” Lia
accused.
    “Sorry, it’s my delicate
sensibilities. I’m going to be off my feed for the next three days
after that. How are you holding up?” Bailey asked.
    “Once I got over the idea that I
had a fresh, human bone in the back seat of my car, I was okay.
Peter’s the one who has to deal with it. Thank God, it doesn’t have
anything to do with me.”
~ ~ ~
    Peter closed out the web page when
he heard the distinctive clip of his partner’s Ferragamo knockoffs
entering the bullpen. He swung around in his swivel chair and
leaned back, playing innocent.
    “You may be fast, Brother, but
your reflexes are no match for my eagle eyes. I must say, I cannot
believe what I just saw.” Brent Davis had blond good looks that
were diligently maintained through grooming, wardrobe and exercise.
The Atlanta transplant’s magnolia-laced voice affected most women
in an embarrassing way that had his fellow detectives shaking their
heads when they weren’t making bets. Peter found his courtly
manners useful during interrogations.
    “If you know what’s good for you,
you saw nothing.”
    Brent ignored the threat. “And on
the people’s dime, too. For shame. Does Lia know about
this?”
    “No, and she’s not going
to.”
    “She has to find out
eventually.”
    “When I’m ready.”
    “Man, you must be dreaming. I
don’t think you’ll ever be ready for the way she’s going to
react.”
    “I’ve got a workaround in
mind.”
    “I hope you’re not planning to
give it to her for her birthday.”
    “Nope.” Peter leaned back in his
chair, folding his arms.
    “You gonna slip it on her finger
while she’s asleep? Tell her it’s just an odd skin growth? How will
you explain the minister?”
    “Ha. Ha.”
    “The usual way of these things is
you let her pick out the ring after you’ve broached the topic of
matrimony. That way you’re not stuck with three K in dissed
diamonds when she says, ‘no.’”
    “That is totally lacking in
romance. In case you haven’t noticed, Lia’s not into the usual way
of