wrappings much better than the dingy linen ones you usually see on them.’’
Diane introduced everyone to Lynn Webber. Jonas stood and offered her a seat.
‘‘No, please stay seated.’’
But Jonas rose and joined Lynn next to the mummy, explaining to her what they had discovered so far and how it came to be in their possession.
Korey handed Diane a file. ‘‘Jonas and I examined him with an endoscope. We took these pictures. We also took some tissue samples and sent them off for analysis.’’
Diane opened the folder and photographs. ‘‘These are good.’’
‘‘I thought we got some real flipped through the
clear images,’’ said Jonas, turning from the mummy. ‘‘Notice that the brain is removed. That places him in the late Middle Kingdom or after.’’ He explained to Lynn how meth ods of embalming changed over time. ‘‘See this inci sion here?’’ He pointed to a cut in the mummy’s abdomen on the left side. ‘‘It was here up through the eighteenth dynasty. After that, the incision point was from the hip to the pubic region.’’
‘‘We went into the incision and had a look around,’’ said Korey, pulling out a photo from the rest and showing Diane. ‘‘As you can see, we didn’t see much. I couldn’t find a way in and I didn’t want to do any damage. But this looks like one of the kidneys.’’
‘‘Didn’t they remove the organs?’’ asked Lynn.
‘‘Yes,’’ said Korey, ‘‘except the kidneys. I’m not sure why.’’
‘‘One of the interesting things,’’ said Jonas, ‘‘is the position of the hands.’’
‘‘Position of the hands?’’ repeated Lynn. She placed one of hers on Jonas’ arm and gave him her full attention.
Diane could see that he was falling under her spell just as the sheriff and Garnett had—though she had to admit, she thought the bloom was off the rose with Garnett.
‘‘From his bones, it appears he may have been a scribe or some worker who had to sit for hours hunched over his work. However, his hands are in the royal position.’’ Jonas crossed his hands over his chest. ‘‘Rather than by his side, or crossed in a lower position.’’
‘‘Royal position. Why, I’m glad to know that, Jonas. I’m going to put that in my will. When I die and they put me in the casket, it’s going to be in the royal position.’’ She crossed her hands over her chest. ‘‘I know a lot of people who won’t be sur prised by that.’’
Diane had to force herself to attend to Korey, Jonas and Lynn’s conversation. She watched them, feeling guilty—they were so excited, and all she could think of was Kacie Beck. She should have asked Kacie about the ring. She should have probed deeper about Chris Edwards and why he was murdered. Kacie had known something, and Diane had just dropped her off at her apartment. What was she missing?
‘‘Diane.’’ Jonas’ voice penetrated her thoughts. ‘‘What do you think?’’
Diane hesitated a second, recalling the conversation that had managed to filter through her own thoughts. ‘‘I don’t . . .’’ She saw Kendel coming through the doorway. ‘‘Here she is. We don’t have to guess—let’s ask her if she was able to acquire the artifacts.’’
Kendel waved to them as she walked down the hallway. Her hair was twisted up in a clip. She wore white capri pants, a sleeveless turquoise shirt and tan leather wedge slides on her feet. Kendel had the ability to look dressed up in the most casual of clothes.
‘‘You’re back,’’ said Jonas. ‘‘That was quick. How did it go?’’ He had the beginnings of a frown, as if a quick return might have meant failure.
‘‘I got back an hour ago.’’ Kendel grinned. ‘‘We are now the owner of a collection of twelfth-dynasty amu lets that is most likely from our mummy’s wrappings.’’
‘‘You did it. Good for you, girl,’’ said Jonas. His face broke into a broad smile.
‘‘Well done,’’ said Diane. ‘‘How much did it cost us?’’
‘‘I came in way under budget. People still want im mortality. The collection will be called the Robert Lyon Rider Collection.’’ She made a frame in the air with her hands. ‘‘We’ll have a wonderful gold plaque labeling the room and the collection.’’
‘‘Good job. You said they are twelfth dynasty? The amulets support that date for our mummy, then?’’ said Diane.
‘‘Yes. I was very happy when I saw them. There’s a couple of lovely scarabs, a beautiful collection of carved fish, several figurines. I’m still establishing a paper trail to our mummy, but it’s looking good. The Riders had wills describing the artifacts and even a letter that described the unwrapping party, with’’—Kendel paused dramatically before she spoke again—‘‘a mention of our Victorian pickle jar.’’
Jonas rubbed his hands together. ‘‘That’s just great. More than I expected.’’
‘‘Well done, Kendel,’’ said Diane. ‘‘Very well done.’’
‘‘I was thinking on the way back that we should concentrate just on the twelfth dynasty in the exhibit— something like Everyday Life in TwelfthDynasty Egypt.’’
‘‘Good idea,’’ said Diane. ‘‘That tight focus is a good way to make the most of the handful of items we have. I’d like to see a time line that shows what was going on in other parts of the world during that same period. Set up a meeting with the exhibit plan ners and we’ll start on it. It would be good if we can make the opening dovetail with a fund-raiser.’’
‘‘Do you want me to put feelers out for other acqui sitions?’’ asked Kendel.
‘‘Let me look at the budget. It might be better to use the resources to do a fine exhibit with what we have. We can always branch out later.’’
Diane introduced Kendel to Lynn, who stood be tween Jonas and Korey, observing Diane’s assistant director.
‘‘Good to meet you. Love your shoes,’’ said Lynn. ‘‘Gucci?’’
