“If we can get a name, then we can search for and then request dental records to confirm an identification. If either victim had a dental implant, we could trace the serial number. But neither has had serious dental work done.”

Avery was quiet for a moment. “Why wasn’t there enough left of the first victim?”

“That’s not dinner conversation.”

“It is in this house,” Avery said easily.

Jordan had tried not to bring her work home, but that was impossible on the really tough days when a case troubled her as this one did. “This topic is better suited for an empty stomach.”

“You don’t need to baby me.”

“I know.” Suddenly memories of the dead woman wrapped in plastic transposed with the day she’d found Avery suffocating to death. “By the way, have you found your phone?”

“What makes you think I lost it?” Avery asked.

“I’m a detective.”

“It’s in my apartment, somewhere. I’ll find it.” Avery jabbed her fork in a potato and stared at the spud jutting from the end. “What do you think about me joining the police academy? I know I make art and work in a café, but neither job pays much, and one day I would like to make a difference.”

Jordan pictured her sister wearing a uniform. It did not jibe with the streak of blue in her blond hair or her multicolored peasant top. “What brought this on?”

“I see what you do. You help people. And I know there’re forensic artists. I thought I could mingle art and the law.”

“It’s a very structured training routine.”

“It’ll be an adjustment, but change is good, right?”

Jordan studied her sister. “This isn’t a trial balloon, is it? You’ve put a lot of thought into joining the academy. It’s why you’re here tonight.”

Avery ate the potato and took her time chewing it. “I’ve read up on what it takes to be a police officer. My history of drug use could ruin it all for me.”

After the last couple of days, Jordan had not thought there was much that could surprise her. But there it was. “You’ve been sober two years.”

“Plus one month and two days.”

“You’re really serious.”

“Yeah. The plan was to work at the café until mid-August and then apply to the academy. The pay is decent, and it comes with benefits. I can’t stay on your health care forever.”

“How long have you been thinking about this?”

“A few months. But if I can’t overcome the drug thing, it’s academic.”

“You don’t have a police record.”

“Thanks to you, but I did use. That question is front and center on the application.”