“I’ve heard of her,” Naomi said. “She’s really making a name for herself in the mitochondrial DNA field. I certainly wouldn’t mind having her work here for a time, and the project itself sounds intriguing, especially if it turns out that there are documents which might prove the body’s identity. But why don’t they do their work up at Columbia? Their facility might not be as new as ours, but I’m confident it is just as good.”

“For privacy purposes. They want time, I presume, to complete their studies before anyone knows about the find. And you know how it is in the academic world: Everybody knows everyone else’s business.”

“Truer words have never ever been spoken. They won’t have to worry about any leaks here. Have you spoken with Dr. Bingham?”

“I just came from his office, and he’s on board, provided you have no objections. And though he didn’t say so directly, I’m sure he likes the idea of having the archdiocese beholden to the OCME.”

Naomi laughed in a way that was infectious enough to bring a smile to Jack’s face. “I wouldn’t put it past him, given he’s such a political animal. But I shouldn’t cast aspersions. If not for him, I wouldn’t be sitting in this grand building.”

“So, you’re okay with this?” Jack asked.

“Absolutely.”

“When can they start?” Jack asked. “I have to confess from the moment I first heard about this, I’ve been dying of curiosity about the contents of the ossuary myself.”

“It’s tantalizing,” Naomi agreed. “Whenever the Daughtrys want to start is fine with me. We still have plenty of lab space lying fallow.”

“How about tomorrow? Is the lab open on weekends?”

“Absolutely, although at a skeleton-staff level. But we have numerous projects that need to be looked after on a daily basis, so we’re open twenty-four-seven.”

“I’ll let them know. I don’t even know if they want to start so quickly, and perhaps I’m guilty of projecting my impatience onto them. But if they do want to start tomorrow, how would we get the ossuary into the building?”

“They could bring it through the front door if they so desire. How big is it, do you know?”

“I’m not sure, but I’d estimate roughly two feet long and one foot wide and deep.”

“It could fit through the front door without a problem, but there’s also a loading dock on the Twenty-sixth Street side, where most normal deliveries are made. Since tomorrow’s a Saturday, we’d have to make arrangements in advance.”

“The front door will be fine,” Jack said. “It all depends on them. In the meantime, would you mind showing me the lab area they will be using? I can help them get set up.”