“I don’t think so,” Jack said. “This is a perfect setup. Shawn can work in this room with the bones and perhaps documents, and Sana has the laboratory. It couldn’t be better. Thank you. If you have a couple of friends that would like to come over and do a few autopsies, let me know. I feel like I’d like to repay you in kind.”

Naomi laughed. “I’ve heard about your sense of humor.”

He thanked her again and left the building, suddenly aware that the rain had stopped. Looking up, he even saw a small but definite patch of clear sky, reminding him how quickly weather could change in New York.

Jack jogged back to the OCME. With both Bingham’s and Naomi’s consent, the Daughtrys’ work would go ahead. With the elevators in use he used the stairs, eager to let James know that he’d been successful. Sitting down at his desk, Jack checked the time while he got out the card James had given him. It was after four o’clock. Thinking James had probably long since left the reception at Gracie Mansion, he called his direct line rather than his mobile.

“I have some good news,” Jack said when he heard James’s voice.

“That’s a welcome relief,” James replied. “Is Dr. Bingham going to allow Shawn and Sana to use his crowning-glory facility?”

“He is indeed!” Jack reported proudly. “It’s a perfect situation. It’s one of several completely self-contained laboratories, with space for both Shawn and Sana and all the equipment they should need. It’s very private and secure. They can start tomorrow if they like.”

“Praise the Lord,” James said. “I spoke with Shawn not an hour ago. I told him you had agreed to intervene on his behalf as far as the lab space was concerned, and that you’d call later today to give him the news.”

“You want me to call him rather than yourself?”

“I do. I think it is more appropriate. I know he wants to thank you directly for your help. That’s what he said, but between you and me, I think he wants to make sure that I adequately emphasized the secrecy involved. He’s as paranoid as I am about leaks.”

“I don’t mind telling him, especially since it’s good news.”

James gave Jack Shawn’s office number at the museum and his home number, then said, “Let me know as soon as you and Shawn talk! I’m nervous about all this, and the more information I have, the better I’ll feel because the more I think about it all, the more damage I’m afraid this could wreak on the Church, and my career.”

“I’ll call you right after I speak with him.”

“I’d appreciate it,” James said before hanging up.