She could read bones. Even without seeing a person’s face, she could discern their secrets through the structure of their bones.
Her master once said that Claudia’s bone structure was something even he couldn’t decipher.
If that were true, Claudia’s real age was a mystery-or perhaps there was another possibility.
Claudia might be someone capable of altering her own bone structure.
Regardless of the truth, Tina was confident that if there was anything unusual, she would detect it.
Jared knew Tina’s skill in reading bones, but he still hesitated, gripping her wrist tightly and reluctant to let go.
Tina pursed her lips and decided to compromise. “How about this… Uncle, you lift the cloth for me. Just expose one bone-any bone will do.”
Only then did Jared grudgingly agree.
But before he lifted the cloth, he made Tina promise not to look.
Standing before the first corpse, Jared uncovered an ankle bone. The flesh there had been gnawed away by beasts, leaving stark white bone exposed.
Tina was used to such sights. Scenes like this no longer fazed her.
Thankfully, her mental resolve overpowered any physical discomfort. She felt no signs of nausea from her pregnancy.
Instead, she was calmer than ever, quickly shifting into work mode.
She focused her gaze on the exposed bone, narrowing her eyes in concentration.
The bone belonged to someone in their thirties. Their body bore the marks of hardship, but not for long-clearly, they had only endured suffering in recent years. A person with little fortune, prone to trouble.
Tina furrowed her brows slightly and withdrew her gaze.
This person’s identity was almost certain.
It was Nancy, the woman who had clung to Claudia in the formation, indirectly saving their lives.
Tina shook her head. “She isn’t Claudia.”
The tacit understanding between her and Jared had long been established. A simple statement from Tina was enough for Jared to grasp her meaning.
They moved to the next corpse. This time, Jared uncovered a hand bone.
Tina only needed a glance before her brows knitted tightly together.
The bones were slender and delicate-clearly belonging to a young girl still in her growth phase.
This couldn’t be Claudia.
However, the girl’s hand was clenched in an unnatural pose, as if she had died in excruciating fear.
Tina examined the hand carefully, her expression tightening. “There’s something in her hand.”
Jared glanced at it but couldn’t see anything from the outside.
If the girl was holding something, it had to be very small.
He put on gloves and tried to pry the hand open, but no matter how hard he tried, the fingers wouldn’t budge.
“Let me.”
Tina didn’t touch the corpse directly. Instead, she flicked a silver needle from her fingers, precisely inserting it into the marrow of the corpse’s elbow bone.
Then, using a pair of tweezers, she easily pried open the clenched hand.
Inside was a fragment.
Small though it was, Tina and Jared recognized it immediately.
Not because of its size, but because it was unmistakably a fragment of the Jade Armour.
Jared’s eyes darkened as he placed the fragment onto a tray, confirming the find.
“How did this end up here?”
Tina pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
Her suspicions were correct-the girl had likely been attacked from behind by Claudia, her heart ripped out.
The intense pain must have driven her to clutch at her attacker’s clothing, inadvertently grabbing the already cracked Jade Armour fragment in the process. Even in death, she had refused to let go.
Just then, the researchers returned with DNA results for the two bodies.
Nancy’s DNA was a match, as expected.
But when they checked the second body, there was no corresponding record in any database.
No identity.
Tina narrowed her eyes and stared at the fragment on the tray for a few seconds before calling for Jayden.
“Spread the word-the Jade Armour fragment is in my possession,” she instructed.
Jayden nodded and left to carry out her orders.
Claudia would never have expected this. The Jade Armour she had fought so hard to obtain was useless when incomplete, reduced to nothing more than a decorative relic.
Tina couldn’t help but wonder how Claudia would react to this news.
She had no idea where Claudia might be hiding, but she wasn’t foolish enough to waste resources searching blindly.
Especially given the many mysteries surrounding the second corpse. Even if Tina sent people to investigate recent missing persons, Claudia could easily exploit such a search, disguising herself and blending into society.
A person who could alter their appearance would leave no trace behind.
And someone with no DNA record? There was only one explanation.
That person had been trained and created by Claudia herself.
Rather than chase after a shapeshifter, it was better to wait for Claudia to take the bait.
Tina had the two corpses sent to the funeral home.
Delivering Nancy’s ashes to Jennie would at least bring her some solace.
After all, returning to one’s roots was a form of peace.
Leaving the research facility, Jared asked Nathan to take Tina home while he went to the station to file a report.
The unusual circumstances surrounding the corpses would ensure the higher-ups paid attention.
Their mission was far from over. They had to capture Claudia alive.
When Tina arrived home, she saw two figures waiting at the door-a tall one and a short one.
They were looking eagerly in her direction as she stepped out of the car.
“Tina!”
“Tina!”
Tina looked at them in surprise. “Mom? Sophia? Why didn’t you say you were coming? I could’ve given you the house code.”
Marie beamed, her joy evident. “Oh, it’s fine. We just got here. We missed you and thought we’d drop by, and we brought some of your favorite food.”
Sophia sighed helplessly beside her.
Before her brother got married, she had only seen such warm interactions between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law on TV.
Reality, however, was even more dramatic.
Ever since her brother married Tina, their mother seemed ready to tattoo the word “adore” on her forehead.
Not only did Jared feel sidelined, but even Sophia, his biological sister, was treated like a tool.
Seeing the food container in Marie’s hands, Tina felt a warmth in her heart. “I haven’t eaten lunch yet. Why don’t you and Sophia stay and eat with me?”
Marie’s eyes lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically. “Sure! Your sister barely ate earlier-this is perfect timing.”
Sophia: Really?
Marie: Kids should eat more to grow taller.
Chatting, they headed inside.
Nathan, who had just stepped out of the car to deliver something to Tina, greeted Marie with a polite, “Madam!”
Marie nodded but suddenly remembered something, glancing back.
She’d been so focused on Tina that she had almost forgotten. “By the way, Tina, where’s that son of mine? Why isn’t he with you?”
Tina chuckled. Ever since their marriage, Jared’s status at home had been steadily declining.
“Uncle’s busy. He’ll probably be back later tonight.”
Marie pursed her lips in disapproval. “Honestly! Running around before he got married was one thing, but now he’s still doing it? He’s in his thirties-what on earth is he thinking?”
Marie didn’t care who was listening. Her complaints about her son came easily and without reservation.
Nathan stood awkwardly nearby, unsure whether to listen or pretend not to hear.
Perhaps he should leave before Jared found out and blamed him for showing it on his face!
Thankfully, Tina stepped in to save him. “Mom, it’s cold outside. Let’s talk inside.”