Hello all. This is the first chapter of Dr Brennan's novel. It's based on the murders from the episode "The Bodies in the Book" and features Kathy Reichs and Andy Lister. I hope you enjoy it :D xxCass
"Fantastic! Yet another flattering shot off my ass."
The case had closed over a week ago, but the media wouldn't leave it alone. Dr Kathy Reichs had been hounded by phone calls at all hours of the day, and this photo was the last straw. She had to get out of town and get out fast. She was used to the media's scrutiny and could usually handle it, but this case had been hard on everyone. The excavation of three bodies in less than two days was tough and the work had taken its toll. It seemed like every muscle in her body was aching.
Kathy and her partner Special Agent Andy Lister had spent the last four weeks working on the case of a serial killer who preyed on young women with blonde hair. They had finally caught him, but when searching his property found another three bodies; Tanya, Deidre and Petra. They had also worked out the reason for his obsession. His twin sister had mysteriously disappeared two years ago, and the murdered women all resembled her. Without evidence to prove it they couldn't charge Terry, but everyone working the case believed he had killed her. They had put the monster away for the other five murders, but for some reason the media wasn't satisfied.
The photo in the Washington Daily had been taken while Kathy was doing the preliminary examination of Tanya. She was bent over the body, sweating and had already worked for five hours at the time. The media focus had turned personal and Kathy wanted nothing more than to escape for a few days. She reached for her phone and called the one person who could relate.
"Madame Bones. Missing me already, are we?" Andy Lister was well known for his flirtatious nature and Kathy no longer worried about it.
"You wish. I'm just ringing to let you know I'm going to be out of town for a few days. If anything turns up you'd need me for, I am on my phone, but Mark should be more than capable to handle it."
"You're taking a vacation? I don't blame you, Kat. Given half the chance I'd join you, but Crocker's assigned me a new case this morning. Nothing too strenuous, but it's enough to keep my mind off the media. Nice photo in the Daily by the way."
"Oh god, you've seen it. I don't know how they got hold of it. We really need to tighten up security around the crime scenes."
"Kat, I promise you, we are doing everything we can. The media are relentless, though you know this better than anyone." The partners were both thinking about one photographer who they had to get a restraining order to stop his phone calls. As unpleasant as that situation was, Kathy knew it wouldn't be the last time she would have to deal with the media through the courts. "Where are you planning on going?"
"I'm not really sure, somewhere with no newspapers or TVs hopefully. Somewhere out of town that's quiet."
"You're more than welcome to my beach house if you wish. I haven't used it for a while, but it shouldn't be too bad. Take Bailey up there for the weekend and try and relax."
"Thanks Andy. I owe you one."
Disconnecting, Kathy felt far more relaxed. That man knew her inside out, almost too well sometimes. His uncanny ability to know exactly what she was thinking was unnerving at times and irritating at others, but she would be lost without him.
Perfect, she thought. A weekend at the beach to relax and then I'll come back and catch up on all the work I've missed. She was driving along the highway in under an hour.