Salve. So, you know the italics? Read those. Put together, I suppose they could make a prologue to this. I'll let you know when this changes. Also, I'm going to have to make my chapters a little shorter so I can update regularly. If anyone has a problem with that, let me know.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bones or Artemis Fowl. Obviously.
Chapter Two
"Well, you're not exactly friendly," she said. "Have you ever even kissed anyone?"
"If I told you no, would you kiss me because you felt bad for me? That's why you started this conversation, isn't it?"
"I started this conversation because I thought you looked lonely. And I don't kiss people for charity."
"Hmm. I suppose you've kissed many people. Probably not a virgin, either," he said.
"You-"
"Would you two shut up? The bar is closing anyway," the bartender said, slamming some glasses.
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In a small ranch on the outskirts of Washington D.C., a woman danced to Madonna. She sang at the top of her lungs, relishing her triumphant success. She glanced out the window. The curtains were wide open, even though she was in nothing more than a silk bathrobe. She flipped her blond hair and put on flip-flops. Then she went out to the barn. The lovely smell of blood remained in the air. She entered the tack room and crossed over to her white board. There were twelve pictures in two rows of six. A name was written in black in neat print. Under that name, in blue, was a second name, the true identity, Anna knew. They all had their legal name, the one in black. The one in blue was who they really were, their alternate identities so to speak. One name was already crossed off in red—Aphrodite, according to the blue print. Using a red marker, she crossed off the name and picture—Apollo. She looked at the employees, carefully choosing her next victim—Dionysus. Better to start with the easy ones before moving on to the major ones, like Zeus. She grabbed the card with her identity on it, after donning the plastic gloves of course.
Next, she climbed the ladder to the loft. She walked over to trunk and flipped open the cover. Yes, it was still there. "I should bury you in a mountain of dung, but it would take too long. Too bad you died on me, otherwise I could have burnt you alive. Hope you like the Underworld." As she talked to the corpse, she opened its mouth and shoved the card in. She slammed the lid shut and returned to the house. It was time for some serious work. Donning a sweatshirt and jeans—already ruined, of course, with blood—she got to work. The FBI were going to get a nasty surprise tomorrow.
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Holly pulled away from Artemis. "I'm fine, really."
Brennan was skimming the barn for clues, while Artemis backed out of work for the moment. He grabbed her chin. "That bruise is rather large. If your head was hit hard enough, it could cause brain damage."
Holly rolled her eyes. "In case you didn't notice, the bruise is barely larger than a cookie, if that. It doesn't hurt at all."
Artemis was silently examining her cheek. She felt him go completely still.
"What?"
"It's shrinking."
"What do you mean, 'it's shrinking?'" As she said this, she rushed to the window to examine her reflection. Artemis hadn't been lying. The bruise was literally shrinking. What had completely covered her cheek a minute ago was now smaller than a dime. . .then, just like that, it was gone.
"That was odd," she muttered, unaware that Artemis was about two inches behind her.
"Understatement," Artemis said, causing Holly to jump. She whirled around.
"How did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Sneak up on me! You were completely silent! How did I not hear you?"
He chuckled. "I am very good at doing that.
"Fowl! Come here!"
Holly leaned against the wall, watching Artemis walk over to Dr. Brennan to discuss something. He glanced over at her once. Holly fingered the ring on her finger and allowed herself a small smile. He was one mistake that had been worth making.
Suites watched the exchange. He had no doubt about what had transpired the last time they had met. The question was, would that affect their judgment?
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The man who Holly had arrested turned out to be a man by the name of Luke Evans. Currently, Booth and Holly were interviewing him. On the other side of the mirror, Suites observed. Dr. Brennan was back at the lab with Artemis.
"Start talking, Mr. Evans. Why were you in the barn?" Booth asked.
The man looked confused. "What barn?"
"The one you attacked me in," Holly said. She was leaning back in her chair, the epitome of calm.
He moaned. "I had a little t-too much to drink last night. Out partying with some friends. Next thing I know, I'm lying in the mud of some god forsaken barn with an empty bottle of brandy in my hand and a throbbing headache. I'm sorry for attacking you, but I thought you were Meredith. . ."
"Who's Meredith?" Holly asked.
"Crazy ex. Horrible mistake though, you're much prettier. Sorry for attacking you. You pack quite a punch," he said.
Holly rolled her eyes, while Booth asked for more information about Meredith.
"As I said, she was crazy. Not really like insane or anything, more like a cheating slut. I'm glad to get rid of her," he said.
A thud came from behind the glass. Luke jumped as if an atom bomb had just gone off. Booth nodded at Holly to go see what it was.
"What's up?" she asked.
"The victim was Meredith Stevens," Brennan said, handing her the file. Holly stared at the picture. She had bleach blond hair, gorgeous blue eyes, and full lips. Nothing indicated a sluttish look, except maybe her expression. Holly skimmed the file.
"Do you think this is the Meredith Luke is talking about?" she asked.
"Might be," Brennan said. "Take it in."
She did so, sliding into her chair again. Booth gave the file a once-over. He removed the picture and slid it across the table. "Look familiar?"
Luke jumped, forgetting for a moment that it was a picture, not the real thing. "Yeah, that's her!"
"Would you care to explain why she's dead, then?" Holly asked calmly. "Did she cheat on you? Is that why you killed her?"
Booth leaned back in his chair, allowing Holly to lead the interrogation. She was doing a much better job than he had expected. Most trainees were absolutely horrible—losing their temper, etc, etc.
"Look, lady, I didn't kill her," Luke said. "I've done a lot of crap, but I'd never do that."
"Then where were you when last night? Why were you in the field?"
"I don't freaking know! I said that already. I said that, didn't I?"
Holly glanced at Booth, who was barely taking part. She suddenly thought of one small detail. "Mr. Evans, what do you know about Greek mythology?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"The kind that you need to answer."
Luke looked at Booth. "Seriously, dude? Aren't you her boss or something?"
"Dude," Booth said sarcastically. "She's right. You need to answer the question."
Luke rubbed his eyes. "Greek myths? What, like Zeus and crap?"
Holly nodded, but her point was made. Luke wasn't faking when he appeared to know nothing.
"I've seen it in a movie or two, but I don't know a lot. Why?"
"Nevermind. We're done here." She got up with Booth, and they went into the hall. "He didn't do it."
"Tell me why." Booth agreed with her, but Holly had to have the capability to explain herself in reports.
"He knows nothing about the mythological knowledge required. Even a mythology nut would have to know a lot to know about Atropos specifically. You can tell he's not lying. He can barely talk, thanks to the hangover. If he had done this while he was drunk, it would have been a crime of passion—more evidence, sloppier. The person who did this was precise. The method of execution suggests that he or she did their homework." She was finishing her explanation as they entered the room behind the mirror. Suites asked to hear her explanation again, so she repeated herself.
"Head out to the car. We'll get back to the lab and see what the squints found," Booth said. Holly left.
"What do you think of her?" Booth asked.
"She's smart. Obviously not genius level, but she's clever. Also, she's determined. If you ask me, I think she'll make a good FBI agent."
"She seems to have experience, but that's not possible," Booth said, halfway to himself.
"Maybe she's a natural."
End notes: Sorry for the second sudden cut-off. That was originally going to lead to another part of the chapter, which I haven't written yet. Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think!
~HMF
