Booths Are Us

Chapter 3

Susan H.

At 8:00 the next morning, Hodgins approached Brennan, "Vroom Vroom, I'm leading the pack now baby."

"I need the digest version Hodgins, Booth will be here any minute."

"Okay, the hand was not severed where it was found. It was severed where it lived."

"Somebody cut off the hand on Samson's property, and then left it in the national forest?"

"That's what I'm saying, so you want the details?"

"I'll read the report."

"Well okay then," Hodgins said disappointed, "And you know the baby comment…"

"I know Hodgins, reflex."

***

At 8:30, Brennan called Booth.

"Booth."

"Good Morning Booth. Where are you?"

"What time is it?"

"8:30"

"Oh, hey Bones. I'm sorry, I overslept."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I think I have a bug or something. Look, since you showed such respect for my guts, I'm going to return the favor. Could you pick me up in a half an hour?"

"Sure. By the way, Hodgins says that the hand was severed at the cabin and dumped in the national park." Brennan hung up.

***

Forty-five minutes later, the two were on the road to the Samson cabin.

"I got a search warrant based on Hodgin's findings, and two agents will meet us there. Okay, so Sammy plans a camping trip to the park, someone, maybe Bobby, knows this, kills him, and drops the hand to make it look like the whole thing happened while camping. The killer probably thought that we'd assume an animal had got hold of Samson. They didn't count on you."

"Booth, are we positing a scenario?"

"Yes Bones."

"Can I try?"

"Sure, give it a shot."

"Okay, um, why would someone want to kill Samson? I think it's either the recipes, or Little Miss Delilah."

"That's excellent work Bones."

"Of course, I have absolutely nothing to support that statement, so there is no way of knowing whether or not it's excellent."

"So, how was your date last night?"

"How did you know I had a date?"

"I saw him in your office."

"And you assumed he was my date?"

"He had his arm around you."

"Well, the relationship is still new. We went to the firing range, picked up some take-out, and watched a movie."

"So, is he a good shot?"

"Compared to what Booth?"

"Compared to me."

"No one is a good shot compared to you."

"Okay, compared to you then."

"Well, no."

Booth laughed.

"Don't be so superior. A man's worth can't be measured on how good a shot he is."

"It can when one excellent shot saves hundreds of lives."

"Booth,"

"Okay, sorry, sorry. So, what does he do?"

"He's a detective for the Metro police."

Booth groaned and pulled out a pill bottle. He took 2 acetaminophen tablets and washed them down with bottled water.

"Still don't feel well huh?"

"I think I'm feeling a little better though." Booth said and closed his eyes for the rest of the ride.

***

Delilah answered the door with her hair in two braids, a blue and white checkered blouse tied in a knot at the waist, and a tight denim skirt. Her feet remained bare.

"Agent Booth, Dr. Brennan, y'all come on in. Agent Booth, I don't want to sound rude, but you're lookin' a bit peaked. Would you like some mint tea?"

"You know Delilah, I think I would like some mint tea."

Brennan shot Booth a surprised look.

"Dr. Brennan, how 'bout you. I also have regular tea."

"Thank you Mrs. Samson, I would like some tea. Regular please."

Delilah put the water on to boil. "My mama swears by mint tea with a little honey for makin' a person feel better."

"Is your mama here, Delilah?" asked Booth.

"She's on her way. I'm expectin' her in about 20 minutes or so."

"How about Bobby, is he here?"

"He's in the jerky shop. Cleanin' things up. He used up all the prepared marinades, and now there is no more to do."

Delilah wiped tears from her face. The tea kettle whistled. Delilah poured 3 cups of tea, and set a honey-bear dispenser on the table.

"Does anyone want lemon or milk?"

"This is fine for me," said Brennan.

"Delilah, I'd like you to mix mine up like your mama does to make a man feel better."

"Okay Agent Booth, but I won't make you eat the dry toast. I always hated that part of mama's cure."

"How long has Bobby worked for your husband?" Booth asked

"Oh, Bobby and Sammy are cousins. Their fathers were brothers, who ran the jerky business together. Bobby's father sold his half to Sammy's father. Sammy inherited the business, and Bobby inherited the money. Bobby tried to buy back into the business, but Sammy didn't care for that. It's like I said, Sammy had a real touch for jerky recipes, and he figured he didn't want anyone else profitin' from his expertise."

Booth and Brennan glanced at each other.

"Mrs. Samson, how long have you known Bobby?" Brennan asked.

"I met Bobby and Sammy at the same time. I was at this little Country music bar playin' pool with friends, and the two came in. Bobby bought me a drink, and laid down some quarters to play me at pool. He was real nice, but Sammy just took my breath away. He smiled at me, and my heart beat so fast. He was so confident and strong. Bobby was funny, and made me laugh, but Sammy reminded me of a pillar I could always hang onto."

Brennan looked at Booth from the side of her eye. Delilah wiped tears again.

"Well, anyway, I dressed a lot different then, but me and Sammy thought this look was good for business. I would have done anything to please Sammy, but seeing the look on his face every time I thought up a new outfit, well, that just made it all the more worth it." She wiped more tears and grabbed a box of tissue.

She sat back down, and Booth covered her hand, with his.

Brennan looked at his hand, and remembered how comforting that gesture was.

Booth looked into Delilah's eyes, "I am so sorry for your loss Delilah, it's clear to me that you had a wonderful marriage. I don't see that very often in my line of work."

"Thank you, Agent Booth. How is that tea treatin' you?"

"I think it's doing the trick. You have a wise mama." Booth sipped the tea.

"Delilah, Dr. Brennan and I would like to talk to Bobby. We also have a warrant to search the entire premises."

"Y'all don't need a warrant."

"I didn't think we did ma'am. It's just a technicality."

The front door opened and a woman stuck her head in, "'Lilah?" she yelled.

"In the kitchen Mama. Can you two find Bobby on your own?"

"Yes. You visit with your mama, and tell her thanks for teaching you about the mint tea cure."

"That'll tickle her Agent Booth."