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Chapter 3
Booth sat shivering with his knees pulled up to his chest and his back pressed into the corner of the crate; he was barely managing to control the all-encompassing claustrophobia that threatened to send him into a full-blown panic attack. This irrational fear of tight spaces had been a problem for Booth since his torment in the Middle East and he cursed himself for his weakness. 'Get a grip' …he told himself… 'it's just a box… breathe…' God, he felt pathetic. There was no lighting in the cargo hold of the plane save a couple of amber emergency lights near the huge sealed door but at least they gave off enough illumination for him to maintain some level of control. The thought of being sealed in here in complete darkness made him shudder.
He was cold now, and although he was thankful that the temperature was warm enough to cause no ill effects, Booth wished that he was wearing more than just his black boxer shorts. Trying to move, he groaned through the gag as his shoulders screamed their objection to the unnatural position of having his hands cuffed behind his back. Well, at least maybe he could do something about the gag; he started to grind his teeth against the rough fabric until he was rewarded by the sensation of some of the fibres coming apart. Okay, so maybe it could work.
It was good to have something to think about other than the enclosed space. After sitting in his cramped position gnawing for what seemed like hours, Booth finally managed to triumphantly spit the remnants of the severed piece of fabric out of his mouth and took in a deep, luxurious breath. His jaw ached and his teeth felt like they were loose but it was worth it to be free of at least one of his restraints.
He eased himself towards the centre of the crate and turned his attention to the cuffs. If he could squeeze his shackled hands over his feet then at least he would have his hands in front of his body. Lying on one side, Booth grunted and heaved his legs up as tight to his chest as possible and endeavoured to squirm his hands around his butt. He stretched until every tendon in his shoulders felt as if it would break, his knees pressed so tightly into his chest that he couldn't draw a breath...all to no avail. One of the drawbacks to having wide shoulders and muscular arms; there was just no way he was going to be able to do this. Goddamn it… He regained his seated position in the corner and hung his head forlornly, his chest heaving. At least the exertion had warmed him up a bit.
The FBI agent was trembling with the cold again by the time he felt the plane begin its descent but thankfully, the air in the cargo hold seemed to warm somewhat as the plane dropped into thicker atmosphere. He started to go over in his mind who in the hell would have gone to such trouble to abduct him and spirit him away like this. It didn't make sense. Booth could think of any number of criminals he had caught, dangerous people who might have held a grudge against him, but they would not have expended such an effort to take him; they would simply have killed him, given the chance. This was different and the audacity of the kidnap frightened him. That, and the fact that he was chained like a dog inside a locked metal crate in the belly of a jumbo jet about to land God knew where. He was really in trouble this time.
His ears popped as the jet descended even more and Booth heard a loud thump that made his heart pound. It's just the landing gear, he thought. Relax…we're going to land soon. A whirring noise signalling the motion of the jet's ailerons confirmed his thoughts. The nose of the jet rose up and he braced himself for the impact of landing with no seatbelt, suddenly realizing he was crouched in the rear of the crate, not the front end. Shit, he tried desperately to scramble to the other end to give himself some chance of staying immobile when they hit the ground. He was in the centre of the crate when the tires touched down in a not-so-perfect landing, throwing him off the floor. The huge airbrakes engaged and Booth was tossed violently into the leading wall of the steel box, striking his temple harshly on the unyielding metal. Ow…fuck…he saw stars as his head reeled and he gasped, all the air crushed out of his lungs as he was pressed into the cold steel. After what seemed like an unusually long time, the brakes were disengaged and the plane finally rolled gently out of its approach. Booth was left sprawled on the floor of his crate; he could feel blood flowing across his forehead from a gash on his head. This just couldn't get any worse… As the large jet rolled along the tarmac, the amber lights in the cargo hold went unexpectedly dark and Booth gasped in sudden fright as he was plunged into darkness. Shit…he closed his eyes tight…this could get worse after all…with each ragged breath, his heart racing, he found himself praying for this nightmare to end.
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Deputy Director Sam Cullen stood grimly as he waited for the squints to discuss their findings following their examination of the trace evidence found on their clothing which was spread across the surface of a large table in the Jeffersonian lab. Cam, Brennan and her team were seated on stools surrounding the table; even Dr. Goodman was present, standing near the end of the table with a worried expression on his face. "Okay, Dr. Brennan", Cullen almost growled. "My sources in Florida have been completely unable to get so much as a sniff on where Booth is being taken. This would be a good time for you to wow me with your magic. What have you been able to determine thus far?"
Brennan's eyes flashed with anger. "Director Cullen", she shot back. "There is no magic here…just science…unadorned and empirical. Your attitude is not helpful in this exercise."
Cullen's shoulders sagged and for a moment his face lost the tough guy expression that he was always so careful to project. He sighed and leaned his hands onto the table. "Point taken Doctor", he said quietly. "I apologize to you and your squints"…he winced at he grimaces around the table… "I mean your team." He stood to his full height once again. "I am sorry….I mean it. I'm very concerned about my agent…about Booth. Please tell me you've found something that'll help us figure out where he's been taken. We have to find him…before...before…" His voice broke on the last word and he glanced down at the table, embarrassed.
Angela's heart ached at the unexpected show of emotion on the part of the senior FBI agent. She could see the worry in the tired lines that were etched on Cullen's face. Glancing over at Brennan, she was relieved to see the anger on her friend's face had been replaced with a look of compassion. Brennan looked over at Cam and, receiving a nod from her supervisor, started to explain their findings.
"There was a large amount of trace evidence found on the clothing we seized, comprised of both organic and non-organic materials." Cullen did not interrupt, fighting the urge to tell her to get to the point. "The most interesting findings come from the organic material", Brennan continued. "We found a significant quantity of hairs and hair follicles. Hodgins was able to identify the majority as having come from a single representative of a large mammalian species indigenous to eastern Asia." She looked up to see Cullen eyeing her silently with a look of impatience on his face. "The genetic material found in the hairs was determined to come from a male specimen of the species Ursusthibetanus". She allowed herself to smile towards Hodgins. "Good work Dr. Hodgins…"
"Wait, wait…" Cullen could not keep the frustration from his voice. "What kind of animal did you say?"
"Ursusthibetanus…" Brennan repeated impatiently, "…More commonly referred to as the Asiatic Black Bear or the Tibetan Black Bear." Cullen stared at her blankly and she continued, speaking more quickly. "It's a medium size bear, the average weight being between 100 and 200 kg and measuring up to 190 cm in length." Still no response from Cullen... "Asiatic Black Bears inhabit the forested areas in hill and mountainous regions throughout eastern Asia…"
Unable to contain his impatience any longer, Cullen interjected. "I'm sorry, Dr. Brennan…" He sounded angry. Why did squints always have to be so….squinty…? "This is all very fascinating but I don't see how it is going to help us find Booth. Are you trying to say he's been sent to eastern Asia just because you found a few hairs? That doesn't make sense…"
Cam jumped into the conversation before Brennan could retort. "No, no…Director Cullen. The findings are useful in that they tell us what was transported in the truck before it was used in Booth's kidnapping." Cullen eyed her…his expression once again demanding to know how this was relevant. "The Asiatic Black Bear is quite rare, especially in North America." She continued. "There are only a half dozen specimens on the continent, with breeding couples being kept at each one of the three zoos and wildlife sanctuaries that participate in a carefully managed captive breeding program for this animal."
Cullen still didn't get it "So the truck was used during the transport of one of your bears…great…how does that get us any closer to finding Booth?"
Dr. Goodman spoke this time, interrupting Brennan and Cam who both started to answer his question. "Your suspect is part of an organization that operates out of the Miami area, correct?" He asked. Cullen nodded. "It just so happens, Mr. Cullen, that the Miami City Zoo acquired a male specimen of Ursusthibetanus from the Zoological Park here in DC only three weeks ago." Understanding dawned in Cullen's eyes as Goodman continued. "Since the truck used in Agent Booth's abduction can be linked to the transport of this bear, it logically ensues that your criminal element has associations to the Zoological Park in DC and perhaps also the City Zoo in Miami."
Cullen sat down heavily on one of the empty lab stools. "A zoo…" he said slowly. "…constant arrivals and departures of animals, feed and experts from around the world. The perfect cover for transporting illicit substances to and from the same places…" He looked at the squints as he rose to his feet. "If Ortez's organization has the Miami City Zoo on its payroll then…"
Zach spoke up for the first time. "A zoo has cages and a secure perimeter…" he said. "Sounds like the perfect place to hold something…or someone…captive." Cullen jumped to his feet and pulled out his cell phone, pausing only to glance back at the Jeffersonians as he walked away. "Thanks folks…Booth is right…you are good." He hurried towards the exit.
"Wait!" Brennan sprang to her feet and chased after him. "I'm going with you…"
Cullen stopped in his tracks, surprised. "No way, Dr. Brennan…this is an FBI matter…"
"Seeley Booth is my partner, Director Cullen." Her eyes flashed. "He's my partner…I am going with you…"
Cullen's face softened at the determined expression on Brennan's face. "Booth always said there was no point in arguing with you…"
"Smart man, Booth…"
Cullen nodded; hell maybe having her along would be helpful down the line. "Okay, okay…get your stuff…I'll have a jet ready to leave for Miami within the hour…and don't even think of asking me to give you a gun…not happening." He smiled forbiddingly.
Brennan returned his smile fiercely then raced to get her field kit. She found herself praying that she wouldn't need any of the excavation tools… Praying…that's a first for me, she thought grimly as she collected her things. Booth is having more effect on me than I realized…