Chapter 4
Kalispell Police Headquarters, Friday at 9:00 am (Mountain Standard Time)
Booth sat in Sheriff Longfeather's office trying to sort through the forensic report on the tire tracks. The frozen snow had left a decent impression the only problem was the tire was fairly common, a Dun Rover AT(P) made by Dunlop.
"This looks like a dead end. So far we have nothing that would lead to a suspect," the FBI agent shook his head.
"I take it the truck rental places aren't missing any trucks?" Longfeather asked.
"That was a long shot to start with. If someone used a boat it was probably their own which would mean they would have to have their own truck with towing capabilities. No way this time of year, anyone would be renting out a boat," Booth explained.
"That narrows the suspect pool though doesn't it?" Bill wondered.
"True. Can you pull up the records of everyone who owns a boat in Kalispell?" The G-man inquired.
"I'll give the County Treasurer's office a call. They handle all boat registrations." Longfeather said.
"Thanks, how long do you think it will take to get a list of boat owners?" Booth wondered.
"Hopefully they can fax a list of Kalispell owners over. While I'm at it I'll have the Department of Justice give me a list of truck owners in Kalispell. Maybe through cross referencing we can narrow the list further," the local lawman told him.
"Perfect, I'm going to catch up with Bones and see if the Jeffersonian got anything," Booth said. The sheriff gave a nod and picked up the phone. The FBI agent left the office and headed over to the workspace that the forensic anthropologist had been given.
"Any news Bones?" He asked.
"They just got the body two hours ago. Zach and Hodgins are trying to find a way to remove the duct tape with ruining it or removing the victim's flesh with it," she replied.
"Oh that's disgusting," Booth made a face.
"How are things on your end?" Brennan wondered.
"Well the sheriff is running down boating and truck information as we speak. He hopes to have a list of boat owners that we can cross reference with truck owners very soon," her partner informed her.
"Since our killers used their towing assembly, is it reasonable to assume they wouldn't be looking for a new one?" She asked.
"That's a tough one Bones. If they have every intention of using the boat again, they would need one but considering they somehow managed to tow the thing back home, I'm guessing they just bought another one before their late night water activities. On the other hand, since we know there had to be two of them, it's possible that they used the one from one of their trucks and then used the second guys' truck to haul the boat," Booth said.
"True and if their friends and they share the boat then they wouldn't need to replace the towing assembly right away because at least one of them still has one," Brennan filled in.
"Exactly," he confirmed.
"That's not good is it?" She inquired.
"No it isn't because then we'll be looking for a guy without a boat too," Booth ran his hand through his hair. At that moment, the sheriff walked into the room.
"Both departments are faxing over the lists. They promised to have them here by lunch time." he informed the partners before continuing by asking,
"Any news from the Jeffersonian?"
"The team is trying to remove the duct tape without destroying any of the evidence, that might be difficult but as soon as I hear something from them, I'll let you know," Brennan promised.
The Jeffersonian Medico-Legal Lab, Friday at 12:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time)
Jack and Zach stood pondering the options available to them. Soaking the body in a liquid that would remove the tape was an option but they would then run the risk of ruining any evidence left came into play. However, using cloths to soak certain sections until they came loose would take twice as long and still possibly ruin evidence.
"So what do we do genius?" The entomologist asked Zach.
"Are you referring to my intelligence as a derogatory remark?" The junior forensic anthropologist wondered.
"Ladies can we focus?" Cam interrupted them before Hodgins could make a cutting remark.
"The longer this takes the worse the chance we loose key evidence," she reminded them.
"Anything we use could cause evidence to be contaminated," Hodgins said. No one could refute that fact.
"What if you used orange oil? That stuff gets anything off." Angela suggested.
"We thought about that but then we run the risk of it eating through the already soggy skin tissue," The Head of Forensics informed her.
"You know what we need? Baby oil, lots and lots of baby oil," Jack told them.
"That would work," Cam nodded.
"King of the Lab!" Hodgins declared. Zach shook his head as the entomologist ran off to fetch massive quantities of the slippery liquid. Dr. Saroyan smirked and went back to her office to call Dr. Brennan and alert her to the steps they were taking.
To Be Continued…
Sorry this is short but it was a nessecary step. Hope you're enjoying the story. :)