Booth noticed Brennan talking to Wendell and the British squintern, Vincent, as he approached. Brennan spotted him and waved him over, "Booth, I was just discussing the case with Misters Bray and Nigel-Murray. They have discovered cause of death and an interesting development in the case, it seems the killer is left-handed or skilled enough with a blade to handle it with his non-dominate hand."
Booth smiled, "That's great, I talked to the guys from the list and had the ones that were most likely involved brought in." Booth turned to Wendell, "This isn't standard practice but I would like you to be present during the interview, your brother will be there as well and if you don't mind, I would like to use the two of you to get a confession." Wendell nodded, eager to get the case over and done with. Booth looked the young intern in the eyes, "It will be hard, these are men you have known your whole life, men who helped send you to college."
Wendell met Booth's gaze, "I know, but no matter how horrible my father was to me, he was still my dad. If doing this helps me find answers then I'll do it. I need to do this, if only to put him behind me." Booth nodded in understanding, he knew Wendell could handle it.
Booth walked Wendell into the conference room, seating him between his brother and a man named Max Hartford. On the other side of Max were, George McKinley, Shawn Oster, and Leonard Christianson. All five men looked surprised to see the young blond, Wendell even saw Joe glaring at Booth. Booth sat down across the table from the six men, flanked by Brennan and Caroline Julian.
Booth looked at the men, "Several days ago, the remains of Christopher James Bray were found in the wall of an abandoned building."
Max growled, "Serves the damn bastard right, but why are we here?"
Shawn leaned forward, his eyes wide, "Are we suspects?"
George gaped at the agent, "You can't seriously think that Wendell is a suspect, kid couldn't hurt a fly outside a rink."
Brennan interrupted, "Actually, that is an incorrect statement, by his own admission, Mr. Bray has said that the last time he saw his father, he punched him in the face. He gave his father what is commonly known as a shiner." The five men on the same side of the table as Wendell turned to look at the young man, completely shocked.
Joe leaned close to his brother, "When was this?"
Wendell ducked his head and murmured, "When I was twelve." The faces around the table grew more shocked, even Caroline was having trouble containing the emotion. The only ones unaffected were Booth and Brennan.
Leonard scoffed, "This is ridiculous."
Booth looked at the other men, "All of you have means motive and opportunity as well."
Shawn looked at the agent, "What is that supposed to mean?"
Booth pointed to each man in turn, "Joseph admitted to getting in to an altercation with the victim. McKinley, Oster and Christianson, you three had done work on the building the remains were found in and Max Hartford, you responded to the trespassing call at that building on the date that my people tell me is TOD. Not to mention all of you were informed of the situation that ended in Wendell's disappearance, that's motive right there. Then of course there is Wendell, who no one knew where he was and had a motive all of his own."
Max stood, "Enough of this, you leave Wendell and Joe out of this. It was me." Wendell looked up in surprise.
Booth noted the expression, "You'll sign a full confession?" Booth held out a paper and pen. Max cracked his knuckles and immediately took them and began writing with his right hand.
Brennan stopped him, "It wasn't him. He's right handed and the discomfort in his left hand that made him crack his knuckles would have made it impossible for him to wield the murder weapon."
Booth looked at the older man, "Max, why did you lie?"
Max sat, "Because I'm the only one here without family. You were right when you said it could be any of us. Leonard, George and Shawn all have children, Leonard even has grandchildren. Joe and Wendell have each other and their mom. I'm alone, and I ignored that call. I heard Chris' voice and just turned and walked away. If I had gone in, maybe he would have lived and we wouldn't be in this mess."
George turned and looked at Max, "No, we would be in a worse one."
Booth leaned forward, "What do you mean George?"
George met Booth's eyes, "I mean that I killed Christopher Bray."
Wendell gasped and George turned to face him, "Wendell, you are like a son to me. When I heard what happened I got so angry. Shawn, Leonard and I went looking for your father. When things started getting screwy I sent them away. I told them I would take care of Chris, make sure he left. When he was alone with me, he started laughing, telling me everything he did to you and saying I wouldn't be able to stop him. Wendell, he told me he was going to kill you. I had to stop him; if I didn't it would have been your body they found." George took the pen and paper from in front of Max and silently wrote out his confession in perfect neat handwriting with his left hand.
Caroline moved around the table to Wendell, "Cherie, let's get you back to the squint squad, I think you need a beer honey."
George smiled as Caroline led Wendell out, "I knew you couldn't think Wendell did it. You work with him don't you?"
Brennan smiled, "He is one of my best grad students. He interns with me at the Jeffersonian."
George, "Good for him, the kid deserves a chance."
Booth stood motioning for the other men to leave the room. When they had left and and Booth was putting the handcuffs on George, he whispered, "I'm glad you gave him one." George smiled as he was led out."
Wendell walked into The Founding Fathers and immediately spotted the group. As he got to the table, Vincent got up and hugged him. Wendell smiled as they separated and Angela took Vincent's place. Cam followed and Hodgins put an arm around Wendell's shoulders as he directed the younger man to his seat.
Hodgins sat back down next to Angela as Vincent moved to the seat near Wendell. When he was seated the British intern simply said, "Did you know that the first contraceptive was crocodile dung, used by Egyptians in 2000 B.C."
Wendell laughed, "No Vince, I can honestly say I didn't know that."
A/N- I'm sad it's over but I hope it has been enjoyable, it better be, I put a lot of work in to the fancy-medical-word-majigs. And yes I know it's cheesy when Booth arrests George, I just couldn't bring myself to have Booth be all serious G-man, Wendell is like his kid brother, no way could he not thank the guy that ruined his life to save Wendell's.
