Chapter 8

"So what we have so far is a man who served in World War II, earned a Medal of Honor, the highest medal awarded for extreme bravery and typically given posthumously, who then came home and moved to Kansas because it was one of only a few states at the time that didn't see interracial marriage as an illegal offense. That about cover it?"

Earlier that morning Angela had successfully identified the key as belonging to a long term storage facility located near the nursing home. Booth and Brennan were currently on their way to check it out.

"Well, don't forget that the body of his wife was dumped in a Potomac tributary near a park that is only minutes away from their home. Not to mention the fact that she suffered from two debilitating diseases and was poisoned with her own medication. Those facts present motive and opportunity."

"You know, you shouldn't jump to conclusions like that Bones, you aren't very good at it."

"What? I wasn't jumping to any conclusions. I was simply presenting the remaining facts that you so conveniently left out."

"I didn't conveniently leave anything out. I'm just not convinced that he's our killer. It just doesn't add up."

"How can it not add up? If you look at the evidence objectively he definitely had opportunity and it couldn't have been easy taking care of a woman that could barely get around and who undoubtedly suffered from severe lapses of memory. That would give to motive. He might have even considered it a merciful death. I can't imagine it would be easy watching someone you care for suffer like that."

"But that's the thing Bones. William Sutherland was not the kind of man that took the easy way out. He fought for our country, he fought for the woman he loved and I can't believe he would give up like that in the end. It just doesn't fit."

"Is that your gut talking?"

"Look, you and I both know its best if you stick with finding out the facts and I'll handle the human aspect. Ok?"

"Is it because he was in the military? Is that why you can't imagine him as a murderer?"

"His military career gives evidence to his integrity. A man like that doesn't risk his life to save others and then kill the woman he loves. A woman he fought to keep."

"Love is ephemeral Booth. They were married over sixty years. Maybe he just got tired of fighting."

"You never get tired of fighting for the woman you love Bones. Never. You fight as long as you have to and then you fight some more. That's what William Sutherland did, he fought for the woman he loved. Are you hearing me Bones? He didn't give up."

Brennan studied Booth's profile as she let this new piece of information sink in. Something in Booth's adamant insistence in his belief in this man pulled at her subconscious. There was something here she wasn't getting, a nuance that she was missing. She was so tired of missing the little details that most found so easy to see. Understanding the human psyche was exhausting. She was frustrated with Booth's current attitude and decided a change in topic was in order.

"Have you had a chance to think over my proposition?"

"Proposition? What proposition are you talking about?"

"My offer from yesterday as a possible solution to the current strain on our partnership. Don't tell me you haven't thought about it."

"Bones, I've been trying to not think about it. In fact, let's just forget you even offered. That is not a path I want to go down."

"Are you concerned we won't be sexually compatible? I can assure you I'm very good in bed. I've been complemented on many occasions."

"Oh God Bones, please don't go there." Even though Brennan wasn't adept at reading facial expressions, she did recognize the look of pain that flashed briefly on Booth's face. Why would he be in pain? "No, I'm not concerned about our sexual compatibility, I'm sure we'd be very compatible. It's just that I don't think it's going to solve anything is all. I think it'll only create more problems for us."

Brennan sighed in frustration. "Then what do you suggest Booth? Because I'm beginning to think you aren't interested in fixing this."

"Look Bones, our problems aren't going to be fixed with a quick roll in the hay, I assure you. Quit being so quick to try to fix everything. Try a little patience."

Brennan decided to let the subject drop for now. Unraveling the Booth mystery would have to wait for later. They had a murdered to catch.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The trip to the storage facility had proven fruitful. They found even more love letters both from Rose and William, it appeared they continued communicating with letters even after he returned from the war. They also found medical records leading them to the Sutherland's family physician.

The story Dr. Sorensen told them was very similar to the one Benjamin Clarkston shared. William Sutherland loved his wife very much, and had pressed the doctor for any possible medical treatment that could help her. So much that Dr. Sorensen had recommended a clinical trial for Alzheimer's patients. He said that Mrs. Sutherland just barely fit the patient profile they were working with, but he had managed to pull some strings to have her included. Dr. Sorensen gave them the name and contact information of the trial's administrator, Christina Markham. Booth and Brennan would have to wait until tomorrow to follow up on that lead. It was already late in the day and Booth was grateful for the excuse to drop Bones off at the Jeffersonian.

William Sutherland had loved his wife. Booth was absolutely certain of that, as certain as he was that he didn't kill her. Why couldn't Bones see that? How could anyone be so shut down that they refused to see evidence so clearly in front of them? It must be his need for self flagellation in an effort to absolve his sins that drew him to this woman. Or maybe it was the fact that he knew he had met his match. He could spend lifetimes trying to figure her out. She challenged him in ways he had never thought possible. She was always willing to meet him head on. She never backed down, she did not give up. So why didn't she acknowledge the same traits in William Sutherland?

Booth couldn't help but feel that he had somehow failed her. If this fantastically brilliant woman was unable to recognize the attributes of love, then he had failed to properly show her. Discussions of magic and miracles had obviously been too vague. Promises of someday and someone had been too cryptic. And that damn line. How could he have been such a fool? Dr. Temperance Brennan was a literal woman. She dealt in facts and evidence and he had failed to provide her with any. He had left her to her own conclusions and what had she come up with? A one night stand, a temporary solution to a permanent problem that she had yet to truly understand the scope.

Well it was time to show her. First he would solve the murder of Rose Sutherland, prove to Bones that William did not kill his wife. Give her evidence that love was not temporary. Love is worth holding on to. Then he would show her what it really meant to be loved by Seeley Booth. Not just any man, but him and only him. He would make sure he was the last man she would ever have love her, no other man would get the chance. There would no longer be any doubt in her mind his intentions once he had finished.