Chapter 11: B&B Meet the Crazy Cat Lady
And so my intrepid readers we arrive here..thank you for sticking with this tale.
Special thanks to asc12 and sldlovespandf15 your reviews make my day. And your own stories inspire. I love reviews. So please R&R
I do not own Bones, there I said it...happy now?
Agent Booth eased the sleek black suv onto the river gravel covered driveway that ran beside the large sage green craftsman style home. The large yard was shaded by the canopy of three ancient oaks. As Bones exited the vehicle she was impressed by how beautifully maintained the home was. The pair made their way up the winding gravel pathway, Bones noticed there were brightly colored mosaic stepping stones haphazardly embedded throughout the path. When they reached the steps Brennen was surprised to see the colorful kaleidiscope of broken glass and ceramic shards continued up the face of each riser. The crafty nature of the added details suited the style of home. Booth and Bones climbed up the steps onto a wide porch. Solid, thick columns rested on wide bases faced with the muted greys and beiges of river washed stone. The porch was furnished with white wicker patio chairs, a small round table and at the end a large wicker swing. All the seating was filled with cushy pillows of various bright hues, patterns and shapes. Filling in any remaining space were planters overflowing with vibrant pink and purple petunias. Fragrant blossoms and colorful foilage filled small containersand numerous hanging baskets. Planter boxes dotted the white railing. It was a riot of color and scent. Booth approached the front door. He didn't see a doorbell so reached to open the sturdy wood framed screen door only to find it latched. Shrugging, Booth rapped the screendoors frame with his fist causing it to slam against the doorjam, producing a loud banging sound. As he began to bang the door again, he felt Bones nudge his arm. She was pointing at a sculpted relief of a lions head made of brass, on the wall parallel to the doorknob. The polished metal lions mouth was frozen open in a fierce roar. Inside the mouth was a round button lit by an orange glow. Booth looked at Bones, then shoved his index finger into the lions mouth, Booth half expected a mighty roar but was slightly letdown upon hearing the chimes of a regular doorbell. He smashed the button again. Before he could gag the bronze beast thrice, Bones stopped him, she could here a womans voice calling from inside.
"I'm coming, I'm coming! Just hold hold your horses!" Followed by what may have been muttered curses. A minute later an woman swung open the front door. She was not the little old lady Booth had pictured in his mind, when Agent Shaw text him the name and address of the sixty-two year old neighbor of Jason Andrews. Ms. Diana Rose was nearly the same height as Booth, with fading red hair pulled into a loose bun and a lot of artzy jewelry. She countered the agents surprised look with one of pure annoyance.
"Was all that banging necessary? And that damn doorbell ,once would have sufficed." Diana chastised him as her goldflecked green eyes flitted from Booth to Brennen, sizing them up. Always wary of strangers showing up on her doorstep, Diana stood behind the screendoor and made no offer to open it just yet.
"Ms. Diana Rose? I'm Special Agent Booth, this is my partner Dr. Temperance Brennen of the Jeffersonion, we would like to speak to you about your ex-neighbor, Jason Andrews. If we could just step inside..." Booth noticed how she averted her gaze thoughtfully at the mention of Andrews, but then quickly resumed staring intently as he spoke. When he finished there was no move on her part to unlock the screen door. Instead she glanced over her shoulder back into the house, then back to them, wrestling with which action to take. She really wasn't gonna make them have this conversation through the screen door, that's too much like confession.
"Actually, I think it best I join you out on the porch...fewer distractions." As the words left her lips, she looked down at her feet. Three very large felines were jockeying for position nearest the doors opening. The winner of the shoving match was an enormous orange tabby tomcat. He was mewing plantively now and pawing at the door. Diana suddenly bent down and clapped her hands loudly. Clap!Clap! Frightend by the noise, two of the beasts fled the scene. Completely unperturbed the huge tabby continued begging for his freedom as he dug a clawy toe through the gap between the door and floor.
Bones had not seen the cats slink up to the door, but seeing how they acted understood the womans hesitance to open the door lest she let loose one of her pets. Especially the orange tabby, he seemed particularly eager to escape. Bones was against confinment of wild animals. It was cruel to remove them from their natural habitat. But with domestic pets it was best. She had never actually had a pet, though she believed she would have enjoyed caring for the german shepard Ripley if he had not been the murder weapon in a mans slaying and thus put down. He had been a good dutiful dog. Looking into those trusting brown eyes, sweet eyes, Brennen had wanted to make a commitment to the dog and been denied. That had been the last time she contemplated having a pet. Bones watched the tabby, then as if feeling her gaze touching him, he locked his golden yellow orbs with her big blues, and with ears flattend on top of his head, hissed with fang baring dramatics. Brennen scowled back. It ocurred to her, maybe she was what some referred to as a " dog person" and that was why the cat reacted in such a rude manner. Although she knew it had more to do with the cats territorial nature and not any special sensitivity to her "inner self". Nonetheless, the cat was still glowering at her with cold yellow eyes, definately nothing trusting or sweet there.
"Oh no.. Azazul you're not going out..." moving swiftly Diana Rose scooped the big tom cat up in one arm, grabbed the house door by its knob, gently tossed the cat back into the recesses of the house, then pulled the door shut behind her, as she unlatched the screen door. Her very practiced exit over Diana now stood beside Bones. "Wouldn't want the doctor here attacked by the big bad kitties now would we?" she gave a soft chuckle as she led the way to the furniture. She chose the swing and sat down.
" I can assure you I am not afraid of felines. Your pet was simply making a territorial display since we are strangers." Brennen stated as she manuvered into the chair nearest the frontroom window, while her partner was endevoring to make space in the other chair with its many pillows. In the end he was perched uncomfortably on the edge of his seat, literally.
"Ms. Rose. How well did you know Jason Andrews?" Booth began his interview.
"I knew him and his family my entire life. Why? Has something happened. He should still be locked up...I haven't received notice of his release." she was obviously worried at the prospect of Jason Andrews release from prison.
"Why would you expect notification ?", Bones asked
"Well last time I saw Jason he made serious threats against my life as well as others. The lawyers, the Finnleys, even his own brother. It was at a hearing to sever all parental rights so that boy of his, Lance could be adopted by the Finnleys. We were all assured we would get notification of parole hearings or release dates. Has he been let out?"
"No. Ms. Rose, he is actually at a prison medical facility. He had a severe seizure and is unable to care for himself or communicate. And it seems that the case information has been corrupted or lost...Did you say sever parental rights? But Lance was placed there by the foster care system. Jason Andrews was his foster parent." Booth and Bones shared confused looks.
Diana leaned forward looking at the pair in front of her. The fact that they leaned closer to each other in silent support hadn't escaped her notice. "That boy did come from the system, but he was Jason Andrews biological son. The boys mother Lily ended their year long relationship, disappeared, had the baby then abandoned him to the state when he was a tiny thing. She didn't even tell Jason she was pregnant, he found that out later through mutual friends, by the time he caught up with her the baby was gone. Lily rejected Jasons attempt to win her back and refused to tell him anything about the child. That didn't stop him though. Took him a while to find him, then convince the state he was the father, then he had to provide a fitting home for him. Jason did everything, even found a wife. Lance was four when they finally allowed Jason to have custody. I remember, Jason was so excited. As was his wife Karen." Diana was looking past the couple, in the direction of Andrews home lost in memory.
" Ms. Rose, we have a case in which the two victims, and the injuries they sustained, mirror the Andrews case. But as I said some details are missing and as Jason Andrews is no longer communicative maybe you could tell us, has anyone been around maybe asking questions about what went on there? About the child? Anyone been inside the home? Have you received any odd phone calls or received any mail or packages? Anything out of the ordinary that connects to the Andrews case?" Booth hated sounding so desperate but he didn't have enough information to begin the search for this guy.
"Let's see...oh hold on a second. About a year ago a man came to do a house inspection. Michael had decided to sell it. He lives ...lived in Tennessee, I've always had a key just for such purposes. Anyway, the young man said he needed access to the home. He had Michael on his cell phone who told me to open the house for him. So I did. The young man didn't talk much, suited me fine. But he did seem to know the basics of what happened there. The only thing that I found odd was something he said, " That it was a tragedy when a father and son are kept apart". Certainly didn't apply in their case. After what Jason did...well...he needs to be kept far away from his son. But then, I don't recall the house ever going on the market after that...I just assumed they had changed their mind." There was a hint of disappointment in her voice.
"Ms. Rose do you think you could identify the man?",Bones asked skeptical the older woman would recall much after such a brief encounter. But, it was worth a try. She had brought along some files that included a picture of Pelant...just in case. As she rifled through the pages Jason Andrews info from their prison visit hit the porch floor. Much quicker than she would have expected the woman to move Diana picked it up and was seriously scrutinizing the page. She glanced from the page to Bones and Booth and back. She was shaking her head as a look of confusion took over her features.
"This name, says Jason Andrews...but that..is not Jason." She continued stareing transfixed on the inmates most recent file picture from the medical facility.
"Like I said Mam, he was severely beaten...that plus aging, its unlikely you would recog..." Booth started when he was cut off.
"Young man are you telling me that I don't recognise someone I watched grow up? That man looks very similiar but it is definately not him. Here let me show you.", The woman abruptly stood, leaving them on the porch and went inside. When she returned she was carrying a large black vinyl bound photo album. She resumed her position on the swing. Opening the book to nearly the last page she pointed at one of the images with a rather triumphant look.
"See.. right here!" She was directing their attention to a family photo, professionally posed and high quality, of a man, woman and small boy. "I believe this was taken just before Christmas of that year. See the shape of his ears, the distance between his eyes and the slight difference in the set of the jawline. Time wouldn't have changed him that much...injuries to the face maybe. But I just know, when I look into this mans eyes..I've never seen him before." She was tapping on the file photo while giving the agent a hard glare.
It was Bones who proceeded to analyze the photos side by side, looking for validity in the womans assertions. Booth became concerned by how long it was taking..was this old lady right?
"Booth...Booth she is correct! While their exterior features are very much alike, the underling bone structure is fundamentally different. Aging would not account for this. Nor would the injuries reported in the records. This is not Jason Andrews." Bones was filled with a sudden concern for their wayward profiler. Her worried eyes kept shifting between the images, pausing on the boy being held by their suspect. This could be our killer... Poor Sweets he needs to know..
Booth was stunned, but quick to react to he revealation. He immediately called Agent Shaw, told her to have the prison run every possible identity test on the mystery man in the wheelchair, and get a complete list of anyone paroled and released in the last year...regardless of crime. After hanging up with her he turned to the most helpful person in the world at this moment. " ...do you know where Coras' homeplace is...what it is? " he needed to find it as soon as possible. William Boyd was pretty sure Andrews would go there. If this is Andrews... I gotta get in touch with Sweets.
The womans sparkiling green eyes were searching the porch area as if the answer to Booths question was hiding somewhere among the colorful petunias. "I..I'm not sure.. Cora, was Jasons mother, I know she came to Maryland from Virginia...but I don't recall a homeplace ever being mentioned. If my mother was still among the living, she could tell you...they were close. There was a cabin on the Shenendoah river but I believe they purchased that after, Cora and Michael Andrews Sr. married. I'm sorry...", she felt bad she was unable to help the now crestfallen agent more.
Just great, that wasn't the answer I wanted to hear. But maybe she can tell me more about what happened. "That's okay... you obviously knew the family well.", Booth gestured at the photo album still open on her lap. "I would appreciate any information about...what happened. I mean ...looking at this photo you would never know the kind of monster he was...is. Why?"
Diana traced a couple of the photos with the perfectly polished nail of her long index finger, a shadow of sadness cast itself over her whole being. Finally, she clasped her hands together resting them on the book. " I have lived here my whole life. Oh I left...for school...to travel..but I always returned. It was just Mother and I , Father died when I was quite young. Michael Andrews Sr. and Cora bought that place shortly after my parents moved in here. Cora was a homemaker.. was career military. They had Michael Jr. when I was eight. They tried for years to have another child but finally gave up. That's why Cora was so suprised when she became pregnant at the age of forty-six, back then it wasn't as fashionable or safe to have a baby so late. But she did and she was ecstatic. But Mr Andrews...you see he was nearly fifty-seven...he was nearing retirement...he just wasn't as excited. Unfortunately, Coras' pregnancy took a heavy toll on her health. We helped her all we could of course..and then there was the older boy Michael. She relied a lot on him. Despite it all she was completely smittin with her " miracle boy". For five years she doted on him, then one night she had a massive heart attack ...just like that she was gone. Mr. Andrews was never quite the same. He was never a warm sort anyway, always kind of stiff and a stickler for dicipline...order. But Cora equaled his distant lack of emotion with her friendly warm-hearted nature. She was the heart. Once she was gone...most of the caregiving fell to Michael...he was still a child himself, only eleven. We tried to help out as much as possible." The woman shook her head sadly. "Time passed ...they kept more and more to themselves. Mr. Andrews retired...he became even more withdrawn. Michael managed everything. The pressure on him keeping up the house...essentially raising his brother...and then tending to his fathers needs. I suppose its no wonder things got...tense. You know, I always thought Mr. Andrews and Michael blamed Jason for losing Cora. Maybe that's why they were both so...hard on him. I never saw them hit the boy...but sometimes... I thought I heard..." , her voice trailed off weakly, she cleared her throat and straightened abit, "I don't know...it was a long time ago, times were different."
"So you suspected some kind of abuse and did nothing about it?, Bones found the womans inaction mindboggling.
"And who would they have believed? The hippy, art student..who was only home part-time. Or the decorated war veteran and upstanding member of the community. Colonel Andrews was very respected by the leaders of our little town. Besides, as I said I never saw anything." The older woman stated matter of factly.
" Jason was such a smart young man. He could do anything... When Michael turned eighteen he left...said he wanted to join the Army. Jason was a very independent young man. He did so well in school he was skipping grades. By the time he was sixteen, he was a senior. Despite the rough times he really seemed optimistic...he had a plan. He said he wanted to atttend MIT...study computers and electronics. He was always messing around with the lastest gadgets. I'm not exactly sure what happened...I was away traveling. By the time I returned, Mr. Andrews had suffered a dibilitating stroke and Jason was taking care of him. Any plans for college were put on hold. He was eighteen then. That's when he met Lily...she was a drama student at the school I was...well.. I was dating the professor, which didn't last long. She needed a place to stay...so I suggested she stay here. She was twenty-one. Lily was a real charmer. All the guys loved her...After Jason noticed her, he was always finding excuses to come by. They hit it off too. He was young but sometimes seemed older then her. She teased him for being "stuffy". But he was head over heels in love with her. They had been dating for about a year...when he asked her to marry him. He ask her in front of all their friends...I think she didn't want to embarass him..so she said yes. But she was never the marrying type...too much of a freespirit to settle down. She left. She swore me to secrecy...", Again the woman seemed lost in a moment far away. "...but Jason was so upset...he thought something terrible had happened. He just couldn't believe she left voluntarily..it had to be fowl play. I couldn't stand to see him so heartbroken...so...so I told him she left. I should have never broke my promise to her. Maybe then..." she let the weight of twenty some years of guilt crash down as tears. "Maybe then he would never have found out about his son. Maybe... if I had just kept that one promise...that night would never have happened."
Booth reached out placing a comforting hand on the womans still clasped hands.
"Ms Rose...you didn't know. I can tell you saw decent person in Jason Andrews...you just wanted to help him. But, what happened that night." Diana looked into his dark sincere eyes, then pulled herself together.
"It was.. was after his wife Karen, had left for the second and what looked to be the final time. They had started having problems after Jason lost his full-time position at a company that installed security systems. They accused him of stealing equipment...thats what Karen believed anyway. He said it was downsizing. Either way he started working as a freelance electrician. He also had an electronic repair business he ran out of his garage turned repair shop. He was home most of the time ...not sure who he had watching Lance after Karen left. I offered but after how things went with Lily he didn't have much use for me anymore. I know how cliché this will sound but it was a dark and stormy night...and the power was flickering. Thunder was booming. I was living alone by then. I was watching an old horror movie that night too. The wind was howling, it had caught the screen door and was making the awfulest banging noise...scared the hell out of me. I went to secure the door and just as I opened it, the loudest crack of lighting hit and my little girl Angel ran straight outside." Booth and Bones gave each other confused looks. But, before either could ask Diana continued "Well I couldn't just leave her out in that kind of weather. She would be having her litter soon." The couple shared an understanding glance.
"I grabbed a flashlight and went out calling for her. She was always a little skittish...and she ran into the boxwoods in front of his house. I noticed his van was gone..and the house was dark..but when I got close...well that's when I heard him. It was the most pitiful sound..screaming to be let out, crying for "Daddy". I tried the door but it was locked. So, I used the flashlight, to break the front window, I was able to open it and climb in. By then I didn't hear anything. For a moment I panicked thought maybe I was mistaken, but I looked around anyway. There was blood on the hallway wall...as soon as I saw the closet door I knew... there was blood smeared around the knob and a sliding lock. When I opened that closet...he ..he wasn't crying anymore...he wasn't moving... I thought I was too late. But when I touched his cheek he opened his eyes. I called 911. The ambulance came...then the police came", Dianas tone hardened as she spat out the next words. "..and then Jason came in right behind them." She shook her head, " He came in as they were taking that poor broken child out on a stretcher...he had the nerve to act upset!...Like he didn't know what happened! Tried to say he had left Lance there with a sitter...Craig..Christian...Chris..I don't know. But there wasn't anyone else...it was him! I was so upset...so mad...what he did. Hearing him lie. I smacked him..right across the face...He seemed so stunned... Well after that..the police arrested him, took my statement, and that was the last I saw of him or Lance until the trial.", She was so disturbed by the memories that Booth felt the hands beneath his shaking. He gave them a gentle pat. Tears swamped her eyes.
Brennen understood now, just how heavy the burden of guilt this woman must have been carrying all this time. She had not helped Jason as a child and had not kept a promise to her friend with very dire consequences.
" ..you could not have known what was going to happen Ms. Rose ...but in the end you were there for Lance Sweets. When he needed someone. You were that someone." ,Bones placed her hand over her partners.
"Thank you...for that dear. But how does my little storytime help you find Jason? " she asked gruffly pulling her hands away. She was done hand holding,"If they lost track of him.. I need to know , so I can clean and load my Fathers revolver. Jason was none too happy with my part in his incarceration."
Booth heard the fear behind her tough talk. I'm not going to let Andrews hurt anyone else. Time to find this bastard. He took out his phone. Calling to set up survelence and protection of Ms. Rose. Excusing himself, he left Bones with Diana.
Bones retrieved the photo of Pelant, taking this moment to ask the woman if she recognised him. After studying it she shook her head she couldn't be sure.
"Ms. Rose do you mind if I take this album. It may offer clues to Andrews plans. The tired lady shrugged and handed the book over. Booth soon returned.
"There, you don't have to worry...I have a security detail on you. I also wondered if we could take a look around the Andrews home..you said you had a key?" Agent Booth was eager to find this guy.
"Oh well ..yes ,of course...I'll have to call Barbara, Michaels widow...make sure you have permission without a warrant. I'll go do that." She left the swing and went inside. While they waited for her return Booths phone rang, it was Agent Shaw, the identity of the man in prison was a Byron Mathis. He was released seven months ago timed served for robbery. Damn
Bones had been flipping through the book of pictures. She stopped on a picture of young Jason Andrews with his arm around a dark haired, dark eyed beauty. Reading the bone structure of each smiling face she had no problem piecing together their young pychologists features.
"Alright...Barbara gave the go ahead...let's go." Diana called out, then started down the steps ahead of the partners.
When they entered the home it was typical of one shut up for a long time. It smelled stale and musty. Everthing had a fine layer of dust. There were boxes everywhere, some packed with books, others nik naks and many still needed filling. Someone had started emptying the rooms but left the job undone.
"Michael, thought about selling or renting the place out...he never did either though. As you see most everything is the same as it was then. Michael didn't stay in the house long after Jason was sent to prison. He just hung on to it." She mentioned as Booth looked at the wall of shelves in the living room. There was a lot of military momentos, books.. tons of books and some rather nice model planes. He moved from the living room into the hallway. Halfway down he found the hall closet. The door was much brighter white than the other doors further down, indicitive of fresh paint. Near the top of the door was a number of poorly hidden screwholes were the sliding lock must've been. He turned the knob. Inside there was nothing...it was empty. The entire inside was coated in the same bright white paint. Even empty there wasn't much space. Booths gut churned at the thoughts of being locked inside there. He shut the door and moved on. Another door...a bathroom. Another door...a large master bedroom. Another door... a small bedroom. Booth walked into the space. Sky blue walls. Kid sized furniture. A desk, bookshelves..lots of books. A large basket of toys ...all sorts. A wide chest of drawers with a mirror. But the thing that caught his eye was the twin bed. In a room stuck in a moment in time with things left where they had been tossed ...the bed didn't fit. It was only an empty frame. He shook his head. As he walked near the dresser he noticed one of the drawers had been left slightly open. Curious...Booth pulled the drawer. It had been rifled through. He held up one the garments...a boys pajama top with a fire truck motiff. He checked the label. Son of a bitch has been here. He tossed the top back down. He had his phone to his ear as he met in the living room.
"...Yeah, I want the whole house searched.", he put the phone away. "Thank you, for your help , we're gonna do a thourogh search of the residence... I have reason to believe he has already been here. The security detail should be here any minute. They will keep an eye out if he returns...don't worry we will protect you."
"Huh...Well I hope they do a better job than the correctional institution has done..." Diana scoffed
Booth looked around, "Bones!"
"In here Booth!", Bones voice emanated from a hallway beside the kitchen. At the end of the short hall was a door that opened into a large garage that had been almost completely used for the purpose of Andrews repair shop. Booth entered, it was full of dated gadgets in need of repair. Big tvs, stereos, early computer and game systems. Like a museum of dusty old technology. There was a lot of video equipment. Bones was interested by a box on the work bench...suspiciously clean of the dust that clung to all the other surfaces. The box was open, inside were numerous VHS cassettes.
"Booth...", she turned facing him holding something ...it was a USB in her gloved hand. " This was lying beside the box." Her forehead wrinkled in anxiety. She understood it couldn't be a good thing.
" We'll go ahead and take that and this.." he grabbed the box. " Techs can search the..." Booths phone buzzed in his pocket, " Booth...what? Hey good work Shaw send me the information...we'll go check it out..thanks. Good work. " he looked at Bones. "Shaw thinks she found "Coras homeplace" we're gonna check it out...now."
Not good I know... it will get better ...I hope. Reviews are always appreciated.