Blood on a Parasol

Chapter Twelve

Susan H.

Later that morning, Brennan answered her office phone.

"Brennan."

"Hey Sweetie, I just e-mailed you a link to an article in EL UNIVERSAL, a Mexican newspaper. I searched using the criteria you gave me, but you'll have to read it. My high school Spanish is a bit rusty."

Brennan opened the e-mail and clicked the link.

"Thanks Angie, this looks right," she hung up.

Brennan read the article and reached for her phone to call Booth, but it was already ringing when her hand found it.

"Brennan."

"Bones, Abigail Kincaid is the same Abigail that met Marisol in Puerto Rico. At that time, Abigail Miller was mourning the death of her second husband and spending his life insurance. Last year, Abigail Lambert tragically lost another husband and changed her name back to Kincaid and moved in with her son Thomas."

"Black Widow?"

"I have no proof. Unless you count the creepiness of her introducing her own son to his killer, and then claiming to have never met Marisol."

"Does creepiness count?"

"Only if I can substantiate it."

"There was that call from Mexico."

"Useful information, but the FBI can't snoop without a warrant."

"Still, I don't pretend to understand the parent/child bond, but I have observed you with Parker. Could she plan her own son's death?"

"She may have killed three husbands Bones."

"I can understand killing a husband."

"Good to know."

"Well, I mean on an intellectual level. There is no maternal bond with a husband."

"I haven't made you my beneficiary yet Bones. I just need you to know that."

"Well, I would expect Parker to be your beneficiary. Nothing prevents me from purchasing a policy on you."

"Have you purchased one?"

"No, not yet."

"Okay, well back to the murder case, and my comfort zone. Did you find out anything interesting this morning?"

"Angie found an article from a Mexican newspaper."

"And?"

"You know Booth, I'm independently wealthy. I'm not likely to purchase a life insurance policy for you. It would be more logical for you to purchase a policy on me, where you're the beneficiary."

"Waste of money Bones. I'm dying first."

"You can't know that."

"Please tell me about the article."

"Three people died in the fire. Marisol's parents, and a 22-year-old servant named Miertha Medina. The fire started in Miertha's bedroom when she fell asleep smoking. The parents died of smoke inhalation, but Miertha's body was burned beyond identification. Marisol escaped."

"Bones, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"How do I know what you are thinking Booth?"

"I think Miertha escaped and stole Marisol's identity."

"I haven't jumped to any conclusions. We have Marisol's DNA. Perhaps Senor Ortiz will undergo a paternity test."

"Yes Bones! That's why you're the genius."

"Actually, my IQ defines my genius."

"Yeah, well I've peeked under your IQ, and let me tell ya…"

"Booth!" Brennan hung up.