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Chapter 13
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"Order Authorizing Exhumation of Derek S. Werner"
"It appearing that this case has not been properly handled upon initial examination of the remains, the doctors of anthropological forensics, Brennan and Santiago, and FBI Special Agent Booth, do hereby state that grievous oversights of the case may have led to evidential shortcomings."
" 1. The complainants are authorized, at the expense of the Bureau, to engage M. Cummings Burial Services, Inc., to locate and exhume the aforesaid remains, under the supervision of various anthropological doctors and agents of the FBI and a representative of Apricot Acres Funeral Home."
"2. The complainant has the authority to unearth the entirety of Burial Plot 44798 and nothing more, and the reinternment of said remains once reexamination concludes."
"3. Once exhumation, examination and categorization of found evidence, and reinternment culminates, Special Agent Booth will certify by letter to this court that said measures were accomplished with due care and decency."
"Signed, Judge Raymond K. Whitehead 08/20/2014"
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The sun was barely peeking above the horizon when the exhumation commenced. Temperance stood at one end of the casket as it was slowly raised above the soil and into the sunlight. Her hand was tucked into Booth's pocket where their hands were intertwined. She watched the couple across from her and wondered if that would be Booth and her in a few hours.
A mother. A father. Mrs. Werner buried her head into her husband's chest as she saw her son come back into the world, in a way she never hoped to see. The pain of seeing her son exhumed paled in comparison to the pain of discovering he was missing and even more so to when she discovered he was dead. It felt like a jagged piece of glass was ripping through her flesh and cutting out her heart. Her eyes lifted from her husband's tan jacket. At thirty-two she never felt older. Her joints were weak and she felt light headed. She knew the couple on the other side of the backhoe which pulled back blackened Maryland soil into a frothy pile at its base. She knew that couple. The man and woman worked on her son's case and now they were bringing him back from the grave. She felt furious, but at the same time she felt such a flood of compassion. Tears poured from the corners of her eyes. She pulled away from her husband's grasp and rounded the grave to the other side.
"Agent Booth?"
Booth wondered if she was going to hit him. "Mrs. Werner. I'm sincerely sorry, I--"
"Agent Booth, don't apologize." She tried to keep her tone steady as she spoke. "I understand. I saw you on the news. I know this man has your baby, too. If it means that Derek has to be unburied, then so be it."
"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Werner."
She reached out for his hand and gripped it in hers tightly. "Agent Booth. I know what it feels like. The uncertainty. Not knowing if you'll ever smell your baby-- Your baby boy's hair after a bath, feel his kisses in the morning, hear his voice say Mommy. I know what it's like. I just pray to God that He has given the wisdom to you and your team to bring your son home safely." She turned and walked back to where her husband was standing.
Booth froze, stunned by Mrs. Werner's speech. It was not verbatim, but Booth had prayed that very thing the night Sammy disappeared. He didn't pray for Samuel to come back. Too vague. He prayed for the abilities of the team to be concentrated and enhanced. He knew his team. Squints, they might be, but their genius brought many children home to their parents. Just as God gave Solomon wisdom, he prayed that He would also smile down from heaven on his team and on his son.
Seeley Booth had faith in God. He had faith in his team. But it was also safe to say that one might have been magnified by the other.