Author's Note.

Hi everyone. Thanks for all your reviews. The next chapter's a long one but I'm rather proud of it. Stick with it as it's worth it in the end. Let me know what you think.

Happy reading :)

Chapter 13.

The Meeting With The Jerk.

Booth made a phone call and discovered that Steve Jennington was working in his office at his company, not very far away.

He did not make an appointment, believing it best to surprise his new prime suspect with their visit.

When they arrived at the publishers, Brennan saw it was one of many buildings situated on a large industrial estate. It was a flat topped, large structure and the sign JENNINGTONS ran one from end of the building to the other.

She and Booth got out and made their way to the entrance.

There wasn't many cars in the car park and, sure enough, when they entered the building, they were met with the sight of many empty desks. It looked like most of the workforce had gone home for the day if they worked on a Saturday at all.

The only person they could see was a blonde girl, who was sitting at the desk nearest to the door. She was pretty, with a heart-shaped face and bright red lips. Despite her hair being pulled back in a sophisticated updo, she looked young. Brennan thought she was probably the same age as Sarah. Her name tag read:

Adele.

Receptionist.

Sitting on her desk was a familiar object – a bumble-bee shaped stapler, inscribed with the phrase 'GOOD WORKER.'

Brennan was looking at it when Adele looked up from the papers she was reading and smiled at them.

"Hello. Welcome to Jenningtons. What can I do for you?" Her voice sounded young too.

"We're here to see Mr Jennington." Booth answered her. "Steve Jennington."

"Mr Jennnington is working in his office." Adele said. "Do you have an appointment?"

"No." Booth shook his head. "Not exactly-"

"Well I'm afraid you must have-"

Booth smiled at her and interrupted.

"I'm sure Mr Jennington wouldn't mind if you asked him. Couldn't you could get him to speak with us?"

Adele looked at Booth, frowning.

He looked straight back at her. His eyes were warm and honest.

Adele face's broke into a smile.

She picked up her phone and pressed a button on her intercom.

Meanwhile, Booth looked at Brennan and sent her a satisfied smile.

Brennan sent him a scathing look back, as she knew she wasn't supposed to speak.

"Mr Jennington there are some people here to see you... no they don't have an appointment... yes I told them that... yes Mr Jennington..." Adele giggled. "Steve... of course... your welcome."

She put the phone down, still smiling.

"He says he'll be out in a minute."

Booth looked at Brennan and warned her quietly. "Remember what you promised Bones. Not a word."

"Don't call me-"

Before she could finish, a man appeared from his office over the other side of the room and she shut her mouth quickly.

He strode toward them confidently, his hand outstretched.

"I'm Steven Jennington. You wanted to speak to me?"

Steve was a good - looking man.

He looked younger than forty, in a crisp, expensive - looking black suit. His thick black hair was swept backwards and his skin was deeply tanned. He had dark brown eyes and a large smile which he flashed when he saw them.

As soon as Booth saw him, Booth disliked him... the guy had 'jerk' written all over him... but he accepted Steve's outstretched hand.

"My name is Booth. Seeley Booth. I'm with the FBI."

Steve looked momentarily taken aback.

"FBI?" He exclaimed.

"Yes." Booth indicated Bones standing next to him. "This is my... assistant Temperance Brennan."

Booth sent Brennan a cheeky grin, knowing she couldn't correct him.

Steve's eyes fell on Brennan and his surprise transformed instantly to a dazzling smile.

"Hello Temperance my dear. It's wonderful to meet you." He said. He took her hand in his, brought it up to his lips and kissed it.

"Such a beautiful lady." Steve said, looking into her eyes.

Brennan smiled tightly at him, then sent Booth a murderous look that Steve didn't notice.

She kept her promise though and said nothing as she took her hand away.

Steve missed the look she gave Booth, as his eyes were now looking over her shoulder.

At Adele and her hurt expression.

"Adele, my angel, why don't you finish now?" His smile was broad and his voice was as sickly sweet as syrup. "I have to talk to these nice people and you've worked sooooo hard today. Why don't you head off and I'll make sure you get a nice bonus in your pay this week?"

Adele instantly cheered up, smiling shyly.

"Oh thank you Mr Jennington-"

"Steve." He corrected her, flashing a megawatt smile.

"Steve." Adele looked shy. "I'm nearly done anyway. Just another half-an-hour and I'll pack up."

Steve turned his smile up another couple of watts [if that were possible.]

"You're an angel. What would I do without you?" He simpered.

Adele never stopped smiling.

Steve turned to Brennan and Booth and trained his smile on them.

"Would you like to come into my office? I can't think what you want to talk to me about."

'I bet you can't.' Booth thought bitterly.

Brennan eyes were on Adele. Her cheeks were tinged with red. Her face flushed.

She looked like a schoolgirl with a crush.

They followed Mr Jennington into his office and he closed the door.

This room was as big as the one they had just been in, but there was only one desk in here.

It smelled very strongly of Mr Jenningtons spicy cologne, a bottle of which was sitting on his desk. Beside it was a computer, a telephone, an ashtray and an opened box of cigars.

Steve went to the leather chair behind his desk and sat down. He was silhouetted in front of a single, floor -to- ceiling window.

"Would you like to hang up your jacket?" He asked Booth, indicating the hat stand near the door that held a single black coat and an umbrella.

Booth shook his head and he and Brennan sat down in the two seats opposite him.

Steve looked very calm.

Booth hated that.

"We're here to talk to you about Sarah Jenkins." He announced suddenly.

He didn't know what he'd been expecting but the reaction he got was next to nothing.

"Who...?"

He must of remembered because he shook himself and smiled, looking vaguely amused. "Oh Sarah... yes of course."

He frowned slightly.

"Did Richard put you up to this?"

He didn't let Booth answer.

"Look whatever he's said, I've done nothing wrong. Sarah's a big girl. She can take care of herself. He shouldn't have involved the FBI over nothing."

Steve's casual tone and attitude infuriated the duo.

Brennan could only smile tightly as Booth answered.

"Actually Mr Jennington... it's not nothing. Sarah's body was found in Welding's Park today."

Steve's eyes widened.

"What? In the park...?"

Booth nodded. "Yes. Don't you watch the News?"

Steve shook his head. "Your sure it's her?" He looked puzzled.

"Yes." Booth said, waiting for him to say more.

Steve sighed.

"Well I can see why your here. I suppose Richard told you everything then?"

"I'm interested to hear your side of the story Mr Jennington." Booth said, not wanting to give anything anyway.

Steve looked annoyed, no longer all smiles.

"Really I have nothing to say." He said flatly, folding his arms across his chest. "I'm sorry the girl is dead of course but that's got nothing to do with me. I don't blame Richard for pointing you my way, but I shouldn't have to explain myself. I can't help the actions of other people. I'm sorry she killed herself over it but-"

"Killed herself?" Booth asked surprised, leaning forward in his seat.

Steve stopped.

"Well... yes." Steve raised his eyebrows. "She did, didn't she?"

"Why would you think that Mr Jenington?" Booth said smoothly.

"Well the affair." Steve said it like it was obvious. "She ran away because I wouldn't leave my wife. I just assumed-"

Booth hated his cocky attitude.

"Actually Mr Jennington, Sarah was murdered."

There was a few seconds of silence.

"Ohhh well... hmmm right... well I'm sorry about that." Steve looked surprised. "Shame really. But you can't think I had anything to do with it...?"

Steve looked first at Booth, then at Brennan.

When they didn't say anything, looking at him in silence, he was outraged.

"Now hang on a minute! You can't just go around accusing people-"

"I'm not accusing you of anything Mr Jennington." Booth said calmly. "I just came to have a chat."

"And what if I don't want to have a chat?" Steve retorted.

Then he sighed.

"Look Booth wasn't it?... You know how it is. Your a good-looking guy. I get women flinging themselves at me all the time."

He glanced briefly at Brennan but when she didn't verbally react he looked back at Booth.

"I can't help it can I? Sarah was a good kid. Lot's of fun but it was nothing more than that. I can't help it if she gets upset and runs off and finds herself in hot water."

He was looking at Booth and asking him to understand.

Booth immediately saw there were two Steve Jenningtons.

The Charming Mr Smooth and The Jerk.

He immediately saw a way to get both sides of Steve to open up.

He smiled at the guy, slouched down in his seat and agreed with him.

"Yeah Steve. I get it. Sometimes girls like that... they just don't get what guys want right?"

Brennan looked at him in outrage, letting out a squeak of protest.

Booth looked at her, grinning and turned back to Steve.

"See? Women." He rolled his eyes at the guy.

Steve laughed, visibly relaxing. "Yeah I swear most of them expect a marriage proposal after one kiss."

Booth laughed along with him and immediately saw a chance to lead the conversation.

"Yeah man that's true but it's not so bad if the girl's hot. Sarah was a real beauty..." He remarked casually.

Brennan looked at Booth and realised he was acting with the guy. Or at least she hoped he was.

"Oh yes..." Steve was nodding in agreement. "She was gorgeous... really fit... it wasn't always like that... but once she sorted herself out... well what man wouldn't notice her? I love my wife but... [he shrugged] I'm only human."

Booth laughed, encouraging him.

"I expect she came on to you."

"Of course." Steve was quick to agree. "I didn't say no. It's not as if I promised her the stars or anything... the trick is just to make them think you have." He laughed.

Booth smiled but he was really hating this guy.

"So level with me." Booth said, leaning in like a co-conspirator. "What happened with Sarah?"

Steve made a face but he continued to talk.

"Well... I'd never really thought about her like that, you know. She is Richard's daughter. She was always quiet. Bit mousy. Not my type at all."

He looked at Booth. "Then she turns up for work one day and wow... and I thought why not?"

Booth laughed along with him.

"How do you get away with it?" Booth asked, as if they were comparing tricks. "What if your wife finds out?"

Steve smiled evilly.

"They'd never tell her. They adore me. I've very good with women. I train them."

He glanced in Brennan's direction and smiled smugly at Booth. "I see your very good with this one. She knows her place." He laughed, referring to Brennan's continued silence.

It took every bit of Brennan's self control to not do anything.

The same went for Booth.

"How did you train Sarah?" He asked tightly.

"Oh the usual." Steve reeled off a list. "Your beautiful. Your gorgeous. You understand me. Gifts help too."

"Expensive stuff?" Booth couldn't see Steve spending a fortune on his conquests.

Steve shook his head. "No... just as long as it's something that makes her feel special."

The last word was sarcastic.

Brennan suddenly remembered the bumble bee-shaped stapler she seen in Sarah's bedroom, inscribed with 'GOOD WORKER' and the one sitting on Adele's desk right now and she felt a surge of anger.

Steve didn't notice. He was too busy boasting.

"I brought Sarah a few trashy things. She was happy anyway. One of my personal favourites is a pen with her name on it. It's one of my specialities. Not overly sexual or expensive but something they'd see as meaningful. " He laughed, pleased with his own cleverness.

Brennan remembered Sarah's pen too and her fists clenched in her lap.

"Seems like you had a good thing going." Booth said casually, wanting to keep him talking.

"Yeah it was." Steve agreed. "She was good for a while. I'm always ready to give them up of course. The longer it goes on for, the more involved they get. After I gave her the pen... I knew the end was coming."

"What do you mean?" Booth frowned.

"Oh... Sarah told her father a bunch of lies about some boy or another..." Steve said matter-of-factly. "A friend... she made out like they were dating to cover for us. Then I gave her the pen. I forgot that Richard was there when I gave my wife one. He pulled me up on it."

He looked embarrassed and Booth continued his act, he grimaced in sympathy. "Oops. So you lied right?"

"Yeah at first... but there wasn't really much point. Richard already knew. He's my best friend. I knew he'd never tell Helen so I admitted it. He was mad of course but I said I was sorry and made out I lost my head a bit... you know..."

He sighed. "It would have been hassle after that. Seeing her. So I broke it off."

"I bet Sarah was mad when you told her." Booth commented.

Steve laughed. "She was well trained. I told her my wife was getting suspicious and I couldn't leave her because she'd take me for everything. I told her I was heartbroken of course. As I said Sarah was trained."

He laughed again.

"Did you love her?" Booth asked, knowing the answer.

Steve made a face.

"Love's a strong word. She was cute. Not wife material. I love my wife. Why would I want to leave the women who cooks my meals and cleans my clothes?" Steve laughed. "Helen's a good wife. She's just not as adventurous as I would like. I have to seek adventure elsewhere."

He looked at Brennan and smiled widely at her.

Brennan felt her anger boiling.

"Sarah was great for it." Steve continued, not noticing. "The only trouble was the fact she was a virgin before me. I hadn't known that of course. She got more attached then I would have liked. She left the job but she called me all the time. I met her once or twice."

He looked at Booth and added cheekily. "I mean she was offering it."

"She still wanted to be with you?" Booth asked, unable to keep the surprise out of his voice.

"They always do." Steve laughed again. "I'm hard to resist... but I had Richard breathing down my neck didn't I? He came straight here when she went missing. Accusing me of all sorts. I had trouble calming him down."

"What did he say?"

"Oh he seemed to think she'd run away because I'd rejected her."

"What did you think?"

"I thought he was probably right. She was young. All girls have to learn hard lessons sometimes."

"So when was the last time you saw her?" Booth asked.

Richard thought. "Bout four weeks ago. The 15th I think."

The day she disappeared.

"At night?" Booth pounced, thinking about the phone call Sarah had received but Steve was shaking his head.

"Jut after midday. She came here. I wasn't happy bout that of course." Steve was shaking his head.

"Did you refuse to talk to her?"

Steve shook his head again. "She told me she had something important to tell me. I was dam scared I can tell you." He said breathlessly. "I thought she was going to say she was pregnant!"

Booth looked shocked and was about to ask but Steve grinned.

"She wasn't thank God. She laughed when I asked her if she was. I took her to the woods in my car. She started rambling about some plan or something. She said she had some money and we could run away together."

Steve looked at Booth.

"She had $40,000. As if I'd leave everything for a measly $40,000!" He scoffed, laughing like it was all one big joke. "Still she wasn't to know that. Bless her."

Brennan face was getting redder and redder and Booth sent her a warning glance.

"Did she say where she'd got it?" Booth asked, turning back to Steve.

"No... well I wasn't really paying attention to be honest. She was wearing high heels. I love a women in high heels..."

He glanced at Brennan and grinned wickedly.

Brennan dug her fingernails into her chair.

"Did you have sex with her?" Booth asked.

"Of course." Steve said, like he was offended. "She started asking when I was going to tell my wife and I just wanted to shut her up. I found kissing her a pretty good way of achieving that."

He expected Booth to laugh but he didn't. Booth was struggling to keep up his act, his own temper rising.

"So you had sex and then what? When was the last time you saw her?" He demanded.

Steve looked a bit shocked at the change in his tone. "I dropped her back into town after and went to my office. Did a bit of paperwork and went home to Helen. I was in bed by 11 with her."

"No phone calls? No more meetings?"

Steve shook his head. "No. That's it."

"Did you ever actually tell Sarah you weren't going to leave your wife?"

"Yes..." Steve stopped. "Well... no... maybe I didn't actually say it... but she must have known. No one could be that naïve."

He looked up at him, expecting Booth to agree.

"Your wife knows nothing about your affairs?" Booth asked flatly.

"No... of course not. I pay for everything on my own card. I never take them where we'll be seen. If your going to have an affair you have to be smart."

Booth decided it was time to put this guy in his place.

He pulled out the topless photo of Sarah from his jacket and laid it on Steve's desk in front of him.

"Did you take this photo of Sarah?" He asked bluntly.

Steve picked it up, grinning at it like a schoolboy.

"Well well... look at my little angel."

"Did you take this photo of Sarah?" Booth repeated.

"No." Steve said, getting more uneasy about Booth's new tone. "I'm not stupid enough to leave evidence."

"Look at the back." Booth ordered.

Steve turned it over and read the message.

What would your Daddy think about this? Stay away or you will be sorry.

"This photo was probably hand-delivered to Sarah's home address. Do you still think your wife didn't know?" Booth asked sarcastically.

Steve looked momentarily shocked.

"No... no way." He was shaking his head. "There's no way. Helen can't know."

He looked at Booth. "We're trying for a baby. She asked me to. She wouldn't have asked if she knew I was cheating. No... this is nothing to do with her."

He seemed to be convincing himself, he let out a breathe.

"Helen knows nothing about this. I'm too careful. My wife didn't write this."

"We're going to have to ask her that ourselves." Booth said flatly.

Steve looked outraged. "Out of the question." He said at once.

"Look Mr Jennington, despite what you say we need to check for ourselves." Booth said fiercely. "Your wife could have found out about your affair with Sarah. Her jealousy is a motive. We will have to talk to her."

"Oh no you will not!" Steve stood up. "I've been more than co-operative with you but my wife stays out of this! She knows nothing. You have no proof she even wrote this." He picked up the page and tutted loudly. "It's not even her handwriting." He let the page fall. "I will not allow it."

"I'm investigating a murder Mr Jennington!" Booth declared, also rising in his chair.

"I'm aware of that!" Steve exclaimed crossly. "But I've told you everything I know!"

His voice took on a threatening edge.

"Now I have nothing more to add but I will say I have a very good lawyer Agent Booth and if my wife so much as asks me one single thing about Sarah Jenkins, I'll have you and this..." He glanced at Brennan. "... this... mute airhead up on slander charges, quicker than you can say-"

He didn't get the chance to finish his sentence.

Brennan leapt out of her chair so fast Booth saw nothing but a blur.

She had smashed Steve's face into his desk and was standing behind him so fast Steve didn't even get a chance to cry out in surprise.

"Don't you ever call me an airhead!" Brennan yelled into his ear.

"Brennan!" Booth cried in alarm. "Stop!"

He grabbed her elbow but Brennan shook him off, still pushing Steve's face into his desk.

"You think your God's gift" Brennan growled at him, bending over his back. "Well I ought to-"

"Brennan stop it!" Booth ordered, interrupting her tirade.

He grabbed her arm again and pulled her away from Steve, holding onto her to keep her back.

When Steve lifted his head, his nose was bloody and swollen.

"That's right, pull her away like a good girl." He sneered angrily at them.

"I'll have her on charges of assault for this." He told Booth, a vicious look in his eyes.

Booth felt his own temper.

"Oh no you won't!" He told him heatedly. He marched over to Steve and grabbed a fistful of the other man's shirt. "How will you explain to your wife just why Brennan got so angry?"

Booth looked him in the eye, challenging him.

Steve glared back at him for a moment.

Finally he hissed. "Get - the - hell - out - of - my – office."

Booth let go of him. He turned in time to see Brennan leave the room.

She strode out so fast, Booth had to run to keep up with her.

Adele looked up from her desk as Brennan hurried past.

The duo both ignored her.

Brennan crashed through the entrance door and stopped so suddenly outside it, Booth almost walked into her.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but you were right!" She declared angrily. "He's a jerk! A complete and utter jerk!"

She looked at Booth. "I know what I promised but no woman could listen to that without-!"

"All right, Brennan, all right." Booth attempted to calm her down but she was having none of it.

"I can't believe that guy! Sarah' dead and he doesn't care at all! He just used her like a plaything!"

Her hands were still clenched into fists and she couldn't stand still.

"She did all these things for him! Changed herself for him! Probably stole money to be with him and he doesn't even care she's dead!"

"I know Brennan, I know."

"How could he -"

"Brennan."

Brennan stopped and saw Booth looking at her meaningfully.

"I know."

He sighed. "I agree with you. The guy is a jerk. I wanted to knock him out myself. Your as angry as I am Brennan-"

"Then why aren't you- ?"

"Yelling?" Booth finished, eyebrows raised. "I want to but I know it's not going to help. People like Steve don't think they're doing anything wrong. You're wasting your anger on him. He'll never listen. He doesn't care to listen. There's nothing you can do."

Brennan stood still, thinking hard.

Then she met Booth's eyes.

"Maybe your right." She said finally. "But there is one thing I can do."

With this, she turned and marched back inside the building.

Booth automatically thought she was going back to punch Steve again.

"Whoa, now wait a minute Bones-"

He scrambled after her but instead of Steve, Brennan marched over to Adele, who was putting papers into her bag.

"What are you-" Adele started, seeing her coming, but Brennan didn't let her finish.

She bent over the girl rather menacingly and picked up an object from her desk.

The bumble bee stapler.

"Do you know what happened to the last girl who got one of these from him?" Brennan hissed, holding it up.

Adele looked bewildered.

"What are you-?"

Brennan interrupted her again, holding the stapler right under Adele's nose.

"That girl was found rotting in Welding's Park today. She was beaten and left for dead."

Brennan looked pointedly at Steve's office door, then down at Adele's horrified face.

"If I were you I'd be looking for another job." She said meaningfully, placing the stapler in the middle of Adele's desk.

Then she marched away without a backward glance.

Booth quickly followed her out, but not before he'd seen the look on Adele's face as he glanced back over his shoulder.

Her mouth was hanging open.

When Booth got outside, Brennan was leaning against his car, breathing hard.

She glanced at him briefly as he approached and snapped. "Just don't bother okay?"

She continued before he could speak. "I don't care if your mad at me it was for her own -"

"Actually," Booth interrupted, calmly. "I'm not mad at you."

Brennan looked up.

"I should be." He told her. "But I'm not. I was actually going to say, why don't we go have a talk with Mrs Jennington?"

Brennan stared at him.

"Really?" She asked, unable to keep the surprise out of her voice.

"Yes." Booth was grinning. "Or should I say the soon–to-be ex- Mrs Jennington?"

Brennan found herself smiling back.

Author's Note.

This is one of my favourite chapters because I think it's the point where Booth decides he could actually like Brennan.

Before now he's seen her as a big-headed, know-it-all with no social skills.

After this, Booth knows he was right... but the girl's got fire. She's passionate.

Booth likes that.