Chapter 25 – Clue in the bones
"Dr. B?" Hodgins called out looking for Brennan in the war room.
"Yes, Dr. Hodgins do you have an update."
"Yeah, between Amy, Angela and I we finished researching victim 1 & 2's clothing."
"Everyone watch the monitor, I'll be bring up the manufacturers site", as it appeared Angela explains what she's doing, as she navigates thru the website to the page that sells the red leather sheep skin outfits. "Okay, the business location is in Soho and it's owned by Frannie and Freddie Fine, I know, I know what a name, anyway we were able to determine the manufacturer because one of the pieces of clothing had a badly damaged tag which Amy was able to restore."
Booth stepped up, "Great work, now we can subpoena their records."
Cam interrupted, "Booth that's not it, we've been busy, Mr. Fischer has an update."
"Dr. Brennan, the bones have been cleaned and as you can see," using the webcam controls brings up a close-up of the scapula and rib cage. He focuses on the scapula and continued his explanation, "There appears to be marks scored into the bone, I believe the etching is in the shape of a question mark. As for cause of death, it appears victim 2 was stabbed multiple time in the chest," Fischer having switched focus to the rib cage.
Meanwhile Esposito is updating the murder board as the Jeffersonian updates came in.
"Excellent Mr. Fischer, please identify any potential murder weapons based on the marks left on the bone." Fischer nods his agreement then continued, "Victim 1, I have an update, as you can see a letter has been carved into the scapula as well," manipulating the webcam the letter "Q" is easy to identify.
Castle piped up, "Kate, the killer is leaving us clues possibly an anagram or an acronym, I have a feeling our other Vics are going to have marks on them too."
Kate nodded then asked, "Dr. Brennan the other bodies, how long before the bones are cleaned?"
Brennan looked directly at Cam as she replied,"We follow protocol, when we haven't we've endangered lives so we'll process them according to procedure, but it should only be another day before we can get the rest of the bones cleaned." Both Bones and Cam remembering back to Howard Epps.
"Cam, can you call in Miss Wick and Mr. Bray, I'd like them to assist Mr. Fischer if we need to process faster I want them to assist."
Cam agreed, "Yes that makes sense", she then turned to Jack and asked, "Dr. Hodgins I know you have Amy assisting you, can I call in another intern for you as well." Jack pondered the question and then looked directly at Booth, "You know who I could use, Zack," he paused as he waited for Booth's reaction.
"Hey Hodgins, sorry man I can't spring him for this, it's not summer camp, you'll have to bring in Jay or Kurt, I can't help you," Booth replied.
"It was worth a shot, okay Cam call in both Jay and Kurt, we'll get the evidence wrapped in 24 hours if both come in."
Cam next words brought everyone's attention back to the Jeffersonian, "Angela has ID'd the second victim, we're just confirming its Jeff Curtis, Maddie's husband, we'll send all the info to you Detective Beckett."
Angela added, "Bren, Fischer gave me the skulls from victims 3 & 4 and I'm now doing sketches for them, I'll start running their pictures using my facial recognition search engine again, but I'm going to start with the porn site first. If we find a match there again, then we know the killers somehow tied to the website and I can start breaking it down."
"Everyone great job we'd be no where without the lab," Bones added proud of her group.
"We just got back with the Forensic unit sweeping Maddie and Jeff Curtis' apartment; the obvious signs were there including a webcam, leather laces and copious amounts of blood. Cam the Forensic unit has been instructed to send the evidence to the lab; we'll need that processed as soon as possible too."
Kidding Cam called out, "Booth, looks like NYPD keeps us busier than you usually do, but then again you don't usually find a mass grave in Manhattan," Cam's snarky humor always comes out at the most inappropriate times, but that's what makes her lovable.
Castle raised a brow at Cam's remark hoping Kate doesn't take offense, Kate spoke up, "Hey, Cam we need a mass grave to get your attention, but now that I have the Jeffersonian on speed dial, you know after this case we'll be talking," she added with a smile.
"Okay folks, Esposito, Ryan run down the Curtis' financials, cell phone records and contacts," Kate flipped her notebook open then added, "Contact Laura McGinty, she reported them missing see if she can add anything."
"Let's wrap these leads and call it a night everyone," with that Cam and Kate disconnect the web conference.
A/N: Please R&R it's very much appreciated.