(The Crack in the Code)

Thank you for your reviews. I really appreciate them.

I don't own Bones.

Ooooooooooooooo

"He won Bones." Taking his hand and clasping it around her upper arm, Booth shook his head. "Christopher Pelant murdered Ezra Krane and Inger Johannsen and we can't prove it."

Angry, Brennan shook her head, "We know he did it Booth. We know he murdered those people and . . . "

Interrupting her, Booth tried to calm his wife, "Bones, look he won this round. He's an arrogant son-of-a-bitch and he thinks he's smarter than you and everyone else investigating this case but he made a mistake. A big one."

Puzzled, Brennan asked, "What mistake? For every clue we've uncovered, either he's destroyed it or made it seem impossible that he's involved. What mistake has he made?"

Moving, he placed both hands on her upper arms and kissed her lightly on the lips, "He thinks he's smarter than you but we both know that he isn't. He's going to make a mistake because he thinks he's safe. That's when we'll get him, Bones. Sooner or later he's going to screw up and when he does we're going to get his ass."

Glancing at the courtroom doorway, Brennan sighed and looked back at Booth, "Do you think he'll kill someone again?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Booth responded, "I don't know if he'll kill anyone else but he says he's a hacktivist. He has a cause and he's not going to let it go. He wants to expose government corruption and he's not going to stop. Sooner or later, he's going to do something and considering the size of that guy's ego . . . well it's probably going to be big and flashy. Whatever it is he's going to do . . . he's going to want attention . . . probably your attention because you and the squints came pretty close to catching him. When he does whatever he does we'll go after him and the next time he's ours."

Sighing, Brennan nodded his head, "Yes, he is arrogant and we should be able to use that against him."

Smiling, Booth kissed her again, "There you go . . . Why don't we go up to West Virginia this weekend? We can relax and forget all about this mess. We'll come back Monday relaxed and ready to go."

Returning his kiss, Brennan returned his smile, "That's an excellent idea, Booth."

Watching Pelant walk past them with his lawyer, Booth commented, "Pride goeth before a fall, Bones and when that guy falls, it's going to be with a huge splat."

Oooooooooooooooo

Sitting on the front porch, coffee cup in his hand, Booth watched the dew drip off of the leaves on the nearby trees and bushes and soak the grass underneath. Sipping his coffee, he noticed a car creep up the lane, break free from the fog and park near his truck. Standing, Booth placed his cup on top of the wall next to where he'd been sitting and walked down the steps.

The door opening on the patrol car, Booth watched the Sheriff's deputy exit his car, place his hat firmly on his head and step over to where Booth was standing.

"Agent Booth, I heard you were here." Gazing at the new stone work on the stair case, Deputy Himel smiled, "Very nice stone rails."

Nodding his head, Booth asked, "What can I do for you, deputy."

Touching the brim of his hat, the deputy introduced himself, "Deputy Eric Himel, Sir. The Sheriff asked me to drop by and tell you that your fence has finally been fixed. He wasn't sure if you'd been notified and we aren't exactly sure when it was completely fixed. He worked on it on the weekends and he was supposed to notify the Sheriff's office when he was done. The guy was having some trouble at home and that's why it took so long to get it completely repaired and when he did fix it he didn't let us know. We're assuming he told you."

Grabbing his cup, Booth pointed at the door, "No, not really, but I did notice it was fixed, thanks. Want to come in for a cup of coffee? My wife and daughter aren't up yet but I have a fresh pot of coffee made and some biscuits in the oven. They should be ready about now."

Pleased, Himel smiled, "Why thank you. I appreciate it. It's getting to be the end of my shift and I could use a cup of coffee."

Walking up the steps, Booth entered the house with the deputy following. Making sure the bedroom door was still closed, Booth pointed towards the kitchen, "I better hurry or my biscuits are going to burn."

Following Booth in to the kitchen, the deputy sat down at the kitchen table, removed his hat and placed it on the table.

Taking his biscuits out of the oven, Booth placed the tray on the island and then opened the fridge to retrieve the butter and apple butter. Placing the biscuits on a plate, he carried that and the butter and apple butter over to the table and placed the items in the center of the table, "How do you like your coffee?"

"Black, thanks." Picking up a hot biscuit, the deputy buttered it and slathered on some apple butter.

Booth retrieving a cup of coffee for the deputy, carried it over to the table and handed it to the him. Sitting down across from the law enforcement officer, Booth picked up a biscuit and treated himself to butter and apple butter. "I have strawberry jam and blackberry preserves if you don't want the apple butter."

Biting into his biscuit, the deputy smiled, "This is good, thanks." Swallowing his bite of biscuit, Himel cleared his throat, "I thought you should know that Deputy Frost found someone trying to enter your property yesterday. The guy had opened your gate and had just driven through when Frost drove by. He made the guy leave."

Concerned, Booth asked, "What did the guy look like? Did Frost get a name?"

Nodding his head, Himel replied, "Frost checked the guys drivers license. His name is Hugh Lombard. Do you know him?"

Shaking his head, Booth remarked, "Nope, I don't know him."

Entering the kitchen, Brennan commented, "I thought I heard more than one voice."

Standing, Booth pointed at his chair, "Sit and I'll get you come coffee."

Shaking her head, Brennan walked past Booth over to the fridge, "I think I'll have juice instead of coffee, thank you."

Shrugging his shoulders, Booth sat back down, "So did Deputy Frost ask this Hugh Lombard guy what he wanted?"

Sipping his coffee, Himel swallowed and answered, "Said he was looking for someone. He didn't mention your name so Frost assumed he might be lost. On the other hand, you're an FBI agent and we thought it might be a good idea to let you know about it. You know, just in case."

Carrying a glass of orange juice to the table, Brennan sat down next to Booth and placed the glass on the table, "Hugh Lombard was the protagonist in the Agatha Christie book 'And then there Were None'."

Feeling a chill run down his spine, Booth stared at Brennan, "You don't think that it was Pelant do you?"

Picking up her glass, Brennan replied, "It's possible. He likes to play games and that certainly seems like a role he might want to play."

Curious, Himel asked, "Who's this Pelant character? Is that someone we should be concerned about?"

Nodding his head, Booth responded,"Definitely. He murdered two people that we know of and so far we haven't been able to connect him to the crimes with any evidence."

His hand rubbing his chin, Himel advised them, "Maybe you should start locking your gate. It won't keep out someone if they really want on the property but at least it would warn you that someone broke in if they damage the lock and it would force them to enter the property without their vehicle if they bypass the locked gate."

Placing his hand around his coffee cup, Booth nodded his head, "Yeah, I think I better start doing that. I'll go to the store and see if I can find a bicycle chain or something stronger."

Worried, Himel remarked, "If this guy is dangerous then I better tell Sheriff Kline about him. If he shows up around here again, we need to make sure he knows he's not welcome."

Staring at his biscuit, Booth advised him, "Warn the Sheriff that the guy is a computer genius and the FBI considers him extremely dangerous."

oooooooooooooooooo

Reviews would be wonderful. Thank you.