Chapter 36

When Cam arrived back at the lab she called all the interns together. "You may have heard this morning that there was another murder related to this case," she said. "Agent Booth found Dr. Walters dead in his hotel room earlier today. This is starting to hit close to home so if any of you think you may have a problem continuing to work the case I need you to speak up."

The interns all looked pale and nervous. Hannah spoke first. "Dr. Saroyan, are we in danger if we continue to work on this case? If they're targeting people close to Dr. Brennan…."

Cam shook her head. "We don't have any reason to think the killer is going to harm any of the interns, Ms. Fraser. There have been no specific threats and it's likely that Dr. Walters was killed because he could identify the killer, who may have been an anthropology student at some point. Mr. Dempsey, I know from your application for internship that Dr. Walters was one of your references. You knew him, correct?"

Simon swallowed hard and nodded. "He recommended me for the graduate program at American University. I've been on two digs with him also. He was a great professor."

Arastoo spoke next. "I also knew Dr. Walters. I met him in the field on a trip to South America two years ago. We still correspond on occasion; or we did." He too looked rather shaken.

"I met him a few years ago too," Chris Walker said. "We weren't regular correspondents though so I didn't know him well."

Cam nodded. "His remains will be arriving within the hour. He was beheaded, so this one may be difficult people. I'll examine the remains first and I think it's best if those of you who knew Dr. Walters personally not be involved in any of the evidence relating to his murder. I've arranged for Dr. Sweets to be available so if any of you are having a problem with this case please let me know."

Silence reigned on the platform for a few moments after Cam walked away. It was clear that everyone was still processing the latest development in the case.

"I don't care what Dr. Saroyan says, being a part of this seems dangerous to me," Hannah said, wrapping her arms around her midsection nervously.

"I think you should talk to Lance before making any decisions about leaving," Daisy advised her. "We have all worked so hard to get to the Jeffersonian and working with Dr. Brennan is the Holy Grail for anthropologists."

"Daisy's right," Chris said. "If we leave now we may never get another chance to work with Dr. Brennan. There are a lot of other grad students who would kill for this – uh, sorry bad choice of words." He fell silent as the other interns stared at him.

"I can't afford to leave," Wendell said. "My scholarship is the only thing keeping me in school."

Simon shook his head. "I'm not leaving. I've worked too hard for this."

"I'll call Lance and see if he's available later this afternoon," Daisy said, placing an encouraging arm around Hannah. "Trust me, you'll feel better after you talk to him."

They were all walking down the platform steps when Booth and Brennan walked into the lab and headed for her office. Booth had one arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders and they were talking quietly.

"Dr. Brennan doesn't seem very upset," Simon observed.

"Dr. Brennan is a very rational person – Lance says she compartmentalizes everything extremely effectively," Daisy said.

"She goes home with an armed FBI agent. If Agent Booth was sleeping with me I'd probably be less freaked out too," Hannah pointed out. "How much safer can she get?"

They were walking back toward their lockers as they spoke; when they neared Dr. Brennan's office they could hear raised voices. They all stopped, unsure if they should continue past the open office door.

"Um, maybe we should just wait a few minutes," Wendell said. They began to turn back to the platform when they heard Booth say, "You are not taking that with you."

"Yes, I am," Brennan replied as she walked out of her office and headed for the exit, Booth right on her heels.

Booth didn't even glance at the interns as he caught her arm. "Bones, stop being difficult and just give me the bag."

"No. You're being ridiculous about this." Brennan pulled her arm away and turned to face him. "I am an excellent shot and given the circumstances I see no reason I shouldn't be armed in the field."

The interns all took a step back as Hannah whispered, "Dr. Brennan carries a gun?"

"Not if Booth has any say in it," Wendell observed, also whispering. "He told me it makes him nervous."

"It certainly makes me nervous," Vincent muttered. "Dr. Brennan strikes me as the type of person who might shoot first and ask questions later."

"Lance told me she shot Agent Booth once," Daisy whispered. When they all turned to stare at her she said, "It was totally an accident though."

"Well that makes us all feel better," Chris muttered.

"What are you all whispering about?" Hodgins voice seemed very loud and they all jumped as he approached them from behind.

"Dr. Brennan is packing heat and Agent Booth is trying to wrest the bag from her grasp," Vincent said. "We're attempting to avoid their ire and possibly stray bullets."

They all glanced back at Dr. Brennan as she unzipped her bag and pulled out a large handgun, slapping it into Booth's outstretched hand. "Fine but if you get shot don't blame me; and I am not having sex with you tonight." She turned on her heel angrily, and Booth sighed heavily as he followed her out of the lab.

"She seemed really angry; you don't think they'll break up do you?" Daisy seemed upset by this possibility.

Hodgins shook his head. "Nah, they've been arguing for years; this is tame compared to some of flaming rows I've witnessed. So," Hodgins began, rubbing his hands together, "we have an hour before the headless body arrives and the Wild West show is over – anyone hungry? I'm buying!"