Over a nice lunch in a diner, Booth badgers Brennan with questions about the book tour. She answers as best she can but she finally has enough and stops him.

"Booth, can we get back to the case?" she sighs.

"Okay Bones." Booth nods and gulps the last of his coffee. "Two states, five murders. All women aged eighteen to twenty five, killed by multiple stabs with a carving knife."

"This is the first murder in this state." Brennan realises as she looks over the file on the table.

"The others were in New York." Booth explains. "NYPD didn't connect them until the third case then it got bumped to the FBI."

"Who's been handling the case?"

"Some newbie in New York. He's sending more information to me." Booth explains. "I think he's glad to pass the case off." Booth grins and waves the waitress over to order more coffee. "Much like Wilson and Hardy. You made quite an impression of them."

"They don't know how I work like you do. They were getting in the way." Brennan defends herself. "Besides, it was the middle of the night and I was tired." She pouts. Booth grins. He's glad the two agents found her difficult to work with. He wouldn't be here if they hadn't.

"So what's the plan then Booth?" Brennan asks.

"Well, I need to talk with Sheriff Anderson and the warehouse owner and security. But you need to find out who our victim is." He bites into a donught as he finishes his sentence. Brennan hangs her head. As always, the identity of the victim is the most important. Brennan just wishes she had access to the Jeffersonian lab herself. It isn't that she doesn't trust her team, she just likes to be very hands on and examining bones over a computer screen isn't hands on.

Having dropped Brennan at the hotel to set up a link with Angela, Booth heads over to the Sheriff's office. He is greeted by a smiling Sheriff, something that always makes Booth suspicious.

"Agent Booth, I was wondering when you'd get around to talking to me." The Sheriff booms loudly, asserting his status as the Sheriff and ruler of the town.

"Well here I am. So what can you tell me about the call to the warehouse?" Booth asks, pulling out his little black notebook and pen, poised ready to take notes.

"Lydia here took a call about midnight, a young man it sounded like right Lydia?" the Sheriff turns to the older woman manning a switchboard.

"Sure sounded like it." Lydia leans back to tell Booth.

"He didn't give a name, just told us we should check out the warehouse, that there was something suspicious going on there." The Sheriff explains.

"And you sent a deputy?" Booth checks.

"Martin Denver." Sheriff Anderson states. "Good officer." He nods to himself. "Martin found the remains when he entered the premises."

"And he saw no signs of anyone else around?" Booth asks.

"No, he checked the perimeter and saw no one. No vehicles, no visible tracks."

"When did you call Dr Brennan?" Booth asks. He glances up having been looking down at his notepad.

"It was around 4 in the morning. I knew she was in town, my wife loves her books." The Sheriff laughs a little. "She is obsessed with the relationship between the scientist and the FBI guy. She can't wait until they get together." the Sheriff winks at Booth. Booth looks a mixture of offended at the Sheriff's hints and secretly pleased. He's always been fascinated by Brennan's development of the characters so obviously based on the two of them.

"Back to the case Sheriff."

"Right, right. I called the Doctor at about four. She came out, arriving about five. You're FBI friends had already arrived."

"Who called them?"

"I did. I read about those killings in New York. Our remains sounded so similar." Booth sends the Sheriff a questioning look. Not many Sheriff's would make the connection and call the FBI so soon. Something is suspicious about the Sheriff and it's beginning to bother Booth.

"I'll need to talk to Martin Denver." Booth states. "But right now I'm going to see Thomas Wright, the warehouse owner." Booth says.

"If you need any help Agent Booth, I'll be happy to spare some men." The Sheriff offers.

"Oh, I think I can manage." Booth sends the Sheriff a fake smile and heads for the door.

An hour later Booth arrives at the office of Thomas Wright, outside of town. Booth wasn't expecting much but a small wooden building with maybe three rooms is a little backwoods for someone who owns a large business. At first Mr Wright's receptionist won't let Booth in but then he flashes his badge and all resistance fades.

"I'll let him know you're here." The young woman states. Booth thanks her and strides towards the door. As he reaches it, Mr Wright yanks it open and greets him warmly, maybe too warmly.

"Good morning to you." He booms.

"Good morning Mr Wright. My name is Special Agent Seely Booth, FBI. I need to ask you a few questions about your warehouse off the highway."

"Ah, the young woman found there last night." Mr Wright nods his head. "Tragedy. Come on in." Booth steps inside to begin his interrogation.

As the sun goes down that night, Booth drives Brennan back to her hotel. Booth's interview the warehouse owner and security staff proved fruitless. His early suspicions were just that, suspicions. Warehouse security had been cut since nothing was being stored at the warehouse and Mr Wright and all his staff have credible alibis for the few days Brennan places time of death.

For her part, Brennan spent the day using a computer link with the squints at the Jeffersonian to analyse the remains. She even managed to fit in a few interviews Arthur had scheduled with local press. So far Zach has identified several cut marks on the ribs from the murder weapon and has promised to have more information on the type of weapon by morning. The skull has proved difficult to reconstruct due to some damage but Angela has also promised to work through the night to get an image of the victim. Brennan is a little surprised by their enthusiasm but it occurs to her that in the three weeks she's been away they haven't had a FBI case to work on. Even they miss working cases with Booth she realises.