Sorry this chapter is so short. It had to be written but it didn't feel right tagging it onto the last chapter or at the start of the next. As my apology, I've posted another chapter after this
Over breakfast the next day, Brennan can see Booth's frustration at the lack of progress on the case. They have no motive, no real suspects and no murder weapon.
"So what now?" Brennan asks.
"We talk to everyone." Booth leans back in his chair. "She was a local girl, it's a small town. Someone must have seen her with someone or heard something."
"What are we going to do? Go door to door?" Brennan asks.
"We'll hit main street, talk to store owners, restaurants." Booth explains. "I'll start at one end, you at the other and we'll meet back at the hotel at say three." He sees a confused look crossing Brennan's face.
"What?" he asks.
"You're letting me ask questions on my own?" Brennan asks. "What happened to 'I'm the FBI Agent'?" She asks, appropriately using air quotes making Booth smile.
"Time Bones. We don't have a lot of time." Booth can see a grin spreading across Brennan's face. "Don't get carried away. Just ask if they remember Abigail, when they last saw her, if she was with anyone, doing anything odd." Booth instructs. "If you get any information call me so I can ask more questions, officially." He raises his eyebrows.
"Fine." Brennan sighs.
Several hours later Brennan has stopped for coffee in a small coffee shop. As she sips the hot beverage, a young man approaches and sits down.
"Dr Temperance Brennan?" he asks.
"Yes, can I help you?" Brennan asks curtly.
"My name is David Evans, I'm with the Courier." He explains. "I was hoping to interview you for an article we're doing on the Abigail Wyatt murder."
"I'd rather not comment when the case is on going." Brennan states. "Who put you up to this?" she asks
"Your assistant." He says quickly. "Come on Doc, you're a forensic anthropologist helping the FBI solve a small town murder. Give me something, please."
"Really, I'm sure the FBI will be happy to issue a statement when the case is solved." Brennan says firmly.
"So you're confident Abigail's murderer will be caught?" Brennan turns on her flirty smile, leans forward and looks right into the reporter's eyes.
"No comment." She says. The reporter laughs and stands up.
"You live up to your reputation Dr Brennan." He says as he heads out. As soon as he is gone Brennan gets on the phone to Arthur and asks him to meet her back at the hotel.
At the far end of the town's main street, Booth is engaged in conversation with Millie, the baker. Whilst feeding Booth dougnuts and coffee she talks about Abigail.
"She was a sweet girl, I knew her from when she was a little baby."
"Did you see a lot of her?" Booth asks.
"She came in with her boyfriend every weekend." Millie says with a smile. "That Kyle is a sweet boy, treated her real good. That's why I was surprised to see her with another boy a few months ago."
"Another boyfriend?" Booth sits up straight, intrigued and excited by the new information.
"I only saw them the once, thought it might be a relative for a while but he was…well let's just say he was being a bit more friendly than a relative should." Millie look embarrassed.
"Do you know who this kid was?" Booth asks.
"At the time no." Millie says. "But I saw him the other day. I was a little surprised."
"Who is he?"
"I don't know his name but he was with that Dr Brennan, the author. The young man with the dark hair and glasses." Millie describes Arthur Daly perfectly and Booth's heart begins to go faster. Arthur was with the victim two months ago right before she disappeared. It has to be him! Booth leaps up from his seat.
"Millie, thank you for the coffee, and the dougnuts, but I have to run."
"Anytime Agent Booth." Millie smiles after him. "You have a nice day now."
