(After "The Recluse in the Recliner)

A/N: this story was suggested by sina-lina95

Thank you for reviewing my story. I appreciate it.

I don't own Bones.

Oooooooooooooooo

This was an unbelievable story. A decorated war hero, a decorated FBI Agent, head of Major Crimes in the District in prison for murder? Hannah found it hard to believe. The man she knew would never have done the things he had been accused of. Seeley Booth was as straight an arrow as she had ever met and there was no way he had murdered anyone, but there he was in prison awaiting trial for the murder of FBI Agents supposedly trying to serve a warrant at his house. Something was wrong and she wanted to know what it was.

She had been on temporary assignment in New York when she heard about Booth's arrest and she knew that she was going to have to get involved. It had been a battle with her editor to get him to assign her to Washington D.C. to cover the story, but she had won in the end. Her editor had felt she was personally involved and he had worried that she might have an ax to grind since she had lived with Seeley Booth in the past and that had ended in a breakup. It had taken several conversations before he understood that she didn't hate or dislike Booth. The fact was, she still liked and respected him and she knew that the story being presented by the news at the moment had to be wrong and she meant to prove it. Giving in her editor had let her go, hoping he wasn't making a mistake.

Ooooooooooooooo

In town, a hotel room booked and her suitcases safely stored in the room, Hannah decided her first order of business was to contact the FBI. The FBI Office of Public Affairs was willing to give her some information on the case, but since it was an ongoing investigation, they were unwilling to answer most of her questions.

She had known this assignment wasn't going to be easy, but she had barely begun and quitting wasn't an option. Her next stop was the Lab.

Waiting for Brennan to come to the security desk, Hannah noticed what looked suspiciously like an Federal agent across the room, sitting on a chair reading a newspaper. She had a sixth sense about things like that and she knew that the FBI probably had someone under surveillance at the Lab. Logically that someone had to be Dr. Temperance Brennan. Not good. This isn't good at all.

Brennan approached Hannah with curiosity and a sense of wariness. She hadn't seen Hannah since she and Booth had dissolved their relationship and she wondered why she had appeared now. "Hannah."

Glad to see her friend, Hannah noticed the dark smudges under Brennan's eyes and wondered how much stress she was under at the moment. "Temperance, it's good to see you."

"I thought you were overseas." Brennan hadn't kept up with Hannah's career but Hodgins had and he mentioned Hannah from time to time. He had liked the reporter when she was dating Booth and because Brennan had also been Hannah's friend, Hodgins assumed that she wanted to know how her friend was doing and where she was.

"I was, but I'm on temporary assignment in the District right now." Hannah glanced at the agent sitting in the chair and noticed he was staring at them. Giving him a wink, she turned back to face Brennan. "May we talk in private, away from nosy agents?"

Staring at Agent Bradford, Brennan found the man's presence to be annoying, but she knew personally that the agent wasn't a bad man. "We can go to my office." Leading the way, Brennan entered through the security doors and lead the reporter to her office. Once there, she sat down at her desk and pointed at the chair in front of her desk. "I assume you've heard about Booth and want to talk about him."

Not embarrassed in the least, Hannah nodded her head. "Yes, I was in New York when I heard about Seeley. I had to do a lot of talking with my editor before he allowed me to cover this story."

"I see." Brennan studied her friend and realized she didn't know if Hannah really was her friend or not. Wary of the situation, she knew she'd have to be selective about certain facts when talking to Hannah, but she also wanted her to know the truth. "Booth didn't murder anyone. He was attacked in our home, by men dressed in camouflage and heavily armed. I am certain that is not normal practice by the FBI when they serve warrants."

Shocked, Hannah shook her head. "Do you have proof that's what happened?"

"Some proof." Brennan studied Hannah for a few moments. "I arrived at the house and found a lot of the downstairs heavily damaged, my husband seriously hurt and several men dressed as if they had intended to go into battle. They were dead. After calling 911 and making a compress for Booth's wound I took a few quick pictures of the men on my phone and then hid my phone. I have the pictures and I've been trying to identify the invaders." She was giving Hannah information that could cause her a lot of trouble. "I have made multiple copies of the pictures and have forwarded them to various people that I trust including two lawyers. The FBI will not stop me. They can't cover up what happened forever."

Pictures were good, but it wasn't enough. "I tried talking to the FBI, but they refused to answer most of my questions. They said it's an ongoing investigation . . . I plan to try to talk to Seeley as soon as possible."

"That won't be possible." Frustrated, Brennan leaned back on her chair. "I've tried to see him several times, but they say he cannot have any visitors. He's still recovering from surgery. His wounds were serious. Even his lawyer is having trouble seeing him. His lawyer had an appointment with Judge Ritner this afternoon to see why he cannot see his client and to see why I can't see him."

"I see." There seemed to be a lot of obstacles being erected between Booth and people that could help him and Hannah intended to find out why. "I have a few other options, Temperance. I'm investigating this case as I'm sure you are and I won't give up. I think something is wrong with this situation and what you told me confirms it."

Grateful that someone outside the Lab was also interested in Booth's case, Brennan smiled. It was a sad smile, but a smile none the less. "Thank you. You will discover that Booth is innocent."

"Do you know why he was attacked and by whom?" Hannah stared at Brennan and hoped she'd get some honest answers.

"At the moment, we aren't sure who is behind this." Brennan decided to give Hannah more information. "We were working on the McNamara case and found that the Ghost killer might have a connection to the FBI." Brennan saw Hannah's eyes widen and she knew that this was new information for the reporter. Their case was inactive since Booth was in prison and the FBI didn't seem to be in a hurry to verify if the FBI connection was real or not. She decided not to mention Foster and the USB drive found in a ring in a pierced nipple on the man's body. Not everyone knew about Foster and his connection to McNamara and Brennan thought his USB drive was the key to what was happening. "While that was happening, Booth was informed by Deputy Director Stark that he was being considered for a promotion and reassignment to Germany to run the field office there. It seemed that Booth was going to get the promotion he'd earned, but during the Congressional hearing Congressman Hadley divulged information from a mission Booth was on while he was a Ranger. Clearly the purpose was to derail Booth's promotion and to stain his honor as a soldier and an agent of the FBI."

Hannah has watched the hearings and had been shocked at the easy way the Congressman had spoke of a classified mission. A mission he shouldn't have known about. "I watched the hearings. Believe me, that bit of theater isn't going away. Too many want to know how he got classified information and why he chose to use it during a congressional hearing."

Glad to hear that bit of good news, Brennan smiled. "Good. Congressman Hadley committed a felony and I want to know why."

Oooooooooooooooo

While Brennan and her friends at the Lab tried to prove that Booth was innocent Hannah worked on her side of things. She'd tried numerous times to interview Congressman Hadley but he'd disappeared after the congressional hearing and no one seemed to know where he was. The FBI didn't seem to be doing anything about the Congressman's leak of classified information, but Homeland Security was as well as the Pentagon. They were anxious to track down the leak and they were determined to find out what had happened. They too had been unable to find the congressman and Hannah felt that was a bad sign. Whoever had put Hadley up to betray Booth might have taken care of their messenger and that made this case juicer than ever. Her editor was practically salivating over that development and Hannah knew that if Hadley was ever found, his career would be over and possibly his freedom.

It was taking Hannah weeks to conduct her investigation and she had been certain her editor was going to call her off and bring her back to New York, but he continued to support her and encouraged her to dig deeper. Joshua felt there was a huge story to be uncovered and he wanted to break that story. He smelled a possible Pulitzer and that left him determined to get everything right.

While researching the congressman, Hannah found odd rumors attached to his name. He was married and had two children, but there were persistent stories about affairs with young men and Hannah felt that might be the key to Hadley's behavior at the congressional hearing. It was possible the man was being blackmailed and if he was, Hannah wanted to know who the blackmailer was. Her editor agreed with her suspicions and she worked on that angle to see if that would lead to whoever had forced the man to do what he did during the hearing. She was hopeful it might lead her to someone that might want revenge on Booth for something that happened in the past. It made sense if there was someone else involved.

So far, Brennan had been unable to prove who the intruders were in the house, but she had found that no FBI agents had been reported killed or had died in the last four months and Hannah wondered why no one was questioning that. The FBI swore that FBI agents had died at Booth's house, but no funerals had been held for the dead agents and that was impossible. Someone at the FBI was involved in the attack on Booth or at least the cover-up and Hannah wanted to know who.

After a month of chasing down leads, the reporter got an interview with Deputy Director Stark.

"Thank you for seeing me." Hannah had been surprised that the interview had been granted but was grateful for the chance to ask questions.

"You said you wanted to talk about the case against Seeley Booth." Stark had been promoted to his position just a month before Booth had been arrested for murder and he was still trying to find out what was going on. He'd thought being Deputy Director would have opened many doors for him but so far, he'd been met with resistance, confusion and anger. The Director had asked him to not interfere with the investigation but so far, he couldn't even find out who the agents were that were assigned to the case. He wasn't sure why he was being squeezed out, but the Director wouldn't back him up. The murder of agents was not something to be ignored and covered up and the Director expected a tight case when Booth went on trial, but Stark had yet to see any proof of anything that could be used against the agent. As far as he could tell, nothing was happening. Booth was in jail and it felt like everyone was waiting. Waiting for what was the question Stark wanted an answer to.

"I've been told that the names of the agents murdered hasn't been released." Hannah held a small tape recorder in her hand and made sure Stark saw it. "It's been five weeks. As far as I can tell, no funerals have been held for any FBI Agents in this District or even on the East Coast. I find all of this unlikely and unbelievable. I want to know who the agents were and when they were buried. It's a simple enough question and you as Deputy Director you should be able to answer it."

Embarrassed, Stark felt the skin on his cheeks become warm. "I don't know their names and I don't know if and when they're going to be buried." It sounded ridiculous even to him. "So far that information has been classified. Something went terribly wrong and we're trying to find out how three agents were killed serving a warrant. Booth was shot and was in the hospital for a week. He was then transferred to the infirmary at the prison and he was drugged to help with the pain for another two weeks. Since then, I've been told Booth refuses to cooperate."

"I know for a fact that Booth's lawyer had to petition the courts to be allowed to see his client." Hannah watched Stark carefully. "Jude Bennet was finally allowed to see him this week. I also know that this was the first week that Booth's wife was able to see him. The courts have had to intervene four times to get permission and Judge Ritner had to threaten to jail the warden if he didn't allow Booth visitors . . . Someone is trying to isolate Booth and I have a feeling the reason may be to kill him before he ever goes to trial."

"Nonsense." Start leaned forward on his desk. "This isn't a spy novel. There were some issues with Booth's behavior which caused the delays."

Laughing, Hannah shook her head. "Bullshit. I know Booth and the man was a prisoner of war during Operation Desert Storm. He's a decorated soldier and he knows how to behave when being held against his will. Have you tried to talk to him, to see him? I've been told there is an investigation, but no one had given the press any briefings. No names have been released of the investigators or the name of their supervisor. No names of the dead have been released. No funerals. When this story blows open, it's going to be huge and you're going to be sitting in the middle of it. As a scapegoat or the mastermind, well that remains to be seen . . . I must warn you that if Booth dies in prison, this story is not going to go away. It will never go away."

Furious, Stark wanted to throw Hannah out of his office, but he knew he had to remain calm or he would become front page news. "It sounds like you've already written your story." Stark couldn't answer any of her questions and now he had questions of his own. Was he being set up for something? He didn't know and he was afraid he might not be able to find out until it was too late. "I think this interview is done."

"Interview? Well, at least your silence tells me a few things." Hannah turned off her recorder and stood up. "I think you'd better watch your back. What happened to Booth can happen to you." With that, she left the office leaving a very worried Deputy Director of the FBI behind.

Oooooooooooooooooo

Suddenly, Booth was out of prison and he was back at the FBI. Not sure what had happened, Hannah arranged to meet Brennan at her office for a quick meeting. She didn't want to interview Booth since he was probably fighting other battles at the moment.

"No charges have been filed against Seeley." That information had come from the prosecutor's office. He had claimed that there wasn't enough evidence to try Booth. That meant the man wasn't exonerated but he'd been given his job back and Hannah knew that something big had happened.

"The prosecutor realized that the evidence wasn't there to prove that Booth was guilty of any crime." A slight smile on her face, Brennan remembered the look of fear on the prosecutor's face when she had blackmailed him to release Booth. It had been very satisfactory. "Of course, there are those that think he is a murderer, but we are going to continue to investigate the McNamara case. We think that is the link to what happened to Booth. Once we have concluded the case, I can assure you, Booth will be proven to be innocent and the center of a plot against him involves large companies, judges, congressman and yes . . . prosecutors."

Intrigued, Hannah licked her lips. "Promise me that when you're done and you find out what is going on you'll give me an exclusive. I've been trying to track down Congressman Hadley but I think he's dead. Whoever was pulling his strings got rid of him. It's the only conclusion I can come to. No one has seen Hadley for two months. He hasn't used his passport, his family doesn't know where he is and his wife is afraid."

"Thank you for that bit of information." After making a note for Angela, Brennan looked up. "I believe I will be able to give you the exclusive you're looking for. Most of the major newspapers have printed outrageous stories about Booth. Most of them are exaggerations or lies and I will not forget that . . . Your paper has given out the facts that have been given to them and I have seen your stories about the hearing and the congressman. They were well written and should have led to an investigation, but Booth says no one is looking for Hadley. I believe you are right and he's dead."

"If this links to the Ghost Killer and her family, then I have a feeling Seeley might have been targeted to stop the investigation." The more Hannah looked into the facts surrounding Booth's case, the more it appeared that something nefarious was going on. "I've looked at that case and . . . well, the daughter of a very rich and powerful capitalist goes on a long killing spree and nothing happened until you and Seeley started to investigate. I don't know what the connection is, but I think you're on the right track. Someone wanted that hushed up and if someone at the FBI knew about the Ghost Killer and didn't do anything about it, well . . . a lot of heads could roll. This story is bigger than I thought and who knows where it's going to lead you."

With confidence, Brennan replied. "It's going to lead to Booth's exoneration."

Ooooooooooooooooooooo

Shocked, Hannah listened to Brennan and Angela while they explained what had been uncovered. When the presentation was over, the reporter turned off her tape recorder and shook her head in astonishment. "When this started, I never dreamed it would have led to a slow coup in progress . . . Glen Durant . . . a doctor and an insurrectionist. It's hard to believe, but it makes sense. This clears Seeley. In fact, this makes him a hero. Hell, you're all heroes. If you hadn't found out what was going on who knows how far Durant would have taken this . . . I know this is going to sound strange coming from me, but someone has to say it. Thank you. Thank you for saving our country. Not just Seeley but you and Angela and Hodgins and Cam. You're all heroes."

"You bet we are." Angela was proud. The situation had been dangerous and frightening, but they had saved their country from a plot that might have destroyed America. "They made a mistake going after Booth. It made us work harder to find out what was going on."

"And now important people will be tried and imprisoned for treason, for murder, for blackmail, for breaching security, for malfeasance of office. These traitors will be lucky if they're not executed." Brennan was certain more traitors would be uncovered as the new investigation into Durant continued.

Hannah placed her recorder in her purse. "And I have an exclusive. My editor believed me when I told him something was going on and he backed me up. Now he gets his reward. Thank you."

"No, Hannah, thank you." Brennan reached out and shook Hannah's hand. "You believed in Booth and I will always be grateful for that."

"I knew he couldn't do what they said he did." Hannah smiled. "If there is anyone on this planet that is more loyal to his country and the law than Seeley, then I'd like to meet him or her. They made a mistake trying to silence him and you and now everyone will know it, courtesy of my newspaper."

Oooooooooooooooooo

Let me know what you think of my story. Thank you.

There is a follow-up chapter coming next week.