A/N: Hi folks...so last time we met, Harold Maxwell went too far with Jessica. Does he get what's coming to him? Read and find out.

PS: Important note after the story...

January 5th was overcast as Caroline Julian pulled into the US Attorney's Office parking garage just shy of 8:00 in the morning. Getting out of her yellow Gremlin, she walked to the elevator in a good mood, still excited about the good news her boys Keith and Marcellus Miller had shared yesterday.

Keith had received a 92% on the GED exam he'd taken a few weeks earlier, so all of the study help she'd given him during the last four weeks of the previous semester had paid off, as had her time spent on Marcellus' tutoring, as he had been placed in an AP math course for the new semester. Tonight they were going to the Royal Diner after Keith got off work to celebrate her boys' accomplishments.

After getting her coffee, she hummed an old Creole song as she walked into her office holding her bag with the beignet she'd picked up on the way to work. Turning on her computer, she shook her head as she waited for it to slowly boot up.

"I hate this computer. I could try a case at the courthouse faster than this...thing boots up. Technology is better, my butt…"

Looking at her phone, she puffed out a sigh. 'Eight o'clock in the mornin' and already a call. A body can't even enjoy a good cup of coffee and a beignet without someone interruptin'...probably nothin' important...guess I'd better check since my 'new computer' is taking its sweet time...'

Her attitude quickly changed as she listened to her voicemail. "Ms. Julian...this is Jessica Warren. I need to talk to you...I had a problem yesterday with Gerald's father...I'll be in Aubrey's office at 8:30. Would you please come see me? Or if it's more convenient I can come to your office..."

"Those Maxwells sure are nasty bastards.", Caroline muttered to herself. Gathering up her belongings, she walked back out of her office as she hit speed dial on her phone. "I'm on my way to your office to talk to your squintern...no, you can't be there...no arguments, young man...when I get there in fifteen minutes, you will go find something Special Agent in Charge like to do..."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Jessica sat nervously in Aubrey's office, waiting for Ms. Julian's visit. He'd stepped out a minute ago when they got the call that she had arrived in the building. She inhaled deeply several times, trying to calm her nerves.

'I have no reason to be scared...I didn't do anything wrong. I just have to tell the truth…'

She had wanted Aubrey to stay with her during the interview, but they both understood when Caroline nixed the idea that it would be an unwise choice. As much as her Superman wanted to be involved, he knew had to stay out of the way to avoid any appearance of impropriety. It was frustrating, but in the long run it would be worth it if they could bring Harold Maxwell down.

After what seemed like a couple of hours, Jessica heard Caroline's voice as the prosecutor made her way across the bullpen. As she turned to the door, she tried to smile as the older woman came into her boyfriend's office. "Ms. Julian...thank you for coming...I appreciate it."

"No problem, Cher…" Ms. Julian nodded to the technician standing behind her. "Ms. Garcia here is gonna record your statement, okay?" Sitting down in the armchair across from Jessica, Caroline offered a sympathetic smile. "Now, why don't you tell me what happened, okay? Don't leave out any details...I need to know everything."

"Okay…" Jessica shifted anxiously in her chair, averting her eyes from Caroline's intense gaze. "I was working on the lab platform at the Jeffersonian yesterday, taking measurements for one of Dr. Brennan's projects. I was by myself…"

Caroline made a face. "I thought you all had security guards in that lab with all that evidence you work with? Where were all those squints that are usually there?"

"The lab was having the last of our new equipment installed, so almost everyone had taken the day off. Dr. B was in court and Dr. Hodgins went with Angela to her OB appointment. As for security, you're right...we usually have guards in the lab, even on the weekends...but there wasn't one yesterday." Sighing softly, Jessica continued. "Anyway, I had my earbuds in because I was listening to some music as I worked, with Dr. B's permission, of course, when I was startled by my shoulder being tapped. Turning around, I saw Mr. Maxwell standing next to me on the platform."

"Hmm…" Caroline's eyebrows knit together as she considered what Jessica had said. "When you say Mr. Maxwell, you mean Gerald's father, Harold, correct?"

Jessica nodded before sipping her rapidly cooling catnip tea. "Yes, it was Harold Maxwell. I was surprised...shocked, actually...because access to the platform is restricted."

"Wait, don't you all have to use those fancy badges to get up there?", Caroline asked. "It was Dr. Saroyan's badge being stolen that led to those bombs being put under there a few months ago, correct? I thought they were being extra careful with those things now."

"Yes, Ms. Julian. Dr. B told me a while ago that only Dr. Saroyan could grant access to the lab by submitting a request to the Security Office, which would then issue the badges. Of course, while she's on her leave of absence, Dr. Hodgins does that sort of thing because he's taking her place. However, only lab personnel and federal agents who have the proper security clearance are allowed up on the platform, and there's a sign posted by the platform and main doors that states that."

"Not even Dr. Brennan can get someone a fancy badge? Interesting.", Caroline said with a nod. "Go ahead."

"When I asked Mr. Maxwell if someone had let him up there, he said that he had his own badge because he was on the Governing Board, although Dr. Boyd had offered to loan him her badge." Jessica took a deep breath. "It didn't feel right...him being there with me...and he really wasn't supposed to be on the platform, so I told him that Dr. Brennan doesn't like us to slack off and that I was busy, hoping he would leave."

"If the lab was deserted, how did he know you would be there?", Caroline asked.

"He said Dr. Boyd had told him I was working that day, which is a big no no. For security reasons, we are not allowed to give out other employees schedules without going through Dr. Hodgins, Dr. B, or Dr. Saroyan first, and that's strictly enforced. A technician got suspended for three days back in November for doing that." Jessica played with the hem of her skirt. "I know that Curly wouldn't let Dr. Boyd give my schedule out with all that has been happening, so I told Mr. Maxwell that Dr. Boyd could get in trouble for that. He...basically he blew that off before telling me that I could take a break from my work, saying he had business to discuss with me."

"What sort of business? Was it pertinent to what you were working on for Dr. Brennan?"

"He asked about what I was doing, so I explained that I was taking measurements for a special project Dr. B is working on with the Sorbonne to identify World War I remains. Then he said that I must be bored doing such a menial task, and he was prepared to make my life easier so I could continue my education. I was trying to be polite, so I said anything regarding my education had to go through Dr. B, and then I tried to go back to work to give him a hint to leave me alone. He then offered me a 'gift', saying it would allow me to continue my education or to have a nest egg after I got my PhD...a certified check in the amount of 500,000 dollars."

"500,000 dollars? Merde...that's a lotta cash, Cher…"

"I know...I was flabbergasted. I thought I'd misunderstood at first, but he laid the check out on the table and I saw it written out for half of a million dollars. I was getting very uncomfortable, but I didn't want to start anything, so I explained that my educational needs were already covered by a trust fund. He then told me I could use it on a house...or my father's medical bills… somehow he knew about my dad's stroke and his nursing home fees, Ms. Julian…"

Caroline remained silent as she grabbed the box of Kleenex on Aubrey's desk and handed it to the young woman.

Taking it, Jessica played with the box nervously. "I told him that my father and I were all set financially and so 'no thank you'. He was insistent, saying he'd sign the check over to me if I'd sign an affidavit saying that what had happened with Gerald was merely a misunderstanding and that I'd drop the charges. Of course, I told him I wasn't interested in doing that...that I wanted his son to get what he deserved and that we shouldn't be talking about it."

"I see." Caroline sat back in her chair, rubbing her chin has she thought over Jessica's statement. "So he was going to pay you off...but you said no. Then what happened? Did he leave?"

"I wish that's what happened, but no, he didn't leave. He looked really surprised...it was like he couldn't believe that I would actually say no, and then he got really angry. I tried to get away, but he grabbed my arm and squeezed really hard." Jessica pulled her sleeve up to show Caroline her bruises.

Seeing the extent of the bruising on Jessica's arm, Caroline was horrified. "Oh, dear Lord…" She turned to the technician. "Call forensics and tell them to get someone over here with a camera right away. I want pictures of this injury."

Turning back to Jessica, Caroline nodded. "What happened next, Cher?"

"I was afraid that he might hit me, but he just got really cold. His eyes were...hard and scary. He said that I had no right to ruin Gerald's life since I'd led him on and that it would be in my best interest to take the check. Once again, I said no and that I had work to do, but when I tried to leave again, he just held onto my wrist harder. He responded by making all sorts of insinuations...threats, actually...saying he'd ruin my career...that he'd ruin my family's business. Mr. Maxwell even threatened Aubrey...saying that a loose woman like me would ruin him. He also said that he had friends in the incoming administration, and he could use his influence with them to make sure Aubrey's career stalled at the FBI."

Caroline remained quiet, waiting patiently for the woman to continue.

"That stuff he said about Aubrey just...really pissed me off, so I told him what he could do with his dirty money and that his son was the way he was because he always bought him out of trouble. Mr. Maxwell became even more upset. He actually came out and said that I wasn't the first woman to try to "ruin his family's good name.' and that no…" Jessica shuddered for a moment. "'Cunt' was going to ruin his son because he was just being a normal, 'red blooded American boy'. He said if I didn't take the money and keep my mouth shut, he would get me fired from my internship and that he would blackball me in the forensic anthropology field so my career would be ruined."

Jessica wiped away the tears that were falling before pulling a Kleenex out of the box to finish the job. "I was so scared...but I was determined not to let him see it, so I told him that he needed to leave. He just stared at me coldly but before he could do anything else, Dr. Hodgins arrived and asked what was going on. I lied, saying he was there to see what I was doing for Dr. B, and then I ran to the restroom before hiding out in Angela's office. I don't know what happened with them after that…I was really scared Ms. Julian..."

Sighing softly, Caroline reached out to pat Jessica's hand as the young woman shed more tears. "Well, Cher...it looks like Mr. Maxwell really has assaulted you. Now, listen here...this is how things are gonna go, okay? I'm gonna see Deputy Director Stark right now and ask him to assign an agent to handle this case...someone who isn't your boyfriend or Agent Shaw."

"I don't want to cause any more trouble…"

"Young lady, stop.", Caroline said firmly. "Based on what you've told me just now, he's obviously done this sort of thing before to cover his bon rien, piece of crap son's scrawny butt, and you're probably the first woman who has rejected his offer. I'm pretty sure we're gonna be able to at least arrest him on bribery, witness tampering, and assault charges, Cher, so don't you worry about it. If you haven't figured it out by now, I live to wipe the floor with nasty scum like the Maxwells who try to hurt women who stand up for themselves."

"I wouldn't say I was strong...my brothers and father always taught me to stand up for myself. I do think you scare Dr. B sometimes, Ms. Julian…", Jessica said quietly, a smile peeking through her reddened face.

"She's a strong woman...and someone who will be a good mentor to you. Occasionally...I even admire her…", Caroline conceded before pointing her finger at the intern. "...but if you tell her that, I'll deny it."

"Yes, ma'am."

Caroline's smile fell. "I think you also know that cute agent of yours can't be involved in this case, right, Cher?"

"Yes...we both know that. I really wanted him here with me, but we understand why he couldn't be involved." Jessica brushed away a tear. "I just can't figure out why the Maxwells keep bothering me. Why can't they just leave me alone?"

"Because they can't wrap their tiny brains around the fact that a woman had the nerve to tell them what she thought...that she wasn't swayed by their money or their name." Rising from her chair, Caroline smiled at Jessica. "I'm proud of you, Cher...you did the right thing...not just for yourself, but any other woman they may try to do this to later on. Now, go to the lab and help catch me some bad guys to prosecute. I'll be in touch."

"Thanks, Ms. Julian." As the prosecutor left, Jessica pulled out her phone and made a call. "Okay, Superman...it's done. Where are you? I want to say goodbye before I head to the lab."

"Give me a minute...I'll be right there." Quickly leaving the conference room where he was talking with Genny, Aubrey jogged to his office, pausing as he stood in the doorway. "Hey…"

"Hey…" Sniffling a bit, Jessica smiled as she rushed into his embrace. "I did it…"

"I know you did." He caressed her gently. "I'm so proud of you. I love you so much…"

"I love you, too." She sighed as she snuggled against him. "I'll see you later, okay? I'm going to work now…"

"So has Hodgins arranged for more security? I don't want you to be alone in the lab…"

"I'm sure Curly has taken care of it. When I talked to him this morning, he said that the guard who was supposed to be on duty in the lab yesterday had been sent on an errand by Mr. Maxwell. Of course, the guy had no reason to think Mr. Maxwell would do anything inappropriate, so he didn't make arrangements for anybody to fill in. Anyway, I guess Curly asked the head of security to assign two guards to be in the lab at all times...you know, to make sure the chain of evidence is kept secure…among other things. He's also having a meeting with him later today."

"Makes sense to me." Smiling at his girlfriend, Aubrey pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "What about some Mexican for dinner tonight? We can pick up some tamales and enchiladas at Don Tomaso's…"

Jessica giggled softly. "Well, I guess things are back to normal if you're thinking about food. I think Mexican sounds like a good idea for dinner."

"Great. I'll pick it up on the way home." He bent down to give her a kiss. "I'll see you later."

"Okay." She gave him a teasing grin as she patted his ass. "I'll see you later...all of you, Agent Aubrey…and I might even wear the turquoise nightie tonight..."

He arched an eyebrow and gave her a sexy smirk. "I'm looking forward to that."

oooooooooooooooooooo

An hour later, Booth was grim as sat in the Homicide conference room waiting for the two other agents who were supposed to join him. As he read through the information in front of him, he rolled his eyes in disgust. 'Harold Maxwell is a piece of shit. No wonder his kid is so screwed up.'

Assault of a federal employee wouldn't normally be something Booth's division would investigate, but as soon as Stark had figured out who was involved, it became obvious that Aubrey shouldn't have anything to do personally with the matter. Therefore, it had been handed over to Booth, since he was an experienced senior agent with an impeccable reputation, and he'd be the one to oversee the investigation. 'Because I don't have anything else to do with my time, right? But we've gotta be extra careful with this one…Aubrey...Bones...Jessica...they need me to come through for them.'

He'd dutifully answered Hodgins' questions about what constituted assault of a federal employee as best he could over the phone yesterday. Based on the way the law was written, Harold Maxwell had indeed verbally and physically assaulted Jessica Warren as she performed her duties at the Jeffersonian. The problem was the lack of other disinterested witnesses to the incident. Right now it was more of a 'he said/she said' thing, without much real evidence to prove what had actually happened between them.

He paused as he read Jessica's statement once again, highlighting the section about Maxwell's access card. 'He got one because he's on the Board? That doesn't seem right. I mean, it took me a couple of cases working with Bones before she could talk Dr. Goodman into giving me one. Cam didn't give Aubrey one until after the Hayes Robertson case and Genny only got hers a month ago. If they have everybody traipsing through the lab, that could foul up all sorts of cases...it could invalidate evidence...no, something's fishy there. Cam and Hodgins wouldn't give out access cards for the lab to just anyone, especially after the bombs...no way. I just have to figure out how that scumbag got around the system and got one…I need to find out who made those arrangements. If anyone can get an access card, the FBI needs to rethink their connection with the Jeffersonian lab...'

Caroline had called him thirty minutes ago, warning him to tread lightly in his dealings with Harold Maxwell. The prosecutor had no doubts about the young woman's claims, but she also knew the man's 'weaselly' lawyers would mount a fierce defense, and that they might go as far as to claim that Jessica had initiated the contact with Harold. 'Yeah, I know Janis Jergins' reputation, but whatever. Tread lightly my ass...I'm gonna go after that bastard with everything we've got...'

Pulling a picture out of the file, Booth let out a low whistle. The pattern of dark purple bruising on Jessica's arm was large, and clearly it hadn't been caused by accident or by casual contact. In fact, it actually looked like a hand had wrapped itself tightly around her wrist and had squeezed it with a large amount of force.

'Jessica is lucky her wrist wasn't sprained...or worse.'

He wondered if they could measure the bruise and then measure Maxwell's hand to see if there was a match...but they'd need a warrant for that, and he was pretty sure a judge wasn't going to sign off on such flimsy evidence. Still...maybe it was worth a try…

"Agent Booth?" Agents Haggerty and Shaw stood in the conference room's doorway. Haggerty nervously twisted her fingers as she glanced at Genny and then back to him. "You wanted to see us?"

"Yes, I did. Please come in...and shut the door." He pointed to the chairs on either side of him. As they got settled, he opened the folder. "I'll come right to the point. Agent Haggerty, I need you to look into an incident that happened at the Jeffersonian yesterday. It appears that an intern, Ms. Warren, was assaulted..."

Genny was surprised at Booth's statement. "Gerald went after Jessica? I didn't think even he was that stupid..."

Booth saw the confusion on the woman's face and interrupted her.. "Not Gerald...Harold Maxwell…"

"Son of a bitch…", Genny said angrily. "The boss must be going nuts right now…I mean, he'd normally be the lead on a case like this..."

"I'm sure he is. You're right...it would be normal procedure for him to be aware of what was going on with a case like this, and he would either work it himself or assign an agent designated as a lab liaison to the case. However, we have to make sure that there's no possible way the alleged perpetrator or his attorneys can say that there was even the whiff of the FBI tampering with the case, especially since it involves Jessica. I know you're loyal to Aubrey, but he simply cannot be involved."

It had taken all the strength Booth had not to call Aubrey and check on him after the case had been reassigned from his division. However, he knew that if they were going to get the Maxwells, he had to keep Aubrey out of it. This needed to be treated just like any other case, so he'd sent an email to the SAC of Major Crimes, asking for recommendations on an agent from their division that could be impartial and best suited to be lead on the case. After reading the jacket of his colleague's recommendation, he had to agree that she was the best choice.

He turned to Shaw with an apologetic look. Pursing his lips slightly, he hesitated before he spoke again. "Because you're investigating Gerald Maxwell, Agent Shaw, you can't have any input on this case, either, since the assault charges have been leveled against his father, Harold Maxwell. Again, we have to maintain the appearance of neutrality, even if we do think that both of those guys are despicable assholes. We can't show any bias whatsoever. Anyway, as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge, you can go with Jill here to bring Mr. Maxwell in for questioning, but I don't want you in on any interrogations."

Seeing their confusion, Booth cleared his throat. "Agent Haggerty will be the lead on this case, and I will sit in with her when the time comes to question the suspect."

"What?" Caught off guard by that statement, Agent Haggerty looked like she just might throw up. "Um...excuse me, Agent Booth...I'm not sure...that is, I don't know...well, you see, I've never been the lead on a big case like this since I transfered to DC in October, and this one seems really important, so…"

"So you'll learn a lot." Booth nodded as he pushed the file towards the agent. "You'll do fine. Aubrey said that Agent Thompson had great things to say about you since you two became partners. I've also checked your jacket and it says you'd worked some big cases in Minneapolis before coming here, so it's not like you don't have any experience with being a lead agent...we just need to beef it up a bit, okay? Shaw will go with you to apprehend the suspect, but you're the one who's in charge...you're the one who makes the actual arrest...you'll be the one to slap the cuffs on the bastard, and you'll be the one to write any reports as necessary. Don't worry...we won't let you do anything silly. We want to make sure we get a conviction, okay?"

"I just...I know I have experience, Agent Booth, but...I don't want to let the Boss down…"

Understanding, Booth nodded. "Agent Haggarty...Jill...when I told Aubrey that I was overseeing this investigation, he was the one who suggested you be the lead agent on this one. This is important to him, right? He wouldn't have given me your name if he didn't think you were capable of handling something like this and could be impartial. Anyway, you'll get some more experience being lead, and both Shaw and I will be available in some capacity to assist you."

The young woman nodded as she sat back in her chair. "Okay...if you say so." Picking up the file, she glanced through it. "So it looks like the man in question went to see Ms. Warren at the lab without an appointment, right? He just showed up?"

"According to Jessica's statement, she was working in the lab alone on a special project for Dr. Brennan, and he used some sort of access card to gain entrance to the lab platform. She says she was surprised that he had a card, but I guess that's not really the issue in this complaint." Booth held up the photograph of Jessica's arm. "Ms. Warren further states that Mr. Maxwell offered her a significant amount of money as an inducement to drop the charges she filed against his son. She rejected the offer, and he became angry, so he grabbed her arm and held her tightly against her will until Dr. Hodgins showed up."

"Isn't his son's trial coming up soon?", Haggarty asked.

"January 23rd.", Shaw replied. "We're still burning the midnight oil gathering evidence against the little douchebag."

"Cutting it pretty close, don't you think?", Haggarty asked. "I figured he would have tried to bribe her before the holidays, when it all first came down."

"Not necessarily." Booth shook his head. "It's smart, actually. Harold Maxwell is an asshole, but not a stupid man. He probably investigated Jessica's background and waited to have all his ducks in a row before he offered her the money. If she changes her story this close to trial, it's harder for Caroline to counter it."

"So he's charged with bribery, witness tampering and assault of a federal employee?" Haggerty puffed out a sigh. "What's our evidence?"

"That's the sticky part. We have a picture of Ms. Warren's injuries, and the snatches of conversation between the two of them that Dr. Hodgins overheard." Booth shrugged as he put the photo back into the folder. "Realistically, according to what Ms. Julian told me this morning, we may not have enough to actually get a conviction in this case, but as far as I'm concerned, that's not the main purpose of this arrest, okay? What we're trying to do is to show these 'gentlemen' that no one is above the law, no matter how much money they have."

Seeing the unhappy expressions on the agents' faces, he continued. "I mean, we're going to go after him with everything we have, and we may get lucky enough to have something stick, but I don't want you to be disappointed if we aren't successful. That's not the whole end game here, okay?"

"Nice to know pricks don't fall far from the tree.", Genny said to herself. She tapped her nails against the table as she thought over what Booth had said. "Okay...but we're going to do the best we can to take this sucker down, right?"

"Yeah, we are." Booth rose from his chair and handed the folder to Haggerty. "Mr. Maxwell is probably at work this morning. His company, Maxco Enterprises, has a building over in Vienna, Virginia. I suggest you go pay him a little visit. Call me when you've got him and you're on the way back here."

Agent Haggerty inhaled deeply to calm her nerves. "Okay...we'll see what we can do. Let's go, Shaw…"

oooooooooooooooooooo

Genny chuckled as she glanced at Agent Haggerty, who was muttering to herself as she drove the SUV down the highway. "Come on, Jill...it's not the Oscars, okay? We're gonna go to his office, and you're going to present your badge. You're going to tell him that he has to come to the Hoover for questioning, and you slap on the cuffs if he resists…"

"I know all that, but I can't help it...I'm nervous."

"Why?", Genny asked. "It's just another case…"

"I just want to do well, okay?" Jill shrugged as she checked her rearview mirror. "I mean, after all, you trained with Booth, right? And then you worked with Aubrey? They're two of the best…"

"Well, you've trained with Aubrey, too, and he gave you an outstanding job review last week for your 90 day evaluation. He also said you were a great asset to Major Crimes and that he saw you moving up in the Bureau."

"It's just...I don't want to screw this up…"

"Jill, I've never seen you this nervous. You were on your A game when we arrested his piece of crap son Gerald last month. Yeah, it's for the boss's girlfriend, but in the end, she's another victim, and Harold Maxwell is another suspect we're arresting. He's nothing special." Genny paused as she considered what to say next. "Anyway, that's why Aubrey wanted you to do this...so you could get more experience and based on your record, he feels you're the best for the job. The more often you do this sort of thing, the less nervous you'll be."

"I suppose…" Agent Haggerty smirked at her partner. "Hey, I know what might help me take my mind off things…"

Genny was suddenly suspicious. "What?"

"Tell me what happened after you and that gorgeous accountant of yours ducked out of the Gala the other night. You were gone for almost an hour. Just a stroll in the gardens, right? A pleasant hour spent dancing under the stars?"

"Of course." Genny couldn't hide her happy smile. "It's a beautiful venue…and the gardens are lovely…"

"I bet...about six foot four of blonde loveliness, right?" Haggerty sighed softly. "You looked kinda dazed when you came back in…and you might have had a leaf in your hair...'

"Hey, look...there's our turn off." Pointing off to the right, Genny winked at her driver. "Listen, I'll tell you all about it later. Right now we need to concentrate on Maxwell, so game faces on, okay?"

"Okay." Steering the car toward the off ramp, Haggerty giggled softly. "Maybe, if we have time, I'll tell you about my Gala adventures with Shawn, too...including how Karen Delfs tried to get him to hook up with her later that night."

"Karen's involved? I'm counting on it." Genny grinned at her companion. "That's what partners do. They share things. It builds trust."

Jill smiled back. "Good to know. Thanks, Genny."

oooooooooooooooooooo

Haggerty drove the SUV into the large parking lot surrounding the modern building which housed Maxco Enterprises. "Nice place…"

"Yeah, well, they make more money than the governments of some small countries. Who knew electrical parts would be in such high demand? I guess this company goes back to the time of the cotton gins...no wonder the Maxwells are so big in DC." Climbing out of the van, Shaw eyed her fellow agent. "So do we have everything? Badge? Handcuffs? Sidearm?"

"Yep...I'm ready." Jill nodded towards the front door of the massive structure. "Let's do this."

Entering in through the lushly appointed lobby, the women stopped at the receptionist's desk. "Good morning. I'm Agent Jill Haggerty, and this is Agent Genevieve Shaw...FBI." Flashing her badge, Haggerty continued. "We need to see Harold Maxwell...right now."

"Do you have an appointment?", the receptionist asked cautiously. "He's a very busy man, and it's practically impossible to catch him in his office…"

"No, we don't have an appointment, but we're not leaving until we see him." Haggerty focused a steely glare at the woman behind the desk. "So maybe you'd better discreetly call him and ask him to meet us in the lobby so my associate and I don't have to make a scene by going from office to office to look for him. I'm not sure he'd like that..."

"Oh…" Picking up the phone, the receptionist spoke quietly to the person on the other end of the call. "Yes, sir...FBI. They say they aren't leaving…yes, I'll tell them." She hung up the phone and pointed across the lobby. "He said he'll meet you in the lunchroom in ten minutes...it's over there...on the right. Help yourself to a cup of coffee..."

Haggerty put on a polite smile. "Thank you."

The agents soon found the ornate lunchroom, which was empty at the moment. Near the middle of the room, there was a Pixler's BBQ stand that seemed to stick out like a sore thumb.

Haggerty raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Pixler's is the last thing I would expect to see in here. It seem so….un-Maxwell like."

"The boss told me once that Beau Pixler's dad and Harold Maxwell are business associates. I think it's weird too, but Maxwell probably gets good money for having it here." Glancing at her watch, Shaw shrugged at her fellow agent. "I'm gonna give him twenty minutes. If he doesn't show, we start searching the building…and we make lots of noise..."

"Do you really think he'll try to duck us?" Haggerty was obviously surprised that Maxwell would do something so stupid. "I mean, he knows we're here…"

"This is a big place, and I'm sure there are a lot of doors the skunk could use besides the front entrance. He might have an idea that we're here to take him in…"

"True, but that'd make things even worse for him than they are now." Haggerty glanced at her phone. "I hope we can get this wrapped up by seven this evening...I've got a date."

"Yeah, me, too." Keeping her eyes focused on the door, Shaw tapped her companion on the shoulder. "Son of a Bitch! There he goes…"

After seeing Maxwell walk quickly across the lobby, the two agents sprinted after him, beating him to the front door, and blocking the entrance so he couldn't leave.

"Hold it right there, Mr. Maxwell!", Haggerty said. "FBI. I'm Agent Haggerty and this is Agent Shaw. We need to ask you some questions about an incident at the Jeffersonian's lab yesterday…"

"Agent Shaw...Oh, I remember you...you're the agent who arrested my son on those bogus charges.", he began in a smarmy tone. "I'm sorry…but it appears that you two girls have been wasting your time waiting for me. I have an appointment that I can't miss. Goodbye…"

"Sorry, Harold, but it looks like you're probably gonna be late." Shaw nodded at Haggerty, who pulled Harold's left arm behind his back before fastening a handcuff to it.

Pulling his right arm around, Haggerty raised her voice so everyone in the lobby could hear her. "Harold Maxwell, you're under arrest for bribery, witness tampering, and assault." She locked the cuff on his right wrist. "You have the right to remain silent…"

"You girls are going to regret this…", Harold fumed, tugging against the restraints. "You have no idea who you're dealing with…"

"...and anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. Let's go." Grabbing Maxwell's upper arm, Haggerty hustled him towards the door.

"Ginger...call my lawyer!", he yelled. "Tell her I've been arrested and detained without cause by two FBI agents…"

"That's enough, Harold." Shaw glared furiously at the man. "Save it for the interrogation room. The car is parked right outside."

Sputtering with anger, Maxwell continued to rage as the agents put him in the vehicle. "I'll sue. This is false arrest...I'm being harassed. I didn't do anything to that little redheaded slut. She's lying…"

Shaw raised an eyebrow as she looked over at Haggerty, who was trying to suppress a grin as she got Maxwell situated in the car. "Well, looks like the boss missed out on all the fun again…"

"Yeah…", Haggerty agreed. "And you know what? Being the lead really is kind of fun...especially when we get to arrest assholes like Harold Maxwell."

oooooooooooooooooooo

Shaw had called Booth on the way back to the Hoover, and he had an interrogation room ready and waiting for their guest of honor. "Here you go, Mr. Maxwell. I assume you've already called your attorney?"

"My receptionist has placed the call for me. However, I know I have the right to one phone call…"

"By all means...be my guest." After returning Maxwell's phone to him, Booth crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair. "But I'm not leaving…"

Rolling his eyes, Harold hit the speed dial. "Gerald? Listen, son...you need to call our attorney and make sure she's on her way to the FBI. Yes, that's right...that bitch Agent Shaw and some other bitch arrested me on some trumped up charges. What? No, don't do anything stupid. I'll be out as soon as I make bail. This is a sham arrest anyway...tell your mother that I'll be home for dinner."

Ending the call, Harold had an air of confidence as he glared at Booth. "Okay, get those agents in here and let's get on with the dog and pony show…"

"Actually, Mr. Maxwell, it seems you're in quite a bit of trouble...perhaps more than you realize." Booth opened the door and looked out into the hall. "Agent Haggerty, would you bring in that file?"

Haggerty wore a disdainful glare as she entered the room. "Here you are, Agent Booth."

"Hmm…", Booth began. "It says here that when the agents went to speak with you today, you resisted arrest...it also says that you mentioned your dealings with Ms. Jessica Warren yesterday…"

"I don't know what you're talking about…" Harold blustered.

"You said, and I quote, 'I didn't do anything to that little redheaded slut. She's lying… ' ." Haggerty shook her head, trying to hold back her smile. "Neither Agent Shaw or myself said the name of the person whom you were charged with assaulting when she arrested you. We didn't even specify it was a federal employee. Anyway, Ms. Warren is the only woman with red hair that works at the Jeffersonian lab…"

"That's circumstantial...none of this will stick!" Harold was livid as he shouted at Booth. "You're way out of line here…"

"So you've decided to talk to us without your lawyer present? Okay. Well, speaking of out of line…" Booth pulled the photograph of Jessica's bruises from the file. "It seems you think it's acceptable to assault a federal employee. That can get you at least a year in a nice federal prison and a fine of 100,000 dollars."

"Of course, Agent Booth, that fine doesn't mean much to Mr. Maxwell, since he offered a check to Ms. Warren in the amount of 500,000 dollars to entice her to drop the charges against his son." Agent Haggerty smiled smugly at the man across from her. "How many years is bribery worth?"

"Three to five" Booth glanced at the agent next to him. "You also threatened Ms. Warren's loved ones, including her invalid father if she didn't drop the charges. That's witness tampering. Add on to that the fact you threatened her boyfriend James Aubrey...who's an FBI Agent. Threatening a federal agent is a violation of 18 US Code 115…"

"Yeah...all that together is ten to twenty plus one hell of a fine." Haggerty chuckled softly. "I hope you didn't have any plans for the next 25 years or so, Mr. Maxwell…"

"You have no proof!" Maxwell's voice was shrill with anger. "It's her word against mine! There is no paper trail…"

"Ah, but we do have Dr. Hodgins' statement as to what he overheard you saying to her, and then there's this photo." Booth tapped the purple marks in the picture. "See, the forensic scientists at the Jeffersonian are geniuses. They can take measurements from a bruise like this and figure out the size of the hand that made it using one of their fancy computer programs...if they have a suspect's hand to check out, that is."

"Won't we need a warrant for that, Agent Booth?", Haggerty asked in an innocent tone.

"We do need a warrant...and guess what?" Booth pulled a sheet out and held it up. "We have a warrant. The federal prosecutor delivered it personally just before Mr. Maxwell arrived."

"It's amazing what criminals with an ego can do to help provide us evidence, Agent Booth."

"It sure is, Agent Haggarty. Besides, Dr. Hodgins is excited because the lab got some new equipment yesterday that he can try out with the evidence we get from our friend Harold here." Booth leaned forward and spoke to Maxwell in a menacing growl. "If there's anything I hate, it's a son of a bitch like you who thinks he can get away with scaring young women...hurting them so his son can get away with all sorts of nasty stuff."

"My lawyer will be here soon, and then I'll be out on bail in a heartbeat. We will sue your asses for everything you've got, Agent Booth. Your wife won't be able to write enough books to cover the judgements that you'll have to pay out for this farce."

"Whatever you say, Harold, but you're still not going anywhere until we get those measurements taken of your hand."

Suddenly pale and frightened, Harold licked his lips nervously. "Look, if I did scare Ms. Warren, it was unintentional. I was just trying to clear up a misunderstanding between her and my son. Maybe I could call her and apologize...I can pay to have a doctor look at her wrist to make sure there aren't any permanent injuries…"

"That might be a good idea, except for one minor detail, Mr. Maxwell." Haggerty produced another form from the file. "This is something else the prosecutor delivered...a personal protective order. Basically it says you, your wife, any of your family members, or an employee with Maxco Enterprises are not to go within 100 yards of Ms. Warren or Agent James Aubrey. If any of you violate this order, you are subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law."

"You don't know who you're dealing with, young lady.", Harold replied, as the panic rose in his throat. "I'm a Maxwell...we've been around this area for over 150 years...we're well connected with people in government in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia….and here in DC. We have several friends who will be joining the new administration on January 20th."

"Actually, I do know exactly who I'm dealing with. You're not the first blowhard who has tried to use his money to intimidate people, and you certainly won't be the last.", Haggarty shot back.

"Now, Harry...it's time to face the facts." Booth gathered up the loose pages and put them back in the folder. "No matter when your lawyer gets here, you'll still need to have measurements taken of your hand. Those results will probably determine the how high your bail is set. So for now, you get to go sit in a nice holding cell."

"I beg your pardon!"

Rising from his chair, Booth moved to the door once again, summoning another agent. "Escort this man to holding."

Protesting loudly about his unfair treatment, Harold was led away, much to Booth's satisfaction.

"Good job with the interrogation, Jill.", Booth commented, nodding his approval. "You have no reason to doubt yourself. Aubrey's right...you're a good agent."

"Thanks, Agent Booth…"

"I see you've been hanging out with Shaw too much. It's just Booth." He checked his watch. "It's going to be awhile before Bones...my wife...Dr. Brennan...can come take measurements on Maxwell's hand." He gave Jill a sly wink. "I told her to take her time getting over here. Might as well go get something to eat...Angela said she'll be over after lunch with what she found in Harold Maxwell's financials."

Agent Haggerty grinned. "Okay, thanks...Booth. I need to talk to Shaw anyway." She still needs to tell me how she and Hunter got it on at the Gala…

oooooooooooooooooooo

It was eight o'clock in the evening before Maxwell was finally released on bail. Going by the holding cell, Booth gave him some instructions.

"Don't leave town. We'll let you and your attorney know the results of the test on your hand and of any indictments that are handed down in this case. Understand?"

"Yes, of course. I'm not some imbecile." Maxwell glared angrily at Booth. "I can't wait to sue you for false arrest…"

"Go for it." Booth smirked at Maxwell before turning to walk away. "I can't wait to read the article about this case in tomorrow's paper, so we're even."

"What article?" Maxwell was horrified as he watched the agent walk away. "Agent Booth?"

As he reached the end of the hall, Booth turned to face the man. "The article that talks about your arrest for assault. Those things are public record, you know? I'm sure the people at the Jeffersonian will be very interested in reading about it, particularly the Governing Board."

Harold was shocked. "What are you talking about?"

"You see...Bones.. I mean my wife, Dr. Temperance Brennan, tells me that the board members are very socially conscious...image is very important to them, which is why your family has always had a seat on the board for the last four generations. Of course, things like sexual harassment...witness tampering...assault...that sort of thing doesn't put the museum in a good light...and that could mean less donations...a smaller endowment...especially for your beloved Antiquities Department."

Booth smiled. "When I met with my wife at the Royal Diner for dinner this evening, she said that Dr. Hodgins had called your good friend Amanda Marshall, who sits on the board, to let her know what happened yesterday and she was quite angry. She's a very nice lady...very into women's causes, including a few with my wife. She also...really, really doesn't like you. So when a little bird let her know after lunch that not only were you charged with assault and witness tampering, but that you had also resisted arrest...she called all your fellow board members and they are having an emergency meeting tomorrow at 2:00. So, I would kiss that position goodbye, too."

"You're lying…", Harold sputtered. "Amanda doesn't have that much influence…"

"Nope. I don't lie.", Booth said, putting his hands in his pockets. "Jessica mentioned your comment about how she wasn't the first woman you had to pay off for your son and I found that very interesting. My guess is when the public reads the article about how you're about to go down for assaulting a woman after she refused a bribe, I bet we'll hear from all sorts of women...women who'll tell us that you did the same thing to them."

Booth shrugged a shoulder as he turned away. "See, when this stuff happens, folks can't wait to take the rich guys down. We'll have women practically begging us to take their statements so they can help put you away. And you know what? There isn't a goddamn thing you can do about that, mother fucker."

"I'll get you for slander, Agent Booth!"

"Whatever..." Waving as he walked away, Booth called out, "Good night, Harold. Sweet dreams…"

Harold slumped on the bench in his cell as he waited to be released. The Maxwell name...the clout...the respect...the decades of respectability would be gone. Everything he'd worked for to continue the prestige of the Maxwells was about to be ruined because he'd tried to protect his very spoiled son. He had to do something…

oooooooooooooooooooo

Brennan pulled back the covers on the bed. "You really think this will work, Booth?"

Booth did the same before getting into bed. "I do, Bones. Bullies are nothing once you take away their power. For the Maxwells, it's their prestige that has gotten them through life, and now they think they're above the law. There is no way that Jessica was the first intern to have this happen to her. Haggarty and Angela went through his financials and they found eleven other payments ranging from $75,000 - $250,000 out of one particular account of Maxwell's. When they examined the canceled checks, eight of them were made out to women. Cross referencing them, four were former interns from the Antiquities department at the Jeffersonian and two of them were in George Washington University's Antiquities program at the same time Gerald was working on his masters' degree there. We're still searching for the other two. My guess is they were going to school wherever he was working on his bachelors...or maybe even from an earlier time...like at that private high school he went to.."

"What about the other checks?"

"They were made out to a variety of places. One was to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit for $96 K and change, one was paid to George Mason University for $126,265 or something like that, and one for $179,000 to Bank of America. My thought is that one had medical bills for herself or family back home, one had her tuition paid, and the other used the money to pay off a mortgage, but that's just a guess."

"So what you're thinking is that either these women or some other women, although they accepted the money, may come forward to air their complaints?"

"Yeah, but I also think that there's more out there, Bones...I think it affects a lot more women than just those few.. Obviously, if there were no charges filed, we can't use the information for more than investigative purposes. However, if Gerald has had previous charges in other places, even if they were dropped, we could establish a pattern and possibly get them entered into the record at his trial. If he did anything to any of the other interns, that's a new federal crime, and we can take jurisdiction on that. The fact that he offered Jessica $500,000, and that he knew about her family business and her father's health tells me that he's desperate and running scared. My gut tells me that Harold is going to realize his son's nasty habits are getting expensive and the old man will choose the family name over his piece of shit son."

"Very clever, Booth.", Brennan said as she snuggled into her pillow.

"Caroline gets the credit, Bones." Booth pulled the covers up around himself. "She was the one who suggested this idea. Sweets had also mentioned something like this to me years ago as well...that people blame themselves when this sort of thing happens...but once others step up you're not as afraid, because you know you're not alone."

"But Ms. Warren isn't alone, Booth. Aubrey is standing by her. He's a good man, Booth. They remind me of us sometimes."

"Yeah, but we're still the best, Bones."

"Harold Maxwell must pay for what he did, Booth...as does Gerald.", Brennan stated. "Men like that can't be free to hurt young women...I won't let anyone hurt my interns for defending themselves…"

"They will pay, Bones, I promise.", Booth said, kissing his wife and turning out the light.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

In the master bathroom, Aubrey finished brushing his teeth as he listened to the phone conversation on the other side of the wall.

"I'm fine, Aaron...yeah, there were reporters out in front when I got here, but Aubrey put that gate up in front of his driveway so they can't come up to the front door anymore...he threatened a couple of them...no, you don't have to come over here...because Niki and the girls have just started the new semester, and you have to a lot to do before coming here in June...Aubrey will take good care of me...I'll be fine, I promise…"

Putting his toothbrush away, he put the toilet seat up and did his nightly constitutional. After washing his hands, he heard Jessica continue to speak.

"I'll call you this weekend, all right? Yeah...Aubrey would like that...let me ask him what his schedule is this month and I'll get with you…"

Feeling guilty for eavesdropping, Aubrey came out into the bedroom, where he saw his girlfriend wearing her bathrobe. Shooing Skinner to the end of the bed, he crawled under the covers as she finished her call.

"I love you, too...bye."

Aubrey watched her end the call and plug in her phone. "How's Aaron?"

"Worried about me." Jessica turned to her boyfriend. "But I reassured him that my FBI boyfriend will protect me, so he had nothing to worry about."

Aubrey rubbed her leg. "I'm sorry about the reporters being here when you got home."

"It is what it is, Superman. They were here when Gerald was arrested, too, and after you came home from the hospital. They'll get bored and leave. Our dog sounds don't work as well anymore."

"So what did Hodgins call about earlier?"

Jessica turned onto her side. "He said I could come in at 10:00 tomorrow, but he was going to have me work in Angela's office instead of being on the floor."

Puzzled, Aubrey became inquisitive. "Why? I mean, I think you deserve a day off..."

"There is a lot to be done with filing the remains in the electronic database Dr. Mayer helped create. With her on vacation in England, someone needs to pick up the reins."

"Surely, he can get someone else, Jess."

Jessica exhaled. "Superman, it will be less disruptive if I'm already there, since I have to go talk to Amanda Marshall tomorrow morning. She said she would meet me in Angela's office, and with the lab still on a skeleton crew, I'm good with that, especially since we can't go to the Governing Board meeting."

"Yeah, I'm videoconferencing with her when Booth goes to see her.", Aubrey said quietly. "Booth said it would be best."

"We don't want to endanger my case in anyway by making it so Harold accidentally violates the restraining order." The redhead's hand went up to interrupt her boyfriend's protests. "It will be fine, Superman. Plus, Daisy wanted to come have lunch with me tomorrow, if that's okay."

Disappointed, Aubrey nodded his head. "Well, I think I'll live...I can order in and get more paperwork done so I can leave earlier…perhaps I'll beat you home…"

"You wish, Superman…", Jessica said before sitting up on her knees. "Now, let's forget about reporters, Governing Boards, and Harold Maxwell."

"What did you have in mind, Ms. Warren?", Aubrey said, putting his hands behind his head.

Jessica untied her bathrobe and slipped it off, revealing that she was indeed wearing the turquoise nightie. Climbing on him, she straddled his waist as he moved up to meet her. "I did promise you the nightie...and I did promise to see all of you."

"Yes, you did." Aubrey pulled his t-shirt off and tossed it at the end of the bed, missing Skinner by a few inches. "You look gorgeous, Jessica...but now I want to see all of you, too…"

Grabbing her, he pulled her down on top of him, their laughter filling the room.

With next weekend being Labor Day Weekend, Love & Carbonite will also be taking the weekend off as Laura and I work on our amazing story while we try to enjoy the holiday with our families (I'm working...LOL). So we'll see you back here in two weeks and you'll find out what happens to the Maxwells and our favorite couple.