Booth read the note for the second time. He'd expected it, just hadn't known when it would barge into their lives.

"What do you think?" Brennan asked as he threw the evidence bag onto the counter and then began pacing with his hands on his hips.

"I think he's one sick bastard."

"But do you think the note is from the man who killed Carly Winters, or just some kook seeking attention?"

"There's no way to be sure, but either way, we have to assume he's dangerous."

"Now, why doesn't that make me feel better?"

"Smart ass."

"So what do you suggest Agent Booth?" Brennan asked as she regarded him with a sly grin on her lips, happy that she could diffuse the situation, if only for a moment.

Booth chuckled as he watched her pad over to the sofa, sit down and curl her bare feet up under her. She'd changed into some teal Lululemon pants and a cream tank top covered by a black hoodie. With her long hair pulled up into a ponytail, he could not believe how vulnerable and young she looked. A thought crossed his mind making him wonder if he had anything to do with changing her all-go-no-stop-big-balls Temperance Brennan attitude. Sobering immediately, he sat beside her as she shifted to face him, sitting sideways on the sofa, legs crossed in front of her. Taking her right hand in both of his, he voiced an opinion that could possible get him hurt.

"You could get the hell out of Dodge. Go somewhere this asshole can't find you and stay there until he's caught."

"I can't do that."

"Sure you can. All you have to do is leave this case with me and I'll have you home in no time."

Gently removing her hand from his, she left the sofa quietly crossing the room to the window.

"I know what you are thinking Booth. You want to protect me, and deep down, I don't want to stop you but I can't be treated like fine porcelain all the time. You also need me on this case. I'm not bragging about my skills in the least but you sure as hell should be the last person to forget how well we work together."

"You have it all wrong Bones, this isn't about me, it's about you. There are plenty of people who we work with that can help me get this done that aren't being stalked by a lunatic."

Frustration etched into the lines of her face, she turned to face him, arms crossed over her chest.

"Running away is not an option. In the first place, the Jeffersonian cannot spare me and neither can the FBI. Secondly, if I leave, who's to say that this man won't focus his sick attentions on someone else, say like, Angela?"

He couldn't argue that but his frustration rose anyway. Standing he crossed the room to her, hands on hips.

"So what's your solution Temperance? Just go about your business and wait for the next gift, or note, or whatever else he conjures up in his degenerate mind?"

"No." She met his gaze dead-on. "He obviously wants my attention so we give it to him. If I could talk with his somehow, we could set a trap for him."

Or she could just commit suicide, Booth thought as he turned on his heel with a growl, plowing his hand through his hair.

"You'd be playing the killer's game. You think you can get inside his head, but he'll get inside yours. Do I need to remind you of Epps?"

"I'm not a fool Booth. I won't be manipulated."

"You already have been Bones."

Booth's cell phone chose that moment to ring irritating him beyond belief. Snatching it up off the coffee table he barked a greeting.

"What."

"Booth! What the hell crawled up your ass?" Cullen replied. "Just heard from the local TV station. They got another call."

"A body?"

"Caller didn't say. Just gave specifics as to where they should go."

Muttering some curses that would have turned his mother's hair blue, Booth asked for the details.

" Meridian Hill Park. It's just off Connecticut Ave, in the Woodley Park area. That's where those historic buildings are located."

Meridian Hill Park. Three blocks from where he was sitting right now.

"I'll be there in five minutes. Call Matt. I want him there too. Brennan's with me, we'll call Zack on the way."

When he broke the connection, Brennan was standing right behind him.

"He did it again, didn't he."

"Cullen's not sure. We have to go."

Grabbing for a pair of running shoes and lacing them up, she picked up her field kit and followed him out the door.