Bed of Fire
Chapter 4
The man smiled at his handy work. He had watched from a distance as Dr. Brennan left her apartment, followed shortly thereafter by her ever present partner, Special Agent Seeley Booth. He could just imagine the FBI Agent's insistence at her staying with him, where he could keep an eye on her. Or try to, he thought with a mirthless chuckle.
He knew that Booth would come galloping in and try to save the day after seeing the 1st picture he left. That was the plan, to shake him up, get Booth off his game. In time, Seeley Booth would feel the same pain he felt when he found out about Jenny's demise.
His anger simmering, the man reminded himself that it wasn't Jenny's fault she did what she did. Clenching his fists, and punching the dashboard in rage, he thought grimly: Just like it won't be Temperance Brennan's fault when she dies just like my Jenny. Patience was the key here; he soothed himself, releasing his clenched fists. He had wanted to grab her and get it all over with quickly, but he knew that was a recipe for getting caught. The man was too good for that.
Startled from his thoughts, he noticed they were going to be driving right by his position. He slid down into his seat, trying to make himself as small and unnoticeable as he could manage. The dusty scent of the upholstery assaulted his nostrils and he struggled not to sneeze. His eyes watered, but he held it in. Finally, the large, black SUV cruised by his position. Good. Neither of them even glanced in his direction. He was good to go. He sneezed twice.
The man turned the key in his ignition, and easily maneuvered his small economy car into the spot just occupied by his nemesis. He got out of the car, and straightened his tie and jacket. Not suitable spying attire, but it would have to do. Unconsciously, he smoothed his hair back, and locked his car. He held his briefcase close to his side. He smiled warmly at the older woman exiting the building, as he held the door open for her.
"Thank you young man" she rasped out to him, beaming a wide smile, her floral frock swishing around her arthritic legs.
"No problem" he assured her as he made sure she was gone before he let the door close.
Instead of taking the elevator, he quickly took the stairs. The man enjoyed fitness, and this was a welcome burst of activity. Exiting the stairwell, he glanced to the left and right, making sure he was alone.
Thankfully, no one was about. This was going much easier than he'd initially anticipated.
He walked briskly to Dr. Brennan's apartment door, and with a skill of any burglar worth his salt, picked the lock. The internet was a marvelous tool, in breaking and entering information he recalled. Again making sure that no one was paying attention, he slipped into her now quiet apartment.
He stopped a moment, taking in his surroundings. Several bookshelves, large TV, nice kitchen were what were immediately visible. Shaking his head briefly, he made his way to the master bedroom. He had all he could do not to laugh out loud in glee.
The man set the briefcase down on the bed, and popped open the latches. He withdrew his gift for her and set it up. Perfect. This should shock her enough. Of course the chance is great that Booth will be with her, if that is the case, all the better.
He smiled. Ideally, he would have liked to set this up at Booth's home, but he knew that he would take Brennan there, so this was nearly as good.
After snooping about her home, he found her home office, complete with fax machine as he'd hoped. He took the next picture out of his file folder he brought along in the briefcase, and faxed it to Booth's personal line at his office at the Bureau.
He closed the briefcase, and went methodically through the apartment, removing his fingerprints from any surface he'd touched. With a smile, he left her apartment as he'd left it….for the most part anyway.
End chapter 4
A/N: You guys out there reading this? Just making sure! –Riviera-