Sorry it's taken so long to update. I usually hate it when author's make excuses, but I started publishing this over November break, it is now Winter Break. My teachers decided to bombard with test and projects in between... Anyway, here is the next chapter of A Child's Grace.
Disclaimer- I do not own Bones. It is almost Christmas though...
8:00 AM-
Booth walked into the spotless lab, squinting at the reflection of the sun against the stainless steel, and wasn't surprised to see all of the squints standing on the platform, waiting for for him.
"Alright, what d'you got?"
Angela spoke up, "I finished the facial reconstruction, and ran the sequence for the murder."
"Cause of death?" he looked toward Bones and Wendell.
"Because of all of the abuse, we have yet been able to determine precise cause of death yet," Brennan looked at him, "However, there was a bullet lodged in the skull, and Hodgins was running the particulates just now."
Booth looked at Hodgins. "And?"
"She literally meant just now. I haven't gotten results back yet." He pointed to the monitor on a table in the corner of the platform, where pictures and symbols were flashing up and then disappearing again, only to replaced by another seconds later
"What about time of death?"
"Based on decomposition and insect rate, and taking into account the cold winters slowing decomposition, approximately three years ago," replied Hodgins.
"'Kay," Booth mused, "That narrows the list down some." He handed the files to Bones. "You'll want to check them against Angela's reconstruction."
Brennan looked down at the files, considering them. "Her." She handed the file to Booth, showing him the picture. It was a pretty, young girl. She was smiling, and her grey eyes were lit up with joy. Her wavy sun streaked blond hair fell over her shoulders, and even into her face, but it didn't seem like she cared. She looked as though she had no cares at all, just an innocent kid, dreaming of her future, thinking that the cute guy who sat in front of her in class would be her husband one day. And then a few months later she was dead. (So, that's a no on the husband thing...)
"Milena Antonia Raimondi," he read, "Age 13. She was reported missing by her parents on June 13, 2009." He looked up at the squints. "Officer Wyatt mentioned the Raimondi's as the owners of one of the properties backing up into the forest where the victim was found."
Cam took the file and looked at the photograph of the smiling girl. "We should run dentals to be sure, but it seems to be a pretty good match. And the location fits."
12:00-
Booth stood before the front door of 177 McKinley Lane, preparing to knock. No matter how many times he did it, informing the families of victims that their loved ones were gone had never gotten easier. He felt the concerned gaze of his partner on him, as he raised his fist to the door. Moments later a man and woman opened the door.
"Paolo and Annalisa Raimondi?" Seeley asked. The man nodded, somewhat reluctantly, a look of fear and concern on his face. Booth couldn't tell if he was afraid that they would tell him his daughter was dead, or if he was afraid that they knew he did it. Don't make assumptions without all of the facts. His partner's voice echoed through his head, and he subconsciously glanced over at her before looking back at the couple before him. "Special Agent Seeley Booth of the FBI. This is my partner, Dr Temperance Brennan, of the Jeffersonian. May we come in?"
The couple nodded, and tears started to form in the woman's eyes. "Dr Brennan," Annalisa spoke, "My daughter loves your writing."
"Milena?"
"No, my other daughter, Francesca. She says you made her want to be a forensic anthropologist when she grows up." Annalisa smiled at the thought of her young child's hopefulness.
"Well," Booth looked at the couple, "If you know what kind of doctor Dr Brennan is, I'm sure you've figured out why we are hereā¦"
"I assume you found Milena," Paolo seemed to be shaken, but Booth reminded himself again that both parents were prime suspects.
"Yes. We found a body in the park yesterday, who we have confirmed to be your daughter."
Annalisa let out a choked sob, and covered her mouth with her hand. Booth looked at her husband. "Mr Raimondi, if you don't mind me saying, you don't seem very surprised."
The man looked at the agent, not appearing offended. "After three years, you lose hope of them coming back to you alive."
Booth nodded, appearing to accept the answer, but not really knowing what to say. He had no idea how he would react if someone told him that either Isaac or Parker were dead.
"Were you aware of your daughter having any enemies? Or maybe someone she was scared of? A teacher, a coach, a classmate's parents? Maybe someone she saw standing near the school who seemed out of place?" asked Tempe.
"No," replied Mrs Raimondi, "Milena was..." the distraught mother looked at the partners, "Everyone loved her. She was involved in a lot of different activities, so she had many different friends in all groups, even the people most kids her age would ignore. You know how middle schoolers can be about stereotypes. But Milena didn't really care. She ignored all of the stereotypes, and was just friends with the individual person."
Booth smiled. "She sounds like a wonderful girl."
"Could we talk to your other children? We've noticed that sometimes kids notice more than adults, they may have seen something." Tempe spoke up, glancing at the two parents.
"Only Francesca would know anything. The twins, Giovanna and Marco were only 2 when Milena went missing. I doubt they knew much about Milena's life. And our other son hadn't even been born yet."
"Would it be possible for us to ask Francesca a few questions?" questioned Booth.
"Yes. She's next door, working on a project for school," was Paolo's answer.
"Fun," muttered Seeley under his breath, but only Temperance heard him, and she nearly laughed at Booth's reluctance to see Rebecca.
As they walked down the path, Bones looked at Booth. "At least you get to see Parker," she said optimistically. Booth snorted.
Minutes later the agent and anthropologist were standing before the brick colored front door of 179 McKinley Lane. Booth knocked on the dark wood, which was quickly opened by none other than Rebecca Stinson.
"Seeley!" The blond woman appeared confused. Booth didn't blame her. After all, he didn't often show up on a Sunday afternoon with no prior warning.
"Hey, Bex. Could I come in?"
"Um, sure, I guess. Do you want to talk to Parker? He has some friends over from school," Rebecca looked at him.
"Not exactly. We're actually here for a case. We were speaking to the family next door, and they said we could find their daughter here. Francesca Raimondi."
A look of understanding and disappointment crossed her face, and she stepped aside to allow to climb the stairs. "They're in his room. That poor family. Milly was a great girl."
"So we've heard."
How'd you like it? Please review. Only your reviews will save me from my family over the holidays...
