The Horror In The Bones Story
Chapter 3 : Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs
Bones is not mine
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The Angelatron was filled with symbols and page after page of information about the possible meanings of each. Astrological signs, runes, religious and scientific. She had found most of the symbols found etched into the headboard and their meanings, but a few seemed too obscure even for her computers vast knowledge. ...Hhmm maybe they just made them up... Angela was staring at the screen ,her forehead crinkled in aggravation.
"Hello.. Angela.", Sweets gently announced himself before barging into her work-space.
"Oh hey ..Sweets.", She acknowledged him with a brief smile then turned back to unraveling the meaning of the symbol currently stymieing her and her computer. It was a six pointed star, a series of six pointed rays that radiated from a central point then through each point of the star. The line straight down ended with a S shaped squiggle and a sharp point. Directly above the top point was a small crown like shape with six points as well. The six six six of it all seemed to be referencing satanic ritual, but Angela had yet to find a match. Nothing exactly like it. And it was repeated several times on the headboard. ...So it must be important right?...
"So how's the deciphering coming? ", the young psychologist asked with a smile, though he could see Angela was clearly annoyed.
"Well, up until now, it was going pretty quick. This..." , she gestured at the star shaped symbol on the screen. "..doesn't appear in any of the known databases I've tried. I mean... not this exactly. The six pointed star does... alone. The rays extending from a central point too. But not combined. And definitely not with a crown or pointed ..tail. Not even in known satanic symbolism. Have you ever seen it before?"
"Huh? Oh no ...that's a new one on me. But I'm not an expert on that sort of thing.", his flushed face fixed with a grin.
"Oh... well Brennen had mentioned your studies into the occult. I just thought maybe you might have come across it.", Angela said.
"Dr. Brennen may have misunderstood. I just studied it from a... purely psychological standpoint. Case studies mostly." He returned his gaze to study the screen. Angela couldn't help but feel there was more to it than that but dropped the matter. She tapped the control pad, and the image changed to a graphic that showed all the various markings, as she picked one...immediately its information appeared.
"So the symbols range, some like this... she highlighted the sideways eight... infinity. Common universally accepted. Then there is this one, the highlighting shifted to a circle with a couple of angular lines jutting off. It's a symbol of fertility... originated in Mesopotamia. And here, this one is Babylonian ...either means setting sun or rising... there was a lot of disagreement. All of the symbols repeat...six times. Except this one...and I have no idea what it is." She highlighted another simple glyph. A narrow bowl like oval over which stylized horns hung. "Oh and this one was the center point of the whole thing. What do you think?"
Sweets studied everything for a few more moments. "Seems a bit like witchcraft...not Wiccan either. Something much darker. Taking the time to carve all this into the headboard, the way he was bound... looks like a ritual killing. Hhmm.",
"Hello Dr. Sweets.", Sweets turned to see Cam glide into the room. In her hand was a clipboard. "I've finished my autopsy. Seems our victim had more than one killer."
"Let me guess... you found genetic material from six women on him?" The FBI shrink profferd.
"Your exactly right...how? ", Cam said impressed.
"Just seems to be the repeating number." ...six.. but there were only five victims twenty years ago...Why the break in pattern? Hmm? ... Sweets said thoughtfully. "Angela can you look into similar cases from ... forty years ago?"
"Forty? Sweets that would make these some pretty old witches to be seducing young men.", Angela chided him doubtfully, though she began typing in the search info.
"Witches!? Not witches.. again.", Cam moaned. She had had enough of them last time.
"It would make sense.. somewhat. But I don't think these are going to be just a couple of Wiccans hopped up on ergot. This is some dark .. murderous ritual here." Sweets dark eyes narrowed in concern.
"Hey.. I've got a hit! Let's see... nineteen seventy-four. Four deaths, same as our guy. They were believed to be the work of a working girl.. turned killer. They even made an arrest. Oh.. says here the girl, arrested, was twenty year-old prostitute Amelia Collier. Oh man.. she committed suicide in her cell. I guess they attributed all the deaths to her... and once she was gone that was the end of that."
"So forty years ago there were only four victims, five... twenty years ago. So.." Sweets began.
"So if the pattern holds we can expect ,what… three more men to die ..by Halloween?" Cam said finishing his thoughts.
"But it can't be the same women... they'd be pushing sixty by now." Angela interjected.
Sweets was busy reading the case file. "Says here that Amelia Collier was arrested because she had tried to pawn the one of the victims watch. They never got a confession."
"Did the autopsy come up with anything Dr. Sayroyan?" Cam turned to see Agent Booth and Dr. Brennen coming in. It was Brennen who had asked.
"Oh... well he died of exsanquination , like I thought, and I found the DNA of six unknown females. Oh and I couldn't find any dentals. The guys teeth were in rough shape. As for those fangs... they weren't professionally done. There wasn't enough skin left on the fingers to even think of pulling prints. That leaves identification up to your facial reconstruction." Cam looked to Angela as she finished.
Angela tapped the pad, and the screen changed to a mans virtual image. "I finished the facial reconstruction. Here's your victim." A man in his early thirties appeared on the screen, strong jawline, handsome features, deep blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. According to his license his name is Ben Edlund , a freelance reporter and photographer. He was only reported missing a week ago. Seems he didn't meet some deadline and the magazine editor slash friend began to wonder. Hhmm he was a handsome guy. Oh..and Dr. Sweets here thinks the killers are some sixty year old witches." Angela smiled mischievously.
Sweets head whipped around as he glared disapprovingly at the grinning artist. "Now, you know, that's not what I said... not exactly."
"Then who? Exactly ..are we looking for? ", Booth asked. "And how did we get to sixty year old.. witches? What happened to the satanic jailbird succubi ... hhmm Sweets? " A smirking Booth asked joining in on the fun.
"Yes, Dr. Sweets you do seem to keep pushing this case further into the impossible supernatural realm." Dr. Brennen chimed in though not so much in jest, as aggravation.
"Look ..what I see is that..for the past forty years. A group, most likely women. Have been ritualistically murdering men. Forty years ago it was four, twenty years ago it was five, that means this year will be six. I never said it was the same women... maybe a coven that's been around for along time. Either way, men are dying...and three more will die by Halloween if we don't stop them.", his voice had risen as he defended himself.
"Okay..okay Sweets we were just jerking your chain. ", Booth said giving the younger man a friendly slap on the back as he stepped up to the screen to get a closer look at Ben Edlunds picture.
"I was being quite serious Booth." Brennen said quietly to her partner. He just looked at her before shaking his head.
"But seriously, you're telling me this has been going on for at least forty years? I would have thought that something like that would have made the papers.", Angela remarked.
"I don't know, it started small... the bodies were not all found in the same place, or in order. Most likely no one connected the dots. Until now, with the body count higher and the research capabilities we enjoy today.", Brennen stated.
"Hmm, I guess. I'll compile all the information I can on the victims over the last forty years. See if they have anything in common. ", Angela offered then turned her attention back to her control pad. " And... hopefully I will find the meaning of the rest of the symbols."
"Okay...oh Angela! One more thing..." , Booth pulled the pink coin from his jacket pocket. " ... can you see what this is?"
"Oh..wow! You have a key to Pandoras Box! ", Everyone in the room turned at Mr. Fishers excited announcement. Then suddenly feeling embarassed by his intrusion he turned to Dr. Brennen. "The bones have been cleaned and are ready for examination, Dr. Brennen."
"A key? What do you mean a key? It's a coin." Booth asked the intern.
Fisher eagerly stepped up to the FBI agent, holding his hand out." May I?"
Booth hesitated for a moment then dropped the evidence bag into the mans hand. Fisher held it up examining both sides, then offered its return to Booth.
" Yep...that is definitely a key to Pandoras Box. The victim was a lucky man.." Fisher said with a wistful, slightly covetous sigh.
"Okay ... so what is this Pandoras Box and why's it got you so gaga over it?", Angela asked with a mix of curiosity and possible regret. ...No telling with this guy...
"It is one of the most exclusive clubs in the city.", Fisher said.
"What kind of club?",Booth asked recalling the figures on one side of the coin.
"It's a club... where consenting adults of like minded interests meet and socialize... without fear of anyone passing judgement on those interests.", Fisher replied benignly, sounding like a brochure.
"A sex club? Well that's ... interesting.", Booth didn't relish the idea of heading into one of those. Oh and not with Bones... last time we went to a strip club she paid for a lap dance... then again. No, no...
"You seem to know a lot about this place Mr. Fisher. Are you a member?", Brennen asked matter of fact, even as Cam, Angela and Sweets exchanged amused glances.
"Sadly...no. The closest I ever got was at the invitation of a very exotic, older woman, who was a member, to be her guest.", he let out a loud sigh. "Unfortunately, her timing coincided with my mother having a rather unfortunate accident and I had to end our night.. just as we stood before the door to what would have surely been a evening of bliss." Fisher stood lost in the memory of what might of been.
"Yeeaah... so where is this door located? ", Booth asked interrupting the interns musing.
"Oh right...um its in the back of this nightclub.. The Revenant. It's has a lot of atmosphere... Great appletini!" Fisher seemed pleased he could be of so much help. Well as pleased as Fisher ever got.
"Well then I guess that's where I'll head next, Agent Shaw can check Edlunds apartment. You coming Sweets? ", Booth said as he turned to leave, after fishing his phone out to call Shaw.
"Sweets? I thought I would be going Booth…? ", Brennen said confused and a bit hurt.
"Hey, if Dr. Brennen would rather go I can hang back here and help Angela.", Sweets offered turning to look at Booth, whom he noted looked anxious., "Or.. I can go."
"Bones... you have bones to look at. And I could use Sweets..." shrinky mojo" this time.", Booth explained. …And since I don't know what to expect..I'm not taking chances on what you might say.. or do.. in a place like that...
"I see.. very well. Take Sweets then. I will check the skeleton for an anomalies.", Brennen trying to hide her dejection.
"Good..I mean..um come on Sweets.", Booth bid a hasty retreat as Sweets rushed to catch up.
Angela, Cam and Fisher watched Dr. Brennen leave for the examination room.
"Wow.. did you see how uncomfortable Booth was? Hehehe.. he can be so up tight sometimes." Angela remarked
"Now Angela, you know Booth is a good Catholic boy...some things just make him feel uneasy."
Well if that's the case.. it's probably a good thing that Agent Booth and Dr. Sweets are heading into the Revenant early, before the main club crowd hits the scene."
"How's that Mr. Fisher?", Cam wondered.
"Oh, just that in their clean cut suits and ties... they will stick out like sore thumbs. The clubs usual guests pride themselves on their attire...and lack there of. Even I felt a slight blush the first time I went in." Admitted Fisher who then left to join Dr. Brennen.
The women shared a wide-eyed look of " Oh My!"
"Maybe, I should call and give Booth a heads up.", Cam thought out loud as she stood to leave.
"That's alright Cam.. I need to call Sweets in a minute anyway... I'll take care of it.", Angela smiled at her bosses retreating figure.
"Well... that works.. I'll be in my office if anyone needs me.", Cam said as she left.
"Okay.", Angela turned back to her search, a broad smile spreading across her lovely features. …Oh yeah ..that's one call that's not going to get made.. he..he..he.
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And there it is.. a little time in the lab... sorry if it was a bit dull.