A Pain That I'm Used To—Chapter 25
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters associated with BONES.
Author's notes: Thanks for reading and special thanks to all of you who have taken the time to review.
To jaed621—Yes, you solved this little case a few chapters ago. Darn it and I thought I was being clever.
To BonesDBchippie—So that's where the wine is! (holds out an empty glass)
And to elliot02uk—You are very observant! Yes, that last chapter just wrote itself. I had initially planned to start with a scene between Booth and Brennan but Angela and Hodgins just took over. Unfortunately this chapter was not as easy—although that may have had more to do with the two hours of sleep I've had in the last day. Cliff Notes are a vital necessity for American high school and college students. It takes certain subjects (usually literature, always something Shakespearean) and condenses it so that the 'average person' can understand it. Most kids try to use Cliff Notes in place of actually reading the book…you know when they can't rent the movie. (LOL) And don't bother curbing your baser nature…I promise to write more B/B touching scenes soon. Also, I'm certain there will be more than one typo in this chapter since I didn't have time to proofread it! (LOL)
Okay everyone, it's that time again. Read, enjoy and please review.
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The large metal container made a terrible thudding sound as Booth dropped it on the table in front of Maggie, Elaine and the seemingly ever present Joseph Keith.
"Agent Booth just what the hell is going on?" the lawyer demanded as he stood.
"Have a seat Mr. Keith," Booth instructed as he looked over at Maggie. She was visibly shaken by the sight of the container. "Maggie do you want to tell Elaine about this…or do you want me to do it?"
The now meek woman stared at Booth before glancing at Brennan who stood with her arms crossed beside her partner.
"Apparently she wants us to deliver the bad news," Brennan said as she uncrossed her arms and leaned down to open the container.
"You have no right," Maggie said forcefully.
"On the contrary…Agent Booth's warrant gives us every right," the anthropologist replied as she opened the container.
Elaine and Joseph stood to examine the contents which included numerous handguns on one side and a box holding what appeared to be hundreds of letters.
"I had no idea you kept guns in my home," Elaine said.
"She purchased all of these when she and Ronald attended gun shows together." Booth crossed his arms as he watched Maggie. "But that's not the only interest you share, was it?"
"What…what are you talking about?" Elaine looked from Maggie to the agent.
"You were so concerned with the possibility that your daughter-in-law may have been having an affair with Sheriff Fife," Brennan answered, "that you failed to see the affair between your son and Maggie."
"It was not an affair," the accused woman said. "Ronald…Ronald was my world. Calling what we had together an 'affair' cheapens the love we felt for each other."
Elaine grabbed Joseph's arm for support as she collapsed onto the couch. At that moment Natalie entered the room from the pool area. "Grandmother what's going on here?" The young girl's dark eyes glanced around at the people in the room. "What's in the box?"
As Natalie moved to inspect the box's contents, Joseph stepped in front of her. "You should go back outside. Agent Booth and Dr. Brennan just need to ask a few questions concerning your parents' case."
The teenager ignored the lawyer and glanced over his shoulder spying the vast amount of weaponry. "Whose guns are those?"
A pale shaken Elaine looked over at her granddaughter. "Please just go outside Natalie," she said softly.
The girl sighed loudly. "Fine…Maggie do you know where Billy is? He was supposed to pick me up thirty minutes ago. I've tried his cell phone and he's not answering."
Maggie glared at Booth and Brennan. "Why don't you ask them?"
"Okay what the hell is going on? Why would they know where my boyfriend is?"
Joseph grabbed Natalie's arm and led her to the patio door. "Go outside!" He pushed her out the door and promptly closed the door.
"Maggie…what did you do?" Elaine asked, her eyes pleading for an explanation as to why her son was dead.
"Ronald and I fell in love…" she whispered. "I was here when he came by one day. He was upset with Katherine. He had seen her at the diner with Michael…Sheriff Fife. I comforted him and we talked. He started coming by on a regular basis and for a long time we were nothing more than friends."
Sighing she stood and moved toward the container. Booth reached out and grabbed her arm. "I want to show her the letters," she said. "I want her to read Ronald's words and understand how much he loved me."
"I'll get them. You have a seat." He picked up the box with the letters and placed it on the table in front of Elaine. The older woman slowly combed through the massive amount of letters, all written by her son.
"The only time Ronald and I argued was when the topic of Billy dating Natalie came up."
"So you two were getting along when you shot him to death?" Brennan posed the question with one eyebrow raised.
"That was…that was an unfortunate occurrence," she conceded. "Ronald was convinced that Michael and Katherine were seeing each other but he decided to try and save their marriage…for the sake of the kids. I went to their house that night with Billy. He was there to pick up Natalie and I…I wanted to let Ronald know that I couldn't accept his decision to end us. I was going to tell Katherine the truth."
"But things didn't go as you expected did they?" Booth asked.
"When we got there, they were already arguing. Katherine stormed down to the basement to gather all of the things Michael had given her in high school so she could burn them…to prove that she was over him. Ronald followed her and I followed him…"
"And you just happened to have a gun with you?" Booth's skepticism appeared to irk Maggie.
"I always carry a gun with me when I leave home. Ronald insisted on that! Safety was a big priority with him. So yes, Agent Booth I just happened to have a gun with me that night." She took a seat away from Elaine as though she could sense her friend and employer's disappointment. "She treated him horribly. The way she spoke to him that night….I'd had enough. I saw the chance to set him free of her, so I shot her. Ronald yelled at me and then he went to her…he comforted her. He chose that slut over me."
"So you shot him too. And then you continued to shoot both of them until the gun was empty" Brennan said. "Billy said that he tried to call for help but you stopped him. Why?"
"I wasted a year and a half of my life waiting for Ronald to leave her. I was not going to let him take the rest of my life." Her eyes were free of tears and held no remorse. "Billy heard the shots and came downstairs. I convinced him to help me…."
"No you forced him to help you," Booth corrected her. "You used Natalie as leverage against that poor kid. He helped you carry their bodies to his car and then you gave him instructions on where to bury them. What you didn't count on was that unlike you, Billy has a conscience."
"Which gun did you use?" Brennan asked. She was quickly growing tired of Maggie's excuses and lame explanations.
"Why don't you figure it out, doctor?" she replied sarcastically.
"She will," Booth said as he nodded at the deputy who stepped forward and placed handcuffs on Maggie's wrists.
"Joseph will you meet me at the sheriff's office?" she asked as the deputy escorted her to the foyer area.
"No he won't," Elaine answered. "He will not assist you in any way regarding this matter. You killed my son…you took my grandchildren's parents away from them…you ruined your poor nephew's life. I will make sure that you pay for what you've done. Get her out of my house."
"But Elaine…" The deputy pushed Maggie toward the front door and escorted her outside.
The older woman stood, facing Brennan and Booth. "What will happen to Billy?"
The agent sighed as he took the box of letters from her hands. "That's up to the DA, Mrs. Thompson…but he helped to destroy and hide evidence and hinder an investigation. Odds are good that his punishment will be pretty stiff."
"How was my granddaughter used as leverage?"
Booth paused as he studied her. "She threatened to harm Natalie if Billy went to the authorities. His only concern was keeping her safe…" He glanced over at Brennan, realizing that on one level he and Billy weren't so different.
"Joseph, I want you to consult with the other attorneys at your firm to provide the best defense for that young man," Elaine instructed.
"Yes ma'am," he answered.
"I believe now would be the appropriate time to begin that task."
Joseph nodded as he slipped his cell phone from his jacket and exited the room. Elaine turned and stared out the large patio doors at her granddaughter who was seated by the pool, sulking. "I don't know how much more Natalie can take," she said softly. "This betrayal...Can you imagine that level of betrayal?"
Booth's gaze fell on his partner's face. To anyone who didn't know her, Brennan's demeanor seemed cold and detached but as he watched her he saw the pain in her eyes. He knew that she didn't have to imagine what Natalie was going through…and what new pain awaited her. Brennan had been living with the betrayal, lies and secrets—the trifecta of her parents' legacy—for months now.
"She'll get through it Mrs. Thompson," the anthropologist said gently. "With some help from her family, she'll get through it."
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"Wow," Angela said as Brennan and Booth finished filling in the rest of the team on the conclusion of the case. "Mild mannered Maggie was actually psycho…it's always the quiet ones."
"I really thought it was the sheriff," Hodgins said as he leaned back in one of the chairs in Brennan's office.
"And that's why Booth is the investigator and you're the bug and slime guy," Angela joked.
Hodgins chuckled as he watched her resituate herself on the couch next to Brennan.
"Were you able to determine what the bomb was comprised of?" Brennan asked, shifting slightly to accommodate the pain in her side.
"Standard volatile chemical compounds that are very common and virtually untraceable," Zach stated.
"In other words, it was a professional hit," Booth clarified. "Powerful bomb, big blast and no way to trace it back to anyone." His jaw clenched at the thought that they had possibly hit a dead end.
"That's what I just said Agent Booth." The young protégé appeared slightly offended.
"Yes, I know kid. I just needed to say out loud in a less squinty way." He lifted his body off the couch where he had been seated next to his partner. "Okay, I need to go to my office for a little while, make sure Ballistics put a rush on Maggie's guns so you can match everything up and we can close out the case. I'll be back later to pick you up Bones."
"I'll be here," she responded as she leaned her head back against the soft material of the couch.
Booth glanced around her office and smiled slightly. "Glad to see the old hangout is being used again." He winked playfully at Angela. "Not that your office wasn't nice but…"
"Nothing can compare to Brennan's," the artist finished for him, a knowing smile playing upon her lips.
The agent stared at Brennan for moment and then grinned. He left the office without saying another word.
"Come on Zach; let's finish up some of our paperwork for the case before Booth gets back." Hodgins stood and pushed the assistant toward the door.
As the entomologist exited the office he spotted Booth nearing the lab's exit. He jogged toward the agent with a file in his hand.
"Booth," he called out. "Hey man, wait up."
Turning to face the doctor, Booth raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "What do you want?"
Hodgins held up the folder in his right hand. "I wanted to give this to you. They're stills from the surveillance video in the parking garage. When we were sorting through the pieces of Brennan's car, I decided to watch the video to see if I could determine where the bomb had been placed…you know by the trajectory of the debris and…"
"The point Hodgins? Please tell me there's a point to this." He grimaced, vividly recalling the moment of the blast.
"After I watched the video from that day, I pulled the videos from the previous days…"
"Is the person who planted the bomb on one of those videos?" Booth's heart began to beat rapidly.
Hodgins nodded and pulled two photographic stills from the folder in his hand. "I had one of our computer techs clean up the image. This is the guy that tried to kill Brennan."
Narrowing his eyes, Booth studied the photographs, which were amazingly clear. "Why didn't you mention this in Bones' office?"
"She's been through enough this week…hell, this year." Hodgins' gaze drifted to the floor. "Plus Angela was sitting there and she didn't need another reminder that her best friend is in danger."
Booth glanced up from the photographs and stared at the entomologist. He noticed how the other man's tone had softened when he said Angela's name. "Are you and Ange…?"
"What? No, man." He shook his curly head. "We're just friends. That's all…that's all she sees me as. A friend."
"Sometimes Hodgins," Booth said as he placed a hand on the other man's shoulder, "you've to walk before you can run."
"Not to pull a Brennan here or anything but I don't know what the hell that means man."
Booth grinned as he walked away, his stride full of new found confidence and purpose. "Thanks for these!" he said as quickly made his way out the door.
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Brennan closed her eyes, wishing the dull ache that had started behind her right eye would go away.
"Sweetie, you okay?" Angela watched as Brennan opened her crystal blue eyes and turned her face toward her.
They were both seated on the couch in Brennan's office. Angela sat facing her best friend, her left leg curled under her while her left elbow was propped on the back of the couch. Brennan had opted to stay in her current position with her head leaning back, her feet resting on the coffee table in front of her and her arms crossed.
"I'm fine Ange."
"It's just that…this was a pretty rough case and I know it stirred a lot of things up for you."
Brennan sighed. "Yes it did but I'm dealing with it."
"With Booth's help?"
"And yours." Brennan reached over and grabbed her friend's hand.
"Yes but the difference is that you and I are not going to make out." Angela laughed at Brennan's embarrassed expression. "I mean, I love you but you're not my type."
"That is the last time I take one of those pain killers," she groaned.
"So?" She squeezed Brennan's hand. "Any other new developments I need to know about?"
"Angela, I have several broken ribs and Booth suffered several injuries as well. Pain tends to be a bit of mood killer."
"Ah, but there was a 'mood'."
"Yes," Brennan conceded as her expression grew serious and thoughtful.
"Brennan, I know that look. Do not start analyzing this," Angela admonished. "This is not a science experiment. Booth has feelings for you and I know you have feelings for him too."
"I…" Brennan began.
"No! And I don't want to hear about ruining the friendship, partnership or any of that other crap. You two belong together."
"I agree," she said softly surprising Angela.
"I'm sorry, my hearing must be going. Did you just agree with something I said? Which part?"
"All of it. I do have feelings for Booth that go beyond friendship…I can't deny that anymore. And I don't believe that a relationship would hinder our abilities to investigate cases and solves crimes. This past week has proven that."
Angela smiled as she took her left hand and swept a strand of Brennan's hair to the side, revealing the nasty bruise on her forehead. "Apparently that blast knocked some sense into you."
She nodded at her friend's insight. "It helped me to realize a lot of things."
"Then why do you look so sad sweetie? Having feelings for a man like Booth and having him return those feelings…believe me, it's a good thing."
"I know it's just…a little scary I suppose."
"Especially when you've never had that before, huh?"
Brennan stared at her friend and smiled. "I've had relationships before but Booth is different. I don't want to ruin this before we've even started."
"What are you talking about?" Angela's confusion was evident.
"He asked me about El Salvador…and I told him to drop it. He didn't mention it again. I think he might be upset with me. We didn't really speak to each other on the way back to DC." She closed her eyes again, upset with herself for possibly destroying the one relationship that she'd been willing to work on.
"Bren, he asked about what happened in El Salvador because he cares about you. That man wants you, all of you—the good, the bad, your past, your present and your future. You have to be willing to share all of that with him, not pick and choose what you think he should know about. And the same goes for him."
Brennan realized that once again her best friend was correct. She decided that she and Booth had a lot to discuss when they arrived at home later.
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The silence that filled his office was annoying Booth as he finished his report, outlining Maggie's confession in his narrative. He grabbed the remote lying on his desk and switched on the television that was situated near the conference table. With CNN reporters and anchors chattering away in the background, he returned his focus to his monitor.
"We now go live to Victoria Beaumont who is standing outside the FBI's Chicago field office where she has an update on a seasoned federal agent and another man who were both found executed in the agent's home. Victoria?"
"Thank you Jacob. Special Agent Charles Andrews had been with the FBI for thirty-two years and was scheduled to retire in just a few short months."
Booth's head turned quickly toward the television catching a glimpse of the photograph of Agent Andrews they displayed on the screen. He moved away from his desk and walked to the conference table, taking a seat near the television.
"Early this morning the bodies of Agent Andrews and an unidentified man were discovered in his home after authorities received an anonymous 911 call. The Chicago field office released a statement about thirty minutes ago calling Agent Andrews' death a tragic atrocity. They also identified the other man as Mason Short, an informant that the fallen agent used on several cases."
A photograph of Mason Short appeared on the screen and Booth felt his heart stop. He rushed to his desk to grab the pictures that Hodgins had given him of the suspect in the car bombing. It was the same man—same dark brown hair, same sharp angular features and the same creepy smile. The asshole had smiled while he placed a bomb in Brennan's car.
"It is unclear why Mr. Short was at Agent's Andrews' home and the FBI declined to comment on whether the murders were possibly the result of a current investigation. They did confirm that so far they have been unable to locate the person who called 911."
Booth stared at the pictures in his hands. The date that was stamped on the corner of the photographs caught his attention. It was one day after he had spoken with Agent Andrews…one day after he had shared sensitive information about Brennan's parents and Brennan herself.
"This syndicate has a long memory and I can guarantee that fifteen years has done nothing to dull the betrayal he and Kava perpetrated." Agent's Andrews words echoed in Booth's memory. Fifteen years…fifteen years ago Max Keenan was Matt Brennan and Andrews supposedly had no knowledge of his whereabouts at that point. Matt Brennan disappeared fifteen years ago. Max Keenan had dropped off the radar twelve years before that.
Booth suddenly realized that Charles Andrews had played a part in the plot to kill Brennan. He had been part of the syndicate—probably receiving payoffs for years, he reasoned. But he had managed to keep tabs on Max Keenan and his family. The pieces fell into place as Booth silently formulated his theory. The difficult part would be proving his theory….and delivering the news to the woman he loved.