Author's Note: Thanks to all who reviewed! Sorry for the late upload, I've been out of town and didn't carry my computer.

Chapter 17: Stroking the Coals

"Well, I have those pictures and financial statements you wanted Mr. Conan," Kelly pulled a manila folder out of her over-sized purse and passed it across the desk. "What do you think?"

Kelly and Nate were back with pictures of the "ranch in Paradise" (Hardison wouldn't tell them where the pictures came from.)

"Everything look's good on my end," McGill had been silent for a few minutes while he pursued the pictures. "I'm in; do you have the grease to make this go over easier?"

Nate/Bill held up his smart phone (A/N: another plug) and pushed a button to where McGill could see it, "$10,000 has just been wired into your overseas account. Enough 'grease'?"

"I can't do anything with that . . . except maybe tax evasion but we have bigger things to look at," Booth whispered into the com, "Keep digging."

"Well then, I have a three o'clock, can we meet tomorrow to finalize this?"

"Of course," Nate stood, "Honey, I'll meet you back at the hotel." He kissed Kelly on the cheek before exiting the room.

Kelly stood and made to follow him. "Separate cars," she explained, "I am on my way to a massage appointment." She opened the door; looking out down the hall to be sure Nate was gone. Then she turned to address McGill, "And I would be your three o'clock." Kelly sat back down. "Now, Mr. Conan, I'm sure you have been wondering why I chose to come all this way for political leverage."

McGill leaned forward and steepled his fingers, "I assumed it was because I am one of the best, but go on."

Kelly mimicked his stance, "I know you are into other dealings, Mr. Conan. I had planned to come in easy, however, I'm pressed for time, you see. Father does not have long now and if we want to take over the town it will have to be Bill and I and . . . well," she sat a glance over her shoulder, "Bill is a few straws shy of a hay stack." She pulled a piece of paper from her bra, "My brother Leroy is wantin' to take over the farm and, well I just can't let him do that. This means, Conan that I will have to have a way to buy him out of his shares."

"How do you suggest that I help you do that?"

Kelly raised her eyebrows, "Why darlin', I have 10,000 more reasons for you to find a way, right here."

McGill took the paper Kelly held to him which held the number to a bank account. A few clicks on the computer and McGill turned back. "I may just have what you are looking for." He reached into his desk and pulled out a stack of blue post-it notes. "This address is for your eyes only. Meet my colleague there at 10:27 tomorrow night. No later and I don't want you stepping a foot out of your car any sooner. Do you hear?"

Kelly smiled, "Of course Conan. We are colleagues after all."

"Really, just like that he gave you this?" Booth held the blue paper out in front of him.

Sophie tossed a braid over her shoulder, "Well, Kelly can be quite persuasive."

Nate crossed his arms, "You didn't have to call me stupid."

"Kelly was insulting Bill, not me you."

(Sweets took notes.)

"Well, I'm sure Bill is cheating on Kelly anyway," Nate had picked up a few things from Sophie.

"Actually, Kelly has two boyfriends and a gigolo on the side, sorry Bill."

Booth was on the phone again by the time this fight escalated and Sweets was brought in to analyze the characters the pair had invented and decide who would, in fact, cheat on who. (Kelly was cheating on Bill and he had no clue. However, when he did eventually find out he would get a mistress and they would then go to swing parties together. After which Kelly would still feel smothered and eventually either kill Bill or emotionally castrate him before leaving him for her personal trainer.)

"This is agent Booth, I want you to put a feeler out for anyone attempting to draw or transfer funds anywhere around this number: 5558698754. Just tell them that it is a part of an ongoing investigation, thank you." Booth closed the phone and slid it into his pocket. Brennan was at his shoulder.

The doctor smiled, "This case is getting better and better." Brennan pointed back over her shoulder, "Apparently Kelly and Bill are not as happily married as they claim to be. And Elliot and Parker have been missing for some time. Did you know that Hardison likes Parker? I didn't either but Sophie told me that is why he ran out last night." Here she took a breath, "Parker and Dr. Sweets . . ."

"Yeah Bones," Booth waved her off.

"What's wrong Booth? I can tell, there is always a catch in your voice when something is wrong. You can tell me."

"It's just," Booth sighed and slid an arm around Brennan's waist, "I want to do a little investigating on my own, okay Bones?"

"So . . . uh . . . you and the doctor seem to be *cough* getting along . . ." Being the team's honorary "big brother", Nate had declared that it was Elliot's job to talk to Parker after he had found her the night before.

Parker crunched on a French-fry that Elliot had bought her. "Uh hu," she nodded, "he's very nice."

"Uh, yeah, I figured that." Good Lord and butter he did not want to do this. "But, um . . ."

"He's also very good you know. I can see why you always are hitting on those girls on jobs – could you pass the katsup?"

Elliot passed the bottle, "Parker, it's not the same I –"

The girl spoke with a full mouth, "And I heard Angela say something about your hands," she took one of them and held them up to her own as if to confirm, "Sweets doesn't have big hands like yours but I really don't think that matters any."

Elliot fake-smiled and pulled his hand back, feeling the sudden need to disinfect. "Yeah, I'm sure but you see –"

Again Parker interrupted, "And he could hold out all night!"

"Parker!" Elliot had heard enough. At the terrified look Parker gave him, Elliot immediately felt sorry. "Give me some of those French-fries." He took a hand full before he continued talking, "I only want to make sure that you don't get hurt." When Parker didn't meet his gaze he dipped a fry in katsup and held it out for her. She didn't take it so he smeared the red sauce on her face. This brought a smile. "And for the love of all that is holy, never try to tell me about your sex life again!"

Author's Note: I know, kinda short, I'm running low on ideas. I know how this ends I just gotta keep the momentum going until then. Ideas, comments would be greatly appreciated! I just love the Elliot/Parker brother/sister dynamic! What say you? Please review!