Chapter Three:

The creaking of the door woke him. The sound of the footsteps made him flinch, as if in anticipation of the pain he knew was coming. That's why he was surprised when all that hit him was a plastic water bottle and what felt like a sandwich.

"Agent Booth. You are one tough ol' guy. That's why this time I brought someone to help me this time. How do you like that idea?" No response. "Agent Booth? You really should think about cooperating, for your partner's sake."

This warranted a groan. Booth was weaker than he would have liked to admit. But he knew that he would become weaker still if he didn't play along. And his captor and his cohort obviously knew that.

Booth felt himself be lifted off of Bones. He tried to hold on; he really did. But the two strong men were no match for him. In his semi-awake and coherent state, he could've sworn he saw her lift her arms in an attempt to pull him back to her. But he could've simply been hoping.

After a few steps he felt a chair beneath him, and ropes securing him to it. As if to make sure that Booth wouldn't go anywhere, their captor inserted a needle into his arm.

"Enjoy your morning, Agent Booth and Dr. Brennan. Today is the beginning of day two. I know you don't understand what that means just yet. But today will be the beginning of Dr. Brennan's torture. Smile for the camera!"

"Hi, Cam. Coffee?"

"Yes! Thank you, Angela. I've been working on the bones here and I must say I've gained a newfound respect for Dr. Brennan. I've found what I believe to be the cause of death." Cam was obviously tired, as if she had worked all night. The forensic anthropology textbooks strewn about the platform reinforced this theory.

"That's great, Cam. So you were right about the gunshot to the head?"

"Yep. Thirty-Eight Caliber, most likely from a hand gun. Death was instantaneous. However, what led up to death was far less merciful. He was beaten with something circular, I think. I'd say a baseball bat, or maybe a pipe. That's all I've found so far."

"Well that's great Cam!" Angela was trying to be supportive, but on the inside she was falling apart. To try and keep her mind off of her own sadness she continued, "Booth's family arrived late last night. It's just his dad right now. And, his dad is scary. His mom's coming with his brother, Jared, sometime today. That's all I've gotten."

"Miss Montenegro? Another letter has arrived." The security guard handed the envelope to Angela.

"Thanks." she sighed. "Well, might as well open it." She read loud enough for Max and Mr. Booth to take notice, especially when they heard their children's names:

Dear Friends of Dr. Temperance Brennan and Special Agent Seeley Booth,

Hopefully you've gotten the money I asked for. Deposit it to an account numbered 58469-58426 of the Bank of the Tropics.

The torture shall continue today. Since Agent Booth has already taken his turn, I think it is only fair to let Dr. Brennan and I have a little fun. Of course the good Agent will be forced to watch, probably something he will not like.

It is 9:14 AM on Day Two. You have 24 hours to deposit the money, and destroy any evidence linked to the Glocken murder.

Your next set of instructions will be arriving soon; enjoy the pictures.

"Enjoy the pictures?" shrieked Max Keenan. "What pictures? I want to see these pictures of my daughter and her partner. I want to see them with my own eyes!!"

He ran down the stairs but was stopped by security.

"I'm sorry Max," said Angela. "You can't come down here right now. We'll bring copies of the pictures to the lounge in a little while. Go sit down and chat with Booth's dad. Go on, now."

Max nodded his head, in understanding and walked back up to the awkward silence that filled the lounge. He decided to do something about it.

"Your son is a great man." Might as well start with something honest, he thought.

"How do you know him?" an inquisitive Mr. Booth asked. "Perhaps he has a bastard child with your daughter, like my first grandson, Parker?"

"Well, I don't think so," Max began. "But he is the nicest guy who ever arrested me. He's good to my Tempe. He takes care of her; I was never really good at that."

Then Sweets came and saved them both from what could have very possibly been a civil conversation.

"I have very good news, for you both," said excited Sweets. "Dr. Hodgins was able to compare particulates from the letters we have received and the particulates found on Mr. Glocken. They are a match, which means that Dr. Brennan and Agent Booth are where Mr. Glocken was killed. This has been isolated to an area of Philadelphia, in an abandoned concrete warehouse and factory. FBI agents are on their way."