Total Drama Lab Chapter Nine: "The model on the cross"
A priest and his altar boy walk into the chapel to prepare for the service. They look up and see a dead woman on a corpse. The altar boy runs away screaming. The priest, however, has seen this before, mostly because the priest is not just any priest, but he is Bones' father, Max Keenan.
Two hours later…
A full forensics team is sweeping the chapel. Bones and Booth are talking to her father.
"Dad, why are you impersonating a priest again?" Bones asks.
"Oh, I'm not impersonating this time. I'm a legit priest here. Anyway, we should focus on the dead woman." He says.
"Yeah, so is the woman a regular here?" Booth asks.
"Nope, I haven't seen her face around since I started the position a year ago."
"Then someone just went out of their way to post a dead woman on the cross, I don't get it." Booth says.
"There's some symbolism in her death. I'm sure it'll become clear once you identify who she is." Max says.
"Ok, let's get her back to the lab." Bones says.
In the Jeffersonian lab…
Bones and Cam are leaning over the body, cataloging the injuries.
"There are bruises along the arms, congruent with being grabbed tightly. The hands and feet have holes in them, probably from being nailed to the cross. The face is virtually untouched, no bruising or visible scars, although, there are inconsistencies with flesh. Her breasts have a different color than the rest of her skin, and not because of a tan." Cam says and opens her robe. "These are implants."
"Anthropologically speaking, sometimes when someone from an old world culture tries to fit in with modern society, it can cause a problem among them, and could possibly lead to murder. This person may have offended someone in the chapel. I'll have my dad send me a list of the older members of his covent immediately." Bones says and pulls out her phone.
Chris walks up.
"Sorry, I'm late." He looks at the body. "Oh, my God! This isn't possible!" he puts his hands on his head.
"Do you know the victim?" Cam asks.
"Don't you! This is a national model right here! Her name is Alison Lynn, she was miss America three years running!" Chris exclaims.
"Are you ok?" Hodgins asks as he walks up. Chris runs to hug him. "Ok, ok, it'll all be better soon." Hodgins rubs Chris' back.
"So, find anything Hodgins?" Cam asks.
"Hey, we're having a moment here. I'm still not fully on board with your new bossiness thing yet." He says sharply.
"Whatever."
"Ok, I'm off to meet my dad and get the list. Chris, while I'm gone, assist Hodgins and Cam with whatever they have to do and examine the bone before I return." Bones leaves and Booth joins her at the door.
"So, how can I help?" Chris asks.
"I just need to swab the wounds for any trace particulates. After that, Cam'll perform some top screens and an autopsy and have the bones clean for you to take a look at." Hodgins slaps Chris' arm and starts swabbing.
Meanwhile, in Angela's office…
Gwen is applying the finishing touches on her painting. She finishes and puts her brush down.
"So, what do you think?" Gwen asks Angela.
"Your art is good, but your brush strokes are too heavy and visible." She has a coughing spell. "I would suggest using a thicker paint or having a lighter touch. Other than that, your art is amazing." Angela says.
"Thanks. I'm trying to get a second job in an art studio. I need a portfolio to submit, along with a letter of recommendation. I was wondering if you could write it for me."
"Sure, of course. I can get it to you tomorrow."
"Thanks, Ang." Gwen smiles and Angela gets a text message.
"Umm, you can stay here for now. I have to go. My dad is in town and wants to have lunch. If Hodgins asks about me, just tell him 'the Texan is here' and he'll know what it means." She says and leaves.
Gwen wipes off her hands and goes to throw away the rag. She sees something interesting in the trash.
Meanwhile, in Hodgins' lab…
Hodgins is analyzing the residue from the remains. Gwen walks in.
"Hey, Angela wanted me to tell you 'the Texan is here.'" Gwen says.
"Huh, this seems random, even for him. But, how'd the painting go?"
"It was ok. Anything interesting on your part?"
"I found only two things in the wounds. Holy water and miniscule amounts of oxidized metal, or bits of rusted metal, probably from the nail used to pin the victim to the cross. I've compared the rust to the rate of oxidation chart I've been developing for certain types of metal." He says. "Once I determine what type of nail it was, we can try and narrow our suspect list down once Dr. Brennan gets back."
Meanwhile, at the chapel…
"Hey, sweetie. Here's the list." Max gives it to Booth.
"Thanks, Max. So, how's the priest life? Haven't seen you in a while."
"Yeah, your calls have slowed down recently." Bones adds on.
"I've been trying more to forget about my past as a criminal. I figure if I worked as someone who consuls others on what to do, then I'd learn what to do. So far, no luck. I think I'm going to 'disappear' pretty soon." He says.
"If you need a place to disappear to, my apartment's open." Bones says.
"I'll just spend time with your brother. Besides, I don't want to learn beyond the shadow of a doubt that you two are having sex." Max says and sighs. Bones and Booth look at each other and inch from each other slightly.
Later, at the lab table…
Hodgins runs up excited.
"King of the lab!" he exclaims.
"You haven't said anything yet." Cam says.
"I've used my own chart, patent-pending, to determine what type of nail was used on our victim. The rust levels were most in common with those of industrial nails used for applying the insulation between the inner and outer walls of buildings currently being constructed. I bet one of the people on that list Brennan's dad gave us is a construction worker." Hodgins leans forward with his hands out.
"That's correct." Bones says. "Good job, Dr. Hodgins."
"King of the lab! In your face, Cam!" Hodgins says. Cam folds her arms.
"I'll tell Booth. Him and Sweets are in the interrogation room waiting on us to say which one they should question." Bones says.
Meanwhile, in the interrogation room…
Booth looks at his phone and puts it away.
"So, which of you works in construction applying insulation for buildings?" Booth asks.
"I do." The one to the left says. "My name is Calvin Hertz."
"Ok. The rest of you are free to go." Booth says and the other suspects leave.
"Booth, first establish his knowledge of the victim, and then keep him talking. I'll listen and tell you when I pick u on something important." Sweets says over the com-link.
"I killed the woman. I'm old school, and I don't believe in the parading around of the body, or in the unnatural altering of it either. Even in my own granddaughter." He says.
Booth raises his eyebrows.
'I know I'm no looker, but I'll be damned before I let my own flesh and blood do it either! Now, read me my rights and take me in!" Calvin demands.
Booth gets up and reads Calvin his rights and puts him in handcuffs. Sweets cuts off the com-link and sighs.
Meanwhile, at the diner…
"So, honey, what's so urgent that I had to come out so fast?" Angela's dad asks.
"I'm pregnant, but Hodgins doesn't know yet. No one but the two of us knows. Should I keep it?" she asks him.
"Ok, honey, I'm about to real honest right now. I hope you're ready for it." He says and takes off his sunglasses to reveal his clear eyes.