Chapter 30. The Boy with the Answers.
3:45 am. Brennan was pacing back and forth infront of Booth's door debating whether or not to knock.
Brennan sighed knowing she had to do it now or she would never have the guts to do it. Come on Brennan… you can do this.' She stopped pacing and hesitantly knocked on the door.
Booth pulled the door open a moment later, genuinely surprised to see her there. "Hey Tempe… what are you doing here so late?"
"I… couldn't sleep. …did I wake you?"
"No… no I couldn't sleep either. …Come in." he said stepping aside and letting her in. "You know you could just use your key…" Booth said closing the door behind her. "That's y'know… what it's for."
"…I didn't want to scare you." She said simply.
"Well… thanks for that Bones. …I guess." He said sitting on the arm of the couch. "So what brings you all the way across town at… 3:49 am?" Booth asked knowing there was a deeper reason than sex or insomnia.
"…the Gravedigger…" she admitted with a sigh, her arms crossing over her chest as she chewed her thumb.
Booth nodded pulling her in by her hips and she hugged him, surprised by how comforting the small gesture was. "…Me too."
"I still have nightmares, Seeley. Sometimes when I wake up and… it's dark and I'm certain… soo certain… that when I open my eyes I'll be… underground again and when I wake up alone… I think, just for a moment, that maybe you…" she felt the tears burn at her eyes again.
"Tempe… Look at me." He said pulling away and looking into her eyes. "I'm not going anywhere. Ok? The gravedigger is in jail and she is going to stay there. I promise you that. You guy are going to go on the stand tomorrow and prove, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Heather Taffet is a monster who killed 6 people and kidnapped 3 government officials and that she deserves no less than a firing squad. Ok? And then me and you are going to go out and celebrate and everything is going to be back to normal."
"…Can we stay in and sleep instead?" she asked hopefully leaning her head into his shoulder.
He laughed. "Anything you want baby."
She hugged him again. "I love you, Seeley."
"Love you too, Tempe." He said holding her tightly and praying to God he was right.
7:30 am.
Brennan stands in the kitchen eating a bowl of cereal and watching the morning news on the kitchen's small TV.
'The Gravedigger case finally begins today with an evidentiary hearing. The defendant, prominent federal prosecutor, Heather Taffet, will be defending herself against multiple charges of kidnapping and murder. One charge involves 10-year-old Terrance Gilroy, who has never been found. Testimony is also expected from the only three of her kidnapping victims to ever survive without paying the ransom: Special agent Seeley Booth with the FBI, Dr. Jack Hodgins and Dr. Temp-'
The TV shut off and Brennan looked up to see Booth holding the remote. "Did you get any sleep at all?" he asked kissing her lightly.
She shook her head. "Maybe 45 minutes… mostly I just…. Watched you sleep." She admitted. "…is that weird?"
"…Not at all." He smiled sitting on the stool by the island. "…So what time do we have to be to the courthouse?" he asked yawning.
"8:30." She sighed handing him a cup of coffee.
"Fan-tastic." He grumbled.
8:30 am. They're walking through the corridors of the old courthouse, anxiously awaiting the start of the trial.
"Are you ok Bones?" Booth asked their hands laced together.
"…Yeah… Why wouldn't I be?"
"Why? …Because we're about to come face to face with the woman who tried to kill us." He said bitterly.
Brennan sighed. "Thanks for the reminder, Seeley. I was trying so hard to not go there today."
"…I'm sorry." He apologized pulling her in. "This is just getting to me is all."
She kissed him lightly. "I know. …but like you said we're gonna kick ass today and she's not going anywhere." She said smiling and he hugged her smiling.
"Well, well, well. What's happening here?" Angela asked smiling, her arms crossing over her chest.
Brennan pulled away reluctantly releasing his hand as well. "Nothing."
"Just a little pre-trial pep talk." Booth answered not technically lying.
"Booth was worried."
"Thanks Bones… That's real helpful." He sighed sarcastically.
Brennan shrugged. "Just…being honest."
"Uh huh… Caroline is here. She wants to talk to all of us before it starts." Angela said turning and walking away.
Brennan laughed. "I'm gonna get you for that." Booth said giving her a look.
"You can try." She said kissing him and then going to meet everyone outside the courtroom. "…Dad…"
"Max?"
"W-What are you doing here?" Brennan asked surprised.
"I just thought I'd come to give you some emotional support…Y'know, from someone who's been through the system a few times."
"Why does everyone think I need emotional support?"
"Because this is far, far, from a slam dunk. I don't want you to get your hopes up."
Brennan rolled her eyes and walked past him.
"Thanks a lot Max. You're so supportive." Booth said sarcastically. "I've spent since 4 am convincing her otherwise." He said patting him on the shoulder and catching up to Brennan as she reached the rest of the group.
"4 am?" he asked himself confused but shrugged and joining the rest of them.
In the courtroom an hour later. The gang was called up one by one to present their evidence.
Cam was first. "Burn marks were found that were consistent with injuries one would sustain from a three-million volt stun gun. These injuries were found on the body of Ryan Kent and all of the other intended victims including the four that were recovered alive and the Jeffersonian's own Dr. Brennan."
"Now when you say 'intended', what do you mean by that?" Caroline asked raising an eyebrow.
"I mean that everything about each abduction was calculated precisely so that the victims would be dead within 24 hours of being buried. …That is, until the Kent boys were taken. They died after only 12 hours because only Ryan was supposed to have been taken. Ms. Taffet got smarter after that and when Dr. Hodgins and Dr. Brennan were taken she cut the time from 24 hours to 12."
Booth came after, talking about the physical evidence of the stun gun entered into evidence. "This stun gun was found in the suspect's storage locker." He said pointing to the picture on the screen. "It matches the one used on in the attack on me as well as… Dr. Temperance Brennan, Ryan Kent and the four rescued victims. …The suspect's steel-toed boots were also found in the storage locker."
"This storage locker was found with information obtained illegally wasn't it?" Taffet asked when Brennan was called to the stand.
"We didn't know that then, Your Honor. We obtained a legal warrant to search the locker."
"The fact that Agent Booth's brother gave you the lead didn't make you suspicious?"
"He was an officer assigned to Homeland Security. We had no reason to question the information he provided us." Brennan defended.
"No more questions, Your Honor." Taffet said sitting down and staring at Brennan the entire time, as she stepped down and walked back to her seat next to Booth.
"This warrant was obtained without malice." Caroline stated walking towards the stand.
"That's irrelevant, Your Honor." Taffet objected. "Everything found in that storage unit should be dismissed."
"I submit that a warrant wasn't necessary, Your Honor. Under precedent of imminent danger law authority had the duty to enter that storage locker without a valid warrant. Agent Booth's life was in danger."
"Imminent danger applies only if law enforcement hears a violent threat or struggle at the scene."
"I'm sorry Ms. Julian, but no matter how pure the intentions, the warrant was obtained illegally. Therefore, any and all evidence gathered during the search and seizure is inadmissible." The judge ruled.
Brennan sighed, tensing up, Booth squeezed her hand and Hodgins grumbled behind them.
"Thank you, Your Honor."
"This was not a personal favor to you Ms. Taffet. I am following the letter of the law."
"I'd like to move that all charges be dropped, Your Honor."
"You'd like that wouldn't you? We still have soil samples from the crime scene, the ransom tapes-" Caroline rolled her eyes.
"Your Honor, this is a waste of the court's time and taxpayers money."
"If I lose, I'll send everyone a note of apology." Caroline shot at her.
"…You aren't left with much, Ms. Julian. Are you sure you want to proceed?" The judge asked looking through the file.
Caroline sighed, turning around and looking at all of their disparaged faces. "I'm sure, Your Honor. We're not giving up that easily."
"Ok. The charges stand. We're going to trial. Court is adjourned until 9 am Monday morning." He said banging the gavel and everyone stood as he exited.
Taffet turned smiling at them, staring Brennan down and she stepped towards her releasing Booth's hand. "If you're so brilliant, Dr. Brennan, why couldn't you find something as simple as the number."
"Come on, let's go." The bailiff demanded cuffing her and pulling her away.
"Are you ok?" Booth asked turning to Brennan.
She nodded. "She said I couldn't find something as simple as the number."
"...What the hell does that mean?"
"…It means we missed something." Brennan said turning and walking out of the courtroom.
"Wait… what did we miss?" Booth asked confused as he caught up with her.
"I don't know. But she thinks I won't figure it out, so I'm not stopping until I do."
3pm. Brennan appeared in Angela's doorway impatiently.
"No." she said working on her tablet.
"No?" Brennan asked confused.
"No we haven't found anything yet."Hodgins translated.
Brennan sighed. "Booth is getting her arrest records, as well as old case files from when she was a prosecutor. …and I have nothing to do." She admitted annoyed.
"Join us." Sweets said inviting her in.
Brennan hesitated then moved over to them, hoping that maybe watching Angela work could take her mind off of the fact that the case seemed to be falling apart right infront of her.
"So what I'm doing here is pulling every record we have so far associated with Taffet: social security numbers, birth dates, blood test results…" Angela explained.
"Ages of victims." Cam suggested.
"…yeah. Those too. I'm using a recursive search algorithm which analyzes and cross-references the data. Since they are related, any inconsistencies can raise a red flag."
"I think Taffet is just messing with us again." Hodgins said frustrated.
"No. I have to disagree. I mean, her pathology is consistent, this is all a game to her. She won the first round, so now she's upping the stakes by challenging Dr. Brennan." Sweets shook his head.
"Or maybe she knows there's something in the soil samples we already have, so she's trying to distract us."
"You've analyzed those samples a hundred times."
"Are you suggesting I give up, Sweets?"
"No. Of course not. But I understand the need to cling to anything that-"
"'Cling'? Okay, So, I'm crazy now?"
"No. No that's not what I meant I—"
"I'm going to go analyze the soil samples for the hundred and first time, unless someone has a problem with that." Hodgins said giving Sweets a dirty look and walking out.
"You know, he still has nightmares, Sweets. …He says he wakes up in a sweat, that he feels the throb in his leg like its fresh, like he's… underground again." Angela reminded him.
"Oh man… I should've been more sensitive." Sweets said guiltily.
"Yes. You should've been." Brennan agreed, coldly.
"Brennan-" Angela sighed.
"No. …No he has No clue what it was like down there. He doesn't know anything about what we're going through right now. …he should just mind his own business." Brennan said angrily walking out.
"Real nice Sweets. Good job." Cam commented.
"…I'm gonna go look for Brennan… shout if anything happens?" Angela asked turning to Cam.
"Yeah." She nodded taking the tablet.
Brennan walked into Hodgins office, knocking on the doorjamb. "Yeah?" he asked with a sigh hearing her but not turning around.
"Are you okay, Jack?" she asked moving over to where he sat in front of his microscope.
"I'm fine." He lied making a note on the graph he was working on.
Brennan nodded leaning against the desk, her arms crossed as she made a decision. "I have these… dreams. …I'm running through the hull of a ship and I can hear my heart pounding, louder and louder as I go. The air is thick with dust and I keep looking over my shoulder as I run. That's when I realize someone is chasing me. I run into this huge room and there's a fence in the middle stopping me from going any further. …I can hear you screaming for help. I know you're screaming for me but I can't reach you. I turn around and run the other way trying to find a way around, calling for you, I have to help you, but I don't know where you are. …that's when I find you on the ground, bleeding and begging me to help but as I kneel down next to you you slide away from me, almost like something is pulling you away and you're calling for me, and I scream for you knowing you're lost forever. …then I hear Booth calling me 'Bones!' he yells and I know I have to help him now otherwise he'll be gone too. So I follow his voice and find him behind a big heavy door and… the water's rising. I try to get through but I can't… the door won't budge. He begs me to stay with him and I want to, but someone comes up behind me, they cover my mouth and begin pulling me away. I try to scream, but no one can hear me. Booth screams as the water floods him and he's gone too and I'm underground, in an invisible casket, I begin to panic and I see her, standing above me on the ground, she's holding a shovel and… smiling. I scream and she starts laughing as she begins to fill in the hole. I call for help but no one can hear me. …and I know I'm dead too." Hodgins stares up at her stunned into silence by her confession. "I wake up screaming, every time, and I have to remind myself that it was just a dream. …but that's why it scares me so much… because it wasn't just a dream. It really happened and now… the monster who did this to us… she might get away with it. It makes me sick to my stomach to even think about it. But I know how you feel Jack. …I know what you're going through, and if you ever want to talk…"
Hodgins looks down at the desk and is quiet for a long time before he speaks. "I just keep reliving it over and over in my head. …the fear… the desperation… knowing we were going to die and that I would never see Angela again. …then I see her face and I just…" he stops.
"I know." Brennan nods, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
He places one of his hands on her and she realizes that he must have been clenching his fists because his hands are sweaty, but she's surprised by how cold they are. "… and I remember thinking that… even though I was going to die… at least I would get to die with a great friend." He admitted. "…one who filleted me with a knife, but still." Brennan couldn't help but let a small smile take control of her face and he let out a small chuckle upon seeing it, he stood and hugged her. "Thank you Brennan. …for saving my life."
"Hey anytime." she said sincerely.
"… Is everything ok?" Angela asked walking in, somewhat hesitantly.
"…Yeah. Yeah. Everything's fine. Come in Ange." Hodgins said looking up towards the doorway.
"…I'm gonna go see if Booth got the files yet." Brennan said heading for the door.
"Hey Brennan!" he called after her and she turned. "Take your subconscious's advice. … Stay."
Brennan nodded thoughtfully and walked out.
"…What was that all about?" Angela asked curiously.
"Okay Ange… How much of that did you hear?"
"Enough to know Brennan is affected way more than she lets everyone see. …And that you are a really good whisperer. I didn't hear a word."
"…Thank you." He said knowing she was lying but grateful that she didn't ask.
He kissed her lightly and she nodded. "…I left Sweets and Cam with all of my equipment."
"...You should definitely go check on them."
"Yeah." she kissed him quickly and walked out.
15 minutes later. Brennan walked into Booth's office.
"…Hey Tempe. What's the matter?" he asked watching as she shut the door behind her and moved over to him quickly.
"Everything." She said pulling him in and kissing him passionately. Booth lifted her up onto the desk and his office door opens and they both look up.
Brennan slides off of the desk and they both watch silently as she walks over and places a large box on the desk where she was sitting a moment ago. "This is the first set of documents you asked for. More numbers than I've seen in my entire life by the way."
"Right thanks." Booth nodded awkwardly.
"The rest you're gonna have to drag that butt of yours down and get from my office."
"No problem." Booth nodded and she turned to walk out. "…So we're just going to pretend that you didn't see any of that then?"
She turned back to them. "Cherie, I am going to say this once and only once. … It's none of my business who you turn to for comfort in a difficult situation, same goes for you." she said looking to Brennan, who nodded lightly. "So as far as I'm concerned I saw nothing and this conversation never happened."
"Thanks Caroline."
"Damn straight 'thanks Caroline' and a little tip… lock the door next time, aint nobody that wants to see that."
"…Will do." Booth nodded and Caroline rolled her eyes, walking out and closing the door behind her.
Brennan sighed pulling files out. "Let's get started."
"How many boxes could there be?" Booth shrugged.
10:30 pm. Hacker walked in as Booth was getting the last box.
"Whoa! What is all this?" He asked looking around at the boxes stacked haphazardly and the papers spread out all over the room.
"Heather Taffet's entire life." Brennan sighed. "Every case she ever worked, every person she's ever met. Or represented, or…buried. But nothing that can help us get the death penalty." She said throwing papers aside and putting a hand to her head.
"Want some help?"
"…No. …Someone around here should get some rest." She said shaking her head.
"You sure?"
"Hey boss." Booth greeted walking in with the last box and 2 cups of coffee balanced precariously on top. "…Heading out?"
"…Yeah… You planning an all-nighter?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"Don't worry this is on my own time." Booth reassured him handing Brennan her cup of coffee and sitting cross-legged next to her.
"…Alright… Good luck." Hacker nodded turning and walking out.
Brennan sipped her coffee. "Do you think there's anything here?" she asked opening the last box.
"…There has to be…"
Brennan yawned. "Ok then we keep going."
Booth nodded. "We keep going." He started looking through the first file and quickly tossed it back in the box. "…You wanna take a break and get some Thai food."
"Sooooo badly." She nodded putting her file back and standing.
He watched as she stretched her sleepy limbs, bending backwards then forward than side to side. "Tempe…" he sighed.
"What?" she asked confused. Booth gave her a look. She thought a second realizing what she was doing. "Oh… Sorry."
He smiled standing. "You can't be doing that around here. …It might… give people the wrong idea."
"…And who would be getting the wrong idea? We're all alone."
"My point exactly." he said pulling her closer.
"Why agent Booth, if I didn't know any better I'd say you're coming on to me." She said smiling and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"That's exactly what I'm doing." he said kissing her with a Boothy grin.
"Well then… it's working." she smiled kissing him.
"Mmm… works every time" Brennan laughed smacking his chest then proceeded to unbutton his shirt and he laid her down on the couch.
8 am. Caroline walks into Booth's office to find him asleep leaned against the couch, papers surrounding him and the top two buttons of his shirt undone, and Brennan curled up on the couch.
She rolled her eyes and threw a bunched up piece of paper at him causing to jump as he woke up. She hooked a finger at him telling him to follow and walking out. He obeyed following her into the kitchen and watching confused as she started a pot of coffee.
When it was done she handed him a cup and turned to face him. "Well?"
"Huh?" he asked confused and sipping his coffee.
"What did you find?" she asked giving him a stern look.
He sighed. "Not much. Nothing to secure the death penalty. But we still have a few files left."
"Uh-huh… How's your girlfriend holding up?"
"She's not my girlfriend Caroline, just comfort remember? … And she's just fine."
"Whatever…. Have you heard anything from Brennan's brain-trust yet?"
"Angela's working on defragmenting the tape to pull a voice out, or at least she was around 10 o'clock. I'll give you a heads up as soon as we get news."
"You better. This case is a career killer and it's my ass on the line here."
"We won't let you down Caroline. The squint-squad always comes through."
"For your sake they better." She said walking out past him.
Noon. Booth walked in with a pizza.
"Come on Bones you've been at it for hours. You gotta eat something."
"In a little while. There's something here I know it. There's case numbers, criminal code numbers, and zipcodes and-"
"There's cheese and sauce and eggplant and-" he said swaying the plate infront of her to waft the scent.
"This is serious."
"Come on one slice, it's your favorite." He said holding up the pizza.
She rolled her eyes and took a bite. "Fine."
"There you go."
"She was laughing at me Booth…I-I can't let her win."
"She won't." He said shaking his head and taking a bite of pizza.
"You hope. My dad was right this is far from an open and shut case. She may be amoral but she's brilliant."
"That may be true but you are more brilliant."
Brennan ignored the comment knowing he had to say that. "What if her dispassion makes her more logical. What if that gives her the advantage she needs over me?"
"…Bones are you really upset that you're not more like a psychopath?"
"…Not when you put it that way." She sighed. "…I just think… that maybe I've lost my advantage because of all of the people I'm involved with now, that maybe all of these emotional ties…they complicate logical thought."
Booth shook his head, certain. "You don't mean that."
"Could we please just work?" Brennan said looking down at the file again and willing herself to not meet his eyes.
"…Don't worry Tempe we're gonna find the number and Angela is gonna defrag the recordings and we're gonna get her." He said reassuringly and picked up one of the files.
"…Wait a second… Find the number… It's a phone number Seeley. We're looking for a phone number. We need to check her phone records." Brennan said shooting up.
"That's it. That's gotta be it. It's the only thing not in these files."
"I think we did it."
"I think we did." Booth said smiling and kissing her quickly then began the work to find her records.
15 minutes later. They were poring over her records when Booth found it.
"…Salt Lake City…"
"Utah?" Brennan asked confused.
"Yeah. When Taffet was arrested she used her one phone call to call this number. Area code 801."
"Well she's representing herself so we know it's not a lawyer. …Who could she call in Salt Lake City?"
"One way to find out." Booth said dialing the number into his phone and putting it on speaker.
They waited as the phone rang a couple of times until a woman answered. "Larry's Pizza, how may I help you?'" he hung up quickly giving Brennan a look.
2 pm.
"Okay. Thanks." Booth sighs hanging up. "None of the employees working at the pizza place have any affiliation with Taffet or any priors."
"Well the police phone records show that the call only lasted ten seconds."
"And she didn't request another call?"
"Nope. …I gave Angela the number and she's matching it with a numerical sequencing program."
"You don't think this is the number?"
"No. I think that would be way too simple. She's a genius. There has to be more to it than that."
"…Lets go then."
Back at the Jeffersonian. Angela's office.
"Hey…" she said looking up. "Wow… long night?"
"You have NO idea." Booth shook his head. "Do you have anything on the number yet?"
"No. Nothing yet. I'm running a numerical sequencing program to see if there's a match with any of our victims." She said as a picture of Hodgins comes up numbers rush by and it goes back and the same happens with Brennan then Booth. "…Wait…I think I've got something here." They all watched intently, none of them breathing, as the numbers flew and rearranged themselves. "Oh my god… its GPS coordinates… that's longitude and that's latitude… we did it. We found Terrance Gilroy."
11:30 pm. Booth and Brennan arrive at the crime scene.
"Let's go! Everyone out! It's the big boys and girls turn."
"Do you have to be so mean to them? After all they're the ones that did all of the actual digging." Brennan whispered to him and he gave her a look.
"Great job guys!" he called patting one of the techs on the shoulder. "Better?"
Brennan rolled her eyes, turned on her flashlight and handed it to him. "Just hold it steady big boy." She zipped up her jumpsuit and lowered herself down. In the center of the pit sat an old ice cream freezer encrusted with years of rust and dirt. "Oh my god." She murmured and slowly slid it open.
"…It's the kid, isn't it?" Booth asked not really wanting to know the answer.
"Terrance Gilroy had a remodeled ulna from a break when he was eight." She said taking out a smaller flashlight from her belt and shined it on his arm as she lifted it. "…Yeah… It's him." She said placing it back on his tiny chest.
"I'll call his parents." He said helping her out.
Brennan watched as he talked to the parents, hearing the mother cry over the phone and listening to him console her and assure her that they would make sure she gets the death penalty for it.
He finally hung up and turned to Brennan as she watched as the body was loaded and taken away. "Why did she lead us here Booth? ...Why did she want us to find him?" she asked not looking away.
"She's trying to trip us up Brennan …and it's not going to work."
Brennan turned into him and he wrapped his arms around her.
1 am. The Jeffersonian. Hodgins is about to take some samples from the container when Caroline hurries up the steps causing the security system to trigger loudly.
"Hands off! No one touches anything!" she demands and Booth swipes his card, stopping the alarm.
"What?" Hodgins said looking up at her.
"What do you mean?" Brennan asked confused.
"Caroline this is our one chance to get something concrete that the judge can't dismiss." Booth said seriously.
"Not if any of you touch it."
"Oh my god." Booth sighed dropping into a chair.
"What?" again confused.
"You can't be an expert witness when you are also a victim." Caroline explained.
"We aren't victims in this crime." Hodgins pointed out.
"We filed one complaint with seven counts, since the trial has started you and Dr. Brennan are linked to all the crimes."
"That's why Taffet wanted us to find the boy." Booth nodded frustrated.
"She knows we're the only people who have the skills to connect her to the crime." Brennan said connecting the dots.
"And now our hands are tied." Hodgins said pulling his gloves off and throwing them onto the table.
"Unless our case is dropped, there is nothing we can do." Brennan said angrily.
"Then she needs to drop our case." Hodgins said simply.
"Excuse me!?" Booth said amazed that he would say something like that.
"If Caroline doesn't prosecute our kidnappings, we'd be free to work this case and appear as expert witnesses."
"You'd be willing to do that?"
"No!" Booth and Brennan said together.
"Caroline has to prosecute our case. Taffet tried to KILL us." Brennan said looking offended that he would even suggest it. "Can you really forget that easily what happened to us?"
"I know how you feel, Brennan, I have the dreams too remember! ...But all of our evidence has already been thrown out. We have nothing. The rational thing to do here is to pursue a case we can actually win. I thought you of all people would be able to see that."
"I'm sorry. I can't do that." Brennan said pulling off her gloves and walking off the platform.
"What happened to detaching yourself and doing what you have to do!?" Hodgins called after her causing her to hesitate momentarily before pushing through the door and out of the lab.
Caroline looked to Booth.
"You heard the lady." Booth said pushing off and following her out.
"They'll come around." Caroline said with a sigh. "In the meantime I'll have the paperwork ready."
Hodgins nodded.
"Tempe..." Booth said finding Brennan leaning against his SUV parked in her spot.
"…I got all the way out here before I realized I don't have my car. …Can I have a ride home Seeley?" she asked wiping tears from her eyes.
"Of course, baby." He said pulling her into his arms again.
They stood there for a long time, Booth holding her and comfortingly stroking her back. "Do you think I did the right thing?" she asked her face still buried in his chest. "Or was I just being selfish?"
"I think you need to do what you think is right. Selfish or not."
She shook her head pulling away. "Helping that boy is the right thing. I know what I need to do. But you… you need to keep fighting her."
"Tempe-"
"No. Don't-don't argue with me." She said pulling him into a kiss.
5:15 am. Brennan's tossing and turning is interrupted by Booth shaking her awake.
"Tempe… Tempe wake up… It's just a dream, wake up."
She shot up with a gasp. "…Seeley?" she asked confused at first. "Oh thank god." She sighed relieved pulling him into a deep kiss. "…I'm sorry… did I wake you?..."
He shook his head pulling her closer. "It's ok…. But…are you… ever… going to… tell me… about your dreams?" he asked between kisses.
She shook her head rolling him onto his back and leaning over him. "No. Never."
6:45 am. Brennan was sitting on the couch, staring at the reports in her hand. It was their gravedigger file, officially closed, and she couldn't help but feel like no one would ever know her story, that there would never really be justice on her behalf, that by giving in and investigating the death of little Terrance Gilroy she gave Heather Taffet exactly what she wanted, she got away with it.
She felt Booth behind her, she felt him gently kiss her neck and whisper in her ear. "She didn't get away with it Tempe. She didn't win anything. We've got her with this one, she's going to be in jail for the rest of her short life. There isn't a jury in the world who would find her innocent."
"How do you do that?" she asked leaning back into the couch angling her head so she saw eye to eye with him as he leaned over the back. "How do you always know what to say?"
"…I know you Tempe. I know what you're thinking." He said with a small smile kissing her lips but pulling away when they heard a rap on the door. "Just like I know you don't want to talk to whoever is on the other side of the door at … six forty-nine in the morning."
She smiled kissing him again lightly. "It doesn't take a specialist to know that one." She stood buttoning his shirt, that she was wearing, the rest of the way over the FBI sweatpants he had given her years ago. She looked through the peephole and let out an exasperated sigh upon seeing that it was her father.
She pulled the door open. "Dad what are you doing here so early?" He walked in past her and she closed the door. "…Come in." she said exasperated.
"Seeley! Come out here I need to talk to you too!" Max called knowing he was there.
"What are you talking about dad?" Brennan asked masking her surprise.
"I'm old honey, I'm not dumb. Booth's SUV is downstairs and I saw him drop you off." He said loud enough so Booth would hear.
"You were watching my apartment?" Brennan asked feeling betrayed.
"Trying out stalking now Max?" Booth asked walking out of the living room. "Hope you know that's a felony offense."
"Not stalking. …just a father watching out for his only daughter." He said shooting Booth his icy stare. "But whether or not you are sleeping with my daughter isn't why I'm here. That's something I'll have to kick your ass for another day."
"Then why are you here Max?" staring right back.
Max gave in breaking the stare-down. "I'm here because I heard that the two of you and Dr. Hodgins dropped the charges. It's all over the news. I thought you should know. …And I wanted to know why you would do that."
"All our evidence got thrown out remember, Dad?"
"But that's not the real reason. You guys have something don't you?"
"We're not at liberty to discuss that Max. You know that."
"You've got the little boy then." He nodded. "I thought so. …Do me a favor Seeley and make sure that this doesn't go south. Don't let that bitch win."
"I don't plan on it Max."
"I know you don't." he said turning and walking out closing the door behind him.
Brennan sighed. "Well that went well."
Booth shook his head. "He's got no proof. As far as he knows I'm just making sure you're safe."
"…With no shirt on." Brennan pointed out.
"Better me than you." Booth said smiling and she laughed, kissing him.
"Haha, very funny. What are we going to do about my dad?"
"I'll talk to him. …Tell him nothing is going on with us. Okay?"
"Okay." She smiled kissing him. "…I've got to get ready to go into the lab."
"…Right now?" he sighed disappointed.
"We've got 2 days to find something that will be able to keep this trial going. …So I've got to go." She said kissing him one last time and heading for the bathroom.
Noon. After a lot of convincing Brennan agreed to take a break and walk with Booth to the diner.
"So the Gilroy kid was last seen at the Rockland Mall on June 23. So I'm gonna check all of Taffet's credit card records for that day to see if we can place her near-"
"Caroline said you can't do anything on this case if she's still prosecuting yours." Brennan said confused as to why he was saying this.
"Oh yeah… I…I told her to drop mine too."
"What? … Wh-why would you do that? Seeley you could've-" she stopped, looking up at him.
He shook his head. "No. if you're working this case then so am I we're in this together remember….I'm not gonna let you do this alone. Caroline already talked to the judge about dropping my case. It's a done deal."
"…Thank you."
"We're partners… It's what we do."
Brennan nods lightly, looking down at her feet as they start walking again. "If Taffet is acquitted on this count, she can never be tried again. I think that's the real reason she wanted us to find the boy."
"Like Sweets said Tempe, she's arrogant. We've just got to use that to our advantage."
"…I'm scared Seeley. …I'm so scared that she's going to get away with it and when she does she's going to come after us again."
"No. That's not going to happen I promise you. I won't let it."
3 pm. Brennan and Cam are examining the un-cleaned Bones on the platform while Booth watched.
"These perimortem injuries lay bilaterally on the fifth, sixth and seventh ribs on the posterior axillary lines." Brennan stated.
"And there are injuries to the greater cornu of the hyoid and the left lateral thyroid and cricoids cartilages." Cam agreed.
"…And for those of us who didn't go through 8 years of medical school that means…" Booth asked confused and emotionally exhausted.
"It seems he was strangled." Brennan said simply. "Looks like he was struggling and Taffet tried to subdue him."
"Taffet tasered all of her victims. Three million volts. That should be way more than enough to knock out a ten year old boy."
Brennan shook her head. "He wasn't unconscious these are defensive wounds consistent with the boy resisting being placed in the freezer, his arms stretched out in front of him."
Cam sighed. "I'll take samples from under his fingernails. Maybe he scratched her during the struggle."
"Maybe she knew that the facts of this case would conflict with the facts of the others and it would create enough reasonable doubt."
"Then let's hope we get lucky and find some DNA." Booth said standing.
Monday 1:30 pm. The courtroom. The new evidence is being presented.
"We have evidences from credit card charges that the defendant was at the Rockland Mall on the day that Terrance Gilroy was abducted. The team at the Jeffersonian discovered that the number Taffet called turned out to be the same GPS coordinates as to where the boy was buried. The same MO, the same ransom tape and the same demands as the other kidnappings."
"And why did you think that this number was significant, Agent Booth?" Taffet asked.
"Because after the evidentiary hearing on Thursday you turned to Dr. Brennan and said, and I quote, 'If you're so brilliant, Dr. Brennan, why couldn't you find something as simple as the number.' Counselor." Booth said shooting her a dirty look knowing it would incriminate her.
"Do you have any evidence that the Gilroy boy was abducted from the mall?" she asked changing the line of questioning.
"It was the last place he was seen."
"So… No? Did anyone else make any purchases at the mall that day, or was it just me?"
"Of course they did but-"
"As for the phone call that I allegedly made, is it possible that the number was placed in my file by mistake?"
"Objection. Conjecture, Your Honor." Caroline said standing.
"Sustained, Ms. Julian." The judge said and she sat.
"Did you know the officer from the night I was arrested was from Salt Lake?" Booth hesitated. "Answer the question, Agent Booth."
"No."
"Isn't it more likely that he made that call, and the number was placed in my file by mistake?"
"Objection!" Caroline called standing again. "More conjecture."
"I thought it was reasonable doubt." Taffet said looking back at Caroline. "Very reasonable." She said turning to the jury and smiling.
"Your Honor…"
"Withdrawn. No more questions, Your Honor." She said turning and sitting down.
"Ok." He sighed. "That's enough for today. Court is adjourned until 9 am tomorrow." He banged the gavel.
Booth walked out of the courtroom with a huge sigh as he pulled out his ringing cell phone. Max walked up to him. "You know Taffet's playing you, right?"
"We're fine Max."
"No she's got you all on defense."
"We got the boy didn't we? We're gonna get her too."
"Oh please." He scoffed. "You only found him because she wanted you to."
"Exactly. Every psycho takes one step too far and hangs themselves."
"Not before a lot of innocent people like my daughter get hurt!" Max said angrily. Booth stared at him for a moment. "I gotta go."
"Whoa Max. We need to talk." He said stepping in front of him. "…There is nothing going on with me and Bones, okay? We were talking about the trial and we had a few drinks and she let me crash on the couch. That's IT." He insisted misinterpreting Max's anger.
"Whatever you say son." Max said patting him on the arm and leaving him alone in the hall.
Brennan caught up with him. "Hey did you talk to Max?"
"Yeah."
"…How did it go?"
"…I'm…not sure. …But I think he's going to do something stupid…" he said looking to her.
"Yeah go." she nodded. "I'll catch a ride with Angela."
"Thanks." He said kissing her on the cheek then hurrying after Max.
30 minutes later. DC penitentiary. The Sherriff's department van is pulling into the gate as Max positions himself over the ledge. Cocks the rifle and peers through the scope aiming carefully as they open the door and lead Taffet out. Max places his finger on the trigger as she comes into view. Just as Max was about to pull the trigger he felt someone walk up behind him.
"Max, you seriously didn't think I was going to let you walk away like that without following you did you?"
He turned around seeing Booth standing behind him then back quickly aiming and Booth tackled him stopping him just before he shot and tossed the gun aside, pinning him down as he fought back.
"Max, is this really what you want?"
"Don't trust the system, Booth."
"You miss, you compromise the case, and Taffet walks anyway."
"I don't miss!" Max said catching him off guard and reaching for the gun.
Booth pulled him back pinning him down again and hitting him square in the jaw.
"So you'd rather go to jail for murder than take a chance with the system. When you gonna learn Max!?" he hit him again. "Don't mess with me."
"You're making a big mistake. Tempe could die."
Booth looked at him seriously for a second, that hit him where it hurt, and Max knew it. Booth hit him one more time and pulled him up. "Come on, Max."
"He tried to kill her?" Brennan asked as they walked out of the elevator a while later and headed to Booth's office.
"He had that rifle pointed right at her, Bones. …You do the math."
"Why? Why would he do that?"
"To protect you." Booth said simply. "And a career criminal like Max… he obviously doesn't trust the legal system."
"I'm sorry, Seeley. I wish he were different." Brennan sighed leaning against Booth's desk.
"Yeah… Me too. …You know, he got me in the eye too." He said closing the door and stepping closer to her.
Brennan rolled her eyes. "I know you got a few good punches in too."
"…Yeah." he smiled. "A few. But he deserved it."
She smiled lightly. "Well do me a favor and keep him in lock up until all of this is over."
"I'll do my best." He smiled kissing her as her phone rang.
"…Brennan."
"Hey Honey." Max said looking around at the guards by the doors.
"Hey dad." She said giving Booth a look.
"Listen, Sweetheart, I need you to bail me out."
"What!? No. I'm not going to do that Dad."
"I was doing it for you." He said defensively.
"And I'm doing this for you. I don't want you to kill people for me. Just buy me a sweater or something like a regular Dad. Take me out to dinner; tell me everything is going to be ok. Don't try to shoot my enemies."
"Leave her alone, Max." Booth said loud enough so he would hear over the phone.
"…Booth says you're not getting out until the trial is over."
"How? What has he got to hold me on? He's not charging me with assault on an FBI agent is he because he did more damage to me then I did to him."
Booth cracked a smile and hid a laugh and Brennan smacked his hands from her hips as he moved closer. "Dad I have to go."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Darling I've got a bad back you know what the beds are like in jail?"
"Goodbye, Dad." She said hanging up her phone. "Stop Seeley, we need to focus."
"I am focusing." He said kissing her neck.
"On the case. …We need to focus on the case." She said fighting the urge to kiss him back as he kissed up her chin and towards her lips.
There was a knock on the office door and he stepped aside just as the door opened and Cam walked in. "Booth did you seriously… I didn't interrupt anything did I?"
"No." Brennan shook her head gratefully.
"A little." Booth admitted with a nod.
"What is it Cam?" Brennan asked curious as to what she might have found out.
"…Ok then. …Uh, I just heard… I-Is it true that you just arrested her dad for trying to kill the Gravedigger?" Cam asked curiously, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes." Brennan nodded.
"Well he hadn't tried yet but he was about to. So technically he can't be charged with attempted murder."
"Aww Seeley that's so sweet." Brennan said grateful for a different reason than before.
"…So what are you holding him on then?"
"Assault charges." Booth nodded.
"Oh, like you didn't take the first swing, Booth." Cam said rolling her eyes.
Booth shrugged "He deserved it."
"He got you in the eye, huh?" Cam said seeing the fresh bruise forming.
"Yeah he kept it clean this time."
"Well fair warning, Caroline's on the war path; she was just at the lab looking for Brennan. So she should be here any minute." Cam warned. "And on that note, good luck." She said turning and walking out passing Caroline on the way.
"What the Hell do you think you're doing?" Caroline asked walking in. "Following Max all the way to the jail instead of stopping him at the courthouse."
"Well I didn't know what he was going to do, Caroline. It's not like I can arrest him for being an ass."
"Hey!' Brennan said offended.
"Sorry. …It's kinda true though."
"Yeah, you're right." She nodded.
"And what exactly are you planning on holding him on so he won't try again?" Caroline asked placing one hand on a hip.
"Assault." He said pointing to his eye. "I made sure he got at least one hit in. I'll drop the charges when this is all over."
"And little miss here isn't going to bail him out?" she asked disbelievingly.
"No… I don't want my father to kill anyone for me." Brennan promised.
"Fine. But, Cherie, you better make sure we get enough to win this one because we can't stop him forever."
"We will don't worry." Booth said with a nod and she rolled her eyes walking out again.
"…Part of me wishes you got there too late to stop him." Brennan confessed as Booth dropped into the chair across from his desk.
"Yeah, well not the good parts. Let's just keep our eye on the ball here."
"kinda hard when it looks like the ball hit you in the eye." Brennan said smiling lightly.
Booth smiled widely with a chuckle. "Nice Bones. That was really good."
"Thanks."
"…So any news on the boy?"
"Angela was working on the recreation of the crime from the description of the assailant I got from the fracture patterns on his remains. Which, of course, are a match for Taffet."
"The kid… he, uh… he put up a good fight?"
She nodded. "There's evidence of a strong resistance."
"At least he didn't go easy. …Parker, he'd do the same thing. Probably bite her ear off and run." Booth said looking at the picture on his desk.
"…He'd bite her?" Brennan asked thinking.
"Yeah. Ten-year-olds… it's kind of their thing. …Why?"
"…I have to get back to the lab." She said walking out with Booth close behind.
4 pm. Hodgins and Brennan are on the platform looking for evidence in the kids teeth.
"They appear to have been cleaned." Brennan said curious as to how.
"Taffet probably wiped them off." Hodgins said disgusted.
"The second left premolar is chipped. There might be some trace DNA in the abrasion."
Hodgins shook his head. "Saliva contains amylase, which would have broken down any traces of tissue."
"Not if it were imbedded between the teeth or under the gum line." Brennan said smiling up at Hodgins.
"Hey guys! ...There's something you should see." Angela said smiling.
They all shared a glance then Booth, Brennan and Hodgins followed Angela into her office where Cam was already waiting. Angela hits play.
'If I don't receive the money in the numbered account within eight hours, your child will die.' they hear the semi jumbled recordings of the gravedigger that Angela had shown them earlier.
"I figured out that this encryption is a rolling code split band voice inversion. Individual frequencies between the clicks are inverted and recombined. I applied software that decrypts each of the 423 separate segments until the voice becomes clear." She explained and hit play once again and the jumbled voice became clear.
'If I don't receive the money in the numbered account within eight hours, your child will die. This is the last time you will hear from me. There will be no further communications.'
"Oh my god." Hodgins said smiling.
"Angela you did it. It's Taffet." Cam said amazed.
"That's amazing Ange." Brennan said hugging her.
"Yeah. …I'd like to see her explain this one away." Angela said proud of herself.
The next morning. 10 am. Court is already underway and Angela is on the stand playing the decrypted ransom tapes.
'…This is the last time you will hear from me. There will be no further communications.'
"And in your expert opinion, Ms. Montenegro, whose voice is that?" Caroline asked looking from the screen to Angela to the jury.
"Heather Taffet's." Angela said simply.
"Can you explain to the fine people of this jury how you came to this conclusion?"
"I ran the decrypted file against an unencrypted recording of her voice and the frequency and vocal patterns are an exact match proving that it is in fact her voice we hear on these tapes."
"Thank you, Ms Montenegro. No further questions." Caroline said, pleased, and takes her seat.
"That was very impressive, Ms. Montenegro. Could you share your credentials with the court?" Taffet asked rising and approaching the stand.
"I have a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Texas with a minor in computer science. And I have also studied biomedical illustration at American University." Angela said without hesitation.
"But you do not have a degree in sound engineering, is that correct?" she asked matter-of-factly.
"No… I do not."
"Objection. Ms. Montenegro has numerous patents pending from her work in auditory forensic reconstruction." Caroline called standing.
"The homeless man on my street has a patent pending for a time machine. That doesn't mean I'm going to ask him to testify in court." Taffet shot back.
"That's enough. … Ms. Taffet. Do you have anything else for this witness?"
"…Yes, Your Honor. I'd like to introduce into evidence item 461B, which is a deconstruction of the same ransom tape by former FBI special Agent Graham Steele, who has a PhD in forensic auditory analysis from the University of Pennsylvania." She pressed play and the Gravedigger tape played, this time in Angela's voice.
'If I don't receive the money in the numbered account within eight hours, your child will die. This is the last time you will hear from me. There will be no further communications.'
"Th-that isn't me. He obviously manipulated the pitch and the timbre of the voice." Angela defended caught off guard by the tape.
"Isn't that what you did?" Taffet asked raising an eyebrow.
"No. Those sound waves have an underlying pattern of frequency modulation. Like a fingerprint." She explained, desperate to make the jury understand the difference. "What has been done to that tape is completely different. What I did was take what was already there and defrag the frequencies between the clicks that were inverted and recombined. I applied a software that decrypts each of the 423 separate segments until the voice became clear."
"Whatever the technical jargon, it seems clear that anyone, even someone without any credentials, can make one voice sound like another."
"Objection! Counsel is making speeches." Caroline said standing once more.
"Sustained, Ms. Julian."
"Sorry, Your Honor. No more questions." Taffet scoffed and having made her point took her seat.
"Alright. 15 minute recess everybody."
"Well that was horrible." Angela sighed meeting Hodgins outside the courtroom.
"I know Angie but we've still got the dust mite DNA, which is going to prove to be Taffet's and Brennan still has the physical evidence." He said hugging her.
"I know. We just gotta hope that the jury sees through this ridiculous act of hers."
Booth sat down next to Brennan and handed her a cup of coffee. "Hey, Bones, you're up next."
She nodded. "Thanks."
"Are you all set to go up? …You've got everything?"
"Yeah. I've got the presentation ready. …it shows the victim sustained rib fractures as well as a fracture of the lateral epicondyle of the left distal..."
"Okay Tempe listen… You have to ease up on the scientific stuff, okay?"
"The science gives us the height of the assailant. 162 centimeters. Taffet's height." She reminded him.
"Yeah. I know. And you know and I love that you solved this case. That's...that's good and all, but Taffet's having a field day, you know, trashing every bit of technical information we've thrown at her. And the jury seems to like her for it."
"Those are the facts, Seeley. What do you want me to do lie?" she said growing annoyed.
"No! No, of course not. It's how you present the facts that win or lose a case Bones. …The jury, they need to know what that little boy went through."
"I've - I've testified before, Booth." She said standing and walking away, and he could hear the fear in her voice.
"Tempe… I'm sorry." He said stopping her before she rounded the corner. "I'm-I'm just trying to help."
"…Do you trust me, Seeley?"
"With my life." He said looking into her eyes.
"Then you need to trust that I'll be fine." She said seriously, pulling away and rounding the corner to Angela, Cam, Hodgins and Sweets.
10 minutes later Brennan was back on the stand.
"Terrence Gilroy's left greater cornu of the hyoid was compressed."
"And where is the greater cornu located, Dr. Brennan?" Caroline asked, playing her part.
"Here." She said placing her fingers a couple inches below her chin and off to the left. "An injury like this indicates that the kidnapper strangled the young boy using only one hand, the dominant left hand, in this case."
"I'd like to submit writing samples which confirm that the defendant is left-handed."
"No objection, as long as it's also noted that 8% of the general population is also left-handed. Including you, Your Honor." Taffet insisted.
"Continue." The judge said looking to Brennan.
"The victim sustained a fracture of the lateral epicondyle and the shaft of the left distal humerus." She looks at Booth and remembers what he said. "But perhaps I can be clearer. Terrence Gilroy's bones could only have been broken by someone kneeling on top of him as they pushed him into the freezer. The radiating fracture lines show that this assailant had to be between 125 and 135 pounds… the weight of the defendant."
"Objection. This is speculation." Taffet called.
"Are you questioning my qualifications? Because you will not find a more experienced or respected forensic anthropologist anywhere in the world. So I'd appreciate not being interrupted until I finish testifying." Brennan snapped shooting a glare at Taffet.
"Dr. Brennan, I'll make the rulings here." The judge said looking from her to Taffet. "Overruled. Continue Dr. Brennan."
"…Since these broken bones were caused by the assailant's knees and the chipping on the boy's kneecaps was caused by the toes of her heavy boots, we can determine the length of her shins."
"And what is the significance of the shin length?" Caroline asked turning from Brennan to the jury.
"It gives us the height of the assailant, which is five feet, four inches. The same height as the defendant. …It is clear from the circumstantial evidence and these facts that this child was attacked with vicious cruelty by Ms. Taffet."
"Objection! Your Honor, the jury makes that determination, not the witness." Taffet said feigning anger at the accusation.
"The five-foot-four assailant - crushed the boy's chest, choked him and finally caused him a torturous death by burying him… alive." Brennan said coldly her eyes locked on Taffet.
"Objection! Speculation. She can't possibly know what the witness felt." This time feigning disbelief.
"I was buried alive. Which makes me uniquely qualified to comment on its horror." She said sharply.
"Objection, Your Honor. This is grandstanding. Unless the witness has any additional facts..."
"Sustained." He looked to Caroline now. "Do you have any further questions for Dr. Brennan, Ms. Julian?"
"No, Your Honor. I learned everything I need to know." she said turning around to face Taffet who was still standing behind her chair. "Your witness."
"…Dr. Brennan, don't you think your trauma as a kidnapping victim prevents you from being objective?" she asked stepping closer, her hands laced behind her back.
"Objection. She is testifying as an expert witness, not a victim." Caroline objected before even having the chance to sit down yet.
"She brought up being buried alive, Your Honor." Taffet pointed out without looking from Brennan.
"She did, Ms. Julian." He sighed. "Overruled."
"It's only natural that you would want to construct facts that would give you some closure and peace." Taffet stated, careful to only lay the seed of doubt instead of coming right out with the accusation.
"I resent your implication. I do not let my emotions cloud my findings." Brennan said serious, trying her best to not show how upset she was getting.
"No, not intentionally, of course." She shot Brennan a small, evil smile, before turning and pacing infront of the jury box.
"Is there a question coming?" Caroline asked looking up at the judge.
"Yes. Sorry. …Dr. Brennan, you are currently seeing an FBI psychologist, are you not?" she asked looking to Brennan quickly then back down, making a show to carefully listen to the response.
"What? That-that has nothing to do with..."
"A yes or no is all that's required, Dr. Brennan. …Are you or are you not currently seeing an FBI psychologist?"
"Yes, but..."
"Thank you. No further questions." She said turning and walking back to her seat.
"No, that has nothing to do with this case. My findings are sound."
The judge nodded. "You may step down, Dr. Brennan."
"There is nothing wrong with the information I have provided you with today." She said seriously and stepped down.
"An hour and a half for lunch. Everybody will be back and in their seats no later than 2:30." He banged his gavel and everyone rose as he left the courtroom.
Booth pulled Brennan into a hug as soon as they exited the courtroom and whispered in her ear. "I love you Tempe. You are amazing and because of you we've got her."
"She discredited me." Brennan shook her head pulling away. "I screwed everything up."
Booth smiled shaking his head, "Identifying with the victim, showing the pain that she caused… it doesn't matter that she brought up you seeing Sweets, I think that actually helped us. I think we've finally got the upper hand."
"speaking of upper hand… Hodgins' equipment is speaking to him… he says he's got something big." Cam said smiling at them then heading out the doors of the courthouse where the rest were waiting.
"That means the DNA is back." Brennan said feeling a knot in her stomach.
Booth nodded and they walked out.
Back at the lab. Hodgins office as he showed everyone the results.
"A dust mite…who woulda thought?" Cam shook her head amazed that it yielded definitive results.
"So that little bug just saved us?" Sweets asked disbelievingly.
"Oh, don't call him a bug. It sounds so insulting. Yesterday Dr. Brennan and I reexamined the boy's teeth after Booth mentioned that little boys like to bite and we found it wedged between the right lateral incisor and canine. Being the genius I am, I thought to examine the dust mite's stomach to check for human cells and found a bellyful of Taffet."
2:45 pm. Hodgins is called to the stand to present the mite into evidence.
"This is a dermatophagoides farinae." He said showing the picture of the dust mite.
"For those of us who don't speak insect, what is that, exactly?" Caroline asked curiously.
"It's a common type of dust mite: an insect usually found on clothes, but it also feeds on the cells of the person wearing those clothes."
"And where was this dust mite found?"
"Between Terrence Gilroy's teeth. It was transferred there when the boy bit the person who kidnapped him."
"And how do we know that?"
"Because thanks to Dr. Brennan and Dr. Saroyan we know that the boy fought back against his attacker. And everybody knows that little boys like to bite." Hodgins said confidently.
"Thank you, Dr. Hodgins. …Prosecution would like to call Dr. Saroyan to the stand, Your Honor."
"Granted." He nodded and Hodgins stepped down and Cam stood and made her way to the front.
"Go get her." Hodgins whispered quietly as they passed.
"Dr. Saroyan, why don't you tell us about what was found in the stomach of this little dust mite." Caroline said putting her game face on.
"The dust mite contained human female epithelial cells. We extracted the cells and ran them through several DNA databases and found that these cells belonged to Heather Taffet." She said simply.
"Nothing further, Your Honor." Caroline said pleased with her irrefutable answer.
"Your witness, Ms. Taffet." The judge said looking to her.
"It seems that you have neglected to include a sample of the evidence that I could have tested independently." She said looking through her file and up at Cam.
"Since there were so few cells in the mite, the testing destroyed the sample, but the procedures and results are all contained in our documentation." Cam explained bracing herself for the inevitable reaming.
"…So let me get this right. …I have access to your notes, but I can't examine the actual evidence because you destroyed it?" she asked with an icy look that unnerved Cam.
"Your Honor, in California versus Trombetta, the Supreme Court ruled that the prosecution could destroy a sample to test for DNA because there was no bad faith." Caroline stated standing to defend their evidence.
"Bad faith? …The motives of every single person at the Jeffersonian are suspect and now their only physical evidence is gone. If it ever existed at all."
"I've just about had it with your snide, unsubstantiated allegations." Caroline said growing pissed off with her.
"As have I." she shot back.
"That's enough, Ms. Julian." The judge warned.
"…Your Honor, I would like to file a motion to have this unverifiable DNA evidence dismissed." Taffet offered.
"Protocol has been followed, Ms. Taffet. It's up to the jury to decide how the evidence will figure in the outcome of this case. Your motion is denied." He said sternly. "Closing arguments start first thing tomorrow. We reconvene at 9 am sharp everybody." He banged the gavel and a wave of relief shot over everyone from the Jeffersonian.
Booth sighed. "I need a drink. Who's in?"
"Don't have to ask me twice." Cam said feeling like she needed one too.
"I don't know I think I'm going to go home and sleep." Angela sighed.
"Yeah me too." Hodgins agreed.
"Did I mention I'm buying?" he asked raising an eyebrow to them.
"I guess one drink wouldn't hurt."
"Yeah, why not?" Hodgins agreed.
Everyone laughed, except Brennan, and they headed to the Founding Fathers.
It's 5 pm and everyone is starting their second drink when Booth sits next to Brennan at the bar.
"What can I getcha?" the bartender asked walking over to him.
"Scotch on the rocks. …and a martini, for the lady, with threeolives, and make it extra dirty." He said not even looking at the woman behind the counter.
"Seeley, I'm not in the mood." she said finishing her coke.
"Come on it is your favorite and I'm just having a little fun." He said as the bartender places it infront of her. "I mean did you see Taffet's face? She was completely blindsided. Okay, Caroline's closing...it's going to kill." He looks to Brennan and she still doesn't look happy. He lets out a large sigh. "What's wrong Tempe? We just nailed Taffet you should be happy."
"I'm just tired." She said tracing circles around her glass and not meeting his eyes.
"Yeah. It's been - it's been a tough case." He said worried that there was something bigger than that bothering her.
She shook her head "It's not just the case. I'm tired of...of all of it. I'm tired of dealing with murderers and victims and sadness and pain."
"Bones, that's what we do, huh? We catch the bad people and we make the world a better place."
"No, Booth. …That's what you do and somehow I got caught up into it." She said downing her drink and heading for the door.
"Wait a sec." he said going after her. "Hold on. You were dealing with dead people long before we got together." He stepped infront of her, stopping her from crossing the street.
"As a researcher, an anthropologist. That's how I can make the world a better place."
"And you do. Come on. You make the world a great place." She rolled her eyes and tried going around him. Unsuccessfully. "Hey. Come on, baby, you're just anxious. Alright? I promise tomorrow, when we have won, everything will be perfect. It'll be fine." He said making her look at him.
She sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow Seeley." She kissed him on the cheek and headed for home, choosing to walk the 15 blocks instead of taking a cab.
He knew he was wrong though, he knew she wasn't kidding. Things hadn't been perfect for her in a while, at least not in the lab, not since they really got together. He's seen the toll it's taken on her, giving a bit of herself to every brutal murderer, every dead person she helped get justice. It was wearing on her. She needed a break and he hoped it was just from the job.
The next morning. Caroline and Taffet are giving their closing statements.
"It all sounds very reasonable, doesn't it?" Taffet starts looking up at the box of twelve jurors who would decide her fate. "These so-called facts were compiled by people who themselves were victims of a vicious criminal who has not yet been caught. They need a scapegoat. They find a 'dust mite' that supposedly has my DNA in it. But yet, the only people who saw that …dust mite, the only people who touched the alleged 'epithelial cells' were two kidnap victims! One a known conspiracy theorist, the other a traumatized anthropologist who is currently being treated by a psychologist. …And Dr. Saroyan, who couldn't perform her job without destroying the evidence, conveniently preventing me from mounting a defense." She scanned their faces and after a moment turned around and began walking the length if the jury box again. "The law is clear. You cannot convict a person based on innuendo or groundless accusations. …I weep for that boy. No child should suffer like that and whoever did this does not deserve to be among the general population. But I am not that person. It's clear that I am a scapegoat. I am innocent. And it is up to you to right this wrong and return a verdict of not guilty. …Thank you." She turned and walked back to her seat.
Caroline stood and approached the jury box, examining their expressions closely. "We are here to seek justice for this 10 year old boy. Terrance Gilroy was kidnapped… brutally beaten and buried alive by Heather Taffet. Taffet was seen where this child was abducted. She matches the size of the assailant. She's left-handed. Her voice was discovered on the ransom tapes. And, only Heather Taffet could have the DNA that was found in this child's mouth. That evidence was delivered to us in death by this brave boy. And that evidence is the evidence that she tried her hardest to discredit these experts. Because she has no other defense except to slander them. They have told you what Heather Taffet did to that boy. And this monster this digger of graves should never be allowed to walk among decent people again. …For that boy, for justice, and for all that is right in this world you must return a verdict of guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Because you know that she is. And you know that it is the right thing to do. Thank you." She turned and walked back to her seat a small smile on her lips.
An hour later everyone was out in the corridor waiting for the verdict to come back. Brennan is pacing and Booth is watching impatiently with Sweets right next to him as Hodgins and Angela sit and talk and Cam sneaks outside for a smoke every ten minutes.
"Wow, she's really nervous I've never seen her pace like that." Sweets observed surprised.
"…I have. She's not nervous. She's scared."
"She doesn't think we're going to win?"
"No…she doesn't." he said standing and walking over to her. "Bones, let's take a walk."
She nodded and they walked out of the courthouse.
"Are you okay, Tempe?"
Brennan nodded. "I didn't get much sleep last night."
"So you're not worried about the trial then?" he asked seeing through the lie.
She shook her head. "Nope."
Booth stopped turning to her. "Tempe, if it's not the case then it's something else. I can tell something is bothering you."
She sighed giving in. "I've been trying to figure out how to tell you this. …and I guess the only way to do it is to just say it. …after the trial is over I need a break from all the murder and gruesome crime scenes… and I want you to take the break with me."
"Oh." He sighed relieved.
"Take the week off, spend all day in bed." She suggested smiling.
He pulled her in kissing her. "That sounds fantastic."
"Really?" she said relieved now.
"Of course. I've got some sick days and I think a break is exactly what I need." He said kissing her.
"Oh my god. Do you two ever stop?" Cam asked rolling her eyes as she lit a cigarette.
"Camille Saroyan! Are you smoking?" Booth smiled catching her red handed.
"Seeley Booth, are you sleeping with your partner?" she asked blowing out smoke, with a smile.
"Touché" he nodded.
"You know you really shouldn't smoke Cam, it'll give you wrinkles." Brennan said matter-of-factly.
"I'm stressed ok." She said taking a long drag.
"Well we won't tell if you won't."
She blew smoke from her nose and dropped the butt. "Deal." She agreed shaking Booth's hand.
"We should be getting back we don't want to miss the verdict." Brennan suggested.
"Good idea." Cam agreed.
4 pm.
"It sure is taking a while in there." Cam said impatiently.
"Don't worry. Caroline nailed it in there." Booth said confidently.
"Well Taffet was pretty convincing in there, too." Hodgins pointed out.
"Damn it, Hodgins! Do you ever see the bright side of things?"
"You know what, Booth? …You're right. The bright side of this is no matter what happens in there, I've still got Angela." He said standing.
"Hodgins." Angela said giving him a look and standing too.
"It's okay. I don't care, Angie. Taffet isn't making the rules anymore. I want our friends to know." he looked around at all the people he cared about. "I want everybody to know. … Angela and I are married."
"What?" Brennan asked stunned.
"Ohh... Wow." Cam said standing and hugging them.
"Hey, look at that, huh?" Booth said taking Brennan's hand and they stood hugging their friends.
"When, Ange?" Brennan asked moving on to curiosity.
"…In jail. Hodgins wanted to wait until all of this was over so everybody could just be happy for us."
"But I think right now in the midst of it all is the best time. Because what happened to us… it can't rule our lives forever." Hodgins said smiling and looking at Booth and Brennan. "We have to move on."
"…This isn't another pregnancy scare, is it?" Brennan asked smiling.
"Bones!" Booth said giving her a look that screamed that she shouldn't have said that.
Angela and Hodgins laughed. "No…. This is love." She said looking to Hodgins and kissing him sweetly.
Caroline walked out. "If you lovebirds are done out here… The jury's back." They all followed her in anxiously taking their seats, knowing the next five minutes would change their lives.
"The defendant will rise for the reading of the verdict." The judge stated as the bailiff handed him the envelope. "…In count one, the kidnapping of Terrence Gilroy, the jury finds the defendant, Heather Taffet, guilty." the crowd erupted in whispers and excited chatter. "Order, or I will clear the court." He called banging the gavel until there was silence once again. "In count two, the murder of Terrence Gilroy, the jury finds the defendant...Guilty." everyone stands and cheers hugging and smiling, grateful that they got some form of justice. "The defendant is remanded into custody until sentencing. We are adjourned."
Brennan and Booth hug and she looks over his shoulder towards Taffet. "This isn't over." She calls angrily as they cuff her and lead her away.
Brennan smiles, not worried about her for the first time in months.
"Who's up for a celebration?" Booth offered up smiling, one arm around Brennan's shoulder as he half hugged her still.
"Hell yeah!"
"I'm in."
"Let's go." they all agreed.
"What about you Sweets? Come have a drink with us?" Booth said patting him on the back.
"Why not." He nodded.
"Ooh. I have to bail my dad out of jail." Brennan sighed remembering.
"And I have to go with you to drop the charges." Booth nodded.
"We'll meet you guys there." Brennan promised.
"Ok. Don't take too long you don't wanna miss the party." Angela said hugging her and whispering in her ear. "Unless you two are going to have a private party."
"Not happening." Brennan whispered back with an eye roll greatful her friend couldn't see her face at that moment.
Angela laughed. "Bring Max along… He deserves to celebrate this too." Hodgins said with a nod.
9 pm. The Founding Fathers. They all sit around a table talking and laughing.
"So where did you disappear to Max we missed you the past couple days." Cam said smiling and taking a drink.
"I was out of town for a couple of days. I knew Tempe had everything under control. She didn't need me so…"
"Well, you missed Brennan kicking some Gravedigger ass on the stand." Angela said matter-of-factly.
"Uh-huh." She nodded laughing.
"Alright, let's just raise our glasses here. To the squints kicking ass like always." Booth smiled his Boothiest grin and looking to Brennan.
"To Booth." Cam offered raising her glass too.
"And Caroline." Brennan reminded them raising hers.
"Hear, hear." They shouted drinking happily.
"You know, I never doubted any of you. Not for a minute." Sweets said a little tipsy.
"Oh, come on." Hodgins laughed, knowing that wasn't true.
"Oh, please." Caroline rolled her eyes pinching his cheek. "The boy was scared."
"Okay, let's not forget the happy couple over here." Booth smiled and they all threw a handful of confetti in their direction.
"Yes, best wishes for a successful blending of familial obligations as well as monetary and property consolidation." Brennan toasted smiling. "What?" she asked confused by everyone's look.
Booth shook his head. "I'll tell you later."
"Well, I hate to spoil all the fun but… we have to be going." Angela said smiling and standing with Hodgins.
"Me too. I'm exhausted."
"I should probably make sure Sweets gets home in one piece." Cam said laughing as she looked at his glazed over eyes.
"Yeah." Booth nodded with a laugh kissing Cam on the cheek as she hugged him goodbye.
"Be good." She whispered in his ear.
"Am I ever?" he whispered back.
She rolled her eyes and they all left and Brennan and Max followed them out to say goodbye and throw the rest of the confetti.
"Congratulations!" Cam called showering them as they walked together down the sidewalk.
"Well I guess It's time for me to go home too." Max said turning to his daughter.
"A real bed is probably going to feel good." Brennan nodded.
"…I'm sorry that I, uh... that I doubted you." He said genuinely sorry.
"Sweets would say that subconsciously you wanted Booth to catch you so you and I wouldn't have to be separated again."
Max hugged her smiling. "Smart guy, that Sweets. I love you, honey."
"I know." she nodded hugging him back.
Booth walks out and joins them. "Thanks for leaving me with the bill again Max. That's nice of you." He shot sarcastically.
"Your fault, Booth. My wallet got stolen in jail." Max shot back with a smile.
"Yeah." Booth said patting him on the shoulder.
"And take care of my little girl, will ya?"Max said knowingly as he walked away leaving them alone on the sidewalk.
"God, I can't believe they actually got hitched."
"I know." Brennan agreed as they watched their friends disappear around the corner at the end of the street. "I have this sense that everything's changing, Booth." She said not meeting his eyes; she wasn't ready to admit what that might mean for the two of them.
"Well, not everything. We're still… partners. Right?" she laughed and he couldn't help but smile wider. "And Taffet's put away. I mean, you're feeling good about that, right?"
She nodded. "Yeah. It feels pretty good." She admitted.
"Come on, let's just go back inside and have one more drink. Come on. Just one." He suggested looking down at her.
"Nah. I've had enough, it's time to go home."
"Right. Nothing's better than a good night's sleep." He nodded.
"I can think of something." She smiled wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him energetically.