Chapter 14: Missing
Booth was in his usual seat near Brennan's bed, his hand on her arm. The i.v. had been removed yesterday evening, leaving a bruise that he was careful not to touch. The bandage on her head had been reduced to a patch and the black eye was starting to fade.
Russ and Max sat on the other side of the bed, near the window. They had come by early this day to beat the crowd, as Temperance had a constant stream of visitors. The two younger men were arguing about an ice hockey game they had watched last night.
"Sorry, Dad," Brennan mouthed to Max with a smile.
He grinned in response. "Testosterone."
"Didn't mean to bore you Bones, but I had to set your brother straight about a few critical facts."
Russ huffed and Booth laughed.
He squeezed her arm gently. "Don't worry, after tomorrow you'll be back in your apartment with no television. I guess we'll pass the time playing Monopoly or something like that."
Brennan grinned, unexpectedly happy at hearing that Booth wasn't intending to abandon her once she went home. Though with Hannah anticipated back any minute, that could change. "Then I wouldn't get Russ too angry at you Booth. If I recall correctly, he's a fierce Monopoly player. Anyway, we may not have too much time to sit around and play games. I am hoping to be cleared to get back to work within the week."
Booth's face creased with displeasure and worry. "Whoa. Let's talk to the doctor about that Bones. And I don't want to hear you browbeating him with statistics about remodeling and bone density. By the time you finished with him yesterday, I think he would have agreed that you'd be ready to climb Mt. Everest by the end of the month."
The security guard from outside of Brennan's room peered around the door frame. Behind him was another guard holding a cup of coffee and shifting from foot to foot, clearly agitated.
"Could we speak to you for a minute, Agent Booth?" The guard said with obvious urgency.
Before Bones could demand that the guard say what he had to say in front of them all, Booth had exited the room. The remaining three sat in silence, each straining to hear the conversation taking place outside.
"What? No, clearly I am not meeting with Hannah downstairs, I'm right here, aren't I!" The guard's response was inaudible.
"...Trace the phone. Make sure they are still in the building...Call for backup. I'm going to look..."
Booth rushed back into the room a hand scraping through his hair. He was breathing rapidly. "He has Hannah. Got to her when she entered the building by using your cell phone, Bones. He must have taken it in the attack. I don't think any of us thought to look for it. Do you know if your cell account has phone tracking?"
"Give me your phone, Booth, I'll call the phone company and ask." She reached out her hand but he didn't move. "Booth! Give me your phone."
He handed over the cell phone and paced anxiously while she made the call. It took a few minutes for Bones to get connected to the right number and then she had to prove her identity and agree to pay an additional fee for the tracking service. Finally, she ended the call.
"The phone traces to this building. They are still in the building Booth."
"Good. Good. Okay, I'm going to take these guys," he motioned towards the hall at the security guards hovering outside awaiting orders. "They have called the police, so back up should be on the way. Once the building is surrounded, he won't be able to leave with her. Russ, Max, either of you have a cell?"
They both nodded.
"Okay. Bones, I need you to call the phone company every five minutes or so and continue to confirm that your phone is in this building. If anything changes, text me. Don't call because I probably won't be able to pick up." He pushed some buttons on his phone. "It's on vibrate now, so if it rings when we are closing in, he won't hear it. We are going downstairs to scour the basement of this place, which is where Hannah said I was going to meet her." He closed his eyes and slammed the wall with his palm in frustration. "There are so many rooms and corridors in this damn place!"
He turned to leave, but Bones stopped him with a shout. "Booth, the phone! When you get to the basement, have everyone spread out and then call my cell phone. He may answer if he sees that it is you, just to taunt you. And even if he doesn't it, if he hasn't silenced the phone, you might hear it ring."
Understanding dawned in his eyes. He quickly strode back towards the bed and leaned down to place a quick kiss on Bones' lips. "You are a genius, Bones. That's why I love you!"
AN: Bones probably thinks that last remark was said casually in gratitude, but we know better, don't we?