AN: The squints aren't the only ones who should get to show off their amazing science skills!
Chapter 15: A Science Experiment
Bones sat in stunned silence for a minute as the sounds of Booth's and the guards' footsteps resounded down the corridor. Then, abruptly, her gaze sharpened and she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed.
"Russ, help me up. There should be a bag of clothes that Angela brought me in the closet."
"Tempe, I don't-"
"Don't argue with me, or I'll just do it myself. I have to go after them. See if there is something I can do - create a diversion maybe."
"We should help her Russ," Max intervened, moving towards the closet. "She's stubborn like her mother and fiercely protective about those she loves. If we don't help her, she'll head off on her own, which is the last thing we want. We'll let her go and stick to her like glue." He threw the bag with her clothes on the bed. "Can you get dressed on your own?"
Bones had already turned her back and was stripping off her robe. Her movements were stiff and slower than usual, but determined. "Yes, wait outside, I'll be right out. If a nurse comes by, tell her I'm in the bathroom or something and that she should come back."
A minute later she exited the room, wearing jeans and a t-shirt with an armhole stretched wide to accommodate the cast on her left arm. She glanced at her father and brother, who took up positions on either side, presumably to shield her from the notice of any passing nurses or doctors. "So, do either of you have a gun?" She whispered this last.
"Tempe!" her brother yelped in surprise, "You know a parolee can't get a permit!"
"Dad?" She stared intently at her father as they made their way to the elevator.
He gave a slight nod of the head.
"Good!" "Dad!" Brennan and Russ exclaimed in unison.
Conversation ceased as they entered the elevator, which was occupied by an elderly couple and an orderly holding a stack of newspapers. Brennan pressed the button for the basement. The lobby button was already illuminated.
Max narrowed his eyes in thought. "Excuse me, young man, are you planning on disposing of those newspapers?"
The orderly, clearly surprised at being addressed, held the papers in front of him like a shield. "These? They are yesterday's papers. I am taking them down to the recycling bin."
Max flashed an engaging smile. "Could I have a small stack? I, uh, have a bird at home. Always need papers for the cage you know."
"Sure, I guess," said the man, handing over about six inches of newspaper. "That enough?"
"Excellent, thanks!" The elevator dinged to indicate they were stopping in the lobby. Max hooked his free arm through his daughter's and propelled her to leave the elevator telling Russ to follow. Brennan tried to drag her feet to remain where she was, but in her weakened state, her father managed to get her out just as the doors shut behind them.
"A bird? Dad, what-"
Max held up a hand to stop her and motioned for her and Russ to join him a few paces away, out of the path of people entering and exiting the elevator bank.
"I need to make a quick stop at the hospital store." He gazed meaningfully into his daughter's eyes. "Hold these," he paused in emphasis, "newspapers." He shoved the stack into her arms, which was a bit awkward given the cast, but she managed to hold on. "A hospital store should have cold packs, don't you think? Why don't you take a minute to check back in with the cell company? You need to alert Booth of any movement, and we should know as well." With that, he walked briskly across the lobby and into the store.
Brennan chewed her lip for a moment and then light dawned in her eyes. "Newspapers and cold packs! Ammonium nitrate! Brilliant! Here Russ, take the papers. I need to call the cell company while we wait for Dad."
Russ automatically took the stack when she thrust it at him. "Tempe, what are you and Dad-"
Brennan held one finger up to her lips to silence her brother as she dialed the cell phone company. He'd understand the science soon enough. She hoped he had a lighter on him.