5.
Sweets could hear the ringing in his ears after the stun gun zapped at his neck. His body was slow to respond in reaching for his gun but the trooper pulled it away before he pulled Sweets from the car. Sweets felt the pavement on his face and two swift kicks to his chest leaving him without much air. He gasped for air as he was physically helpless to move from the result of the stun as he was dragged back to the police car.
"What…" Sweets tried to say as he focused on the trooper with the wide brimmed hat and reflective shades in which he only saw himself. "I'm…" Sweets tried to say figuring there had to be some sort of misunderstanding.
"I know who you are, you're Lance Sweets of the FBI, lead on the murder investigation at Lummend Crossing." The trooper said coldly.
Sweets was confused, he wasn't a lead sort of guy, but he remembered Booth said when he called that morning he had something important for him to do on the case. Sweets didn't think about it more because the trooper was gaining his attention again by a swift punch in his ribs. Sweets twisted at the pain but the officer held him in place by pressing down on him. Sweets chest was screaming at the pain as his senses began to return as the stun increasingly wore off.
"If you know who I am then you know you're messing with a federal agent." Sweets said boldly.
"I can mess with a lot of people son." The trooper seethed. "I've got access to a lot of things but one thing I don't have access to is a murder investigation."
Sweets eyes narrowed as he tried to figure out where the trooper was going with his. Sweets looked over to see the trooper's badge and name but where one should have been were only pin holes - Sweets figured he must have taken it off to avoid his name being known.
"So what do you…" Sweets wasn't even sure what to ask when the trooper began to talk for him.
"You're going to that murder investigation and shut it down. I don't care how, but end it." The trooper instructed him and stressed his seriousness by twisting on Sweets arm as he said it. Sweets was sure the guy wanted him to realize how serious he was.
Sweets wanted to spit at the guy and tell him never but he knew if he did he might get a bullet in the head and then he might move on to the next agent in charge. Sweets didn't want anyone else to get hurt.
"Yeah sure okay." Sweets agreed and tried not to seem too eager about it.
"No, see you're just saying yes and you figure you'll hunt me down later. Live to fight another day right?" The trooper said with a curled up lip. "No, see you're going to do this and if you step out of line - I'll know."
The serious tone of the man's voice made Sweets realize this was bigger than just some wayward cop - or one dressed like one.
"You see I've got a pretty big operation in place. I want it to stay that way. One of my people, well they got careless and left the bodies behind. That's where you come in, you end this investigation - you do and no one gets hurt. That's right no one - like those people you work with, Angela and her little boy Michael let's see he goes to Sunnyside Daycare, maybe that bone lady and her little girl who sometimes stays with her grandpa Max, or maybe even a few of your coworkers at the FBI. See, I know a quite a little bit about everyone."
Sweets felt a panic rise as he considered the knowledge that this guy had - it appeared to have gone past basic guessing.
"What information I don't have on them I will get but I've got most of what I need. If you need convincing…" The trooper pushed in on Sweets sore ribs as he said it. "Then I can start reciting social security numbers and addresses if you want.
"Okay I get your point." Sweets said as the trooper released the tension on Sweets side. "Case dropped and they don't get hurt."
Sweets mind was racing even as he said it. If this guy wanted this case dropped - and would go thru all this trouble- this had to be far more extensive than a double homicide, what's this big operation he has in place Sweets wondered.
"Don't pull anything funny." The trooper said stepping back cautiously. "If I'm not watching I've got plenty of other people who are."
The trooper pushed Sweets back towards his car and opened the door for Sweets who stood tepidly outside the door.
"You ain't got all day son. Better hurry before they solve this case without you." The trooper leaned in closer. "And I'd hate to have to go after someone else."
Sweets stepped gingerly into the vehicle as quick as he could despite the pain it instantly placed on his chest and side. The trooper shut the door and handed Sweets his gun after he emptied the clip and the chamber.
"Don't forget Lance - I'll be watching." The trooper strolled back to his vehicle and quickly got inside and drove off. Sweets noted that his plate was strategically covered with mud.
Sweets rubbed his head as he considered all of what had just happened - wondering if it was real when his aching chest told him it was all too real. I can tell Booth, he won't tell anyone Sweets said to himself. Come on, you know Booth, the moment he gets involved he's going to tell Dr. Brennan and then there it goes - they will want to save the world with as many people 'secretly' involved as possible but someone will leak it - someone will slip and someone will know, it will be just like Pelant when that agent got involved and killed, shit another great idea I had. Your ideas get people killed Lance…
Sweets felt his chest ache but this time not as much from pain but from the guilt. This time if anyone gets killed it's just you - you don't tell anyone and then no one gets involved. You can write it all down and keep it in a safe place in case something does happen, then they'll know. Sweets felt it was the right thing to do but like any person he had no wish to die. He felt scared and alone in the endeavor he was about to face. That's life Sweets said to himself as he started his car and continued on his way.
Sweets pulled up at the crime scene and tried his best to keep his composure and every inch of his being that told him to rush to his friends and tell them of the situation he was in. As he turned his car off he looked at the other officers who had reported to the scene who now milled about. Any one of them could be involved, Sweets considered to himself and recalled the troopers' threat that he had many people working for him and watching. Sweets got out of the car and tried to add the best attitude he could to his demeanor that suggested not a thing in the world was wrong.
As he approached he watched as the Jeffersonian team was placing evidence in the car. He knew he was late and felt his apprehension grow, he decided to play it off.
"Hey Booth what's up?" Sweets asked.
Booth shook his head in disbelief. "What's up? Sweets you're like an hour late in getting here. What the hell was more important?"
Sweets eyes were busy looking around, the scene, the people, everyone around them, anyone who could be watching and waiting to report his activity to the insane trooper.
"I got lost." Sweets said. "So you mentioned something about a case?"
Sweets pretended he didn't notice the strange glances Booth was giving him. "Yeah Sweets a case, remember, what we do for a living. Except you're late and we have all the evidence packed and ready to go."
Thank God, then I don't have to stand here anymore, my chest is killing me. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. Sweets thought to himself as Hodgins walked by and gave Sweets a light and playful swipe on the shoulder. "Way to screw up on the first time leading a case with Booth." He said and kept walking. Ugh, why the hell did that hurt so much? Sweets wondered of Hodgins's hit - probably because you just got the crap kicked out of you a half hour ago - Sweets reminded himself and hoped Booth didn't see the grimace that momentarily took over his face. He was pretty sure Booth was glaring at Hodgins so Sweets offered a big smile trying to cover the immense pain he was still trying to conceal. Hodgins said lead on the case but Booth hasn't said anything yet, technically I don't know either, shit he's pissed at me. Crap, I can't worry about that too, one crisis at a time here.
"What's up now?" Booth asked and Sweets realized he was completely annoyed with him. Sweets was busy trying to keep up with the conversations taking place along with the ones in his head.
"Nothing." Sweets said as he tried to stand tall but there was no comfortable position to stand in, his insides were still screaming. "Just sitting in the car so long."
"Well why didn't you call?" Booth asked.
"Bad reception." Sweets said looking over the crime scene for a distraction and wanted to offer up some apology. "I'm really, very sorry I'm late."
"Okay, well the squints are all packed up but I'll go over what we found." Booth said walking back towards the scene while Sweets followed slowly behind and felt a relief, whew, maybe he's going to let it go.
"You coming Sweets?" Booth said and Sweets wanted to shout, dammit Booth I'm going as fast as I can, my insides are about to bust out.
"Yeah, just uh, sore from the car ride." He was afraid Booth was going to take too much notice. Come on Lance, suck it up, that's what Booth would do - if his arm got cut off he'd shout for another one and Brennan would toss him one, now come on!
"Your neck's red." Booth said coming closer to see a red mark peeking out of the top of Sweets collar to which he tried to pull up and conceal.
"Yeah." Sweets said searching for a convincing lie that would distract him. "Crazy red head last night." Sweets gulped as he hoped Booth would buy it.
Booth shook his head. "As long as you can stay away from employees of the Jeffersonian lab I'm good with it. If Daisy didn't teach you that, Jessica should have."
Sold! Sweets shouted in his mind. Booth bought into it and he sighed a relief earning another glance from Booth. Play it cool he reminded himself. Yeah, play it cool suck it up, solve - no deter the case, keep everyone safe and try not to get killed. That's not too much right he said sarcastically to himself.
"Okay, so two bodies were found here." Booth said pointing to the dirt that had been finely combed by the squints. "Two males, one mid-thirties the other mid-twenties, Bones said no relation but both were Caucasian, both had their necks snapped.
Crap, snapped necks, how could that be 'not murder' he pondered. "Sounds like it could be a hunting accident." Sweets said shrugging his shoulders. "How do we know its murder?"
Booth's expression was far more aggressive than he had planned on. "Because there's a big difference between someone's neck being methodically snapped and falling-breaking it and landing side by side in a posed manner."
He's pissed, back up, revise plan.
"Oh. Right." Sweets said while working out a new plan. He looked all around them, perhaps another explanation could be planned.
"Sweets, what the hell are you looking at?" Booth asked.
What am I looking at? I'm looking for a scapegoat. Oh! Maybe a goat ran then down! No, he's not going to buy that one. "Oh, just trying to imagine the whole scene." Sweets said using his hands as though drawing a picture and buy some time for his next idea. Booth did not seem to buy into this method.
"Let's get back to the Jeffersonian and see what the squints have found in the evidence." Booth said leaving the area. "And follow me closely this time - I don't want you lost for hours."
Hell yeah I'll follow you closely! Sweets shouted in his mind while he walked back to his car. I'll damn well get in the car with you if you'd let me but you're so damn pissed at me I don't think that's going to happen.
Each time Booth checked his rear view mirror Sweets was sure to check his. He thought about taking this time to send hand signals to Booth for help but he was sure that wasn't going to go well. Here he was, trapped - free - but trapped. Come on Lance, you're a smart guy, figure this out. All you have to do is get this case over and then it's done, the heat's off and then you can figure out what this guy is up to. Right, good plan. It's illegal and completely morally wrong but I don't have a lot of options do I?
They pulled into the Jeffersonian as Sweets looked around, is there anyone watching, could they be here too? They couldn't be working at the Jeffersonian, of course I didn't think whoever this is could be a state trooper either.
"Sweets?" Sweets looked back to Booth and wondered how long he had been staring at the parking lot. "You coming?"
"Yes, yes of course." Sweets said picking up his pace to catch up but then wondered if someone hadn't planned on them being together. If someone fires a shot I don't want them hitting Booth - he's got a family, maybe I should keep a few feet between us just in case. Booth looked back at Sweets. What the hell was that look for? Finally, we're inside, wonder if there is anyone in here. Sweets looked around the building at each employee wondering if he had seen him or her in there before.
"Hey Bones." Booth said approaching the platform and swiping his card. "Find anything?"
"Yes, oh, good afternoon Dr. Sweets I did not see you there." As Brennan said it Sweets realized he had paid very little attention to the remains and mostly to his surroundings.
"Yes of course." Sweets said, just keep a straight face, man you sound like a robot, just go with it, calm and even keeled, works for Dr. Brennan. "There are new findings?"
"Yes, we have two victims…" Sweets heard Brennan's voice talking but he couldn't help but let his mind wonder back into his predicament. His fingers brushed against the cold metal table causing him to quickly look back up and join the rest in reality. Geez this could be me if I don't figure this out - or worse - this could be one of them if I screw this up. Shit.
Sweets heard them talking about the case but was busy looking for a way out, not a way to the end game result. "You said the cause of death was broken necks?" Sweets asked.
"Yes, I believe you are familiar with the human anatomy?" Brennan said handing him the x-rays. Yes, I am Dr. Brennan though you tend to think of me as an idiot. Oh Lance let's not worry about that right now. Say, why do I address myself with my own name? That's really your concern right now Lance? Geez, now I'm yelling at myself, just keep looking at the x-rays, maybe there's something here, maybe he had bone cancer and he dropped dead and then snapped his own neck. If I keep staring at these will a solution provide itself like some grand epiphany? Because if it will I'll keep staring at these films all night. Shit, tonight, man I don't want to go home what if… wait, what if…
"Was the force that broke the neck by an object or strangulation?" Sweets asked hoping for a third option.
"Small particles were found at the scene." Hodgins interrupted. Fantastic, was it of alien life form, maybe aliens got him, Hodgins would buy it Sweets thought as Hodgins spoke. "I ran them and discovered they are a northern white ash. Specifically it comes from lumber in Pennsylvania and New York State."
It's a baseball bat. I wonder how long it will take them to figure that out. Sweets wondered as they talked.
"So it's a tree?" Booth asked. "Like a tree limb but we were in Virginia."
Nope not yet. It's always so hard to keep this to myself so I don't get called a smart pants and get eyes full of daggers shot at me.
"Right but this has been treated." Hodgins interrupted. "The best lumber comes from these states to make baseball bats."
Oh goody, they figured it out, no wait, dammit, they figured it out. If there's a weapon then it's murder, it can't be murder. Crap, they're still talking about wood. Okay, think, you can't get them out of the idea it's murder, what can you do?
"Could it have been suicide?" Sweets asked. "One hits the one and then the other?" That might be one of your stupidest ideas ever.
"Quite impossible." Brennan interjected quickly. Yes I know, it was dumb.
"Why are you so determined it's not murder?" Booth asked Sweets who tried to keep his calm. Think fast Lance.
"I just think we should consider all options." Crap, I'm no good at lying, quick a diversion, oh the x-rays, look at those again.
"We don't have much more but we will call you when we find something." Brennan said. Oh thank you Dr. Brennan, that's an option to leave.
"Fine." Booth said. "We'll head back to the office and do some digging of our own."
Man the guy just oozes being pissed, do I have to go? Yes, you have to go.
Where did Booth go? I'm betting he drove off pissed. Well I can find my own way back to the office, what can happen to me? Oh don't joke Lance.
Sweets got in his car and headed back to the FBI building so deeply embedded in his thoughts on how to fix the case and thus his situation he didn't see the van come up behind him and tap him hard enough for him to swerve. Sweets looked back and saw the van pull to a stop. Crap, this can't be good, but what if it's just a random accident, if I don't stop… crap… I haven't gotten to refill my gun yet.
"Hey buddy, sorry about that." The big guy outside his window said. "I was busy texting and driving."
"Oh well, no harm, let's just go on." Sweets said with his window still up.
"I can't, I dented my fender, it's a work van. Sorry, man, I gotta file a claim."
Sweets ran a series of expletives thru his head. "Alright." He said opening the door.
Sweets got out and on the sidewalk. It was a busy street so he figured maybe this was just a random and poorly timed accident. He walked back to see the damage to the bumper while the big guy stood out by traffic making a phone call. Sweets looked back at the bumper feeling okay he could see the guy and the traffic when a set of arms pulled him back and into the side door of the large service van.
One hand was held over his mouth while the other guy held his arms down. Not good was all that came to Sweets mind. He could hear the other guy still outside on the phone.
"Yeah we've got him here." The man said. "Yeah we're checking."
"Did they drop it?" The one man with the mask asked.
Sweets realized this must be more of the trooper's "people" who were working for him. At least three, Sweets suspected there must be many more.
"Answer me!" The other guy said letting go of Sweets mouth so he could jab Sweets side with the butt of a baseball bat.
Ah, probably the murder weapon, and maybe the murders, well this case could be solved if I wasn't supposed to not solve it.
"Are you deaf or dumb?" The guy said moving to strike again.
"No." Sweets said quickly causing the guy to not strike. "No, they found parts of that bat there."
"Yeah right." The guy said not believing him.
"See that piece missing there?" Sweets nodded with his head as his hands were still behind his back. "Yeah, those splintered off and embedded in the guy's neck. They found them before I could get there, your trooper friend was keeping me busy."
Sweets could hear the guy outside telling who he presumed to be the trooper, or boss, as he called him, on the phone.
"Yeah, what now boss?" He asked after a long pause. "I'll ask."
The guy came close to the window. "You got any last words?"
Sweets gulped. "I can't stop it from being a murder investigation." Sweets felt like he was signing his own death certificate. "But I could destroy any evidence. I'm going to have to look like I'm working on the case or they will be suspicious and reassign it." Sweets was trying not to sound desperate and just in control. It seemed like it was working because they were listening. "You let me work on it and I can make it so it won't go to trial."
"Yeah?" The man outside said. "Yeah, will do."
Sweets waited to find out his fate.
"Plan B." The guy said causing the man to raise the bat to Sweets head.
"No, no, no marks where anyone can see them!" The other guy said stopping him and Sweets suddenly realized why the trooper kept to his chest and side. The man instead swung it across Sweets chest.
"That's a reminder to keep in line." The guy said as he opened the door and pushed Sweets onto the sidewalk.
Sweets felt the cement under him for the second time this morning along with the strong ache in his chest.
"Get back to work!" They said as they pulled away.
Sweets laid on the sidewalk for a second hearing the cars go by and wondered why no one stopped. They must think I'm homeless or something Sweets thought as he slowly pushed himself to a sitting position but the weight on his chest still stung and burned. Maybe no one stops because no one cares – in this world you're alone. Sweets rubbed his head as though ridding it of the thought, you're just tired and feeling alone because you can't share this with anyone. It's time to get back to work he reminded himself as he slowly found feet under him and even after another moment found himself steady on them as he got back in his car.
Sweets didn't lock eyes with anyone on his way to his office and instead tried to get there as quickly as possible. He had glanced in the mirror when he got out of his car – the henchmen were efficient he gave them that – not a visible scratch where anyone could see. Sweets exited the elevator and adjusted his tie but the quick movement made him wince. He reminded himself when he got off the elevator to hide all indication of how terrible he felt. He glanced down at his shirt and suit jacket, along with his pants were all rumpled and disheveled. He didn't look terrible but he knew he looked, off.
The last thing Sweets expected to find in his office was what was sitting there was Booth, so much so that Sweets jumped when he entered.
"What did you take a nap on your way back?" Booth said.
Are you kidding me? Sweets asked himself. Nap? I got the shit kicked out of me, twice this morning.
"No, I uh, stopped for, uh, an errand." Sweets said walking slowly into the room trying to hide his irritation at his situation. "What can I help you with Agent Booth?"
"What's with you Sweets? We've got a case and you're hardly paying attention and don't seem interested in this case. If you want off this case tell me and I'll reassign it to myself as lead." Booth nearly shouted.
"No!" Sweets said thinking of all the ramifications, the danger it would cause. He knew he needed to switch gears quickly. "No, you're right, I haven't been very focused. I apologize."
"I don't need apologies Sweets." Booth said as his voice began to soften. "I need for you to focus on this, look this could do a lot for your career if you really want to be involved in cases at the next level."
"I do, you're right I do." Sweets said glad to be at his chair. He wanted to sit down very casually but mostly he wanted to just start screaming at the pain. He decided to move slowly and hope Booth didn't notice. He felt like he was about ready to pass out and that for sure Booth would have noticed.
"What long car ride again?" Booth asked of Sweets slow movements.
He's not as dense as I thought, no that's not nice, I'm just angry, I shouldn't take it out on other people. As bad as I feel I just feel like everyone should notice – maybe I'm better at hiding my pain than even I thought. Actually I suppose I've done it for years, and for years they never noticed then. "No, yeah, no, uh slept crooked last night." Sweets said.
"Look Sweets it just seemed like you wanted this case to be accidental or a suicide. It's clearly murder and if you want to stay on this case you have to get your head in the game." Booth warned.
"You're right Booth. I do, I do need to get my head in the game." Sweets said and shifted in his seat. How do I get him out of here so I can take a bottle of aspirin? "Look, how about I go over all these notes and see what I come up with. Maybe let me know if you hear anything more from the Jeffersonian?"
"Sure Sweets." Booth said heading towards the door. "But you're the lead, they'll be calling you."
Sweets waited until Booth shut the door behind him and let his head fall to the desk. He wanted to cry for the pain and the irritation the case was causing. That's not going to help Lance, you have to get yourself out of this – now think.
Luckily the phone rang and someone else could do so thinking for him.
"Sweets it's Dr. Brennan. I have an ID on the younger victim."
Sweets heard what Dr. Brennan had to say and then went to tell Booth everything she and Angela had found. He was glad the six ibuprofen had gotten him thru the half hour conversation with Booth over the details of Carl Sager's life and untimely death. Booth may have wanted to talk longer but the moment Booth looked away Sweets got up and walked away heading back to his office. It was late and Booth would be needing to go home to his family. Sweets though had no interest in going home, not yet anyway – he had work to do.