A/N: Sorry this took so long to get up. I had a bad case of writer's block. I think I have everthing ironed out so enjoy. :)

Chapter 12

Phoenix Police Headquarters, Thursday at 9:00 am

"So what do we have?" Booth rubbed his forehead with his thumb and forefingers. They had just gotten together to straighten everything out but already he could feel a headache coming on. He hadn't slept much and Brennan had been up most of the night conversing with her team. Reggie and the unidentified male had both been shot in the back of the head but Charles Reed had not. He'd been shot in the stomach and was missing the pinky finger on his right hand.

"We have three dead guys, two college students in witness protection, a mobster on the loose, and the guy who shot at one of the college kids is bleeding somewhere," Officer Chambliss told him from his seat in front of the Sheriff's desk. The FBI agent heaved a sigh.

"Thanks," he smirked.

"He was quite accurate," Brennan pointed out.

"Yes well what does that get us? We have an APB out on Vinny and all the hospitals have been alerted for gunshot victims. Honestly that guy could be dead by now too," Bosch was as frustrated as Booth was.

"If I believed in luck, I would have to remind everyone that my team is working on the identity of the skeleton discovered in the sidewalk," the forensic anthropologist had a smirk on her face. That's when her cell phone rang.

"Dang she's good," Chambliss chuckled.

"And she never lets me forget it," Booth gave a laugh. Bosch shook his head and left the room.

"Where's he going?" The G-man asked.

"Probably out for a smoke. He quits and then he starts up again. I think it's the stress of the job," the officer gave a shrug. Booth nodded. The job had its downsides but they were far outweighed by the upsides, at least for him.

"That was Angela. Dental records confirm the victim in the sidewalk was Donald Mandrini and they also confirm that Champ bit Reggie Sanderson's leg. Does Mandrini match any of the records that Agent Blachura dug up?" Brennan wondered. This brought the two men over to the stack of files on the Sheriff's desk.

"How did they run those records so fast?" Chambliss asked.

"Overnight delivery and a two hour time delay. It's eleven am in D.C.," the forensic anthropologist smiled.

"Donald Mandrini. I found the file. He was a gambler who owed Vinny a lot of money," Booth waived the file in the air after he closed it and handed it to Chambliss.

"I remember this guy. He disappeared two years ago around the time Charles Reed opened the third Tax Hut location," he said.

"So Reed was in with Vinny for at least two years and that means he'd do anything Vinny told him to. He was in deep enough that he let Scarpini bury not one but two bodies on his properties," Booth now had a line of thought which Brennan picked up on.

"Which means that when David and Billy Bob found Reggie Sanderson, Charles Reed was in big trouble," she said.

"Very big trouble. If there was any way to link Charles to Reggie then Reggie could be linked to Vinny," Chambliss nodded.

"Why does everyone look so excited?" Sheriff Bosch asked as he walked back into his office.

"There has to be some connection between Charles and Reggie. I want the tax records of both men gone over with a fine tooth comb," Booth told them.

"I'll get our forensic accountant on it," Bosch picked up his desk phone and dialed the number he needed.

Phoenix Forensics Lab, Thursday at 12:30 pm

Brennan walked into the Forensics Lab and was greeted by the receptionist who remembered her from her last visit.

"Dr. Brennan, it's good to see you. Did you want to see CSI Mendoza?" The middle-aged woman smiled.

"Please," the forensic anthropologist smiled back. The receptionist went to the phone and dialed Mendoza's number. Brennan waited a few minutes before the Hispanic man walked out into the hallway. He saw her and smiled. Quickening pace, Mendoza came over to the desk and greeted the forensic anthropologist.

"What brings you back down here Dr. Brennan?" He wondered.

"I received confirmation that Champ had in fact bitten our first victim. His owner is dead and so far no one has come forward to claim his body yet. I know it's been only about eighteen hours since the news broke but…" Brennan trailed off.

"Well we'll hang onto him as long as the coroner's office holds onto the body then he'll go to the SPCA. I've called in a vet to take a look at him tomorrow. I think he's in good enough health that he should be adopted quickly. Champ is quite friendly. That will help too," Mendoza smiled.

"I would like to adopt him if no one comes forward," she told him.

"I'll call up the SPCA and find out what the procedure is. I'm sure once the vet clears Champ, they won't object. You live in D.C. right?" The CSI asked.

"Yes. It would be colder for him up there but I'm sure that he'll enjoy playing in the snow," the forensic anthropologist smiled. Oliver laughed.

"I'm sure he will. I'll give Agent Booth a call when the vet…"

"Oh no," she interrupted him, "please call my cell phone," Brennan then gave him her number and he promised to call her. Then her cell phone rang and she excused herself.

"Bones, the Sheriff got a call from St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. Our second shooter at David Masiello's popped up. The Sheriff is going down there to arrest him and we need to talk to him," her partner explained.

"Ok Booth. I'll be outside for you to pick me up," she said.

"You checking up on Champ?" he wondered.

"Maybe I am," Brennan told him.

"You think we're at the getting a pet stage?" Booth asked.

"Well I think it might be a good way to prepare for offspring," there was no joking tone. The FBI agent didn't say anything before he heard the phone click. The call disconnected, Booth shook his head. She never failed to surprise him. They would have to talk later.

To Be Continued…