Chapter 17

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Friday at 2:00 am

"Bones…" Booth had a grip on her shoulder and shook her lightly. The forensic anthropologist had nodded off while waiting for him to wake up. She opened her eyes slowly and then turned to her partner. A big smile crossed her face.

"Booth," she didn't exactly know what to say but her smile conveyed her thoughts.

"Am I glad to see you're ok," he smiled back at her.

"Well technically I have rib fractures, some deep contusions, and a slight concussion but I'll be ok," she corrected him. His face showed his displeasure and she quickly said,

"But I'm more concerned about what happened to you,"

"I certainly won't be up on my feet dancing for a little while but I'm sure I'll be fine," he smiled again.

"Officer Chambliss gave me some troubling news along with the forensic team's discovery," Brennan said.

"Lay it on me. We have to get whoever did this before we can travel back to D.C.," Booth wasn't about to let whoever tried to kill them go.

"Ah its good to see you two awake," CSI Mendoza entered the room followed by Jamie and Agent Blachura.

"Yes we were very worried," Cary said.

"Well I'd be more worried for the guys who did this when our fellow agents catch up to them," Booth gave her a wink.

"This is true," Agent Blachura smiled.

"I have the paperwork for Champ and Jamie and I have news about your SUV," Oliver cut in and handed the paperwork to the forensic anthropologist.

"Lay it on us," Booth smirked.

"Well first, you won't be getting the insurance money back. Second, both Jamie and I believe that two separate individuals were involved in the incident," the CSI explained.

"I kind of figured on the first one but fill me in on the second," the G-man said.

"As Officer Chambliss told Dr. Brennan, one individual messed with the brakes and then appeared at the crime scene to make sure it looked like you were driving recklessly. Our second individual shot you from across the street at the Burger King which had been shut down due to a kitchen fire," Mendoza told them.

"The Burger King?" Booth was skeptical at that kind of shot.

"Officer Chambliss suspects the Sheriff of shooting you," Brennan said.

"With his military background and the years he spent on the SWAT team, he could pull off the shot and probably would have made a more dangerous one had the car not been unsteady," Jamie filled in.

"Ah," Booth nodded and let them continue.

"The Sheriff is missing and Chambliss has men scouring Phoenix and the surrounding areas for him. The department's forensic accountant teamed up with our forensic accountant and between the two of them, they compared Scarpini's financials with Bosch's. The Sheriff is dirty as the day is long," Agent Blachura shook her head.

"I thought something was going on when he tried to convict those two college kids. Then the location of where they were in relation to the attempts on their lives just bothered me. No way Scarpini found out who they were, what they looked like, and their addresses without help," Booth cursed his stupidity. Had he moved faster maybe the entire accident could have been avoided.

"More importantly, I have agents tracking down the Good Samaritan that "helped" you at the accident scene. His fingerprints were found on the column shifter inside the SUV and one the tampered brake line. They came back to a Sam Drysdale. He's a known associate of Scarpini," Cary explained.

"Well done everyone. Please let me know of any more developments," Booth smiled as he tried to nudge the group out of the room.

"The two agents coming at nine am are Agent Tom Hubb and Agent Sara Owens. I'll forward along your request," Cary winked and then left the room. Jamie, the lab tech, followed her leaving only Oliver left.

"I'll explain to the SPCA the situation. I'm sure they can make sure Champ is well taken care of until you're medically clear," the CSI told them.

"Thank you very much Oliver," Brennan smiled at him. "I'll be done with the paperwork soon."

"Take your time. I'll be back around nine," he smiled and then left them alone. Brennan saw Booth shake his head. His mind was working on the info he'd just been given but there was something else he needed. She noticed while they were talking his eyes kept shifting toward the bathroom door.

"I'll get a nurse," she smiled and got up off her chair.

"Thanks Bones," he smiled back.

To Be Continued…

I know this was a little short but the next chapter will be longer. :)