Chapter 18

Scarpini Construction Equipment Storage, Friday at 8:00 am

"Good to see you Sheriff," Vinny Scarpini gave a slight smile as the lawman sat down at a table across from him.

"I won't be a Sheriff much longer. My cover was blown when your guy went and pulled that little stunt. There hasn't been any news on Agent Booth or Dr. Brennan so I'm guessing that they aren't dead as I had hoped," Bosch didn't bother to hide his anger.

"You'll be compensated handsomely for your help. Drysdale's plan would have worked had you not decided to try to kill Agent Booth. Despite all the trouble they have caused, we're smart enough to not bring the weight of the federal government upon us. Murder of a federal agent and his partner carries a heavy sentence. Tampering with a vehicle is a crime both I and Sam could have lived with," Scarpini held his anger down. There was no point in losing his cool now. He'd managed to stay out of sight of the authorities thanks to the expansive network of cronies he had at his disposal. Moving from place to place every day during the wee hours of the morning allowed for him to finally move to the construction equipment storage that sat on the outskirts of town. The authorities had cleared the facility and now no one was looking there for him. After he was done with the Sheriff, he'd be making his way toward the Mexican border in the hidden compartment of a van owned by one of his men who routinely made drug buys across the border. It was tight for a human being but he'd only be in there long enough to get into Mexico. Once there he would be free and could still run his operation from the safety of foreign soil.

"Either way we're stuck here. I'm sure my deputies are combing the entire county for me after missing my call into work this morning," Bosch told him.

"You have served your purpose. I will give you the reward and you will leave here," Scarpini pointed to the door.

"Then we're even? No more working for you or owing you money?" The Sheriff asked.

"We are even my friend. Once you leave here you are a free man. Well free from me but not the law," the mobster clarified his point before Bosch stood from his chair.

"I'd say it was a pleasure doing business with you but considering my current circumstances…" the Sheriff let the sentence hang there before turning and leaving the warehouse. Once Bosch was out of sight, Scarpini nodded to his men. One of them pulled out a remote for a toy car and went to a nearby window. He waited until the car was stopped at the red light down the street.

Bosch turned on the radio and tried to find the news station. He paid little attention to the school bus that pulled up into the curb lane next to him. The children on the bus were talking to their friends or looking around while they wait for the light to change. On the other side of the Sheriff, a semi pulled into the left turning lane, heading for the nearest truck stop for breakfast.

The light changed and they all stepped on the gas to go forward. That's when a massive explosion rocked the vehicles. Windows shattered, throwing glass everywhere, followed by the shrapnel of Sheriff Bosch's car.

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Friday at 9:00 am

"Agent Booth, Dr. Brennan, I'm Agent Tom Hubb and this is Agent Sara Owens. We'll be keeping an eye on you," Tom smiled a big smile.

"Thanks, I really appreciate it," Booth smiled back.

"The police officers outside entered the room earlier and said that they had a crispy critter down at the morgue. Is it possible for me to get a ride down there? I'd like to see what they meant by 'crispy'," the forensic anthropologist wondered.

"I don't know if that is a good idea ma'am. We're worried about your safety," Agent Owens said.

"That may be but if Dr. Riley needs help with identifying the victim, I must offer my assistance," Brennan told them.

"Excuse me, I need to borrow Dr. Brennan," CSI Mendoza cut in as he entered the room. They had been expecting him and she smiled.

"Never mind there is my ride," Brennan smirked.

"Bones…" Booth started to say something but she cut him off.

"I'll be fine Booth. We'll be at the coroner's office." Booth didn't like it but he knew he couldn't stop her.

"Coroner's office?" Oliver was confused.

"I'll explain on the way," Brennan smiled as she grabbed the paperwork the CSI needed for the SPCA. The two were out the door in a matter of moments.

"Looks like she has a mind of her own," Tom chuckled.

"You have no idea," Booth shook his head.

"So you and her…" Tom started to ask but Sara smacked his arm.

"You hate it when people ask about us. Just because they're partners doesn't mean they are having sex," she gave him a look before heading out into the hallway.

"Women," Tom chuckled.

"Good luck," Booth smirked as the agent went back out into the hall. Angela had often said the sexual tension between he and Brennan was so thick he could cut it with a knife and he imagined that the interaction between Tom and Sara was similar.

He grabbed the remote and turned on his television. News of the person who had blown up in the car had spread through Phoenix like wildfire. The semi driver was unhurt but some of the children on the school bus hadn't been so lucky. Out of the thirty kids on the bus, fifteen had been rushed to emergency rooms and so had the bus driver. The remaining students had been treated by paramedics and released.

Somehow, Booth knew the explosion had to be part of their case. Scarpini's men had proven they knew their way around motor vehicles and it wouldn't surprise him if they blew up the poor bastard in the car.

"Morning Agent Booth, I trust you're doing better," the nurse named Lisa entered the room with his medication.

"I'd be better if I'd joined Bones down at the coroner's office," he shook his head.

"I told her to take it easy but it doesn't seem she's ever been one to let physical limitations slow her down," Lisa smiled as she handed him the pills and a glass of water. He laughed and took the pain medication.

"Breakfast will be in shortly and so will the doctor," the nurse told him before leaving the room. Booth grabbed the phone by the bed and then called the Jeffersonian.

Coroner's Office, Friday at 10:00 am

"Dr. Brennan, what a surprise. I'm guessing someone told you about our well done friend," Dr. Riley smiled as the forensic anthropologist entered the room.

"Yes indeed. I was hoping I could assist you," Brennan smiled back and walked over to the autopsy table that held the murder victim.

"I could certainly use the help. I don't get very many cases like these," the coroner explained.

"Any viable DNA left?" She wondered.

"I sent some of the charred skin for testing but it wouldn't hold my breath. The bones need cleaning before I can check for dental records but that might be a stretch as well. We have conflicting witness reports and it seems an accurate description of our guy will have to be proven through tests," Riley said.

"Lets get to work," Brennan grabbed a pair of latex gloves out of the box on the lab tray behind her.

To Be Continued…