Chapter 19

Booth's Hospital Room, Saturday at 9:00 am

"Dental records confirm our findings. Our crispy critter is none other than Sheriff Bosch," Dr. Riley explained to the group that had gathered around Agent Booth in his hospital room. The G-man shook his head before Agent Blachura jumped in.

"The lab techs found what appears to be remnants of an explosive underneath the vehicle near the gas tank. They're fairly certain it was remotely detonated otherwise the car would have blown up the first time he turned the ignition or stepped on the gas. Although it's just a theory until they finish sifting through every single piece of the car," she explained.

"So that leaves us with a whole lot of nothing," Officer Chambliss said. His tone did not belie his depressed feelings. The case had just taken a turn for the worse and the only man who could tie everything together was dead.

"Not necessarily. If the Sheriff is dead then there is a good chance Scarpini was behind it. Have all the properties he owns checked again. Run another sweep. This may be our chance to catch him," Booth told them.

"I'll get our guys working with Chambliss's guys and we'll run it again," Cary nodded.

"I'll get APBs out on all Scarpini's known associates. Somebody somewhere knows about what happened yesterday," the Officer's hope renewed the two quickly left the room.

"You think this'll work?" Dr. Riley asked.

"I only hope it does. If not Bones and I are heading back to D.C. without the resolution to this case," Booth gave a slight shrug.

Arizona/Mexico Border Crossing, Saturday at 10:00 am

"Another boring day on the job huh?" Mexican Border Guard Ernesto Hernandez asked his American counterpart, Jason Burnham, as they stood inside the small office at the end of the border crossing station.

"Si Senor," Jason nodded. Both men laughed at their little inside joke. Ernesto's English was better than most of the other guards and Jason's Spanish wasn't that bad either. Between the two of them, they had caught more smugglers than they cared to remember. Originally, Jason's assignment had been temporary as a good will gesture by the American government in aiding Mexico's depleted Border Control. He had been teaching English to the Guards and showing them tricks of the trade he'd learned from his time protecting the United States and Canada border. Now however, it seemed he would be there indefinitely.

"I got a report from your Feds," Ernesto handed him what came out over the fax machine. They were about to start their shift at the far entrance lane and Jason took a look.

"This is a list of vehicles that should not be allowed to cross the border. Apparently any and all travelers are wanted for questioning," he shook his head.

"I'll pass it out and hope our guys don't end up on the wrong end of this. I'm sure your FBI has passed the info to the Federales," his partner told him.

"I certainly hope so. We're going to need to keep sharp out there today," Jason nodded.

"And I was hoping we could watch the football game," Ernesto chuckled. His partner knew there was a big soccer match on today and it was going to start before they got off shift. The two quickly headed out to their post to watch for any of the vehicles or suspects.

A few hours passed and so far nothing. The two were getting bored with the run of the mill border stops and Ernesto yawned.

"Stay awake buddy. Only five more hours to go," Jason smacked his friend's leg.

"You try staying awake after your baby son cried all night long. I dare you," the Mexican gave him a look.

"I bet he sleeps nice for your wife during the day," Jason teased.

"I'm sure Rodrigo gets a lot of sleep during the day," his friend shook his head. A van rolled it's way to the border gate at their terminal.

"Good afternoon sir. What would you be bringing into the United States today?" Jason asked.

"Nothing, just heading for Phoenix to do some business," the man answered. Ernesto poked Jason's leg out of sight of the driver. That was the signal to say something was amiss.

"We'll need to check your vehicle anyway sir. New law about vans," Jason explained.

"Search away," the driver told him. Ernesto got up off his chair and took the man's driver's license while Jason opened the backdoors. Looking at the list, he double-checked the license plate to the list. This van was on it and he waited for Ernesto to come around the back. He saw nothing in the cab and shut the doors as his partner approached.

"This is one of our guys. How do you want to play this?" Jason asked.

"You still got that bag of oregano?" Ernesto wondered.

"I always keep it on me," his partner smirked and walked around to the front of the vehicle while Ernesto went to contact the phone number on the fax.

"I need you to step out of the van sir. We found something that looks like marijuana,"

"Marijuana? I didn't put that there," the driver protested as he exited the vehicle.

"Did you let someone borrow your van sir?" Jason asked as he pulled out his handcuffs and slapped them on.

"Yes," the man answered as he was being led away from the van. Ernesto closed their lane and forced everyone to move to another lane before jumping inside to check the vehicle for anything else that might be stashed away.

To Be Continued…

I'm thinking only one more chapter to go. Possibly an epilogue. Hope you enjoyed this update. :)