The Face with Two Skeletons

by: Tropicwhale

disclaimer: Not my intellectual property except the intellectual property that is my ideas…like the plot points…if you are going to use them…let me know…I would like to know.

Author Talk: So about a year to when I last updated...sorry? At least I came back? I was lost at sea? Yeah. That's it. I was lost at sea...of papers. I GRADUATED COLLEGE! And made the Dean's list. I got to tell you...I'm a nerd and a freak. I've suffered from anxiety and depression and had straight D's throughout grade school. By every right, I shouldn't have beat the odds that I did. I should have been a statistic. But, if I can do it...in the last few weeks I've been called hot by a gorgeous guy and cool by a respected friend and was offered a job and am negotiating a possible internship at a puppetry theatre company (I had to email and ask about interning, it wasn't offered up on the website) in New York City. Now if only I can get my bloody room cleaned! None of it would have been possible if I hadn't been writing fanfiction and if complete strangers, that's you my little cashews, hadn't given me the confidence to keep going. It's only fitting, that in this next stage of my life I keep writing slash. Thank you.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Booth bounded into the lab and up the stairs, swiped his card, and said "Sorry, I had car trouble." Cam looked up, blinked and said

"Mm, so did Mr. Bray." Wendell looked up from the remains of Anne Zerbrowski.

"Must be something in the air" He said and immediately went back to what he was doing.

"My start plug was bad, Cam. I had to change it out."

"Seeley…we used to date. Please don't insult my intelligence. You don't even have grease under your nails." Before Seeley could reply to that statement Brennan hurried up the steps.

"Sorry, I had car trouble. Something about my start plug. I had to take a cab in." She was pulling on gloves and approaching the remains when Hodgins and Angela rushed in. "Have you discovered anything new about the remains, Mr. Bray?"

"No, not really. I just got started." Cam glared at Angela and Hodgins as they made their way up the stairs of the platform.

"Let me guess…car trouble?" Cam crossed her arms.

"Yep." Hodgins offered up that cocky innocent grin of his.

"It wouldn't start." Angela added.

"Is everyone having car trouble but me?" Cam threw her hands into the air.

"Definitely something in the air." Wendell reiterated. Temperance was confused.

"I really did have car trouble. Is the term 'car trouble' being used as a code for something I should be aware of?"

"No, Bones. Don't worry about it." Cam and Hodgins each gave Booth a look. Cam smiled and quickly looked away, approaching Wendell who was looking over Anne's skeleton for more clues. Hodgins glared at Booth as the federal agent talked in undertones to Bones. He ran his left hand through his hair and descended the steps to examine Olivia's trapezium bone. He pulled up a copy of her files from when she was inducted into Limbo on one of his computer screens. He placed the bone under an electric microscope that identified and categorized the particulate evidence into another hard drive. So many weeks working on this case and Hodgins had placed every single bone going under this very microscope and found not a single bit of useful particulate evidence. The twins' bones were almost too clean. Even Gormogon's victims had residue of the water that the bones were boiled in. That's it. The bones were boiled in distilled water that had been salted.

"Brennan! Booth!" The pair rushed over as did Cam. "The bones were boiled in salt water that was pre-distilled."

"So?" The fed asked. Hodgins rolled his eyes.

"So, it goes a long way in explaining why we haven't found anything as far as where the women were killed." Brennan explained. Booth froze. "Whoever debridled the skeletons had training in forensic sciences. Possibly forensic anthropology." Cam exchanged looks with Booth. "I hate to say it but it points to-"

"Don't say it." Booth said quickly.

"Booth, I hate to say but the evidence suggests-"

"No. There has to be another explanation. He was in Iraq when Olivia was murdered and he was with Zerbrowski around the time that Anne was killed. He alibis out. Hell, you have a whole class of graduate students that could strip the flesh from bone. Easily. Zack's innocent."

"Seeley, I'm right there with you. I don't want it to be Zack. If it was Zack, it'd break my heart but we have to consider the evidence. Perhaps he had a partner. He did have reason to want both women dead. After all one was the wife of his lover and the other was the mother of his slain first love." Cam said. Booth shook his head.

"If that were true why didn't he take the chance to kill Olivia when they both lived in Michigan? Why not kill Hector? And when did she move back to Alabama? We need to check records of any flights Zack took to either location." Angela had wandered over and put in her input.

"If he had a partner then there wouldn't be any flight records." Brennan said.

"But who would be willing to kill for Zack?" Hodgins asked.

"I would. You would. Cam definitely would." Angela put in.

"In a heart beat." Camile stated quietly.

"Robbie." Booth said. "Robbie would kill for Zack. He's army trained and hangs out with a forensic anthropologist, a chemical biology major and an EMT. He'd have an alibi and means to commit both murders. And cover them both up." Seeley paused, realizing what he just said. "Okay, that's enough. We are panicking because we have absolutely no evidence. We need to interview the Copperheads and anyone who last saw the twins. We have to figure out what Olivia and Anne were last seen doing; when each murder could have taken place and what happened in the interim. Where were the bodies kept before they came to us? Why were Olivia's remains returned to Hector and Anne's remains tossed out like garbage? We need to talk to that Santi guy about which dumpster he found Anne in and canvas the area. We need to narrow down the places where these women could have been killed. We've been snagged on this case for weeks because it revolves around one of our own, around Zack. It's making us sloppy. We still have two dead women and at least one or more murderer on the loose. Maybe the sisters met and one of them had an enemy we haven't found. If it is Zack or anyone that would kill for him we have to be sure. We can't afford to jump to any conclusions with this one." Booth started to walk out.

"Boot-" He turned on his heel and started to walk backwards.

"Come on, Bones. We've a lot of people to interview today."

"See if you can find any tissue samples." Cam said. "That would help a lot." Seeley saluted her and pulled Brennan out of the Jeffersonian.

The first place they stopped at was Robbie's house. Vivian answered the door. Booth flashed his badge this time. She opened the door wider and Brennan was introduced to Mrs. Ackhart. Vivian asked about the official visit. Brennan beat Booth to the punch and they were kicked out of the house. Booth got into the federally commissioned SUV and punched the wheel.

"Sorry. I didn't know that would happen."

"I should have warned you about her. She's very protective over both Zack and her husband."

"Then she could have been involved in the murders. We could bring her in on impeding a federal investigation." Booth leaned back against the headrest and growled then placed the car into drive.

"Yeah. All I really need to do is talk to Zack and get Robbie's cell number. He wants to help anyway he can. He gave me the number to his grandfather so I could call him to ask about Ms. Sarah Seville."

"Anything we can use?"

"He said that Olivia managed to track down her biological family but he blackballed her. She got no where near Sarah Seville."

"What's interesting is that her son and Zack had a relationship. They were fourth cousins. It was vaguely incestuous and goes a long way in explaining..."

"In explaining why her husband went postal on their son. Knowing that your son was having sex not only with a boy but with a member of the family? Drive any good ol' boy up the wall. It's weird the way these cases keep-"

"Circling Zack? Not to mention his apartment blowing up...how does that fit in with the murders?"

"I have no idea...it's almost like he's a target or the eye of the storm."

"This is an incredibly frustrating case." Brennan exhaled and rubbed her temple with a forefinger while resting her thumb on her chin.

"Yeah, no kidding."

"What's next?"

"Talk to Anne's massage therapist lover. He's working today."

"TO THE DAY SPA!" Booth glanced over at his partner. She had punched the air and held the pose. "No?" Booth shook his head. Brennan lowered her arm and brushed her hair out of her face.

An hour later they were safely ensconced in the manager's office of Maison De Recommencement with Jared Jensen, nickname J.J. and number 34 of the Georgetown Devils. JJ had turned a visitor's chair at the desk around to face the soft blue couch that Brennan and Booth had sat on. Even in the crisp white uniform of the spa he expounded the energy of an arrogant alpha athlete.

"Didn't we already go through this? I had a lot of affairs with my clients. They know what they like." He smiled at Brennan who was unaffected.

"We checked with your clients and your assistant. You only had an affair with Anne Zerbrowski." Brennan stated. "In fact one of your clients described the idea of sleeping with her masseuse to be repugnant."

"She was the only one to state that out loud, Bones."

"You think that the other women held the same idea?"

"Rich women, moneyed, with respected husbands. They might sleep around with the gardener or chauffeur but the male masseuse who touches dozens of women a day? That's not special. That's just being one of the crowd. They might flirt a little but if he ever made an overture they'd have his hide and his job." Booth didn't lose eye contact with the Devil. "You play on the Devils, don't you? Saw the Copperheads game a few weeks back."

"They should have been fouled for that end shot. It wasn't legal."

"And you tripping 17 and yelling 'shoot' when the kid took his foul shot was pure fair play." Booth said.

"You're a Copperheads fan."

"17 is her assistant." Booth stuck his thumb in Brennan's direction. JJ leaned back and crossed his ankle over his knee.

"I didn't know federal agents got assistants."

"I'm not a federal agent. I'm a forensic anthropologist."

"And a New York Times Best Selling Author." Booth said proudly.

"I thought you were too pretty to be a fed. Have you ever had a personal massage by a professional masseuse?" Booth suddenly desired a shower with a Brillopad.

"Now ask me what a forensic anthropologist does." Sometimes Booth really loved having a smart partner."

"Oookay. What does a forensic anthropologist do?"

"I identify skeletal remains."

"Skeletal remains?" JJ looked shocked.

"Sometime they're still juicy. With tissue still attached." Booth added. "Anne Zerbrowski didn't have that luxury. She was just a skeleton." JJ shifted. "We need to ask you again…when did you last see Mrs. Zerbrowski?"

"We should probably tell you that you are a suspect." Brennan added. "After all, jealousy definitely has played a part in our investigations before." JJ ran his hand over his face.

"Then maybe you should look at James Zerbrowski. After all, he and your little assistant were making out before the game started…or do you not remember that, Agent Booth?"

"We were aware that Zack and Zerbrowski were having an affair and we're investigating that line of inquiry. When was the last time you saw Anne Zerbrowski?" Booth brushed away the comment.

"The seventh of May. She was suppose to stay here for three weeks but left early."

"Why? Did you talk about it?"

"I confronted her about her husband's affair the day before."

"And what was her reaction?"

"She left the next day."

"That's it? She didn't seem to be angry or in shock?"

"Nope."

"How did you know about her husband's affair?"

"Didn't I just tell you? They were making out at the game."

"That game was on the tenth." Brennan said. Booth looked at her. "I was looking at my calendar when I was on the phone with you. Remember, I called you the Saturday before Anne's body was found and you were on your way to the basketball game. We were talking about it Monday when Zack identified Anne's picture."

"That's right." Booth turned back to JJ. "Caught you in a lie. This is the second time you've lied to me. I should remind you that lying to a federal officer is a felony….it's also impeding my investigation-"

"Which is also a felony." Brennan interjected.

"Not to mention pissing me off. You lie to me again and you'll find yourself being delivered your Miranda rights and in a holding cell by dusk."

"Now how about the truth." Brennan pointed threateningly at JJ. Booth furrowed his brow and looked at her. She looked at him and at JJ looking at her like a loon. She lowered her finger and straightened up. "Sorry. I got carried away." She cleared her throat and Booth just had to smile at his quirky partner.

"Mr. Jensen, how did you find out about Zack and James Zerbrowski's affair and why did you decide to tell Anne?" JJ straightened. He had been out alpha-ed and he knew it.

"She was rich. Did you know that?"

"Yes."

"She…she was a little bit older than I am."

"She was a cougar." Brennan looked at Booth for an explanation "An older woman who only dates much younger men." Brennan nodded slowly to show she understood. "And you thought by showing her that she was stuck in a loveless marriage she would leave James for you and you'd be set for life."

"Yeah."

"So how did you find out about James and Zack?" JJ shifted in his seat. "Mr. Jensen?"

"I was emailed pictures of them having sex. The email suggested that perhaps Anne would like to know that her husband was a lying homosexual scum bag."

"Did you save the email address?"

"It was from one of those fifteen minute email sites."

"Did you save the email with the sex pictures on it?" JJ nodded. "I would like a copy of it." Booth pointed at the computer at the desk.

"I don't…only the manager has the password to that computer." Booth stood and left the room, returning a few minutes later with the manager. The manager was a red-headed bombshell of a woman who was very helpful toward Booth's requests. He didn't really take notice, choosing instead to focus on her turning on the computer and JJ accessing his personal account. Booth borrowed a pen and a piece of paper and wrote down the email address and forwarded the email to his work account for his files, the tech squints at the FBI to trace the email, and Brennan's account as well.

"Bones, I'm sending this to you as well as a back up."

"Okay." Booth flinched at the five high resolution pictures of Zack and Zerbrowski having sex in various positions. "Are you okay, Booth?" Seeley thought fast.

"More of Mr. Dr. Zack Addy than I ever wanted to see. Not to mention James Zerbrowski. I hate when we come across sex pictures. I really don't care what you do in the bedroom but I really don't want to see photographic evidence of it." The bombshell manager was looking over his shoulder. She tilted her head.

"I didn't know that position was possible." She laughed and touched Booth on the arm. "You ever try it?"

"Ma'am, not while I'm on the job." She pulled back her arm like she was burned.

"Sorry."

"That's fine. We're done here. Come on, Bones. Mr. Jensen, we'll be in touch." Brennan stood and they left.

Once they were in the car and about fifteen minutes away Brennan turned to Booth "What was that?"

"What was what?" Booth's eyes never left the road.

"The poor girl clearly was attracted to you and I've never seen you shut down someone like that ever. Except someone we were absolutely sure was the murderer. What is going on with you?"

"I-she…I was looking at a picture of Zack in missionary position with Zerbrowski."

"The missionary position is one of the most commonly used sexual positions. If she was at all sexually active she would have engaged in it at some point."

"I know that, Bones."

"So you reacting unfavorably toward her-"

"Bones, we need to figure out who sent Jared Jensen those pictures."

"They were clearly trying to get the Zerbrowski's to break up."

"And before it came to fruition they kill Anne? And what about Olivia?"

"Are we sure the two murders are connected? The only things they have in common were a connection to Zack, killed in the same way and debridled the same way."

"Too much connection to be coincidence, Bones."

"Yes. But we should look at them as separate cases. Look at each woman individually and any connection they have should be apparent in any overlap of the cases." Booth exhaled. "You were right this morning. We have been all caught up in the fact that Zack knew both victims and he was almost blown up, held at gun point, and had something to gain from these murders. We need to look at this logically. Anne Zerbrowski was suppose to stay at the spa for three weeks, she stayed for three days, leaving after her lover showed her pictures of her husband in sexual congress with another man."

"After which she disappeared, her bones being discovered in a dumpster at a state college and turned into a thesis which was called in Monday."

"There is a discrepancy in Micheal Santi's story in that he said he was working on the sculpture all semester." Bones pointed out.

"He could have been drawing sketches and those wings had to take some work. How quickly does that paint rust?"

"Hodgins got a sample of it and he and Angela found that it rusts fairly quickly, a few days in wet weather."

"It had rained that Sunday into early Monday morning."

"It had waaay too much rust on it for just a day, Bones."

"Perhaps Santi rusted the bolts and the wings before he added the bones? Also, if he placed the entire sculpture into a kiln the glaze would have protected the bones but would have dried out the metal."

"Jumpstarting the oxidation process."

"Correct. Hodgins also said that the paint had high qualities of copper and iron filings in it. Each filing rusts on an individual scale."

"So it's possible that he could have gotten the job done in a few days."

"Yes. When I was in college I remember working for whole weekends with very little sleep or breaks toward the end of the semester. Also, the removing the flesh from bone by process of boiling takes only a few hours."

"So sometime between Wednesday and Friday Anne was abducted, shot in the chest with a shot gun using birdshot at close range, her bones stripped and dumped into the dumpster at the college."

"The spa is halfway between the dumping spot and her home." Brennan said.

"So what if she drove that direction instead of toward her cheating husband."

"What's in that area for her though? She doesn't have any family left. No one to console her or council her in a time of personal crisis; her entire life was in the other direction." Booth glanced over at her.

"Bones, her parents are buried about five miles north of that university. She went to visit them and think. I bet you we will find her car at the cemetery." He turned the car around at the nearest stop light and drove in the direction of the university. He called forensics to meet them there. "Okay. Now that that's done more or less finished….Olivia."

"Olivia was a fugitive. On the run and had made a life as a homemaker wife to a sheriff."

"She disappeared and her bones returned to her husband. Hector panicked and forged papers saying she was a half a century old Jane Doe and sent it to the nearest university."

"Why were her bones returned to her family and Anne's were dumped out?"

"Olivia died first…and then the killer came to DC where they saw a woman bearing a resemblance to her twin sister, the killer panicked and murdered her a second time."

"So we might be dealing with a serial killer?"

"Nah, a serial killer would be more organized than this. Why would someone want to kill Olivia Oscarman?"

"Or Olivia Riley."

"That makes sense."

"Huh?"

"Someone kills the sheriff's wife and moves seven hundred miles away, to get out of dodge."

"I would have left the country."

"They had something in DC. Something worth coming here for."

"Yes but what?"

Author After Talk: So, I figured out what the external plot of the sequel to "The Face with Two Skeletons" entitled "The Squint in the Affair". Playing soon.

Tropic