BONES AU - PART THREE "The Cannibal in Question"

CHAPTER FIVE

Several days later, Joe found himself at a crime scene. He watched as a car pulled up and Kevin got out.

"Traffic?" Joe asked.

Kevin shrugged. "Dr. Hoying looked a little hurt when I told him you asked me to come out here instead of him."

Joe shook his head. "No, Bones's feelings - they don't get hurt. He's not like you."

Kevin scoffed. "Like me?"

"Yea. Emotional. Like the rest of us. Bones is... well, he's a robot. You're human."

"Yes, a human who, incidentally, makes more money than you." Kevin shot back.

"Touchy."

"What can I say? I'm just a guy with feelings." Kevin shrugged.

"Alright listen, construction crew? They found a body this afternoon. The keyword is body, as in still meaty. Therefore, no need for Dr. Hoying."

Kevin bent down and removed the plastic from the body. "Male, middle-aged."

"Yknow... Bones usually kneels next to the remains..."

"Yes, Joe, I know. But these are new pants, alright? Plus, my bodies are always so much - gushier - than Dr. Hoyings."

Joe shrugged. "Just saying."

Kevin shook his head. "Looks like a stab wound to the middle of the chest. Naked, wrapped in plastic, bite marks to the face and extremities. Looks like rats to me. He might have been knee-capped. Mob thing, maybe?" kevin asked as he picked something up from the body.

Joe shrugged then looked at his hand. "What's that?"

"I dunno... some sorta gemstone?"

They both shrugged at each other.

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At the lab, Kevin, Kirstie and Scott examined the body on the autopsy table.

Kirstie pointed. "This blow to the sternum would have been fatal, dealt by a double edged blade."

"So we know our killer is strong." Kevin nodded. "Based on the rate of decomp, I'd say he's been dead 3 days. Probably dumped Friday night."

Max walked in with the stone on a small tray. "Gemthone is jade, narrowing down the exact typeth now."

Kevin handed him a vial. "Grit from the wounds."

Max smiled and took it. "Grit to you- open bookth to me!"

"The injuries to the knees aren't from baseball bats or bullets." Kirstie said, ignoring the conversation, just like Scott.

"Kirstie is right, the victims patella's were removed surgically." Scott concurred.

Kirsrtie took this as a chance to reignite her and Max's old competition with her arms raised and a wide smile. "QUEEN OF THE LAB!"

Max looked at her, speechless while Scott looked between them both as if they were crazy.

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At Scott's apartment, he dumped his bag on the floor with a sigh and went through the mail. He sat it on the counter when he heard a knock at the door.

"Hello?" He asked as he opened it.

"Hi! Dr. Hoying?" the stranger asked. She looked familiar, he just couldn't figure out where he knew her from.

"Yes...?"

"Amy Hollister. I'm your brother, Koda's, girlfriend."

That's where he knew her from. They had only met once, years ago. ""Oh, yea, of course, c'mon in." he stepped back as she entered. "Would you, uh, like something to drink?"

"No, I'm sorry...I-I don't have a lot of time. Do you know where Koda is?"

Scott shook his head. "Amy, I haven't seen Koda in months."

Amy nodded sadly. "Um... I have 2 little girls, you know and um... the youngest one - that's Haley - she's not doing too good, Cystic Fibrosis."

"Koda mentioned she had lung problems..."

Amy started to well up with tears. "Well, her breathing's real bad. Now her liver- see- she keeps asking for Koda..."

Scott nodded in understanding and went to the counter to give her a note, but hesitated when he sees an envelope with a red spot. "Im, uh... gonna give you the phone number of Dr. Leo Goetz. He's the premier authority on Cystic Fibrosis in the Country." He handed her the card, trying to cover the envelope.

"Oh, I- I cant afford that, Dr. Hoying."

"Oh no, Amy. Um, Leo and I are friends. He'd do it for me as a favor, no charge. I'm going to give him a call, tell him to expect you..." He said as he glanced at the envelope.

Amy didn't notice. "I don't know what to say, Thank you, thank you so much." She smiled.

"And as for Koda? I think you're better off talking to dad." Scott nodded.

As did Amy as she said "I understand. Um, thank you for your time."

Scott closed the door behind her and rushed to the envelope. He opened it and carefully takes it out to find two knee caps, wrapped up in paper.

"Well there's those knees..."

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