-Venus POV-
Temp, Booth, and I had went to a crime scene at a prison. The Warden is escorting us as Temp is walking next to Booth left as I was also walking on her left side. Booth then asks the Warden, "Hey, where'd the fire start?" "Not sure yet. It spread through the ducting, though." I nod as Temp yawns. Booth and I look at her as I chuckle and Booth says, "Maybe you'd something a little bit more exciting, huh? Like Attica." "Our neighbors are renovating their apartment. One of the workmen left his radio on. Hip-hop is not conducive to sleep. I don't know who Ven sleep through it." "Oh... I didn't, I just used the time to do some paperwork that I brought from work and now I am three weeks ahead of schedule." "Are you not tired Blueberry?" "Yes... But you just can't tell right now."
We are walking as inmates from right next to me have their hands out and saying, "Hey! Can you get me out of here?" and other stuff as well. Temp then asks, "Whoa, are you allowed to put that many men in one cell?" I shrug as Booth says, "Let's cut the warden a little slack, okay, Bones? There was a riot." The warden then says, "The cell doors open automatically in a fire. The guards had to subdue the inmates so the firefighters could do their jobs.
I nod as I didn't put that much attention to the inmates as one of them grab me by the arm and I was pulled back. I yelped a bit as they all turn around and Booth grabs me saying, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa." He then pulls me to the right side of him. "You stay close. Okay?" "Yes..." "Bone come over to the other side of me too." Temp listened and stood right next to me as Booth continues, "A lot of these animals haven't seen a real woman since Reagan was president." "Okay."
We arrived as the Warden says, "Body's in here." Booth then asks, "Okay, you're sure this is Howard Epps?" "This is his cell." I start walking up to the body as Temp asks, "Why not keep him on death row?" "We don't have one. He was transferred to Bayview so he could be closer to the courthouse for his trial." I bend and start examining while Temp gets ready, "The victim is male. Approximately 30 years of age." Temp then comes over, "He matches Epps' general size and build. Contortion indicates a painful death." Booth then says, "Well, after killing four teenage girls that we know about- it just what the doctor ordered." I then add, "It looks like someone threw accelerant on him, lit him on fire."
Booth then asks, "Hey, look, any idea who would want him dead?" "All the inmates hated him. Once the fire started, it was chaos. Could have been anyone. I see something as I go through it and call out Booth, "Ranger?" "Yeah?" "This is the wrist I broke." "So?" "This break is fresh." "So, bones- they break in a fire, right?" "Yes, but... there's no sign of a prior break. This man's wrist was slammed against a hard edge within the last few hours." "Who, what are you saying?" Temp then says, "This is not Howard Epps." The Warden then says, "That's impossible." Booth then says, "Okay, look, all your prisoners- are they accounted for?" "They are if this is Epps." "What about the guards?" "They've all reported in."
Temp then finds something, "Whoa..." "What now, 'whoa'?" "The dye from the tattoo survived the fire. DC Fire Department. He was a firefighter." Booth then says, "So you're saying that the fireman comes in to save Epps, but Epps kills him, takes his uniform, sets him on fire." I nod and say, "And walks right out the front door." The Warden then says, "Son of a bitch." Booth then says, "Lock this place down now." He starts dialing as the warden yells, "I want this whole block locked down." "Yeah, it's Booth. Listen, I need you to close off a 30-miles radius of the Bayview Federal Penitentiary. Howard Epps escaped." Temp and I look at each other a bit distressed.
We are in Booths office talking to Epps wife as she says, "I'm no longer involved in Howard's life." Booth then says, "That's hard to believe, being his wife and all." "Ex-wife. The judge signed my divorce papers last month." "Why didn't work out exactly? Was it a lack of quality time or all of the women he bludgeoned to death?" "I thought I could help Howard, but he used me. I haven't had any contact with him in over six months." "Well, I'd like to place you in protective custody, until we find him." "That won't be necessary." Temp then speaks, "Mrs. Epps, the women in Howard's life don't tend to live very long." "I appreciate your concern, Dr. Brennan, but I've changed jobs, apartments." Booth then says, "We... found you. Hey, Howard could, too." "I have a new life... and a new boyfriend. Raymond's a good man. If we found out..."
I then say, "We all have secrets in our past, Mrs. Epps. Not exactly like yours, but you shouldn't risk your life just because you're embarrassed to tell your boyfriend the truth." "Howard's interest is in young blond girls. I'm not even his type. But somehow, you're an exception to his type Dr. Venus." I stayed silent as Booth says, "If he contacts you..." She stands up, "I'll call." she leaves out the door as I sighed and Temp says, "What..? You can't let her go. She's not safe." Well, I can't force her to take protection, all right? I'll have the local police, you know, drive by her house every couple hours, and make sure she's safe. And you know what, you both are not safe either, especially you Blueberry."
I look at him, "Huh?" Temp then says, "But were not unhinged. We can take care of ourselves. Especially Venus." "You and Epps have something small. You're everything that he hates. But Blueberry and Epps- okay, it's personal. He is somehow intrigued by her." "What is it exactly?" "Well, you know, you're both smart, strong, confident women. And, uh, figured him out, you both made him feel powerless. So he's going to want to, uh, prove that, uh, you're weak and inferior. So, neither of you are going to out on your own ever." I then say, "That's not fair, you soften up on us, so we couldn't say anything against you." "Did it work?" "...Yes..." He smiles in victory as I crossed my arms and lay back on the chair.
We are back in the lab as Temp was able to walk around freely in the lab without Booth as she wasn't as much in danger as I. I had to stick by Booth the whole time. We walked over to Cams office as we greeted her. She then asks, "Hey, did the wife give you anything?" I sigh as Booth says, "Oh... chills. Look, I need you to double security here at the lab." I give her a list that I compromised of security guards that are trustable as she looks at it and says, "You think Epps is going to come after Brennan and our Boss?" "I can't rule anything out when it comes to Epps." She nods, "I will take care of it." "Look, I-I don't want you to be alone, either." Cam looks at me trying to say make a point that I was here. I chuckle, "Don't mind me Cam, I already knew since day one... but I will try to give you as much privacy as I can without going to far from Rangers eyesight." I kept on walking until Booth said stop and I waited there.
I was able to make a deal with Booth regarding that if I give Cam more lists of things that she could use to double the security and stay right next to Temp then I could go around the lab without him. So I am in Temps office with Angie as she says, "The burn victim is Donald Kent, a decorated firefighter." Temp then says, "Epps would appreciate the irony." "You know, Kent was still alive when he was set on fire. How many victims does that make?" I then say, "Seven... that we know of. And they aren't just young blonde woman anymore."
I shake my head, "No, they aren't." "He's such a monster. He's killed from behind bars and new victims keep turning up, and now he's out." We could see Angie is scared as Temp says, "We will find him, Ange. We're ready this time." "I'm not. Look, I have some sick days coming. And I was thinking that since Epps makes me sick, that..." "We need you, Ange. Hodgins certainly does." "That was low." I chuckle as Temp says, "I know. Did it work?" We see that she smiles and then she asks, "How do you deal with fear?" I was about to say something as Temp suddenly says, "I... have this." We see her take out her bag and take out a big revolver as I looked at her with wide eyes and Angie says, "Oh, my God. That... that thing is huge. Whoa, wow. That's like movie hug."
I then say, "How long have you been carrying that?" Angie and I are looking at it as Temp shows it off as Booth come's in scaring all three of us, "Where the hell did you get that? Did you give it to her Blueberry?" I shake my head as Temp says, "The mall." Booth and I say at the same time, "The mall?" "Yeah, it's pretty big, right? Bigger than the one you have." Angie and I chuckle at their conversation as Booth say, "Excuse me, it's not the size that matters, it's how you use it." "Well, I think size is pretty important." "The point is that you shouldn't have a gun in the first place." Angie then adds, "If you do have one, bigger is always better." I nod as Booth looks at us, "You both aren't helping."
I then say, "Right, yeah, this does seem like a private conversation right Angie?" "Yes, your right. Angie and I were leaving as Booth grabs my collar making me stop as he says to Temp, "Okay, you know, people see you with that, the next thing you know everyone in this place is going to start packing." I was trying to get out of his grip as Temp says, "This is America- get used to it." I chuckle a bit but quickly stop as Booth gave me a look and Temp phones rings. I quickly get to it first as I pick it up, "Brennan's office, this is Dr. Venus how could I help you." "I forgotten how nice it was to breathe fresh air." I signal Booth that it was Epps as he quickly makes a call and I chuckle, "Really? I find it a bit polluted."
"I love how your still optimistic and making jokes." "Thank you. How about we find you and get a bite to eat back at your cell." "We'll see. I can't tell you how nice it is to be out of that stupid orange jumpsuit. I mean, I have a IQ of 180, for God's sake, and they had me dressed like a pumpkin." "I thought it suited you, plus you did burn a man alive." "Means to an end. Everything is a means to an end, Dr. Venus." "I could see that you upgraded your focus of victims."
"I felt the need to grow as a human being." "What is it that you want? I mean you wouldn't just call to tell me that the air smells fresh." "Yes. I want you to know that everything that happens from here on in is your fault." "Hmm... I see, shouldn't you at least tell me what's going to happen that will be my fault, Howie?" "I can't answer all your questions. You and your sister should use you're heads, Dr. Venus. Use your head." I then hear the phone drops from the other end and I sigh and end the call.
Booth then says, "Okay, we got it. He's in a pay phone on Water Street and 23rd. I nod and all three of us left to the location. We get there and get out of the car as Booth says to the other agents, "Bus stop. Three different lines. They run through here. I want you to check every bus stop. See any witnesses- you bring them to me." Temp and I went to the telephone Booth as Temp says, "Booth, Epps left us something." She picks it up as he asks, "What is that?" I then say, "We need to check it at the lab."
We are in the lab with Zack as we examined the thing Epps left us. Temp then says, "It's bone." Zack then says, "Shaved down by a rough sandpaper. Hodgins found mica grit." Hodgins walks over to us, "I'll tell you this. If Epps comes near Angela, I'll kill him." Zack then says, "What about the rest of us?" I then say, "Everyone will be okay. Cam and I increased security."
Hodgins then says, "And Brennan has the big gun. Hey, tough to keep that one a secret. Beautiful woman with a weapon? Very 'Guns and Ammo' summer issue." I chuckle as Temp gives Hodgins a look, "I'm going to concentrate on my work now." Zack then says, "Hey, Osteon count places the victim's age as mid-30s. I'll run amelogenin and a nuclear DNA test to get sex and race."
Hodgin types something in and says, "I got the chemical breakdown." We look at it as I say, "The powder in the bone are organic." Hodgin adds, "It's a mixture of cardamom, tamarind and kokum." Zack asks, "Spices?" "Yeah. The bone wasn't cooked. Why would he add spices to it?" I then say, "Epps, enjoys puzzles. The spices are a message." We then hear a scream as we all look at each other as I say, "That was Angie!" We all start running to her. We get there as she says, "Oh, my God." Hodgin then says, "What happened?" I quickly go up to the box Angela pointed at and I see a heart. "It's a heart." Cam then says, "Definitely human, adult. DNA can give us sex."
Zack then says, "He killed two people today." I then say, "That's if this heart's from the same victim as the bone dust." I then put on a glove and grab the letter and open it. "It's the D.C. Sentinel article about the lab. Every line is blacked out except for one. 'Dr. Hodgins called Angela 'The heard of the operation.'" Hodgin then says, "Son of a bitch. You'll have to stay in here, Angela." Angie then asks, "How did this even get in here? I thought that there was security."
I sigh as I take off my glove and grabbed my forehead, "So did Cam and I." Cam then says, "I-I will take care of it." Angie leaves as I say, "Temp... He's coming after me through our friends." Cam then asks, "What?" I sigh, "He told me that whatever happened would be my fault... But that won't stop us either, we just need to make sure nothing else happens. Cam I will leave you in charge with security, so make any adjustments you want that you think will keep the people in this lab safe. And take the heart with you." "Yes, I will get straight on it." I look at Temp, "Call Booth and see if he could trace where this package came from."
She nods as she leaves and I look at Zack, "Continue with the bone dust and see if you could find anything else, okay?" "Yes. I will get right on it." He leaves and I was alone now as I grab bent down and rested my head on my knees, feeling that I could have an episode any minute now. I closed my eyes, "It's okay Ven... you're going to be okay... No need to feel anxious... this is not your fault.... right?" I get up and start walking around making sure everyone is doing their work and I could clear my head a bit.
We are in Cam's workspace as she says to us, "There are cut marks on both sides of the inferior vena cava and connecting arteries. The heart was cut out using shears or scissors." Booth then comes in, "Package was delivered by a bike messenger. He said a man matching Howard Epps description approached him on L Street, paid cash. Temp then says, "He's just playing with us." "Not for long." Hogin comes in as Temp asks, "How's Angela?" "Angry. She insisted on helping me, which worked out well. She realized that the present Epps gave us was a recipe."
Booth then asks, "Wait, the heart?" "No, the ingredients in the vial. After he ground up the bone, Epps mixed it with spices. The cardamom, tamarind and kokam which are all used in making curries." I then say, "Indian food." Booth then adds, "Epps's wife. The last address we had for her was in Little India over curry restaurant." Temp Booth and I quickly leave as we made it to her apartment. Booth sees the door open as he stops us. Booth and I take out our gun as we hear Temps gun. We look at her as Booth says, "You know, I could have the Bureau pull your license." "Yeah, and I could assign Zack as your forensic anthropologist." We then enter as Booth gives me a signal and we start covering each other and look around as Booth says, "Place hasn't been rented since she moved." Temp then says, "You know, it's just not logical. Playing games with us? It's just going to lead us right to him."
We see that it's empty as Temp turns on a switch that does nothing. But then we hear the ice maker whirring as we looked at it. Temp then says, "Wait. If the lights are off, then why is the refrigerator working?" We all looked at each other as Booth says, "Okay, you both just stand back." He checks it out and says, "Well, it's not booby-trapped." We go over to the fridge as he opens it and we see Mrs. Epps head in the freezer.
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DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN "BONES". IT IS OWNED BY JOSEPHSON ENTERTAINMENT, BY HART HANSON. I ONLY CLAIM MY CHARACTER VENUS BRENNAN. I ALSO DON'T OWN ANY OF THE IMAGES. THANK YOU.