It was almost the end of the day and Agent Callie Harris was hiding in Abby's lab. There was no other description. She felt like crap; she was totally exhausted and, if Gibbs caught her lying around at her desk, she'd never hear the end of it.
"So why are you down here again?" Abby asked mischief in her voice.
"What? I can't just come spend time with my favorite Lab Tech Extraordinaire?" Callie replied.
Abby gave her a look that plainly said 'no'.
"Fine. If you must know, I'm hiding from Gibbs."
"Gibbs?" Abby's tone was shocked, "Why would you be hiding from him?"
Callie shrugged, "I don't know, Abs. Sometimes I think because we worked together before, he expects more from me than he does Tim or Tony. It feels like I'm constantly under scrutiny and the least little thing gets me called on the carpet."
"I don't know, Cal, maybe he just thinks that because you're older, you should know better." Abby knew Callie was sometimes sensitive about her age but she had learned how to tease the other agent about it.
"Ha…Ha, very funny," Harris replied, no humor in her tone.
"Lighten up, Harris, you're always so serious." Abby corrected, "Think about it - You've got the best job in the world; you've got the best boss in the world; and, you've got this hot Italian number sleeping with you."
"Abby!"
Abby smiled, "Come on, Callie, admit it. You know he's drop dead gorgeous. What's it like, being with DiNozzo?"
It was Callie's turn to add some mischief, "Now, Abby, you remember one of the things I told the four of you when we first met?"
Abby's face clearly said she didn't. "I never, ever, kiss and tell." Abby smiled as Callie continued, "Now, if you wanted to share notes about relationships and wanted to fill me in on you and the mighty McGee?"
It was Abby's turn to be shocked, "Callie!"
"Harris!" Tony's voice called from the doorway to the lab. Both girls jumped guiltily. Tony saw the startled reaction and then smiled, "Come on, Cal. We caught a case."
"Sure, DiNozzo, right there." Callie replied. Then, turning back to Abby, she gave a quick smile and a fist bump, "Later, Abs."
And she ran to catch Tony as Abby called, "Later, you two!"
Once the elevator doors closed, Tony asked, "So, what were you girls talking about?"
Callie smiled, "None ya, DiNozzo. The charm won't work."
"So, you think I'm charming, then?" He replied incorrigibly.
Callie shook her head as they exited, making their way to the rolling lab where Gibbs and McGee waited. Once inside the truck, the team took off.
"Nice of you to join us, Agent Harris." Gibbs reprimanded.
Ignoring the comment, Callie asked, "What's our call?"
McGee explained from behind Callie, "A missing 8 year old. Didn't make it home from school."
"And that's NCIS' problem, why?" Callie quizzed.
"Because her father is a Navy Commander with top secret clearance in the Pentagon," Tony filled in, "And that makes him and her targets."
"So, we're thinking kidnap? Has there been a ransom?" Callie continued to question.
Gibbs intoned, "Well, gee, Harris, wish we'd thought to ask those questions."
"Yes, sir."
Tony whispered, "We'll find out once we get to the scene."
"How come Callie calls you 'sir' and you never correct her?" McGee asked, not realizing he'd spoken loud enough for anyone to hear.
"Callie's former Navy, Probie. She can't help herself," Tony smiled at her as he replied.
"She does it out of force of habit, McGee, in response to a superior's order or command." Gibbs cut her a sideways glance. "And I gave up trying to break her of that particular habit a long time ago."
Callie just shrugged. She was obviously in the dog house, again, because she hadn't been where Gibbs thought she should be and the guys were content to let her remain that way. Sometimes it was survival of the fittest with Gibbs – if he was on Callie, he wasn't after them.
They pulled into an upscale subdivision where several cars were parked in a driveway. Groups of three and four people were scattered all around in other neighborhood yards. As the team exited the truck, they were met by a tall, handsome Navy commander. Thomas Burkhart was almost thirty years old with black hair, graying slightly at the temple, with crystal blue eyes. His body stilled showed a fit form that could be battle ready on call.
"Special Agent Gibbs?" Commander Thomas Burkhart asked.
"That's me," Gibbs replied, extending his hand in greeting.
"I'm Commander Thomas Burkhart. It's my daughter, Lisa, who's missing," he replied, returning Gibbs' firm handshake.
Turning back to the others, Gibbs continued, "Commander, my team. Special Agents Tony DiNozzo, Tim McGee and Callie Harris." Each of them nodded as introduced.
"So, sir, why don't you tell me what Lisa's normal routine is," Gibbs began, pulling a pad from his back pocket.
"She rides the bus to and from school every day. The bus stop is at the end of the street," the Commander began explaining.
Tony nodded as he got a look from Gibbs. Grabbing his camera and pad, he made his way back to the bus stop to begin his search.
"Lisa, along with two other girls here in the subdivision all walk together and then go to one or the other of their homes to wait for parents. Nearly everyone in this neighborhood is a Pentagon family, Agent Gibbs. We all watch out for the other." The Commander's tone implied no one here would do harm.
Callie interjected, "Are those the two girls, Commander?" Pointing to a table on a porch next door to the Commander's home, two girls around 8 or 9 appeared to be coloring and taking no interest in the proceedings.
"Yes, Agent Harris, that's them." He confirmed.
Callie nodded her thanks and made her way to join the kids.
"So, Commander, I have to ask," Gibbs spoke again quietly, "Are you working on anything that would make you or your family a target?"
This was the question that Commander Burkhart had been pondering ever since his wife's call, "Agent Gibbs, I truly don't know. I don't think so but my files are an open book to you. Tell me what you need."
McGee spoke for the first time, "We would have to have security clearance and access codes to review your information, Commander."
"Not if I give them to you, Agent McGee," The commander's tone spoke of his determination to find his daughter at all costs. He would deal with the consequences.
"Thank you, Commander," Gibbs patted the younger man on the shoulder; "Agent McGee here will go with you and begin reviewing that information."
The Commander nodded as Tim grabbed his laptop. He would backup all the Commander's files and, at the same time, McGee would load a Trojan horse program that would enable NCIS to track any type of unauthorized access to the Commander's systems.
"One more thing, Commander. Is your wife up to a few questions?" Gibbs looked up to the Navy officer from where he had been writing on his note pad.
"Certainly, Agent Gibbs. Right this way," And the Commander led Gibbs and McGee to where his wife was sitting on the porch, surrounded by friends. "Tish, this is Special Agent Gibbs. He's leading the search for Lisa."
Tish Burkhart was a petite, blue eyed blonde. The kind that Anthony DiNozzo would normally be tripping over himself to interview. Gibbs had to give Callie marks on that – Tony's Don Juan attitude had certainly curbed.
As the Agents had approached, the supporters for Ms. Burkhart had drifted away, leaving the young mother alone on a patio-style couch. Sparing a quick glance for his wife, the Commander led Tim into the house, giving Gibbs time alone.
"So, Agent Gibbs," Tish said through a tear-stained face, "What can I help with?"
"Just a few quick questions, Ms. Burkhart…"
"Tish, please? Ms. Burkhart's my mother-in-law," she smiled.
Gibbs smiled back, "Alright, Tish. What's Lisa's normal school day routine?" Deliberately asking the same question he had asked the commander, Gibbs wanted to see if their stories differentiated in any way.
Clearing her throat and taking a breath, Tish began, "Normally, she rides the bus to and from school and walks home with Macy and Riley, the other two girls her age that live in the subdivision. Most of the time, she comes straight home."
"Why not today?" Gibbs asked politely.
"I'm a diagnostician for the Fairfax County School District. Three to four times a month, I have to work until 4:30pm testing at-risk children. Today was one of those days."
"And on those days? What would Lisa usually do?"
"She knows to go home with either Macy or Riley. She gets to stay and play and then she knows to be here at the house by 5:30pm. No later. When she wasn't here by 6pm tonight, that's how we knew there was a problem."
"Tish, is it possible that Lisa's testing her boundaries?"
The mom gave Gibbs a knowing smile, "You have children, then, Agent Gibbs?"
Gibbs always hesitated when asked this question. He never liked to say he'd had a child because that caused people to react more sympathetically than he cared for. To answer, yes he had kids, implying they were still alive, also sometimes created issues. In this case, he went for the affirmative.
"I do, Tish. I know how they can be sometimes."
She nodded, "Well, Lisa's still a bit young or maybe Thomas and I still have our bluff in, but, no I don't think this is willful disobedience on her part."
"And no disagreements of any kind?" Gibbs continued to question.
"No, no temper tantrums or anything of late." And Tish Burkhart let a small sob escape.
Pushing forward, Gibbs asked, "So what was Lisa wearing today?"
"Blue jeans with a white t-shirt and pink sweater. She had on pink and white sneakers and a big pink and white bow in her hair."
"Tish, I need to ask you for two more things." Gibbs tone was very serious and he was finding it hard to make eye contact.
"Yes, Agent Gibbs?"
"I need something that Lisa wore recently. Maybe her pajama top? It would have her scent if we needed it for rescue dogs."
Mrs. Burkhart nodded, "Of course, Agent Gibbs. That makes perfect sense. I should have thought of that." She started to get up and run inside the house but Gibbs stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm.
"The other thing?" Gibbs started, "I need something with her DNA. A hairbrush or toothbrush?"
"But why would you…" And she trailed off, realizing what the Agent was asking for. Tish nodded bravely, "Of course, Agent Gibbs. I understand."
She paused before entering the house, turning to look at the older agent, tears glistening. "You will find her, won't you, Agent Gibbs?"
Gibbs closed his notebook and looked at the mother who was trying desperately not to lose total control, "Mrs. Burkhart, you have my word. My team and I will definitely find your daughter."
"Thank you, Agent Gibbs. Thank you." And Gibbs patted her on the shoulder as she passed him, entering her home to gather the things the agent had requested.