Chp. 1
Katherine Patterson sat in her minivan, just one of several dozen parents waiting pickup their children from Todd Lewis Elementary. The man for whom the school was named had been killed during the first gulf war. Katherine reflected on her life as she waited for her son, seven year old Timothy, to come out of the school building. Katherine hadn't always lived in Stillwater. She'd once had a complete different life from the one she lived now, been a completely different person. But then everything had changed and she changed with it. Now, her life was her husband and son. And though she missed old friends, she wouldn't have it any other way. A bell rang, bringing her back to the present and children poured out of the school. Katherine watched the throng as it ebbed and flowed, slowly shrinking. Thirty minutes passed and there were still small knots of children, but as far as could see her son was nowhere to be seen. Fighting growing panic, she pulled out of line and drove to the parking lot, quickly finding a space. Then she grabbed her purse and went inside the school. Katherine made a beeline for her son's class room and found his teacher still there. The woman looked up when Kathy came in. "Mrs. Patterson, did Terry forget something?" the teacher asked smiling.
"Um, no, Ms. Everett, he uh… He…. I didn't see him. I thought he was here with you." Kathy stuttered, fighting her growing panic.
The teacher stood quickly and went to the intercom. "Grace, this is Melissa Everett, in the kindergarten class. I need you to initiate code Adam please."
Only then did Katherine let the panic over take her.
000
The Stillwater PD cruiser was doing 80 mph when the chief of police bothered to look at the speedometer. Deputy Tom Patterson was at the wheel and didn't show any signs of slowing down. The elementary school came into view on their left and only then did Tom hit the breaks. The car slowed to 50 mph, but the rear wheels still skewed when he took a turn. As they reached the front entrance, Tom slammed the parking break on and was out of the car before it even stopped. Kathy heard the car screech to a stop and ran outside, thankful that it was her husband. "Tommy!" She cried, running to him. He opened his arms and hugged her.
"It's alright, Kate. We'll find him."
"We should call them." She said through her tears.
"Alright. Call who and why'd you call her Kate?"
Tom looked at his boss. "Because her real name is Caitlin Todd-Dinozzo. Mine's Anthony Dinozzo. And she wants me to call the agency we used to work for, NCIS."
000
Ohh, Tony and Kate in Stillwater! The plot thickens and it's just the first chapter! Review please.