DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS
Ducky Learns to Be Observant, Gibbs Style
Chapter 1
Jimmy Palmer, assistant medical examiner watched as his boss, Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard painstakingly examined the body of Lance Corporal William Bennett. It wasn't surprising that he was so thorough, it was one of the reasons Jimmy found it an honor to work beside the older man.
As he searched the wound in the back of the deceased's head, he asked the poor victim how he could possibly be lying on his table in is current state. From the information they had been made aware of the lance corporal was popular, kind and well respected among his colleagues, both his superiors and those lower in rank.
He was responsible and diligent in his duties. When he was on leave, he was both fun to be around and trustworthy.
"Did you by chance instill your trust in someone unworthy of it, dear William?" Ducky mused.
He removed a sliver of evidence and dropped it into the container his assistant held at the ready. It made a barely perceptible clink, before it was sealed and place in an evidence bag. After labeling, dating and signing it, Jimmy put it in a bin with similar bags waiting to be taken to the forensic lab.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs took that moment to appear for the M.E.'s report.
"What ya got, Duck?"
"Well Jethro it appears our young Mr. Bennett was indeed a victim of a homicide," Ducky began.
"Kinda figured that, but thanks for the confirmation. What about details?" he encouraged.
"Based on these findings, I'd say our victim while sitting on the park bench was taken by surprise when he was struck in the back of the head with a narrow edged metal instrument.
"I don't think it was the person he was waiting for," Palmer spoke softly, almost to himself.
"What makes you think he was waiting for someone?" Gibbs queried.
"Did you see that?" he asked pointing at the evidence bags and indicating one in particular
"I see you're observant my dear boy. Not only that, whoever did kill him wasn't after anything on his person. All his belongings, including his wallet with cash and credit cards as well as his personal accessories were undisturbed," his mentor concluded.
"Hmm…" was the only remark as Gibbs took the bin, signing of the chain of evidence form and heading off to see his favorite Goth scientist, Abigail (Abby) Sciuto.
"I have a feeling he knew that all along," Palmer murmured.
"Wouldn't surprise me in the least Mr. Palmer. As a matter of fact it reminds me of one of our first cases…"
TBC