Gibbs stared at the scene, scowling. On the surface, it looked cut and dried--cop responded to a call, walked in on a... rape, and defended himself against the perpetrator. But his gut was telling him that there was more to it. For one, the chains attached to the bed weren't new, and he would be willing to bet money that forensics would find that the victim wasn't the first woman to have been violated in such a manner on the bed. Also, in another part of the warehouse, there were metal loops bolted into the wall that matched perfectly with the neck manacle chain. And why had the cop come in alone?
"Gibbs?" Kate's voice interrupted his musings.
He glanced over. "Yeah, Kate?"
"I've finished with the sketches, and McGee's just about done taking pictures. Is there anything else you want us to do before we box up everything to send to Abby?"
"No, I think we're about done here. We need to talk to the victim and the cop... Detective DiNozzo, was it?"
Kate smirked. He knew damn well it was. "We still don't know anything about the victim except that her first name is Alison." She frowned as she looked over her notes. "It seems that the only person she's said a word to is Detective DiNozzo."
Gibbs arched a brow. That was interesting. And troubling. "Sounds like it's time we had a word with the detective." Turning, he easily located his other agent. "McGee, get everything crated up and sent to Abby. Kate, you're with me." Without looking back, he strode out of the warehouse, Kate right behind him.
--Local law enforcement was never happy to give up jurisdiction to NCIS, but Captain Parnell of the Baltimore PD was more hostile than most. Gibbs let the man bluster for a few minutes, to get it out of his system, and then he put down his empty coffee cup and stood up. "This is now an NCIS investigation. There's no negotiation on this fact. Now, where can I find Detective DiNozzo?"
Parnell's face flushed even more, but in answer he got up from behind his desk and opened the door to his office. "DiNozzo!" he bellowed and then returned to his seat.
At the far end of the bullpen, Gibbs could see a lean brunette stand up and start making his way toward the office. His left am was in a sling, but he still moved with an easy grace that Gibbs envied.
"Captain?" Tony asked warily as he hovered in doorway of the office. He glanced curiously at the man standing in front of the captain's desk and then back to his captain.
"DiNozzo, this is Special Agent Gibbs with NCIS. They'll be taking over the investigation into the events at the warehouse last night," Parnell said.
Tony nodded, unsurprised. He'd been pretty sure last night that the perp was military, and that meant it was someone else's jurisdiction. He didn't even really mind. He was going to have too much to deal with regarding the shooting to investigate properly anyway. And he was certain there was plenty to investigate. It sure didn't look like a one off from the set up he'd seen. And he sure felt a lot better about NCIS doing the investigation rather than his "fellow" officers. He grimaced internally, but managed to keep a bland smile on his face.
Gibbs studied the detective, catching a glimpse of something under the surface that he couldn't quite decipher, but then it was gone again.
Feeling the NCIS agent's gaze, Tony looked back at the man and was startled at the power of that gaze. Riveted, it took a moment for Tony to regain his equilibrium. "Umm, want to grab a cup of coffee and I can give you everything I have?" he finally asked.
Giving a nod, Gibbs motioned towards the door. "Lead the way, Detective."
As they walked through the bullpen, Gibbs caught sight of Kate talking to a uniformed female... a very pregnant uniformed female. "DiNozzo," he said, just loud enough to catch the other man's attention.
Tony turned at the sound of his name and noticed Gibbs motioning to an attractive brunette across the hall who was talking to the dispatcher.
"I need to have a word with my agent," Gibbs said.
"Sure, no problem. That'll give me a chance to clear off my desk," Tony said with a slight grin. "It's just over there, in the corner." He pointed.
Gibbs watched as the younger man continued over to the indicated desk. Once the detective had sat down, Gibbs moved to meet Kate half way as she came toward him. He raised his eyebrows in inquiry as he noted the expression on her face.
Kate glanced around and gave a slight shake of her head. After what she'd just discovered, this was the last place they should discuss the case. "What's up?" she asked, instead.
"Detective Dinozzo is taking me out for some coffee," he drawled. "Seems perfectly happy to tell me anything I want to know."
Kate only nodded, slanting a look the detective's way. She wasn't surprised. "I'd like to wait here. The two uniformed officers who came on the scene after the shooting are due back in about five minutes."
"Sounds good. When you're done interviewing them, get ahold of Ducky and see what he's discovered from the dead Marine," Gibbs said. "If McGee calls, have him head back in to the office so we can have a conference with Abby."
"OK." Kate was about to say something else when she noticed Officer Marshall, the dispatcher she'd been speaking with, pointing out two uniformed officers who had just entered and were heading to the break room. "Looks like my next appointment just walked in."
Gibbs left her to it.
--Curving his hands around his cup of hot cocoa, Tony simply held onto it for a moment, closing his eyes and enjoying the heat. He wasn't supposed to use his left arm as it healed, but his hands were freezing and he figured simply grasping a cup didn't count.
Gibbs watched the other man for a few moments, savoring the coffee he'd ordered. If nothing else, Detective DiNozzo had good taste in coffee shops. "So, last night, walk me through it," he finally said.
Tony snapped his eyes open, hands momentarily tightening on the cup. For just a moment, he had forgotten why he was here. It would have been nice if he'd just been sharing a hot drink with the attractive man across from him, he thought wryly. Feeling a bit like Archie Goodwin, Tony took a deep breath and recounted his night, starting with when he'd first received the call from the dispatcher.
Listening intently, Gibbs paid attention not only to the words, but also to the expressions, body language, and eyes of Detective DiNozzo. He'd learned a long time ago that it was often the things unsaid that meant more in an interview. And what wasn't being said worried him. Not about the investigation per se, but more about the current climate within the Baltimore PD--especially as how it pertained to one Detective Anthony DiNozzo. The younger man had a thin veneer of cockiness that Gibbs could easily see past to a deeper feeling of insecurity. Of course, some of that could be explained by the upcoming investigation the detective faced from IA for the shooting, but Gibbssensed there was more to it than that.
"...by the time the doc had finished stitching me up, Alison was 'sedated and sleeping comfortably,'" Tony finished, with air quotes. "I plan to stop by the hospital later today to see how she was doing, I just haven't had a chance yet."
"From the reports I've seen, she hasn't spoken a word to anyone," Gibbs said, watching for a reaction.
Tony blinked. "Really? She was verbal immediately after I released her... Though, come to think of it, she wouldn't answer the paramedic in the ambulance..." Tony trailed off, thoughtful, then shook his head. "I don't know, maybe she was talking to me because I... I dunno... rescued her?" he offered.
Gibbs shrugged. "Could be. I'm sending Agent Todd in to talk to her later, so we'll see if Alison is more willing to speak with a woman."
"I requested a female doctor for her, as she visibly recoiled when the ER doc came in, but I didn't have a chance to see how the two of them interacted. Ah... a Dr. Sheffley, I believe," Tony said. He glanced at his watch and winced. "Sorry, Agent Gibbs, but I have a meeting I can't be late for back at the station. If you have any more questions, you can call me anytime."
"I'll need a copy of your report," Gibbs said.
"No problem. Email or hard copy?" Tony asked.
"Email is fine." Reaching into his jacket pocket, Gibbs came out with his business card. "Email and cell phone are both on there. If you think of anything else that maybe slipped your mind, you can reach me using either one."
Tony took the card, flashing back momentarily to handing his own card to Alison. And for just an instant, he wondered if maybe Gibbs would be his rescuer as he had been for her. Brushing off the thought, he gave Gibbs a bright smile. "Thanks. It was nice to meet you, Agent Gibbs, even though I wish it could have been under better circumstances. Good luck with your investigation. I hope you find out what's been going on at that warehouse. I hate to think of more Alisons out there with no one to help them."
Gibbs shook the proffered hand, giving a slight smile of his own. "Don't worry, we will."
--"Cause of death was easy enough--gun shot to the heart. He would have died instantly. From the trajectory of the bullet, Ducky said the shooter would have been shooting from an angle, close to the ground," Kate said.
Gibbs nodded, that matched with Detective DiNozzo's description of events.
"Also, Sgt. Mullens had most definitelybeen engaged in sexual activity just before he died. We'll have to wait for the lab results to know if the DNA is a match for that found on the vic... Alison, but at this point, it looks like a pretty good bet."
McGee spoke up, "The hospital sent the material via courier, so it should be here any time now. The photos and medical records have already been faxed."
Gibbs shot a look at the Goth. "Did you get them, Abby?"
"Yep, sure did. Along with the photos McGee sent of the crime scene. The abrasions visible on Alison's wrists, ankles, and neck are consistent with those that would be created by the manacles attached to the bed. The poor thing must have struggled like crazy, as the skin was badly torn," Abby said.
Gibbs expression turned grim. He hated knowing that a marine, one who was supposed to protect, had done that, had terrorized and raped a helpless girl. "I'm sure she did, Abs." Not wanting his team to get sidetracked by the horror of the crime, he changed the subject. "Kate, what did you find out from Officer Marshall?"
"Ah, that's where things get interesting. It seems that Detective DiNozzo is persona non grata at the precinct. At least among his fellow detectives and the higher-ups. The uniforms, however, especially the younger ones, such as the ones I talked to today, like and respect him. According to Debi, Officer Marshall, DiNozzo turned his partner into IA last year. She didn't get into details, but soon after that, DiNozzo's partner, a Detective Arnett, committed suicide."
McGee's eyebrows went up. "That sounds pretty nasty."
"Yeah. So, ever since then, DiNozzo has had little to no backup and... no partner. Last night, Officer Marshall had to pull in the two uniforms from twelve blocks away, as the officers closer refused to respond," Kate continued.
"Do we know why DiNozzo turned his partner in?" Gibbs asked. Partners didn't turn each other in--it just wasn't done.
Kate shook her head. "No, but Officer Marshall hinted that it was something pretty ugly. She certainly thinks Tony is getting a raw deal from the department."
Gibbs eyes narrowed. "Isn't she concerned about talking so freely to us?"
At that, Kate chuckled. "Not at all. Her husband works in Internal Affairs and her father is a judge. On top of that, once the baby comes, she plans on becoming a full time mom." Then she frowned as she remembered something. "She did mention that she hopes Detective DiNozzo transfers out before she leaves. I think she's afraid he just might end up dead."
Now it was Gibbs' turn to frown. "Maybe we need to find out more about the deceased Detective Arnett. McGee," he barked.
"On it, boss," McGee instantly responded.
"Abby, do the DNA matching as soon as you receive the material from the hospital. Let's make sure our dead marine was the rapist."
"Will do, Gibbs," Abby agreed, bouncing on her chair.
"Kate, you're with me. We need to interview Alison." He paused, turning to McGee. "Still no last name?"
McGee shook his head. "Not yet."
Abby spoke up. "I have her prints, but nothing's popped yet."
"All right," Gibbs said. With any luck, they would find out more when they interviewed her. Without another word, he strode out the door, trusting Kate to follow. Giving a slight wave to Abby and McGee, she did so.
--Kate was frustrated. Thus far, Alison had refused to say a word. She would occasionally nod or shake her head to a question, but not always. Her preferred method of answering was to give Kate a blank stare. It was obvious that Alison was wary, and definitely traumatized--she picked at the hospital blanket constantly, except when she clutched it to her like a shield. The one time Gibbs had entered the room, Kate was sure the girl was about to hide under the bed. Kate's eyes narrowed. Maybe it wasn't just men that triggered her fear... maybe it was authority figures. That would explain why she might feel more comfortable with Detective DiNozzo... Kate was jerked out of her thoughts by a soft knock at the door. Sighing, she gave Alison a weak smile. "I'm going to go now, but I'd like to come back again and talk with you some more, OK?" she asked, and, as expected, received no response. Suppressing her desire to shake her head, Kate stood up and went to the door, careful to move slowly and deliberately.
"Well?" Gibbs demanded as soon as Kate shut the door behind herself.
"Sorry, it's no good. She's just not responding to me. Although... maybe we should have McGee give it a try," Kate suggested.
Gibbs gave her a skeptical look.
"No, just hear me out. I think she has a fear of people in authority--those she perceives as having control over her--the man who raped her, the paramedic, the doctor, me, and, of course, you. Someone who doesn't appear to have any kind of... I guess it's power, however, might seem safe to her."
Now Gibbs' expression was thoughtful. "Such as a plainclothes police officer who had just rescued her..." he murmured.
"Exactly. I mean, sure he's a police officer, but Detective DiNozzo doesn't exactly exude authority, if you know what I mean. Just from the little I saw of him, he seemed more the laid back type than the type to... I don't know, give orders and take charge. Do you see what I'm saying? And McGee... well, he comes off as fairly harmless." Kate shrugged.
"It's a thought." Gibbs considered it a bit more and glanced at his watch. "Well, I think we should leave her alone for tonight, and then you and McGee can come back tomorrow. Let McGee try it himself, but tell him to keep his distance. He might seem fairly harmless to us, but to her he's still an unknown male."
Kate nodded. It was good advice.
