Chapter 2 – Who will investigate the case
Chapter 2 – Who will investigate the case?
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, except for Agent Simmons, attorney Lindsay Frame, Lt. Rebecca Alexander, FBI M.E. Nelson Rollins, and bad guy Curtis Gentry. Reviews with constructive criticism welcome. Special thanks to The Profane Angel for editing my work and providing valuable information regarding naval and federal investigations.
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"I see he still likes his little poems," Fornell remarked, as Gibbs returned the evidence bag. "You'd think, with all that free time and Leavenworth's vast library, prison would improve his writing skills."
"Twenty years with the FBI hasn't improved your writing skills, Fornell," Gibbs said.
As they watched Rollins and his assistant loaded the body on a gurney, Gibbs' cell phone rang. "Yeah."
"I have that information you wanted, boss," McGee said. "Her name is Lt. Sheila Byers, age 24. She's one of us, boss, I mean, she works for JAG, which I guess would make her one of us…"
"You're babbling, McGee."
"I'm sorry, sir. I'll get in touch with someone at JAG to find out what she did there."
"You do that." Gibbs snapped his phone shut. "She's from JAG, Tobias, although I'm sure you already knew that."
"How did you find that out?"
"Car in the parking lot with a Navy sticker on it. I had McGee run the sticker numbers."
"Well, I appreciate you coming down here, but we have to get to work. I'll keep you in the loop, Jethro," Fornell said, "unofficially, of course."
"You'll keep me in the loop?" Gibbs arched an eyebrow. "This is an NCIS case."
"Gibbs, you're not taking over this case."
Gibbs moved closer to Fornell. "I'm not getting into a pissing match with you. She's a naval officer, which makes this our case."
"She was found in a national park, which makes this a federal case."
"Considering how you screwed up the last time you tried to catch Gentry..."
"I did not screw up, Gibbs!" Fornell said, struggling not to yell.
"Really?" Gibbs said, quietly, staring Fornell down. "Why don't we ask Rebecca Alexander's family? I'm pretty sure they'd disagree with you."
Their argument was interrupted as Fornell's cell phone rang. "You might want to answer that," Gibbs said, smugly, turning toward the FBI's ME to claim the body.
EIGHT YEARS EARLIER
"Take your time, Lt. Alexander," Fornell told the nervous young woman. He saw a small smile as she nervously twisted a strand of auburn hair around her finger.
"Quit coaching the witness. Agent Fornell." Fornell turned around and glared at attorney Lindsay Frame.
"Can he see me? Does he know I'm here?" Rebecca Alexander couldn't hide a bad case of nerves.
"No, he can't see you," Fornell reassured her. "He has no idea who's on this side of the glass."
She looked at the eight men standing on the other side of one way glass. "I'm...just not sure. They all look alike."
"Just do your best," he said, touching her shoulder.
Drawing a deep breath, then another, she said, "Number seven. He looks like the guy who grabbed me."
The attorney grunted as he led Rebecca to the door. "You did fine, Ms. Alexander. Agent Miller will take you home. I'll call you soon." He watched walk down the hallway before turning to Lindsay. "There's other evidence against your client, Ms. Frame."
"But it's not enough to hold him, Agent Fornell. Out of twenty witnesses, two were able to put him in the club at the same time as Lt. Alexander. The hair on her sleeve can be explained by incidental contact in a crowded room. Without more substantial evidence, you have to cut him loose."
Twenty-four hours later, Lt. Rebecca Alexander was dead.
PRESENT TIME
"You know," Tony said, watching Fornell and Gibbs argue, "They say your argue most with the one you love."
"So?" Kate replied, pulling her raven hair into a ponytail before putting on her NCIS hat.
"So, you must have strong feelings for me, because you're always fighting with me. OW!" Tony rubbed the back of his head, turning to see Gibbs behind him.
"We argue all the time, DiNozzo, but I guarantee it doesn't mean I love you," Gibbs said.
"Sorry, boss."
"Gibbs, Fornell's turning three different shades of red. What did you say to him?" Kate said.
"Nothing. He's being told his people are off the case, that it's a NCIS case now."
Kate nodded. "That'll do it. Uh oh. Here he comes.'
Fornell stormed up to Gibbs. "How in hell did you get hold of my boss on a Saturday?"
Gibbs held up his cell phone. "Speed dial. Just for emergencies. Thanks for taking care of the preliminary work, Tobias. We'll take it from here. And no worries, I'll keep you in the loop. Unofficially, of course."
Fornell glared at Gibbs, thin-lipped. "You do that Gibbs. Try not to screw up." He walked away, to Agent Simmons and the rest of his team, gesticulating as he gave them the news.
The man continued to watch the scene in the park. The exchange between agents told him Gibbs had the case, just the way he wanted it. Checking his watch, he noted the time on a small notepad. Thirty-six hours before the next step in the plan, he thought, focusing his binoculars on the group in the park.
