I wasn't going to add more to this story, but I was asked to. Hope you like it more will be coming in time.
Ducky and Palmer had no trouble working in the borrowed facilities. Taking just as much care and compassion as they always do they completed the autopsy without any complications. Ducky knew that they were being observed so he kept his unique style of talking to the victim to a minimum. Samples were taken and made ready to be brought to Abby on the next shuttle that traveled between the two cities.
Hearing someone clear their throat throat they look over to see the same detective they had met earlier.
"If you're finished I'll escort you to a desk next to mine. You can do your paperwork there as there is a computer you can use. I've also managed to get you some tea. I figured with you being from across the pond you might like it better than coffee.
"How very kind you, Detective?" Ducky replies.
"It's Bianca, Doctor. If you need anything else don't hesitate to ask."
"Across the pond?" Ducky quires, as a small smile graces his face as he sits at the empty desk.
"The librarian at my college she was from Scotland that's what she always said."
Ducky sighs as he is logging into the his account in NCIS. It doesn't take him long to write out his report and to make a copy with the help of the detective it was printed out so he can leave a copy for the needed files here as well.
Needing a pen he opened a desk drawer nodding to himself at the contents of the drawer he takes pen then quickly closes the drawer. He looks at the detective as he answers his cell, smiling as he sips his tea.
"Detective Bianca, how may I help you?"
"Is Ducky still there?"
Charlie knows better than to use his real name. "Yes, why Angelo?"
"We have another body and it looks the same as the Marine, except this one is older, by two days if I had to guess. I've got a lead they might be connected."
"What?"
"Drugs, money, or gambling what else? Boston is like every other city in the world."
"Text me the address and you owe me."
"Put it on my tab, you know I'm good for it."
Closing his cell he looks at Ducky's assistant signs his his name to his own report. He can't say he is surprised for the short time he has seen them in action and the stories that Tony has told him they are nothing if not thorough at least he doesn't have as much paperwork as they do.
"Dr. Mallard, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind looking at a body for us. The call I just received was a report of another body. The body looks like your Marine it might be the same assailant in both cases."
"It will be no trouble at all. Detective Bianca, may I ask if you have a first name? Detective Bianca is so formal."
"It's Charlie, Dr. Mallard.
"Splendid, now Charles you must call be Ducky most people do."
"Now Mr. Palmer you will stay here so the chain of evidence is not broken. Tell Jethro if he asks that I was asked to look at a new body that has a similar appearance as out Marine. That I am with Detective Bianca so there is no need to send a member of the team."
"Yes Doctor." Is the simple reply.
Getting comfortable in the car Ducky waits until they are a good ten minutes away before he says anything. "Tell me Charles, how long has Anthony been working in Boston?"
"Anthony?"
"Anthony DiNozzo. I presume he is the one that called you?"
He looks at the older man and shakes his head. Ducky has lived up to his reputation in spades. Not just from the few things that Tony has told him but from gossip from other police departments as well. "What gave him away?"
"Three things actually, the tea ,Anthony knows that I prefer tea in a cup, it was good tea not the tea dust they sell in bags. When I opened the desk drawer for a pen I saw his inhaler, you see his is a special formula that is made just for him."
"And lastly?"
A subtle smile crosses his face. "The box of chocolate , it comes from a little shop in London. He gave me a box one Christmas told me that it is far superior to the chocolate that they sell here on this side of the pond."
"I think you should ask him, it's not that I don't want to answer but.. ."
"You are loyal to your friend. Quite understandable Anthony has a way of making friends that as loyal to him as he is to them. But tell me one thing please has he been taking care of his health? I worry about him."
"He's fine Ducky, when he needs care he gets it, we do have some of the best hospitals in the world in Boston."
"Yes I know this, but his lungs need a special kind of attention."
"His buddy Dr. Pitt came up here for a conference and introduced him to his new Doctor, the three of them went out to dinner. So there really is no need to worry."
"Thank you for telling me, it is one thing that I shall not have to worry about then."
Pulling up to the crime scene Ducky sees that the morgue van is already there as well as the medical examiner that he met earlier. He slips on some gloves as he comes closer to the victim laying on the ground. "Ducky I was told you might be coming to see the victim." The M.E tells him.
"I hope you don't mind?"
The Dr. Blume shakes his head. "Of course not. The dead have no voice, so we speak for them. Tell me what do you think?"
"His face and hands have the same bruise patterns."
"I thought so too. I haven't checked for the stab wounds that your Marine has."
Ducky points to the man's curled up right hand. "May I?"
"By all means."
He picks up the hand carefully turning it so the palm us up it is then they can see that the fingers have been cut and removed at the second knuckle. " Your informant is correct the wound pattern is similar to the first victim as face as we can see. Your good doctor here will be able to tell you more once he has completed the autopsy."
"Charlie looks at the M.E. And chuckles. "Ducky knows that Tony is here he figured it out, no one else has and Tony would like it to stay that way"
"Not a problem, Gibbs and company have a reputation of being hard to work with when they come to different towns. He has been voted the biggest pain in the ass next to the suits that control our budgets at out last Medical Examiners symposium. I was hoping that you would help with this one Ducky."
"I'm not surprised about Jethro he can be difficult at times. Of course Dr. Blume I'm more than glad to help."
Walking back to the car they are soon joined by a man wearing a beanie hat holding a cup with steaming liquid. Ducky glances a the man seeing the glasses and the rather large mustache he is sporting, his eyes a deep brown in color, the man also has had a battle of severe acne in his youth as the scares on his face can testify. Wearing dark tee shirt, a white apron that has been well used with a few stains, with matching white uniform pants. He waits until they are next to the car before he hands the cup to Ducky.
"It's hot Chocolate Ducky with just a wee dram of the good stuff to ward off the chill in the air. So what do you think, same perp?"
Ducky shakes his head then sips the hot drink. 'Yes Anthony it appears to be the same "perp". We'll know more once the autopsy is completed."
Hearing ties squeal coming to a hard stop across the parking lot Tony looks up and sees Gibbs and the rest of them step out of the car. "I gotta go Ducky, Charlie knows how to find me."
"Who was that?" Gibbs asks watching the man jog away. "Why is did he leave so fast?"
"Really Jethro! Detective Bianca ordered me a cup of hot chocolate because of the chill in the air. That man just delivered it."
Gibbs glared at Charlie then at Ducky. "Well is it the same killer?"
"From a preliminary exam I do believe it is. Dr. Blume has invited me to join him when he conducts the autopsy. I said that I would. No if you want to go watch the CSI team do their work or take your own photographs you should as Charles here will bring he back to the station."
Gibbs looks at his team and glares then sips his own coffee. "Well, shoot, sketch, watch and take notes, go."
Leaving the crime scene Charlie waits for a few minutes. "I must say you do that very well, you manage Gibbs like my sister manages her three year old when he is having a temper tantrum."
"Toddlers come in all shapes and sizes." He replies then he sips his drink contentedly.