~Two~

Gibbs pulled the car into the driveway of a house nestled in a cul-de-sac. Two black and whites and a Sudan were parked on the street and in the driveway ahead of them. House numbers in pretty framed plaques identified 2113 and 2114, side by side. Gibbs nodded at the house they faced.

"This is where the boy lives. McGee, you're with me. Tony and Ziva, take the other house – that's where Lance Corporal Morrison and his family live."

McGee followed Gibbs to the door. Taupe siding and white trim decorated the outside of the house. Pretty landscaping transformed the yard into a garden oasis. A brisk breeze shook the delicate azalea blooms, reminding McGee of the coming weather. The deep burgundy paint on the door set the background for an ornate brass knocker. Gibbs ignored it and rapped his knuckles against the wood.

A policeman answered the door. When Gibbs showed his badge, he moved aside and let them enter. He cocked his head toward a room behind his shoulder. "Both Mrs. Morrison and Mrs. Taylor are in the living room. Brenda Morrison's the blond, Diane Taylor's beside her."

"Has there been any communication from Lance Corporal Morrison?"

The man shook his head and answered McGee. "No sir."

Gibbs nodded at the policeman and walked quietly into the room. The two women sat near each other on the loveseat, clasped hands intertwined. They both looked up as Gibbs came closer.

"NCIS – I'm agent Gibbs, this is Agent McGee." He shoved an ottoman closer with his knee and sat facing the women. His voice softened, creating a feeling of intimacy. Focusing, ignoring the surroundings and distracting noises, Gibbs turned to the closest woman. "Mrs. Taylor? Can you tell me why Lance Corporal Morrison would take your son?"

"He came home for the funeral." The other woman, Brenda Morrison, answered instead.

Gibbs didn't move, but allowed his eyes to shift to her. "Who's funeral?"

"Rodney's. My son; Eddie's - Lance Corporal Morrison's - younger brother."

Tim stepped closer, surprise registering on his face. "Morrison's brother was killed?"

Brenda caught her breath. A tear escaped and streamed down her face before she could wipe it away. "Yes. I contacted the state department, but they told me it would be impossible for me to reach Eddie where he was. Instead, his C.O. was given the information and told him. Within twenty-four hours, Eddie was home."

"How did your son die?"

Her eyes squeezed shut, and she pressed a tissue to her lips. Diane Taylor reached for her and put her arm around her. She answered for her friend, voice trembling and wet with unshed tears: "Rodney committed suicide, Agent Gibbs."

Gibbs sat back and gave the women a moment. He leaned back and whispered to McGee. Tim left but returned with two glasses of water and offered them to the grieving women. Brenda Morrison accepted hers with a soft 'thank you' and took a sip. Diane slipped both hands around her glass and propped it on her knees.

"It's been a - a difficult few days, Agent Gibbs."

"I understand."

She lifted her head, her mouth open to disagree. But instead, she paused as she caught his eyes and saw pain there. "Yes, I believe you do." She took a deep breath and sat up straight. "Brenda didn't tell Eddie that Rodney - how Rodney died. She sent the message that he'd had an accident. It wasn't until he was here that she told him."

"I didn't want him to hear that kind of news from someone else." Mrs. Morrison defended herself. "It was difficult enough to know your brother's gone, but to know he was in some kind of pain before he died would have been - I knew Eddie would blame himself for not being here when his little brother needed him."

"So you waited until he came home."

"Yes. He wanted to know details; wanted to know exactly how it happened. I told him Jason had been with Rodney before -"

"Jason?"

"Jason Taylor. My oldest son." Diane Taylor smiled sadly and looked down at her hands. "He and Rodney practically grew up together." She looked back up at Gibbs. "We were a military family, Agent Gibbs. My husband was killed in Afghanistan nearly five years ago. Eddie became a sort of role model for my boys, and they looked up to him, like a father. Rodney and Jason are - were - best friends."

"When I told Eddie that Jason had been with Rodney right before he died, he ran out of the house and went next door." Brenda took up the story. She reached for her friend's hand again.

Diane nodded. "He burst into the house and went straight to Jason's room. I thought I'd give them a few minutes, but then I heard Jason shouting. Before I could - before I could -"

"He took Jason, Agent Gibbs. And he had a gun."

A thought began forming in Gibbs' mind. "Where are your other sons, Mrs. Taylor?"

A little startled with the question, she swallowed and blinked. "They're up in their rooms. Why?"

"Jason's the oldest?"

"Yes. Jason is fifteen. Brent's twelve and the twins are nine."

"Would you mind if I had a word with Brent?"

"Ah - no, - no, I guess that would be all right." She shifted as if to stand, but Gibbs stood and motioned for her to stay.

"I can find him. Where's his room?"

"Up the stairs and turn left. Second door on your right."

"Thank you." He took a step closer to McGee and lowered his voice. "Get both their statements and find out if there's any place that Morrison would take the boys, like for hunting or fishing. Tony and Ziva should be back soon. Tell them to wait here."

McGee nodded.