Chapter 2

The weeks flew in, Ducky was excited on meeting Agnes again. Not that there had been any romance or anything but he just loved to hear of the old country and of course, Vance had agreed a full tour of the office was allowed, and Abby had vowed she would wear her plaid that day.

"There is no need to go that far Abigail, but it would be a nice touch."

-oOo-

Tartan day over in New York, Ducky had given Agnes his mobile number and his home number. He knew Agnes was staying in Washington and was seeing Sophie, but it now became apparent that Sophie was not as well as she had made out, the dreaded D word, her daughter had informed Agnes, but still do drop by, it does her good to get visits from old friends, but she has good days and bad.

Ducky was therefore, frantically organising theatre trips, outings and of course his tour of the Navy Yard.

"I hope it goes well, I know Mr Palmer is more than capable of doing an autopsy or Post Mortem as we call them, but I think just for my piece of mind will ask for that day off," Ducky had mentioned to Gibbs, who just shook his head.

The day arrived and the team were gathered round the bull pen, looking at one of the screens, they didn't hear the elevator or the chatter, until Dr Mallard spoke.

"And here Agnes, and Lissy, we have the bullpen and may I introduce you to Special Agent Gibbs and his team, Agents DiNozzo, McGee and Bishop."

The team gave little waves and mouthed "Hi," but Gibbs stopped a moment and said hello, looking now at the pair. Lissy, he made out to be late 40's, early 50's, wedding band on finger, but the striking thing was her red hair. He noticed her staring at the screen intently.

"Something I can help you with?" he asked.

"We never have anything like this back home. We usually have photographs and bits of string going off," Lissy replied, "But what's the score?" pointing at the board.

"Dead Petty Officer, looks like hit and run, we got the van but no driver, just looking at the CCTV film to see if we can spot something," Tony replied on Gibbs behalf.

"I would say," Lissy began to reply, giving a sly smile at Gibbs, "He was waving to someone across the street, a cab, a person in a car or a person on the pavement, sorry sidewalk, I would try and get a line with the head and eyes to be sure. Also see if you can get the reverse cams, look there, across there," pointing at the screen.

"And you know this, how?" Gibbs asked, turning to face the woman.

"Sorry, told mother not to say anything to Donald, but I am Detective Inspector Lismore McPherson," as Lissy offered Gibbs her hand, "Strathclyde Police as was, Police Scotland as is now. I am taking early retirement, as an old joke goes in Scotland, when you open your purse to find too many pennies…..more coppers than the Strathclyde Police…..well I am now surplus to requirements, woman of a certain age, past my sell by date, so I am out the door," Lissy began to say, "Didn't mean to spring on you or anything."

"No…well yes, it is a bit of a shock. McGee… Bishop, do as the lady says, check the eye sights. Lismore do you wish to continue your tour?" now looking at Lissy.

As Lissy looked at her mother and then Ducky she answered, "Not really, when you have seen one PM you've seen them all, nothing new really, one day may get an Alien autopsy but until then…." Lissy laughed.

"Coffee?" Gibbs asked.

"Thought no-one was ever going to offer," Lismore replied smiling into Gibbs blue eyes.

"DiNozzo hold the fort and get on with whatever I haven't finished."

"On it Boss," as he watched Lismore and Gibbs walk to the elevator, "Well now that is a turn up for the books," as he heard his cell ring, "Yes Boss on it."

"You do that to your team often?" Lismore asked laughing.

"Only when I know what they are thinking and talking about, and call me Jethro."

-oOo-

The pair sat in a local café, Gibbs having enquired how she liked her coffee and been told luk, warm, and insipid, as they both laughed, but Gibbs got black, "Could get milk in that if you want," he offered, as Lissy shook her head, "This is fine. Now you want to interrogate, I know the look."

"I would have liked some forward information, forewarned so to speak, it did come a bit of a surprise, but," as he pointed to the wedding band, "What does your husband do?"

"Detective Sergeant, killed in the line of duty some 10 years back. Was on a call for a fatal, and well let's just say a rubber-necker, was rubber necking and a drunk driver was too drunk to notice, hit Colin, he died instantaneously, the icy road, hit his head on the kerb."

"Sorry," was all Gibbs could say.

"One of those things you know could happen, but…."

"Children?" Gibbs continued to ask.

"Never got round to it, I don't mind, don't miss, my sister and brothers make up for more than enough. I have my own place overlooking the Clyde and can indulge in a couple of hobbies. Now I need to ask you some questions….Not married, you have that look, and you wouldn't be here with me if you were. Divorced twice, no children….not that you don't have that child friendly face. Hands a little callused, not frightened of getting your hands dirty, and you like a hands on approach, and looking at that skelf in your index finger, you work with wood. Am I right?"

Gibbs just looked at the woman and smiled, "Widowed, divorced 3 times, one child died with my first wife, automobile accident, and yes I do carpentry, and have built a couple of clinker boats."

"See I know my job, but I think," as Lismore looked at her watch "We should get back," as she now stood.

"What has Ducky planned for you and your mother tonight?" Gibbs asked as they walked back to the yard.

"The opera, which I declined, I'm afraid I'm more rock than opera. So I will find a good book and curl up in front of the box."

"Fancy dinner at my place?" Gibbs asked, and then wondered why he had said that, as he looked straight ahead.

"That Jethro, would be delightful," Lissy replied, now stopping and waiting for Gibbs to look at her, "If I am not intruding. And I take it not, to dress up? And what time should I arrive? So I know what time to get a taxi. Oh one important thing we have overlooked." Lissy answered, as Gibbs looked at her with a frown on his face.

"Address?" Lissy asked gently. "And call me Lissy."

"Oh yes address, here," as he produced a business card and wrote his address on the back, "Shall we say 7ish?"

"I'll be there."