After the dramatic events of the morning the whole squad room seemed to be frozen like some surreal tableau. Gibbs' team was centre stage, one member sitting with a stunned and lost expression on his face, whilst his concerned team-mates looked on helplessly. Agents from other sections peered over the partitions in morbid fascination and the TV continued to drone on in the background. The anchorman had moved on to the next news item, with the network oblivious to the consequences of letting a hapless security guard with a complete lack of discretion take a shot at his fifteen minutes of fame.
Gibbs was the first to recover and gestured for Ziva to lower the volume on the plasma, which she did immediately. The ensuing silence was almost eerie and the atmosphere in the squad room was quickly becoming uncomfortable until a barked, "Alright people, show's over. There's nothing more to see here," had people scurrying back to their own desks and attempting to look busy.
Unfortunately, Gibbs could not have been more wrong and, just as earlier that morning, the ping of the elevator signalled more disruption to come when two men stepped out. They didn't have the sharp darks suits or the over-confident air of FBI agents, yet Gibbs' gut was screaming that more trouble was on its way. The men looked around for a few seconds, as if trying to get their bearings, then headed into the main area of the squad room.
"We're looking for Agent DiNozzo," the taller of the two men announced to the whole room.
"And who would you be?" Gibbs asked, striding over to stand in front of the man and subjecting him to a grim stare.
"I'm Detective Wilson and this is my partner Detective Delgado," Wilson replied trying not to appear intimidated by the silver-haired agent. "We're from the Suffolk County PD and we'd like to speak to him about the death of his father."
If possible, Gibbs' expression became even grimmer. Only a few hours after the murder and, judging by their ages, two senior detectives had travelled from Long Island to see DiNozzo in person? In this instance, his gut wasn't the only warning signal.
"Tony, you feeling up to this?" he asked, squeezing the younger man's shoulder.
"Oh, um...sure, I guess," Tony agreed dazedly. "Not sure how much help I can be though."
"Perhaps we should move this meeting to a conference room to give you some privacy," Gibbs suggested quietly to the two detectives, inclining his head slightly to draw their attention to the overly interested audience around them. He let his voice carry as he continued in a deceptively mild voice, "I'm sure the director would appreciate us allowing our co-workers to get back to work without further distraction."
"By all means," Wilson agreed readily, the hint of a smirk visible as he watched the on-lookers suddenly melt away.
Tony stood up immediately, only to find his legs were decidedly wobbly. He had to fight to lock his knees and after a shaky couple of seconds managed to stay on his feet by sheer force of will.
Gibbs saw Tony's struggle but knew any overt show of concern would not be welcome right then. Instead he turned to McGee and asked him to arrange for refreshments before leading the detectives and his senior field agent to the nearest available conference room. Once there, he encouraged the detectives to sit on one side of the table whilst he and Tony settled at the other.
"Thank you Agent Gibbs, I'm sure you're very busy and we wouldn't want to take up any more of your valuable time," Wilson said, hoping the other man would take the hint that his presence was no longer required.
"Oh it's no problem," Gibbs replied sweetly, well aware of the detective's intent. "We've just been putting the final touches to our last open case, so Agent DiNozzo and I are completely at your disposal."
Tony gave his boss a sideways glance; Gibbs was never usually this accommodating, but Tony appreciated his support nonetheless.
As you wish," Wilson conceded gruffly and without preamble removed a notepad and pen from his pocket and asked, "We understand your father came to visit you recently?"
"Yeah, a few months ago now, a surprise visit," Tony confirmed, a little puzzled by the detective's opening gambit.
"Can I ask what you talked about during the visit?"
"Well, nothing really."
The two detectives made a point of exchanging sceptical glances.
"Your father took time out from his busy work schedule to come and see you personally, to discuss 'nothing really'?" Wilson said, making no effort to hide his disbelief.
"We had just launched an investigation into a possible terrorist attack, resulting in the death of a royal aide. We were afraid the prince who employed him might have been the intended victim and had to place him in protective custody, gentlemen," Gibbs interrupted. "Agent DiNozzo took lead on the protection detail and I'm sure, as fellow law enforcement officers, you are aware how time-consuming that can be."
"How would you describe your relationship with your father?" Delgado chipped in, all but ignoring Gibbs' explanation. "We have been told by one of his close friends that things were strained between you. Was his visit your idea?"
"No, I told you, it was a surprise when he showed up. Look can you get to the point. What exactly is it that you're trying to say?" Tony was definitely not at the top of his game and these provincial cops were giving him a headache.
"We understand that your father has had more than a few lean years and you've been estranged from him, then suddenly he is about to come into a substantial amount of money and you have a family reunion." Delgado said no more, but the implication was clear.
"We weren't estranged," Tony said wearily, running a hand through his already dishevelled hair. "My father was always a busy man and it was hard to keep a track on where he was and what he was doing. We touched base every now and again," he added defensively.
"Hmm, not estranged yet you didn't attend his wedding two years ago, nor has your step-mother ever met you. In fact she informed us that she didn't even know of your existence until recently."
Tony thought back to the conversation with his father in the bar of the Adams House. Senior's remark about not liking to advertise his failures appeared to include not only his divorces but his first born son as well. Tony had always suspected it but this apparent confirmation made him feel like he'd been gutted. He slipped further down in his chair, unsure what to say next.
"Would you like to explain exactly where you're going with all this or are you just going to continue with your little fishing expedition indefinitely?" Gibbs demanded. Tony's relationship with his father, or lack thereof had always been his Achilles heel and detective Delgado seemed more than happy to keep jabbing at the vulnerable spot. "If he's a suspect perhaps we should move this meeting to one of our interrogation rooms where we can tape the interview."
"Can you account for your whereabouts last night, Agent DiNozzo?" Wilson asked, deciding to cut to the chase.
"You really think I had something to do with my dad's death?" Tony asked incredulously.
Delgado shrugged. "People have killed for a lot less. It's only a twenty minute flight up to Long Island from DC, then a journey of two miles to your father's property. You could have done the deed and been back by breakfast. The numbers definitely add up."
"Not when you take into account that he hasn't been out of my sight for more than an hour at a time in the last two days," Gibbs asserted bullishly. "As I just told you, we've been wrapping up a case."
Suddenly there was a tap on the door and McGee bustled in carrying a tray of drinks. He placed the tray on the table and pushed a steaming cup of tea, made as per Ducky's exacting instructions, in front of Tony.
"Thanks," Tony mumbled appreciatively, taking a tentative sip of the hot beverage. "Looks like whoever got this month for my next murder charge might just have won the pool, Probie," he added with a look that was halfway between a grimace and a smile.
McGee looked nonplussed. "You're kidding!" he blurted out without thinking.
"Not now Tim," Gibbs stated firmly, before waving him out of the room.
"Sorry Boss," he managed to murmur as he turned to leave, almost bumping into two more men who'd appeared in the doorway.
"Oh great," Tony muttered, recognising one of the men immediately. "Just to make my day complete!"
Gibbs watched, almost feeling awed at the way Tony's demeanour changed from one moment to the next. Within seconds the confusion and wearily defeated look were replaced by a cocky half-sneer. No wonder the man was so good at undercover work.
"Hey Agent Slacks, come to arrest me for offing the old man?" he drawled insolently, manoeuvring his chair back and hitching his feet up to rest on the table. "I know you must be salivating at the idea, but you'll have to get in line. These nice police officers beat you to it."
Sacks scowled and looked decidedly uncomfortable but was spared having to respond by the arrival of Director Vance.
"Agent DiNozzo, I have been informed of the situation concerning your father and I'm sorry for your loss," he said as he swept into the room and sat down, waving for the new arrivals to do the same.
"Yeah, well..." Tony began, not really sure how he should respond. He dropped his feet back to the floor and sat up straight in his chair.
"Director Vance has already informed us that you were on duty at the time your father was killed," Special Agent Sacks of the FBI informed Tony in his usual haughty manner.
"So, what the hell are you doing here?" Gibbs demanded, covering for DiNozzo's discomfort. "We understood Suffolk County LEOs were investigating." He gestured to the cops sitting across from him.
Vance decided to step in to try and diffuse the tense atmosphere by explaining, "Agents Sacks and Nielson are part of a special task force investigating a major member of the Cosa Nostra. They're following up on information which suggests he may have had business links with your father, Agent DiNozzo."
"And Mr DiNozzo's murder is not just a local matter, Agent Gibbs," Sacks added. "We're getting flack right from county legislature level way on up to the White House and beyond."
"Beyond the White House? You mean God's involved now?" Tony scoffed. "My dad always did like to aim high when it came to making friends and influencing people, but I think that's a little beyond even his abilities, don't you?"
"Beyond our borders DiNozzo," Sacks ground out in exasperation.
"Ohhh, I see," Tony responded as if realisation had just dawned.
Although Tony might just have been mocking the up-tight agent, Sacks' words had certainly provided Gibbs with an explanation as to why the two detectives, sitting bemusedly watching, had rushed down to DC. Both the cops and the FBI were responding to pressure from higher up and, on the face of it, a possibly disgruntled son looking for money and payback made the perfect suspect.
When it looked like Tony was going to continue his little game of 'bait Sacks' a quiet, "DiNozzo," from Gibbs was all it took to re-focus the younger agent.
"Sorry Boss," he apologised contritely before sighing deeply and rubbing his hands up and down his face vigorously. "Look, you guys, I've had a really bad day so far and I'd appreciate it if we could just lay our cards on the table and get this over with."
"Your father came down to see you a few months ago and we'd like to know what happened," Agent Nielson said bluntly.
"Why?" Tony wanted to know. "Just because we have some Italian blood in our veins doesn't mean we have links to the Mafia."
"No it doesn't, but this does," Nielson answered, producing a glossy photo of two men seemingly enjoying a friendly meal at a high class restaurant. One of the men was obviously DiNozzo senior and the other one looked vaguely familiar to Tony.
"Carmine Buchetta," he breathed out in complete surprise as he finally put a name to the face.
"So you do know him!" Nielson exclaimed, looking over at his partner triumphantly.
"Yeah, but not because of my dad," Tony insisted. "When I was a cop in Baltimore I was involved in an undercover operation to bring down Mike Macaluso. Buchetta was a heavy for Salvatore Gallo back then and I saw him at a couple of meetings, that's all. Looks like he's come up in the world," Tony added, taking in the Versace suit Buchetta was wearing.
"He is one ruthless SOB," Nielson stated. "He made a slow rise through the ranks, bided his time learning the business and then made a play for the top spot five years ago. Gallo was found dead in his study one morning, killed execution style, and eleven of his most faithful associates disappeared without a trace. Usually the death of a Mafia don, especially a violent one, leads to a free for all for a while, but Buchetta established himself as the new leader virtually overnight. I've been after the bastard ever since."
"This is all very interesting, but what does it have to do with DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked gruffly.
Nielson looked over at Tony and continued, "Buchetta's been under surveillance for years and about four months ago we logged numerous meetings between him and your father in the space of three weeks. They looked pretty pally to me, then suddenly DiNozzo senior visits you and all contact is broken off."
"And you think I had something to do with it," Tony deduced.
Gibbs looked on proudly as his second in command became all business. He could practically hear the cogs whirring as Tony worked through all the new information.
"My father's visit was unexpected and totally out of character," Tony admitted candidly. "To be honest, it freaked me out a little and at one point I thought he wanted to see me personally to pass on some really bad news, like maybe he was seriously ill. We were involved in a high profile case and I didn't have a lot of time. He said his reason for visiting could wait and in the end he left before we had a chance to discuss it."
Tony looked over at the SCPD detectives and continued, "I asked M...um, a friend to help me find out what was going on with my dad and it was only then I got to know he had financial problems. I think maybe that's what he wanted to tell me, but he met up with an old friend and the possibility of a new business opportunity kept him pretty busy after that."
"Who was the old friend?" Sacks asked curiously.
"Prince Omar Ibn Alwaan, the father of the man we were protecting."
"Ah, the Saudi royal family connection from his Dubai deal?" Nielson surmised. "From what we've been able to find out, your father apparently had a number of projects on the drawing board, but needed a major financial backer to move forward."
"And you think my dad was desperate enough to consider dealing with Buchetta?" Tony frowned, deep in thought. "Then he comes here and sees the chance to use legitimate money when his old friend Prince Omar shows up. I don't suppose dear old Carmine would take too kindly to being kicked to the kerb like that."
"He's killed for much less," Nielson agreed. "Man if we can link him to DiNozzo's murder, we can finally nail the bastard, Ron!" he added, a look of gleeful zeal on his face as he addressed his partner.
"Now we have a motive, it's definitely an angle worth pursuing," Sacks agreed stiffly. "The manner of his death matches Gallo's and a couple of other people who crossed him in one way or another."
"Well gentlemen, it looks to me as if this meeting, though brief, has been very productive," Vance announced in a satisfied tone, pushing his chair back.
"Yeah, ya gotta love inter-agency co-operation, hey Slacks?" Tony drawled. He just couldn't help having another dig at the other agent's expense. "Sorry you didn't get to arrest me again, but I guess there's always next time."
Sacks gave him a tight smile and stood up. "Thank you for your help in this matter," he said formally to the NCIS contingent before turning his attention to the Suffolk County detectives. "If you'd like to follow us, I think we can continue our investigations out of the Hoover building."
Gibbs resisted the urge to smile as the other visitors said their goodbyes and Vance led them from the room. Sacks was uptight and too by the book to ever match DiNozzo's natural investigative flair, but he was a good agent, (when he put his prejudices aside), and he reminded Gibbs a lot of a young Tobias Fornell. He and Fornell had different styles and had butted heads many times over the years, but somehow they'd eventually mellowed and, in spite of everything, had become good friends. Perhaps the same would one day be true for the two younger agents.
"God what a tight-ass!" Tony exclaimed as the door closed.
Gibbs almost laughed out loud and had to admit that any friendship between DiNozzo and Sacks was probably a few years off just yet.
"What a day!" Tony groaned dramatically, slumping back in his chair.
"You can say that again!" Gibbs said, in wholehearted agreement.
"Do you know what the funny thing is? I don't really know what I'm supposed to do now," Tony admitted, the little boy lost look back on his face. "I mean, it looks like we've got a pretty good idea who killed my dad, but I don't know if I'm supposed to make funeral arrangements and, if I am, how am I supposed to know what he would have wanted, huh? I don't even know what his taste in music was like these days!"
"What do you want to do?" the older man asked, trying to help Tony focus his chaotic thoughts.
"Do you think they'd let me see him?" Tony asked, his expression a strange combination of hope and fear.
"Who, your father?"
"No," he replied hesitantly, "my...my brother. Do you think his mom would let me meet him?"
The depth of emotion expressed in that simple question would have surprised many people, who on first meeting him, usually fell for Tony's shallow Frat boy persona. Those who took the time to get to know him better soon realised there was an awful lot more to him than met the eye. Gibbs felt privileged that, over the last year in particular, the younger man seemed to feel secure enough in their friendship to be much more open about his feelings and the many masks Tony habitually wore were rarely used when they were alone these days. Gibbs in his turn had opened up about his own demons, leading to a much closer relationship.
"Well, I guess there's only one way to find out," he finally replied, gently squeezing the back of Tony's neck. He stood up and held out his hand to haul Tony to his feet.
"Let's go make a few phone calls."
TBC