Twisted Brother

Chapter Two

"What Do You See, McGee?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NCIS ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gibbs got off the elevator, coffees in hand at 0630 hours on Wednesday morning. Unsurprised, he surveyed the members of his team already at their desks, and hard at work. Tony was on the phone, arguing with someone, leaning back, eyes closed. Ziva David was poring over a file, and McGee was staring at his computer screen. Even Abby was already there, sitting on a corner of McGee's desk, leaning over and looking intently at whatever Tim was showing her.

Gibbs strode into the bullpen area, dropping a different hot drink in front of each member of his team. Tony nodded, paused in his harangue of whoever he had on the phone and gulped a bit of it, smiled his thanks and resumed his argument. Abby beamed her brilliant 1000 wattage smile at him and accepted the Chai Tea he held out to her. "Gibbs!" she hugged him quickly, "You remembered this time." Ziva pointedly dropped her already empty coffee cup into the trash and sipped at her fresh one, getting up to go over and see what Tim had turned up.

"Hard not to, Abs." Gibbs sat at his own desk and fired up his computer. "You complained enough last time." Glancing up when Tony abruptly hung up the phone and raised his fist with a "Yes!" he raised his eyebrows. "Report," was all he had to say before they sprang into action.

As they all gathered in front of the big screen, Tony clicked it on, bringing up two photos, side by side. One was of a clean cut Navy officer; the second showed a blurry image of a man at an ATM. "What am I looking at DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked.

Tony zoomed in for a close up. "As you'll remember from last night, first picture is Navy Seal, Ian Patters, right before his brother John was sentenced. He left the Seals a month later. While not officially dishonorably discharged, let's just say his unit made it plain they had no use for him anymore. He returned from an extended stay overseas about 3 months ago. It took me forever, but I finally got his bank to release his records. I came across this photo earlier this morning, taken at an ATM about 6 weeks ago, and it made me curious."

Tony paused, taking another gulp of his coffee. "Seems they thought I should have a warrant or something first. Also, apparently, bankers really do keep banker's hours; he didn't like me calling his house at 0600 this morning. Anyway, our Navy Seal hardly even looks the same. Scuttlebutt from a 1st Louie in his old unit is he got mixed up in drugs. That could explain his motive for visiting dear old brother John lately. And his records should be arriving in my inbox right about….now." Tony's timing was only off by one or two seconds; that what how long it took before the chirp that announced an email sounded in the suddenly silent room.

"Impressive, Tony." Ziva took the remote and clicked it twice. This time the unwelcome picture of a dead young woman filled the screen. "This is Petty Officer Sharon Conters. She is the woman John Patters was convicted of raping and killing 8 years ago. I pulled all the paperwork from her case and have been reviewing it, looking for similarities. There seem to be too many to be a coincidence and anyway, Gibbs, I know you do not believe in them. Coincidences, I mean, not similarities." Turning toward Tony, she handed him the file. "That was a particularly brutal case, yes?" Tony tossed the file back onto his desk with looking at it. He had no problem recalling all of the gory details. "Yes," was all he said.

McGee was next. Clicking rapidly as he talked, he zipped through a list of names and pictures. "Boss, I checked and rechecked anyone connected with your and Tony's old cases last night, and there are a couple of others worth mentioning." Stopping on the third screen, he zoomed in on one. "Remember this one? Karen Fortune, one of the Navy's only convicted serial killers? She threatened you boss, and at first I thought it could be her. But it's not too likely; turns out she's gotten religion in prison and has become a model prisoner. She's even leading Bible studies and all kinds of self help groups for the other women. Could be faking it, but her warden seems to think she's genuine."

Gibbs peered at her picture for a moment, and then made a dismissive gesture. "Not her, McGee. Who's next?" None of the team questioned his quick decision; they had all learned to trust his famous gut.

A few more clicks and the scarred visage or a truly ugly man dominated the screen. "Ouch, McPoloroid," Tony winced. "That face is enough to curdle the hazelnut cream in my coffee." McGee nodded. "Yeah, he's not pretty. But he hated you both. His was one of the first cases the two of you worked together. His threats weren't all that spectacular; still, he did say you'd both be dead."

Gibbs shook his head. "Not him either. He said we'd be dead within the week and that was over 7 years ago. Got anyone else?" McGee kept clicking through the remaining photos. "No one else really stands out boss. Feels like Patters might be our best shot."

Gibbs nodded. "Agreed. Good work people." On that note he spun around and headed for the elevator. Behind him, his three agents were grinning and high fiving each other. Gibbs shook his head. Sometimes he didn't know what to do with them.

"Not that good. Get back to it. McGee, switch with David. You go through old case files, looking for anyone she may have missed. David, you double check McGee's list. Abs, go back to your lab and take Patters' file with you. You help Ducky do a psychological profile on both Ian and John." The elevator door opened, and he stepped in, looking pointedly at Tony. DiNozzo jumped up, grabbed his coffee and sprinted toward Gibbs. "Where we going boss?" The door closed on his answer. "To see an old friend, DiNozzo. To see an old friend."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NCIS ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pulling up to the gate in front of the Federal Correction Institution in Petersburg, Virginia, precisely two hours and 23 minutes later, DiNozzo rolled the driver's window down and presented both his and Gibbs' IDs. "NCIS agents, here to see a prisoner." The guard took his time inspecting their credentials, as other guards did a quick cursory search of the car. "Would you gentleman mind stepping out of the car and popping the trunk please?" Both agents complied; they were used to the careful procedures practiced before even they were allowed into the facility.

Fifteen minutes later, they were handing their service weapons over to a warden and being shown into a secure room. A few minutes after that, a man they both recognized as John Patters was brought in. Patters had a large baby face and had somehow managed to gain a lot of weight while in prison. His orange jump suit didn't do anything to make him look dignified and the chains at his ankles, wrists and waist testified to the fact he was still considered very dangerous.

Sitting down across from the NCIS agents, Patters broke into a huge grin. As Gibbs nodded toward the door and the guard left them alone with the prisoner, he started chuckling out loud. "I wondered how long before you showed up."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NCIS ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jimmy Palmer looked up as Abby entered the autopsy area. He had been meticulously cleaning one of the tables, the one where most recently Lynete Clarkson had laid. "Morning Abby," he smiled. "What brings you to our domain?" Abby stood quietly for a minute, watching Jimmy work. "I'm here to see the Duck Man, Jimmy. I'm here to help him help McGee help Ziva help Tony help Gibbs solve this case. We're all here to help. Gibbs is great, but without our help he's, well, I guess you'd say he's helpless. Well not helpless, exactly, but still, he needs us Jimmy. And he knows he needs us, and that's what makes him so not helpless."

Jimmy stood still, his eyes opening wider every time the word help or helpless came out of Abby's mouth. He jumped slightly when Dr. Mallard came up quietly behind him, and patted him lightly on the shoulder. "Do not worry, Mr. Palmer. You will eventually understand our Abigail. Well, at least as much as any of us understands her."

Turning to Abby, who was still muttering about helping and not being helpless, he stopped her by holding his hand up. "Now, Miss Scuito, how can I be of service?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NCIS ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Agent DiNozzo looked at John Patters, feeling his guts churning just a bit as he remembered seeing the young petty officer's body. Sharon Conters had been the first woman he'd ever seen in such a mutilated condition. He'd been embarrassed when he'd lost his lunch a scant hundred yards away from the crime scene after processing it. Until Gibbs had leaned down as he was hunched over his knees and had quietly told him that losing his lunch wasn't a problem. The problem was when it didn't make him sick.

Tony put on his best game face and narrowed his eyes at Patters. "Well, John, I can't tell you how much I've wanted to see you again too. Just to remind myself that vermin really can be kept locked up." Raising his eyebrows and looking him up and down, Tony turned toward Gibbs. "I'm kinda surprised though, boss." Gibbs was staring intently at Patters and without blinking replied. "Why's that DiNozzo?"

"Well," Tony drawled, leaning back and locking his hands behind his head. "I thought other vermin liked vegetables." He let the silence hang in the air for a moment. "Or," he grinned, leaning forward now and indicating Patter's obvious girth. "Are pumpkins fruits? I never can remember."

Patters' baby face tightened just a bit, that and the slight narrowing of his eyes were the only indication Tony had gotten to him. "Still the jokester, aren't you DiNozzo? Well, you won't be laughing long, funny boy. I'm assuming you received my messages."

The interrogation continued from there, but Patters refused to say more, and after only 10 minutes, he suddenly stood up, knocking his chair over backward. "Guard," he called. "I'm done playing with my friends. Take me back to my cell." As he left the room, he turned once more and with a chilling look directed at Tony, he managed one more taunt. "Just beware. You really are next."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NCIS ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On the way back to NCIS headquarters, Tony immediately began arguing with Gibbs, explaining all the reasons he did not need protective custody. Gibbs, driving this time, ignored all of them. As they pulled up and headed toward the building he stopped and faced Tony. "You done, DiNozzo?" Tony started again, but Gibbs just shook his head as they entered the building. "That's what I thought. You're done."

The rest of the afternoon sped by too quickly for DiNozzo. He felt helpless as Gibbs met with Director Vance, who came out and seemed to glare down at him from the mezzanine above. He didn't care for it when Ziva was summoned to the Director's office and returned a few minutes later, smiling and twirling her gun. He liked it even less when Gibbs disappeared, returning 30 minutes later with another NCIS agent in tow.

"Tony, Ziva, McGee, meet Bryce Mallory. He's been assigned as lead agent for your protective detail, DiNozzo. Ziva, you'll back him up." Bryce was tall, taller than Tony by about two and a half inches and solidly built. He stuck out his hand, shaking first Tony's, then Ziva and Tim's hands. "Sucks, doesn't it DiNozzo?"

Two hours later, as Tony claimed the only bedroom in the safe house that had its own attached bathroom, he agreed – this sucked. He was used to being the one providing the protection, not supposedly needing it. It didn't help that Ziva would hardly let him out of her sight. She was obviously taking her assignment very seriously; either that or she was just enjoying annoying the hell out of him.

Bryce Mallory was very business-like. He didn't respond much to Tony's witticisms or movie references and only provided the most basic answers when questioned about his background. He reminded Tony of nothing more than a beefed up McGee, especially when he set up his computer with the same zest Tim had for the things. Tony was great with computers, much better than he sometimes let on, but he didn't have a love affair with them to the point McGee did.

The long night got longer when both Ziva and Bryce overruled not only Tony's choice for dinner – pizza – but also opted to watch the news instead of a movie Tony preferred they see. "What 'cha gotta watch news on TV for? You've got all your computers set up to catch any little tiny bit of new information. Since we're stuck here, might as well enjoy it at least." But his pleas fell on deaf ears. Finally Tony gave up and turned in early. He did manage one taunt as he headed off for a hot shower, directed at Ziva. "At least I get to sleep tonight. You two babysitters be sure and stay up now."

For the next two weeks, a pattern developed. But it was only a pattern if you were trained to look for it. Ziva and Bryce basically stayed with Tony everywhere he went, and they varied their routes to and from the office, as well as the vehicles they drove in. Gibbs and McGee took turns watching Ian Patters during the night, and during the day, someone from the team was always at least aware of his location and what he was doing, even if they didn't have eyes on him at all times.

So when the next murder took place, they were all incredibly frustrated. The report came in at 0700 hours, again on a Tuesday, and they were at the scene by 0730. This time there were two bodies, Ensign Franklin Klever and 1st Lieutenant Rebecca O'Bryant. They were found in an abandoned building in a seedier part of town. Klever was dead, killed in the same fashion as the others – but not mutilated to the same extent as the first two. But the Lieutenant had not only been cut more brutally than any of the others before, her autopsy revealed sexual assault as well.

Gibb's face when he came up from autopsy was as angry as any they had ever seen. Slamming his fist on a desk his voice could be heard across the room. "Tell me you've got something." Even Bryce Mallory, normally one of the coolest people Tony had ever met, jumped. Bryce's eyebrows rose slightly as he watched Team Gibbs slide into action.

McGee was first, pulling up first Ensign Klever's picture and service record. "Ensign Klever, stationed at Quantico. Was starting a rotation in counterintelligence. Nothing unusual boss. Good record, well liked. Just got married 18 months ago. Didn't appear to know Lieutenant O'Bryant."

Ziva pulled the next picture up, the one of the dead lieutenant. "It is as McGee said, Gibbs. She was just on shore leave for the night; they were heading back to sea in two days. This would have been her 3rd tour of duty. Exemplary record, not married, her parents are deceased, she is—that is, was, close to a brother. Her brother is a writer, has had two novels published."

Gibbs was standing slightly to the side of his team and watching them as they made their presentations. He found he sometimes learned as much about the investigation from seeing them discover something as by any other method. So he was the first to notice when Timothy McGee's eyes suddenly narrowed and he took a slight step closer to the screen. But they were all surprised when McGee turned on his heel and ran from the room.

Tony watched in astonishment as McGee ran down the stairs, disappearing without a word. "What the hell was that all about?" Gibbs turned back toward the picture of the young woman in front of them. "Not sure DiNozzo, but he'll tell us when he's ready. Whatta' you got?"

They all turned back toward the big screen as Tony clicked the next picture. "Financials, boss. Just like before, nothing stands out. Both were living well within their means. Klever was a little upside down on a mortgage he and his wife took out last year, but in today's economy, who isn't?" As the discussion continued, none of them noticed the very slight smile on Agent Bryce Mallory's face as Timothy left the room.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NCIS ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ducky looked up as McGee came into the autopsy room. "Yes, Timothy, can I do something for you?" he asked as McGee stopped in front of the lockers, apparently looking for something. "Can I help you find something?"

"Not something, Ducky, someone. I need to see Lieutenant O'Bryant, now that she's cleaned up." At the grisly murder scene, her face had been so badly cut and smeared with blood and dirt it had been impossible for anyone to see what she looked like.

Ducky came over to stand next to the obviously distraught young agent. "What is it Timothy? What has you so upset?" As Tim continued to stand, stiff and unmoving, but staring at the refrigerated lockers, Ducky moved toward one. "She's here, my boy, in # 12. Let me pull her out for you."

Ducky moved forward and opened # 12, pulling the slab with the young woman's body on it out where the agent could see it. Tim seemed to shake himself slightly, and then cautiously moved over to where he could stare down at the body bag. With a hand that was unaccountably trembling, he unzipped it and stared at the young woman's face. While the cuts had caused a great deal of blood at the scene, the wounds themselves had been somewhat superficial and Ducky had done an outstanding job of repairing the damage. He looked from the young woman's face, to Timothy's which drained of all color as he continued staring. "What's wrong Timothy? What do you see?" Ducky asked gently. Both of them jumped slightly when Gibb's voice joined them.

"Sarah. He's seeing Sarah, aren't you Tim?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NCIS ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A/N: I know, not a lot of action in this chapter, but I need the background to set things in motion. Should get more interesting in chapter three, which I hope to have up by the end of the week.