Chapter 3

Gibbs sat at his desk, staring at Ian Summers' record. The kid was only picked up twice, and both times were for petty theft. Gibbs found it hard to believe he'd commit murder. He looked up from his computer.

"McGee! What do you have on our suspect?" he asked.

"Ian Summers, age 16. Only arrested twice for petty theft—"

"I already know that. Tell me something else."

Anything else...please...

"It says here that he was a straight A student until his junior year of high school, until he switched schools. His attendance faltered after that, and his grades suffered. He's been spotted with the street gang called Los Lobos. The robberies he committed had nothing to do with the gang, though."

Gibbs rubbed a hand over his face. Why did this have to be so damned complicated?

"Keep looking, McGee. I'll be right back."

Gibbs got up and went to the elevator. As soon as he was alone inside, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed his father's phone number.

"Leroy… how are you, Son?"

"Tell me about Lena," Gibbs said quickly. Jackson hesitated for a moment. "Don't even try to think up a lie, Dad. I want to know about my sister."

"Can we talk in person?"

"I need to know now. I'm in the middle of a case."

"I'm not going to tell you a damn thing until you learn how to talk to me with a little respect!"

Jackson hung up loudly in his son's ear.

Gibbs looked down at the phone. He wouldn't be getting any answers from Jackson anytime soon. He was going to have to confront Lena himself and tell her everything. He dialed another number as he turned the elevator back on.

"McGee, meet me downstairs at the sedan, and bring a copy of Abby's DNA results."

NCISNCISNCIS

"What are you going to tell her, Boss?" McGee asked as he and Gibbs headed for the flower shop.

"The truth."

"She's going to skin you alive."

"Before or after she shoots you for coming onto her, McGee?"

"Point taken."

The remainder of the ride was silent. Gibbs ran through a dozen scenarios in his head. None of them came out good for him. This was going to be more difficult than he thought.

They pulled up at the flower shop few minutes later. A young girl was out front with a hose, watering the assortment of flowers that had been set out on display. She had long, honey blonde hair and striking blue eyes, and looked to be about fourteen. Gibbs got out of the car, followed by Tim, and walked casually up to her.

"Hi, is Lena here?" he asked.

"She's inside," the girl said, smiling. "Are you looking to buy some flowers?"

Gibbs smiled.

"My friend is looking to buy some flowers for his girlfriend," he said, hitching a thumb at Tim.

"Come on, I'll show you where we keep the prettiest ones," she said, motioning for Tim to follow her. Tim smiled and went with her. Gibbs grinned and went inside the shop. Lena was behind the cashier's counter, making an arrangement of lilies and other flowers. Ian did not seem to be around. She looked up when he came into the store.

"Agent Gibbs! How can I help you?" she said with a smile.

"Please, call me Jethro," he said.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Jethro?"

"I need to speak with you about something important."

"What's the matter? Is it the DNA test?"

"Actually, yes." Gibbs held out the folder to her. "I think you need to see this."

Lena took the folder and opened it on the counter. Gibbs stood quietly as she read, nervous as hell. When she finished, she looked up at him, puzzled.

"Did I read this correctly?"

"Yes."

"So you and me—"

"Siblings."

Lena fell onto the stool behind her.

"Oh my God."

"I know."

"How—how did we not find each other before?"

"I don't know." He put his hands on the counter. "The last way I wanted to find out I had a sibling was through a murder investigation, believe me."

"Your investigation… did my DNA clear me?"

"Yeah.. that's the other thing I need to talk to you about."

"As if telling me you're my brother isn't shock enough?"

"The DNA wasn't yours… it belongs to your son."

"What!" she jumped out of her seat. "You think my son is a murderer? Have you lost your mind?"

"I need to talk to him, to find out what he was doing that night. I'm not saying he's guilty of anything yet. Is he here?"

"No, he isn't. If you want to bring him in, good luck finding him."

"He doesn't work here?" Gibbs asked.

"Oh, he does, when I can get him to stay. He's been pulling this crap for years."

Gibbs took a business card from his pocket and set it on the counter.

"When he comes home, will you call me?"

"You're asking me to turn in my own son?"

"I have to do my job, regardless of who the suspect may be. I'm sorry I had to spring all of this on you at once."

"Would you turn in your child?"

Gibbs remained silent.

"I didn't think you would. You can't ask me to do that. It's too much."

"I just want to talk to him. I can even come down here and talk to him, if you want."

Lena sighed heavily.

"I'll think about it, but I think you should go now."

"That's fair."

As Gibbs turned toward the door, it opened, and Tim came through, following the young girl.

"Mom! I sold a bouquet of orchids!"

"To him? I thought I told you not to come here again, Agent."

"McGee is the most harmless guy you'll ever meet. Cut him some slack, Lena."

Tim handed her some cash for the flowers.

"Your little girl is an excellent salesperson," he said politely.

"Joanna learned from the best," Lena said, smiling. She turned back to Gibbs.

"I need some time to process all of this."

"I understand." He motioned to his business card. "Call me."

She nodded.

"Let's go, McGee."

Gibbs turned and left the shop, McGee following behind. Lena looked down at the business card he'd given her. How could it be possible that she had a brother, and didn't know about it? There was one person who would be able to answer her questions. She grabbed the phone off its cradle and dialed a familiar number.

"Hi Mom… I need to talk to you about something…"

NCISNCISNCIS

Gibbs immediately noticed the figure sitting on his front porch when he got home that evening. He laid his hand on the gun at his hip as he got out of the truck. As he got closer to the porch, the figure came into focus, and he relaxed.

"Dad… what are you doing here?"

"You and I need to talk, Leroy."

TBC…