"So what do we know about this guy?" Gibbs asked the team. McGee rose from his desk and pulled Charles Lewis's details up on the plasma.
"Corporal Charles Lewis, enlisted into the Marines in September 2004, in April 2005 he joined the Combat Logistics Regiment at Quantico. He had a good track record, never late, never UA, got along with everyone until 3 months ago when a female colleague, Corporal Mary Longhurst," McGee pulled up her details along side Lewis's, "accused him of rape." Everyone fell silent for a second.
"Where does she fit in McGee?" Ziva asked.
"She joined the Logistics Regiment in June 2006, also had a good track record." McGee answered.
"She pretty." Tony noted, only to be slapped by Gibbs.
"She also could be the body in autopsy, DiNozzo. What do you mean "had" McGee?" Gibbs asked.
"She went missing 2 days ago, her mother called it in yesterday, said she couldn't get hold of her, last spoke to her three days ago. She was 6 months pregnant, Boss." Tony looked disgusted.
"Who rapes a pregnant woman?" He asked, earning himself another slap, this time from Ziva.
"So if she wasn't pregnant, that would have been better, I suppose?" She asked, glaring daggers, Tony backed away a step.
"No…just…uh…I'm going to see Abby, see if she can confirm the body's identity." He retreated, looking worriedly at Ziva.
"Abby!" Tony shouted over the music that was blaring out of Abby's Lab. She whipped around in her chair, pigtails flying, her face lit up when she saw Tony. She pointed a remote at the CD player and turned the music down.
"Abby…beautiful Abby," Tony gushed, arms open, "How is the Best Forensic Scientists in the World today?"
"I'm great," She cried as she threw herself into his arms, giving him a patented Abby Hug, "I had such a good date last night, well, he was a little weird but we still had fun, we went to this place that…hang on, why are you in such a good mood?" She cocked her head and frowned, as if trying to read his mind.
"Why can't I just be in a good mood?" Tony asked, annoyed that everyone kept asking him.
"Well, of course you can, but there is usually a reason why you are in a good mood, like you got lucky last night, or you watched re-runs of James Bond all night or…"
"Abby?" Tony interrupted, "The body, we got an ID yet?" Abby pouted and stamped her foot.
"I thought you were in a good mood DiNozzo? I haven't got an ID yet because I have got nothing to confirm it against…but…it is pretty likely that it is Mary Longhurst, I mean, she has been missing for 2 days, 3 months after accusing Lewis of rape and a body turned up in Lewis's garden that just happens to be 6 months pregnant…I'm thinking Lewis has been naughty." Abby spun in her chair with a flourish just as Gibbs walked through the doors.
"Gibbs!" She cried, "I know what was used to set the woman on fire!" She spun back on forth on her chair, grinning. Gibbs stopped the movement and encouraged her with a look. "Normal, garden variety gasoline." She announced, smiling at the deflated look on Tony's face and the irritated look on Gibbs's, "BUT…it had traces of a very specific plastic, which I am thinking is the container whoever used to store it in. This plastic is only made by one company, and the containers are only sold in two places in Washington." She grinned, pleased with herself. Gibbs handed her a Caf-Pow and kissed her on the cheek.
"Good work Abs." He said, turning around and walking out, "DiNozzo!" He called. Tony jumped and grinned at Abby before running after Gibbs.
"Hey Duck, anymore news." Gibbs asked as the doors of autopsy opened. Ducky turned, pulling off the visor from his head and handing it to Palmer.
"Well, as I said on the phone, this is a young woman, probably 25-30, 6 months pregnant, died of bunt force trauma to the head, the burning was a cover up, maybe who ever did this hoped that they could blame a barbeque accident." He smiled at Tony, who cowered, expecting another slap from Gibbs.
"Any idea what was used to cause the head trauma?" Gibbs asked. Ducky looked affronted.
"Yes I do have an idea. Probably a baseball bat, I found traces of charred wood in the wound, I sent it to Abby for confirmation."
"Can we get the DNA from the baby for ID on the father Ducky?" Tony asked.
"I sent a sample up to Abby; she just needs a reference sample to match it to." Ducky replied. Gibbs hooked his finger at Tony.
"Thanks Duck." He called over his shoulder as he walked out, Tony trailing behind.
"So what do you think is wrong with Tony today?" McGee asked Ziva, leaning over her desk conspiratorially. She glanced up at him.
"I do not know, McGee, what makes you think I would know?" She snapped. McGee stepped back, just as Gibbs and Tony reentered the bullpen.
"David, McGee, go to Corporal Longhurst's home, see if you can find any evidence of a boyfriend, we also need a DNA reference sample." Ziva and McGee grabbed their bags and hurried off.
"DiNozzo…" Gibbs began
"Find Lewis? On it Boss." Tony finished, settling down at his computer. Gibbs gave him an amused smile and walked up the stairs towards the Directors office.
Jen looked over the top of her glasses at Gibbs who had just burst through the door.
"Why do you always do that?" She asked, amusement creeping in to her voice.
"Do what?" He asked.
"Burst through the door, even if you have nothing important to say." She took her glasses off and rubbed her temples. She hadn't realized how close he was until he took her hands.
"Headache Jen?" He asked, "And everything I say is important." She smiled up at him, whilst he rubbed his thumb over her knuckles.
"A small one, nothing a large bourbon wouldn't cure." She grinned. He feigned shock.
"Its only…"He glanced at his watch, "…11.30 am Jenny." She sighed.
"Fine, I'll wait half and hour, happy? Now, was there any reason in particular why you just barged in here?" She asked, loving the way he snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her to him.
"Just wanted to tell you that I will see you later." He replied, planting a kiss on her mouth.
"I can't wait."
The next chapter should be soon.
V!
Xox
