Chapter 3
It hadn't taken the team that long to find the perp; the DNA he left on Bruce's coat had identified him as a gunnery sergeant Gus Connery. His record showed many disciplinary infractions for violence. It seem like Connery liked to bully those beneath him. He was a large man around 6 feet tall weighing at least 200 lbs.; his pictured showed him to be muscular. He was definitely a man to be avoided especially if he was showing violent tendencies.
Although it hadn't taken the team long to identify the sergeant locating him was another matter all together. They kept a watch on Robyn's apartment in hopes the big man would return to finish the job. After a week with no sightings they had to come to the realization that he was not coming back at least not without Robyn being there. Ziva had taken her place in the apartment since they were about the same size. It was like Connery knew that she wasn't Robyn and kept away.
"Boss, he still a no show at Ro…I mean Petty Officer Baker's apartment," reported Tony as he hastily corrected his report.
Tony had disregarded Gibb's order and had been seeing Robyn Baker as he investigated the case. His unintentional slip of the tongue almost had him caught by Gibbs and he knew that if his boss found out he would regret it…he could just about feel the sting on the back of his head.
Gibbs gave him a glare at the slip but said and did nothing. "McGee!"
"Yes, Boss?"
"Has he been seen anywhere since the crime?"
"No, Boss. I've discovered that he's on vacation. He put in for it a week before the attack. He said the reason was to visit his family out west," replied Tim as he read from his screen.
"Where are west?"
"Montana, Boss. He's due back by the end of the week; or at least that is when his leave is up," replied Tim.
"Is there a phone number listed for his family?"
"Yes, Boss and I've already called and verified that he is there," added Tim.
"What?!! You called his family and alerted Connery that we are looking for him," yelled Gibbs angrily.
"No Boss. I called the local LEO's and asked them to be on the lookout for the sergeant telling them only that he was a possible witness in an upcoming case and we wanted to be sure of his location. That we would be getting in touch with him at a latter time but then not to let him know just in case it all turns out to be nothing," reported McGee quickly.
Gibbs absorbed everything Tim had told him giving him a small smile with "Good job Tim," before turning his attention elsewhere.
Gibbs was just about to speak again when his phone rang and he answered, "Gibbs….our suspect is seemingly out of town so as long as you make it a quick trip I don't see any problem with you returning home for a few minutes. Just make sure you pack enough for a week or longer. I'll send two of my agents to protect you," before hanging up.
"David, you and DiNozzo go to Petty Officer Baker's apartment and provide protection. She going to pick up a few more items before she returns to her brother's for the duration of the case. Report if you see anything strange," ordered Gibbs.
"On it Boss," they responded in unison before gathering their gear and departing.
Gibbs replied to McGee's unasked question. "Just because his leave is up at the end of the week doesn't mean that he is going to stay the whole time there. He may have just used it as a diversion to throw us off…this way the Petty Officer will be safe."
*****************
By the time Tony and Ziva had arrived Robyn had already been there ten minutes and had begun her packing. It was while they were walking to her residence at the end of the hall that they heard her frantic cries and reacted.
Tony kicked in the door to find a large man dressed in black struggling with the petty officer. Tony didn't pause to announce his attentions before throwing himself on the man…it was an unfair encounter as Connery took great delight in transferring his anger on the agent preventing him from carrying out his attentions on the petty officer.
Tony took several punches to his gut and one to his face before Connery's attack stop. It only took Ziva's "Freeze…NCIS!!" cry and the gun coming up to cover him before he immediately stopped. He might have been violent but he was not stupid and he knew from Ziva's look that if he didn't stop she would definitely shoot.
"Are you okay?" Ziva asked her partner as she kept her gun and eyes focused on the large man.
"Yep," replied Tony as he held his stomach momentarily before struggling erect and pulling his cuffs out. He quickly handcuffed Connery before pulling out his cellphone and reporting in.
"Boss! We got him," he reported breathlessly.
"Bring him in…was anyone injured," asked Gibbs as he noted Tony's labored breathing. He could only guess what had probably happened and if it proved to be right he would be having a painful conversation with his senior agent.
