Do No Harm: Chapter 4: Puzzle Pieces

Disclaimer: Standard—don't but wish I did.

"Did the Boss man say what exactly we were looking for? Or why NCIS got this case? Should have let Metro keep it." Tony surveyed the small apartment. With the exception of the splintered wood near the deadbolt and a few blood stains on the carpet near his shoes, it looked too neat for a typical crime scene.

"He did not say much, Tony. Just that this Dr. Murray was attacked. I am sure we will know more when he arrives."

Ziva continued to take pictures of the apartment.

"Well, I've sketched what I could. Bagged and tagged a few things." He ran a gloved hand along the ornate wooden mantel over the fireplace. "Bit of a neat freak. No dust.

He turned his head sideways to glance at the bookshelf. "She sure likes to read" He looked at the filled bookcases on either side of the fireplace. "Definitely the bookworm type Probie would date" He started to read some of the titles aloud, "Theory of Quantum Physics", "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare", "Charles Dickens: The Complete Works", "Forensic Medicine: The New Millennium"-

"I guess McGee was wrong, DiNozzo" Gibbs voice as he entered the doorway stopped him from continuing.

"How's that, Boss?"

"You can read" Ziva replied with a smirk.

Tony waited until Gibbs back was turned before sticking his tongue out at the Israeli.

"Why don't you two stop behaving like children and tell me what we have"

"Eyes in the back of his head, Ziva. I told you!" Tony mouthed to her.

Ziva handed Gibbs seven evidence bags, explaining as he held each one up for inspection.

"She is very organized, Gibbs. Nothing appears out of place. No computer, but she could have used a laptop. If she did, we did not find it here. Fresh sheets on the bed, room vacuumed. Possibly post-attack, but I do not think that is likely. The woman was found in the foyer. According to the local police, that is where the attack took place. They secured the area and held it until we arrived. They said the Director had called their C.O. and told them to hand it over to NCIS. We have samples from the carpet where she was found and they were sent to the lab to evaluate for hair, fibers and fluids. I have prints from the wood fragments from the door for Abby. A toothpick found under the sofa, one coffee cup in the sink, rinsed but not washed. One set of car keys, a small bottle of bourbon, and this"

She handed Gibbs the seventh evidence bag. "A single rose that was found on the floor."

"Think it's some kind of creepy calling card?" Tony piped up, "A psycho Romeo and Juliet kind of theme?"

"A Cezanne rose" Gibbs studied it carefully.

"Wow, Boss. Never pegged you for a flower guy. Of course, with all of those wives, I'm sure you've bought lots of flowers"

"DiNozzo!"

Tony smacked the back of his own head, "Shutting up now, Boss"

"What else do we have?" His irritation with his senior agent was evident in his tone.

"Not much. To be honest, it didn't look like anyone had been living here for a while. Only one neighbor at home. Said the doctor was quiet. Traveled a lot. Neighbor worked late. Got in around 0400. He claims not to have heard a thing until the ambulance woke him up around 0630"

"Her car?"

"Already on its way to the evidence garage at NCIS." DiNozzo scratched his head, and readjusted his cap, "Exactly why is that, Boss?"

Gibbs shot him a look.

"What I mean is, well. She's not military. Why'd the Director say we'd catch this case instead of Metro?"

"Because I volunteered, DiNozzo. Any other questions?"

"No"

"Okay. Get this stuff back to Abby. Let's see if McGee found anything. Then we're going by the hospital to check out the auditorium"

"Heard Palmer say she was hurt pretty bad. She gonna be okay, Boss?" Even Ziva seemed surprised that Tony had asked.

Gibbs took one last look around the small apartment and shook his head, "Don't know".

"Gibbs!" Abby threw herself into his arms the minute he rounded the corner and stepped into her lab.

"Little looser, Abs" He gently wormed his way out her embrace.

"Sorry. I was just worried. Not about you, really. I mean, I worry about you all of the time because your job is dangerous and you deal with lots and lots of bad guys, but this time I was worried about Ducky 'cause it's his friend and I'm Ducky's friend and you're his friend, and the Director is... and um, I would hate it if one of my friends got hurt and-"

"I'm sure Ducky appreciates that. You called me?"

"Yes, I did!" She grinned at him.

"And I'm guessing that you're going to tell me why?"

"Of course! Have I ever let you down before? Wait, don't answer that!" She turned to her computer. Gibbs reached out and affectionately tugged on one of her pig tails.

"Never, Abby. Tell me that you found something"

"I thought Major Mass Spec did, but he is not working up to his full potential this morning—big disappointment there. Prints on the liquor bottle—bourbon, same brand you drink, oh great one—two sets. One to the liquor store owner and the second to Dr. Murray. But, I ran prints found on the coffee cup in the sink and guess what?"

"You're going to get to the point soon?"

"Gibbs!"

"Just trying to catch the bad guy, Abby."

"Well, said dirt bag left a partial thumb and a perfect index finger on the coffee cup! I ran them through AFIS and we got a hit. James Wooten"

"Good work, Abby"

"Don't say that yet. There's just one little problem"

Jethro rolled his eyes. A complication was not what he needed. "And that would be?"

"He's like, dead, Gibbs, or at least that's what the data base says. These are fresh prints. I've heard of 'dead man walking', but they don't leave fresh prints"

"You sure about this?"

"You're doubting me? Gibbs, I'm crushed"

He tugged another pigtail and smiled at her, "Not doubting, Abby. Just didn't need another piece to add to the puzzle"

"I'm really good at puzzles. I'll help you put this one together"

"Countin' on it, Abs. Keep looking." He gave her a faint smile as he left.

To be Continued…..