Chapter Three
Tony drove through the open gate and towards his bungalow. He had less than twenty-four hours to decide on the offer from Vance, and it was a tempting offer. Yes, he would no longer be a special agent, but he'd be able to help, train, and guide MCR Teams and other special agents. He parked his car. As Tony entered his bungalow, his smartphone rang. He looked at the number. It was a local.
"DiNozzo," he answered the smartphone.
"Simon Brandt owes big kala," said Jiro. "He is on the run from the Yakuza. While in Tokyo, the dice didn't fall his way but the man didn't know when to stop."
"How much does he owe?" asked Tony.
"100 G's," said Jiro.
Tony shook his head. No wonder the Yakuza wanted him dead. But, why would he come to Hawaii to run away from the Yakuza. The Yakuza were here. If he wanted to run and be safe, he'd run to Wyoming where there wasn't any Yakuza. He had to come here for a good reason. Discover the reason and discover Brandy.
"Good luck in finding him," said Tony.
"You are a strange man. I like you," said Jiro then hung up.
Tony's mind was still deciding on the offer of operations manager. He took a deep inhalation then exhale. Well, I do have some information to give Alanna Cathcart.
Turning around Tony exited and headed over to the main house.
NCIS
Ziva arrived at the crime scene in Anacostia Park feeling dead tired. It was two in the morning and the body of a naval quartermaster out of Norfolk. Agent MacDonald was already taking pictures and McGee was in conversation with Gibbs. She walked up to Gibbs.
He looked at her and nodded towards the body then said, "Collect whatever evidence you can find."
"Yes, Gibbs," she said then headed over to the body.
She looked down at the dead man. He was in his forties and looked to be out of shape for someone who was in the navy.
"I was hoping to get a full night sleep," sighed MacDonald, as he snapped more pictures.
"Don't forget to sketch and get measurements this time," she said.
"I don't see why we need to sketch anything," he said.
"Gibbs values older techniques," she said.
She missed Tony. By now he'd have her annoyed at him and forgetting how tired she was, or if his mood was right, he'd have her laughing and Gibbs angry at him. But, she had told herself that she was going to think about Tony any longer. He was the one who cut them out of his life. He was the one who did call them or return calls or e-mails. He was the one who kissed her and told her that he loved her then left. She wanted to forget about him, if only she could.
"DiNozzo," yelled Gibbs.
McGee and Ziva froze the looked at Gibbs, who shook his head in frustration.
"I mean MacDonald," he growled. "Don't forget the measurements this time."
"Yes, boss," said MacDonald.
McGee looked over at Ziva and smiled. It didn't happen often, but it did happen that Gibbs showed the fact he missed DiNozzo. They had been close, mentor, and apprentice, maybe even father and son, for a lot of years. Just like Abby, McGee, Ducky, Palmer, and Ziva, he missed DiNozzo.
NCIS
Oliver let Tony into the main house, an eight bedrooms, eight bath, mansion.
"About to have dinner, want some?" he asked.
"What are you having?" asked Tony.
"Alanna wanted to sample some Hawaiian cuisine, so we are having orange chicken and chow mein with cold Longboard beer," he said.
"You had me at orange chicken," said Tony.
"Join us," said Olive.
We walked to the dining room, which had a long table that would fit fourteen, more if needed. Tony sat across from Alanna, who sat to the right of Oliver. Oliver took the head of the table. The orange chicken and chow mein were already on the table. Maya, the cook and general domestic, brought them three beers. Tony gave her a sparking smile.
"Thank you, Maya," he said.
"My pleasure, Mr. Tony," she said then disappeared.
"As I was explaining, Hawaiian cuisine has great influences from China and Japan," Oliver said. "By the way, it's self-serve, so serve yourself."
"Good to see you, Tony," said Alanna.
"I have some information for you, Alanna, but I thought I'd give it to you over coffee," he said.
"You think hearing this news will make me lose my appetite," she said.
Tony smiled at her.
"It's not good news I have, but it isn't the worst news," he said.
"Tell me," she said.
Tony looked at Oliver, who nodded his head. Before talking, Tony put some orange chicken and chow mein on his plate. He sampled the chicken then looked at Alanna.
"The Yakuza want him because he owes them one hundred thousand dollars in gambling debt," he said. "He's hiding. Why he came here to Oahu I have no idea because there are better places to hide from Yakuza."
"I see," she said then placed small portions of the food on her plate. "What do you intend to do?"
"Well, I'm not sure because I have a problem. My old employer has made me a job offer that I am thinking of taking," said Tony.
"But you are looking for Simon," said Alanna.
"He hiding, which makes him very difficult to find. But more than that, he is here for a reason and it's a reason he believes can earn him enough money to pay off the Yakuza," said Tony. "I have a feeling that Simon Brandt is up to something that is less than legal."
"That is an assumption on your part," said Alanna.
"An excellent assumption, Miss Cathcart," said Oliver. "I am a former DCI of Scotland Yard. Brandt's actions are suspicious."
"He's scared," she said.
"Scared men do stupid things," said Tony. "What did he do for a living?"
"Import and Export," she said.
Tony looked over at Oliver. Import and Export. Yes, he could have be legitimate, but if he wasn't then more than likely, he was involved in the drug trade. It would be worth investigating, if Tony was willing to investigate it. He wasn't, though. He had the NCIS offer on his mind.
"I believe you should inform the police about Mr. Brandt's situation. It may save his life," said Oliver.
"I'll have to think about that," said Alanna.
NCIS
After his morning swim and run, Tony found himself in his shower trying to make a decision. Turing off the water and stepping out of the shower, he stood in front of the fogged mirror looking at his distorted image. I won't be a special agent. I won't be in the field. But I will be making a difference. Who am I kidding; I was always going to take this job.
He took a towel and wiped the mirror clear. It was time to shave and get dressed. He'd deliver his answer to Deputy Director Craig in person.
An hour and half later he was waiting patiently to enter Craig's office. Finally, Donna, Craig's secretary, told him he could go into the office now. Tony entered the office. Craig was standing looking out of his window at the sights of Pearl Harbor.
"Deputy Director Craig," said Tony.
"Jerome, Tony, I told you to call me Jerome," said Craig.
He turned and looked at Tony and waited for him to speak.
"I want the job," said Tony.
Craig smiled.
"You just made Vance and me very happy. I've got paperwork for you to fill out and we have to work on your job description," said Craig.
"You want me to oversee the MCR Teams," said Tony.
"Vance talked to me this morning and he wants to add something to it, too. Pearl covers more than Hawaii and he wants all MCR Teams under Pearl's jurisdiction to be under you as the Operation Manager," said Craig.
"Jerome," smiled Tony, "you had me at hello."
"Jerry MaGuire," smiled Craig. "I like that."
Tony chuckled. He was going to enjoy working for him.
"You have to re-qualify with a firearm, even though you're not a field agent," said Craig. "I have to qualify, too. It's just the rules."
"I'll do it today," smiled Tony. "I'll even do the seven minute mile if you want."
"Not necessary, Tony," said Tony.
Craig sat down at his desk.
"Do you have any questions?" Craig asked.
"I want Banks off the MCRT. I'll make him a contingency agent, and I want to make his SFA, Special Agent Lana Okika, the temporary team leader. Is that okay?" he asked.
"Once we do the paperwork, signed documents, and get you qualified, Tony, you are operations manager. You can do just about whatever you want," said Craig. "Oh, that reminds me I have let Vance know you said yes. Do you want to talk to him?"
"That's okay," said Tony.
"He makes me nervous," admitted Craig.
"Have you met Special Agent Gibbs?" asked Tony.
"Of course," smiled Craig.
"Does he make you nervous?" asked Tony
"No, he scares me."
NCIS
"What have we got Ducky?" asked Gibbs.
"Our quartermaster was garroted and professionally done, too," said the elderly medical examiner. "Besides how he died, our friend has told us more, Jethro."
With his rubber gloved hand, he lifted the dead man's right hand.
"He had a powdery substance on his right hand, which I sent to Abby for analysis," said Ducky then he lowered his right hand. "His toxicology showed that he had several drinks, but there were no drugs in his system."
"Any trace evidence from a struggle?" asked Gibbs.
"None," said Ducky. "I'd say he was talking to someone when the person behind him, who he knew, decided to send him to his maker."
"So a friend or associate strangled him from behind," said Gibbs with a nod. "Thanks, Duck."
Gibbs headed off to Abby's lab. He got into the elevator and headed one floor up. Getting off the elevator, his first stop was to the vending machine where he bought a large CafPow for her then he walked over to the sliding security doors and entered. Loud music was playing and Abby, who was wearing a plaid mini-skirt, and Sella Stella Thumper Platform boots, along with tee shirt with a skull on it and a white lab coat was dancing to the music. As she did a turn, she saw Gibbs, stopped, grabbed the remote, and turned off the music.
Gibbs handed her the CafPow and she smiled.
"Thank you, Gibbs," Abby then took a long sip on the straw.
"What have you got for me, Abs?" he asked.
"The white substance was heroin," said Abby, who then turned to face her computer.
She placed the drink down then her hands flew across the keyboard brining up a chemical analysis of the heroin.
"The heroin doesn't come from Afghanistan, though. It comes from Asia," she said.
Gibbs gave her a kiss on the forehead and said, "Good job, Abs."
He headed back to the bullpen. His gut was telling him that they had themselves a drug smuggling case involving the navy. This was bad press, the kind of case that made Vance moody and the SecNav pissed. He exited the elevator and walked over to the bullpen.
"Alright, McGee, tell me something about our Quartermaster," said Gibbs, as he stopped in front of the plasma TV.
McGee brought up a picture of Chief Edward James.
"Chief James just transferred from USPACOM at Pearl to Norfolk. He'd only been in his new assignment the past month," said McGee.
"Financials?" asked Gibbs.
"Working on that, boss."
"Work quicker," said Gibbs.
"Yes, boss," said McGee.
"Ziver and MacDonald, go to Norfolk and interview his superior, co-workers, and whoever else might help give us a sense of Chief Petty Officer James," ordered Gibbs.
"Yes, Gibbs," said Ziva.
Ziva stood up and looked at MacDonald, as he got ready. She was starting to get used to their Probie, but she missed Tony. Between Ray Cruz being arrested and EJ Barrett showing up on Gibbs doorstep, it had been an eventful six months. For a while, everything became a reminder of Tony and their missing him. Little did she and McGee realize how much Gibbs depended upon him. When he was in a bad mood, Tony took the brunt of it and no one seemed to understand Gibbs and his moods better than Tony.
The last three months, though Tony's absence had been easier, though still painful. She had stopped expecting to see him every morning and Gibbs was finally adjusting to not having his preferred senior field agent around anymore. Of course, she had gone from missing him to being angry with him, just as Abby had gone from missing him to being angry with him. He didn't have to just disappear without keeping in touch with them. Damn it, why do I still think about him. He is probably having drinks with umbrellas on the beach and looking at pretty girls in bikinis. I have to let go of him. I have to forget about him.
"I'm coming, Agent David," said MacDonald.
"I am driving," she said.
He sighed.
NCIS
Tony spent the day doing paperwork and qualifying with his sidearm. After that, he had a new ID made up for him and a new badge. No longer Special Agent DiNozzo, he was Operations Manager DiNozzo. Yes, Operations Manager DiNozzo. He sighed at the thought. If he was given a promotion now it would be to assistant director and head of some officer or department. He was a boss now, a bureaucrat, even a mini-Vance.
He arrived home at six-thirty. When he entered his bungalow, he was surprised to see Oliver sitting on his sofa.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Miss Cathcart is giving me a headache. She called your cousin and now he wants me to take over for you."
"Did you tell him that it involves the Yakuza?" he asked.
"Yes," he said. "Mr. Paddington expects me to speak to the police. He doesn't expect heroics."
Tony sat down in the comfortable chair across from Oliver.
"Why is he wanting to help her?"
"Mr. Paddington is pursuing her sister," said Colin.
"I should have guess," exhaled Tony. "Be it on the DiNozzo side or the Paddington side, the men think with the little head more than the big one."
"Unfortunate, but true," said Oliver.
"Don't worry, Ollie, I'll take care of this. I need to meet with the police this week and I'll talk to them about Brandt. How does that sound?" asked Tony.
"It sounds like I owe you a favor," smiled Oliver.
"We'll work on something," said Tony. "Now I have to come up with dinner."
"Don't you need to swim first," said Oliver.
"I'm tired," said Tony.
"Don't whine, Tony, it must be done. If you are going to work then you must take care of your lungs," said Oliver then he stood up. "How about this for an offer – you swim and I'll go get us a couple of Hula Dogs for dinner."
"Oooh, Hula Dogs, my new addiction. Okay, I'll have two sausages with mild sauce and pineapple relish," smiled Tony.
"And Longboard Beer?" asked Oliver.
"Do you like Die Hard movies?" Tony asked.
"The first and the fourth," said Oliver.
"Okay, I'll swim and then I'll have my Blu-ray ready for us," said Tony.
"Done deal."
NCIS
When both MCR Teams arrived in the morning, they were told to meet in the main conference room. Tony had worked briefly with the second team and now had observed the first. He knew what he wanted to do in order to jumpstart the teams. Dressed in a light blue Armani summer suit with a light blue dress shirt and red paisley tie and his Ray-ban sunglasses, Tony entered the conference room with Deputy Director Craig. The two of them faced the twelve agents and Craig spoke.
"Um, well," Craig started. "I have some important news for you. To my right is former Special Agent of NCIS Anthony DiNozzo. For reasons I won't go into, Agent DiNozzo had to take a disability otherwise he was the SFA of the top MCRT in NCIS. He has been hired as the Operation Manager in charge of MCR Teams and special agents. In other words, he's your boss," said Craig.
"Thank you, Jerome," said Tony then he turned and smiled at the MCRT special agents. "Yes, I'm your new boss. To begin with, you closure rates suck, but we can fix that. Let's get started shall we."
Tony shifted from looking at everyone to staring at Special Agent Banks.
"Special Agent Banks, I hear you are getting ready to take your retirement after twenty-five years," said Tony.
"Yes," he said apprehensively.
"Congratulations," smiled Tony. "I think what would be best for you is to spend your last few months here at NCIS as a contingency agent. You are now relieved of your position as Supervisory Special Agent."
"You can't do that," growled Banks.
"Yes, I can," said Tony then he looked at Craig.
"Yeah," he nodded, "he can."
"Who is going to run the team? I mean we are working on a serial killer case," said Banks.
"Special Agent Okika will run the team, but for the rest of this case I'll be overseeing the investigation myself," smiled Tony. "As for team two, I want you, Supervisory Special Agent Flynn, to start reviewing your SOPs. We'll be discussing them and methods on how to improve your investigations."
"Sir," Special Agent Okika spoke up, "what do you want my team to do?"
Banks glared at her, but she ignored him.
"I want you and your team to go bank to your bullpen and prepare to start investigating this case properly. We are going to work our asses off, but we will find the serial killer not Five-O. Understood?" Tony said with a commanding tone.
"Understood, sir."
