"Inferno"- Chapter 3

A/N: Earlier this week, I got some, well, critical reviews. I appreciate the honesty of my readers, but it was still hard to hear. Hopefully, this chapter will be a good one… let me know! Enjoy.

Chapter 3

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo and Agent Charity Bernard pulled up in front of a utilitarian- style apartment building, and stepped out of the car.

"Now see," Charity said, "This looks more like a place where a Petty Officer would live."

"If this is the guy who caused the destruction of my apartment, I swear I'll…," Tony growled.

"Relax, man," she replied calmly. "Let me talk to him." She knocked on the door.

A young, rather tall and well- built African- American man answered the door. "Can I help you?" he asked.

"Yes, my name's Agent Charity Bernard, and this is Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, NCIS," she told him. "Are you Petty Officer Third Class Aric Colden?"

"I am," he replied. "How can I help you?"

"We need to ask you a few questions," she said, as Tony observed. "We're investigating the death of Petty Officer First Class Logan Williams. We understand that you two were on the same carrier…"

"Logan's dead?" Aric replied, with genuine surprise. "How did it happen?"

"Well, we're still investigating the cause of his death, but it looks like he burned to death in his apartment," she explained.

"That's… wow," he said, shocked. "Did you want to ask me about him?"

"We wanted to ask you what you were doing near his apartment early this morning, around three," Tony interjected.

"I wasn't near there, sir," he said. "I was at my girlfriend's place. We were watching movies, and we fell asleep."

"We captured your image on a video camera outside the building," Tony continued. "Near Georgetown."

"That is where my girlfriend lives, Sir," he affirmed, "But as far as I know, Logan does not live in Georgetown- he lives a few blocks north of me. If he had moved, he would have said something."

"Were you friends?" Charity asked.

"Not extremely close, ma'am," Aric answered, "But friendly. We shared a common adversary, actually."

"Who would that be?" Tony demanded to know.

"Seaman Donovan Britt," Aric replied. "He's a young, immature sailor who enjoys, shall we say, extra-curricular activities with female officers and civilians alike. He has hooked up with our exes in the past."

"Interesting," Tony mused. "Did you report him?"

"I have," Aric told him, "But I'm not sure if Logan did. He's been reprimanded for his behavior."

Tony and Charity looked at each other for a second, not sure what to make of their new information. Charity sighed quietly, and handed Officer Colden a business card. "We appreciate everything you were able to tell us, Aric. If you think of anything else, please give me a call at my office or cell number."

"I will," he said sadly.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Do you believe him?" Tony asked the young redhead as he stepped into the elevator.

"He sounded genuinely surprised when we told him Williams was dead," Charity said, following him in. "But if you work with someone long enough, wouldn't he be privy to something major, like moving?"

"Maybe Williams didn't want anyone to know he had moved," he concluded. "Especially considering that the new place was completely out of his price range."

"I guess we need to do some digging on Seaman Britt, then," she said as the elevator doors opened.

"The boss- man isn't going to like this," he said with a sigh.

"Like what, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked as came to a stop in front of him.

"Petty Officer Colden told us that he was in the neighborhood this morning," Charity explained, "But he said it's because his girlfriend lives in that area."

"He also stated that he didn't know Williams lived in Georgetown," Tony added. "As far as Colden knows, Williams lives a few blocks north of him in Anacostia."

"He did tell us that they were friends, and there was a young sailor with whom they both had problems," Charity said. "Seaman Donovan Britt- a young, immature guy that enjoys hooking up with many females. According to Colden, he had hooked up with both his, and Williams' exes."

"Charity, do a background check on Britt," Gibbs ordered. "See if your information checks out. DiNozzo, find Officer Williams' previous addresses."

"Got it, Boss," they replied, and scurried to their desks.

"Boss!" McGee exclaimed, jumping up out of his chair. "It took me awhile, but I finally traced the routing number for all of the large deposits in Petty Officer Williams' account. They all come back to Seaman Donovan Britt. Possibly blackmail?"

"Colden was right, Boss," Tony stated. "The last address before the apartment above mine is 1313 V Street, Southeast- Anacostia."

"Here's a written warning from the Navy," Charity said. "The reprimand for 'fraternization'."

"If our horny seaman here was caught by Petty Officer Williams, then Williams could definitely be blackmailing him," Tony deducted.

"Britt gets pissed, tired of handing over the money, finds out Williams' new address, torches him," McGee concluded.

"Feasible," Charity said, "But how would Britt get Williams' new address, when his own friend didn't even know he moved?"

"If he worked in Administrative, he would have access," Gibbs told her. "You three have put together a solid case. DiNozzo, McGee, bring him in."

"On it, Boss," the men chorused.

"What do we do?" Charity asked.

"Wait for them to come back," Gibbs replied. "Watch as Tony interrogates him."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Charity asked. "I mean, Tony has a bit of an emotional connection, because it was his place…"

"I picked Tony because he could relate most closely to the sailor," Gibbs explained. "They share similar interests."

Charity's eyes widened with realization. "Gotcha, Boss," she replied. "I suppose I should've thought of that before I agreed to let him stay with me."

"Do you think, Agent Bernard?" he said sarcastically. "Just remember- Rule Number 12."

"And that would be…?" she asked.

"Never date a co-worker," he told her.

"He's not my type," she assured him.

"More than I needed to know." He took a sip of his coffee.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*