"Uh. Gibbs?"
The occupants of the bullpen turn from staring at Abby to the three people who've appeared just behind them. Before Gibbs has a chance to respond Sparr shakes Vance's hand.
"Lieutenant Andrea Sparr. Pleased to meet you Director Vance. Good to see you again agent Gibbs." She smiles at him but is not surprised when he fails to respond. " I hope we'll be working together again."
"Your captain" Vance tilts his head at the woman beside him so the others know who she is. "Has agreed to a joint investigation. Your team will focus on detective McCadden; his cases and life. Gibbs' team will take it from the other side and look at the life of the petty officer. Naturally looking for a connection between them will be a priority."
"I see."
"Now I believe you have a question for my forensic specialist?"
"It is merely routine director. Our phone records indicate detective McCadden called Ms Sciuto several times over the past few months and she called him back. It is standard operating procedure to question someone in those circumstances...I mean..." she stutters to a stop realizing that Gibbs is glaring at her.
"I am sure she has nothing to hide. Just answer the question Ms Sciuto. I am sure it will be fine."
"Yes Director. McCadden and I chatted when he worked those cases with us. Then when he moved here he called me. Phil was a nice guy and we got together a few times."
"Together?" The question is out of his mouth before McGee can stop it.
"Just for drinks, sometimes to eat and to talk. He was new in town. I was being friendly." She glares at him.
"Which brings me back to my original question. What did the two of you talk about?"
"Partly it was professional stuff. Networking you know. Who was who around the district. He was curious about advances in forensics. We also talked about living here. Places to eat, hang out that sort of thing. He was quite interested in cupcakes." She shoots a quick glance at Ziva that they all notice but only Tony interprets correctly causing him to scowl.
"Cupcakes?"
"And cookies." She grins but then sees that Sparr is frowning in puzzlement.
"An in joke. Sorry."
"Did he ever talk about specific cases?"
"No."
Are you sure about that? It could be what ties your petty officer to McCadden."
"I am sure." Not one to back down when she feels she's in the right Abby finds herself glaring at Sparr.
"Thank you Ms Sciuto. I need to get back to the precinct and start looking at his case files. I assume you'll keep me in the loop agent Gibbs." He nods and Sparr and her boss head towards the elevators where they stop and begin to talk.
"Make sure you do Gibbs." Vance heads back to his office.
"DiNozzo you and Ziva go and check out that alley. McGee start on Jones service record."
"And I'll get back to Labby and check if Ducky has anything for my babies."
They begin to set about their appointed tasks and Gibbs walks to his desk. Abby looks at Ziva again then leans in and whispers to DiNozzo.
"Don't worry Tony. There's no way that cupcake would've been interested in him." She grins and walks away. He takes his gun from the drawer and looks up to see Sparr has walked back to the bullpen.
"I am glad we'll be working closely together on this one."
Acutely aware that the rest of the team is paying attention to this conversation his answer is casual.
"Sure."
"Maybe when it's over we could have dinner and catch up." She smiles a little hesitantly.
"Perhaps." She walks away and a moment later steps into the elevator with her boss.
"I don't think dinner is all Lieutenant Sparr is after."
"Jealous Ziva?"
"Not at all. I just think you need to be careful especially given some of your past experiences with women."
"Thanks but I can look after myself. Let's go."
As they walk towards the elevator he adds "Just concentrate on your Miami cupcake and let me find my own okay?"
"Huh?"
"Never mind Ziva. Never mind." They step into the elevator and the doors shut behind them.