(Four days ago…)
— Wh…what do you mean by 'that wasn't him', boss ?
— That wasn't him, Tony, that's all ! Gibbs dryly answered.
— Wow, when McGee's gonna know what…
— McGee doesn't have to know anything. Not yet.
Tony reflexively stopped and raised a hand in front of him, facing Jethro.
— Excuse me ? Wait, why shouldn't McGee know ? He helped you with the case as much as I did, he traced Karon !
— Yeah, the wrong one, Tony !
— Hey, that wasn't his fault. Our man was the one using that phone, and he was the one we've seen on that camera.
— I know, Tony ! Karon and his brother played with us all this time ! But now I need McGee to do his job and to not act as if everything was his fault from the beginning, because we both know he's gonna react like this, because he is how he is, and we both know it isn't gonna help with the case !
— Boss, you basically forced him to find your…'second' guy. Sorry…he sighed, but it's confusing me. I just think you could at least give him all the elements, he continued. Really, I do appreciate the confidences, Gibbs, but I won't be the one behind the computer, making the magic happen.
— It's only gonna be more pressure if he knows the wrong people died, Tony. It will drive him crazy.
Tony briefly rubbed his face and took a look through the window, overthinking.
— Listen, boss...McGee will always be McGee, but while this story may sound completely amazing, you should tell him about Karon's twin brother, the US Army, well, everything that might help him finding places to trace him. I know Karon used a pseudonym, but with a little more researches, he'll figure out at some point they were from the same family. He can talk to Abby or Ducky, Palmer, hearing about the DNA, or…
— Anything else ? Gibbs turned impatient.
— Uh, yeah...! Look, I know you're more the kind of guy following his agents rather than calling people who are actually paid for that, but come on, boss, Karon is alive, we know the kind of things he's done, so how are you gonna take care of McGee's safety ? Karon could reach any airport and decide to join us anytime.
— We have people everywhere watching his every move.
— Yeah, as if it could be that simple. Who can say he was in the same country as his brother when it happened ? He could...
— I'll do what I have to do, Tony, Gibbs suddenly interrupted him, so do not tell me how to do my job ! Now...are we finished, or do you have any additional tips to give me about my work ? he coldly asked and sighed another time.
— No, boss, Tony sighed back. That was all.
— Good.
— — — — — — — —
(Later, that same day…)
...Tim woke up on his seat, next to his typewriter, his back and head aching as if he had written all night long and fell asleep. He grabbed both armchairs, decided to head to his bed, when he realized he was tied up.
He desperately shook his wrists and waist, trying to free himself, but there was definitely nothing he could do to escape.
One of his sleeve rolled up. A tiny whole on his skin.
Probable use of a needle.
Drug.
— Did you sleep well, Agent McGee ?
Tim slowly raised his head and took a look right in front, the silhouette of a man turning clearer as he blinked more and more.
— Wh…Tim lowly pronounced and heavily breathed, trying to focus better. It's…you're sup…what…what did you give me ?
— Nothing interesting, Agent McGee, but do not worry about that, the effects will disappear soon. Let's say I only needed to keep you asleep for some little time…he smiled, in case you would have tried to move, or refused to give me your phone.
— Time to d…to do what ? he kept asking, feeling his tong turning drier.
— You're very curious...the voice now seemed to be speaking from afar. Alright, wake up.
Tim blinked a few more times, trying to understand why the invader was now walking away from him, opening the door…
— I said wake up !
— I'm…I'm awake, Tim slightly jumped and opened both his eyelids, trying staring at the revenant.
But the man was not moving from the other room, not even looking at him…
Tim's face finally turned paler as he noticed the dark pair of shoes next to the wooden rectangle, shoes he wasn't usually having in his possession…
Gibbs.
— Great connexions between American cities, hopefully, the voice continued. I was already in your country, but your team made me delay my plans, and that's making me feel really mad…
— You're…supposed to be dead, Tim lowly pronounced, Jethro suddenly slowly moving after another kick against his body. We've heard about your drive in the desert, how can you…how can you be in the United States ?
'Wake up, Tim' he thought for himself. 'Think clearer, you need to work things out'.
— It wasn't him, Tim, Gibbs' voice unexpectedly begun talking, the man trying to stand up. Karon…had a twin brother.
— Wh…how ?
— Sorry, Tim. I didn't tell you about it, because…because we thought he was dead.
He then watched the gun pointed at his face, not knowing if he should dare staring at Tim, if he should say something else and only stupidly wait for what would be next…what could they do anyway ?
— Did you destroy both phones ?
A man suddenly joined the trio and revealed an emotionless smile, briefly glancing at both NCIS Agents.
— I did, Karon, he answered, walking a bit away from him, gun pointed at Gibbs as well. But I'm not sure someone could have traced the old man's one. That thing is an antique. Not very nice boss, your man, he continued. Lying to his agents…
— Shut up, Ahmed, keep your criticism for later, when they'll be conscious enough to listen to it. For now…let's move them both away from here.
Ahmed approached Jethro a bit more and raised a fist next to his face, Karon meeting Tim's terrified eyes before doing the same against his skull with the help of his gun.