(Hours ago...)
Vance entered the lab and observed the numerous men work around him. He reflexively crossed both hands behind his back and immediately approached the one he really wanted to talk to. The young employee put on his glasses again and focused on the screen.
''Everything well, Mr Rowanson ?''
''People over here are looking for fingerprints, Director. They decided to start with the fridges and products areas. Well, I know there is a lot of people going on in here, but besides Miss Sciuto and the MEs, I guess no one is supposed to access, touch, or remove anything before getting an authorization for it, right ?''
''I know someone who wouldn't share that opinion...''
''That would be perfect anyway. Basically, we need our criminal to have approached the cake, or any of the products, here. If we are lucky enough...''
''...there'll be less work to do.''
''Yeah, that, too, Director'' he said, smiling. ''Is Miss Sciuto cleaning her lab everyday ?''
''She's supposed to.''
''Good. Then we'll definitely have a better chance to find our guy. Less probabilities means more probabilities !''
''What if the product wasn't exactly in the cake, but outside ?'' he continued.
''Like in the air ? I seriously doubt it, at least nothing was found about that. On the contrary, if this isn't in the cake, that leads us to maybe further in time, and that'd really be a problem. Maybe contamination ? But I guess they're dealing with the tapes as well upstairs, so we might be able to compare our results and progress faster than expected.''
''Here it is.''
Rowanson reflexively grabbed the new proof someone was holding to him and moved a hand in Leon's direction, inviting him to come closer.
''That is just a perfect timing for you, Director, now let's try finding to whom these fingerprints belong...let me see...right...it still might be a bit long. I will send you what I found as soon as I know anyway. ''
''I can stay.''
''Alright, then. Let's go...''
Match found.
Six seconds. That's the time it took for the message to appear, right in the middle. Vance sighed with desperation but tried not to show anything, as usual. He stared at the two words again, wondering if he could change them with the simple help of his mind.
Match found.
''Wow...'' Rowanson exclaimed, taking off his glasses. ''That was...quick.''
''Quick as a flash, indeed, Mr Rowanson. If you may excuse me... Please keep working, gentlemen" he added and left, heading to the elevator, nervous. He grabbed his phone and dialed. "Cynthia, anything new about the tapes ?"
"I was just about to call you, Director. It was reported that Miss Sciuto left NCIS at 3:05pm. Mr Vickers came in for the extra cleaning at 5:07pm, and Miss Sciuto accessed the building again at 6:24 pm. Thirty-minute stay."
"Thank you Cynthia. Anyone who might have accessed the lab after she left ?"
"Actually, yes, Director. We have noticed two visits. 7:09pm and 11:56pm."
"Let me guess about the first one...is it..."
"...Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, Director."
Vance exhaled for the umpteenth time of the day, wondering how much time it would take for him to finally explode...if he wasn't fired by the end of the week, that'd definitely be a miracle. But he faced reality again and realized one thing : there had been another visitor. One last hope before he should do something irrevocable.
''Please tell me the second visitor is a notorious criminal, Cynthia ?''
''Well...''
''What is it, Cynthia ? Am I gonna wait any longer ?''
''Director, we did have two visits, but...it was Agent DiNozzo, who came in both times.''
Leon immediately hung up the phone and dialed another number.
''Gibbs.''
''Gibbs ? Leon Vance. We have a problem.''
— — — — — — — — — —
(Now...)
''DiNozzo !''
''Hey, sir, you can't go in there...''
Tony instantly stood up as he heard the voice, as if to prove his allegiance to the one coming, hopeful.
''Hey boss'' he said, grabbing the bars of his cells between fingers. ''So good to hear from you, I couldn't wait for a good quarrel...''
He tried to smile but Gibbs' eyes were more terrifying than ever, this time. He swallowed in pain and waited for a head slap...but he didn't get any.
''You think it's funny, DiNozzo ?''
Tony seemed to hesitate for a second until his face suddenly revealed the weaknesses he had been trying so much to hide. He had never seen him that mad.
''Boss, I was waiting for some news, for McGee... I...I didn't get a chance to know anything. Is he...''
''Tell me anything, Tony. Anything !''
''And what do you want me to say...?''
Gibbs approached the bars so close he could perfectly hear his agent breathe. His voice unexpectedly turned lower as he then talked to Tony as if to say some confidences.
''Tell me anything, DiNozzo. The most disgusting sexual position, or whatever you did with that woman until the sun goes up, tell me about the stupidest jokes you told her all night, tell me...''
Tony raised both arms in the air, speechless.
''Why, boss ? I mean, wh...why does this even count ?''
Now Gibbs' terrible voice was back again.
''Because that bullshit would prove your innocence, you idiot ! I don't care anymore about you, bragging about your umpteenth night of sex, DiNozzo ! I need you to provide me an alibi ! Midnight'' he added after some time. ''Tell me anything you did from midnight.''
''I...I'm sorry, boss, I-I can't...''
''And why that, Tony ?'' Gibbs asked him, coming closer again.
Tony rubbed his eyes and neck, doubtful. He could feel the sweating along his forehead ready to join his cheeks, now really conscious of the troubles and consequences of his acts. He swallowed and gazed into Jethro.
''Because I can't remember...''
A hand brusquely caught the agent's collar and pushed him another time against the cold bars.
''Then you'd better get your memory back, DiNozzo, 'cause you're accused of murder attempt against the USA, and you're gonna spend your life in jail for that...if you get lucky enough.''
Tony felt the grip leave his collar and then watched Jethro go away from him exactly as he came, furious... He let himself fall on what seemed to be a horrible bed and cried.