Chapter 8
Tony and Ziva finally arrive at the farm house of Captain Reynolds after beating their way through traffic and painfully slow drivers.
They know that cell phone coverage is spotty at best in the country but hope that they can contact McGee with any information they find.
The two of them cautiously approach the farmhouse when a man in uniform steps out the front door and falls to his knees.
"I was wondering when you would come for me."
Tony pulls out his badge. "Agent DiNozzo and David NCIS…you were expecting us? Nobody ever expects NCIS."
Ziva rolls her eyes. "Tony…Captain is there anyone else in the house?"
"No but you will want to see what he planted inside before he lured me here. I didn't touch it so my prints will not be on the photographs."
Tony cuffs the captain behind his back and pulls him up and back into the house. Ziva stands in the kitchen and stares open-mouthed at the room.
Tony's eyes widen as he plops the Captain down in a chair. Ziva turns on the light in the darkening room. The sun is just going down and the banquets will begin soon. Ziva pulls out the camera and begins taking photographic evidence as Tony calls McGee and Abby.
"Yeah 00 McGeek… you are not going to believe what we are seeing. Classic psychotic killer slasher movie obsession…all over the kitchen."
McGee is on the speaker.
Tony…Ziva what do you see?
Ziva answers. "M….many pictures of her from different times in her life…spanning many years."
"These must be pictures of her children and her parents and husband. How did you get these Reynolds?"
"I told you they were planted here…I am the patsy for his game."
"Then who is Moriarty?"
"Colonel Galvin…he must have put money in my account but I haven't touched a penny."
"McGee did you get that?"
"Yes Tony…Galvin is at the banquet."
"Tell Gibbs…we have a new suspect. Ziva and I will bring the photos. I don't think M would like this to be found by the police."
Abby spoke through the speaker.
"Email us the picture of the photos Tony and come back right away."
Ziva speaks. "We will question Reynolds on the way back but he says this was a frame job."
Ziva and Tony put gloves on and began removing and bagging the photos. The organized them by approximate age the oldest youngest images of M first.
Tony pauses holding one. "Wow…um…I think Ducky is one lucky man…oooohhh 1968 was a very good year…"
"Tony focus…give me that."
Tony attempts to keep the photo. "There are so many can't I keep this one of her in a bikini."
"TONY!"
"All right, spoil sport…McGeek you still there?"
"Yes, Tony."
"I want a copy of the one of M in the bikini 1968…for my desktop."
"I doubt Gibbs will allow that and I know Ducky wouldn't. I see it…wow…"
Abby smacks Tim upside the head.
"Timothy…that is rude…god she is stunning. I'll let Gibbs know about the colonel but find out as much as possible please and hurry back…I hate it when all this action is happening and one of you may get hurt."
Ziva and Tony put Reynolds in the back and head back to base. They leave the connexion open to Tim and Abby while they question him so that Tim can record the confession.
Tony begins the questioning. "Ok Reynolds what is going on with your men and these images."
"I've know the Colonel a long time and we've alway gotten along. He approached me 9 months ago about setting up an anti terrorist unit. I did and we were working with the men for 3 months when he brought a CIA agent in to help condition the men's minds."
Ziva looked back a Reynolds. "What do you mean condition their minds?"
"It was to teach the men how to resist torture in case of capture. An agent began bombarding them individually with images. One of the men, Fields approached me with a photo that he slipped into his uniform on one of the sessions…he said that it just didn't feel right…there was something wrong with the intended target."
Tony asks. "Who or what was in the photo?"
"That woman…the one in the pictures planted in my home. I approached the colonel and questioned him about it and showed him the picture. He smiled and said that he would look into it. Fields dropped out of the team and convinced others to ignore the instruction also. I sent Fields and Scott who were rejecting the concept of this woman as a terrorist target, to speak with someone I know at the CIA…they didn't make it. Fields was shot and Scott managed to fight his way out and take off in Fields' car coming to me here. I had an old radio transmitter and sent him to attach it to the car. The team was told that the target had arrived in D.C. to subvert members of the intelligence community."
Ziva added. "So you thought by tracking the target you could prove she wasn't?"
"Yes, and that the men that disagreed with the CIA conditioning could watch from a distance."
Tony added. "How many are clean from your group?"
"I had half of the original 14 but now there are only 6. One of the conditioned marines died in the hotel. I have my 6 remaining men outside the official function that is going on…they are there to look for their former comrades. Listen I know this sounds insane but the methods they used for programming really took hold on some of the men…they are good men but they've been feed some bad information."
Ziva asks. "What are the plans…are they going to kill the target?"
"No, they are to capture her and take her somewhere but we don't know where. That is why my men are watching incase they need to follow and report. It seems absurd to me that they believe that a little old lady could be such a threat to national security."
Ziva looks at Tony and his eye go wide.
Ziva nods at Reynolds and smiles. "There is not much of a chance that she has anything to do with any Muslim terrorist organizations being a woman."
"Exactly what I told Galvin…they would never follow a woman. My men are Scott, Jones, Piper, Trent, Nelson and Quinn. The ones that broke away from the group and they're for their lives after Scott was attacked by an agent…likely CIA."
Ziva answered. "He was not CIA and is trying to protect the woman in the photo…he didn't know and thought Scott was planting a bomb on the car."
"Damn…to bad we could have made contact and maybe prevented this from continuing. The names of the six remaining Marines are; Booker, Fellows, Brick, Campbell, Leon and Baker."
Tony speaks to McGee and Abby. "Did you get all that Tim?"
Yes, Tony we heard and we are sending word to Gibbs as we speak. Colonel Galvin …is on the guest list…M is not …wait...this must be her…she is listed as Emma Peel.
Tony begins to laugh. "Emma Peel classic…wonder if there are any old photos of her in a black leather cat suit? That would be even better that the one in the bikini."
McGee and Abby are silent and Ziva just looks confused. "Why would she be dressed like that Tony?"
"Come on people…Emma Peel…The Avengers? Doesn't anyone watch the classic anymore?"
"Tony I don't know what you're taking about but at least Emma fits with the code name."
Reynolds perks up. "Who is she?"
Ziva answers. "That is on a need to know basis and you do not need to know. If at the end of all this she cares to introduce herself to you then she will."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ducky, M, Bond and Gibbs move away from their cars and towards the entrance.
M stops short for a second. "My name is Emma Peel for tonight and I sent the names of my guests…I assume you have an invitation Gibbs?"
"Yes, ma'am…the director was kind enough to get me one."
Bond smiles at her. "Emma Peel…how original is the good doctor now John Steed?"
M smiled at Ducky. "No, he has no need to pretend, he is wonderful just as he is."
Ducky tucked M's hand into the crook of his arm as they walk into the entrance.
Bond meets Gibbs eyes as he shrugs his shoulders and sighs.
"Who is it that M has to meet here?"
"I don't know she nor Tanner mentioned but it was straight from the PM so maybe we do not need to know."
"How will you know when she's accomplished her mission?"
"M will tell us. With our luck something will blow up or a bar room brawl will break out…then we get her out of here regardless. Any contact from your people?"
"Nothing yet but they had to go into the mountains and the reception is never good."
They approach security and Gibbs wonders how Bond is going to get two guns into the hall. Gibbs goes through the detector fist and he turns to watch Bond.
Ducky got an exemption for his dirk based on its ceremonial and ornamental qualities not to mention he is a doctor.
Bond walked straight through with a smirk on his face.
"You going to tell me how you did that?"
"Trade secret I'm afraid."
The group of four huddled for a moment as Bond handed M the Derringer back and put it in her handbag.
"I thought you didn't want me with this Bond?"
"I changed my mind. I don't trust you not to wander off without us."
Ducky frowned as he took M's arm again. "I do hope that there is no need to use those while here."
They nodded in agreement and walked into the main hall to find their seats and scan the crowd. Gibbs received a text and frowned. Gibbs tells them to send it to Bond's phone so they can look at the pictures and information.
They eat their meal while continually scanning the room for any threats.
Images of Colonel Galvin appear on the screen along with six other Marines that are involved.
"These are the men Tony and Ziva said are involved. Tony and Ziva will be here within 2 hours once they drop Reynolds off at NCIS."
Bond looks at M. "So our main suspect is a patsy and the ones that want you dead may be here tonight…this makes the evening so much more pleasant. Please go make your contacts now and we will be leaving before the dinner."
"Bond I haven't seen them yet and I doubt the suspect will pull a gun out in front of the entire room and shoot me."
"M…this is too risky. As soon as you see who you to see give me a signal and I will go find a private room if you need it."
"All right…stop you're hovering. Go find me a private area and I will walk the room with my two other handsome companions."
Bond turns to Gibbs. "Make sure she doesn't disappear on you…she is far from without means to slip a guard."
M rolls her eyes at the comment as she clasps Ducky's arm and begins to walk the room.
"M my dear how will you make contact?"
"I cannot tell you all my secrets doctor or you may lose interest."
Ducky smiles down at her amused face. "That my dear could never happen."
Gibbs followed at a casual pace behind the two, watching how M managed to chat with Ducky while scanning the crowed effectively. Gibbs suddenly noticed Galvin over in the corner.
Galvin was watching her and for a moment M noticed him and her step slowed as she scanned the room possibly looking for Bond.
Gibbs moved forward and took M's hand and shook it as if just meeting her. M smiled and played along.
"May I have this dance ma'am?"
"I would be delighted."
Ducky smiled and released her arm to allow Jethro to guide her to the dance floor. Bond came up silently beside Ducky.
"What happened…why is she dancing with Gibbs and not you doctor."
"I hadn't asked her yet and Jethro must have seen something that made him need to move her away."
"Yes, he did…Colonel Galvin is standing watching them just over your left shoulder…don't look please doctor."
M sees Bond and nods her head in his direction and he nods back.
Bond has diverted anyone watching to believe that M plans on using a small office down the hall. In reality she has already made contact and they know that she cannot speak here with their American companions. Bond simply left to make a phone call to a friend.
Bond knows that she will lead the suspects to another location shortly to get this over with.
"You are a very good dancer agent Gibbs."
"So are you ma'am…I take it you noticed Galvin also?"
"Yes, he continues to watch us…Bond is back. There is someone else in here that Galvin is looking at across the room."
"I noticed…I do not see any of the Marines we are watching for."
"Nor do I…you said that the first body was found near Langley Virginia."
"Yes."
"CIA headquarters…were not helpful in the least were they?"
"No but they never usually are."
"Did they even feign assistance?"
"No…what are you getting at?"
"Those Marine's…I am now assuming that there were two because the car was driven by another when it hit Bond…they were on their way to meet with someone and speak to them on Captain Reynolds behalf. Unfortunately, they met the one member of the CIA that is involved with all of this and one was killed for it."
Gibbs frowns and shakes his head. "Damn…so there is a CIA agent here that is guiding the entire thing…this Quantum is a dangerous group."
"Yes…it's like a hydra…once you cut the head off one two or three more take its place."
Ducky and Bond separate and head across the room to examine others possibly watching M on the dance floor.
Ducky gets a text from Tony and an image of M in a bikini appears on his phone. Suddenly Ducky gets bumped by a man who begins a conversation with him about his kilt. Ducky puts his phone away in his sporran quickly.
"That is an interesting dress uniform…what are you with? I am Mr. Gunn by the way…I am a director for an aeronautics company in Pennsylvania and I know little or nothing of uniforms."
The man cheerily smiles while waiting for Ducky's answer.
"I am Dr. Mallard, I was a doctor with the British SAS a long time ago."
"So that is why you get to wear the kilt. Women love a man in a kilt…my ex-wife always told me that."
The two of them chuckled as M and Gibbs concluded their dance and slowly walked off the dance floor.
"If you will excuse me Mr. Gunn, I must ask a lady about a dance."
"Is that lovely lady your wife Dr. Mallard?"
"No, she isn't."
"Well, you are a lucky man, none the less."
"Thank you…I do believe you are right."
Ducky moves to M and takes her hand and guides her back to the dance floor.
"The man who approached me…I think there is something about him…something in the back of my mind that I cannot reach."
"Don't worry yourself Ducky…this is my mess not yours."
"Yes, but I have an invested interest in keeping you safe Emma Peel. I plan on ravaging you later."
M laughs and holds Ducky tighter. "Yes…I guess a little paranoia will keep us alert. I think Bond noticed the man speaking with you and is watching him now."
"There is not a lot that Bond doesn't notice when you're concerned my dear."
"Ducky…are you still on about that?"
"You must admit…it feels good to have the attention of a younger man. M you are not concerned that it might become obsessive in nature do you?"
M suddenly stiffened in his arms. "Ducky…why would you say that?"
"Ahhh….I see."
"What do you see?"
"It has happened before. You said that your husband cheated…was it really you?"
"No…and you are far too perceptive when it comes to me…far too quickly."
"You have let your guard down because you are lonely my dear…that is completely natural and I for one, am very glad you did. It is also natural that in your place you attract attention of your male colleges on a sexual level…just like Bond."
"Let's not talk about this…let's just enjoy our first dance Ducky."
"Yes…let's. You are a stubborn woman who can practically see through walls when it comes to your work but you like to hide yourself from relationships…until me but then I am safe."
"Why does everyone keep saying that you are a safe choice and that is why I am with you. I can assure you that I am not one to try to find a fling that will only last a week…It's not my style. You are a wonderful, intelligent man who is fun and has the same cultural references that I have. If you come to London we will continue this…relationship…my heart and my desires are never flippant or fleeting, I can assure you."
"You know I am touched that you feel that way M, but you know as well as I do that I will stay here and you will stay in London."
"Don't you miss home at all Ducky?"
"Yes, my dear…some days when it rains…sometimes the smell reminds me and it pulls me into a melancholy…a loneliness and a desire to walk on cobbled streets of home but home also means family and I have a family here."
M rests her head on Ducky's shoulder and closes her eyes. "Love is never easy is it?"
"Nothing that is ever worth while is…Emma Peel."
M smiles into his uniform jacket. "Ducky, what am I going to do?"
"Let the boy into your heart and don't regret it for an instant."
"It's to damn inappropriate."
"What if you retired?"
"Then I would never know where Bond was sent and would be unable to help him carry out his missions."
"Is that the true reason you are at this job past retirement age? Maybe Bond would take a desk job…for you I am sure he would."
"I think he would bore of me and that would make him resent me in the end."
"That is a possibility, but even if it only lasts 6 months and he leaves…I will still be here for you Emma Peel."
M laughs. "You really like my assumed identity don't you Ducky."
"Like most men I had it bad for Ms. Peel back in the 60's."
"I can assure you I never looked that good even in the 60's."
"No…you looked better."
"How would you know Ducky?"
"My imagination and Tony proved it to me with a message."
M looks at him in confusion. "What?"
"Tony and Ziva discovered a wall of photographs of you at the Captain's home and brought it back for you…I told them to bring the photos to my home and not NCIS…I doubt you want them submitted as evidence. Reynolds' being framed as a patsy for these incidents."
"How did they…oh my god!"
M stiffens and they pull apart. She scans the room for Bond and she sees him move towards them on the dance floor.
"I'm sorry Ducky…I need to speak to Bond."
Bond instinctively knows by her body language that M needs to speak with him so he comes to claim a dance.
Ducky simply nods and joins Gibbs on the other side of the room.
"What happened Ducky?"
"I told her about the photos that Tony and Ziva found in the captain's home. She pulled away and looked for Bond. She must need to confer with him about them. What have you found Jethro?"
"None of the other Marines are in this hall but possibly a CIA connexion that M turned me on to and I have McGee looking into."
"A man approached me earlier and asked about my uniform and where it was from. Gunn was his name…something about that just seems familiar."
"You think he may be involved Ducky?"
"I don't know…let's see if this phone can help." Ducky removes the phone and the picture of M from Tony is still visible.
"Is that one of the photos from Tony and Ziva?"
"Yes…Tony thought I should have it…I told them to bring the photos to my house Jethro…M would not want them submitted as evidence."
"She may have to part with at least one for prints…that one will do."
"Yes…Tony liked it as well…she is amazing isn't she Jethro?"
Gibbs put his hand on Ducky's shoulder as he smiles down at the phone. "Yes she most certainly is…is she blond or a redhead Ducky?"
Ducky laughs with his old friend. "One or the other but I understand what you mean…she has the temperament."
Ducky searches the internet for what he wanted. "Look her Jethro…the surname Gunn…I knew it was familiar. Gunn is Scottish for White…and look here Galvin is Gaelic for White…didn't M say that the man who escaped them was Mr. White?"
"Yes, she did…where are they? They were on the dance floor. I will contact McGee and we have to find them…I don't see Galvin and you will have to locate Gunn…he is likely the CIA we are looking for."
Ducky looks concerned as he scans the dance floor and the spectators for signs of Gunn, M or Bond. Jethro moves out of the room to find a quieter place to speak to McGee.
"Ducky…it seems that M and Bond have gotten rid of their ear pieces or had them removed, we are going to have to find them fast."
"Jethro I don't like the sound of this."
"Neither do I Ducky…we'll find her…don't worry."
That doesn't prevent the sinking feeling Ducky is experiencing as he scans the crowd for M.
