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"Secrets & Family"
Chapter 8.
"Just to be ready to what we're about to see, how is your father's house?" asked Ziva from the back seat. She was just trying to lighten the mood of the car a little bit.
"I suppose that it's a big house," said Tim.
"Yeah, I think you could define it as 'a big house'," grinned Tony as he looked at Gibbs.
"Is there a garden?" asked Ziva.
"Yes... two gardens, actually. One at the house level and the other one on a lower level."
"Pool?" asked Ziva.
"Two: indoor and outdoor."
"Anything else?" asked McGee.
"Why are you so corious?" asked Tony, smiling. He's understood what they're trying to do and he was greatful to them.
"I just want to be prepared, Tony!" smiled Tim.
"Ok,'' Tony sighed. ''Here's a list: two pools; two tennis courts, indoor and outdoor; one solarium; one winter garden; a rich garage; stables..."
"Stables? But you can't ride!" Gibbs excalimed, remembering their mission in Arizona.
"This's not completely right, Boss. I can ride, but after I've fallen down a runaway horse I'm afraid of riding," Tony smiled his famous smile but Gibbs saw more behind that smile. He saw sadness and sorrow. Why?
"Did you hurt, DiNozzo?" asked Tim, grinning.
"Oh , yeah. I fell down on a rose-garden,"
"And you still have scars on your butt," grinned Ziva.
"How could you know that?" asked Tim.
"You're forgetting that I've slept with him," she winked.
"But... you weren't naked ! Or..."
"We're professionals, Timmy. We had to act as a married couple, so..." Tony wincked.
"So you were... oh , my God!" exclaimed Tim shocked.
"Not completely naked," specified Ziva.
"Is there something else at your father's house, DiNozzo?" asked Gibbs, trying to change the subject of the conversation.
"Just one thing and I think you'd love it," smiled Tony. Gibbs raised his eyebrows and Tony said, "There are two stairs approaching the beach and the sea and... BOATS."
"Boats?" asked Gibbs, really surprised.
"Well, the last time I've been there we had two boats: my father's yacht and..." Tony looked at Gibbs with a cocky smile. "My boat."
"Your..." started the Boss.
"Yes. On my eighteenth birthday, my grandfather gave me a 12 meter sailing-boat. A 1935 Scooner," smiled Tony and saw Gibbs widening his eyes. That boat was the dream of all sailors.
"Can you sail, Tony?" asked Ziva.
"Did you forget that I've been at a boarding school? But I haven't sailed a lot on that boat, because I've left for college a few months later,'' Tony looked out of the window and sadly added, ''Maybe my father has sold it.''
After about 10 minutes, they finally arrived at DiNozzo's main house gate.
"And now do we ring the door bell?" McGee joked.
"No," said Tony. "I like surprises. Boss, type a security code on that little keyboard near the gate. The numbers are 01.10.70."
"Are you sure that it's still the same?" asked Ziva doubtful, while Gibbs was typing.
"Oh, yeah," said Tony as they saw the gate slowly opening. Gibbs turned and Tony explained,"On that date, he earned his first milion dollars.''
They drove along a lengthy tree-lined driveway. On its sides a park extended as far as the eye can see. Then the house appeared in front of them.
"Wow!" exclaimed Tim. "That's not just a big house ... that's a villa."
"A small castle," Zivawhispered. "I'd never expect something like that.''
They got out of the car and arrived at the door, but Tony hesitated.
"Ready?" asked Gibbs.
"No, but I've no choice," sighed Tony as he rang the door bell. After few seconds the door opened and a white hair man appeared. He was the perfect butler.
"Monsieur, Anthony?" he said surprised, but he recovered immediately his self-control. "Bonjour, Mousieur," he said as he moved aside and let them entering the house.
"Bonjour, Marcel. Mon père est ici?" asked Tony with a perfect French accent.
"Oui, Mousier. Je l'avertis vite. Attendez ici, s'il vous plait. Merci," he said and went away.
Ziva, McGee and Gibbs were looking Tony. Clear surprise in their eyes.
Tony was about to explain why he spoke a so perfect French, but a woman entered the big hall. She was a 65-year old lady and she was saying, "Marcel, we need..." She stopped as sha looked at the little group of people not far from her.
Tony turned and sweetly smiled. Tears filled lady's eyes and she whispered, "Oh, my God... Anthony!" She approached him slowly. "My little child," she took his face in her hands. "Anthony,'' she whispered caressing his cheeks with tears in her eyes.
"Hi, Didy," Tony smiled deeply moved as he hugged her. She wasn't tall and she desappeared in his arms. Didy was the one and only person that had showed him love when he was a child. Deirdre O'Malley had been his nanny and when he growed up she became the housekeeper.
"I missed you so much, little one," she whispered.
"Me too," Tony said, wincing with pain.
"What's going on?" she asked concerned as she looked up at him.
"Nothing. It's just a little scratch. Don't worry,'' Tony reassured her.
"Why are you here?" she asked.
"For work. We need to talk to my father,'' Tony answered as he turned to his colleague. ''This is Special agent Jethro Gibbs, my Boss and these are my coworkers: special agent Timothy McGee and officer Ziva David," they nodded. ''This is Miss Didy, my... she brought up me.''
They shook their hands and then Deidre. "You can wait in the music room," she said and she escorted them to one of the room in the backside of the house.
Before she went back to the kitchen to bring them some coffee, Tony asked her,"Didy, is my boat still moored at the boat-house?"
"Yes. Your cousin Tom sometimes sailed on that," she answered.
"Thanks," Tony said as he looked at Gibbs smiling.
As Miss Didy closed the door, Ziva approached Tony and asked sottovoce, "How are you Tony?"
"I don't know. It's like a plunge in the past," Tony thoughtfuly said, going around in the room.
"Tony, this violin is wonderful," said Tim.
"It's a Stradivari's.''
"Tony, this piano is..." started Ziva.
"Yes , this is my piano,'' Tony nodded, tapping some keys.
"This house is really impressive, DiNozzo," Gibbs said him as he looked the huge backyard and the Atlantic Ocean outside the window wall.
"Yep,'' Tony whispered.
Suddenly, the door opened and an almost 80-year man said, "Good morning. son.'' They all turned and looked him.
Anthony DiNozzo Sr. was shorter and fatter than his son, but he had the same disarming smile and natural charm. "Marcel told me that you need to talk to me.''
No welcome back. No hugs. No hand shakes. Just coldness for his only son.
"Yes," answered Tony then introduced his colleagues. Gibbs and Tony's father shook their hands nodding and exchanging a warlike glance. Then Mr. DiNozzo shook Tim and Ziva's hands too.
"So, what's the reason behind your visit?" he asked, going to a little bar-table. "Do you want something to drink?'' he offered.
"We're on duty" Tony seriously answered.
"Oh yeah," he said scoffing. "A job that prevents you from the joys of..."
"Mr. DiNozzo we're here for two NCIS investigations on some Marines and sailors' deaths from drugs and on drugs dealing," Gibbs cut him off. He'd just met him and he already knew enough of Mr. DiNozzo Sr. He was arrogant and disrespectful. There was no way Gibbs would let Tony hurt more on this visit he made while on duty.
"And why are you talking to me?" he asked.
"Because some of your workers are involved in this investigation. We've already interrogated Mr. Miller who has admited to involvement. We're checking his bank accounts and then we'll search his house. But... since you're the CEO and we're investigating some of your workers and managers, we've got to talk with you and we've also obtained search warrants for every office of your companies and also for your personal bank accounts," said Gibbs quietly. He'd have liked to bring him to NCIS interrogation room and submitted him to 'Gibbs interrogation', but he couldn't... at least, for now.
"What?" Sr. shouted. "You've no rights to check my personal accounts!"
"Yes, we do," said Tony, evenly.
"This's your vendetta, right ? Bast..." the older man started, going towards Tony, but he stopped as Gibbs interposed between them.
"Stop!" shouted Tony. "Do not say things of which you could regret in the future." None of his colleagues had never heard so much anger in his voice.
"My lawyers will handle everything!" said the old man, storming out of the room.
Silence fell among them. Tony felt like he was choking. He needed to breathe so went out in the garden and Gibbs followed him.
"Hey," the former Marine said as he squeezed Tony's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Boss," sighed Tony as he turned and looked at him.
"Do not apologize..."
"Because it's sign of weakness, I know.''
"No. Because you do not need to apologize. He's the bastard, not you. And whatever he did or does, it's not your fault," Gibbs said and saw Tony nodding and adverting his eyes.
"Ok," Tony swallowed hard as he saw Gibbs going back to the house. "Boss!" Gibbs turned and looked at his SFA. ''I... my boat... I want you to have my boat, Gibbs,'' Tony whispered.
"Tony, it's your boat and..." Gibbs said.
"Please. I want you to enjoy it, it's important to me," Tony explained and Gibbs felt his heart aching at Tony's plea. This kid deserves so much love and attention, and he has such a generous heart.
"Thanks," Gibbs just said as a lump closed his throat.
In the meanwhile, in the music room.
"Wow!" sighed Ziva.
"Yep,'' McGee nodded. ''Now I understand the reason why sometimes DiNozzo can be so eager of attention. I'm surprised that he's not a junkie or insane.''
"Or a serial-killer," Ziva shook her head. "I thought that my father was the worst man in the world, but maybe I should revalue him," she said, but when Tim looked at her in shock, she added,"Well... I mean, just a little."
Gibbs entered the music room and, without saying a word, he headed to the corridor. Following Tony's father voice as he arrived at his office, knocked and entered.
"I've talked to my lawyers," said the older man visibly upset as soon as he saw Gibbs.
"It's on your rights," answered Gibbs.
"Agent... I don't remember your name," lied Mr. DiNozzo.
"Special Agent Gibbs," he grinned. Mr. DiNozzo's attempt to humble him was so puerile. He reminded him of Tony in interrogation when he teased a suspect to break him.
"Gibbs, we're men of the world, so we can talk sincerely,'' Sr. said with a sly smile. ''Between two of us, it's Tony's way of vengance, isn't it?"
"First of all I'm always sincere. Second I've never made up a case just to give one of my people the opportunity for vengance."
"One of you people?''
"Yes. And thirdly, Anthony isn't one to take advantage.''
"So, Anthony is one of your people?" he smirked again.
"His my Senior Field Agent and my right-hand man," smiled Gibbs, hoping that Tony wasn't outside the room listening to what he had just said.
"Are you sure of your choice?''
"Oh, I'm really sure," smiled Gibbs, thinking about how many times he'd headslapped Tony!
"Good for you," Mr. DiNozzo smirked.
"Mr. DiNozzo..." proceeded Gibbs.
"Anthony," he said.
"Mr. DiNozzo, I'm here to tell you that, luckily for your son, our investigation did not show that you have been involved in our case."
"You could have told me that before,'' Sr. snapped. He went to the window and said, ''So why are you here?"
"To ask for your cooperation in taking down the drug dealing, saving many lives," Gibbs explained, but looking at DiNozzo Sr., he understood that that subject didn't interest him. Tony and Mr. Miller words' came to his mind, 'to him the most important thing is his own money", so Gibbd added, "And... if the press came to know that you're involved in a federal investigation on a drug dealing... I'm not a business man, but I think it would not be good for your business," he grinned sarcasticaly.
"Would you call the press?" asked the old man, glacialy.
"No, I'd never do such a rude thing, but ya know... word goes around fast."
"Is it a threat ?"
"An advice," grinned Gibbs. "Now we've got to search Mr. Miller's house. We'll see you later."
"You'll be back?" asked the man, not happy at all.
"Oh , yeah. You can count on that," answered Gibbs as he closed Mr. DiNozzo's office door and headed to his team.
TBC
The horse, the roses and the scars on Tony's butt, that he and Ziva mentioned are the same scars/horse/roses that Tony and Jeanne mentioned on 4.12 ''Suspicion''.
More soon!
