"Henry," said Tony the next day, "James Henry, I didn't know you were based at Camp Lejeune when you were in the Navy."

"Sir? Don't think it came up," replied Henry, "it's not a secret. Everyone knows."

"Thought you might have mentioned it," said Tony, "knowing I used to work with NCIS."

"Not recently though," said Henry.

"And you didn't say anything when you knew we were going to Lejeune yesterday."

"Why would I? It wasn't a social call, was it? I couldn't really ask you to say hi to old friends while you and Agent Gibbs were interrogating them."

Tony gazed at Henry. What he said was true and Tony had been so busy since he took up his new job there hadn't been much time to get to know Henry on a personal level.

"Nothing more than that?" asked Tony.

"Sir?"

"No other reason you didn't want me to know you'd served at Lejeune?"

"No … well, I guess I didn't want to be connected to any crimes there," admitted Henry.

"Why would you be?" asked Tony.

"You said there was a possible link to what my father did and what's been happening there. I didn't want my name to be in your mind when you visited there."

"Is this like when you overbooked my diary to make sure I didn't get round to looking at your dad's case?" asked Tony.

Henry looked embarrassed, "No, Sir. I just didn't want you to go there and think I was the one who carried on with what Dad did. I wanted you to go there with an open mind, looking at everyone and not just focussed on me. That's all."

"And was there anything for us to find?" asked Tony.

"No," said Henry vehemently, "I didn't do anything wrong. Or know of anyone else doing anything," he added hastily.

"You should know," said Tony sternly, "that delaying tactics won't work. I'll get there."

"I wasn't trying to delay you," protested Henry, "it's no secret that I served at Lejeune. And anyway, why would I have told you … wouldn't have looked odd too?"

Tony didn't answer and he knew Henry was right. It just sat badly that his assistant had worked at the place the thefts had occurred and that his name had cropped up as one of several possibilities of meeting the criteria for sailors around at the time of the crimes. But, given Phillips' revelations the Camp's computer records couldn't be relied on to identify any culprit let alone Henry.

"All right," he said finally, "but Agents Gibbs and McGee want to question you about your time at Lejeune."

"Of course, Sir," said Henry, "I understand. Perhaps it was a mistake to come back to the force."

"Henry?"

"I thought all this … stuff with Dad was behind me but it seems that I'm still tainted with what he did. You know, up until now part of me always regretted that he died but now … now I'm glad!"

He reached out to pick up a pen to start working again and Tony noticed that his hand was trembling and that he was blinking back tears.

Tony decided to go see Sergeant Rodd in case there was an update on the device on his car. He had to go past the front desk where Casey Phillips was sitting as usual. Tony was going to walk past without saying anything: he couldn't really bring up that he had met her brother the day before. She called out to him, however, so he had to stop.

"Sir," she said, "Tommy, my brother, called last night."

"Yes?" said Tony.

"He said you suspect him of being involved with some thefts?"

Tony hedged, "it's not my case. It's NCIS."

"I know, Sir. But, Sir, Tommy wouldn't do anything bad. He loves being in the Navy, it's his life. It might not look like an exciting job working in the stores but he knows it's important."

"I can't really talk about it, Casey," said Tony.

"But he's a good person, Lieutenant. He loves little Tomasz, he's real good to him. And he looks out for us …"

"Casey?"

"It's hard at times. I'm not really 'with' Tomasz's father. And Tommy tries to fill the gap."

Tony nodded. He had plugged into the office gossip enough to know that Casey had given birth to her son about four years ago and had returned to work soon after. She had never said who the father was and the grapevine didn't seem to have a view which suggested it wasn't anyone she worked with. "I'm sorry, Casey. But I'm sure that NCIS will find the culprits so if you're right about your brother you don't need to worry."

"Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir. But we all know that the guilty people don't always get caught," she said glumly.

Tony nodded once more and went to move on but Casey hadn't finished with him.

"How are you settling in, Sir?" she asked.

"Fine," he said in surprise.

"It's just that you look tired." Tony decided not to point out that he had a lot on his mind. "Henry says you're busy with all these visits. And I guess it's stressful moving house with a kid." Tony nodded. "Moving house and new job are supposed to be two of the most stressful things you can do," she continue earnestly, "you need to be careful. Look after yourself."

"Er … thank you, Casey," said Tony before finally getting away.

Sergeant Rodd didn't have any update on the car but said, unsurprisingly, that the patrols hadn't spotted anyone doing anything suspicious to the vehicle. Tony sighed and went to see Gibbs and McGee in their temporary office. He smiled when he saw that McGee had managed to acquire desks full of computer equipment while Gibbs sat with a single sheet of paper and a notepad in front of him.

"What you doing today?" Tony asked.

Gibbs gestured to his piece of paper and said, "I'll speak to Mason this morning and then head to Lejeune to talk to the other people McGee's highlighted."

"You want me to go with you?" asked Tony hopefully.

"It's a navy base," said Gibbs, "I don't need you Cafpowing with me again. Don't you have anything to do of your own?"

Tony winced, "Yes, a backlog of six visits as well as today's. You're right. I'd better get on with that. There's nothing doing on the other things at the moment. I spoke to Henry …"

"What?" demanded Gibbs, "why?"

"He might be involved in my case, Gibbs," said Tony, "I wanted to get his reaction and he already knew why you were going there, I wasn't telling him anything new. He denies all knowledge of any wrongdoing at the Camp. Got quite emotional about it … which is unusual for Henry. He's usually calm and composed."

"OK," said Gibbs grumpily, "too late now anyway."

"You want me to send Henry down?" asked Tony, "or do you want to use my office?"

"I'll come with you," said Gibbs. "McGee, carry on with your searches."

Tony and Gibbs walked in silence to Tony's office.

"Henry," said Tony, "I'm going out to Winstanley School. Back at lunchtime and then I'll go to Murdoch Community College this afternoon."

"Yes, Sir," said Henry, "is it still OK for me to come with you this afternoon?"

"What?" asked Tony.

"You remember. I'm a volunteer counsellor there. I said it would be helpful for me to hear what you say to the students."

"Yes, sorry. Yes, that's fine. Er, Agent Gibbs wants to speak with you now."

"Oh," said Henry gulping, "of course. Thank you. I mean, yes."

Tony left closing the door behind him and wondering if his assistant would be in a fit state, or free, to go to the College in the afternoon.

NCISNCIS

Tony went to see Tim when he returned from his morning visit.

"How did Gibbs get on with Henry?" he asked.

"He didn't break down and confess if that's what you mean," said McGee.

"Not sure that is what I mean," said Tony. "What do you think of Henry?"

Tim shrugged, "I haven't seen much of him. You're the one who's been working with him. What do you think of him?"

"He's good at his job, thorough, conscientious. Serious minded. Seems popular enough. If it hadn't been for the diary manipulation I wouldn't have any doubts about him. And I understand why he did it."

"Must have taken some guts to come back after what his Dad did," commented Tim. "And I guess it shows that people like him that they accepted him back."

"I guess," said Tony. "But you didn't tell me. How did Gibbs get on with him?"

"Sounds like it was when you saw Petty Officer Phillips yesterday," said McGee, "denies any knowledge of the thefts and there's one occasion where he's registered as being in the Stores when he can't have been."

"And what did Gibbs' gut say?" asked Tony.

"Nothing, but he said Henry was difficult to read. He seems pretty placid and laidback so Gibbs couldn't get a rise out of him."

"Good," said Tony, "I didn't want to think I'd been working with a crook these last weeks. Perhaps Gibbs will have better luck with your other possibilities this afternoon."

"If he doesn't, I think we'll be heading back to DC tomorrow," said McGee, "the case will have gone cold again. We can investigate the IT set up from the Navy Yard. No need to stay here."

"What about exploding cars?" asked Tony.

"Think that was about you, Tony," said McGee, "strongest link seems to be to the drug dealers' war."

"I'll miss you, McNelson," said Tony, "it's been like old times working with you."

"That's why I've got a broken arm and you've got a black eye," observed Tim.

"There is that," admitted Tony. "Still, I'm glad that you were my first CAFALO assignment."

"Yeah. Me too, I guess," said McGee, "although I'd have preferred to come out of it in one piece."

"Tell you what," said Tony, "why don't you come over tonight? The pizza's not bad here. Tali will be at Kit and Andy's so we can have a boys' night in. Invite Gibbs too."

"I'll come," said Tim willingly, "who knows about Gibbs?"

"8pm?" said Tony, "that'll give me time to go check on Tali."

"Sure," said Tim.

"Hey," said Tony, "those emails that Chip got from Doug. Did he reply to them?"

"Um … yes, he did. But he didn't get anything back from Doug."

"Huh," said Tony, "that's a little odd."

"Not necessarily," said Tim, "would you reply to an email from Chip?"

"No," agreed Tony, "but I wouldn't have sent one in the first place. I got the impression that Doug's lonely … would have jumped at an opening from Chip."

"Perhaps he decided Chip didn't have anything to offer him?" said Tim.

"You're probably right," said Tony. "OK, I'll see you tonight. No need to bring anything."

"I wasn't going to," said McGee.

NCISNCIS

Later that afternoon Tony and Henry were driving back from the Murdoch Community Centre. Tony decided it was an opportunity to reach out to his assistant.

"So, what did you think?" he asked Henry.

"I was impressed, Sir," said Henry.

"You don't need to brown-nose, Henry," said Tony, "you can tell me what you really think."

"No, really, Sir," said Henry, "you spoke well. It was interesting. I could give you tips though."

"On what?" asked Tony.

"Some of your jokes," said Henry, "they probably go down better somewhere like DC than they do here. Just a suggestion."

"I get you," said Tony, "I thought some of them fell flat. Work in progress, I guess. Let me know what would go down better."

"Yes, Sir," said Henry, "I'll do some research."

Tony suppressed a smile at his earnestness and continued, "Henry," said Tony, "I've read the file on your Dad. I know it's hard on you but what was your take on it? At the time."

Henry looked a little startled but quickly composed himself. "I didn't want to believe it at first. It seemed unbelievable. I believed him when he said that he hadn't passed on information about patrols so it would be easier to get drugs or people smuggled in and that he didn't use inside information about movement of high value freight to arrange thefts. He said it was all nonsense. And for a long time people believed him."

"I see," put in Tony.

"He was a good guy, Sir. Everyone … well, they didn't just like him they loved him. It seemed out of the question that he would turn dirty."

"Did he have any money worries?" asked Tony.

"We weren't rich," said Henry, "honest police officers aren't! But we had enough and he seemed contented. That was one of the things people noticed about him: that he was contented. It made him a good person to be with."

"Was the money found?" asked Tony, "there wasn't anything in the file but I'm guessing there was money involved?"

"We never found it," said Henry, "best guess is that it's in an offshore account or a safe deposit somewhere."

"But you came to believe that your father was guilty," said Tony.

Henry laughed humourlessly. "Yeah. I was convinced he was innocent so I set out to prove it. I accessed his computer, checked all the times he logged on, his emails, the information he accessed. Everything."

"And?"

"And I ended up proving that he had done it all. Found a burn phone he used to pass on the information; an email account he'd used as well. It was me, his own son who found it all."

"What did you do?"

"I told the then Chief," said Henry, "and then I went and told my father what I'd found out. That I knew he was a crook and a disgrace. That I hated and despised him."

"That must have been … difficult," said Tony inadequately.

"Yes," said Henry bitterly, "and he seemed to deflate. All the fight went out of him. He aged in front of me."

"What happened then?"

"I never saw him again. The next day he was killed in the car crash."

"I'm sorry," said Tony, "I wouldn't have brought it up but …"

"I know, Sir," said Henry trying to smile, "Chief Martin asked you to look into it again. She really admired my father. I think she was the only one who never believed it. I guess, when I heard she'd made Chief, I thought she might look at it all again."

"It was she who brought you back into the force?" asked Tony.

"Yes. She said it was time. Made me believe that people would accept me. I enjoyed my time in the Navy, but it's good to be back." He managed a smile. "Do you think Agent Gibbs was happy with the interview today, Sir?"

"I worked for Agent Gibbs for more than ten years, Henry and I was never able to predict what he would do. Apart from drink coffee and slap my head," said Tony.

"Sir?" asked Henry.

"Short answer is that I don't know. But Gibbs will make it clear."

"So the case might be over?" asked Henry as he drew the car up outside police headquarters.

"May be," agreed, "which just leaves Mac, Doug and Chip to sort out," he muttered as he followed Henry.

Henry paused and turned as he waited for Tony to catch up with him. Tony saw Henry's eyes widen as they focussed on something behind him. The next thing he knew was that Henry had tackled him to the ground as he shouted 'Shooter!' Tony heard the sound of a gunshot as he fell down and then felt the wind being knocked out of him by Henry landing on top of him. After a few moments Tony was aware enough to feel Henry's weight on top of him. He was about to try and roll the body off him when someone said,

"Stay where you are, Sir. Are you hurt?"

Tony considered, "No, don't think so. Just winded. What happened? How's Henry?"

"Looks as if he's knocked himself out. Can't see a bullet wound but we don't want to move him till we're sure. His head is bleeding but I'm not sure what from."

"He pushed me out of the way," gasped Tony. "He …"

He stopped speaking as he saw Casey running out of the building. "Henry!" she cried, "Is he OK? Where is he?" She rushed over to where Tony and Henry lay and tried to touch him.

"Leave him be, Casey," said the duty sergeant who was looking after them. "EMT are on their way. They'll be fine."

Casey calmed down as she saw that Henry was breathing and that there didn't seem to be a bullet wound.

"Lieutenant," she said, "how are you?"

"I'm fine, Casey," he replied, "Henry pushed me out of the way."

"Good," she said, "I'm glad he … you're both OK."

Tony looked at her speculatively as something fell into place for him. His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Gibbs.

"What's going on here?" he demanded.

It said something for Gibbs' natural authority that nobody told him it was none of his business.

"Seems someone tried to shoot the lieutenant," said the Sergeant, "Henry pushed him out of the way. Ah, here come the EMT. Out of the way, please Sir."

Gibbs stood back and watched as the medics gently rolled Henry off Tony. Tony gingerly got up with Gibbs' help.

"How is he?" Tony asked the medical team. At that moment Henry began to stir and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Henry's first words were for Tony. "Is the lieutenant OK?" he asked, "where he is?"

"I'm here," said Tony patting him on the shoulder. "I'm fine."

"Thanks to you," said Casey.

"What happened?" asked Gibbs.

Henry shook his head as he remembered, "Um. I was waiting for the lieutenant to catch up with me. I saw someone over there," he pointed across the road, "there was someone with a weapon … some sort of rifle … and it was pointed straight towards us. I'm not sure what happened next …" he made to rub his head but a medic gently prevented him.

"You pushed me to the ground," said Tony.

"Oh. Sorry, Sir," said Henry.

"You're forgiven," said Gibbs.

"We heard a car race away when we came out," said the Sergeant. "We've got a BOLO out for it."

"Did you see who it was?" asked Tony.

"No, Sir. I just saw the barrel of the gun and reacted. Sorry."

"I'm beginning to understand why Gibbs has a rule against apologies," said Tony, "nothing to apologise for."

"Excuse me," said one of the medics, "we need to get this man to hospital."

"I'm fine," protested Henry, "no need to go anywhere."

"Listen to them, Henry," said Casey fiercely, "you go with them. You were unconscious and you're bleeding! Don't be an idiot."

"All right, all right," said Henry in the nearest to anger Tony had ever seen, "I'm going."

"Men!" said Casey before turning on her heel and striding back to the station.

NCISNCIS

The getaway car was found abandoned a few blocks away. It had been reported stolen a few hours before and had been wiped clean of any finger prints. Sergeant Rodd hurried in to Tony's office shortly after the car had been brought to the station.

"Sir," he said, "we think there may be a link to the drug deals."

"How?" asked Tony.

"We found a burn phone left under the front seat. It's been used to call Frazer McKenzie."

"Any prints on it?" asked Tony.

"I'm just bringing it to our crime scene guys, Sir. It looks clean but they're good. If there's anything to find they'll find it."

"Let me know, Sergeant," said Tony.

"There's something else odd," said Rodd. "There's an email app on the phone. It shows email activity on the user's computer."

"About drug deals?" asked Tony.

"No, Sir. They're threatening … to some recycling companies. Warning them not to bid for some contracts."

"Are there any to …" Tony fished out a business card Kit had given him, "S & L Environmental Services?"

Rodd looked at a list of names. "No. I don't see them. Why? Were you expecting them to get one?"

"It was possible," said Tony, "They're just starting up. Might have been targets as well. Is there any way of tracking the computer the emails were sent from?"

"Don't know, Sir. I can find out."

"Hang on," said Tony, "I'll go and check with my geek friend. Come with me."

Rodd and Tony went to see Tim.

"McPhoneexpert," said Tony, "this phone has an app which shows email activity on another computer. Can you check the IP thingy that the original emails were sent from?"

"Possibly," said McGee. "Can I have a look?"

Rodd's phone rang at that moment and he gestured that he would step outside to take the call.

A few minutes later, Tim said, "Found it."

"Well done, that man!" said Tony.

"Huh, that's odd," said McGee.

"What is?"

"It's the same computer that was used to send those emails to Chip."

"You mean Doug sent them?" asked Tony.

"Looks like it," confirmed Tim.

"Damn," said Tony, "so he's been faking the intimidation threats to hide that he's the one doing the intimidating?"

"And he might be linked to the drugs as well?" asked Tim.

"Yeah," said Tony.

"And the attempt on your life?" asked Tim.

Tony groaned. "I guess. But I'm sure Kit wouldn't be involved with the intimidation."

"He might not know anything about it," Tim pointed out.

"OK," said Tony, "I think we need to get a court order to access Doug's computer records. Tim, do you think you could swing it on the back of the investigation into Chip?"

"I guess," said Tim, "but why don't you get Sergeant Rodd to do it?"

"My gut," said Tony, "I'd like to keep Doug's involvement quiet at the moment. Don't ask me why, just a feeling."

"OK," said Tim, "but Doug might be using a computer we don't know anything about".

"It'll be a start," said Tony.

Sergeant Rodd came back into the room. "Found anything?" he asked.

"Agent McGee has found the IP address," said Tony, "Come on, Sergeant, I'll give you the details, see what the tech guys make of it."

"Thank you, Sir." Rodd followed Tony back to his office. "You've had a hell of an introduction to Raleigh PD, haven't you?"

"Could say that," said Tony.

"It's always stressful starting somewhere new. And you've had it in spades. You need to make sure you get some downtime, you know."

"Er … thank you, Sergeant. It's good to know everyone's so concerned," said Tony wondering if he looked sleep deprived.

"We're a friendly group, Lieutenant. Look out for each other. And I reckon you're one who needs looking out for."

Tony wasn't sure whether or not to be reassured by this concern but somehow thought that his worries weren't going to lessen any time soon.