Chapter 8
Gibbs showed up two days later with a laptop and burner phones for DiNozzo to start his own investigation. With Gibbs back they odd family fell into a routine of Gibbs and Tony working on the store from 8 in the morning until 5 in the evening with Leyla teaching Amira at home and afternoons the two of them spending time at the store helping out. After dinner, Leyla and Amira would entertain themselves, while Gibbs fixes up his father's basement where he and Tony worked on the investigation. It left no time for leisure.
"DiNozzo, you're better on the computer than you let on," said Gibbs.
"I'm not as good as McGee, boss," smiled Tony. "I've checked out what McGee has left for me in the clouds. I think tomorrow I'll stay back for a couple hours because I need to make some calls."
"To who?"
"I've got an idea about the El Gato gang in Baltimore. They are one of the bigger, tougher, and well-connected gangs in the area, but Cortez hasn't used them. There has to be a reason because I know he used to be tight with its leader Hector Mendez. I want to talk to a couple of Baltimore cops who specialize in gangs," explained Tony.
"What's your gut tell you?" Gibbs asked.
"I'm thinking El Gato either is acting as his personal bodyguard or are being used for something else," said Tony.
"Okay, check in with me, especially if you get something," said Gibbs.
"Yes, boss," said Tony.
"Okay, I'm heading to the store," said Gibbs.
Leyla and Amira came in from the dining room. Gibbs picked up Amira and gave her a kiss on the cheek then he put her down.
"By, Jedde," she said.
"I'll see you two later," said Gibbs to Leyla then he looked over at Tony, who was sitting on the sofa working. "Make sure he works."
"I will see you later, Gibbs," said Leyla.
Gibbs left leaving Leyla to start school Amira and Tony to continue looking for Cortez. For the next two hours, Leyla taught her daughter math, English, history, and then gave her a time out. Leyla got her a glass of milk then went in to check on Tony. He was on his burner cellphone.
"Mikey, yeah, it's me, DiNozzo. I need information on El Gato. Is Mendez still in charge?" he asked.
She came into the room and sat down. He looked over at her and smiled. She returned the smile.
"He is, huh," said Tony. "You know Sergio Cortez?"
Leyla leaned in close to listen.
"Really, Mikey," said Tony. "Can we meet?"
Leyla felt her heartbeat skipped. She knew that Tony was about to do something that he shouldn't do.
"Okay, okay, I'll be there," he hung up.
Tony put down the cell phone and sighed. He knew this was going to be difficult.
"You are going somewhere?" she asked.
"I have a possible lead, Leyla, so I have to leave. I'll probably be gone over night considering I have to drive to Baltimore," he told her.
"We should let Gibbs know," she said.
"No, I should go by myself," he said.
He took our his Sig Sauer and checked it out.
"I'm going to take the SUV," he said.
"Tony," she started to speak.
He stood up and moved over to her then knelt down. Taking her hands in his, he looked into her eyes.
"Leyla, I have to do this. It's not fair that you and Amira are living like this," he said.
"Tony, I like being here with you," she admitted.
He smiled then said, "I like being here with you, also. But I have to go."
"This is dangerous," she stated.
"Maybe, but I need to do this," he said.
He started to stand up, but Leyla tightened her grip on his hands. Instinctively, Tony leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. She didn't fight, but instead responded to but slightly opening her mouth. Tony deepened the kiss. He then stopped and stood up.
"I'm going. I swear that I'll be back Leyla," he said.
"I will not sleep until you do," she said.
He smiled then walked over and grabbed the car keys and exited.
NCISNCIS
Gibbs was hard at work when Sheriff Gantry and Chuck Winslow entered the store. Gibbs stopped working and looked over his visitors. He could see in Winslow's eyes a lingering hatred. Winslow blamed him for the upheaval in his family. He took no personal responsibility.
"Ed, Chuck," Gibbs said.
"Jethro, sorry about your father," said Chuck.
"It was his time," answered Gibbs.
"So, you are fixing up the store," said Chuck.
Gibbs nodded his head. He didn't feel like explaining himself.
"How much do you want for the store? I'd like to buy it from you," said Chuck.
"Not for sale," said Gibbs.
"I intend on making you a generous offer, Jethro. Why don't you listen. I'd like to buy your father's house, too," said Chuck.
"It's my house now and it's not for sale," said Gibbs.
"Come on be reasonable, Gibbs, there is no place here for you. Take my offer and go," Chuck demanded.
Gibbs looked over at Gantry and Chuck. He smiled at them.
"I'm not taking your offer, Chuck, but thanks," said Gibbs.
Suddenly, Leyla came rushing into the store along with Amira. Chuck and Gantry looked over at her. Gibbs could see that she was upset.
"Care to introduce us?" asked Chuck.
"No, we're done here," said Gibbs.
Gibbs then glared at Gantry and then said, "I think I know the law better than you. Go."
"Come on, Chuck, let's go," said Gantry.
They slowly let. Once they were gone Leyla put down Amira and looked at Gibbs with concern.
"What's wrong?" asked Gibbs.
"Tony left. He went to Baltimore," she said. "He said he had a lead."
"Goddamn it, DiNozzo," growled Gibbs.
"When did he say he was coming back?" he asked her.
"Tomorrow," said Leyla. "What do we do?"
"We wait," said Gibbs.
NCISNCIS
Tony's Baltimore cop buddy was named Mike Diederach. Mike was consider a good cop, though he was known to drink too much and place too many bets with bookies. Tony never worked with him when he was in Baltimore but he did share a few drinks with him. Mike tended to bet a lot of college basketball which was Tony's expertise.
Diederach had them meet in the empty lot of an abandoned building in Pigtown section of Baltimore. The building used to be an old slaughterhouse. Tony pulled the SUV up besides Mike's pickup. He could see Mike sitting in the cab of the pickup.
Today was supposed to be Mike's day off. Before getting out of the car Tony check his Sig Sauer and took the safety off then stuck it in the front of his pants and next he looked around the empty lot. He was getting a very bad feeling about this meeting.
"I should have brought backup," he said to himself.
Tony got out of the car, but he didn't close the door. He walked around to the other side of the SUV and waited for Mike to get out of his pickup. Mike slowly got out of his pickup. In Tony's estimation he looked nervous.
"I would have preferred to meet at your precinct or at Murphy's Bar," said Tony.
"Get in my pickup and we can go somewhere safer," said Mike.
Tony smiled. It was a setup. Mike had given him up.
"How much is Cortez offering for me?" he asked.
"One million dollars alive," said Mike.
"That'll pay off your bookies, huh?" he spat.
Mike went for his gun on his hip at the same time Tony went for his gun. It was an old fashion quick draw. They fired shots at almost the same time. The difference was subtle but important, though. Mike had a bullet in his forehead. Tony had noticed he was wearing a vest. As for Tony he had a burning feeling in his left side. He looked down to see that he was bleeding.
Just then several pimped out cars screeched into sight. El Gato was coming. Hustling back into the SUV Tony took off with three cars in pursuit of him. Grabbing his go bag in the backseat as he drove he pulled out a shirt, which he used to cover his wound then he opened the glove compartment and grabbed some duct tape he put there. As he drove for his life, he tapped the shirt tightly over his wound. He knew he couldn't afford to pass out while having some of the guys in El Gato chasing him. He'd wake up a gift for Cortez.
Using both his knowledge of Baltimore and the Baltimore police and spent hour losing El Gato. Once that was done, he grabbed some gas and took the long way back to Stillwater in order to make sure that he wasn't being followed. The bullet wound in his side burned, but at least he was no longer losing blood. Small mercies, he thought.
NCISNCIS
Gibbs and Leyla barely ate dinner from worry for Tony. Amira was fairly oblivious to their mood, as Leyla allowed to watch DVDs' on the BluRay that he bought when they first got here. She made Gibbs coffee and herself tea then brought them to the dining table where Gibbs sat.
"You are worried, Gibbs," said Leyla.
"I'd feel better if he had backup," said Gibbs. "DiNozzo has a gift for getting into trouble. Fortunately, he also has a gift for getting out trouble."
"Let us hope his gift for getting out of trouble is stronger," she said.
Gibbs grinned. Just by her tome of voice he could hear that Leyla liked Tony. Since Mike's son was killed she had dedicated herself to Amira. It wouldn't be a bad thing for her or for DiNozzo if they became close. DiNozzo needed a relationship that had a chance and Leyla deserved to have someone who appreciated her.
"Don't worry DiNozzo will be fine," he said.
"As Mike would say - from your lips to God's ear," she said.
Gibbs imagine the gruff voice of his old mentor saying those words. he missed Mike.
Hours passed Leyla put Amira to bed. It was going on to ten o'clock at night. Gibbs contemplated calling McGee and have him put a BOLO out on DiNozzo, but fought the urge down. He had to trust Tony. A car pulled into the driveway. Leyla came running down the stairs, as Gibbs grabbed his sidearm and prepped it.
Several minutes a white skinned and sweating Tony entered the house.
"Lucy, I'm home," he growled in a dry voice.
He started to collapse but Gibbs got to him before he could fall. He dragged Tony to the sofa and tossed him down. Gibbs noticed the bloody duct tape. Tony had been shot.
"Setup, boss. I had to kill Mike. I killed a cop," Tony said.
"A crooked cop," Gibbs corrected.
"Still a cop. I'll be a wanted man now," Tony tried a smile but he did have the energy.
Gibbs looked at Leyla.
"Boil some water. We need fresh towels, a sponge, and something to disinfect the wound," he said.
"I know what to do, Gibbs," she said then hustled off.
"El Gato tried to follow me but I made sure that they didn't," said Tony.
"Need a doctor," said Gibbs.
"can't do that. They'll be paying attention for gunshot wound to show up on hospital for three to four states. We have to assume that they have other puppets in the Baltimore Police," growled Tony.
"Don't worry, DiNozzo," said Gibbs.
Leyla arrived with towels, fresh water, peroxide, and a sponge.
"Move, Gibbs, I'll take care of him," she said.
Gibbs moved away. He went and grabbed a burner phone and called Ducky.
"Dr. Mallard," answered the familiar voice.
"Hey, Duck, It's me."
"Jethro."
"Be quiet and listen. I need you to do a few things. DiNozzo has been shot. I need you. Call Vance tell me that you need a ride to visit a friend. He knows where I am. Vance will bring you to us. Trust me," said Gibbs.
"I'll do what he said, Jethro. Does Anthony have a fever?" Ducky asked.
"Yes," said Gibbs.
"Bullet is probably still in him. I'll need to get it out before he gets septic," said Ducky. "Prepare somewhere I can operate."
"I will, Duck."
"Good," he said then hung up.
Gibbs went into the kitchen and tossed the burner phone in the garbage. He then returned to Leyla, who was cleaning the wound. Tony had his eyes closed and listened to Leyla as she sang to him in Arabic. Gibbs sighed. He needed to fix up an operating area for Ducky.
