Chapter Eight
"We have a cocktail party in a brownstone being thrown on Saturday evening by Literary Agent Michael Hynes for his client Anna Channing. It's to celebrate her first novel, which is a thinly disguised piece of fiction about her affair with the CIA Director," explained Detective Malloy.
"What do you intend on doing?" asked Tony.
"Washington, Muffat, and I will be disguised as valets and waiters and the ever attractive Detective Moore will be a guest," said Malloy. "Anna needs a plus one."
"That'll be me," said Tony.
"You sure, Boss?" asked Malloy.
"Positive," nodded Tony. "Now where are we with tracking down any clues about Enigma through Annette Jean's life?"
"We are getting nowhere," said Hawes. "So far she lived a clean life. The best thing we have is that her best friend said she started become distant about a year ago. She asked her if she had a boyfriend but she never got a good answer."
"And if she did get a boyfriend he kept himself clear of her friends, families, CCTVs, neighbors, and small pets," growled Tony. "Jesus, maybe Enigma is Claude Raines in The Invisible Man."
"Whoever he is, Boss, he's been planning this for years," said Hawes.
"Yeah, I agree," Tony said then he smiled. "And he seems to have an unlimited budget. We know he is more than likely from Baltimore, was a kid when I caught Valentino, and, and this is my opinion and not the experts, comes from a wealthy or well off family. And I bet he doesn't get along with his father and his mother died when he was very young."
"Why do you say that, Boss?" asked Detective Moore.
"Because that's your profile," answered Malloy.
Tony looked at him.
"After you saved her life, Janet wanted to know more about you. You think this Enigma has latched onto you because he's sort of a doppelganger," said Malloy.
"Okay, big word alert. Somebody want to explain what we are talking about," said Hawes.
"Enigma identified with me but wished to be Valentino. He read the articles on me and started to see how he and I had similarities. I came from a wealthy family from Long Island, New York. My mother died when I was eight. My father and I didn't get along with my father. Of course, there are differences probably. I was disinherited by my father when I was eleven and sent away to a military academy until I went to college on a sports scholarship. Meanwhile my father pissed away several fortunes," explained Tony. "Enigma still has money."
"Okay, I want to know something," said Washington, "what college?"
Tony smiled, "The Ohio State University."
"Shit, no. You were a point guard. You took them to a final four that was located in Baltimore. You also played quarterback, right?" said Washington.
"Yeah. I blew out my knee senior year in the game against Michigan. It destroyed any chance of going pro," smiled Tony. "How do you know this shit?"
"My father was a big college sports fan. I have to say that he loved you, thought you were going to make a great pro guard. You were fast for a white guy, could pass, and had a sweet jump shot," Washington said.
"I still have that jump shot," smiled Tony.
"Excellent. You still play?" asked Washington.
"Occasional," answered Tony.
Washington turned to Muffat, "We have to get him on the court."
"Alright, let's make this clear," growled Hawes, "it's the Inspector and I against you two. Loser buys beers."
"Sounds good," said Washington.
"We get to watch," added Justiz.
"I'll even bring Antonia to watch," Malloy said.
It wasn't NCIS, but Tony realized he was started to feel at home with his MCU. Now if only he could find and bury Enigma.
NCIS
Enigma was giving them time to come up with nothing on the Annette Jean lead. Tony knew he must find it amusing that Inspector Batman wasn't getting any closer to finding him. He now had Hawes to start looking into wealthy families in Baltimore where a son had a history of trouble during the time of Valentino. It was a shot in the dark but shots in the dark sometimes hit their target.
Tony readied himself for the cocktail party by putting on a light grey Hugo Boss Summer suit with a lavender shirt with a darker lavender tie. He chose a shoulder holster instead of his hip holster because he didn't want to take the chance of flashing. Once he was ready, he called Officer Wayne for a pickup.
The cocktail was in brownstone, one of those that sold in the five to ten million dollar range. Tony entered with Detective Moore, who was wearing a white dress, the cocktail party. As they entered, he noticed that there were two black vans parked on the street. Don't tell me some other law enforcement agency is staking this one out, too.
With charm and humor, he began to mingle until he saw a thing of ravishing beauty in a blue dress with Ichabod Crane in a suit. He had Moore continue to observe and mingle, while he walked up to Ziva and McGee.
"I hope you two have a good reason for being here," he said.
Ziva saw that it was Tony and could repress a smile.
"What are you doing here?" she asked him.
"Thieves have been hitting these high-end parties," he said.
"That's why we are here," said McGee. "We think they are ex-marines."
"So, Gibbs and, what, your new probie are in the van?" Tony asked.
McGee flinched as if someone was yelling in his earpiece. Taking the earpiece out, he handed it to Tony. Tony took his earpiece out and put the NCIS one in his ear.
"DiNozzo, how many men you have there tonight?" asked Gibbs.
"Five including myself," he said to McGee then McGee spoke surreptitiously into his sleeve.
"Then we have enough bodies. Stay sharp. You are in charge in there. Give the ear wig back to McGee," said Gibbs.
Tony handed McGee the earpiece then looked into Ziva's dark brown eyes. Placing his earpiece back in his ear, he couldn't take his eyes off Ziva. He loved seeing her.
"I've really missed you, my ninja," said Tony.
"Do you like your new job?" she asked.
"It's not my old job, but I just need to catch this Enigma, Ziva," he said.
"You will, Tony. You are good at what you do. I have faith in you," she said.
"Thanks," he said.
He wanted to say more but there was a time and place for everything and this was just bad timing.
"Boss, we have three men coming in the back with food trays. They don't look like delivery men," Washington said in his ear.
"Get ready. If they make a move, you move. I wanted them taken down hard. No collateral damage," he said.
Tony started searching the room for a fourth man. Even though the MO said there were three men, he had the feeling that there was a fourth. The fourth man would be the brains of the operation.
"Zi, McGee, I think it's about to go down, so you better get ready," said Tony.
"Really?" said McGee.
Gunfire broke out from the kitchen. Tony quickly searched the crowd looking for the fourth man. He spotted him. The guy had military bearing and eyes that observed everything. He noticed Tony noticing him and went for his sidearm, which was tucked in the small of his back. Tony reached for his Glock and came up firing. The guy got one shot off to Tony's two and Ziva's three, as she stood right beside him.
Washington came running out of the back with his badge raised. He looked at Tony.
"We got them, Boss," he smiled.
"Good job," said Tony.
As the uniformed police and ME took away the hurt and the dead, Gibbs stood by the van talking to Gibbs.
"Great way to spend a Saturday night, Boss," he said.
"They were all ex recon marines," growled Gibbs.
"I know you hate when marines go bad, but it happens," said Tony.
"You serve your country honorably then come home and dishonorably serve it, it sickens me," said Gibbs.
"Not everyone can be like you, Boss. You're a good man. There aren't that many men who are as good as you, Gibbs," smiled Tony.
"I can think of one, DiNozzo," Gibbs looked at his surrogate son in his eyes.
Muffat, Washington, Malloy, and Moore walked over to where Gibbs and Tony were talking. He looked over at his people then noticed Ziva, McGee and someone new, his replacement. He was ruggedly handsome and looked like he was a marine. Just Ziva kind of guy, a stud and action man. Oh, well.
"That's Agent Gil Kane, he's our new probationary agent," said Gibbs. "Kane, this is Inspector DiNozzo."
"Agent Kane," Tony offered the man his hand to shake.
He had a strong grip but Tony didn't care if he broke every bone in his hand he was flinching.
"I've heard about you," he said.
"All good I hope," smiled Tony.
"Sure," said Kane.
Tony ignored the sarcasm from Kane. He looked over to his people, "Good job. Malloy, go home. Don't forget to bring Antonia to the game tomorrow. I want to meet my niece. I have a gift for her."
"What did you get her?" he asked.
"A Disney princess doll," Tony said.
"Oh, yeah, she is going to love you," smiled Malloy.
"All of you get home. See you tomorrow at the Y," Tony said.
He people smiled and waved then moved off. Tony watched them go.
"Antonia?" asked Gibbs.
"That's Janet Treanor's husband. He works for me now," said Tony.
"And his daughter?" asked Gibbs.
Tony looked down at the ground, "she was named for me."
"I thought as much," sighed Gibbs.
"What are you doing tomorrow at the Y?" asked Ziva.
"Detective Washington and Muffat against me and Detective Hawes in a game of two on two basketball. Washington remembered the final four team I was the point guard for. He wants to play me," said Tony.
"He's ten or more years younger than you, Tony," McGee said.
"My money's on Dinozzo," said Gibbs.
"I would like to see this two on two," said Ziva.
"Tomorrow at ten in the morning at the Y 16th Street NW. No one would be upset if you showed up to watch. And can even come with us for lunch afterwards," smiled Tony.
"Can Abby, Jimmy, and Bree come, too?" asked McGee.
"Sure, McPadawan," smirked Tony. "I should get going and check that this crime scene is handled and all ruffled feathers are unruffled."
"You missed dinner this Thursday," said Gibbs.
"Sorry, Boss. I was a little obsessed this week with Enigma. He's getting under my skin," said Tony.
"You bring the beer and dessert next week," said Gibbs.
"Yes, Boss," nodded Tony.
He walked away from his old team. It felt good rubbing elbow with them again. Now, he had to work his ass off at the T tomorrow because he'd be damned if he was embarrassed in front of Ziva.
NCIS
Abby, McGee, Ziva, Jimmy, and Bree sat in the stands with all the members of the MCU, including Det. Hess, who had been released from the hospital, and Tony's admin assistant Jenna Yost. Ziva noticed that Detective Malloy's four years old daughter was holding a new princess doll. This made her smile. They watched and cheered as Tony and Hawes played a two on two game of basketball against Washington and Muffat. Although Muffat and Washington were younger and clearly in better shape the best player on the court was Tony.
Instead of shorts, Tony wore a pair of grey sweatpants along with an OSU tee shirt. They had agreed on a half-court game with the winner being the first team to reach 20. So far, the score was 14 to 10 in favor of Tony and Hawes, who had the ball. It had gotten to the point that Tony was abusing Muffat, so Washington left Hawes alone to double team Tony leading to a no look pass to Hawes for a layup.
"16 to 10," smiled Tony.
The sweat was running down his face and his heart was pumping and his lings burning. Even though this game was reminding him that he had let himself get out of shape, he was enjoying it immensely. This was basketball and he was always able to show off playing basketball.
Muffat and Washington switched off and Washington now guarded Tony. He tossed Tony the ball. Tony started dribbling the ball forward, stopped, stepped back, and nailed what would have been a three pointer if they were allowing three pointers in the game.
"18 to 10," he said.
Muffat tossed the ball to Washington, who tossed it to Tony. Tony knew he didn't have too much left in the tank, so he decided he drive to the hoop and see if he could end the game. Driving with his right hand, he let Washington push him away from the basket, which opened up the middle. When he knew Muffat was committed to staying with Hawes, he dribbled between his legs, then did a crossover move and left Washington in his tracks, as he went down the middle of the lane for a layup.
"20 and game," yelled Hawes.
Everyone was cheering. Tony could feel his right knee throbbing from the crossover move. The pain made him nauseous for a moment but he suppressed it. It was worth it to have felt like a player again.
"Jesus, Boss, you were the real deal," said Washington.
"Damn it, you could have been a pro," said Muffat.
In the stands, McGee took his wallet out and handed Jimmy a twenty dollar bill, which made Ziva, Abby, and Bree laugh.
"Okay, we win. Muffat and Washington are buying lunch," yelled Hawes.
Tony remained under the basket bent over with his hands on his thighs. The sweat dripped off him and the pain in his knee was slowly subsiding.
"We have to shower," said Hawes, "then we meet at Murphy's."
Murphy's was a cop bar in Tony's neighborhood. The owner was a former Metro cop. It was the kind of place where the drinks were reasonable and the food was plenty and tasted damned good. They were able to wrestle up several tables and pushed them together then ordered a couple of pitchers of beer and food. Ziva had managed to next to Antonia, who sat next to Tony and across from her father. She nursed a coke, as did her father.
"You like the doll?" Tony asked her.
Instead of talking, she nodded yes.
"Her name is Jasmine, Princess Jasmine," he said. "Have you ever seen the movie?"
She nodded no.
"Really," he said then he reached into his gym bag next to him and pulled out a Blu-Ray copy of Aladdin. He handed it to her.
"Thank you, Uncle Tony," she said quietly.
Tony leaned down and kissed the top of her head then he looked over at Malloy.
"I haven't seen her this happy in a while," he smiled.
"Well, Uncle Tony is going to after make sure she has all of Disney's princesses and the movies to go along with them, right, Princess?" he said to her.
"Yup," she said with a smile.
"Usually Feds and cops don't get along well," said Hawes, as he lifted a glass of beer. "You NCIS guys aren't too bad."
"Thank you," said Ziva, who sipped her beer.
"So what was it like to work for the Boss?" Holloway asked McGee.
"All he ever did was tease me and make up nicknames for me," said McGee.
"Really," said Moore, "he doesn't joke with us."
"He's our boss," Hawes said.
"Gibbs always said he was the best agent he's ever worked with," added Abby proudly.
"Who's Gibbs?" asked Justiz.
"Our boss," answered McGee.
Tony found himself listening more than talk and looking over at Ziva more than paying attention to the others. What made it all the more enjoyable was that Ziva kept looking back at him.
"You know, Zi, I really do miss you a lot," he said.
"Prove it, Tony," she smiled. "Ask me out on a date."
"Really? A real date," he said.
"Uncle Tony, you should treat her like a princess, too," said Antonia.
"You're right, Antonia, I should," he said then looked at Ziva. "Next, Saturday, may I pick the princess up at seven in the evening?"
"Yes, you may," Ziva answered.
From the bar unnoticed, Tony's neighbor Jordan watched him and the MCU personnel and NCIS people.
