Chapter 9
At FBI Headquarters the SWAT team is preparing for a delicate operation. The team is in an area where a couple tables with weapons, ammo, bulletproof vests and anything else needed for the operation, are set out. On the table in the middle of the area is the schematics for a building; the building they're going to raid.
Fornell is in charge of the operation. Gibbs is with them because he requested to tag along. The only reason Fornell granted the request is because he believes Gibbs' will to protect Julianna may prove to be a valuable asset; interrogation tool. There's no point in beating around the bush with interrogation rooms and the lawyer run around. Time isn't on their side with the Calder case which is now hanging by a very thin thread. Answers need to be found. And they need them quickly.
"Listen up!" Fornell exclaimed to get the attention of everyone. They huddle around the middle table. "A reliable informant has given us the location of the two yellow Hummers used in yesterday's shooting. Our orders are simple. We go in and secure the Hummers for evidence." He said. "The location is a local chop shop. I want two teams. Team one comes in through the front…" He points to the schematics of the building they'll be raiding. "And team two is to come in through the back…" He points to the back entrance. "We need those Hummers intact. No one moves until I give the go."
They continue preparing.
After a couple minutes, they enter into the FBI SWAT vans. The two vehicles leave FBI Headquarters. They make their way across town.
The vehicles finally park on either side of the building they're going to raid. Gibbs and Fornell are with team two who are entering from the back. Each team is positioned and ready.
The weapons carried by the SWAT team consist of; submachine guns, tactical shotguns and handguns at their side.
"Both teams standby… No one moves until I give the go." Fornell radioed to everyone.
"Remind me to take a nice long shower after this." Gibbs stated softly.
"Why's that?"
"Because I'm wearing an FBI vest. I feel so dirty."
"Next time we'll stop at NCIS so you can get your own vest." Fornell said. "Now's good of a time as any." He said. "Go! Move in!"
Both teams bust the doors in. The people inside are quickly startled by the heavily armed FBI entering into the building. Both exits are blocked from being able to use as an escape route. Those who try to run are immediately taken down by force. One man runs toward the back in the direction of the office. Gibbs and Fornell go after him.
The FBI SWAT team secures the chop shop. Each of the people inside lay face down on the ground and are handcuffed. With the suspects officially being no threat, team one begins to secure the two yellow Hummers which have already started to be taken apart.
The man who ran toward the back is in the office. The door is closed. Gibbs and Fornell are just outside.
"FBI! Come out with your hands in the air!" Fornell yelled.
"With the sound of the shedder, I highly doubt he'll come out." Gibbs stated.
The door is kicked in. Gibbs and Fornell each aim their sidearm at the suspect. The man puts his hands up.
"Don't shoot!" The man exclaimed. "I surrender!"
There's a brief moment of silence as Gibbs approaches the suspect.
"I want lawyer." The man said. "I say nothing without lawyer."
"They always want a lawyer." Gibbs said. "Guess what…?"
"What?" The man wondered.
"You don't get a lawyer."
Fornell closes the door. The three of them are locked in the office.
"You get me." Gibbs said. He grabs the suspect and shoves him to the desk. The man head hits the desk. Gibbs keeps him pinned there.
"This is a bit excessive." The man said. "My lawyer is going to hear about this."
"I'm sure a couple of those vehicles out there are stolen." Fornell stated.
"You're looking at grand theft auto." Gibbs said.
"Resisting arrest…" Fornell added.
"I didn't resist arrest."
"Interfering with a federal investigation… Striking a federal officer…" Fornell said.
"I didn't strike…"
Gibbs takes the suspects hand and hits himself with it.
"Now you did." Fornell stated.
"This is harassment!"
"Nah…" Gibbs disagreed. "This is interrogation." He squeezes the suspect's neck. The man yells and taps on the desk.
"Ah!" The man cried.
"Where did you get the Hummers?" Fornell asked.
"They belong to a friend. I'm fixing them for him."
"Wrong answer…" Gibbs said as he squeezes the suspect's neck again.
"Ah!" The man cried.
"Let's try this again." Fornell said. "And try to cooperate because the man holding your neck isn't playing games. Where did you get the Hummers?"
"You're FBI! You can't do this!"
"That's where you're wrong." Gibbs said. He takes the FBI patch from the front of his vest and tosses it. "I'm not FBI."
"It's true. He's not." Fornell said. "If I were you, I'd start talking before he becomes rough."
"This is rough!"
"You know what… I'll give you two a better chance to get acquainted." Fornell said as he walks to the door.
Gibbs jolts the man up and shoves him against the wall. He can see the fear in the suspect's eyes as he glares at him.
"Wait!" The man shouted. "I tell you!"
The suspect begins explaining how the Hummers came into his position. As the suspect explains, the information given isn't much help to the investigation because there's no direction connection between the suspect and the shooters. Fornell will have to rely on whatever forensic evidence can be lifted from the Hummers.
Each of the suspects are taken into FBI custody and charged with grand theft auto.
With the not-so-official interrogation complete, Gibbs goes back to the hospital.
Once at the hospital, Gibbs enters into Julianna's room, sits down next to the bed and holds her hand.
"We're getting closer to finding who did this to you." Gibbs said.
"She knows you're with her…" The familiar voice returns. "She can hear you…"
The voice quickly fades from the room.
Gibbs remains there at Julianna's side. With what happened not too long ago with Julianna's heart stopping, his fear is that it will occur again. All he can do is wish and pray that she'll make it through. Gibbs doubts he'll be able to handle it if she doesn't. The connection he feels with the unconscious Julianna is more than he even realizes. There's a bond the two of them share. He feels the bond. The importance of such a bond is making Gibbs think about what Julianna's future will hold for her; especially when the investigation is over. Where will she go? Who will she go with? Is there someone out there who will care for her like he does? What does her future hold?
