Ducky finally met Gibbs in the parking lot, his worried facial expression now explaining perfectly the voice Jethro had heard earlier on the phone.
— That's the one ?
— It is, indeed, the medical examiner nervously nodded, taking a quick look at the doors and through the windows of the vehicle, as if Mr Palmer could have, somehow, still been inside.
— You're sure this is unusual, Duck ? Gibbs asked in order to double check, although he felt himself the weirdness of the situation.
But after all, Ducky was the one constantly working with Jimmy, wasn't he, so as much as the whole team might be knowing him, or at least thought knowing him, their opinion wasn't the first one to consider... And why would Jimmy leave his car in here anyway ?
— I would only answer you by saying that I prefer being wrong, rather than right, Jethro…the old man sighed.
— Alright, let's go, Gibbs immediately nodded, inviting him to come, Ducky's strange figure of speech seeming to be convincing enough to him. You want to use my car ?
— I think I'll rather follow you, Jethro. If I have to stay a little bit longer, I will probably need my own transportation in order to go back, the medical examiner sighed. I really do hope that it is nothing, Jethro, he finally added before entering his own car, but in case I do not find him home, I would be glad to have some additional help to think about the rest.
Gibbs only nodded to show that he had understood and simply entered his vehicle, quickly heading to the exit before he stopped miserably...he didn't know Palmer's address.
'Think, Jethro…his address must have been written on his file, like any of your other agents' he thought, before feeling stupid as hell.
Yeah, like any of them. Except that, difference was that he knew their address…but not Jimmy's.
— Ah, Jethro, you're here…Ducky slowly spoke as he opened the window of his car. I thought you would have left without me.
— Oh course not, Gibbs tried to hide the uneasiness. Go first, I'll have your back.
Ducky gently nodded and silently begun driving again, showing the way to Jethro. But if he hadn't said anything about it, he had probably understood…
— Here we are, Ducky spoke as he left his car, closely followed by Gibbs. I really do hope that I did not bother you for nothing…he politely added, sensing that he hadn't use the good last word.
Jethro didn't say a thing and only quickly glanced at the neighborhood and its apartments around, walking behind, along the sidewalk, trying to visualize in which kind of place Jimmy could be living... He would have broken the door of his agents a thousand times, and more than this if it was necessary…and now that he was in that brand new street…well, he had no idea which door was belonging to whom. He sighed and finally joined the real world again when he heard the heavy knock nearby, noticing Ducky's fist hitting against Jimmy's entrance.
— Mr Palmer ? Dr Mallard begun speaking quite loudly, not minding if it would disturb anyone. Mr Palmer, it's me, can you please open the door !
There was no sign of violence in his voice, the tone of it indicating no more than sincere worries in need of an answer. Gibbs slightly smiled for a second before focusing again, seeing how polite the man next to him always looked in any situation of life.
— Did you try his phone, Duck ? he asked.
— Of course, but every time I do try, it goes to voicemail.
Gibbs sighed and took another look at the building, wondering what they could do... There was no way they could know the man's exact location. Maybe he was only sleeping inside...or has been, after all that noise...or just not willing to open...or maybe simply outside for a walk...but whatever the answer was to that question, he wasn't really picturing himself picking, or breaking his lock for the really first time.
— Mr Palmer ! Ducky knocked again against the door.
— Duck, look at me, Gibbs finally stopped him, a gentle palm on his shoulder.
— Uh, yes, Jethro ?
— Ducky, do you think he's in danger ?
— Uh, well…I do not exactly know that, I…
— Remember what you told me about my 'guts power', Gibbs briefly smiled, not looking away, though.
— Yes, I do remember our conversation. What about it ?
— Ducky...do you feel that Jimmy might be in serious trouble ?
The medical examiner tried to think of it for an intense minute, his arm shaking a bit under his sleeves throughout the seconds, before the feeling seemed to become more and more insistent inside of him... Gibbs finally raised both eyebrows when he sensed that the answer was coming up to his lips and then just waited for it to be clearly pronounced.
— I do not think he is, Jethro…he slowly spoke, but I do feel that he is in a lot of pain too.
Both men sighed at once, somehow kind of feeling better after such a reflexion, and still, though, very sad about what seemed to come from the bottom of Ducky's heart. He might not be a field agent, nor be going on very dangerous missions, Gibbs perfectly knew that the guts of the NCIS' ME were definitely to be very trusted as well.
— Come on, Ducky, Gibbs lowly invited him to go back to his vehicle after a last try against the door. I don't pretend to know Palmer as much as you do, but I'm pretty sure that he's gonna show up at work tomorrow morning. He's way too clever to not do so.
The old man didn't add a word but Jethro could notice a quick smile in the corner of his lips when he opened for him the door of his car.
— You want a drink, Doc ?
— Well, thank you Jethro, Ducky smiled again, but I think for tonight that I am more willing for a tea and a bit of wallowing, if you do not mind. There are some nights like this when I do like finding an author with a story to read, quite closer to my own…
— Alright, Gibbs briefly smiled back. Hey... I don't know yet about the whole Palmer thing, but don't wallow too much, okay ? You'll have plenty of time to talk with him tomorrow if he wants to.
— That is certain, the medical examiner added before starting his vehicle. I see you in a few hours, then, Jethro.
Gibbs shortly waved to the man who'd just left him and finally entered his own car with different kind of thoughts, taking a last glance at Jimmy's building, not really in the mood anymore for a 'whisky and boat night'... He sighed when he felt the strange twist in his stomach, suddenly analyzing what he had just thought about tonight's program.
Well...that was a first.