Gone (and Swept Away)
Chapter 10 - Interview
by Taygeta
Author's Note: Thank you for the great feedback! I hope you'll find this one interesting :)
"Took you long enough, Tony," said Gibbs when Tony rushed in.
He glanced over Gibbs' shoulder to see McGee and Ziva standing there. His eyes lingered on Ziva as he wondered how she had managed to get into the office so quickly. She had even managed to have a change of outfit.
"Uh...sorry, Boss," he said as he grabbed his backpack from his desk.
They headed out on the elevator as Gibbs gave them the rundown.
"Initial accounts seem to suggest that General Abrams may have known or be related to the Marine, but we won't know more until we get there."
"Where'd they find him, Boss?" asked Tony.
"Catering staff opened the wrong door."
Tony winced, "That's probably not what they were looking for."
As the stood in the elevator, Tony started to feeling a bit self-conscious. Everyone was so close...especially a specific Special Agent he had technically just gone on a first date with. Ziva, meanwhile, looked utterly professional.
During the car ride to General Abrams', Tony found himself profusely chatty...more than usual. It might have been because somehow McGee was driving and he had to sit next to Ziva.
"So, McGee, what were you up to over the weekend?"
"Lucky for me, my laser tag game ended two hours before Gibbs called," said McGee. He added proudly, "Highest score I've ever had."
Ziva laughed, "Why McGee that's wonderful."
"Laser tag?" said Tony.
"Oh, were you doing anything better earlier?" said McGee.
At the question, Tony glanced at Ziva who looked amused but kept on staring in front of her. Finally she broke the silence, "What were you doing Tony?'
"I was - um - enjoying a good dinner," he replied. He couldn't help but add, "You, Ziva?"
She looked at him sharply, but turned to McGee with a smile, "I was having dinner as well."
"Lucky," said McGee being none the wiser. "I'm starving, but maybe it's a good thing - you never know where the crime scene is going to take you...or your stomach."
The rain was starting to come down again as they walked into the General's house. At the rain, Ziva had a look on her face that Tony noticed.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Umbrella," she said. "I...forgot it."
"Well hopefully the rain lets up by the time we get back," said McGee, chiming in.
"Yeah, hopefully," she replied glancing at Tony, who knew full well *where* she had forgotten the umbrella.
"Details, Ducky?" asked Gibbs. The body of the Marine was on the kitchen floor with Ducky and Jimmy beside him.
"I place time of death to about 10 hours ago," said Ducky. "Stab wounds. Sometimes I think those are the wounds that haunt me the most - to know that someone struck another so violently."
"Tony, check out where the body was found. See if you can find anything. Ziva, McGee - lots of people to talk to," said Gibbs. "Let's start with the catering staff. I'll start with the General."
Tony walked away from the team, glad to be tasked with something that let him be in his thoughts for a second. He wondered if this was how things were going to be, the slight awkward feeling he felt in his stomach. He was so used to just rambling away and now he couldn't ramble away - not without possibly revealing...
...Revealing what really? Were he and Ziva...dating? Was that it? After all, one date didn't mean "dating". It just meant one date and just because he wanted something more...didn't mean she did. She hadn't said the same quite yet.
Tony shook his head and with the evidence kit began to review the closet where the body had been found. It was obvious that the stabbing hadn't occurred in the supply closet - everything was too neat. There was trace amounts of blood from the body, but nothing to indicate more than emphasizing that the Marine had been killed somewhere else. Dusting for prints seemed like a wash given the amount of people who had access and the catering staff.
Tony walked back over to Gibbs as he was finished interviewing General Abrams.
"Find anything?" asked Gibbs.
Tony shook his head, "No Boss. My best guess is that he was killed somewhere else and whoever did it moved him there...had to be pretty strong - he was a pretty big guy. Do we have a good idea who he is?"
"Lieutenant Allen Abrams," said Gibbs.
Tony wrinkled his forehead, "Relation?"
"Nephew," said Gibbs. "He was on leave from the USS Baker - surprised the General two days ago - with his arrival."
"Didn't expect him?"
"Said they were close, but he hadn't mentioned he would be on leave."
"Sounds suspicious..."
"You think?" said Gibbs. "Ziva and McGee are still interviewing the catering staff. They were here most of the day, so maybe they might have seen something. We should get started on interviewing some of the family."
Tony nodded. He approached two women, one of whom looked like the wife of the General and an older woman. The General's wife looked upset and the older woman seemed to be trying to calm her down.
"Excuse me," said Tony. "I'm Special Agent Anthony Dinozzo and I'm sorry to have to interrupt at this time, but I need to ask you two some questions."
"Of course," the General's wife nodded.
"Can I have your names please?"
"I'm General Abrams' wife," she said. "Nancy Smith Abrams. Allen is...was...my nephew from Harold's side of the family. Oh, I'm sorry...this is my neighbor and dear friend who just happened to be here for the party. You probably don't need to ask her any questions."
"It's all right, dear. I was here for the party as well, Agent Dinozzo, so I am sure you might have questions for me. But I'm quite sure I won't be much help."
"And your name?" asked Tony turning to the older woman who had her hand on Mrs. Abrams' shoulder.
"Mrs. Adi Brecher," she said with a kind smile.
The name made Tony look at her more carefully, catching the blueness of her eyes, a blueness that told him he had to ask: "Adi Brecher? You know, I'm sure this is a strange question, but...your maiden name wouldn't happen to be Holtz?"
Adi looked at him with a confused smile, "Why yes...how did you know?
End of Chapter! Feedback appreciated!