Tony's P.O.V.
"C.O.R.E. Yes, I understand that but no. Okay yes I will hold."
"Insurance?" I ask while making my way downstairs seeing Maggie, sitting on the couch, looking slightly annoyed at the moment.
"Yeah. They seem so nice until you have an actual problem. Where's Tim?"
"I know all about that. He went in early, something about fixing some team's computer. You didn't call yesterday?"
"They were closed…yes?" She says addressing the last part to the insurance agent on the other end.
I take in the little bags that are underneath her eyes, confirming that she probably got little to no sleep once I left last night. Even though I cannot see the bruises on her legs, I am hoping that they are fading. The bruise that continues to stick out to me is the bruise on her wrist, knowing that was not caused by crash just makes me feel angrier all over again.
"They said they will call me back," she mumbles while putting her phone down on the coffee table.
"If you want you can use my car," I find myself suggesting to her.
"Then how would you get to work?"
"You can drive me. I can easily get a ride back with Tim."
"Are you sure?" She nervously asks.
"Yeah, totally."
"Okay. Let me grab a shower and then I will be ready," she says making her way up the stairs.
"Take your time," I call out.
As soon as I hear the door close and the water running. I head up the stairs to the guest room and see her phone sitting on her bed. I take one last glance at the bathroom door and then focus my attention back on the phone. I know snooping on my daughter's phone is considered wrong but really I am doing this for the investigation, totally justified. I open up her messages and go to the most recent one.
K: Heard about Rob. You okay?
M: I will be. Tony and his team is doing the investigation.
K: That kinda of sucks. Are you a suspect?
M: No! I was being picked up by Tony at the hospital. And plus I don't think my own father would accuse me of murder.
K: He wouldn't be investigating as your dad but as an investigator
K: Like you said he barely knows you.
M: Thanks Kay, you are so supportive! He is an investigator I am pretty sure he knows if I was lying or not.
K: I am supportive and you know this.
M: I mentioned Daniel to them…
K: I know Daniel is horrible but…murder?
M: Yes, they hated each other. Rebecca always bought Rob over. He hates people in uniform.
K: Did you tell them that you and Rob were 'involved'?
M: We weren't involved!
K: Rob kept you a secret from his wife.
M: Yeah, cause she would have freaked out if she found out. We confided into each other that is it.
K: You better make sure your name stays out of it. If Daniel knows you even thought he was a suspect…
M: I am staying with highly trained federal agents who are part of the best team at NCIS. I am pretty sure they won't let anything happen to me and PLUS Daniel doesn't know where I am at. He only knows that my dad is a federal agent he doesn't know what agency or anything. I think I am safe.
K: If you say so. Just be safe hun.
M: Always am.
I notice that I no longer hear the water running. I quickly put the phone down where I found it and make my way back down stairs. By the time she gets downstairs ten minutes later, I am hoping that guilt is not written on my face.
"Ready?"
"Yeah, here you can drive," tossing her the keys.
"Do you think that Daniel is capable of murdering P.O Sears?" I ask, oh so subtly, when she gets on the highway.
She pauses for a second seeming not knowing how to answer the question. "I mean it is possible. Daniel was rude to Rob every chance he got. He hates people in uniform. It is actually embarrassing sometimes."
"How so?"
"Since the restaurant I work at is so close to the navy yard, a lot of people in uniform comes in. Daniel is there a lot, checking up on me and stuff, he gives dirty looks to everyone he sees in uniform."
"Has it ever been a personal problem?" Still trying to sound casual.
"I called him out on it a few times. This one time we got into a heated argument because he wanted me to get rid of a navy non formal uniform I have in my closet."
"Why do you have one?"
"When I lived in San Diego, a friend of mine was killed. His mom gave it to me, supposedly he wanted me to have it. I don't wear it or anything, it is just a nice reminder of him."
"Daniel sounds like a person who likes things his way," I say having a hard time keeping my tone of voice casual at this point.
"You have no idea. Have you ever been in a relationship that you know you have no business being in but in its own twisted way it feels great so you ignore all the warning signs?"
And I instantly flash to Jeanne but thanks to Tim and time the pain is no longer there.
"Yeah, I do."
"Yeah, well that is Daniel."
Before I could ask anything else her cellphone goes off.
"Do you want me to get that?" I ask gesturing toward her purse near my foot.
"Ummm yeah. It could be insurance."
"Nope, it is someone named Cynthia," I say glancing at the screen.
"Oh. Yeah, give it to me."
"Are you sure?" Glancing over at her now nervous face.
"Yeah, its Rob's wife. I don't really know why she is calling me," mumbling the last part to herself.
I hand over the phone and she answers it on the last ring.
"Hey Cyn!...No, well I'm driving but I have a minute…yeah, I saw on the news. I am really sorry I can stop by if you want….NCIS is really good they will find out who did this, don't worry…well you were away…actually Cynthia I really have to go but I will talk to you later. Bye!"
She said suddenly, hanging up the phone and tossing it in her bag.
We passed the security check point and she drove up to the entrance of NCIS.
"Cynthia just told me that she haven't been in Florida this whole time," she blurts out before I could get out of the car.
"She just told you that?" I question turning to face her.
She just nods her head. "That's why I hung up so quickly, before she could tell me anything else. And before you ask, I think she told me that information because maybe she feels guilty for lying to you guys. Plus, I am the only one she told about the Rob and Rebecca situation."
"Thanks for telling me, which will help once she comes in," and before I could stop myself I find myself adding. "I can leave your name out of it, say you are an anonymous source."
She tilts her head to the side seeming not knowing exactly how to respond to that. "Thanks, but you don't have too. That is sweet of you but I'm fine really. But thank you," giving me a soft smile.
Before, I could say anything else she is waving and I turn around to find both McGee and Ziva standing near the entrance waving back.
"You better get to work, thanks for the car," she says grabbing my bag from the back and placing it in my lap.
I get out the car and lean in the open window before joining the other two.
"Be safe."
"Always am," she calls out before giving me one last wave and driving off.
"Why the weird look?" Ziva asks once I catch up with them.
"P.O Sears' wife just called Maggie."
"They know each other?"
"Yoga instructor," I replied.
"Well, maybe she just wanted to tell Maggie that her husband died." Ziva said.
"Yeah, that's not the weird part. Cynthia told her that she haven't been in Florida this whole time, then Maggie got quiet but in a weird way. "
"Well maybe she knows what the wife is capable of?" Tim says once we step into the bullpen.
"Maybe."
"Found the girlfriend. Ziver you're with me," Gibbs says, coming from the steps leading toward MTAC, going to his desk to grab his things and heading back to the elevator.
"Oh, boss I should tell you Maggie knows Rebecca and her roommate,"
"I know that," he comments before the elevator door closes.
"Of course you do," I mummer because why wouldn't he know that.
"Hey, what aren't you telling me?" Tim asks, pulling my attention away from the elevator.
"Nothing," I say, turning around to flash him my best smile.
"No secrets, remember?"
I just sigh and run my fingers through my hair. "I was thinking that maybe we should keep a closer eye on Maggie. I mean Daniel could find her."
But before he could respond my phone rings.
"DiNozzo."
"A Ms. Cynthia Sears is here."
"Thanks, bring her up."
"The wife is here," I say once I hang up the phone.
"Tony, I am sure she is fine and she is staying with us. Plus, she has one a very special agent as a father. But if you're so worried, I'll put a trace on her phone and will monitor it while down in Abby's lab. And if anything hinky comes up, I will tell you. Or have Gibbs and Ziva go where she is if they are still out."
I roll my chair over to his desk and give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I know those McGeek skills could be useful," I say because saying a simple 'thank you' is way too sappy.
He just rolls his eyes at my comment and gets up to go down to Abby's. "She is your daughter. So anything to keep her safe."
"She is technically ours, if you think about it," I say once he passes my desk.
I pretend to take an interest in my computer and I can feel him staring at me.
"Yeah, technically," he finally says and I can just make out the small smile as he enters the elevator.
"Hey, how is the laptop going?" I ask while entering Abby's.
"Sears and his wife were having marriage problems," Tim answers.
"Really," I say raising my eyebrow and peering over his shoulder. "Because according to the wife they were a picture perfect couple."
McGee just snorts while handing me the laptop and telling me to read.
Sail Boat: I need a better couch.
Magnet: Another night on the couch?
Sail Boat: Because I suggested that we should try again.
Magnet: Maybe she is just not ready.
Sail Boat: Mags, it has been 2 years. She didn't even want a child the first time. She is just using the miscarriage as an excuse. She doesn't even try to listen to me.
Sail Boat: I said we could adopt if she so scared of having another miscarriage.
Magnet: Does Rebecca want children?
Sail Boat: She is just someone I have a certain kind of relationship with, I don't want to have a future with her and kids = future.
Magnet: If you have kids, you are going to be a crappy dad if you cheat on their mommy because you are not 'getting any'.
Sail Boat: You sound like Rebecca.
Magnet: Don't ever compare me to her, ever in your life. I am just saying Cynthia already suspects.
Sail Boat: It is not even just the child thing, she thinks that the Navy is no good for me. She doesn't understand that the Navy is my life. I mean I am good at my job, really good. But of course she says that it is a job that I can do anywhere and I told her she can do her job anywhere.
Magnet: And we go back to the couch. Maybe you two should go to counseling or separate for a little bit. And maybe I don't know, don't cheat on her. I mean it is bad enough that she makes you feel crappy, adding Rebecca in the mix is just awful.
Sail Boat: Really rich coming from someone in just an equally crappy relationship.
Magnet: Hey! Who is asking who for advice?
Sail Boat: You know you can't beat this level without my help.
Magnet: You are deflecting but just consider my advice.
Sail Boat: I will if you do.
"What did she say about Florida?"
"Apparently, she went down there for three days and then came and stayed at a friend's house. Got in the night before Sears was killed. I called Gibbs, he and Ziva are going over there to confirm."
"Look what I found," Abby says coming from her desk holding what I am guessing Sears other laptop.
"What?"
"Well, doing some more fishing around and I found this." She typed some more things on her own computer and brought up a typed up letter on the main screen.
"What is that?" Tim asks getting up from his seat to get a closer look.
"Apparently, Sears had a problem with one of his co – workers the incident happening about a month ago. He was writing a letter to his C.O to formally complain."
"When did he write this?"
"Two hours before his death."
"Why would he start this and not finish it?" Tim questions.
"Or wait so long to report it," I add.
"Maybe he changed his mind or something came up to make him report it?"
"Or maybe something stopped him from finishing it."
"That would make sense if he was killed at his home. But he was found in Rock Creek Park."
"That is only a ten minute walk from his house. He could walk there clear his head, stuff like that."
"I wonder how angry his co – worker would be if he found out?" Abby says while leaning on the table facing me.
"He certainly wouldn't be happy, that is the same guy who said that everyone liked P.O Sears. Probie!"
"Bring in the co – worker. On it!" then he disappears upstairs.
"Hey, Abs can you bring up the trace he has running on Mags phone."
She presses a few keys and the trace shows up. "Looks like she is at a coffee shop a few blocks from Rock Creek Park, according to both her cell and your GPS in your car."
"You are tracking that too?"
"Hmmm…might as well," she says non-nonchalantly.
"Did anyone say that you are a genius?"
"Once or twice," she says before shooing me out of her lab so she can get back to work.
Sorry for the lame usernames I have. lol. But hope you enjoyed this chapter.