Down Among the Dead

Chapter 9

It was a couple of hours before dawn when Tony and Gibbs left the scene. Ducky and Palmer had left for NCIS an hour earlier, and Ducky had promised that they would get to work on the post-mortem examinations as soon as they had both had a couple of hours of sleep. Tony sensed that Gibbs wanted to argue but the lead agent hadn't, clearly understanding that the M.E. needed to be at his best for this case.

Fornell and Sacks had left several hours earlier to coordinate the search of police personnel for potential suspects. Fornell had promised to be discrete so as not to spook their suspect, but warned Gibbs that it could take some time to narrow down the field.

After making sure someone would be posted at the scene until they could release it Gibbs and Tony made the drive to the hospital to check on McGee. The ride was silent, giving Tony time to worry about his partner. Tony had only caught a glimpse of their teammate before he was rushed to the ambulance, but even from that brief look he knew that McGee was in bad shape. He hoped they'd get some good news when they got to the hospital but he was also painfully aware how unlikely that would be, given how long McGee had been missing.

When they arrived at hospital they found Ziva sitting quietly in the waiting room, eyes closed and hands clasped in her lap as she whispered to herself. At their approach her eyes snapped open and they could see the worry in her expression before she hid it away.

"How's McGee?"

She glanced up at the clock on the wall. "They took him into surgery an hour ago. It took some time to stabilize him. He was dehydrated and needed a transfusion to make up the blood lost from internal bleeding," she replied robotically.

Tony winced at the information she had given them as well as the delivery. "But he's going to be OK, right?"

Her façade cracked slightly. "The forensic nurse on staff documented his injuries and collected evidence. I called another agent to take it back to NCIS. He should be here shortly."

"What did that bastard do to him?" Tony demanded as the color drained from his face.

"They told me that there were no signs of sexual assault but there was a great deal of bruising and other injuries. He...he must have been in a great deal of pain...for days."

"Damn it. We drove right past that place! If I had just been thinking…"

"It is not your fault, Tony. If anyone is to blame, it is the monster who put him there."

"And we should be out looking for him! Why are we trusting the FBI to-?"

"Use what they have to find him faster? Because the more people we have on this, the more chance we have of finding this bastard."

"Boss-"

"Sit down, DiNozzo." Tony flopped into the chair next to Ziva. "Fornell will let us know the minute he finds something."

"Yeah, but will Sachs?"

"If he doesn't, he'll answer to me."

"Right."

Gibbs sent him a glare before he sat in the chair on the other side of Ziva. Tony watched the clock, wondering if it was possible for time to actually slow to a crawl, since that was what it felt like as they waited for news concerning their teammate. Gibbs' phone rang a couple of times and he left the area to answer it, each time returning to update them on the progress of the case. Fornell had spoken to the commander for the state police and had ensured his cooperation, even though the man had expressed doubt that one of his officers could possible been responsible.

The agent assigned to transport the evidence showed up an hour later and Ziva accompanied him when he went to retrieve it. She soon returned, stating that everything had been handled and Gibbs ordered her to go back to the Yard with the agent, promising to let her know as soon as they heard anything. She left, albeit reluctantly, and the two men remained in the waiting room.

Finally they saw a weary-looking doctor approaching and rose to meet him when he stepped into the waiting area.

"You're here for Timothy McGee?" he asked, puzzled. "There was someone else here, earlier-"

"How's McGee?" Tony interrupted. "Is he going to be OK?"

"He's stable. There were no complications with the surgery, but he was fortunate that we were able to operate when we did. He was bleeding internally in several areas, some of which had been untreated for...well, a couple of days at least. Our biggest worry now is infection so we're administering IV antibiotics. We've restored his blood volume and we are working to correct the dehydration as well. We had to put pins in his right arm; both bones had displaced fractures. He has three cracked and two fractured ribs, which thankfully did not separate. He also has two partially torn ligaments in his left knee, as well as multiple contusions and lacerations on his legs, back, arms, chest and face. Lastly, he has a severe concussion, mostly likely caused by multiple impacts." The doctor took a deep breath. "He's in for a long and painful recovery."

"But he's going to be OK?"

"In time, and as long as we can keep any infection that occurs under control, he should recover. However, in his weakened state, infection is highly likely and I recommend that he remain isolated few at least forty-eight hours so as not to strain his system further."

"We'll need to keep him under guard," Gibbs informed the doctor. "The bastard who did this to him may decided to try and finish the job."

The doctor paled. "I see. Well, the guard will have to stay outside his room. I trust that is acceptable?" Gibbs nodded. "Then we can handle that."

"When can we see him?" Tony demanded, ignoring the look he was getting from Gibbs.

"He's in recovery now. We expect to be able to move him to a room in another hour or so, and then you'll be able to observe him through the window, but as I said he needs as little contact with others as possible. I expect him to sleep for most of that waiting period, too." He studied Tony's expression. "I'll let you know when he's settled."

"Thanks, Doctor…"

"Martin. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Tony sat down abruptly, his hands shaking as he ran them through his hair. Gibbs sat next to him and waited in silence as Tony struggled to bring his emotions under control.

"He...he's gonna be OK, right, Boss?"

"Sounded like it to me. Are you gonna be?"

"Getting there."

They waited in silence until the doctor returned and beckoned them to follow. A few minutes later they were standing outside Tim's room, starting through the glass at the still form on the bed.

"He looks like hell," Tony whispered.

"Better than dead."

"Yeah. Might not think that when he wakes up, though. That bastard really beat the crap out of him." His expression shifted to anger. "And I'd really like to return the favor."

"Think you'd have to get in line."

"Need to find him first."

"We will. You ready?"

Tony took one last look at his injured partner. "More than ready."

"Good. Let's go."

XXX

Gibbs was not at all surprised that Tony quickly dropped off to sleep once they were back on the road. In deference to his passenger he obeyed most of the traffic laws for the trip back and they arrived an hour after the start of the normal work day. Tony was still asleep when Gibbs pulled into a parking space so he cracked the windows and left Tony in the car, figuring he'd wake up when he needed to.

After checking the bullpen and finding Ziva asleep at her desk he headed down to the lab. He knew Ducky had arrived only an hour before and wouldn't have anything to report for awhile, but Abby would have gotten a start on the analysis and would need comforting when she saw the evidence from McGee.

He stepped into the lab and saw Abby staring at a set of stained clothing that had been laid out on the lab table. When she turned around he could see the anguish in her expression. He silently opened his arms and she rushed forward to accept his embrace.

"You found him," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Is he...downstairs?"

Gibbs silently cursed and hugged her tighter. "No, Abbs, he's alive. Pretty bad shape, but alive."

She jerked back, eyes widening in anger. "That jerk! Agent Donovan said this was evidence from a victim. He never said from a living-"

"I'll deal with Donovan. McGee's in a hospital in Hagerstown. We'll have him transferred to Bethesda as soon as he's stable enough to travel."

"What happened to him? Is he going to be OK?"

"He'll be fine. What do ya got?"

"Gibbs! What happened to McGee?"

Gibbs sighed, knowing he wouldn't get any answers until he provided a few. "He stumbled onto a serial killer. Bastard caught McGee and stuck him down in a crypt with his victims. Beat the hell out of him in the process-" She gasped. "-but he'll be OK. McGee told me it was a cop. Fornell's working on tracking him down."

"I need to see him."

"He's in isolation right now. They're worried about infection, so nobody's allowed in. As soon as that changes, you can go. Now, what do you got?"

"Ducky said he'll send up samples for DNA testing as soon as he can." She glanced at the large dark stain on the leg of the jeans lying on the table. "I was getting ready to test this when you came in." She met Gibbs gaze with worried eyes. "He's really going to be OK?"

"Doesn't have permission not to be."

She managed a teary smile. "Right. OK. I'd better get to work."

Gibbs gently kissed her forehead and left the lab, headed for Autopsy.

When the elevator door opened he saw Palmer standing there, a tray of samples in hand and an expression on his face Gibbs had never seen before. The absolute fury in his eyes would have been intimidating to anyone one but Gibbs.

"Palmer."

He nodded curtly. "Just taking samples to Abby."

"You alright?"

"No." He marched past Gibbs and down the hall into the lab. Gibbs watched him for a brief moment before stepping into the elevator and pressing the button. A few moments later he arrived at Autopsy and strode in as Ducky quickly covered the small body on the table with a sheet.

"Jethro, I didn't expect to see you so soon." The anger in Ducky's eyes exceeded that of his assistant, but just barely.

"What do ya got?"

"I'm assuming you met Mr. Palmer on his way to the lab with samples for Abigail. She should be able to get a DNA sample from the monster responsible for-" He waved his hand at the covered figure. "-this."

Gibbs avoided looking at the table since he knew the sight of the killer's most recent victim would severely loosen what control he was maintaining.

"Good. What else can you tell me?"

"Death was due to exsanguination caused by brutal sexual penetration. This poor child would have been in agony." He slammed his fist on the table. "You catch this bastard, Jethro. And when you do I sincerely hope he resists so that you may send him to the deepest level of Hell where he belongs!"

"Working on it."

"Good." His expression softened. "How is Timothy?"

"In isolation. They're worried about infection."

"Not surprising. Were you able to speak with him at all?"

"No. Doc said it would be a couple of days."

"I see. Well, I hope we can find his attacker before then so he may concentrate on healing."

"Fornell's working on the warrant for state police employee records. Once that's done will start narrowing the search while Abby works on the DNA. This guy's days are numbered."

"I certainly hope so."

"What about the rest of the victims?"

"I've only made a very preliminary examination, but they all appear to be between 6 and 8 years of age, all most likely female. It's difficult to tell for children of that age."

"I'll have DiNozzo and David pull the records for the girls that McGee was checking on, but he only had five names on his list. The other two are going to be harder to identify."

"But we will do it. It's time to give these poor families some closure."

"That it is."

"Now, I had better get back to work. I'll let you know when I've finished."

"Counting on it. See you later."

Gibbs returned to the bullpen to find Tony and Ziva both at their desks, awake and waiting for him.

"Boss?"

"Medical records for ID of the victims. Go."

"What about the perp?"

"FBI's working on personnel records. Abby's on DNA. We'll get him."

"And if the FBI doesn't want to share the collar?"

"They know better than that."

"I sure as hell hope so."

XXX

The killer stepped out of his cruiser and walked to the front door of the barracks to report for duty with a definite spring in his step. He always had more energy after one of his 'activities' and the fact that he'd been able to take down a Fed in the process was just a bonus. He imagined Agent McGee's final hours with a smile as he made his way to the break room for a cup of coffee to start his day.

He was surprised to see a small group of officers huddled around the water cooler in quiet, distinctly nervous conversation. They grew silent when he stepped in the room and he gave them a puzzled look.

"What's going on?"

After a significant pause, one of the younger officers, Simmons, finally spoke. "My cousin who works in I.T. says the FBI brought in a warrant for the personnel files this morning."

"Whose files?"

"All of them."

The killer felt a tick of anxiety but managed to keep it hidden. "They say why?"

"No, but...did you hear about the bodies they found last night up in Hagerstown?"

"No, I didn't. What bodies? And where?"

"In an old cemetery crypt. Rumor has it that it was a bunch of kids, most of them dead too long to identify."

"I heard that they found a federal agent down there, too?" asked a second officer, Officer Nader.

"Dead?"

"Don't know. They're keeping a tight lid on everything."

"Well, if they need our help I'm sure they'll ask."

"I doubt that," Simmons replied. "I've got a bad feeling about this."

"You have an overactive imagination," the third officer, Sergeant Allen retorted. "But if something concerning state cops was going on…"

"We'd be the last to know." The killer filled his coffee cup and added three packets of sugar before giving it a good stir and snapping on a lid. "I'm headed out on patrol. Let me know if you hear anything."

"Will do. Be careful."

The killer smiled. "Will do."

After he left the building and climbed into the cruiser his smile vanished. His instincts were telling him that what he had heard wasn't a coincidence. Someone was finally on to him. An angry expression crossed his face as he suspected who might be responsible for that. At least the agent had gotten what was coming to him.

He started his patrol route, carefully making his way along the back rounds which would eventually lead him to the old graveyard. He'd drive by to check for any activity and if it turned out that his little hiding place had been discovered, well, he's prepared for this and was perfectly capable of slipping away, undetected.

The sun was starting to slip below the treeline when he finally arrived at the cemetery. A second cruiser was already parked there and he pulled up next to it, recognizing one of the local rookies at the wheel.

"Weird place for a speed trap, Parker," he called out and the rookie shrugged.

"They told me to guard the place."

"Why?"

"Crime scene."

His eyebrows rose in fake surprise. "Really? What happened?"

"Dunno, they just told me to keep an eye out."

"Mind if I take a look around?"

Parker winced. "Not really supposed to let anyone in there."

"Oh come on. Don't you recognize a little hazing when you see it?" He smirked, hoping the young man actually was stupid enough to take the bait.

An annoyed look crossed the man's face. "Seriously?"

"Yeah, man. Don't worry, they got me with that one once, too. Of course you can let another officer in, especially since it looks like they're done with the scene anyway."

"Yeah, OK. Don't take too long, though, OK?"

"Wouldn't dream of it." He pulled his cruiser over onto the side of the road and got out, checking the area quickly as he did so.

"Be right back," he called to Parker who just waved him off and turned to watch the road. The killer chuckled to himself and started walking through the cemetery, trying to give the impression that he was just a casual but curious observer.

Soon he reached the old church and immediately saw that the larger stone covering the stairway had been pushed back. He peered down the steps and saw that the door was open as well, crime scene tape draped across the entrance to the crypt. He carefully descended the stairs and stepped into the dark, dank room as he pulled his flashlight from his belt and used it to illuminate the small space. The lids of the sarcophagi had all been removed and a quick circuit of the room told him they were empty. He felt a surge of irritation.

Damn. Time to move on.

He tucked the flashlight back in his belt and started up the steps. Shadows moved across the opening as the wind kicked up and the trees swayed with a slight creaking sound. He had almost reached the top of the stairs when a smaller group of shadows coalesced into eight small figures standing in a circle around the opening. The temperature plummeted and goosebumps rose on his arms and neck as he stared at the shadowy forms seemly waiting for him to reach the surface. He blinked to clear his vision and took another step, freezing when the first form stepped into the fading light and a wave of fury unlike anything he had ever felt was directed at him. He gasped when he recognized the face staring at him with cold brown eyes.

"No. It can't be. You…" Seven more familiar faces stepped into the light and the feeling of dread became almost overwhelming. "You can't be here. You… I killed you!"

They took another step forward, causing him to take a step back...into nothing. He lost his balance and tumbled backward, eyes wide with terror as he caught one last look at those angry, hateful eyes and a sharp crack as he hit the bottom of the stairs cut off the scream that had been building in his throat.

A few moments later, the silence of the gathering twilight was shattered by screams no living human could hear.

TBC…

A/N: I've been wanting to write that part since the beginning ;)

Two chapters to go.