Where He Went
Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever own NCIS or any other show that may have a character or two show up.
A/N: I am going to apologize ahead of time in case my computer screws up my words. It does that sometimes. Anyway, without further adieu... I would also like to warn against possible OOCness... Though I wouldn't really call it that for Trent because we don't see him often enough to know... But just in case, that's a warning. One more thing, Corey is between three and four years old, which is why he doesn't talk exactly right.
A/N:Thank you for the reviews, follows, and faves. :) They are what make me continue writing this. This chapter is pretty long, but I hope you like it. And again, I want to apologize for butchering the Polish language if I did.
Chapter Nine:Found
Casey found her drink and took a long swig of it, trying to process the conversation she had just had with Trent. Gibbs looked at her. "What was that about Casey?"he asked, suddenly not sure if he wanted to know by the look she gave. Casey swallowed.
"Carter's missing. She wasn't waiting with Dakota for Trent and he can't find her..."her voice trailed.
"And you think Perry might have something to do with it...?"Tony finished. The detective bit her lip and nodded, her worry building with all the 'What if's '. Ziva looked back over the emails Perry had sent to the address.
"McGee... Do you think you could find out who Perry was emailing...?"Ziva asked. McGee thought it over.
"I might be able too... But I'd need Abby's help..."McGee answered her, going back to the computer to begin the process. Gibbs phone rang, looked at the caller ID and answered.
"This had better be good Abby."
"Oh. It is Gibbs. Trust me. Like, it could totally change your-our investigation."she enthused with so much energy he could picture her jumping up and down.. Well, he sort of could if she wasn't on crutches...
"Get on with it Abby."
"Right. The prints don't match the ones on Petroski. In fact, the ones found on Petroski are too disrupted for me to tell who's they are."Abby explained into Gibbs.
"Then how do you know they're not Perry's?"Gibbs asked. He could see her smiling.
"Because Gibbs, Perry has arches in his finger prints. The ones I got off the body didn't have arches. I can't say for sure what they are though... You know, this is Caf-Pow! country yet you're not here to give me one..."Abby rambled on.
"When we get back Abs, I'll give you two."he promised. He could feel her grin.
"Sweet. And tell Timmy that I got his email. But seriously, Polish? That's like, one of the more difficult languages to decipher... But since I can feel your determination from here... I will find a way to read it."Abby said before hanging up. Gibbs shook his head and took a drink from his coffee.
"Well...?"Casey asked him. He glanced up at her and could tell she was trying to think of everything other than her daughter.
"Perry didn't kill Petroski. Which means there are two killers."he answered. Tony looked at Gibbs.
"Does that mean our cases aren't really linked...?"the Italian asked, not wanting to abandon the detectives when one of their own had family in trouble.
"Actually DiNozzo... It could mean that they're linked more than ever. Which means Perry isn't acting alone."Gibbs replied, thinking.
"But who would Perry know that knows Polish?"Ziva asked, referring to the emails. Gibbs thought.
"I don't know... McGee, while you're using the thingy to decipher the email waatcha-ma call-its, see if you can find all of the people who ever came in contact with Perry in prison."Gibbs barked. Casey snickered.
"You still have no idea how technology works, do ya Jethro?"she teased. Gibbs grumbled out something incomprehensible and took another drink of coffee. The squad room doors opened.
"I would've been here sooner.. But I went to some of the places I thought she'd be..."a familiar voice called out. Casey looked up and walked over to him.
"No sign?"she asked, almost afraid to look at him directly. He hugged her.
"I wish... But none..."Trent murmured so only she could hear. She backed up enough to look up at him.
"Was Mrs. James okay with keeping the boys...?"Casey asked. He nodded.
"She didn't mind... Although she's worried about Carter too.."he admitted. She sighed. Gibbs looked at the emails.
"Perry just wants his money Kort... If you tell him you'll give it back to him, I'm sure he'll let Carter go."Gibbs told Trent. The Brit turned to face Gibbs.
"Two problems with though Gibbs. One, I don't have his money. Two, I have no idea how to contact him."Trent retorted. Gibbs didn't think much of it when he saw the look on Trent's face. He would recognize it anywhere. It was the look he had when he found out about Shannon and Kelly's murders.
Tony walked up to the smaller man and placed an awkward hand on his shoulder. "If Carter is anything like you are, Kort. She's fine. A pain in the neck, but fine. And if Perry really does have her, he'll call soon."Trent shrugged his shoulder away from Tony's hand.
"DiNozzo, let's get something straight. I don't like you. You don't like me. Let's carry on that, please."Trent reacted, walking over to Casey. Ziva looked at him.
"What about the money? I'm sure that would draw Perry out quicker."Ziva asked Trent. He shook his head, sitting down in one of the chairs.
"Can't do that. I gave the Siravo money to the Agency."Trent reminded them. Tony shrugged.
"So? Couldn't you ask the CIA to loan you back the money?"Tony asked. Trent glared at the NCIS agent.
"DiNozzo. What part of 'I've left the CIA' do you not get? I am a college professor now, the CIA will have nothing to do with me. And I like that."Trent explained. Tony bit his lip.
"Oh... Well... We could use fake money... Right...?"Tony asked. Gibbs just shook his head.
"DiNozzo... I think we should just find a game plan for this..."
Perry walked back inside the cabin. Carter forced a smile. "Hi Perry. What was that about? Are we going to do something fun?"she asked, trying to show enthusiasm. Perry looked at her.
"I have a friend who's on his way here... Me and him are gonna make some plans and then we'll see what we'll do about you."Perry explained.
"What do you mean by that? Don't you need me?"she asked, pouting. "I liked being needed..."she complained. Perry sighed.
"It's nothing personal.. It's just-"he was cut off by the door opening. They both turned towards the door to see who came in. A disfigured man with an eye-patch walked in.
"Don't let the little girl talk you out of or into anything, Mr. Sterling. She is as manipulative as her father, and should not be trusted."he stated. Carter noted his accent was thick, but couldn't place it. Russian maybe... German?
Perry shook his head. "She has no hold on me whatsoever. I was just talking to her."Perry stated. Carter looked at the man.
"Don't worry about me, Mister. I'm only a child. I can't do much... What's your name? I'm Carter. Where are you from? You have a very thick accent. Are you Russian?"she asked, playing the part of an over-zealous child. She smiled. The man shook his head.
"Your father did not teach you discipline. Which could make this difficult for you, because if you don't start acting disciplined, I will teach it to you."he threatened. Carter took a deep breath, trying not to show her discomfort.
"But you never answered my question... I'm curious."she tried. He turned back to her, and without second thought, the back of his hand collided with the side of her face. She gasped, wanting to rub out the sting, but couldn't as her hands were still tied.
"You should have stopped while you were a head, little girl. I know those tricks, the humanizing yourself. I taught your father those tricks. Everything he knows, I taught. And I can see he taught you. But not well. You lack discipline. I feel disappointed for you. However, if you ever attempt to try something like that on me again, I will do more than hit you. Are we understood?"he asked.
Carter nodded, keeping her gaze away from him so he couldn't see the tears. She wasn't going to give him any satisfaction. Perry jumped up and went over to her, looking at the man. "Why did you hit her?! If Mr. Kort finds out, he may not pay for her. He might kill us instead."Perry voiced. The man shook his head.
"I would not count on that. Trenton would not do anything that will risk the girl's life. And he certainly would not torture you over it. He despises torturing others. I found that out when he and I went to Afghanistan. I helped weed out spies by tormenting anyone who waked in to the refugee camp. I had him assist me. He kept asking if he had to do it, and I made him. That was when I knew he would be a disappointment to me."the man alleviated Perry's fears.
Perry nodded. "Okay.. So what are we gonna do...?"the younger man asked. The man turned to Carter.
"Let's step outside, I do not want her listening in."he lead Perry outside, smirking. Carter bit her lip, wishing she was close enough to the door to overhear their conversation. Anything to help them find her.
Everyone in the squad room was throwing out ideas left and right when Trent's phone rang. He looked at the ID and put it one speaker, nodding to Gibbs and McGee. McGee started up some recording device he had.
" 'Ello...? Perry..?"he greeted, trying to make himself stay calm. The voice on the other line took a deep breath.
"Hello Mr. Kort. I'm gonna cut to the chase. I want all my money delivered to me at the airport in two hours. And it has to be you, alone, delivering it. In return, you get your little Princess back."Perry didn't miss a beat. Trent mulled it over.
"I wanna talk to Carter to be sure she's okay, otherwise, I will not make a deal."Trent stated, feeling his tolerance for the man on the phone leaving him.
"Why? Don't you want her back?"Perry asked. Trent had to bite his tongue from saying the first thing that popped in his head.
"I do want my daughter back, but if I don't get to speak with her, how do I know she's alright?"Trent tried again. He heard shifting around.
"Daddy...?"he sighed in relief when he heard his daughter's voice.
" 'Ello, Baby Girl... How are you..?"Trent asked. There was a slight pause.
"I'm fine Daddy. Really. I'm fine, right guys? Anyway, I was thinking of taking those swim classes this summer with Melissa. Seems like it would be fun. Oh, and I really need to spend the night with Ruby Wednesday. We're reading on the Gulf War. I find it very interesting, but Ruby seems to know more about it than I do. I'm hoping she will help me with the Gulf War project we need to do.."Carter rambled. Trent sighed.
"We'll see..."then he heard something in the background. The phone's position changed.
"You have two hours Mr. Kort. I will be waiting."click. Trent looked at McGee.
"Could you get a location?"he asked the hacker. McGee shook his head.
"Must've used a burn phone. Carter wasn't too helpful either..."McGee said. Trent stopped, thinking of the conversation he just had with his daughter.
"Actually.. She really helped us out... She mentioned swimming and gulfs. Things that deal with water..."Trent trailed. McGee's face lit up as he began typing.
"Water... That could mean their near water... "McGee began. Tony shrugged.
"Sounds more like normal kid stuff..."Tony doubted, not wanting Trent and Casey to get their hopes up. Trent and Casey shared a look.
"The lake... That's the only place I could think of nearby that they could be..."Casey started. Trent grabbed his coat.
"I'll get a head star-"he didn't get to finish as Gibbs stepped in front of him.
"You need to sit down. You're not going there."Gibbs told him. Trent looked the older man in the eyes.
"Would you be saying that if it was Kelly? Gibbs, I'm not going to sit back when I know where my daughter is."Trent expressed. Gibbs winced slightly and the Brit felt bad, knowing he struck a nerve. But if Perry hurt Carter, he wouldn't be able to live with himself.
"Trent. I have an idea. But it only works if you're the one who delivers the money."Gibbs reasoned with the Brit. Trent sighed.
"Alright... What's the plan...?"
Carter watched as Perry and the man started to leave. "Hey! What about me?! Don't you need me?"she asked, wanting to know if the plans changed. The man smirked.
"I am going back to my home and Mr. Sterling is going to get his money. You, however, do not fit into our plans. But never fear dziecko, you'll be fine. Surely someone will discover you before Wednesday."the man told her. She felt her fear rising, but forced herself not to show it.
"Why by then?"she asked. Perry bit his lip.
"Because the human body can only last so long with out water... And by Wednesday, if you're not found... You could die.. But I'm sure you'll be found before then."Perry smiled and they left. Carter felt panicky, trying to find away to untie herself. Her mind whirled through idea after idea, trying to find a way to get out.
Trent sat down on a bench outside the airport, sitting the briefcase beside him. He felt a presence sit down beside him. "Mr. Kort, I'm glad you decided to show up."he heard Perry's voice say. Trent tensed.
"Where is Carter?"he asked, trying to stay civil. Perry didn't answer for a long time.
"Funny thing there... She's still where I left her. And after we make our little... Transaction... I will give you her location."Perry said.
"Don't fall for it, Kort. He's baiting you."Gibbs said into Trent's earpiece. Trent swallowed, contemplating choking Perry out.
"Fine. Fine. Here's your blood money."Trent handed Perry the briefcase. The other man smiled and took the case from him.
"It was a pleasure doing business with you Mr. Kort. Your daughter is at that little cabin near the lake. Have a good night..."Perry got up and walked into the airport. Trent overhead Gibbs tell DiNozzo where Perry was.
"I've got him, Boss. Don't worry."Tony told the older man, going towards Perry. He nodded across the room to David, who by then was also going towards Perry. Tony and David grabbed his wrists. "Hey, Perry. Remember me?"Tony asked. Perry smiled weakly.
"Tony. Hi. I see you have a new friend..."he tried. David smirked.
"Yeah. Detective David Martin. And you are under arrest."David began to mirandize him. Tony smirked, leading them out of the building..
Ziva walked into the cabin, being careful not to alarm the girl. "Who's there?!"Ziva turned to see Carter sitting in a chair.
"Relax. My name is Ziva David. I work for NCIS. I was sent to come find you..."Ziva explained, showing the girl her credentials. Carter sighed in relief.
"Finally... I'm ready to go home. A little help..?"Carter asked, referring to her hands being tied. Ziva walked around and untied the girl, noticing the beginning of a bruise on her face.
"Carter... What happened...?"Ziva asked, gesturing to the bruise. Carter bit her lip.
"I got hit... By the other man..."she explained, looking away from the Israeli. Ziva looked at her, confused.
"What other man? We've got Sterling... What other man?"she asked. Carter looked at her.
"You didn't get him?! He's still out there? No..."Carter took deep breaths. "The other man I tried to warn you all about.. I distinctly recall saying 'guys' in my phone call. Did none of you catch that?"she asked. Ziva looked at the girl.
"We were all more concerned about you. Your father seemed as though he was going to kill someone when he walked into the station."Ziva told her, feeling as though she needed to keep her calm. Carter bit her lip.
"The other man said he was going to go home... He was about medium height.. Brutish looking. What hair he had was grayed... He walked with a slight limp and had an eye-patch over his left eye. Had a very thick accent that I think was either German or Russian."Carter described the man quickly. She then added, "He's the one who hit me..."Ziva nodded.
"I will tell the others after we get you to the station... Your family is worried..."
The doors to the station opened, Ziva smiled. "Hey Kort, Casey. I have someone here who is anxious to see you."the Israeli motioned for them, stepping away from the door to reveal Carter was with her. The girl ran and hugged her parents closely.
"I'm glad you're okay."Trent told her, holding her close to him, kissing the top of her head.
"I am too... Carter... What happened...?"Casey asked, gesturing to her daughter's bruising face. Trent tensed.
"I swear, if Perry did that, I'm going to kill him."Trent seethed. He had been waiting for an excuse to hit the man for awhile now. Carter kissed his cheek.
"Daddy, Perry didn't hit me. It was the other man..."Carter explained. Then when they gave her the look Ziva did, she quickly described him again. Trent paled.
"That sounds a lot like Marcin Jerek..."he told Gibbs. Gibbs nodded, Tony looked confused.
"Can't be though... The Afghani people arrested him and took him away... Right..?"Tony reminded the team.
"You can escape prison DiNozzo..."Gibbs told his agent. Trent looked at Gibbs.
"Ask Perry before you leave. Then call me when you find Marcin. Let me know why."was all Trent requested before he and his family began to leave. Tony looked at Gibbs.
"You gonna let him talk to you that way?"he asked. Gibbs looked at him.
"DiNozzo, give him a break. He just went through something I wouldn't ask my worst enemy to do. Let him be.."Gibbs answered, going into the interrogation room. "Perry... You and I are gonna have a chat. You can call a lawyer if you like. But I'm still gonna talk. Then we'll be off to D.C."Gibbs told Perry. Perry shook his head.
"No lawyer... I'll talk if I can get a deal."Perry pleaded. Gibbs shrugged.
"I'll see what I can do.. Now, speak. Start from after you got out of prison to why you came here."Gibbs commanded.
Perry took a deep breath. "I got out and went to my old home. I saw this guy waiting on me there... He told me his name, Marcin Jerek, and told me we would be in touch. Well, a few weeks later he began emailing me, telling me where I could find Mr. Kort and my money. He told me not to worry and that he would make a few distractions to keep me from being discovered too soon. Jerek gave me the names of two people who could help me after I moved here. But the catch was, after they lost their usefulness, I had to kill them. No big deal.. But I had no idea how to draw out Mr. Kort. So I asked Jerek. And that was when I got the idea for taking the kids... And then I wound up here."Perry paraphrased.
Gibbs nodded. "Thanks. Wait... Did Marcin specify what he did to make a distraction..?"Gibbs asked. Perry looked at him.
"He said something about my ex-supplier."
"All I needed to know..."and with that, Gibbs left, dialing his phone to call Vance with a heads-up.
Trent woke up and checked the clock. It was a little after midnight, but he needed to get up, had to check on the kids. He carefully rose up out of the bed, kissing Casey's cheek as he left. He peeked into Corey's room and smiled when he saw the toddler was still curled up asleep next to his stuffed elephant. Trent walked in Dakota's next. He felt relief seeing his oldest son still asleep. He walked by Carter's room, going to go inside when he could saw the light from downstairs.
He cautiously went downstairs, he looked up and saw Carter was sitting on the couch, her face tear-stained. She saw him. "H-hey... Daddy... W-what are you doing up..?"she asked, sniffling. Trent sat down beside her.
"I could ask you the same thing. Especially since you have school tomorrow."Trent answered, handing her one of the tissues from the coffee table. She took it carefully and blew her nose.
"I... Couldn't sleep... I kept seeing... Them... I.."she couldn't bring herself to say the rest. Trent pulled her close to him, giving a small smile when she snuggled closer, holding onto him.
"I understand Carter... After my first operation with the CIA, I kept thinking someone was out to kill me when I tried to fall asleep... And now I sleep well.. Until my kids get hurt."he gestured the bruise. She laid her head down on his shoulder.
"Will... Will you stay here with me tonight Daddy...? Please? I don't wanna be by myself..."Carter asked, snuggling into him.
"Of course, Baby Girl... Just raise up for a minute."he requested. Carter nodded and raised off him. He got one of the throw pillows and laid his head down on it, pulling Carter to lay down on him. She snuggled closer, kissing his cheek.
"Thank-you Daddy.."Carter smiled weakly. Trent kissed the top of her head.
"You're welcome. Now sleep... You need to rest. Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you."Trent promised, holding her close. She nodded, a few minutes later she was sound asleep, and so was he...