CHAPTER 10

Gibbs left his house and walked to the closest store where he bought a pre paid disposable cell. Walking again to a local park he used this cell to call Tony.

When Tony's cell rang, the caller id showing an unfamiliar number, he answered it warily.

"Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo"

"It's Gibbs, say nothing, meet me at Lou's Diner as soon as you can get there"

Gibbs hung up before Tony could respond.

Tony stared at his phone, then looked up at MTAC where the director was staring at him. He quelled his rising panic and forced himself to stay at his desk until the director moved back inside his office. As soon as he did Tony leapt to his feet "McGee, I'm going out, cover for me" he hissed before running for the elevator.

Ziva and McGee exchanged questioning glances then turned back to their respective tasks.

Lou's Diner….

"What's up boss?" Tony asked as he slid into the booth.

"This is an inside job Tony"

Tony nodded "Rule 40"

"You know what to do?"

Again Tony nodded "Rally the troops, close ranks, circle the wagons, remember rule 39 and obey rule 15"

Gibbs felt a surge of pride at the steel which had entered Tony's voice. And explained his theory.

Back at NCIS….

Tony discreetly spoke to every member of the inner circle, asking them to meet at a bar across town later that evening, stressing that they weren't to arrive as a group.

All of them agreed and none of them questioned him about the obscure request.

At the bar….

Once everyone had arrived Tony brought them all up to date.

The events of the last few months stopped them being shocked, but there was a tense silence as everyone digested what this meant.

Fornell (whom Tony had decided was an honorary member of the inner circle) spoke first.

"Your director know about this?"

Tony shook his head, "It's just us, and that's the way it has to be until we know who and why"

Fornell nodded his agreement. "Anything you want me to do?"

"yeah, the killer, or someone connected to him was inside Gibbs place, we know he didn't take anything other than hair but we don't know if he left anything. Can you sweep for bugs?"

"Consider it done"

"McGee, I need you to find out who accessed those files online, Ziva, go talk to the archive office in case they went in person"

He then handed a wad of cash to Palmer "Jimmy, buy us all pre paid cell phones, but don't buy them all at the same store, work cells maybe compromised but we can use that to our advantage"

After agreeing to meet at Gibbs place as soon as they could, the team scattered.

Most of the team arrived at Gibbs place little more than an hour later. Fornell had done the sweep and found nothing. Jimmy had bought the phones and a couple of spares, McGee's search had revealed no one had accessed any of the files they were interested in.

Ziva was the only one yet to appear and it was getting late. Tony resisted calling her but as time marched on he was getting more and more worried. Eventually well after midnight she arrived looking pale and shaken.

"Did you find anything?" Tony demanded.

Ziva met his eyes "Yes Tony, I did"

"And?"

"Give her a minute Tony" Gibbs said softly as he put a shot of Bourbon in Ziva's shaking hand.

She downed the shot in one and said "the files were accessed by 2 people on different days 16 months ago. Special Agent Caitlin Todd and Special Agent Jennifer Sheppard"