Chapter Nine
Sonia, Ray, and Tony were using the conference room down the hall from Vance's office. As a team they were used to having no permanent home, so they made use of whatever room was available. Tony had come to think of MTAC's across the system as his office for all the time he spent in them. They had deli sandwiches and coffee delivered to them, while they reviewed the information gathered about IIlan Bodnar.
Ray took a bite of his corned beef on rye and smiled, "Good sandwich. Not New York good, but damned good."
"If we have the time I take you a place that has the best Philly cheesesteak outside of Philly," said Tony, as he put his turkey and Muenster cheese on pumpernickel down.
"Should I continue telling you about Bodnar or do you want me to wait until after dinner?" asked Sonia.
Tony smiled, "Proceed, Sonia."
"He ran two off the book ops where he used foreign assassins instead of Kidon Unit personnel," said Sonia.
"Roland Ames is Swiss," said Ray.
"There are a lot of people in Mossad who seem not to trust him," said Sonia.
"I don't trust the bastard," said Ray.
Tony looked at Sonia, "Follow the money."
Tony looked at Ray, "Now what do you have for me."
"So far Eli David's death has been kept quiet just as has been requested. It will be officially announced when his body is in Israel, but Bodnar is acting like he is going to be director and is rubbing people the wrong way. It's like he wants to start a quick war with the Palestinians in order to take command," said Ray. "He's pissing people off."
"Give me an example, Ray," said Tony.
"Okay, he put a Kidon Unit into the field to hunt down a terrorist in Lebanon. This is the type of op that needs the director's sanction, but he put them in the field anyway," said Ray.
"Gibbs is downstairs interviewing Arash Kazmi," said Tony. "It's looking more and more like Bodnar had a good reason to have Eli offed."
"I also talk to a few friends who said Bodnar and David recently had a falling out. It seems Eli David was pushing for peace lately instead of aggressive actions. Bodnar wanted aggressive actions, as deputy director of Aman, outside of Israel actions and ops," said Ray.
"Imagine Eli David, the lion of dessert, as a peacemaker," said Sonia, "but he has been headed in that direction lately."
Tony sighed. It sounded like he wanted to make his daughter proud after so many years of disappointing her.
"We 36 hours left to the 48 hour blackout period the president placed on the Eli's death. Drink plenty of coffee but now find me a link between Bodnar and Ames. I don't want that man becoming director if he killed Eli David," he said.
"Yes, sir," said Sonia.
"Gotcha, boss," said Ray.
Tony stood up and headed for the door, "I'm going to update, Craig."
Exiting the conference room, he heard Hebrew being yelled by two voices. He recognized one as Ziva and the other was a male. Looking over the railing, he saw IIlan Bodnar and two bodyguards demanding Eli's body. Tony had picked up enough Hebrew to know that much.
He headed down the stairs and bolted into the bullpen. MacDonald and McGee weren't sure how to help Ziva here and Gibbs was nowhere in sight, but he was. He would have Ziva's six.
"What the hell do you want, Deputy Director Bodnar?" growled Tony.
"Ahh, if it isn't Agent Meatball," said Bodnar.
Ziva closed her eyes. She gave him that nickname flippantly when she was first doing the dossier on him for Ari. It was before she got to know, really know, Tony.
"That is Assistant Director DiNozzo now," snapped Tony. "Maybe I should contact Deputy Director Elbaz and tell her that you are here. I bet she'd like to know that."
"Orli doesn't matter," said Bodnar.
"Except that she might be the next director," smiled Tony. "From what I know she is the favorite to become the next director of Mossad."
"Not if I can help it," said Bodnar.
Tony snorted at this answer. He had exposed a little too much of himself. "Your government, the government you are supposed to listen to, has agreed with my government about a 48 hour period for investigation. That time is not done, so you have no place here, and we have no reason to show you any courtesy," said Tony. "Get out."
Bodnar looked over at Ziva and spoke, "We are like family, Ziva. I have known you since you were a child. Tell me where the body of Eli is."
"No. We are not family. My family is all dead," said Ziva.
Bodnar took a step towards Ziva, but he was stopped at Tony placed himself in between the two of them. He ended up in a glaring contest. It was then that Gibbs appeared. Bodnar broke off his contest with Tony to glare at Gibbs. Gibbs glared back.
"You are holding the Palestinian bastard behind this, Agent Gibbs," barked Bodnar.
"I'm not sure who is behind it yet," said Gibbs.
"Of course, it was that worthless bastard, who had Eli killed. He is Palestinian and cannot be trust. Who else could have done it?" said Bodnar.
"Or, a worthless bastard who wants to be director of Mossad did it," Tony spoke up.
Again, he took the winds out of Bodnar's sails. The man looked as if he had been hit with a sucker punch then he regained his composure.
"Are you accusing me of something?" asked Bodnar.
"Not yet, but time will tell," said Tony.
Ziva looked at Tony and a slight smile appeared on her face. She missed him.
"I could register a complaint about you, Assistant Director DiNozzo," said Bodnar.
"I'd be glad to hear it," said Craig, as he came down the stairs.
Craig looked nervous, but Tony knew that was just part of his act. It was his way of getting people to underestimate him.
"The dog barks at me and now the master appears to make him behave," said Bodnar.
"Bring me a biscuit, Jerome?" asked Tony.
"I know you prefer cannolis, Tony, and I don't have any at the moment," smiled Craig. "I'll get you one later."
The watched and listened to the interchange between Tony and Craig and could see that the two men had formed a friendship. He was glad Tony had backup.
"Deputy Director Craig…," Bodnar started.
"That is Acting Director Craig at the moment. Director Vance is grieving his wife's murder, so I am handling things for now," said Craig.
"I offer my condolences," said Bodnar.
"Cut to the chase," said Tony, "you can't have Eli's body; you can't bully your way into this investigation; and you can't dress. At least, Eli had some real style. You look like a banker."
"Deputy Director Bodnar, please take your men and leave. I'm dealing directly with your government on this and you are getting in the way," said Craig.
Bodnar looked from Tony to Craig then he barked orders in Hebrew and left. Once he was truly gone, Tony turned to Craig.
"He is a suspect," said Tony.
"Really?" reacted Craig then he smiled. "I hope he did it."
"Really, Jerome?" said Tony.
He shrugged.
"Sonia is following the money and Ray is still looking in a few dark corners," said Tony.
"If it is that bastard I will kill him myself and I will do it slowly," said Ziva.
"I don't think so, Agent David. You are no longer Mossad, but NCIS. We are not assassins," said Craig.
Ziva glared at him, but she didn't say a thing.
"Anyway, he is probably a threat to your life, too, Ziva. You should be under protective custody from here on out. We can't trust him," said Tony.
"I can handle myself," growled Ziva.
"You are now staying at my place," said Gibbs. "I hope you have a go bag in your car's trunk."
"Gibbs, I can take care of myself," said Ziva.
"You are staying with me," he barked. "There is no arguing with me, Ziver. Understand?"
"I understand," he said.
It was the end of that conversation. She knew not to argue with Gibbs. Instead, she sat down at her desk and began to pout.
"When were you going to let me know about Bodnar, DiNozzo?" asked Gibbs.
"Tonight at dinner," said Tony.
"Well, bring beer and we can talk," Gibbs said.
"Okay, Gibbs," said Tony.
NCIS
Tony finished his swim in the NCIS pool. He got out and showered then dressed. Leaving NCIS he went to the store and bought two six packs of Sam Adams and headed off to Gibbs. When he arrived, he parked the borrowed NCIS Charger in the front then got out with the beer and headed up the porch. Before he could even open the door, Ziva opened it for him then turned and walked away. She wasn't going to make this easy on him. He entered.
Gibbs was busy at the fireplace cooking their steaks. He looked up at Tony.
"Toss me a beer," he said.
Tony reached into the brown paper bag and pulled out a beer. He tossed it to him. Gibbs caught, twisted off the cap, and then he started to pour the liquid on the beer.
"On the stove is a pan of baked beans and in the oven baked potato. Put the beer in the fridge," said Gibbs.
Tony did as he was told to do. He returned to see that Ziva was seated on the sofa and doing her best to avoid looking at him. Seating down at the other end of the sofa, he decided not to push her.
"Have your people come up with anything else?" asked Gibbs.
"They are still working at it, Gibbs. Give them time and they will find what we need to nail Bodnar," answered Tony.
"Both of them seem very loyal to you. Why?" asked Gibbs.
"Ray is a former recon marine. He was working with CIA paramilitary when an op went wrong. A scapegoat was needed for the failure. They tried to pin the FUBAR on him. I saved his ass and offered him the position he has now. He took it," said Tony.
"So, he's not a trained special agent," said Gibbs.
"He is now," smiled Tony.
"And the woman?" asked Gibbs.
"Sonia was fast tracked to be a director someday. Brilliant mind, great computer skills; she has even done some time in the field, but she made a mistake one day. She trusted a double agent because he had kind eyes," said Tony. "Sound familiar?"
"Kate and Ari," said Gibbs.
The name Ari made Ziva stiffen, but she still didn't say a word.
"His name was Hanan Fad. Ray took care of him. It was on my orders," said Tony. "People didn't trust her after that, so I added her to my team. She has rebuilt her reputation, but she has no intention of leaving my little damage control team."
Gibbs turned the steaks. He laughed to himself.
"Steaks are done," he said then stood up straight and looked at Tony. "Help me get the plates."
"Sure, Gibbs," he said.
They ate in silence. Occasionally, Tony glanced over at Ziva. She managed to keep her eye son her plate the whole time. When they were done eating, Gibbs collected the plates and returned with three beers. He handed Tony and Ziva one.
"How sure are you about Bodnar being behind this?" asked Gibbs.
"Money trail from him to Ames. If we pick it up then we have him," said Tony.
"I'll put McGee on it," said Gibbs.
"Sonia will have it by then," smiled Tony. "She is really good at what she does, Gibbs."
"She is that good," said Gibbs.
"Yeah, she is that good," said Tony.
"What else is she good at?" snorted Ziva.
Tony knew that comment was meant to get under his skin. He wasn't sleeping with Sonia, and he never had slept with her. His problem was that he'd been living an almost monastic life the last few years because he was in love with Ziva.
"Sonia is dating Ray. I don't have a rule 12," he said.
"That's dangerous," said Gibbs.
"So isn't unrequited love that smolders for too long," said Tony.
Gibbs chuckled. Ziva finally looked over at Tony. Her dark eyes couldn't hide the pain she was in, but there was more than pain in them. He swallowed. Tony wanted to say something to her, but the words suddenly would not come.
Tony's smartphone rang. He took it out of his jeans then saw it was from Sonia.
"DiNozzo," he said.
"Found the money trail," she said. "A half million dollars out of a Kidon slush fund. It has Bodnar's fingerprints all over it, sir."
"Sonia, let Craig know about it immediately," he said. "Where are you?"
"NCIS with Ray."
"Stay there," he said. "I'll be in soon."
He hung up and looked at Ziva then Gibbs.
"She has the money trail. It was Bodnar just like I thought," said Tony.
"That bastard will die," Ziva growled.
"We should head to NCIS because I don't trust what he'll try," Tony said then they heard a burst of automatic fire and the windows of Gibbs place started breaking.
Tony froze for a second, but Ziva was up and on him pushing him to the floor and laying on top of him in a split second. Tony rolled her off him then he whispered in her ear, "Ani ohev otach. Toda."
Ziva was wordless, as she watched Tony get up and pull his Glock 22. He started firing at the sound of the weapon fire then they heard a car screech away. Tony took his smartphone out and called Ray.
"Talbot."
"Code Blue. We are at Gibbs," he said.
"I'll be right there with the troops," said Talbot.
Tony hung up and looked at Gibbs then Ziva.
"Ray is on his way with some men. We stay right here and wait for him."
"Code blue?" asked Gibbs.
"Getting attacked makes me sad," smiled Tony.
Ziva got up and stared at Tony for a moment. She was still in a state of shock that he whispered to her that he loved her in Hebrew.
NCIS
Bodnar was now rogue and on the loose. They had no telling who in Mossad was loyal to him and how many men he had, but two things were certain: he wanted a war with Palestine and he wanted the daughter of Eli David dead. Tony and Craig were in MTAC waiting to speak to the new director of Orli Elbaz. When someone appeared in the screen, it was Malachi.
"Mal, not that I not glad to see you but why do I have the pleasure of seeing you on the big screen?" asked Tony.
"Director Elbaz wanted me to speak to you first, as one of the new Deputy Directors."
"Interior security or Military and exterior ops?" asked Tony.
"Aman," he said.
"Deputy Director Malachi Ben-Gidon, well done," smiled Tony.
"It is only good news if we can find Bodnar and put a stop to him before he does too much damage."
"How many men does he have at his disposal?" asked Craig.
"At least, ten have defected with him and these men and women are the best we have. They are Kidon Unit," said Mal.
"That many. Damn it, Mal," sighed Tony.
"Yes, that many," said Mal then he looked over and straightened up.
"How did he manage it?" asked Tony.
"He has been cultivating them over the past few years. Good assignments, extra benefits, and God knows what else," said Mal. "We are making sure that none of his people are still in a position of power."
"Sorry, Mal. You must know some of these men and women personally," said Tony.
"Too many," he said then he looked over to his left. "Director Elbaz."
Coming into view was a smallish older woman, who possessed black hair and still was quite attractive.
"I am Director Orli Elbaz," she said.
"I am Acting Director Jerome Craig and this is Assistant Director Anthony DiNozzo," said Craig.
"You must tell Leon Vance that I grieve with him," said Elbaz.
"I shall, Madam Director," said Craig.
"First order of business is Eli David's body. When is he coming home for his final resting place."
"Ziva David is escorting the body back to Israel along with Shmeil Pinkhas on an Al El flight," said Craig.
"She will need protection. Bodnar has a vendetta against the David family. She is the next on his list," said Elbaz.
"She is getting security. Assistant Director DiNozzo and Agent Ray Talbot will be in the flight and they will stay for the burial," said Craig.
"Does Ziva accept them?" she asked.
"No. But they are still going to be there protecting her," said Craig.
"I will have at least two Mossad agents on the flight. I will talk to Al El personally," she said then she looked at Tony. "I must offer you my personal thanks, Assistant Director DiNozzo. I know it was you and your team that found the link between Bodnar and the shooter. You have done Israel a great service."
"I was just doing my duty, Madam Director," he said.
"You do it well," she smiled. "When you are in Tel Aviv we must meet with each other. There is much I have to discuss with you. Eli trusted NCIS and I now understand why he did."
"I look forward to the meeting," said Tony.
"Assistant Director DiNozzo can be the point man for Mossad from here on out, Madam Director," said Craig.
She smiled, "It is worth considering. We have much to prepare for. Besides the hunt for Bodnar, there is the burial of Eli David. I must take our leave now. Shalom."
She nodded and the screen went blank. Craig looked at Tony.
"Have fun in Israel," he said.
"Oh, yeah, I should have a blast," sighed Tony.