Chapter Eleven
Grayson watched Gibbs come back into the room. He sat up straighter in the chair shifting his body into a more comfortable position. Gibbs sat down across from him and titled his head to the side. Finally he broke the silence between them.
"I talked to Agent Todd. She said Levi had some interesting things to say about you," Gibbs said. Grayson didn't let his gaze falter, holding the stone wall on his face. Gibbs studied him a moment.
"Levi knows me the best, I'm sure whatever he said was the truth," Grayson replied gently rolling his shoulders in a shrug.
"You've planted enough doubt to have me look into this Storm character. I'm still keeping you here by my side. Don't expect to take off."
"Only if you don't look for Storm."
"One more thing."
"What?"
"Where is your brother?" Gibbs asked. Grayson let the corners of his mouth lift in a sly smile. He looked down at his hands for a moment before he looked back up at Gibbs.
"No offense, Agent Gibbs, but right now Zack is as safe as I can make him. The less people who know where he is, the better. You understand, right?"
"Don't start keeping secrets."
"When the time comes, Gibbs, I'll tell you, but until then, I'm keeping that to myself."
"And if I lock you up, find you brother, and put you both in prison?"
"Good luck bringing my brother in," Grayson replied coldly.
Gibbs watched him closely, trying to read his eyes and judge his reaction. Grayson remained motionless. Grayson began to feel uncomfortable, he felt as if someone was watching him. He shifted nervously in his chair, and immediately noticed that Gibbs picked up on his change in demeanor.
"We have nothing to go forward on to find this Storm you've told me about," Gibbs continued. "We can't even find anything on this guy. He simply doesn't exist."
""But he does exist and he's here, in DC."
"What do you want me to do? You apparently know him better than anyone else."
"I don't really know him, I'm just the one that…survived and tried to blow him up."
"I think there is more to the story than you told me," Gibbs tried. He watched for a reaction.
"I told you what I know," Grayson said. The tone in his voice convinced Gibbs there was more.
"Why were you really picked for the mission?"
"My expertise in explosives. I already told you that."
"I don't believe you," Gibbs replied letting the anger in his voice show. Grayson sat back in the chair and pursed his lips, giving Gibbs a subtle shrug.
"You're wasting time," Grayson bit back.
"When I find your brother you're both going away for Gunnery Sergeant Corbett's murder," Gibbs said calmly as he pushed up from the table and started for the door, leaving Grayson alone once again.
Grayson smiled softly as he tested his leg. Getting out would be difficult with the balky brace and crutches. He looked around the room, taking in his options, a small plan forming in his head. He would have to leave Levi behind, but he wasn't worried. He could manage on his own for a while.
Grayson stood and stretched his uninjured leg. He looked at the floor, feeling slightly bad for not sharing everything. Gibbs had been right, but Grayson couldn't tell him everything, not now, not yet. He hoped he wouldn't have to tell Gibbs the entire truth behind his and Storm's past, but feared eventually it would come out anyway.
Grayson shook the feeling; he would not let himself get emotionally dragged to the bottom again. He needed to keep his distance from Gibbs and everyone else. His only objective was to catch Storm and clear Zack's name. Movement by the door caught his attention. He thought it was Gibbs returning to tell him he was under arrest, or free to go, but when he saw the shadow settle in the window of the door his curiosity got the better of him.
He hobbled closer to the door, using the crutches as instructed, keeping his eyes on the window. The pane was small and the light shinning in was partially blocked by whoever was standing outside, making it almost impossible to make out a face. He stopped square to the window and squinted, trying to make out the features. The figure took a step back and a small amount of light flooded the stranger's face.
Grayson took in a sharp breath as he felt the anger well and expand in his chest. He struggled to the door quickly reaching for the handle. He saw the grin expand on Storm's face through the window pane when the door handle refused to budge. Gibbs had locked him in.
Grayson reached up and slammed his hand, palm open, against the door next to the window, expressing his anger in his face. Storm lifted a finger and shook it back and forth slightly, the maniacal grin still firmly in place.
Grayson began pounding on the door with his good arm, yelling for someone to come but he stopped when Storm put a hand up to the window. Grayson watched as Storm probed his eyes. Grayson felt his anger turning to fear as he searched Storm's eyes for anything finding nothing.
"I'll see you in Colorado," Storm said with a smile before he nodded once and walked away calmly. Grayson stood a moment in shock, letting Storm's message roll around in his mind. The fear that had started doubled making his stomach turn. He felt the urge to vomit and stumbled backwards. He sat on the end of the interrogation table and took in a couple deep breaths.
He didn't even flinch when the door opened and Gibbs and Kate walked into the room. Gibbs took in Grayson's appearance and frowned moving closer to the boy. He noticed the sweat that had popped out on his forehead, and the slight tremble in the young man's left hand. After studying Grayson's face, Gibbs noted the dull far away expression in the eyes.
"Hey," Gibbs barked at him trying to drawl him out. Grayson remained entranced, his breathing erratic.
"What's wrong with him?" Kate asked as she moved closer to Grayson's other side. Gibbs glanced up at her and shook his head.
"He was fine when I left," Gibbs replied as he reached out and gripped Grayson's good shoulder. He shook the other man slightly until Grayson looked up at him. "Hey, what's the matter?"
"He was here," Grayson said as his senses came back to him and the fear turned back into anger. "He was outside the fucking door."
"Who?" Kate asked. Gibbs already had an idea.
"Storm. He was here. He's going back to Colorado. He told me 'see you in Colorado'. We need to go…"
"How do I know this isn't a ploy?" Gibbs asked with frustration. Kate gave him a questioning look.
"You don't," Grayson replied looking down. Gibbs sat back a moment and thought it over. He finally took a deep breath and nodded.
"Kate, call security and lock down the building," Gibbs said. Kate nodded and quickly exited from the room. Gibbs looked at Grayson. "If you're pulling my leg so help me."
"I can tell you're taking a leap of faith," Grayson began but Gibbs cut him off.
"My gut is telling me that you are telling the truth. But it's also telling me you're hiding something from me. Let's get something straight. I take you to Colorado, you tell me everything."
"And if I can't?" Grayson asked sternly. Gibbs glared at the younger man before shaking his head. Grayson averted his eyes. "You're right."
"About what?"
"There is more. I…I was chosen for a reason, but believe me it's not important to catching…"
"I'll tell you what's important. Trust me that what ever you tell me stays with me and my team. But I need to know the extent of what I'm getting my team into."
Grayson continued to stare at the floor, arms crossed over his chest. He couldn't bring himself to finish the story. Part of the problem was trust, he had only just met this man, and part of the reason was if he expressed it there would be no more suppressing it. Kate popped her head back into the room and motioned for Gibbs to follow him. He gave one more look at Grayson before he headed for the hallway.
Grayson didn't even try to budge from the room. He knew better. After watching the two agents disappear He moved back to the chair, taking a seat. Grayson bounced his fist off the table a couple times as he closed his eyes. He prayed that Zack was alright in Colorado.
Kate waited for Gibbs to join her in the hallway before she started for the bullpen. Gibbs could tell she was not happy with the situation. She didn't say a word to him until they were at his desk, and it was him that broke the silence.
"Problem, Agent Todd?"
"I don't trust that kid in there, Gibbs," Kate replied looking back over her shoulder. "Security has the building locked down. They're waiting for further instructions from you."
"I'll take care of it. Make arrangements to go to Colorado," Gibbs replied walking away. Kate tossed a glare at the back of his head.
"For who?" she asked with frustration. Gibbs stopped and slowly turned back to her, giving her a curious stare before answering her.
"The team, Grayson Wilson and Levi Brown," Gibbs said sternly before continuing on his path. Kate returned to her desk and set forth with the task he had just assigned to her. She was just finishing up when Levi came to her desk.
"I can't get into the room you guys have Grady in," he said with a smile. "Can you help with that? Or do I have to confront the angry bear?"
"Angry bear?"
"Your boss," Levi replied with a smile. "I have a feeling Grady is not cooperating to the liking of your boss."
"He's always like that," Kate replied with a grin before she rose and walked towards the interrogation rooms. Levi fell into step next to her.
"Must be tough working for him," Levi continued.
"At times," Kate admitted, before breaking into a smile. "But the other times more than make up for the bastardness."
"Bastardness?" Levi asked with a short laugh. Kate smiled again.
"He's a self proclaimed bastard. But he has his moments."
"I see," Levi said with a nod. They continued their journey in silence. Once at the door, Kate opened it, Levi thanked her, and then disappeared inside. Kate relocked the door and headed towards the bullpen to wait for Gibbs to return.
Storm moved quickly through the building after his conversation with Grayson. He knew he couldn't push his luck any longer than necessary. He should have left after finding out NCIS had nothing to go on, but he couldn't resist that urge to taunt Grayson.
He smiled at the security guard as he turned in his visitor badge, then turned and smoothly walked from the building. As he was walking away, he heard an alarm sound and looked back in time to see the doors locking. He smiled to himself as he calmly walked away.
He needn't wait for Grayson this time. He had laid the first stage of his trap. Storm was certain Grayson would take the bait and head to Colorado. He hailed a cab and headed for the airport. His flight was to leave in a little over four hours. Grinning to himself he finally relaxed. He tipped his head back and enjoyed the ride. Once at the airport he made his way to the gate. The flight was uneventful and once on the ground in Colorado he couldn't stop the grin as the rest of his plan sailed into place in his mind. He headed towards Grayson's cabin in the mountains knowing that when the other man returned home, he would be devastated by what he found.
Gibbs slammed an angry fist against the elevator wall. Kate glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. Levi leaned back against the wall looking at his feet while Grayson swayed slightly on his crutches. Gibbs fixed his stare on the injured young man boring a hole. Grayson swallowed, but continued to hold the glare.
"How do I know you didn't lie to me?" Gibbs gritted out.
"He was in the building," Grayson dead panned. "You just missed him."
"Hard to get someone when you don't even know what he looks like," Kate voiced.
"Sit me down with a sketch artist. That's one face I'll never forget," Grayson said quietly.
"We'll do that on the way to Colorado," Kate replied looking at Gibbs. Gibbs nodded as the doors opened. They all filed out.
TBC…