He picked up the visitor badge from the security desk. With an easy thank you and a an infections smile he entered the elevator. Opening the door then walking onto the catwalk he hears Agent Blake huff and toss a file onto the desk.
"Agent Blake, Agent Reid?" Tony says in way of greeting
"Agent DiNozzo, Does Penelope know you're here?" Blake asks him.
"She should she let the guards down at security know about me. They gave me a visitors badge and waved me on in. I'm early though." Tony explains. "Please call me Tony."
Reid nods his head and takes in Tony's appearance, a suit that looks like it was made for him, as does the crisp white shirt. "Have a seat I'm sure she'll be out in a little while."
Tony looks over at the desk to see what made Blake toss the file in disgust. "Tough case? I saw you toss the file on the desk."
"No, not really I just don't think this is a case for us. It's a single murder but the way it was done set off bells for the Joplin P.D. Straight forward except for the victim's face was made-up to look like a mime, and an unusual message that was left behind.
"What was the message?" He asks.
"Cheaters never win, they get punished." Blake answers him.
"Do you mind if I look at it?"
"Go ahead Agent DiNozzo, you have a reputation on looking outside the box." Hotch says as he comes up to the trio carrying a file in one hand and a coffee in the other. Looking up Tony sees that Hotch is not alone Rossi and Morgan are a step behind him.
Tony reads the file taking his time as he does so, the profilers notice that he is subconsciously rubbing his thumb over a spot on his index finger.
" We need to make a call." Reid moves the desk phone over giving Tony easy access.
Having nothing to hide or to prove Tony dials the desk phone then place it on speaker so that everyone can hear the conversation.
" Homicide, Detective Goldman."
"Bernie! How are you?"
"Tony, what can I do for you."
"Ah my friend I need a favor for the BAU."
"What are you doing there I thought you were still a Navy cop, did you finally say yes to the FBI's offer?"
"I am still with NCIS, listen, how about you send your latest rookie to the dungeon, have them bring you a file, last name Rogers, first name Steven the case was closed thirteen almost fourteen years ago."
"Hold on." As Tony and the BAU agent hear a muffled conversation.
"Done, he should be back in about five minutes. I'm glad you called I wanted to thank you for writing that letter for Samuel. He got in to Georgetown Law."
"Did he really? That's great." Tony relied dismissively.
"Yeah, I think having a letter of recommendation from a federal agent that works for NCIS as the senior field agent in MCRT. Helped don't you."
"He asked, who am I to say no to my godson?"
"Tony you do remember that we're Jewish? No godfathers for my children."
Tony scoffed then smiled. " Semantics, Do you remember when Sam had his bar mitzvah you asked me that if anything ever happened to you if I would keep an eye on him and Danny. That your daughters would be fine they had their mother, but Sam and Danny. Well, I'm Italian and catholic that means godfather as far as I'm concerned." Tony quickly countered.
Hearing this Rossi can't help but laugh softly.
Bernie exhaled softly. "But you really shouldn't have given him the check for two thousand dollars."
"Hey you have six kids, law books are expensive. Besides he is my godson after all."
"Thank you, Tony." he tells him softly. Knowing that it was no use arguing with the man. "Alright Tony, I have the file in front of me."
"Sign the fax form and get it over to Agent Alex Blake at the BAU. But do it now, please. They have a request for a profile for a case in Missouri the thing is there is no such thing as . ."
"Coincidence, You think its related some how? It should be there in a few minutes, my only stipulation is you keep me updated, got it?"
Tony smiles lightly, "You got it, Bernie. Thanks buddy I appreciate it." He ends the call and looks to the BAU team. "Before you all start assaulting me with questions, can someone get up the fax."
Blake heads over to the fax machine to pick up the file that will be coming in. Tony turns to Hotch, "Sir I'll tell you everything I know but I would like everyone together so I only have to explain the whole story once. But I will tell you now, that when I was a cop I worked a case eerily similar to this one."
Reid points at Tony's hands, as he is still rubbing thumb across his index finger, "Does it have something to do with the scar you are rubbing? Understandably an unconscious reaction that started as you began reading the case file."
Tony looks down at his hands, realizing he was doing it only after Reid pointed it out. "Yeah, Dr. Reid. Yeah, it's related." Tony rubs his hands together and looks up as both Blake walks back to the group.
Once in the round table Tony wasted no time in relating what he new about he case.
"I wasn't the lead on the case, it wasn't even my case. A woman had been killed her husband was the prime suspect. The unis found a boy around seven hiding under the kitchen table. They brought the boy in until social services could come and get him. He latched onto me when social services tried to take him he bit me and it was hard enough to break the skin. I asked the social worker to give me a minute with him, I told the boy that he had to go with the lady from children's services that they would take care of him until his family could be contacted. He held onto me tightly crying and pounding on my chest yelling no over and over. After he wore himself out he whispered in my ear what he heard just before his mother was killed. I don't know if saw his mother's murder, but I wouldn't doubt it. He said, Cheaters never win, they get punished."
"How does this tie in with the other case?" JJ asks not seeing the connection.
"The boys parents were street performers mimes. The husband killed her because she was leaving him, he was violet and he liked to drink."
Picking up the fax, Alex skims it then looks at Tony. "What happened to the boy?"
"I assumed he was placed with family, as I stated I wasn't on the case."
"Do you remember his name?"
"Tony, Anthony Rogers, funny huh?" He answers softly.
"I'll call them and tell them who and what to look for." Alex says putting the fax back on the table.
'What I miss?" Garcia asks as she walks into the round table dressed to make a statement.
JJ and Blake look at her and nod their head she looks stunning in a dark purple with a square neckline dress that hands to just under her knees. A single strain of large paste pink purls on her neck. To finish her outfit she is wearing a smart little hat and black open toes heels. In her hands she is she is carrying a clutch purse and a large gift bag.
"Nothing at all Kitten, but why the old fashioned dress you look like you stepped out of the 1950's."
"She is dressed like that for Mrs. Mallard, Ducky's mother. Victoria Mallard is a sweet woman who has of Alzheimer's. This party is a combination for her birthday and for Ducky's twentieth anniversary working at NCIS."
"It makes her feel good. And I like the dress, I think I look nice." Garcia says.
"You look perfect Baby-girl." Morgan tells her.
"Did you get the gifts?" Tony asks looking at his friend.
"Yes both of them. Here I'll show you." She places the bag on a chair then pulls out a silver box. She places it on the table so that he can open it without any difficulty. Then she places a a medium box taller than the first. After unfolding the tissue pare he pulls out a silver photograph frame that opens in two compartments. As he looks at the pictures in the frames he can only shake his head in astonishment.
"How in the world were you able to get a copy of the wedding picture of Ducky's parents, and of Ducky himself standing with them. He must be around six in this picture."
"It was easy."
"Moneypenny spill."
"Last month when we took her to the High Tea that was being held. She started to ask me when I was going to get married, I turned the conversation around and well, I grilled her. She told me about having her picture taken for her wedding with her husband. And how they went back when Ducky turned six in his school uniform. The rest was easy I did some digging the photograph studio is still open, I called and gave them explained what I was looking for gave them approximant dates. They said that they would look in their files it seems that the original owner was a pack-rat he didn't throw anything away.
They called me a week later, I sent the cash to Emily she went and got it and shipped it to me by a friend that coming over for a meeting. I told you it was easy."
"Okay, that explains Victoria's gift, what about Ducky's?"
"Open it and see."
"What is it? " he asks looking at what appears to be a wooden chest of some sort but with an ornate design carved into it.
"It's a tea chest. Isn't it?" Blake asks.
"Yes I got a really deal on it too."
"Where?" JJ asks as she looks at the chest as well.
"Ebay, and I didn't hack at all." She tells them.
"Did you snipe?" Hotch asks
"That I did." She admits. "I had to I couldn't let it go to someone else. It's perfect for Ducky."
After repacking the gifts Tony looks at her. "So how much to I own you?"
"You already paid for half."
"I know how much I paid you and it wasn't enough to cove the cost of my half."
"Okay then." she says pausing. "Easter could use an oil change and have her tires balanced. You can do that."
"Penelope , what Easter needs is a bullet from my Sig in the middle of the radiator and to be parked in the firing range that the Marines use for target practice. You need a new car and that beast you drive needs to be put down for good."
"You're not nice Tony." She says with pout.
"Kitten, you need a new car one that doesn't make us lose sleep wondering if died on you, and if you made it home safely." Rossi tells her.
She looks at Hotch first then at Morgan her eyes pleading.
"I'm with him baby girl. I want you to have a better car too. I wouldn't mind getting in some target practice." Morgan tells her with a smile.
"I'll tell Gibbs. He'll head slap you." Penelope threatened.
"Who do you think suggested using your car as a target in the first place? Come on we're going to be late and I have to pick up Gillian on the way?"
"Gillian is coming?" Penelope asks in surprise.
"Yes she caught up on her paper work, so she's good."
"That's great we haven't had the chance to talk for over a week."
"Who's Gillian?" Reid asks.
"Tony's girlfriend, she's a detective working in vice." Penelope answers.
"But I thought you and him were." Reid starts leaving the rest unsaid.
"Just friends Dr. Reid." Tony answers as he looks at the reactions of her team.
After saying good night to everyone Tony follows Penelope out of the unit.
A/N: I was going to have the party in his chapter as well, but it seemed like a good place to stop. I didn't want this chapter to be too long.