So I'm back, graduate of 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Company E "Evil Echo Empire". Sorry I haven't written. I had a lot of business to take care of.
The next day.
Tony.
"I don't like this, Kate," I said as we drove down one of the many country roads of Gettsville.
"Neither do I," she replied, "Lots of ways this could go bad."
"Well, Gibbs could probably retire anytime he wants," I pointed out, "And Trev doesn't really have to work, so..."
"Do you want either of them with that much time on their hands?" she asked.
"Good point," I conceded, "How do you know Dan Schtoller?"
"We went to high school together," she said simply. Oh, Katey, I thought you knew me better than that...
"Really?" I asked in an interested tone, "Homeroom Homies?"
"We passed each other in the hallways sometimes," she said icily. Not a lie, but not the whole truth either.
"And that was all?" I kept my tone light and amused, masking how serious I was taking this. I'd have to be at the top of my game for this interview.
"Yes," now that was a straight lie.
I settled down as Kate drove to the county courthouse. I'll find out the truth eventually. I always do.
Well, county courthouse was a stretch. It looked like an auditorium with three outlying temporary buildings. In fact, I'm sure it is an auditorium with three outlying temporary buildings.
"This isn't a courthouse," I said, "It's half a high school."
"It is not," Kate defended.
"Your right," I agreed, "It's half a middle school," and I was still being generous.
She sighed like she knew she wasn't going to win this battle. That surprised me. Usually Kate will pull a Little Bighorn and defend any position to the last man. What changed my surprise to worry was when she tensed up. I've seen her before she prepared to clear a building. She goes loose, not tense up like a snake preparing to strike.
My humor at her dread vanished. This wasn't funny anymore.
She led me to the first temporary building. Inside was a receptionist desk and three empty work desks covered in case notes and files. So this was the DA's office.
"Special Agents Todd and DiNozzo, NCIS," Kate introduced to the receptionist, an old thing wearing fake pearls and a faded floral dress. I noticed the utter lack of a computer at her desk, "We're here to speak with DA Shtoller."
"You're late, Miss Todd," the old lady scolded, "Some things never change."
I expected Kate to start shooting the old crone, but was amazed when she took a deep breath and said nothing.
"Mr Shtoller is in a conference call," she said, "If you had arrived on time, I'm sure he would have seen you immediately."
This woman was pissing me off. I did a mental catalogue of everything I could observe or have observed about her. Day planner, her left, pen cup, my right. The planner was leatherbound, showed little wear, despite it being late in the year. Four number 2's in the cup, erasers full and bright, four blues, four blacks. Positioned equidistant from eachother. The way she sat was proper, straight backed and hands folded, left over right, on her desk. The telephone cord was neatly coiled and the handset resting perfectly square in the cradle. The phone was at least twenty years old.
She reminded me of an old débutante teacher.
"Can you inform him that we arrived, please?" Kate asked. I could hear the effort she put into enunciating her words.
She looked deceptively thoughtful.
"Please?" I asked with my award winning smile.
She narrowed her eyes at me, "Very well," she said curtly, getting up and walking to the office in the back. I took the opportunity when her back was turned to flip through the date book, ignoring Kate's scandalous look. I managed to place the book back exactly where it was before the old crone turned back.
"He will see you know," she informed us curtly. I felt like she was looking down at us. I was amused. It reminded me of those old high-society matrons old Lord Paddington would entertain. I'd put Tobasco in their tea when they weren't looking. Good times.
Before we reached the door, a man a few inches shorter than me, about thirty. He was tanned from long exposure to the sun, and he had the even, stocky build of a hiker, not big like a power lifter and not too thin to be a runner, but in the middle. He was dressed in "country formal", denim shirt, jeans, and blazer. He was handsome-ish, not like me, but he wouldn't have a hard time holding onto a woman.
"Agents Todd, DiNozzo, NCIS," Kate introduced. I noticed a look they gave each other. It happened so fast and I didn't understand it, but it was definitely a look.
Interesting...
PFC Sirscreen, signing off, Ready... Move!
EVIL!
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