Hey guys. Thanks for your fabulous review and for letting us know about the repeats in chapter 19. No idea what happened there, but it's been rectified now.
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Gibbs walked into the squad room and moved towards his desk to start helping with the search. He'd been completely lost in his own little world with worried thoughts of Tim and what was being done to him swirling around in his mind and completely missed the fill compliment of people filling his team's desk when he sat down. When he looked up, he was surprised to see an excitable Alsatian sitting up on his hind legs, resting his paws on the other side of his desk.
"What the…?" He finally glanced around and saw that every single desk was strewn with paperwork that Tony, Ziva and Abby had been carefully picking their way through. "What's goin' on? Abby, I thought I told ya to get some rest."
Abby looked abashed and turned to look at Tony who had leaned back in his chair with one of the files sitting in his lap.
"Well, I was gonna come back and do the work alone, but have you ever been ganged up on by a lab rat that could kill you and leave no evidence and a ninja?" Gibbs' eyes narrowed at Tony's comment leaving his Senior Field Agent squirming slightly in his seat. "Ah, that would be a no then. Anyway, they insisted on coming and threatened me with bodily harm if I didn't let them."
"And the dog?" Gibbs ground out through gritted teeth as Jethro carried on staring at him with his tail wagging.
"Come on, Gibbs! We couldn't leave him. He misses his dad." Abby added as Jethro barked once to get Gibbs' attention. Gibbs shook his head and reached over to pet the dog.
"Missing, McGee are ya?"
"I believe the term, Abby used was 'pining'."
"Yep. That's exactly what I said, Ziva." Abby picked up one of the files but dropped bit back on the desk when an idea hit her. "Gibbs, Gibbs. I have an idea! You're all going back in the morning, right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Take Jethro with you! He's a trained drug dog so he's gonna be good at following a scent. He can help find, Timmy!"
"And if he gets hurt helpin' us out? You think, McGee would thank you for that?" Gibbs asked.
"No, but you'll protect him. Come on! He can be useful and you know how protective he is of Tim!"
"We'll see, Abbs." Gibbs replied quietly knowing that Abby's suggestion made sense. "So, whattaya got?"
"Well, I've pulled the Jason Geckler interview, Boss and it's interesting. The other interviews don't really hold much weight; well not enough to cause this, but this…" Tony held up the file. "Is definitely a possibility."
"I have been reading through Geckler's records and he has been arrested on more than one occasion. It looks as though he has been on the wrong side of the law more since being rejected by the military academy and the police force."
"In what way, Ziva?" Gibbs bit out and waited for her to transfer the records onto the plasma.
"Since being rejected, he has been arrested for assault on numerous occasions. They seem to be misdemeanors of sorts because they stem from alcohol induced fighting. There are a couple of statements from the other people involved, where they say Geckler is aggressive and started the arguments."
"I'm not sure I'd call assault a misdemeanor!" Tony objected.
"They are down in his records as being drunk and disorderly rather than assault. If you read through the reports, then you get more of a sense that it was, in fact the case." Ziva replied.
"Where is this going?" Gibbs was getting more and more impatient with every passing second and the fact that his team seemed to be beating about the bush was grating on his last nerve.
"There's a recurring theme throughout, Boss." Tony stood up and moved towards the screen. He picked up the wireless mouse and clicked before waiting for the screen to display two witness statements that were in the file. "Look at the names."
Gibbs moved forward and looked at the names of the people that had made the complaints against Geckler.
McGarret
McGea
"You gotta be kidding me!" Gibbs exclaimed and watched with horror as Tony flicked through a few more statements.
McGeady
McGeany
"He's picking out the names that sound like…."
"Probie. Yeah, he is. The other common thing is the fact that all of the fights happened in Irish pubs and I'm guessing he picked them out before hand. It's premeditated, Boss."
"Damn it!" Gibbs slammed his hand down on his desk. "This has been brewing for years. When we find McGee, I want you to contact the people you have there and get them in here to give witness statements. Right now, we find McGee and get this bastard because I wanna know why!"
"Boss, Here's the transcript of the interview if you're interested. It might help a little bit." Gibbs took the folder and opened it to the page he needed.
INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT.
This transcript is an official, work for word count of the interview conducted between:
NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee and Jason Geckler (Suspect)
SPECIAL AGENT TIMOTHY MCGEE: Jason Geckler. My name is Special Agent Special Agent Timothy McGee, NCIS.
JASON GECKLER: Like I told your other agents, I'm not saying anything until my dad gets here.
SPECIAL AGENT TIMOTHY MCGEE: He's on his way. He also said that he expects you to give us your full cooperation.
JASON GECKLER: Yeah? And how do I know that you really talked to him?
SPECIAL AGENT TIMOTHY MCGEE: Well, he wanted me to remind you that Winthrop Military Academy is still accepting applications.
JASON GECKLER: He would never send me there. The kind that costs money, dude?
SPECIAL AGENT TIMOTHY MCGEE: Does it look familiar? It was being used by two of your classmates, a Timothy Griffin and Daniel Austin. They said they got it from you.
JASON GECKLER: Did they now? Well, I'll just have to be sure to thank them for that when I get home.
SPECIAL AGENT TIMOTHY MCGEE: Look, a women's life is at stake here, okay? I need to know where you got the phone. (LONG BEAT) Tim and Dan, they must be pretty scared of you, huh?
JASON GECKLER: What makes you say that?
SPECIAL AGENT TIMOTHY MCGEE: Come on. They're obviously geeks. We used to shove them into lockers. Pull their gym shorts off in class. Drop their books down the toilet. It was even better if they start crying, right?
JASON GECKLER: Or wet their pants.
SPECIAL AGENT TIMOTHY MCGEE: Yeah, well that, too. You know what the best part is? When you get older, you're not going to remember their names, but you know what? They're always going to remember yours. That's pretty cool, huh?
JASON GECKLER: You know, I really haven't thought about it too much.
SPECIAL AGENT TIMOTHY MCGEE: Well, I have. You know why? Because I was one of those kids. And I've been looking forward to this day my entire life, dirtbag.
JASON GECKLER: But I didn't do anything!
SPECIAL AGENT TIMOTHY MCGEE: I've got you for aiding and abetting a kidnapping, interfering a Federal investigation, and selling stolen property. Do you know what that means? That means they can try you as an adult, Geck. And when you're in prison, every night when you're crying yourself to sleep, I want you to think of me, tough guy. We're done here. See you in court.
JASON GECKLER: Wait, wait, wait, wait. Look, I found it, all right? I can show you where.
"No reason to hold a grudge though, DiNozzo." Gibbs closed the file and tossed it on his desk.
"Yeah, but this is." Tony handed over another file and waited for Gibbs to read it. Five minutes later, Gibbs huffed out a breath and glanced up at Tony.
"So, this interview was the reason they rejected him. How the hell did that even stay in his file?"
"He was charged with tampering with evidence." Tony handed him another piece of paper. "When the evidence came in against him, the judge kind of took pity on him because of his age and rather than give him a long sentence in Juvie. He gave him an unconditional suspended sentence which means that even though there's no punishment, it stays in his record."
"So he got knocked back." Gibbs said knowingly as the impact of what the kid did sank in.
"Yeah. He saw that interview as damning and focused his anger on McGee. Unfortunately, that carried over. Boss, what worries me now, is that all the pent up anger he's had over the years is gonna be aimed at Probie."
"I know, DiNozzo. Okay, you all did good tonight but we've gotta be up early in the morning to find our man. Go home and rest."
"What about, Jethro?" Abby jumped in hoping to get an answer to her earlier idea.
"We'll take him. Hopefully he'll be able to catch a scent trail. Now scoot." When his team didn't move he glared at them all until one of them spoke.
"Er, Boss. Can we…I mean it's okay if we can't, but I think we all need to be together….."
"You all wanna stay at mine?" Gibbs asked as the elevator dinged and Ducky stepped out. "Duck? What're you doing here?"
"I was restless so I thought I would come in and offer my services." He glanced around at the mess of paperwork. "Looks as though you have all been busy."
The next half hour was spent getting Ducky up to date with what they had found and once they had done the M.E. looked grave.
"Oh dear. This does not bode well I'm afraid. What is the plan of action now?"
"Looks like I've got visitors for the night seein' as they're hell bent on staying with me."
"Might I make a small suggestion?" Ducky interjected.
"What?"
"My house is larger and there are enough rooms to accommodate you all. Why don't you stay with me and I'll cook us all a nice meal." At the look at the stunned faces of his colleagues, Ducky smiled ruefully. "It would be nice to have that big old house full for a change, albeit temporary."
"You sure?" Gibbs asked.
"Absolutely."
"Change of plan, we're goin' to Duck's. Grab your overnights and anything you need for tomorrow and meet us there."
"What about, Jethro, Gibbs?"
"Ask, Ducky." Gibbs grabbed his pack and headed out before anyone could fire another question his way. Abby turned to Ducky with a hopeful look on her face.
"Of course, Jethro is most welcome. I have a nice big garden and I believe I still have some of mother's corgi's bowls somewhere that he can use. I will stop off on the way and get him some food." Abby threw herself at Ducky and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you, Ducky. You're the best."
The next morning was proof that the decision to stay together had been the right one. Last night had helped them all connect as both team mates and friends with a unified goal and the evening had been spent discussing the case and supporting each other through the tempest of emotions that flickered through them. At first it had been slightly uncomfortable and it wasn't until they all sat down at Ducky's large table to eat dinner that they truly started to talk, from that point on, it was easy.
Ducky spent half an hour preparing the guest rooms and was pleasantly surprised when Abby asked If she could bunk in with Ziva, something that the newest member of the team agreed to readily knowing that the Goth would rest better with someone there; she was surprised that Abby chose her though but didn't question it.
Now, they were all sat around the table reluctantly eating a hearty full breakfast consisting of sausage, bacon, egg, mushrooms, toast and…
"Ducky, I don't mean to be funny, but what the heck is this?" Tony picked up the small, round black thing off his plate and scrunched his nose.
"Ahh, black pudding, dear boy. It's the food of kings." Ducky chuckled slightly "And Scots and Brits alike. Taste it, you might like it."
"Black pudding." Tony repeated cautiously and sniffed the offending food item sitting on his fork.
"Anthony, it is not a rarity and is quite common in the British Isles and very nearly always accompanies a full English breakfast. There are many different variations but I'll admit is quite hard to find in the states, though the Italian American's do have their own type called Biroldo. I, on the other hand, have made this recently."
"Blood pudding?" Ziva asked with a hint of disgust. "I am pleased that I follow a kosher diet. That does not appeal." She glanced down at the plate that Ducky had prepared for her and was happy that the M.E. had remembered the fact that she couldn't eat the same food and had catered to her diet. She cut the corner off of the French toast and placed it gently in her mouth.
"blood pudding?" Tony chocked out. "No offence, Ducky, but do I have to….."
"For cyrin' outloud, DiNozzo, Give it here!" Gibbs reached over and took it off Tony's fork before tucking in to it happily. Ducky had introduced him to it years ago, and he had to admit, he liked it.
"Yes, well. It is an acquired taste." Ducky allowed with a smile to ease the moment.
"Ducky, I can't eat anymore. I'm sorry." Abby's small voice carried across to Ducky and she watched as he frowned at how little she had eaten.
"Try some more, my dear. It's going to be a long day and I will feel happier knowing that you all have full bellies, especially you three." Ducky pointed to Gibbs, Tony and Ziva. "I don't like the idea of you all traipsing around that Island with an empty fuel tank. Jethro has already been fed and I have filled up a couple of water bottles for him. There's water and some snacks for you all in a backpack in the kitchen."
"Thanks, Duck."
"You are very welcome. Now, I want to talk to you all about me tagging along with you all. I would like to come along, After seeing the video feed, we know that Timothy will need medical assistance."
"No. You and Abb's are gonna stay here."
"Jethro, I can be of help."
"Duck, you had medics there yesterday. Put them on standby again."
"And what use will they be if they are waiting in the parking lot? They will not there right away and I would very much rather not keep Timothy waiting for medical attention when you find him."
"Alright, Duck But….." Gibbs' cell phone rang at that moment and when he checked the ID, he saw that it was Vance.
"Leon."
"Gibbs, you wanna tell me why I've had Andy Roger's Chief on the phone reaming a new one for sending his man home?" Vance's sharp, authoritative tone rang through the receiver on his phone.
"Sending him home? Leon, he was standing there sending a text message on his phone smirking yesterday."
"He was sent as liason and the chief is pissed beyond all measure."
"They don't have jurisdiction here and why the hell do we need a liason?" Gibbs frowned at the one thing he hated….politics.
"To save face. Apparently Andy went to him when Jim used his leave to be with his family and convinced him to that the two agencies should work together. He agreed."
"Why? It doesn't make sense."
"No it doesn't, but for the sake of inter departmental relationships, we're going along with it. He's coming back to help with the search. It makes their department look good so play nice."
"I have a say in this?" Gibbs asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"No."
"Fine." He hung up and turned back to Ducky. "You can come, Duck. Grab your gear." He stalked out towards his car and sat waiting for his team to join him.
Andy stood in the parking lot waiting for everyone to arrive. Sure, he knew and understood how pissed Gibbs would be, but there was no way in hell he wasn't going to be here. He pulled out his phone and checked the display to see whether any messages had come through. At the sight of the little closed envelope that signaled a text message, he opened his phone and read it.
Be careful
Was all it said, but it was enough to send a jolt of excitement through him. He clicked the reply button and sent one back.
Don't worry, I've got it in hand. Just take care of things there.
With a grin, he put his phone back in his pocket and cocked his head to the side slightly when he saw Gibbs' car pull in…..Oh yeah, today's gonna be a good day.
Tony's eyes narrowed when he saw Andy leaning against his car and glanced over to his Boss. Gibbs' jaw had clenched painfully at the sight and Tony just knew there was going to be some kind of explosion today.
"Boss?"
"Vance ordered it, DiNozzo. Suck it up."
Tony shook his head and waited for Gibbs to park before stepping out of the car.
"DiNozzo! Glad to see you back on the trail today. You all rested?" Andy greeted cheerfully.
"What's it to you?" Tony spat out. "And you can wipe that smile off your face right now because until we find Probie, there's isn't Jack to be happy about."
"DiNozzo! Go speak to the copter crew. Find out what they've got." Gibbs attached Jethro's leash and stepped back to let him out of the car. He pulled hard when the dog surged forward with teeth baring, growling dangerously at the LEO in front of him. "Mutt doesn't like ya. Can't say I blame him."
"Feeling's mutual."
"Jethro, down!" He commanded and watched as Tim's faithful dog sat down gazing at him. "Good boy."
"Boss. The scan's show a large area of heat just at the end of the Swamp trail. They said it looks like some kind of building but when they used the night camera, nothin' showed up."
"We follow that trail. They map it?" Gibbs asked as he glanced over the readout that Tony had just handed him.
"Yeah. They've overlayed it so we can see where we're goin'."
"Alright, grab the radios and lets head out. There's not as many people here, but get them up to speed on where we're goin' and tell em that the same rules apply as yesterday."
"On it, Boss." Tony jogged off to the group that had congregated at the mouth of the bridge.
"Ziva, you got McGee's jacket?"
"Yes, Gibbs." She pulled the jacket out of the bag that she had bought and was grateful that Gibbs had let her run in to grab it before they set off.
"Let's go."
They set off at a brisk pace to look for Tim, hoping and praying that the night hadn't been too much and they wouldn't get there too late. Gibbs glanced at his watch, 0630….Hang on kid, we're comin' .