Jimmy startled by Kellie's question dropped a tray of supplies.
"Do take more care, Dr. Palmer," Ducky said.
"Yes, sir," Jimmy said, clanging things around more.
Ducky nodded at Kellie to approach his desk. Kellie followed him.
"I had a feeling you might ask that," Ducky said, "In my initial profile I noted you have a knack for picking up on things that others might miss and keen awareness of not only your surroundings but how the people around you are interacting. You know how to use that knowledge to your advantage. You appear to use it accordingly when you're working with law enforcement. If the rumors of you dabbling in your father's businesses were true, that trait would allow you to be successful at it."
"Medical examiner and forensic psychologist?" Kellie said, "That's an unusual combination."
"Forensic psychology is more of a hobby really," Ducky replied.
"I'd say you more than just dabble," Kellie said.
"Like I said, I only put together an initial profile," Ducky said, "It is still incomplete. I don't think the files give me a complete picture. You really are a fascinating subject from your childhood to finding your father, reconnecting and marrying your high school sweetheart, your variety of careers. Since you're here, would you mind if I asked you a few questions?"
"You can ask," Kellie said.
"But you probably won't answer," Ducky said, "I thought that might be the case. I can't imagine anyone that's experienced some of the things you have would want to discuss them, particularly with a complete stranger."
"Can your dabbling in forensic psychology provide me with any insights into working with Agent Gibbs and his team?" Kellie asked.
"Ah, yes, I heard you and Jethro got off on the wrong foot," Ducky said.
"I can't decide if LJ's upset with me for having Agent DiNozzo arrested or just doesn't want me working the case on principle based on my family connections," Kellie said, "Or something else altogether."
"Have you ever worked with a marine or soldier before?" Ducky asked.
"A few law enforcement officers I worked with were former military," Kellie said, "And a few squads that were securing an area."
"In any of those situations, were they in charge and would have been considered your superior?" Ducky asked.
"No," Kellie said.
"I would imagine you are used to calling the shots at your foundation," Ducky said, "You left the WSB to take on your own mission which led to you taking over your father's business. Gibbs as a marine likely views you as under his command. You from what I can tell have an inclination to chaff at anyone trying to assert authority over you. That combined with your ability to find unique solutions to problems causes Gibbs to feel as if you might be undermining his authority. I suspect on some level he understands what you're doing and attempting to give you a taste of your own medicine."
"Are you telling me he's taking a hard line on the rules just mess with me?" Kellie said, "I knew he was a marine, but I got the impression he wasn't against operating in the gray areas."
"Have you considered perhaps your gray areas and his gray areas are different?" Ducky asked.
"So I'm supposed to what just take orders no questions asked," Kellie replied.
"I didn't say that," Ducky said, "I'm reminded of an old flatmate who found a stray dog. Every time he tried to get near the dog to help it the dog backed away. After several days of this, he put food and water out for the dog. Each day the dog would be waiting closer and closer to the front porch until one day the dog was willing to let him touch him."
"You're saying I should change tactics," Kellie said, "Any suggestions?"
"Stop calling him LJ if you've been calling him that to his face," Ducky said, "I suggest you stick with Agent Gibbs or Gibbs. But that's just to start. I might also suggest investing in a bottle of bourbon."
The Bull Pen
Once Kellie had her clearances, Leon escorted her to the Bull Pen. Gibbs, McGee, and Bishop were looking at the tv screen as information populated the screen.
"Gibbs, she's cleared," Leon said as Kellie stood next to McGee.
"I'm all official now," Kellie said, flashing her badge.
"I'll leave you to it," Leon said, "Gibbs, Kellie, I expect both of you to be on your best behavior."
Gibbs, McGee, and Bishop were paying attention to the screen, only half paying attention to Leon and Kellie.
"So where are we at?" Kellie asked, "Can some one fill me in, Agent Gibbs?"
"We're watching as Kellie's program is pulling up shipping logs from the same week as known child abductions occurred," Bishop said, "How do you think she figured this out?"
Gibbs looked over at Kellie, "Care to enlighten us?"
"Oh, hi," McGee said.
"Sorry, we were fascinated by your program," Bishop said.
"Well?" Gibbs said, "Are you going to tell us how you knew this program would work?"
"Just a hunch," Kellie said, "I've heard you know how that goes."
"So not only does this company fly a lot in the the days around an abduction, but they all end up in three or four of the same places," McGee said, "None of them enter the United States or an area that is known for smuggling kidnapped children into the country."
"Pull up a map and highlight the place four places that the shipments all end up," Kellie said.
McGee looked at Gibbs.
"Go ahead, McGee," Gibbs nodded, "Bishop, I want you to check and see if any of the Le Requins other companies run out of the same four places."
"Any chance you ran a program for that?" Bishop asked.
"The timing of the shipments was a hunch," Kellie said, "But the places being so concentrated, I couldn't have told you. Sorry."
"I'm pulling up the map now," McGee said as it showed up on the screen.
"Which of these places had a shipment corresponding to Tali's abduction?" Kellie asked.
"This airfield in the middle of nowhere in eastern Mexico, south of the Yucatan peninsula," McGee said," It's not a known area for that type of activity."
"It doesn't make sense," McGee said.
"Unless it's just a stopping point," Kellie said, "To take the kids someplace else."
"What the nearest areas to focus on?" Bishop said, "We could start there."
"A couple places in Mexico," Kellie said, "But if they're trying to branch out into the U.S., Miami, Tampa, and New Orleans would be the closest places to start."
"That's a lot of ground to cover," McGee said.
"Right now we don't have any way to narrow it down," Gibbs said.
"Don't you know people in the field that might have heard something, Kellie," Bishop said.
"We'll see," Kellie said, "I'm going to make a phone call. I'll call when I have something more."
Kellie took off towards the elevator and Johnny who'd been waiting off to the side followed her. Gibbs followed too.
In the elevator, Gibbs hit the button and stopped the elevator. Johnny moved between Gibbs and Kellie.
"You want to call off your guard dog, Corinthos," Gibbs said.
"I'll think about it," Kellie said as she stared Gibbs down.
"Start the elevator," Johnny said.
"I need a word with your boss first," Gibbs said.
"Johnny, I've got this," Kellie said. Johnny looked at Kellie and then Gibbs and moved himself to the corner of the elevator.
"You want to tell me why you can't make your phone calls here at NCIS?" Gibbs asked.
"That's what I think you would call classified," Kellie said.
"It's not classified when it's my case you're working on," Gibbs said.
"Are you accusing me of something?" Kellie asked.
"You wouldn't be thinking about I don't know calling your father or one of his associates that you know," Gibbs said.
"Hypothetically, if someone like the Le Requins were making a move in Florida or some parts of some South America, my father or his associates would know sooner than the authorities or anyone I could contact through the foundation. Right now they're trying to fly under the radar. I'd prefer to save us some time and tell your people where start looking first. It's going to take some digging to find the companies and then to sort through data to figure out where they went."
"You think your father will just give up that information if were to cause problems for his business," Gibbs said.
"This might surprise you given the allegations about my father's line of work," Kellie said, "But there are certain lines he won't cross. Drugs is one of them and selling human beings is another. As far as anyone's concerned that will be a conversation we never had."
Kellie hit the button on the elevator to open the doors, "I think this is your floor, Agent Gibbs."