Cutting off the head of the snake

Chapter 19th

"I am going to try and contact Gibbs on his phone." Leon said to Melissa. Grabbing his phone once again with his anger still building. He had the feeling that something was differently up with Gibbs and others.

Dialing his number...

The plane for American Airlines had finally landed in Los Angeles with the trio getting out of the terminal to head to pick up their bags at the baggage claim. Before moving out of the airport to rent a vehicle from Avis before going to stay at a motel for now to rest for a few hours before trying to check on Loreile for the Evergreen conference.

Gibbs phone having been turned back on was vibrating as he needed to answer it having to be his boss Director Leon Vance. He said to Taft and McGee that it's Vance.

"Oh, boy!" McGee exclaimed...

"Leon how are you? What's going on?" Gibbs asked knowing that he was going to be getting an earful.

"Where the hell are you, Gibbs? I have Sloane on my ass asking why she hasn't been able to contact you?" he said with looking over at Melissa with a curious look.

"I am in California just landed with Taft and McGee to see if I can talk to Loreile with coming back with me or I can start a new life without her?" he said with emotion...

"Why are you checking up on me Leon?"

"Because Richard Cobbler had been found dead across the street from his house with three bullet wounds to his head and the police haven't been able to find any evidence as to who had done it." Vance responded...

"And Sloane thinks that I had done it when I was at the airport waiting for our flight?" Gibbs commented...

"Correct. She is driving me crazy with the calls saying that she thinks that you had shot him." Vance said...

"Not possible! I was at the airport with McGee and Taft catching a flight to California to find out on whether Loreile wants to come back to Alexandria and the house Leon. Where is Sloane now?"

"At your house having found it empty. She had been speaking with the police since it was her that had called them and with finding his body."

"Jesus Leon she is just too much at times." He said ...

"I agree with you. Even though she is a friend of mine from way back." Leon needed to say on the subject.

"Thank you for calling Leon with the update. I will make sure to keep an eye on McGee as well since he's still suffering slightly with his leg and arm. Bye." he hung up the phone to have the both of them coming over to him wondering on what was going on.

"What happened boss?" McGee said with his usual response.

"Leon said that Sloane's finance Richard Cobbler was found dead in his car across from his house with three shots to the head. She even went to say to Leon that she thinks that I had killed him in the process with coming to my house to tell me this." taking in a deep breath...

"Really!" McGee and Taft in unison both said with chuckling at the same time as well...

"Now what?" This time McGee had to say with all three of them being exhausted with the change in the time zone.

"We look for a motel room close to Loreile's hotel and the conference." Gibbs needed to say...

TIME 6.30 A.M. in the morning

Lt. Loreile Ann Baskins had dressed after staying most of the night with John having a great time. She had left him a note telling him that she was heading back to her suite. She needed to sleep before heading for the conference once again.

Leaving the suite with the corridor and the lights down low. She headed for the elevator to take her up to the next floor with the key card in her hand. She had not bothered to turn on the light in the living area. Instead she went straight for the bedroom with quickly removing her clothing and placing them into the dirty bag of laundry. She was able to change into her clean red nightgown with the blankets a mess. She had gotten into the bed before setting the watch to wake her in three hours.

Meanwhile John moved in bed to find it empty next to him. Getting up from the bed naked. He had placed on his robe to see if she had left him a note. And there it was on the coffee table...

DEAR JOHN

See you later at the conference.
I had a wonderful time with you.

Sincerely,

Loreile

He smiled as he placed the note into his coat pocket that was hanging up. Afterwards he headed back to bed with still time to get ready for the boring conference.