Off the grid
Chapter four
It was a long drive to his cabin to meet up with everyone else and including his long-time friend Special Agent Tobias Fornell. Gibbs had made sure he had brought plenty of coffee with him with the trip. It was beginning to get dark early now of days with the change in weather and of course with the pandemic still happening worldwide.
Tobias Fornell was anxious to get the show on the road with searching for Hernandez and his compound. The real reason they were here in the first place was a big cover-up with NCIS and SECNAV. There were a few that were really angry with the OFF THE BOOKS operation once again. A lot of funds had been put into the operation by SECNAV and NCIS to find this monster having to be on the ten most wanted list.
Fornell was drinking coffee from the fireplace from inside the cabin. He needed to lay down not really knowing when Gibbs will arrive. All three of the newest of agents will be outside in their tents and including Torres and McGee will be staying inside the cabin with Gibbs.
The temperatures were beginning to drop now as sentries will be posted in case of hunters come along to shoot deer instead of a human being.
Moments later after a two-hour and twenty-minute drive. Leroy Jethro Gibbs finally arrived by shutting off his engine of the truck and removing his equipment with help from Fornell and McGee. "It's about time Jethro, you made it. Whenever you're ready will need a full update on this compound of Hernandez." He was anxious about finishing the last of his coffee.
"Whoa! Hold your horses Tobias I just arrive and I did a little of a break-even for my old bones." He joked with Tobias and McGee not laughing. While Torres and the other men came up to say that they saw a poacher come close a few moments in the back telling us about needing to get his quota for the deer season."
"Nick it just might be the truth in the first place. However, I need all of you to keep your eyes open just in case. Get my drift gentlemen?" Gibbs will say with heading for the outhouse to relieve himself after the long drive.
Sometime later with a campfire going outside and one inside the cabin. Special Agent Gibbs had gone over the plan with everyone. Accept for the fact that Fornell didn't know they were looking for Hernandez. But he had a guess
any way telling Gibbs later inside the cabin while everyone was still outside checking out the perimeter.
"Jesus H. Christ Gibbs how could not tell me the truth about why we are up here in the first place?" He was angry while drinking his black coffee. Since this was basically a good time to have a drink. Even though he had stopped cold turkey thanks to his friend.
"I didn't want to worry you about the entire time we are here. But since you know the truth. We are here to captured or kill Jose Juan Hernandez some twenty miles south of the cabin. He has a compound therewith at least eight or nine of his associates out to try and kill me again."
"I just don't believe this that I didn't have any Intel from the F.B.I. in regard to this monster. All I do know if the fact that he has a casino ever since he had disappeared from the train depot and with you getting shot into the stomach. How many times are you going to go after this man for revenge?" Tobias will say to his friend really not knowing the answer.
"Good question Tobias. I really don't know the answer except for the fact that Loreile is pissed off at me for coming here in the first place." Gibbs will respond with some anguish with his demeanor.
"And I don't blame her either Gibbs. Look what happened with Jacqueline Sloane divorcing you after only two months of marriage?"
"She pushed me too far with her altitude telling me always what to do for when it came to my job. And the irony of it was the fact she was pregnant with our child and she lost it a month later. She decided to stay in New York with her daughter Faith to work at the Manhattan medical center." He had gotten quiet afterward needing to sit down to have something to eat. His stomach was growling with hunger...
"At least Gibbs, you have Loreile in your life now and nine months pregnant and ready to deliver anytime soon." Fornell will make mention with another irony since it was her that helped Gibbs with his rehab the second time he was in Paraguay.
Taking a sip of his water with putting together the turkey club sandwiches with all of the supplies brought. "Yeah, I know Tobias. Please don't mention it again to me. Since we are here to do our jobs and get this bastard." He cried out in anger towards his best friend.
"Let's get some sleep before we head out in the morning to search for him." He will reply with Fornell shaking his head...
"Fine. Whatever Jethro." As he headed for his cot with Gibbs taking the bunk. Otherwise, he mentions to McGee, Torres outside to take a turn with the sentries.