THE MEETING
Director Vance turns his chair slowly facing directly to the side against the table his face and his eyes front and direct at the 3 agents in that case Major Case Response Team currently has 3 NCIS special agents on the job right now a female and 2 males didn't matter about the gender, or rank but it matters if you are willing to be part of the unit by serving this unit as long you act loyal, respectful, meaningful and an natural born hero to this NCIS unit office
Tony was in the front you can tell by the mood he didn't bother to smile or smirk he was next to both of the agents Ziva who looked calm, and quiet crossing her arms McGee looked stern also crossing his arms he shut his eyes not too tight.
"Agents DiNozzo, McGee and David."
Assistant Director Granger standing tall, next to Vance' s table not closer he had his hands in his pockets his face was forbidding and uninviting like he didn't want to anyone up here right now the face can tell he doesn't welcome people.
"What's this all about." Tony calmly said with no strong emotions in him, his eyebrows lowered tending it was serious.
"We have an case." Vance said than he continued now looking at McGee "Agent McGee shows us what you got." Vance said he rises up from his chair handing the remote closely to McGee who caught it in his hand.
"Brief the case" Tony said acting calm without looking at McGee who replied back telling him "Shut up" This caught Vance' s attention who was sitting back down into his seat but he said nothing neither Granger.
McGee helds out the remote directly towards the screen his finger reaches for the button. The photo clicks and pops up with no identification in there but an blank photo in the front was an question mark that took up the blank screen photo.
"This is Monton age 20, served in the role as the Junior Seamen, he was known as the smart genius shy, nice, and friendly, he was one of the 2nd to last members to be the youngest, he gets the job done he has 5 siblings, he has an stepfather who is married to his mother, his real father lives out in California."
The photo pops up showing the messages "According to this him and his real father still contact each other the last call he made to his father was September 4th 2011 9:59 PM the messages and their conversations are blocked for legal reasons."
"Legal reasons." Ziva acting confused
"Yes it's appointed and required by the law like the government, national security, federal agencies and more to it." McGee explained to Ziva before turning his head back to the screen continuing to speak.
"There's no description on his siblings, stepfather and mother all it said that sometimes it was an good to strained relationship in between half and half going on on and off."
"Family fight might be regarding about the relationship between his real father something to do with this" Granger said.
"You had an strained relationship with your father there's an connection with you guys." Tony looked at McGee with no smile or smirk not even without a chuckle McGee avoided looking at him he just wanted to stare at the screen without any problem slightly rolling his eyes in annoyance.
"Monton had an nickname he was called fuel boy they didn't state any important details or any information on why he was nicknamed fuel boy it was listed on his documents and ID after graduating from high school he served as an engineer for unknown reasons he left after working there for 3 months it was never explained or told why he left his job" McGee explained
"He was with 2 more people." Vance said looking up at the screen without looking.
McGee clicks the remote with the photo of an man with an buzzcut shaved short, he is dressed in an military suit with an U.S.M.C. eagle designed in golden on both of his collars he looks stoic and bold it's like the man hasn't smiled for months ever since the first time he joined the the military and went overseas
"This is E.W. Prickerson age 25 he served in the United States Marine Corps serving as Petty Officer Second Class he was known as stoic, brave he took things seriously he mentored younger members of the U.S.M.C. he is skilled at things including his job actually doing it without being told he has an family the documents, contacts, messages, social security card, and his personal life about his family and himself were all blocked out according to this it was blocked out by federal agencies, government agencies, and military personnel they are said to be an private family." McGee explained he stopped
"They're being followed" Granger said acting grim with an dark tone crossing his arms.
"This doesn't seem right." Vance said
McGee clicks the remote with an ID photo popping up for unknown reasons there was no way to track down his photos while in the military the man was standing behind the kitchen area taking over by darkness he was in the living room clearly wasn't seen not even an wide area the man having an dark black hair mullet, stubble beard that was growing he was wearing an white shirt, blue pants, and metal chain his face was close his hand wrapping around someone in the background.
Tony stared at the photo he just couldn't understand who it was in the photo his green eyes scanned it the mullet hair, the beard the one with the stubble beard, the metal chain, the smile and the good time he was having he couldn't just understand what to say he paces away from McGee and Ziva who didn't dare to look back going and walking near the front door the front door that leads in and out of the office exiting he threw the door open slamming the door shut.
McGee looks at the screen he clicks the remote before continuing "This is Micheal Edwards age 27 the details didn't state which rank or position the thing is he served as an naval officer he was known, for his sense of humor, cool tone, lazy and an smartass only having 3 brothers 2 live in California 1 in Ohio he has 2 stepmother and an real mother who lives in Canada his father lives with his 3rd wife in Ontario."
"Mark Edwards 39 has 2 children ages 7 and 9 and an wife Marcia Edwards 29 living in California he is an Instagram user who posts up to 3,000 videos half of them the military and firearms his brother in law name not stated is an LAPD firefighter ranked as Firefighter Engineer who works and saves wildlife animals from wildfires and natural disasters he joined back in 2003" Vance stated
"James Edwards 29 no children or wife lives all alone lives in California he works at the convenience store down in an suburban area in San Diego musician, songwriter he directed TH soap opera film My Heart and Soul involved as the co-writer he watches crime drama shows, loves volleyball he was once the captain of the Girls Soccer Team in 2009 worked part time as the elementary school teacher in the role as an art teacher" Granger stated stopping to clear his throat from all that talking.
"Thomas Edwards 42 no children has 2 wifes 1 divorced him he is dating the current wife little information was known about him he was known as the older children of the Edwards he was arrested back in 1999 for drunk driving and 4 months later arrested for assault on an 9 year old boy and his father remaining in prison for 2 years he was bailed out in 2001 he had multiple charges against him including sexually harrassing 2 girls, stealing the account of someone, the crimes down there were blocked out by his lawyer." McGee stated
"Tell us more about Naval Officer Edwards." Vance asked
"There is more in his life he normally attended concerts including the Metallic music group he was an huge fan of it during his day offs he attends there the camera surveillance downtown caught him sometimes in the morning between 6:00 to 7:15 AM he steps on the public bus sometimes in the night he's seen wandering around smoking or waiting for the bus camera footage caught him calling someone including kicking an unmarked vehicle he was arrested the next day by police officer he normally catch the bus in order to see his girlfriend Shannon Walkers" McGee stated
"I got an call from SECNAV this morning complaining to me about getting an call from United States Marine Corps building who reported 2 to 3 men of theirs is missing he didn't state out who it was or who the ID of the missing member it leaded a series of confusions Jarvis angrily told them who the missing people are U.S.M.C. didn't get state or get into information details SECNAV pass the case to us." Vance explains
"The Police Department nearby and the coroner's were in the investigation" Granger explained
"3 weeks ago in the middle of nowhere with only an convience store in the area at around flames were spreading and growing into an huge fire becoming big spreading everywhere resulting in a lot of fireballs and flames getting closer to the area of the convenience store firefighters who took an helicopter along with the police department and the ambulance rushed to the scene discovering an burnt crisp vehicle heavily damaged" Vance stated
"There was an dead skeletal burnt crisp body found in the driver seat he was wearing an leather jacket, blue jeans and an black belt along with an chain that survived the explosion coated with ashes and dirt." Granger explained
"Firefighters found an bad damaged passenger door next to the convenience store firefighters lifted it up only to find another dead skeletal burnt body this time they found blood under the dead corpse and the front door keys were also found assuming to belong the dead body police believe the keys belong to the burnt remains of the person." Vance stated
"No firearm or any other murder weapons were never recovered from the scene once they head back to the headquarters they were working together with CSI and fire arsonists by helping identify the vehicle and who it once belonged to." Granger grimly explained
"As they trace and identity who the vehicle belongs and what type the vehicle was they came back with no results or no answers this leaded to an series of frustrations."
"The 2 bodies were wheeled and sent into the van where the medical examiners were going to take care of it sent to the coroner's building the 2nd and 3rd body the medical examiners performed autopsy on the 2 bodies working all night to see what cause their death as there more story to it" Vance explained
"Due to the damage and impact it did to the 2 bodies it wasn't successful in identifying the 2 bodies including taking dental tests leaving no answers to their identification the medical examiner's called them John Jacket and John Keys Doe it was the only nickname they can come up with their clothing and shoes and boots have been recovered still being traced by CSI."
McGee turns his body and head directly to the main director and assistant director he lowered down his eyebrows "Why the hell did they pass the case." McGee said
"They didn't state no reason or any detail information about why they passed the investigation to us once Vance stated SECNAV wanted us involved in this one." Granger said crossing his arms still looking stoic "The only reason SECNAV thinks that we will be able to work on this investigation this involves marines, petty officers and seamen who lost their life in a blazing fiery explosion that took the victim's lives." Granger continues to speak "CSI and fire arsonists are planning to pass the investigation to NCIS knowing this unit will find out the official answers, evidence, fingerprints, DNA, hunting down the criminal arsonist held responsible for the heinous crime they had committed."
"Why wait until 3 weeks." McGee questioned wanting to know why the group behind and handling the investigation didn't inform NCIS
While Vance was about to answer McGee's question the door is thrown open the main director, assistant director, and the 2 NCIS special agents all have their eyes on the person who currently has now entered into the office which turns out to be Tony who paces back to the spot he left after exiting out of the office none of the 4 didn't say anything to him or didn't ask why he all of a sudden exit the office Tony puts his hands in his pocket the whole room turned silent.
The silence stopped when Vance clears his throat and continued to speak "Never told us the reason or related answers SECNAV all of a sudden sent the case to NCIS knowing they can crack the case." Vance stated leaning back against his chair
"Burnt damaged SUV was discovered, 2 skeletal cook bodies, what about the other one they find 2 skeletal cooked bodies in the middle of nowhere where is the 3rd one."
"They're still trying to locate the 3rd body unknown reasons they can't locate it only 2 were discovered badly burned in a damaged unidentified vehicle." Granger grimly said clearing his throat "Due to important reasons CSI or the coroner can't hand over the unidentified male bodies for mysterious reasons Dr. Mallard has been told to wait until for the update to happen even Mrs. Scuito is forced to wait patiently until the update."
"Call SECNAV tell them were now handling the investigation you can't just let them keep the unidentified bodies, DNA samples, related forensics all those things you need for the investigation is now kept and locked away until the update do you know what happens first things first." Tony stated letting out the slight frustration but his speech to Vance and Granger
"Gear up locate the dead corspe have Ducky and Palmer examined the body of a naked corpse." McGee grimly said before completely sighing
"SECNAV is busy currently I can't give out any information for the current moment." Vance stated
"Than call them." McGee angrily said nearly raising his voice out loud for everyone in the room to hear.
"Let me explain look into Naval Officer Edward's family first." Vance stated
"Mark, James wife and children all live in California Thomas lives in Ohio the Edward's biological mother, 2 stepmothers, biological married to his 3rd wife all live in Canada this will be difficult to reach his parents and stepmother for the sakes of it." Tony turned around to look at Granger "All we need to do is go to the United States Marine Corps building locate anyone who knows, works with, or was against Monton, Edwards and Prickerson." Tony explained
Originally the NCIS agents were going to speak to Naval Officer Edward's family except it was going to be difficult since almost the Edward's family members and children all live in California which bordered Mexico half of them lived in Canada which was farther away from Los Angeles and borders Mexico and the US it was going to be difficult for the Edward's family to reach DC also another thing the family couldn't go into long contacts or reach their state their family member lives in that was in a different country.
"What about Monton he has 5 siblings we should look into his family life, a stepfather married to a mother." Ziva said knowing they rarely brought up Monton in the conversation
"His real father lives in California" Tony answered
"True but the last time he made contact to his father was on September 4th 2011 at 9:59 PM the messages he text to his father were mysteriously blocked out." McGee explained looking down at the ground
"Let me explain what is going to truly happen since we don't have access to the unidentified bodies, DNA, forensics or any evidence that CSI handled were going to find our own evidence by speaking to anyone who knows or heard of E.W. Prickerson, and Monton before McGee, and Ziva will be tagging along in this case this time with 2 extra members coming with them Palmer and Abby will be going with you guys."
"Tony what about you." Ziva said staring into his light green eyes quietly feeling the sense he wasn't himself but he brushed it off "I'm going to be fine." Tony quietly said not looking at anyone since his eyes were shut
The water kept on running in the sink draining the remains of the liquid water going down into the sinkhole vanishing from the sink Tony puts his hands in the water where all that liquid rains rapidly repeatedly on his dried hands that were all now wet from the water the sink kept on running with water he puts his hands under the water he splashed water on his face again and again sighing under his breath.
As he raises his head up from the sink splashing more water on his face he looks at the reflection of himself in the mirror
OUTSIDE
McGee slams the door closed to the NCIS unmarked vehicle he hoisted the bag on his shoulders already pacing away from the NCIS car clearly stepping on the ground the black goth scientist followed after him pacing and feeling energized her boots trailing on the ground feeling enthusiasm in herself all morning she spent most of the time jumping up and down or being highly hyper from all the caffeine she drink last night.
The black goth scientist was no stranger to McGee at all having been with NCIS for decades now she started back in an unknown year hired by NCIS to fill the position and role as the forensic scientist for the MCRT team she was already the highest member who was not an NCIS agent at all spending most of her life studying forensics having smart skills in forensics, able to pick up the pieces, she loved dark things including blood, spiders, webs, and more, she highly loved her job, often energetic, hyper and happy, her colleagues treated her like a daughter and older sister to them she was loved by everyone and loved everyone back often the only NCIS member to never go out in the field
In 2003 NCIS assigned an young overweight member from the Naval Norfolk Base to assist them out with the investigation they were busy on mostly for the assignment he was partnered with a Senior Field Agent out in the field who teased him about his weight, called him nicknames that he currently hated during the assignment he partnered with black goth scientist Abigail Scuito the first time she met him she would rather work alone avoid any assistance not liking him at first working with an non NCIS agent was one of the most hardest things she has ever done it was difficult for her to work with people who are not part of or against NCIS the assignments and partnering with Naval Norfolk agent continued to went on she began to warm up to him, get close to him the relationship has slowly increased.
When McGee joined NCIS she became happy and partnered with him a lot the relationship increased even more she started to have feelings for him every time they talked at the same time, have both hands on the evidence, look at each other in the eyes the room turns silent and awkward.
Like Tony who she found as her brother also had mysterious feelings for his colleague that the black goth scientist was currently best friends with they sometimes had more than an sibling figure or best friend relationship back and forth along with Tony she sees him more like a bodyguard to her, Gibbs was a father figure to her who loved her very much, Ducky she found him as some type of grandfather giving out advice and helping her out even at the worst times.
The bearded man looked at his watch a 5 star General who was writing notes down in a rush he clear his throat sipping his coffee having been up for 12 hours all night writing notes down, making phone calls, listing the members who were fired, here or missing in action mostly he was looking at the missing in action people for another 12 hours he remained up all night he stared at the ZNN news network.
The front door knocking the general got up from his seat threw the door open revealing to be a a NCIS agent and a black goth scientist who stand at the doorway "Are you General Marshall." McGee stated
"I am" General stated with only one word
"I'm NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee this is forensic scientist Abigail Scuito." McGee whipped out his badge revealing his identity to the 5 star General
"It's about one of the 3 victims I know I saw the whole news on ZNN news network about the explosion that happened."
"It is we were sent here need to ask you some questions and answers about...
"Monton" General Marshall answered he looked down at the ground before stepping a few inches back his mouth briefly opened was he shocked about the news it's truly unknown as he went back to his chair sitting down where he welcomed the 2 into his office even though there were no seats 2 NCIS members preffered to stand up and had no problem standing.
"There is some confusion going on I don't know why but..." even though he felt confused and tired he was kind and nice to let them in
"SECNAV was immediately contacted The USMC building reported 2 to 3 men of theirs missing General Marshall do you have any idea whether or not you stated their ID to 2 or 3 men cause it resulted in a lot of confusion." McGee asked
"I did I often hear about the 3 men a lot on the news my unit often mentions about them outside of my office the truth is those kinds of 2 men." He took a deep breath briefly stared at the ground pressed his hand to his face
"General Marshall I know your hurt and worried about one of your missing members but we need to ask you some questions and answers about the 2 to 3 men." General Marshall took a breath for a moment he than took off his glasses and wiped them with a tissue before putting them back on he clear his throat "Monton what happened to him." The General said feeling confused he pressed his head for a second until he looked at the NCIS agent and Forensic Scientist "Is he alright did something happened to him." General Marshall questioned
"A fiery explosion had occurred in the middle of nowhere at a late night." McGee continued "A vehicle 2 to 3 bodies were discovered at the crime scene where the explosion happened unidentified vehicle was also found along with the key stuck to the door and John Doe next to the damaged passenger car door." McGee explained
"They never state the details on the news."
"2 to 3 bodies were found one next to the burned convenience store and the other one found in the driver seat due to the impact there has been no identification of the victims not even the veichle has never been identified they did what they can to work on this case."
"What about the 3rd John Doe." General Marshall asked wanting to know who the 3rd body was
"They're still trying to locate the 3rd body." McGee stated to General Marshall who looked down at the ground before looking back up at the 2 "Wait." he felt confused and stared off into space for a moment he opened his mouth briefly and was about to speak until he cough quietly and quickly he turned his head to the NCIS agent and the Forensic Scientist "Junior Monton was a fine young boy who was always treated like a child to the older ones he was ranked in Junior enlisted Seamen out of any members in the USMC he is the 2nd to last member who is the youngest in this unit." For a moment he stopped and went back to talking "He was the special boy for the unit even though he is the 2nd youngest to last the boy had special abilities no Junior seamen can do on their own workout assistance mainly quiet when working he rarely talks with anyone or none of his seamen group quiet and silent ignoring the sounds, noises, voices of others."
"Did Seamen Monton had any work skills." McGee asked
"The boy had job duties cooking, cleaning, chores he loved to cook meals, clean the deck, do laundry as a Junior seamen some of them hate the job except for Monton whenever anyone needs a break he takes over he had experience with cooking, cleaning, and doing chores before he was recruited into becoming a seamen."
"Monton had any friends or enemies anyone he knew outside of the job." McGee stated wanting to know more about the people he knew
"He had some friends some family some not family all of them knew him he was part of the group in the seamen unit they get along with him very well be social to him Monton was not that social that much but he was still loved by the friends who care about him there were people he did not like Monton that much they even go way too far by bullying and attacking him." He face turned stoic and emotionless "One of the people was someone a higher seamen who deeply hated his guts when he first met the young Junior Seamen Minton all he did throw a pot of water at his face."
After hearing that Abby felt shocked who would do such a thing to a young nice man throw a pot of water at his face McGee felt the same feeling noticing his history of being bullied or attacked during his childhood and teen years felt personal for him he began to explain "Someone threw a pot of water at his face why and who would do this."
"The person who threw pot of water at his face didn't like him that much cruel for someone to throw pot of water at Morton's face like I said he had no enemies and doesn't make any enemies but one person harmed him." General Marshall it acted like he was not happy about it acted felt the same he was serious and not happy with whoever did this "What is the person's name." McGee asked to the 5 star general
"It started with an A that's all." That's all the General could say
"Sir we need to know the name of the person wo harmed Monton." McGee said he felt like an A wouldn't help out
"Can you tell us or describe us what the A person looked like." Abby said trying to get the General on track
The General closed his eyes trying to figure out the appearance the appearance of a person name A he began to focus on the man's appearance he briefly silent said the words his eyes started to squeeze shut as McGee took out a paper put a clipboard on and clicked the pen he was already prepared to find out the identity of the person who harmed Monton the 5 star General concentrating and heavily focusing trying to view and figure out the identity of this A person he pressed both hands clutching tightly to them this was going to a little difficult for him focus on the identity the clock slowly ticks with the big hand pointing to the 5.
Tony kept it the whole same feeling ever since the time he arrived this morning he was driving controlling the wheel passing by suburban areas for 10 or 15 minutes Ziva was with him but was quiet and silent in the passenger seat she kept on looking at the NCIS agent who hasn't said one word ever since the car ride he was too focused on driving and scanning the surburaban area passing by trees, small buildings, group of people who were together, walking with their phones out or walking their dog or someone's elses dog.
"If there is anything you want me to do I..."
"Thanks but I'm fine Ziva." Tony interrupted without looking or staring at her
"When will he return" Ziva asked about their missing NCIS member
"I don't know Ziva it has been 4 days ever since he took that trip." Tony said from the tone of his voice he felt serious
"I know how you feeling"
"My personal feelings aren't that important all I want to do is." As Tony continued to speak Ziva noticed with her very own eyes she spotted lights going on and off a loud horn blaring outside there was a man running quickly and pacing up the fence dogs barking, people screaming, gunshots going off, people in blue uniform with a badge and gun pushed the people back Ziva saw blaring red and white trucks with ladders passing by blaring clearly and loudly there was a sign this does not look good at all Tony's black shoe pressed the pedal down hard the NCIS blue sedan drives heavily fast wheels rolling around the hard cement.
"Damn it that's the street we need to hear for to speak to Naval Officer Edward's relatives." Tony grumbled under his breath but yelled in frustration knowing something worse can far happen as soon as Tony and Ziva arrived to the location where firefighter trucks were heading they hurriedly rushed out of the car 3 firefighters in heavy uniform, hard fire hats, boots, were heavily spraying the water hose out splashing water all over the apartment that has been mysteriously set in fiery flames burst into little to fiery yellow and orange hot burst of flames.
Back at the NCIS HQ Vance was marching back and forth his hands behind his back it has been 2 or 3 hours ever since McGee and Abby went out to the USMC building to speak to General Marshall about Monton and the fire investigation Tony and Ziva went to speak to Naval Officer Edward's relatives the clock was ticking Granger was nowhere to be seen the main NCIS director was all alone up in his office in deep thought he didn't know what to say to Jarvis.
Having been 2 or 3 hours after McGee and Abby were done speaking to General Marshall who was able to describe some of the A person's appearance in details or images in his own mind he felt helpless towards them but attempted not to show it as he felt responsible for Morton's mysterious fate that nobody not even CSI or any units know about Abby comforted him thru out their conversation and told him to take his time General Marshall did since some pressure was getting to him seeing Abby as this black goth scientist he wouldn't judge anyone by the book same thing with McGee he kind of felt like he reminded him of Monton as McGee wrote down some description and details and drew a sketch of this A person he heavily focused on.
Tony and Ziva arrived to Naval Officer Edward's relatives house all they saw 3 firemen standing there spraying the water hose out taking out the fiery blazing orange and yellow hot heat flames it did take a long time for them to fight the fire off while Tony and Ziva looked on Tony felt helpless at that moment he felt like he could have ran into that house and locate anyone who was still in that house even when the whole building is coming down and burning in intense flames all around him he would feel the intense sweat dropping in his skin even his clothes would become sweaty as hell from head to feet down earlier he tried to fight with the firemen and yelled at them that he needed to save someone fearing someone was still in that house while burning down in fiery heat of flames.
"Help me"
"Stay with me stay with me I'm not going to lose you."
"Help me."
"Stay with me I'm not going to lose you"
(Heart beating slowly)
"A man needs to smoke"
(Whistling)
"Tony you awake."
"Heart rate is dropping near 10."
"Someone shot him in the heart."
"I love you so much."
"Don't leave me here."
(person gasps for air)
"Stay with the doctors look at them open your eyes."
"Help me"
"I need your help can you do it."
"I'm going to beat you to a brutal pulp."
"NO DON'T HURT HIM."
(gunshot goes off)
(Flatline beeps.)
END OF CHPT 4