Chapter 5
They had just finished touring the second floor was were about to head to the basement. There was an evidence garage, normal garage and forensics. Lastly would be autopsy and her grandfather ensured her that the ME wouldn't have any bodies out. It had been a while since Natalie worked with a cadaver and she wasn't sure she could handle it again so soon.
"Abby, are you here?" Tom called into the forensics lab. Heavy metal music was playing from somewhere and a tall woman with dark hair in pigtails poked her head out from the farther room.
"I'm here." She said with confidence. Natalie was jealous of that. She was dressed very unconventionally and Natalie was warned of this. She had a plaid short skirt on with a black t-shirt with what Natalie assumed was a band logo on it. She had tall black platform boots and fishnets as well. It looked good on her.
"Abby, I'd like to introduce Natalie Kane-" said Tom.
Abby interupted "Oooh, yes, I read the email from Cynthia, it's nice to meet you." Abby walked up and shook her hand.
"It's nice to meet you as well," Natalie responded.
"I have a question though," Abby stated. Natalie nodded her head and Abby continued, "Do I really have to have an interview with you? No offense but therapists and psychology people intimidate me."
Natalie couldn't imagine how anyone could intimidate her, "You don't really have to but it would be nice to see how your job effects you. I know you don't have to go to crime scenes but with processing of evidence and all the things you learn about victims I think it would be an interesting perspective that most people wouldn't think of. But I understand how intimidating it can be. We can share information so you don't feel like I'm learning all about you and you know nothing of me."
Abby seemed to think about it for a minute, "That may work, you wanna see the lab?" she asked.
"It would be an honor."
Tom had been checking his cell phone. It must have vibrated on his hip. He looked to Abby, "Miss Scuitto if its not too much trouble would you mind showing Natalie the lab and then take her down to autopsy and I will try to catch up with you ladies there, I have an emergency I need to deal with."
Abby nodded and Tom left to deal with whatever it was going on. "I'm actually not too busy at the moment. Until Gibbs's team finds the murder weapon I don't have too much to do. I was just typing up some reports for others when you guys came in."
Abby showed her around. The outer room had a lot of forensic equipment and computers for Abby to work on and the inner room was where she did ballistics and a few other things that wouldn't be safe to do in the other room. There was also a back entrance that actually led to a hallway and stairwell that took you down to the sub-basement where autopsy was located. It was through there that Abby took Nat downstairs.
"Hey Ducky!" Abby called out as they walked through the automatic doors. "This is Natalie, the director had to leave and asked if I'd bring her down."
"Why hello Miss Kane," came the voice of the elder ME. He sounded British or Scottish, Natalie wasn't sure which. "I'm Dr. Donald Mallard, most people call me Ducky."
"Like the waterfowl," Natalie said with a smile. They shook hands and he introduced her to his assistant, a younger African American man named Gerald. "Nice to meet you both," said Natalie.
"Well there's not much to see in autopsy I'm afraid," said Ducky, "We have our coolers for the bodies and a few exam tables. A desk and a supplies closet. More like a room really." Ducky gestured towards the side of the desk where another door sat. "I'm reminded of how lucky we are for the space. I worked in a small morgue in downtown Edinburgh when I was younger. There were two medical examiners besides myself and we were often stepping on each others toes just trying to do our jobs."
"Ducky always has stories," Abby explained. "He's like a master of trivia too."
Ducky blushed, "Well I wouldn't go that far. I just like to think I've lived and interesting life."
"I'd love to hear about it sometime." Natalie said smiling.
"Yes, I think your research study is quite fascinating. I'd be honored to be a part of it and you are welcome to interview me as much as you'd like, my dear."
Natalie smiled and made a mental note to let Cynthia know that Doctor Mallard would be a subject for her research, "Thank you Ducky, I would really enjoy seeing into the side of investigations from a medical examiner's perspective as well as how it effects your life."
"And I will be happy to tell you about it all. I've an interest in forensic psychology myself, maybe one day I will head back to school again. Would you permit me to read your dissertation when you are done?" he asked.
"Certainly, if I'm lucky I may get published this time. My academic advisor feels pretty confident that the subject matter would make it into a couple of psychology journals. I'm less sure myself," she told him.
"Oh, I think it would be fascinating enough to be published," Ducky told her.
Abby chimed in with, "Me too. As much as I'm nervous about you knowing all my secrets just from looking at me, I still think psychology is interesting too."
Natalie was blushing. She wasn't as used to being welcomed for her intelligence as she was. NCIS personnel seemed to make her feel normal. In New York, she was still looked down on because of her age and in some cases there were professionals that resented her. She was used to having to prove herself to everyone. "Thank you," she told them.
"You seem young to be getting a doctorate," Gerald said to her. He didn't look at her like most did when they questioned her age, he seemed intrigued.
"Yes, I graduated high school at 14. Undergrads in Biology and Psychology by 17 and my masters just this past spring in both. As much as I loved Columbia and New York I was happy to accept Georgetown and move to DC. I needed the change." She told them a little about herself after that, coming from a small town, losing her mother and the Director finding her.
"How fortunate for you. I hadn't realized our dear director had any grandchildren." Ducky exclaimed.
"I'm the only one apparently."
"So are you going for Biology as well as Psychology, "Abby asked her.
Natalie smiled, "I am actually. I am looking into the neurobiology to help better understand the human brain and how we think, feel and deal with things."
"That's pretty cool." Abby was sweet and Natalie was liking her more and more. She just hoped she could make her feel comfortable about an interview. As much as Natalie would love to have Abby in her study, she wasn't going to push her into it.
"With a biological background you could even be of help in autopsy if you wanted to" Gerald commented.
"Oh Gerald, the young lady probably has a different plan in life. Not everyone has an interest in forensic science and medical science. Those of us that do are usually like yourself and come from a family of funeral directors, embalmers and what not." Ducky teased Gerald openly, it was clear to Nat that they got along very well.
"Actually Dr. Mallard, I hadn't fully decided what I wanted to do. I originally planned to open a practice in New York, but after my mom passed…" she paused, "I just don't see New York the same anymore. It wasn't something I was really passionate about, it was more an idea of mom's."
"Passion is key, I think" said Abby.
"Abby is right, you should find something you can truly enjoy." Her grandfather spoke as he stepped into the room. "I'm sure Dr. Mallard and his assistant would agree, you can't do a good job if it's not something you enjoy."
"Right you are director," Ducky said. "Well it was lovely meeting you Miss Kane and I look forward to our interviews."
"Thank you for the tour Abby, and I look forward to our talks as well Doctor." Natalie walked with her grandfather back to the elevator and the went to security. "Is everything alright, grandpa?" she asked him as they stepped off the elevator.
"Yes, just an emergency conference call with a director of another agency in MTAC. Apparently being asked to give information to an agent was asking too much of him. He would only give the information over in a video conference and I needed to be present." He looked irritated. Clearly some interagency issues arose despite the fact that they were supposed to co-operate with each other.
"Sorry to hear that. Happen often?" she asked as he held the door to the security office open for her.
He chuckled, "More often than I would like."
"Director" said the middle aged woman behind the counter, "How may we help you today?"
"This is Susan, she's our day time security manager," he explained to Nat. "This is Natalie Kane, my assistant should have sent over her information, she needs a photo done up for her security badge."
Susan led her past the desk and over to a small corner with a camera and stool set up. Natalie sat and got her picture taken. Susan escorted her back around the desk and told them she could have a temporary badge done up by tomorrow but one with Natalie's security clearance wouldn't be ready until the end of the week.
"That's alright, I don't think I can make it back until the end of the week anyway" Natalie told her.
Susan smiled, "Then I will just wait 'til the clearance comes back. We have the background check done already but because of the highly classified nature of much of what NCIS deals with the military and Homeland Security as well as FBI and CIA will need to come back first."
Natalie hadn't realized just how many agencies would need to give her the okay before she could start her project. Tom must be pushing things through a little faster for her. They thanked Susan for her time and left. Tom walked Natalie back to the front doors where she handed her visitors pass back over to security. They said their goodbyes and Tom told her she would be getting a ride back with an agent rather than taking a taxi. The agent in question was heading into the city for follow up interview and didn't mind taking her home.
Natalie walked outside to be met by one of the first agents she met. Kate, she recalled. "Agent Todd, I appreciate the ride" she told her.
Agent Todd smiled, "I don't mind, the director asked if anyone was heading in to save you the trouble of another taxi and I'm going nearby to meet up with a witness." Kate walked her over to a dark blue sedan and they got in.
"Do you often have to go by yourself?" asked Nat.
Kate laughed, "No it can change around a fair bit. Tony, Agent DiNozzo, wanted to take it but Gibbs overruled him and sent me instead." Natalie nodded and they were soon on their way out the front gate. "If you couldn't tell, Tony has a thing for ladies and the witness is an attractive female." They both laughed. Natalie could tell. The way he introduced himself to her, she knew right away he was a ladies man and loved every minute of it. He was not her type. She picked up on a little bit of tension between Agents Todd and DiNozzo though and wondered if they didn't get along.
"How long have you worked for NCIS?" Nat asked.
"Only a few months, before that I was Secret Service."
Natalie found that interesting and wondered what would make someone jump agencies like that, "I would love to get your story sometime" she told Kate.
"And I would be glad to give it Miss Kane." Kate then explained, "My older sister is actually a psychologist and I have no problem being a part of your study. I know from her dissertation that everything is kept annonymous so I don't have to worry too much there."
Natalie was grateful. She only expected to hand in her proposal today and here she was leaving with no only the acceptance but also two willing participants in her study. She couldn't wait to email her advisor to let him know the good news.