Title: Classified
Chapter 3
*****
"Kate," I say. "Is he always this dramatic?"
The "he" in question is Clayton Webb, formerly Kate's non-boyfriend, currently our contact at the CIA.
Clay spins around to face me. "You don't know a damn thing!"
Kate puts her hands on Clay's shoulders. "Easy, Clay," she says.
His breathing is labored. I can't tell if it's because he's freaked about Major Pickett's death, or because he's mad at me. He inhales deeply, and then lets out a long breath. Running one hand through his hair, Clay lurches into a chair next to Kate's nearby desk.
"You have to understand," he says, his breathing steadier now. "Allen is gone. And that's . . . unfortunate." His voice cracks on the last word. Then he lowers his voice. "But there are other lives in danger."
Gibbs sits down on the edge of Kate's desk. "Then it would be prudent to solve this murder."
Clay shakes his head in frustration. "Why didn't I think of that?"
"Clay," Kate says quietly. "We're all on the same side."
"I don't doubt that, Caitlin," Clay says. "But there are things that I can't talk about. I'm not stonewalling you because I have nothing better to do."
I think about saying something snarky, but I keep my mouth shut.
Leaning back in his chair, Clay regards each of us, as if he's trying to read our minds. He looks like he's about to open his mouth when his cell rings.
"Excuse me," he says. "Webb." Licking his lips, Clay shifts in his chair. "Yeah," he says. "I know." He pulls himself into a standing position, and then walks across the room, out of earshot.
Gibbs looks at Kate. "You think he's going to help us?
Kate nods. "If he can let us in the loop, yeah."
In a moment, Clay returns, looking more irritated that flustered. He gestures for us to come close. "All I can tell you right now," he says. "is that Allen was working on something . . . extracurricular for me."
"You weren't on Agency business," Gibbs says.
Clay glances to the side. "Well, not officially." Straightening his tie, Clay moves to leave. "I'm sorry I couldn't be more help."
"Sadik Fahd," Gibbs says suddenly.
"What?" Kate and I say simultaneously.
He points at Clay. "That's where I've heard your name. In connection with Sadik."
Clay raises his eyebrows, and something akin to respect passes over his face. "You must have some contacts of your own if you know that."
They stare at each other for a moment, then Clay turns to leave. "I'll be in touch," he says. "Right now I have to babysit a Navy lawyer."
*****
I really don't know what we've gained so far, but Gibbs seems a little more content—content for Gibbs, anyway.
Kate and I are checking Major Pickett's computer records, which, as it turns out, are as boring as the phone records. The guy had three country music websites bookmarked, and he was a frequent visitor to the official Fishing Network website.
. . . I'm bored . . .
I glance around to see if Gibbs is in the area. He's nowhere to be seen, so I pull off the cap of my pen and pitch it at Kate, who is bent over a pile of papers. The cap lands on the top of her head. Instead of falling off, it just sits there. Kate reaches up and rubs her head, knocking the cap to the ground.
"Tony," she says, sounding aggravated.
I grin. "Hi."
She sighs wearily. "Tony."
"I lost my cap," I say.
She bends over, scoops up the cap, and hurls it at me.
Right about then, Gibbs walks by. "Oh, come on, Kate," he says. "Grow up."
"Yeah," I smirk.
She glares at me.
I don't know why, but she's my favorite person in the world to irritate. I lean back in my chair and smile at her. She's still glowering at me, but she'll get over it.
"Do you miss him?" I ask.
She looks at me with a blank expression.
"Who?"
"Your non-boyfriend."
"Oh, for God's sake, Tony." She stands up and walks briskly across the room. I don't think she's going anywhere. I just think she wants to get out of answering the question.
"Oh, Kate," I say in a sing-songy voice.
She turns around. "I don't miss him, because I see him socially. We. Are. Friends."
"Okay," I say innocently.
She walks over to me. "Jealous?"
I grimace. "He's not my type," I say.
Gibbs, who has been on the far side of the room, ambles over to us. "Oh, I don't know, Tony," he smiles. "He seems nice."
I can feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. I really dislike it when they gang up on me.
To be honest, I am a little jealous. It's not like I'm in love with Kate or anything. Even if I was, it could never happen. Gibbs would go ballistic if one of us dated another team member. Besides, I think Kate has a crush on Gibbs.
But then, who wouldn't?