Disclaimer: The show NCIS and its characters do not belong to me. They are the property of Donald Bellisario, CBS, Paramount and whomever else I may have omitted.

Chapter Five

(1)

"Gibbs" Abby came racing into the NCIS bullpen and stopped in front of Gibbs who looked up

'Yes, Abby,' he set down his pen. 'What's up?'

'Tony woke up. Well, not really woke up but he regained consciousness long enough to tell me something. Well he didn't exactly tell me. I mean he can't talk with a tube down his throat but he did tell me in his own way and... '

'Abby to the point please, what did DiNozzo tell you.'

'He wrote on my hand. Spelt out the name of the person whom I'm pretty sure tired to kill him and probably killed Johnson too but that isn't established yet is it.'

Gibbs radar was instantly up. 'Okay Abby that's great what did he give you.'

'Brad Cott,' Abby told him. 'He lost consciousness again before he could finish.'

'Bard Cott,' Jesmond snorted. 'Sure he wasn't trying to tell you the name of Brad Cotter the Nashville Star.'

'Brad who? Nashville what?' Gibbs frowned.

'Nashville Star Gibbs, it's like American Idol but for country music artists hence the Nashville Star.' Abby told him and then flashed a look at Jesmond. 'I doubt that Tony would even know what a Nashville Star was let alone be trying to tell me that when he's lying in hospital fighting for his life. Anyway,' she turned to Kate. 'I'm sure you'll get a hit when you run that partial through the data base.'

Kate nodded and pursed her lips together in thought then picked up one of the files and started to flip through it. Brad Cott rang a bell and it was somewhere in the case notes that Tony had written up from the previous investigation. Now she just had to find it again.

'Abby how do you know about Nashville Star,' Gibbs couldn't understand how someone who was Goth would know about that particular music genre.

'I read Gibbs besides it amazing what little titbits of information you can pick up along the way when you really try.' She threw a look at Jesmond that would have caused him to drop dead in his seat if looks could be lethal. 'Anyway I better head back I'll have a report on the analysis of the evidence from Johnson's home to you as soon as I can.'

'Even sooner Abby if you please, I want these bastards and.. '

'You want them yesterday,' Abby nodded. 'I'm on it Gibbs. See you as soon as I have anything. Oh that test you ordered should be through soon. See ya guys, Kate,' she noted that Todd was deep in thought as she read the file so wasn't offended when she didn't get a reply.

'Good Abby and thanks.' Gibbs called to her as she left the office to head down to the lab then turned to Jesmond. 'Why are you still here?'

'Because I haven't been exactly included in this like a team member would be,' came the snappy reply.

'Well get you tail out to the base where Anita Johnson worked,' he handed Jesmond a piece of paper. 'I want to find out more about this woman, how she knew about the robberies and what, if any her connection to Tony is. Take McGee with you.'

'Me!' Timothy McGee looked up. He was a computer genius whose computer skills were usually more essential to the team then his field work

'Yes you McGee,' he inclined his head towards the elevator as the two men left. 'Oh and don't come back until you have something, and McGee.'

'Yes boss,' Tim turned back to him.

'You'll be fine.'

'Righto boss,' McGee said as the elevator doors opened and he followed Jesmond aboard, the door closing and leaving Gibbs and Kate alone.

'What is it Kate?' Gibbs asked her. 'He knew her well enough to know that something was up. Besides, her brow was furrowed and she was way too quiet.

'It's something I read in this report,' Kate replied without looking up. 'I recognised the name when Abby said it although it's,' there was a pause. 'Here it is,' she looked up and Gibbs walked over to stand behind her. 'Braden Cottell, also know as simply Brad Cottell, Tony and Special Agent Vince Jackson interviewed Petty Officer Cottell regarding the previous robberies. Tony noted that Cottell was extremely hostile and uncooperative with him and put it down to their past history. He distanced himself from this part of the investigation and allowed Jackson to conduct the rest of the interview alone.'

'Damn I should have remembered it.' Gibbs tone was hard but it was not directed at Kate. 'I should have remembered.'

'Gibbs you are only human you can't remember every case and every person in that investigation'

'I should have remembered this,' he turned away from Kate and started to pace. 'It was in Baltimore, Tony arrested Martin Cottell, Braden's older brother who was murdered in prison,' he stopped and turned back to Kate. 'If Cottell is our man then it wasn't a case of getting sloppy, he wanted DiNozzo to die the same painful death his brother did. He blamed Tony as the arresting officer for putting his brother behind bars and therefore in his twisted mind Tony was partially responsible for Martin's murder.'

'Yes, Tony has noted that. Apparently the brother was,'

'Was kicked to death,' Gibbs cut in on her. 'The injuries he sustained not unlike the ones inflicted on Tony. It took Cottell hours to die, that was why Tony wasn't shot in the head. That was why there was no quick death and why he was left to die slowly and painfully and would have if that patrol hadn't found him when they did. DAMN!' he banged a fist on the table. 'Considering his injuries I should have remembered.'

Kate closed her eyes, it was futile to try to reason with Gibbs when he was in this mood, he could be hard on his team but he was far harder on himself.

'Do you think it's possible that this whole thing was a setup? A trap for Tony. That Johnson deliberately handed Tony bogus information so that he could be lured to his death.'

'No,' Gibbs shook his head. 'Remember Kate he tried to call me. There was no way they could have known he would be out there alone. Also Johnson was murdered. Of course there is no honour among thieves but I would say no to the setup angle.'

'Okay then, so what now?'

Now we go out and talk to Cottell's superior and colleagues.'

'Right with you Gibbs,' she closed the file and followed him to the elevator hoping that this vital piece of information would lead to a speedy conclusion to this investigation. She was hoping but she somehow doubted it would be the case.

(2)

'So Commander Daley what can you tell us about Lieutenant Anita Johnson.' Jesmond asked Anita's superior.

'She was a hard worker,' Trent Daley rubbed a hand over his face. 'Anita was an exemplary officer who led by example and was admired by those who worked with her because of her ethics. I just can't believe that she became involved with something that led to her death and the serious injury of your colleague. '

'Well believe it,' McGee told him, getting a lethal look from Jesmond for what the older man considered to be McGee's stepping out of line.

'Was there anyone in particular that she was involved with. '

'No. Anita didn't have time for relationships.'

'Now that is strange Commander considering the fact that Anita Johnson was pregnant.' Simon pursed his lips in thought. 'Now I for one don't buy the theory of immaculate conception so...'

'Of course not but aside from Lieutenant Darren Collins there really wasn't any man that she ever mentioned. She and Darren were close friends as well as colleagues.'

''Define friends please,' McGee frowned. 'Is there any possibility that he could be the father of Lieutenant Johnson's child?

'Absolutely no chance,' Daley shook his head.

'You seem very certain of that.'

'I am. Darren Collins is gay He'd be more interested in either of you then the sexiest female on the planet.'

'Eww,' Jesmond pulled a face.

'Something wrong Special Agent Jesmond.'

'No not really,' he gave McGee a sideways glance that said shut up, don't say a word, I'm doing the talking understand, before continuing. ''To your knowledge did she know anyone by the name of Brad?'

'Petty Officer Braden Cottell? Anita knew him. So do I. Why are you asking? I can assure you that Braden wouldn't hurt a fly.'

'Commander Daley,' Jesmond shook his head. 'Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo regained consciousness this morning long enough to relay to us that some named Brad Cottell was the one who tired to kill him.' Yes it was lie but this had to be the Brad Cott that DiNozzo had tried to tell that weirdo lab technician about.

'I know Braden and I find that very hard to believe.'

Neither Agent commented on that. 'You said you and Anita knew him. How did you know him?'

'Well he was stationed here with us, before he moved to naval supplies store clerk about three years ago. He was also Collins cousin.'

At this piece of information McGee and Jesmond exchanged glances. Gibbs would be pleased it seemed as if they were really starting to connect the dots now.

'We're going to need to speak to Lieutenant Collins,' Jesmond told him. 'Is he around?'

'No he's on leave at present.'

Oh how convenient, Jesmond snorted. 'So where does he live? It's important to our investigation.'

'I think you're barking up the wrong tree but,' his fingers tapped the computer keyboard. 'Okay its...' he gave them the address that both men jotted down. 'I'm assuming you want Braden's address as well.'

'Yes we most certainly do if you have it there.' McGee told him.

'I can give both addresses to you but as I said it's a complete waste of time. You are definitely heading up the wrong pathway.

'Then if we are Commander we will double back but somehow I doubt that we are,' Jesmond replied. 'Is there anyone you can think of that may be able to assist us in locating Lieutenant Johnson's lover.'

'Hmm,' he thought for a moment. 'Look I can tell you someone who might be able to tell you more. Lieutenant Angela Kramer. She and Anita were real tight. I would bet a years' wage that if anyone knew the identity of Anita's lover and the father of the child she was carrying it would be Kramer.

'Is she here at present?'

'Yes she is. Hers is the office down the hall turn right and the third door on the left.'

'There you go commander,' Jesmond, snapped his note book shut and stood to leave, McGee, likewise standing. 'Now that wasn't so hard was it? Come on kid we're out of there.' He strode towards the exit, McGee several steps behind but not before he turned to mouth thank you at Daley who nodded and then, when the two men were gone he picked up his phone and made a call.

'It's me,' he whispered into the phone. 'We've got problems.'

(3)

'You want to know where Petty Officer Cottell is. So do I damn it! He's been AWOL for the last two days. Why does NCIS want to speak with him? What's he done?' Master Chief Petty Officer Mark Henderson shook his head.

'He tried to kill a Special Agent, one of my people, two days ago.'

'Really,' Henderson was surprised. 'I find that hard to believe but it would explain why he's done a runner.'

'Yes it does. Is there anywhere he may have gone to your knowledge? We know for a fact that he originally came from Baltimore.'

'He wouldn't go back there. Too many bad memories, his brother was done for murder and died in prison. No he wouldn't go back there but I'll tell you who might know.'

'Who would that be?' Kate enquired.

'His cousin Lieutenant Darren Collins, they are polls apart in rank but are still kin and pretty close,' he paused. 'You really believe that Braden tried to kill your Agent.'

'We know he did,' Gibbs replied as his mobile rang and he excused himself. 'Gibbs. Where? Alright we'll be there,' he disconnected the call. 'Kate, come on,' he turned to Henderson. ''We've just found Cottell.'

'Really,' Henderson nodded. 'What does he have to say for himself?'

'Not much. He's dead,' without further comment Gibbs strode out of Henderson's office Kate literally running to keep up with him.

'He's dead!' she gasped after finally catching up with him. Although this piece of news didn't really surprise her.

'Yeah Kate and the body wasn't suppose to be found for a very long time.'

'Then how was it discovered?'

'Bush walkers got lost and found the body, two bodies actually. It was an area earmarked for a back burning operation that was to have commenced yesterday but didn't because of the lost hikers.'

'Then we got lucky.'

'Yeah maybe we did, although I doubt that Lieutenant Darren Collins or Petty Officer Cottell can now tell us anything that we don't already know.'

'You think they died because they didn't finish the job on Tony?' Kate asked and was rewarded by a hard look.

'I don't think that Kate,' he replied gruffly. I know it, and so do you.'

(4)

'Well what did you make of that?' McGee shook his head after their interview with Angela Kramer.

'Johnson and DiNozzo were lovers. Had to be, I mean you heard the Kramer woman. Anita would constantly talk about this guy T. T for Tony.'

'His name is Anthony,' McGee shook his head.

'Yeah and who calls him that. Do you.'

'No.'

Then there you have it. She found out information about the robberies and gave it to her lover. Simple'

McGee shook his head. 'I don't think we should jump to conclusions here. I mean Commander Daley's name is Trent and there is a Thomas and a Terry on this list. Both of them are co workers who could easily be the lover and father of the baby. Besides, if Johnson was connected to Tony in that way wouldn't she have enquired about his condition? I mean sure if she was scared. go and run like hell but she didn't run straight away and she didn't enquire about Tony so doesn't that rule him out pretty much.'

'Nah my money is still on DiNozzo. He's a randy bugger so I've heard and not too bright upstairs probably wasn't adequately protected.'

McGee gave the older man a look that was pure loathing 'Well we'll have to agree to disagree there.' his tone was ice cold. 'So where to next?'

'Where do you think Einstein? We work our way through the list of co workers you just mentioned. Gibbs wants information and we are going to get him as much as humanly possible.'

McGee nodded. It was a slow process but at least tiny pieces of the puzzle were beginning to fall into place and he couldn't help but wonder how Kate and Gibbs were progressing and if there had been any more improvement in Tony's condition. Also Timothy McGee was certain Daley was lying. He'd said that Anita had never mentioned any man except her colleague, the gay Darren Collins and yet Angela had told them her friend was involved with a mystery man she simply called T and spoke about him constantly. Now Daley's name was Trent so the chances were extremely high that he was the mysterious T. Of course he'd reserve judgement until they'd spoken to the other two T's on the list of people to be interviewed and he'd have to run his theory past Gibbs once they got back to the office but everything pointed to Daley as being their man, well at least in the fatherhood stakes and nothing was going to convince him otherwise.