Tony directed Leah to the Government Issue sedan the team had used earlier. So, Detective Hecht...Leah, please, she interrupted and gave him a slight smile.

Okay, Leah. He gave her a brilliant smile of his own and after they'd seated themselves in the car he began his not-so-subtle interrogation. You're working with us on this case?Apparently, although I wasn't given a choice in the matter. There are a couple of cold cases with some similarities. My captain and your director decided I would be of more use to you. Leah said the words with bitterness and continued quickly. Sorry. Things haven't been exactly pleasant in my world since Agent Ketterer screwed me and my case while he was botching the forgery bust.Ohhh-kay. Wanna talk about it? Tony knew something had gone horribly wrong with that case, but he'd never heard all the details. Kate had friends who passed on some gossip that made them grateful the investigation had been snatched out from under them shortly after they'd ID'ed some of the major players, but that was it.

Nope. Don't want to and even if I did, I'm not allowed to. About the only thing I am allowed to say is that Ketterer is a complete jackass. She turned and studied his profile as he drove. So what else do you want to know about me, Tony?What's with you and Gibbs? He met her gaze briefly, willing to be as direct with her as she would let him be.

Ah, that's a very complicated answer. What has he told you? The words were delivered with some hesitation, but a small smile played about her lips as she waited for him to answer.

Only that you used to be NCIS. Tony's reply was casual, but he was listening intently to the redhead at his side.

Really. Well, we were partners. He noted that she tried not to grin at his surprise. My last case for NCIS went sour and I resigned. She gave a self-deprecating shrug and stared out the windshield.

Something in her tone told Tony that there was more to it than that, and he spoke gently, hoping she would confide in him. What happened?Sorry, DiNozzo, that's ancient history and I'm not into archaeology. If we're going to dig up anything today it should be the identity of Curtis' corpse. She looked out the side window and ignored all further attempts at conversation.

Tony sighed quietly and thought about what he'd just heard. Matched up with the argument he'd overheard earlier, he wondered just what had happened on their last case, because he'd bet everything he owned Leah and Gibbs were still partners when it soured.