Hey, Kate, who was that woman with Gibbs? McGee followed the brunette as they headed for the parking lot.
Detective Leah Hecht, Arlington PD. She was on the scene this morning when we arrived. As for what she's doing here now? I have no idea. Kate stopped abruptly and looked around the lot. McGee, did you check out a car? Tony apparently took the one we used.Right over here. Want me to drive?
Sure, McGee. Do you know where you're going? Kate gave a half smile at the thought of McGee knowing where all the hookers hung out.
More or less. I'm hoping we'll get lucky. Well, not, get lucky... I mean, that we'll catch a break, you know, with a lead. The words rushed out as he tried to correct his sentence.
It's okay, McGee. I know what you mean. Kate sat back in the seat, closed her eyes and thought about Leah and Gibbs. She never did get together with Leah for lunch like they'd promised each other. Now she wished she had, she might have gained a little insight into the tension between her and Gibbs. Their brief interaction earlier was only marginally testier than normal for her boss, but it was rife with personal undertones. If they were going to conduct the entire case in that fashion, she just might be tempted to lock them in the janitor's closet until they sorted out their problems.
Um, Kate? Are you okay? McGee was tentative, he didn't want to disturb her, but the frown on her face was troublesome.
Sorry, just thinking. What did you want? Kate sat up and looked around. They were in a relatively clean, but run-down looking neighborhood.
From what I've heard, this is a good a place to start. McGee opened his door and got out, looking slightly unsure of precisely which building he should approach first. Kate followed his lead and extracted herself from the car, smiling as a working girl approached McGee with a proposition.
Yo, baby. You ain't gonna catch nothin' lookin' like that! Kate spun around to find two young women eyeing her suit with disdain. One smothered a laugh as the other indicated her own tight, skimpy clothing. Sweetie, you gotta put the merchandise on display if you gonna snag you somethin'.
Kate looked over the girls carefully. At first glance they appeared to be in their late teens, their provocative attire accentuating the swell of high breasts and narrow waists. Closer inspection revealed that skillful makeup application disguised their youth and the agent found herself somewhere between appalled that these were children selling themselves and angered at their insolence. Rather than respond to their charges of fashion misconduct she began to question them.
I was hoping you could tell me if you'd seen this man... The words died in her throat as one of them stepped close and ran her fingers under the lapel of her jacket in a blatantly sexual manner.
Sugar, I see lots of men. Don't see too many pretty women though, even if they are all uptight. The blonde's voice was playful and an ivory hand with flawless pink nails reached up and unbuttoned the next button on Kate's blouse.
I'm a federal agent. Now cut the crap and answer my question. Have you seen this man? Kate kept her voice hard as she stepped aside from the overeager blonde.
The other girl, a curly headed brunette, reached for the picture Kate held. Yeah, I know him. Davey. All the girls know him. He's a sweet guy. You gonna bust his ass for making time with a hooker? She glared at Kate, holding onto the picture.
No, I'm not going to bust him. Do you remember the last time you saw him? The blonde had closed in on Kate again and the agent was trying to maintain control of the interview without giving ground to the little predator.
Candy, quit that shit. She ain't interested in playin' with you. The blonde obediently backed away from Kate, pouting. Her friend continued, Davey comes and goes. Don't remember when I seen him last. What's it to you? Her tone had become less belligerent and more curious.
Unfortunately, Petty Officer Willard was found dead this morning. Before Kate could say another word, both girls reacted.
Whoa, don't come down her tryin' to pin no murder on nobody! We keep clean here; don't none of us need that shit! Candy's words were brave but her manner was frightened. Her friend simply narrowed her dark eyes and spit her next question at Kate.
So what you want with us, Miz Fed? Davey was a sweetie, wouldn't hurt none of the girls for nothing. And keep pushin' your pretty little nose around where it don't belong, people gonna get unhappy.All I'm trying to do is figure out where he was. He was on liberty and no one knows when he went missing or from where. They seemed to think about this for a minute and Kate waited, not wanting to alienate these girls.
Kitty. My name. Look, everybody down here knew Davey and you can spend all day talkin' to em if you want. But you're an outsider, so even if they know somethin', they ain't gonna tell you. I liked Davey a lot, he was real nice to me, not mean like some of these bastards. If you're looking to help Davey, I'll help you. You got some way I can get hold of you? The girl chewed at her deep red lip nervously, and Kate realized that the child had just put herself on the line by agreeing to help a Fed.
Yeah, here's my card. Call me anytime, okay? Either of you. Kate took the picture of Willard in exchange for her contact card and she smiled at both of the girls.
Caitlin, huh? Nice name. Take some advice, Caitlin. You want to catch a live man instead of a dead one, you gotta do something about those clothes, girl! Kitty shook her head as the two girls sashayed off. Kate stared after them thinking they were quite likely far too young to live the life they did, but uncertain of any way to change it. Deciding there wasn't much point in standing outside the car, she sat back down inside the vehicle and waited for McGee, trying to think of anything besides babies bartering their bodies on the street.