Kate made her way through Leah's small house, photographing the violation. After she'd finished with the bedroom, she thoroughly flashed the bathroom with the dead body in the bathtub. Then she headed for the kitchen, discovering the mess on the counters and floor was spilled coffee grounds. She had just begun to photograph it when she heard raised voices.
Leah, you can't do that. This is a crime scene! You really need to stay out here.I don't care, Tony! I need a goddamned cup of... Leah stopped short at the doorway to the kitchen. she finished. She stared at the scattered grounds covering her usually spotless counter and floor before turning on her heel and stalking back out. Could this day get any worse? she muttered. As she neared the front door she ran smack into the chest of Jethro Gibbs.
Don't you think you should be looking where you're going? Once again, his words were harsher than he'd meant them to be. He'd spotted the photos pinned to the wall the minute he'd entered and he was worried for her safety.
Ever try knocking before just walking in? She looked up at him, but avoided his eyes. Instead, she spotted the coffee he carried; she plucked it desperately from his hand and drank thirstily.
For a moment he just stared in disbelief as she gulped the scalding liquid. Stay here, he said, touching her gently on the shoulder as he moved around her and into the house. Following the sound of voices, he found Tony and Kate in the kitchen, Kate sifting through what appeared to be coffee grounds.
All right, what happened? Gibbs pulled out a pair of gloves and snapped them on as he moved into the bright, cheery room.
Kate recounted the events of Leah's arrival home and what they'd found in the house so far. After she found the body, Tony took her outside and I finished going through the house. I just found this a few minutes ago. She held out a small piece of paper, residue from the coffee grounds coloring it.
Gibbs took it carefully by the corner and read it. Maybe you should watch what you drink. He looked at his two partners. Did she see this?No. She wanted some coffee but when she saw the grounds all over the place she turned and walked out. I stayed in here to help Kate and that's when we found it. It was buried under the grounds on the counter. Tony stood up and turned. Hey, Kate, was there anything interesting in there? He nodded in the direction of the closet that held the major appliances.
She glanced up as she stood. Washer, dryer, hot water heater, she replied shrugging.
Tony walked over and pulled one door all the way open. Mm. This is odd.What's odd? Gibbs joined him. They looked at the few folded garments sitting on top of the dryer.
How many people wash exactly one outfit, right down to the underwear? Tony glanced at his boss as he carefully lifted each piece of clothing. Although she has spectacular taste in lingerie. Ow! He hunched away from the hand that had assaulted his head.
All right. Show me what else there is. Gibbs let Tony lead the way through the house. Tony showed him the pictures taken of him and Leah earlier that day, then directed him to the threatening message on the mirror. As they were looking at the lipsticked words, the two men heard Ducky arrive, his gentle words reassuring Gibbs' former protégé.
Thanks, Duck. I'm glad it's you here. This is just a nightmare, I don't think I could handle one of those twits from Fairfax. She smiled at the older man as he headed into her bathroom.
Gibbs leaned around the corner from her bedroom. Hey, Duck. What've we got?Give me a minute, Gibbs. I just got here. The coroner leaned over the body and began to examine him. Well, he's been moved, like the others. No obvious cause of death. Give me a hand getting him out of the bathtub.
Gibbs and Ducky lifted Ritchey out of the tub and Tony's sharp eyes caught the tear in the seat of his pants. Hey Duck, I think he was shot in the butt.
Leah, standing in the hallway with Tony, paled slightly. She watched as Ducky rolled the body over and carefully examined the back of the man, fingers slipping into three holes in the trousers, exploring the cold flesh beneath. I believe you may be right, Anthony. Looks like three shots, one in the right buttock, one in the right calf and one in the back of the left knee.
Gibbs' head shot up to look at Leah but she was gone. He climbed to his feet and was out of the bathroom in two steps, looking for her. He heard the expletives coming from the bedroom and he strode in to find her in front of an open metal cabinet, swearing furiously.
He'd been worried about her when he'd heard about the locations of those particular gunshots, but he hadn't expected this.
Her head snapped around to focus on him. They're gone. All three of them. And the extra barrels. Goddammit! When I find out who's behind this I swear I'm gonna take a special delight in ripping their balls off! She slammed the heavy cabinet door closed and locked it, then stormed past a stunned Gibbs.
Ah, shit. Leah, wait! Gibbs yelled before going after her.
This is not happening! It's a nightmare. I'm going to wake up and it will all be one horrible, rotten dream. Leah sat on the front steps muttering as Gibbs walked up. She glanced up at him and continued her low-voiced rant. Proof positive this is a nightmare -- no one has this much shit happen to them all in one day. I don't know what the hell I had to drink, but I'm never doing it again.Leah, talk to me. Gibbs sat down next to her.
Definitely a nightmare. She gave him a long look before she allowed her pleading gaze to drift skyward. God, please let me wake up with the world's worst hangover! I swear, I'll never drink again!
Tony emerged from the house and knelt down beside the couple. Boss? Leah? he spoke softly. Sorry, but you're gonna have to move so we can get the body out of here.
Gibbs stood, but Leah took no notice. He bent back down and repeated, Leah, you need to move. When she still didn't respond, he did the only thing he could do -- he reached down and pulled her out of the way, bringing her into his arms.
This. Is. Not. Real. She pounded her fists against his chest and drew in a shuddering breath.
Sliding his hands along her waist, curling his fingers into the waistband of her slacks, he whispered in her ear, It's okay, let it out. Suddenly he was rocked backwards.
No! No way, Gibbs. She snarled his name to put them both in their place as she shoved him away. Whoever did this studied me, they had access to information they shouldn't have been able to find. She stopped to run a shaking hand through her hair. Somebody wants me to fall apart over this, and I swear it's connected to those cold cases. Well, I'm not giving in. She headed back into her house leaving Gibbs standing on the porch staring after her.
Tony spoke from the bottom of the porch steps.
Gibbs' head whipped around and he focused on the man. Excuse me?The movie. Tony cocked his head at his boss. Charles Boyer slowly drives his wife Ingrid Bergman mad. You've never seen it?No, DiNozzo, I've never seen it. What's that have to do with this?
Go rent the movie. First: you could use it to unwind for a couple of hours, he said, holding up a hand at the threatening expression on Gibbs' face. And second: I get the feeling that's what's going on here. I don't even know Leah, but from the very little she's said to me, it's obvious someone's anxious to get her off this case. He walked up the steps past his boss and back into the house.
Seconds later, Leah reemerged carrying a small overnight bag. And where are you going? Gibbs stepped into her path, seeing she had no intention of talking to him on her way past.
Christ, Gibbs, I'm beat. Can't it wait until morning? She kept her eyes averted, her emotions raw and unable to cope with the man in front of her.
Leah, where are you going? Carefully, gently he tipped her chin up so he could look at her face. She allowed it, but only for a second.
I was going back to the office. I have something I need to do. Then I figured I'd crash under the desk for old times' sake.
The words were out of his mouth before his brain could stop them. I'll take you back to my place. You're parked in here anyway, might as well come with me. The shock on her face at his offer made the grin on his face widen.
Something in her brain screamed Oh no, bad idea!' while every fiber of her being went on high alert. Finally a synapse or two fired and she managed a sentence. I don't suppose you have some decent coffee, do you?I think I can manage a cup or two. Hang on while I tell Kate and Tony where we're going. He stuck his head inside the door and let the couple know that he and Leah were leaving. Then he took Leah's bag from her and placed a hand on her back, relishing the feel of being close to her, and guided her to his car.