Tony looked over at his boss' desk for the tenth time in as many minutes. It was unlike Gibbs to be late, let alone this late. No, I don't know where he is, and that's the fourth time you've asked me! Go bug Abby; you're starting to make me crazy! Kate was just as worried as Tony, but lacking information she was trying to be patient. She looked up to see the hurt look flash across his face. I'm sorry, Tony. I didn't mean to snap.I know, he sighed. Maybe he and Leah just got... distracted this morning, he said jokingly, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
Somehow I don't see Gibbs letting any woman distract him from work, do you? Kate shook her head as she thought about Tony's comment.
I was kidding, Kate. Don't you -- The ringing of the phone interrupted him.
he said casually. Suddenly he sat up straight. Yes... We're on our way. He looked concernedly at his partner. Well, we've got bigger things to worry about. Morrow wants to see the two of us. Now. Kate stood up and smoothed her skirt nervously.
Don't know, but it doesn't do to keep the Director waiting. Tony placed his hand on her back protectively as they complied with the summons.
When they entered the outer office, Morrow's assistant glanced up. Instead of announcing them, as expected, she slipped out from behind her desk and ushered them into the inner office herself, giving them a worried look. Tony pressed his fingers against Kate's back in reassurance just before he dropped his hand to his side as the door opened.
Agent DiNozzo, Agent Todd. Thank you for joining us. We need to know exactly what happened last night at Detective Hecht's house. There was no inflection in the man's speech, as all eyes in the room focused on the newcomers.
Tony quickly assessed the faces in the room. Leah and Gibbs sat off to the side of Morrow's desk, anger apparent in their faces and body language. Two cops, captains by their insignia, sat directly in front of the desk, mistrust directed toward the angry couple. Clearing his throat, Tony stepped away from the door and began.
Detective Hecht, Agent Todd and I went to dinner last night. During dinner, we gave Leah our contact information since we were to be working on our current case together and we'd hoped to become friendlier with her. Later, I received a call from her stating that she believed someone had been in her house. He continued to detail the night's events, careful to leave out his personal opinions until he knew more about the situation in the tense office.
Thank you, Agent DiNozzo. Agent Todd?Yes, Sir? Kate had been waiting quietly in the hostile atmosphere, trying unsuccessfully to sort out the factions.
Can you add anything to DiNozzo's report?No, Sir. She flicked a glance first at Tony, then at Gibbs. Gibbs met her gaze and gave her a faint nod. Hoping she interpreted the gesture correctly, she took a breath and continued. Agent DiNozzo was very thorough. I did get the impression, however... She deliberately let the words die out, waiting to see if Morrow would ask her to continue.
I don't think we need to waste our time with biased opinions, Morrow, sniped one of the police captains.
Before Morrow could respond, Gibbs cut in. Agent Todd is a trained profiler and former Secret Service. I hardly think her observations could be considered biased opinions'. His voice was cold and his icy eyes pinned both captains to their chairs.
I consider Agent Todd a valuable resource for this agency, as I do all my agents. If she feels she has something pertinent to add, then I'd like to hear it. Morrow's voice was hard as he spoke, showing emotion for the first time since Kate and Tony had entered the room. Now, Agent Todd, what was your impression?This had a very personal feel to it, Sir. The photographs pinned to her wall are indicative of stalking behavior, as is the message on her mirror. The fact that the perp used her favorite lipstick means he was either lucky or he knew her, and I'm inclined toward the latter because of the word baby' in the message. The coffee grounds in her kitchen were the only thing spilled; no flour, sugar, milk -- nothing else that is commonly scattered in this type of crime. The combination of coffee and the note suggests, again, that the perp has studied Leah's habits. In addition, the one set of laundered clothing holds some significance, although at this point I'm uncertain of its precise nature. I'm still uncertain of precisely how Captain Ritchey's murder fits into this, other than the fact that he was her superior. Kate felt the weight of all the eyes in the room on her, but she held Morrow's gaze.
I'll tell you how it connects. That bitch murdered Doug! The other captain rose halfway out of his seat, fury coloring his face.
Howards! Sit down and shut up! Morrow, furious himself, snapped at the officer. We don't know what happened yet.
Tony spoke up, quietly, from his place at the back of the room. Last night Ducky said that Ritchey had been dead over twenty-four hours. At the shocked looks from both Leah and Gibbs, Tony added, You'd gone outside before Ducky did the liver probe.That means Ritchey died sometime on Monday? Leah's anger was overlaid with confusion.
Monday? So he was murdered at least a day before we found him? Kate was confused now, too.
The director shook his head. Now, wait a minute, that's not possible. I talked to him yesterday. We discussed Agent Gibbs' team's current case and the possible overlap with Hecht's cold cases. He agreed that assigning Detective Hecht to NCIS temporarily would be wise. Morrow didn't seem happy with the direction of the conversation either. Captain Howards, Captain Gleason, I understand your frustration with having this crime taken over by NCIS. He held up a hand to forestall the protests forming on the men's lips. I know you each have valid reasons why you believe that this case should be under your jurisdiction, but seeing as how Detective Hecht has been temporarily assigned to us by someone, and seems to be targeted personally, I would prefer it if you would cede this case to us. For everyone's safety.
The two captains unhappily gave their agreement. Captain Howards glared threateningly at Leah as he rose to leave, saying, Just be sure you don't ignore the obvious path, Sir.
As soon as the door closed behind the men, Morrow looked at the four remaining guests. I'm not happy. The four of you need to get on the same page. Do it and solve this before it gets ugly. Understood? He turned his attention to the files on his desk, his dismissal clear.
The agents filed out of the office and headed down to the bullpen. Once again Gibbs followed Leah, once again he found himself exceedingly aware of her body. Whereas before she flowed with sensuality, now she was rigid with suppressed fury. She didn't sway close to him, but held herself stiffly away.
Tony and Kate followed, seeing the anger between the former partners. He leaned down and whispered in Kate's ear, Guess they didn't burn up the sheets.Not now, Tony! she whispered back. There's something else going on here.
Leah stopped in front of Gibbs' desk and whirled around, causing him to stop quickly. We need a briefing room to do this. I am not going to have this discussion out here. Her words were cold and hard.
Well, I don't know if one's available. Besides, Tony and Kate have a right to know what you've been keeping secret. Don't you think? Gibbs got in her face, throwing cold tones back at her.
I don't exactly walk around advertising everything that's ever happened to me. Tell me, Gibbs, have you bared your soul to everyone here? Her volley became scathing.
If it's work-related, I don't hold it back. I put it out there so my team has all the information they need. A smug smile crossed his face, feeling like he'd scored a point.
And what if it were intensely personal, Jeth, what then? Would you really put it all out there for your team? Or would you hope that it didn't come to that? She verbally retaliated, knowing there were certain personal things he wouldn't share.
This isn't personal, it involves an old case. One of our old cases. You owe me an explanation. Hell, you owe me more than that, damn it! He wasn't pulling punches anymore. She wanted this to be personal, he'd make it personal.
I don't owe you a damn thing! Hell, I could blame this whole thing on you! If you had trusted me, trusted my ability in the first place, that bastard never would have hunted me! I owe you. You self-absorbed, self-righteous bastard! You owe me! And with that final smackdown she spun on her heel and stormed out.
Aw, shit. Leah! He started to go after her, but stopped at the feel of hand on his arm.
Gibbs, don't. Kate spoke quietly.
She can't be left alone, Kate. Someone has to stay with her. He ran a hand over his face, already regretting his heated words.
Then let one of us go. She glanced at Tony, who nodded and headed for the elevator. Now sit down, and talk to me. What's going on?
Gibbs shook his head. It's better if we do this all at once. There's a lot Leah and I need to tell you about an old case, our last case, and there's a lot more after that, that I only have pieces of. Somehow it all ties into what happened last night. She's convinced that it all ties to the two cold cases she's working on, and those are seemingly tied to the two bodies we found yesterday. He rubbed his eyes and pecked at the keys on his computer halfheartedly.
Three bodies, if you count Ritchey. What was all that about her being the murderer? Kate leaned against her desk, watching her boss carefully. Do they really think she killed her captain? She stayed silent about the fact that she and Tony had considered the possibility, as well.
I don't know. Do you? Someone went to a lot of trouble to set her up if she didn't. Arlington received an anonymous tip about the body, naming her as the killer. She doesn't have an alibi for Monday, apparently. Then there's the bit about the one clean outfit we found on her dryer, plus the stolen guns. It doesn't look good. Add to that the fact that Leah's an expert marksman, and yeah, someone wants her to look guilty as hell. But I don't think she did it.All right. Let Tony track her down and give her some time to cool off. Then we'll get everybody together and we'll go over everything. She paused, thinking about what she knew of the woman. She has a hell of a temper, but I don't see her as a murderer, so we need to start trying to figure out who's setting her up.