An hour later Leah and Gibbs walked through the doors of NCIS' office building, leaving the dusky day behind them for the fluorescence of the workplace. They entered the elevator and promptly hit different buttons.
We're going to the lab to see Abby, he reminded her.
I'm going to my desk first to drop off my jacket and grab something out of Lowry's file box. Something's bugging me.
Fine, come on down when you're done. He smiled at her in the privacy of the elevator, then assumed his businesslike demeanor the minute the doors opened outside the forensics lab.
She laughed softly to herself as she rode the elevator back up to the bullpen and walked the short distance to her desk. Her steps slowed, uncertain, when she noticed the file boxes were missing from their previous resting place. Instead, there was a thick manila envelope with her first name printed in heavy black marker centered on her desk.
She hesitated, and then remembering Jeth always kept gloves in his desk, walked quickly to get a pair. She was so focused on her task that the harsh voice startled her.
What do you think you're doing? Leah jerked around in surprise and glared at McGee who had come up quietly behind her.
Getting gloves. As long as you're here, grab a pair and come with me. She infused the words with as much authority as she could muster, needing to be in charge instead of on the defensive. She moved quickly back to her desk, hearing McGee follow.
Standing two feet away from the desk, she pointed at the object. Do you want to open it, or should I?
It's addressed to you, be my guest. He met her eyes and she could read the mistrust he still held for her.
she nodded, and stepped up to the desk. The only seal was the metal clasp, and after carefully unbending it she peered inside. she said, half to herself as she reached in and drew them out. She could feel McGee move closer, but suddenly her blood ran cold as she realized the photographer had captured her and Gibbs in a most intimate moment.
The word was almost inaudible as numb fingers dropped lurid candid after candid on the desk. She couldn't even count them as she fought the rising wave of nausea. Placing her fists on the desk she braced herself as she sucked in air then spoke to the shocked man next to her. When did this arrive?I have no idea. I've been in the lab most of the day with Abby, tracking down the FBI team from your old case with Gibbs. He watched her carefully to see what effect the statement would have on her. He was unprepared for the intensity in her eyes when she snapped her head up.
The FBI team? Why would you need... She went silent for a moment and her mouth formed a perfect as realization struck. Of course! The cold cases. They were members of the team? At his nod, she continued. Who else is on that list? She watched him as her hands blindly gathered up the vile pictures.
I just finished cracking the last two, one is some guy named Ed Perry and the other is a guy named Ian Ketterer. They were encrypted through the CIA for some reason and... He trailed off as the color drained from Leah's face.
Oh, shit. Oh, shit! No, no, no. She paced the length of the office and turned back, muttering, Doug, damn it, what did you get us into? All right, think, Hecht.Don't you think we ought to go tell Gibbs about this? McGee put the abandoned stack of pictures back in the envelope and turned toward the elevator. If he could get her to the lab, then he and Abby might be able to reason with her.
She grabbed the envelope from his hand. Did you look at this? She started to reach inside.
Leah, I don't think I need... he began hesitantly.
She thrust a picture in his hands as she cut him off. Look! Not at me and Gibbs, at the angle the thing was taken from!
At the sharpness, in her voice McGee suddenly detached himself from the obvious intimacy of the bodies and saw what she meant. He tore his gaze from the print and looked her in the eye.
That was taken this afternoon, McGee. She sighed and paced in a tight circle. It's got to be Ketterer behind this. But why? She shoved the photo back in the envelope and laid it back on her desk exactly as she found it. Stripping off her gloves, she looked over the agent next to her with a critical eye. McGee, I need a ride.A ride? Wait, what makes you think Ketterer's behind these photos? He couldn't keep up with her shifts in logic. He tried again to move her toward the elevator. We have to tell Gibbs about this. He needs to know about the cameras in his house and whatever you know about the FBI team and... his voice weakened as her sea-blue gaze pinned him the same way Gibbs' icy one did.
Gut feeling. I don't like the rate at which dead bodies are turning up. And I don't think I like the message someone's trying to send me, she muttered, waving a hand at the offending object in the center of her desk. Ketterer and I have already gone head to head once this year, and I don't like the coincidence of having him turn up in this case, too. She pulled her pistol out of her holster and checked the clip.
All the more reason to tell the rest of the team! McGee urged. He reached for the envelope and she shifted to block his access.
Tim, is it? At his nod, she continued. Tim, I know you don't trust me. Unfortunately, this isn't going to help. She leveled the weapon at him as she spoke. We're going for a ride. Now. And you're not calling anybody, so get your hand off your phone. Drop your stuff over there and gloves in the trash. Let's go.
His eyes widened when he saw she wasn't kidding and he backpedaled toward the elevator. He managed not to squeak when he asked after they boarded the car.
She shook her head and faced him, leaning close. The walls have ears, she mouthed. When the doors opened she was right behind him, gun hidden in his back. She gave a friendly wave to the guard on duty at the desk and then whispered in McGee's ear. Trust me, Tim. I won't hurt you.
McGee smiled and waved to the guard as well, trying not to shake as he did so. They pushed through the doors into the cool evening air and started to head toward a pool sedan.
No, Tim. Your car, Leah chided. They switched directions and headed for a midsized car. McGee fumbled the keys before unlocking the doors. He headed for the driver's side and she laughed. Come on, kiddo. You've never done this before, have you? Passenger side and slide over. That way I keep my gun on you the whole time.You want me to trust you. Why won't you trust me? He looked at her nervously as they walked around the car.
Surveillance cameras. Rule Number One: Never break your cover. They slid into the car, awkwardly past the console and settled into their seats.
Where to? He started the car and headed for the exit to the lot. And Tony told me Rule Number One was Never let suspects stay together'.
She let out a sharp bark of laughter. Oh, Jeth! That man and his rules! Live by mine, kiddo. They'll keep you alive. We need to go to my place. Remember how to get there? McGee nodded.
Once they were safely out of the parking lot, Leah relaxed a moment and McGee moved his hand toward his phone. Nice try, Tim. Now hand it over. I'll tell them where we are when I'm ready.
He reluctantly complied and as he did so, both his phone and hers began to ring. Guess we've been gone too long. She switched the devices off. Now they can't trace us. Forgive me, Jeth, but I'd like you alive a little longer, she muttered.
So, McGee, ever done any undercover work? Leah eyed the driver carefully as he answered.
No, none. I take it you have? His tone was interested but still skeptical.
It's just about all I've done since I left Denver. I look like a dirty cop because that's what I specialize in. At his look, she shrugged. Believe what you want. As far as tonight goes, you do what I say. Got that? He kept his eyes on the road, not at all sure what to think, and his uncertainty was betrayed in his voice.
McGee, this is serious. Rule One, never break cover. You are what I say you are at any given point tonight. Hostage, buddy, stranger, village idiot. Be it instantly and don't be anything else. Got it?
The sudden hardness in her voice surprised him. Okay, got it. What's Rule Two?Never draw attention to yourself. Wherever you are, blend in. The rest of the rules probably won't matter for tonight. She looked around as they neared her neighborhood. I'm going to need you to trust me. Got any cuffs on you? he said slowly. Hand them over now then pull up in front of the house. Leah cocked the Beretta, but left the safety on and aimed it at his head as she took the cuffs McGee held out. Got the key on your key ring?
He nodded, and she gave a short one in return as he parked the car in front of her house. Put your hands on the wheel. She proceeded to cuff him securely, looping the cuffs through the wheel. I'm saving your life, she whispered. Don't do anything but sit here like a good, frightened hostage. She removed the keys from the ignition and slipped them in her jacket pocket.
She slid out of the car, taking a moment to wave the gun at her manacled driver through the half-open window. Be a good boy and stay quiet and I promise I won't shoot you when I get back. Then she sauntered up to the front door of her house and disappeared inside.
McGee sat looking after her, wondering what the hell he'd gotten into.