Are you sure you know where you're going? Kate peered into the blackness ahead of her.
Yes, I know where I'm going. I checked the map. He mimicked her voice, teasing her slightly to ease the tension in the car.
McGee sat in the back seat, setting up the infrared scanner. Hey Tony, how'd you get them to let you take this anyway?Well, I could tell you, McGee, but then I'd have to shoot you. He glanced in the mirror and saw the other man's disgusted expression. Sighing, he said, I did what any good agent in our situation would do. I told the supply clerk that lives were at stake and we needed the equipment now. They could either get it for me or I'd come in and take it.
Kate smirked. Was it that little brunette who has the huge crush on you?No, it was Marcos. You know, the high school wrestling champ that likes to try to intimidate the newbies in the gym?You mean the one that Gibbs beat twice last month? In front of all the newbies, McGee recalled fondly.
That's the one. When he tried to threaten me, I told him I'd make sure that Gibbs knew it was his fault, since it was Gibbs' woman we were going after. He couldn't get me the scanner fast enough. Kate laughed. Now all you have to do is survive Gibbs when he finds out.He'd better not find out! Tony glared at the other two.
Hey, look! McGee pointed toward a clump of trees. Isn't that Gibbs' car?
Tony slowed and pulled up next to the vehicle tucked under the low-hanging branches. Let's go.
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Gibbs found himself shoved roughly into the cold room he'd observed from outside. As the man behind him stripped him of his cell phone and Sig, he took a moment to scan the meager contents of Leah's prison. On the far wall behind her was a small sideboard table. Resting on top was a gun and an electronic device he couldn't identify from where he stood. He swept his eyes around the room and found that other than the table and the two chairs there was nothing.
The sound of a door banging and footsteps had distracted Ketterer. He turned to look at the men who had entered the room. Leah never took her eyes off the gleam of the needle in her captor's hands.
Gibbs! My, my, that was quick. His tone went cold, as he glared at the chained woman. Too quick. Just what did you do, Hecht?Me? You dialed the damn phone! I just delivered the message. She tossed out her answer carelessly as she prayed that her old partner could pick up the rhythm they once shared.
Ever hear of a cell phone? Gibbs continued smoothly. I wasn't far away when I got your call.
Looking past Gibbs, Ketterer ordered, Chain him up. Then shifting so he could watch them better, he continued. I didn't call your cell.I forwarded my desk phone. Gibbs knew every one of Leah's signs, and the barest movement of her right arm told him he'd most likely answered correctly.
Slowly, Ketterer nodded. Good. Then no one will miss you for a while. I'd like to be long gone when they find your bodies. He stepped to Leah's side and jabbed the needle in her upper arm. Now, let's finish this.
Leah tried to jerk her arm away. What was that? She kept her eyes averted from her ex-partner, arms chained behind him, legs spread and shackled to the chair just as hers were. Instead, she looked up and caught a glimpse of Ed Perry as he headed for the door. He gave her a salute and a sardonic smile as he passed behind Ketterer.
Let's not lose focus, here, Bitch! Her captor waved the now-empty hypodermic in her face, reclaiming her attention. Just a simple dose of Phenergan. A little something for pre-operative discomfort. But don't worry. I gave you enough that you'll be dead long before you need to worry about surgery. And if not, at least you won't feel a thing for the organ donation process. Ketterer smirked as he tossed the used syringe aside and retrieved the gun from the sideboard.
Recognize this? That's right, it's your service weapon, Leah. With your prints all over it. Such a tragedy. Murder/suicide. You killed Gibbs and then injected yourself. You came here to die, wracked with guilt over what you did fifteen years ago.What the hell makes you think anyone who knows either one of us is going to buy that crock of shit, Ketterer? Gibbs' angry voice cut through the room. Ketterer spun and gave the man a hate-filled glare.
Why? Because it was fifteen years ago this very day that you two caused the death of my wife and son.
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They fitted the tiny receivers in their ears and did a quick comm check. McGee stepped forward and began a sweep of the area with the scanner.
Looks clear. There's a concrete bunker halfway down the hill and a smaller structure beyond that with four people in it.Didn't Leah say the hostages and Trainor were in a shack? That must be it. Kate's quiet voice confirmed their thoughts.
If we assume that Leah, Gibbs and Ketterer are three of them, who's the fourth? Tony was slowly moving down the hill, unknowingly following Gibbs' earlier path.
Bad guy? McGee ventured. Whoever he is, he's leaving the building. I'm going to try to get closer to him.Maybe it's Perry. He's still unaccounted for. Kate followed Tony, covering her partner.