What makes you think you could have talked Trainor out? Leah asked, feeling a slight lethargy seep into her limbs. She did her best to ignore it and focused on her captor. Ketterer had begun his verbal defense for an insanity plea, and she wanted to keep him talking for as long as possible.
Because Trainor and I were partners, you idiot! He loomed over her. You two couldn't leave anything alone, could you? You just had to keep at it. He swung the gun around and pointed it at Gibbs. That's why he's gonna die and you're gonna watch. Just like I had to.And you! Ketterer spit in Gibbs' face. How does it feel watching her, knowing every minute you sit here, she's slipping away from you. With an evil look, he slipped around the chair. Leaning his head up against Gibbs', they faced the woman and he ran the gun along his victim's other cheek. Look at her. She is beautiful, isn't she. And you're going to die, knowing you can't save her.
Sharp voiced, she pulled his attention back from Jeth. So if he was your partner, why'd Trainor shoot your wife and kid? Why'd he even take the hostages? She deliberately kept her eyes off the man chained across from her.
I told you! He raged at them as he shoved the gun against Gibbs' temple. You two couldn't leave well enough alone. You and that goddamned FBI team, you just kept the pressure on. Ketterer's voice changed as he recalled some of the events. Stupid shit. Wilson went and panicked; thought I couldn't keep the heat off like I promised. So he decided to teach me a lesson.There was a Tupperware party, a fucking Tupperware party! He snatched them leaving Leahman's wife's house from a goddamned stupid Tupperware party! I killed Leahman first. He deserved it. He pressed his hands to his head, and Gibbs tried to catch Leah's eye.
------------
McGee worked his way down the hill, keeping an eye on the IR scanner. That guy is just pacing around outside the shack. I'm going to try and come up behind him.Careful, McGee. Don't do anything stupid, Tony warned.
Tony, look. Kate pointed as they reached a level spot in the downward slope of the path.
The agents stared down a makeshift lane; a more perfect shooter's gallery than one could ever expect from nature. Centered at the end was a large, well-lit window displaying a disturbing tableau.
------------
Leah's ears were beginning to ring and her vision was beginning to blur. In the distance she could hear Jeth talking.
We did what you told us. She didn't take the shot, that was one of your snipers. Why blame us for this?Typical Gibbs. It's never your fault is it? You two stalked us, hunted us. Picked apart an operation so finely crafted it should have held up under all sorts of scrutiny until you and that bitch started sniffing around. Ketterer took two long strides and grabbed Leah by the hair. He leaned down to snarl in her face.
Trainor loved helping me stalk you. He ran the gun under her chin and she tried to keep her eyes on the far wall, unfocused to cut down on the dizziness. But you don't scare easy, do you, Bitch? How'd you like being in the middle of a Mexican desert surrounded by hostiles and having your cover blown? He let out an ugly laugh as he flung her head back.
He moved casually back to Gibbs and spoke in a silky smooth voice. I've followed your career closely, Leah. Very closely. And I've been instrumental in some of your most dangerous cases.
Leah was having trouble concentrating, her vision wavering. She forced herself to focus on the emotionally empty face of the man who held her weapon as he continued to speak, his voice once again becoming cruel.
I've arranged for some of your most challenging moments, some... real career breakers, shall we say? And you just don't know when to die! You're like a fucking cockroach, do you know that? You won't die! Well, not this time. This time I'm going to enjoy watching your last breath leave your body.
-----------
This has to be where Leah was that day. Kate had her weapon out, watching the drama unfold through the window.
Yeah, but I'm gonna have to get closer than she was. They moved along the rocky path. Come on, McGee, hurry up.
----------
Gibbs didn't like Leah's color. She was growing paler by the second and her facial features were taking on a decided slackness. By his best estimate, she had two maybe three minutes of consciousness left. He was thinking as fast as he could. He knew he didn't take her phone call, he could only hope whoever did could get them help soon.
Time's up, boys and girls. Gibbs felt the gun stabbing into his temple once again.
Leah's voice slurred into the tense air. Why kill Doug Ritchey?Bravo, Leah, keep stalling,' he thought, as he pulled futilely at the chains.
That was Ed. Take it up with him. Oh wait, you'll be dead. Ask Ritchey, you'll see him in Hell.McGee, have you got this guy yet, or not? Tony was hesitant to move any closer to the shack until he knew the sentry had been dealt with. He might be able to make the shot from here if he had to, but it was at the extreme edge of his range.
Cover's pretty thin here, Tony. I'm almost there.Well, hurry up, Ketterer looks impatient and Leah doesn't look too good either.I'll do what I can.
------------
Leah's breathing was labored. She held her head up with effort and with doubled vision saw Ketterer shove the gun at Jeth. She couldn't let that whack job kill her partner, but she didn't know if she had the strength to stop him. She tried to stand, but it was nearly impossible chained to the chair as she was. She found herself wobbling as the weight of the chair pulled her off balance.
Suddenly two sharp reports from outside startled the three occupants. Leah saw Jeth stiffen in surprise, his head jerking violently as Ketterer's gun hand twitched. She felt herself falling sideways as she heard a louder third gunshot was heard, accompanied by shattering glass and her howl of pain as she hit the floor. The cacophony of sound that followed washed over her and faded with her vision and her breath.