Authors note
The usual disclaimers apply, as much as I would love to these characters to be, they are not mine. Please review and let me know what you think.
Chapter 5
Gibbs woke slowly, his bedroom in darkness and very quiet. The previous day had been long and difficult; they were no closer to finding out who had sent the note or even who the target was. There had been no reports of anyone he knew being missing, and no reports of anyone fitting the general description being hurt or killed. He sighed and reached for his watch on the bedside table. 3am, he doubted he would be able to go back to sleep, so he slowly stood up and pulled on his jeans and headed for the kitchen.
As he slowly went about brewing coffee his mind kept racing tying to work out who the few could be, obviously whomever the few were the writer believed them to be significant. He ran his hand through his hair, was that how lonely his life was that a killer could target someone that they thought was important to Gibbs, but Gibbs himself had no idea who it was. Did that mean no one was important to him? He thought bitterly. He shook his head, no there were people he cared for; Ducky, Abby and the rest of the team, Const…he cut the thought off before it could continue and turned away to pour his coffee. He slowly made his way down to the basement and his boat, without thought he turned on the small television in the corner, not really planning on paying attention but wanting to fill the silence of the house and his life.
The reporter droned on about local news events, nothing major seemed to be happening in the world and the noise was a welcome distraction, Gibbs paused for a moment looking at the screen and wondering when the weather report would be on and what the weather would hold for the day. He started to turn back to his boat, losing interest in the television again but then Gibbs froze as a picture flashed up on screen and he froze, listening carefully to the report.
"In Istanbul yesterday search and rescue dog handler Constance Storm was shot whilst sleeping, so far the local authorities have said that there are no leads as to the shooting. Constance Storm lives in the Montgomery county area and has worked as a search and rescue handler for 10 years. Her condition is listed as critical but stable and she will be flown back to DC later today. The earthquake in Istanbul…"
Gibbs switched off the television, and stared at its blank screen for what felt like an eternity before he turned and grabbed his phone. He waited impatiently while it rang before a sleepy voice answered.
"Ducky, it was Constance…."
An hour later the whole team were assembling in the bullpen, a happenchance viewing of late night news had given them the first concrete lead, and Gibbs wanted answers fast.
Kate was the first to arrive, her face showing her tiredness but her eyes were alert, she paused by her desk to put her purse away then crossed the short distance to Gibbs' desk
"Hey Gibbs" she said gently, not sure who or what Constance Storm was to him but understanding she meant something. Kate hoped he would fill her in but she doubted it, although the team were close Gibbs was by far the most private of them and none of them, with the exception perhaps of Ducky knew much about Gibbs personal life.
Gibbs looked up and noted the concern in Kate's eyes, "I want you to find out what time she is landing and where, what her status is and which hospital she will be taken to" he paused to watch McGee cross the near empty room
"McGee, I want you to track down retired Special Agent John Mathews, and find out where Special agent Clark Harrow is"
Tony followed close behind McGee and Gibbs barked orders at him too
"Tony, work with the authorities in Istanbul and get all the information they have on the shooting of Constance Storm" he paused to take in all three.
"The letter was postmarked Dulles international airport so it's a safe bet that he flew out and in from there, I need all flights checked and cross referenced with anyone with motive, also check who flew there and back in a short space on time."
Gibbs paused to look at the agents standing before them. They were more than that though, they were his friends just as the people mentioned had been, just as Ducky was. He just hoped that he could stop whoever it was before anyone else was hurt.
"I know who the few are but not they why of it" with that he stood up and headed towards the morgue.
