Chapter 13

Ducky fought the urge to close his eyes, if he was going to die then he would meet it head on, he waited for the pain that would precede the noise but it never came,

'Click' was all he heard, his eyes shifted from the gun to Restin's face and the smirk on it

"Not yet Ducky, not yet…your special, I want Gibbs to think he can find you in time" he said sadistically " I left the first chamber blank, the rest aren't" he informed Ducky coldly as he correctly interpreted the look in Ducky's eyes as an attempt to fight him.

"If you don't cooperate I will have no hesitation in killing your mother and the nurse" he said coldly smiling as he did so.

He motioned with the gun for Ducky to step away from the desk and phone

"Call out to them that we are leaving, and don't try anything, I am sure you realise I am not joking when I say I will kill them both." Restin said, motioning with the barrel for Ducky to move towards the door.

……………………………………..

"McGee find out who called the morgue and hour ago" Gibbs demanded as he reached McGee in the bullpen, McGee looked up his mouth opening to ask why, but on seeing his boss's face he changed his mind

"Ok Gibbs" he said reaching for the phone and the switchboard, who logged all call to NCIS phones. He watched Gibbs out of the corner of his eye as he did so, aware that something was wrong but not sure what but assuming it had something to do with Ducky. He spoke quietly to the operator and hung up

"It was Ducky's home, his mother to be exact; she couldn't remember the extension nu…" Gibbs glared at McGee, not wanting the long version just who had called, before McGee had even finished he was on the phone waiting impatiently for the phone to be picked up, praying that Ducky was there and ok, but knowing instinctively that he wasn't.

After what felt like an eternity the phone was picked up and a woman's voice answered.

"Dr Mallard's residence, Grace speaking"

"Grace, this is Agent Gibbs, Is Dr Mallard there?" He asked trying not to allow his frustration and impatience to come through, if Ducky wasn't there he didn't want too worry the nurse of Ducky's mother unnecessarily.

"I'm afraid you just missed him Agent Gibbs" she replied cheerfully, not hearing Gibbs breath a sigh of relief "he left with Mr Restin" she carried on. Gibbs felt his whole body freeze at her last words.

"With Mr Restin? Scott Restin?" he clarified carefully feeling his heart begin to sink, he felt rather than saw McGee's head shoot up and stare at him.

"Yes that's right" Grace confirmed unaware of the impact her words had had. Gibbs could feel his frustrations rising

"Do you know where they went?" he asked her

"No I'm Sorry, Dr Mallard just called out that they were going out for awhile, which I have to say is very odd for Dr Mallard, he is normally very careful about saying goodbye to his mother" she informed him happily if somewhat confused by Dr Mallards actions. Gibbs had to restrain himself from hanging up on the woman's long winded answer. He fought the urge to demand short answers form everyone, he didn't understand why people had to give long replies when a few words did so much better.

Gibbs thanked grace and hung up quickly, standing as he did so turning to McGee surprised that he wasn't at his desk, he looked around and saw McGee bounding up the stairs

"I'll get the van boss" he called as he disappeared. Gibbs allowed himself a small smile, was he that predictable? He thought to himself.

Gibbs grabbed his phone as he followed McGee to the garage

"Tony" he greeted when DiNozzo picked up he phone "when are you getting in?" he demanded

"umm we will be there in a couple of hours, were on our way to the airport now boss, the flight only takes and hour" Tony told him carefully recognising the tone of voice, the one that meant trouble for anyone who didn't give Gibbs the answer he wanted.

"Restin has Ducky" Gibbs informed him starkly "Go straight to Ducky's house and process the scene, the van will be there already, any change of plans and I will call you" he said and hung up without waiting for a reply.

Gibbs then phoned McGee, take the van to Ducky's house, I will meet you there" he said without greeting, nor did he waited for a reply, he shoved the phone back in his pocket and went to fetch his sedan.

When McGee arrived with the crime scene van, Gibbs was already inside talking to Grace and Mrs Mallard, he glared at McGee when he finally arrived, his eyes saying what he refrained form verbalising in front of Mrs Mallard. Unfortunately he had already established that other than confirming it had been Restin whom Ducky had left with, there was nothing else either of the two women could tell him, he just hoped that there would be some evidence as to where Restin had taken Ducky. But he knew in his heart that there wasn't.