"Okay, guys," Gibbs said, ten minutes later. "This is the case as it came down the wire from Chatterock PD. Captain Brown Davis was found at the Chatterock School for the Deaf at eight-thirty this morning by a Mrs. Leann Foster. She found the body in the attic of the school, when she went to retrieve several piñatas, which is where they were being stored for the annual piñata festival.

"The man's photograph was released to Chatterock PD and they began showing it to the students. Several students, including Elspeth Sciuto and her friend Kimmy Northrop, remembered seeing the man at the school previously. Two other students, Hanna May Gayle and Danielle Brigham, reported seeing the man outside the dormitories late one night last week."
"What do you think, Gibbs?" Kate asked. "Is he a prowler?"

"Captain Davis's unit denies being at the CSD," Gibbs continued. "They have stated that there was no reason for them to be there."

"Just because they don't have a reason doesn't mean he wasn't there, boss," McGee said.

"Good thinking, McGee," Gibbs said. "Now, Tony, I need you to run out and collect the evidence from the Chatterock PD. Go over the crime scene again. Take… McGee with you."

"I'm driving, Probie," Tony said.

"Okay," McGee agreed.

"That's not how it works," Tony said disgustedly. "You're supposed to whine and complain."

"Why?" McGee asked. "You always drive."

"Fine, Probie. You know what? You drive."

McGee flashed Gibbs and Kate a smile as the two men exited the bullpen.

"Kate, I need you to interview people, especially Mrs. Foster and students. We'll get you an interpreter, or, if all else fails, Abby."

"On it," Kate said and swept out of the bullpen.

Gibbs checked the clock. It was exactly nine-thirty. He crossed the bullpen and stood in front of the elevators. True to Abby's words, the next time the elevator doors opened, he was looking at a mini-Abby. She was casually dressed, in jeans and a black T-shirt for a band Gibbs had never heard of. At least, he assumed it was a band. "Hi!" she said aloud in garbled speech. "Gibbs, right?"

"Right," Gibbs said, signing and speaking. (You must be Elspeth,) he signed, carefully spelling her name.

(You're Gibbs. You're just as Abby describes you – a silver-haired fox.) Was she actually laughing at him?

Gibbs mentally grimaced. (Yes, that's me. Come with me and I'll show you to your sister's lab).

"Hi!" Ellie shrieked as soon as she saw Abby, then her hands flew into a rapid spasm of sign language. (They said they called the house and no one was there! How do you explain that Abby? Tell me where Mom and Dad are before I scream!)

Calmly, Abby signed, (You don't scream, silly.)

(Okay, so I don't. What's this?) Ellie asked, having picked up some technological gizmo. Gibbs grinned at Abby.

"She's quite the character," he said aloud.

(Don't exclude her,) she chided him gently with her hands.

(Sorry.)

(Abby, what's this?) Ellie asked, her hands still flying. (Can I help you run all sorts of tests and cool stuff? Please? I promise I'll be good!)

(Sit down, El,) Abby signed. To Gibbs, she said, "Go back to work. I'll call you when I've got something."

Gibbs left, still smiling at the memory of the two sisters signing together.

Once he had gone, Abby tapped Ellie on the shoulder to get her attention, then signed, (Mom and Dad are on a camp out with Andrew. Remember?)

(Right!)

(So you need to be good, and let me do my work.)

Kate came in, breathless. "Abby!" she said. "A bunch of people from the school are here but I can't find the interpreter. Will you come interpret for me?"

"Yeah," Abby replied, translating Kate's words into signs for her sister. (Ellie, stay here. Be good.)

Ellie nodded, and Abby exited with Kate.