A/N: I appreciate all your kind reviews! Hope you enjoy the next chapter.
X
Two days later, they all met in Abby's lab. The only one missing was VanHusen, who paid a visit
to his agency to update them on what they found out. Abby had been working on that
fragmented video-tape all night and had managed to save small parts of it. There was a clear
enough picture of a man in a Navy uniform, and Abby could identify him as a lieutenant John
F. Sinclair, dishonourably discharged fourteen months ago.
When they were about to leave to try to locate the ex-lieutenant, Abby stopped Gibbs.
"What's wrong with Kate, Gibbs? She looks like she hasn't slept for nights."
"Yeah, I know, Abbs. Has something to do with VanHusen, I reckon. I'll find out. She can't
go on like that."
Kate had found out where Sinclair lived and Gibbs advised Tony to check his background,
while he and Kate would observe Sinclair's house.
He really worried about Kate. He would have worried about any of his sub-ordinates being
miserable, but with Kate…. It hurt him to see how tight she was. He had the impression that
she needed a vast amount of strength just to come to the office every morning. The sparkle
and wit that had always shown in her eyes and that he loved so much was gone. He had to put
an end to that.
When they had parked the car so that they had a good view on Sinclair's house, they sat in
silence for a while.
FinallyGibbs turned to Kate.
She knew what was coming and tried to block him off.
"I'm fine, Gibbs. Just a little tired."
"You are not fine, Kate. You're wearing yourself out. Tony noticed, Abby noticed and I did
too. And I know it has something to do with VanHusen. Don't even try to deny that."
"He was one of the reasons I decided to take your offer for this job."
"What happened?"
"We didn't get along…."
"Kate, you know you can tell me, do you?"
"Yeah…"
"And that I'll back you up, no matter what…"
"I know Gibbs. And I know what you and Tony are doing for me. I really appreciate it. But
you don't have to worry. When we'll have finished this case, he'll be back with the secret
service and I'll most likely never see him again."
Gibbs knew Kate well enough to realize she wouldn't give out more information. But he
already had an idea.
When they were back at the headquarters, he went to Abby.
"Abbs, hi. I need you to do some computer magic for me."
Abby's eyes flashed with delight.
"Tell me what you need, Mr. Boss-man."
"I want you to hack into the secret service computer and find out if any female agents, that
worked with VanHusen resigned without apparent reason. Do you think you can do that?"
"Do snowmen melt in the sun?"
Abby started to type codes on her key-board.
"Did Kate finally tell you what's going on?"
"No, she didn't. That's why we have to try and find out this way."
"I'll call you as soon as I got something."
Abby found the name and address of a woman who quit two years ago. Megan Carter lived in
Annapolis now and that's where Gibbs was heading after they had finished the days work at
the office.
He rang the door-bell and a boy, about twelve years old opened.
"Hi, I'm special agent Gibbs. Is your mom at home?"
"Wait, I'll call her."
When the boy's mother came to the door, Gibbs introduced himself once more.
"Good evening, Ma'am. I'm special agent Gibbs. I would like to ask you a few questions."
"Special agent? CIA, FBI…?"
"I'm with the NCIS. But to be honest, this is no official visit."
"How do you think I could help you?"
"Do you know a secret service agent VanHusen?"
Gibbs noticed Misses Carter pale when he mentioned that name. He knew he was right on
track.
"I'm not sure if I can help you, or if I want to," she said after she'd recovered a little.
"But you can come in and tell me why you need that information. I'll decide then."
"Thank you, that's fair enough."
They sat in the living room and the kid was sent to play outside.
"Ok, special agent Gibbs. Tell me what you want to know about VanHusen and why."
"He's working on a case with my team. One of my agents, Kate Todd, has worked with
VanHusen when she was with the secret service. Something must have happened between
them, but she doesn't want to tell. She just admitted that he was one of the reasons she left.
So we checked whether any other female agents that worked with him left on own request.
And that's why I'm here. I hope you can give me a clue to why my agent seems to be almost
terrified in his presence and doesn't want to talk about it."
"You care for that agent?"
"I care about all my sub-ordinates."
She looked at him with a strange expression on her face. He suddenly made a decision. He
wanted this woman who didn't know him at all to help him. And this was no official mission.
"You're right. I care about her more than I do about other agents."
Mrs. Carter studied him a bit longer before she showed a sad little smile and got up.
"Want some coffee? This is going to take a while."
Tbc?