Final Farewell
"So, you're saying Anthony, that the vagrant most likely dragged our young Canadian friend out of the container, and into the one that he had been finding shelter in?"
"He probably suffers from mental illness," Tony answered, shrugging. McGee nodded, adding, "He saw the body and thought he could find something useful on it. So he took it home with him."
"You're absolutely sure of this, DiNozzo?" Gibbs wanted to make sure. Tony nodded, looking at McGee with a slight tilt of his head. Tim held up a plastic evidence bag that held a small pouch. "This is a Cree medicine bag. Abby could confirm the contents but we wanted to leave it intact, to send home with him. We found it on Ernie's person." Tony added, "He stole it from Moonchild's body. Probably thought it was a little pouch of pot or something."
"When will he be ready to go home, Ducky?" McGee asked. Ducky smiled. "Mr. Palmer is finishing up with him right now. Arrangements have already been made. I have spoken with his widow, by the way. Lovely, lovely girl. She's devastated, but relieved to know what really happened."
Kate appeared. "I just talked to Captain Douglas. He's on his way now to pick up the body. He should be arriving tomorrow sometime. He tells me that Able Seaman Moonchild will be getting full military honours at his funeral. You know, I know he didn't die on American soil, but I'm glad we got to find out what really happened to him."
Gibbs nodded, as Abby entered. "I thought this might be useful," she said, a solemn expression in her normally bright eyes. She handed a small wrapped package to Gibbs. "For his casket, I mean."
Gibbs held the package delicately, knowing that it must be something meaningful by the sombre way Abs had presented it to him. He opened it carefully, and the entire team watched as he removed the folded Canadian flag from the inside.
The team smiled. "I'll get that down to Mr. Palmer. We want our young neighbour to be properly attired for his journey home," Ducky said.
Gibbs nodded, handing the flag over to the older man.
The team watched with a sad sort of satisfaction, as Ducky left to prepare Able Seaman Matthew Moonchild for his final farewell.