Conclusive Evidence

Tony, McGee, and Ziva watched through the observation window as Gibbs sat, staring steadily at Sofia Maddox.

"That bastard killed my husband," she maintained. "Why should I forget that just because those morons who investigated the incident found him to be innocent of stupidity and gross negligence. For all I know, he killed my Danny on purpose."

McGee shook his head. "Abby was right. That is one coldblooded bitch." Tony glanced over at him as Ziva raised her eyebrows slightly. "Amen, brother," he muttered to his younger colleague.

"The investigation was conclusive, Mrs. Maddox. Mark Tennant did not knowingly or purposefully kill your husband."

"Bastards. Protecting their own, no doubt." Gibbs wondered if he would ever understand what was making this woman tick. He looked in her eyes, wondering if he'd see lingering grief, burning anger. Instead, what he found were the dead eyes of a being who could very well be capable of not only killing two adults, but attempting the murder of a little girl, as well. He stopped himself from elaborating on that thought. They knew nothing about her yet, and their comparative evidence was still pending, until the search warrant came through. But he did take note of what appeared to be dog hairs on her sweater.

"Do you have a dog, Mrs. Maddox?"

"What the hell does that have to do with anything?"

"Nothing, really. I just noticed you have dog hair on your sweater. They're wonderful companions, aren't they. But they love to leave themselves behind on you."

Sofia Maddox glared at him. "If you must know, yes, I do have a dog. A beagle. Named Riley."

……………………………………………………………………………

The team approached Sofia Maddox's house, warrant in hand. Tony paused as he felt something on his shoe, then groaned with disgust as he looked down to see what it was.

"She definitely has a dog," McGee said casually, as he wrinkled his nose and suppressed a loud snort of amusement.

As they entered the house, they took note of a trail of dog toys, leading towards a doggie bed. Ziva grinned as she crouched down, calling out, "Riley! Here girl!" The clicking sound of claws on hard wood floors soon echoed through the empty house, as the happy beagle approached the four agents, tail wagging and beagle butt swaying.

"McGee, you got that id number that Palmer found?" Gibbs asked. McGee brought it up on his PDA, and called it out to Ziva, who had the beagle's ear in her hand, absently scratching it and comparing the tattooed number on her ear to the one that Tim was giving her.

"Gentlemen, I present to you one Riley Tennant. Registered American Kennel Club beagle."

"Keep looking," Gibbs ordered. "Check the laundry, the trash, the works. See if there's a green sweater kicking around."

"Boss?" McGee called out, as he searched the desk. "I've got a set of finger paints here. The basic colours. Looks like there's no blue though. The jars seem to match the jar of paint we found at the Tennant house."

"Bag them, take them to Abby. See if she can match them by manufacturer. But I think we know she can."

"A-ha!" Tony was heard calling out, from the laundry room. He came out, with a look of triumph on his face. "In the trash, one righteously ruined khaki green cashmere sweater, from Macy's." McGee grinned at him. "Actually Tony, it's avocado green. But I bet you're right about the shade of that blue stain."

Tony grinned. "Cobalt blue. I'd bet my favourite Armani tie on it. But that's not all I have," he said. "Check this little baby out."

He held up a cream coloured lacy bra. The other three agents held back commentary when Tony pointed out three small stains. "I'd bet my other favourite Armani tie that these are blood stains, seeped through the sweater."

Gibbs nodded. "Bag them. Good work, guys."