Tony strode back into the bullpen, ignoring Tim's curious gaze. Bypassing his own desk, Tony found himself standing at the large window, staring into the bright morning light, watching the parking lot slowly fill. As agents and staff, all moving in the same direction, made their way into the building with purpose he found himself questioning the direction in which he was headed.
Morrow had been justifiably enraged at Gibbs' jail-break', especially since, as the director took great pains to tell him, he'd just finished setting up security for the injured team leader. He had no patience for Tony's attempted rationalizations, reminding the agent that there were protocols to be followed. Morrow's words still echoed in his ears, Dammit, DiNozzo, you owed me at least a phone call! Even Gibbs gives me that much courtesy!
Sighing tiredly, he ran a hand across his face as he turned and walked back over to his desk. He chose not to sit; in fact, he seriously wondered if he had any ass left on which to sit. Instead, he glanced over at his teammate and noticed that the sharp daylight streaming through the windows only served to underline the exhaustion in Tim's face, certain that it mirrored his own. Suddenly he wanted nothing more than to go home and get some sleep.
Sensing a slight change in Tim's attitude, Tony spoke, just as the other man opened his mouth; almost Gibbs-like in his ability to cut Tim off before he'd uttered a sound.
Find something, McGee? Tony queried, as McGee paused in his typing.
Actually, I think I have. Take a look at this. Tim nabbed the controller for the plasma screen and with one click an enlarged hospital ID badge bearing a familiar face appeared.
Tony breathed in a coldly quiet voice, no longer tired.
Not quite. Meet Paolo Muñez. Another click and a scant page of information appeared next to Paolo's picture as Tim recited what he'd discovered. Turns out he really is a hospital orderly. He has no criminal record in this country, but he's an Argentinean national. And in that country he had ties to organizations run by Escopeda.The crime boss involved with that spook consultant, Purcell? Tony said, surprised, as he came over to stand in front of Tim's desk.
Yes. And, conveniently, Paolo is a dead ringer for Ari, Tim pointed out needlessly.
Tony shot him a look of impatience, leaning one hip on the edge of McGee's desk, while he pieced together the bits of information they had. Who, besides Ari, would need an Ari look-alike to stalk Gibbs? And what was the connection with South America?
It doesn't make any sense, McGee, Tony mused aloud. Switching into a heavily accented Spanish voice, he rubbed his thumb across the tips of his fingers. Escopeda's in it para el dinero. He dropped the accent and turned to the other man. Why would Ari, or anybody, go all the way to the TBA for something like this?I don't know if he did. Paolo has been employed at the hospital for the past six months. It could just be a coincidence. At that, Tony glared at Tim. But if we follow the money, we should be able to find out who and why— As he spoke, the elevator doors slid open, catching his attention. Oh, no. I think someone may not want us to know who or why.
Tony glanced over his shoulder and closed his eyes briefly, steeling himself for the inevitable verbal fencing match. he bit out as the man approached. How nice of you to stop by. No coffee this time? The words were laced with sarcasm.
Agent DiNozzo, Agent McGee. Fornell stopped in front of Tony's desk. Allow me to express my deepest sympathy on your loss. Fornell's sentiment, though apparently sincere, made the hair on the back of Tony's neck rise.
Thank you, Tim said quietly.
What do you want, Fornell? You're a couple of months too late for a condolence call.
Fornell turned and stepped toward the empty desk next to Gibbs'. When he started to lean casually against it, Tony was powerless to stop the snarl that erupted from his throat. Shifting his stance, the older man turned and rested himself on the edge of Gibbs' desk instead.
What's your interest in this man? Fornell asked, nodding toward the plasma screen.
Who, Ari? You should know the answer to that. Tony tried to play off the resemblance to the terrorist and get Fornell to bite.
We both know that's not Haswari, Agent DiNozzo. Now, tell me, why are you checking up on him?What's it to you? Tony answered back.
I asked you first.
Gibbs walked up as Tony said coldly, I don't think so. Fornell and his Di-Not-zo' was beginning to grate on Tony's already worn-thin nerves.
Tobias! Now, what brings you to our neck of the woods? And alone, no less, Gibbs observed as his sometime-friend, sometime-nemesis squared off against his two team members.
Jethro, terrible thing, that accident. Feeling better? Fornell inquired mildly.
What do you know about Gibbs' accident? Tony interjected, before Gibbs could say a word.
Both older men eyed Tony as one would an outspoken child. Fornell directed his next statement to Gibbs, but never took his eyes off the younger man. Let's just say, I make it a point to keep an eye on my friends and business acquaintances. Now, about this man?
McGee opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by a gesture from Tony. Can't help you, Fornell.
Gibbs gave the FBI agent and almost imperceptible head jerk, beckoning the man closer. What are you into this time, Tobias?Come on, Jethro, you know I can't tell you that, Fornell grinned.
But you expect us to just hand over our intel? Like Tony said, can't help you. He stepped around the other man, sat down at his desk, and began sorting through the reports that lay there.
I don't need intel on Paolo, he growled, giving them the first real indication that he knew more than he was telling. I need to know why you're sniffing after him. It was clear Fornell was growing tired of the banter.
And I need to know why you need to know, Tobias. Gibbs, on the other hand, was obviously enjoying himself.
Dammit, Jethro, you could seriously compromise an ongoing investigation!The same could be said for you, Fornell, Tony said stonily.
Fornell sighed and looked at Gibbs at the same time the senior NCIS agent said, DiNozzo, what have we got?
Tony pressed his lips together in irritation a moment before answering. Just that Paolo Muñez, our nasty little orderly, really is employed by the hospital. He also happens to be clean, at least in this country. But he has a confirmed connection to Escopeda, Purcell's contact from that case Kate and I had down in Ciudad del Este some months back.
Gibbs stood and moved to get a better look at the plasma screen as Tony talked, then looked over in surprise. This is connected to that case?Well, the connection to Escopeda is tenuous at the moment, McGee said, earning a glare from Tony.
Obviously we still need to look into Escopeda's dealings and we should probably check out whatever else Purcell was into, Tony said, tightly.
But Purcell is dead. We saw the CIA kill him, right boss? McGee chimed in.
Are you sure? Fornell asked quietly.
Well, no. Hell, I was shot at point blank range for a sting Gibbs began and the four men looked at each other.
You know, Jethro, Fornell said, leaning forward to study the man displayed on the plasma. It's often considered unhealthy to piss off the CIA. Gibbs' response was cut off by the ringing of his cell phone. Flipping it open, he eyed Fornell as he spoke. Yeah, Abbs, what've ya got?
The voice on the other end of the call was loud enough that even Tony could make out part of the conversation. I found our scumbag traffic camera There was a pause and Gibbs nodded.
Abbs, we know, he told her gently, not wanting to belittle her work. Suddenly he pulled the phone away from his ear in surprise, as the signal cut off with an audible click.
Gibbs said, recovering his poise, You and Abby compare notes about our hospital orderly. I want everything on this guy from birth to right now. He then turned to the FBI agent. Fornell. I wanna know what your investigation has to do with a man that tried to poison me. Shall we? He held out a hand for the other man to precede him, and Tony watched as they headed toward the elevators, frustrated at being cut out of the loop one more time.
As he walked away, Gibbs tossed over his shoulder, Oh, and DiNozzo, I want everything on Escopeda, Purcell and his contacts in the TBA. Especially——what they've been doing since Purcell's purported death. On it, Boss, Tony said to empty air. He looked around in disgust. He hadn't expected to hear Thanks, DiNozzo, from the older man. At least, not in so many words. But the truth was, the man was walking around safe, due mostly to Tony's efforts. Even if he did get royally reamed out for doing it. Giving a faint glare in the direction of the elevators, the tired man muttered, You're welcome, Gibbs. Next time, I'll let McGee plan the escape.