Abby walked over to the plasma screen and pointedly ignored the large photo, focusing instead on the information compiled next to it. She now had a complete dossier on Paolo Muñez the Argentinean Dirtbag. Both his parents were long dead, killed in a rather suspicious accident. The Muñez family business, however had five worthy heirs. Two daughters; Conchita, the oldest, was married to a drug runner in Argentina. Martina, clearly the sister with the head for business, ran a thriving whorehouse just across the border in Ciudad del Este.
Paolo's baby brother Juan was living in California, tryin to stay on the straight-and-narrow. A past like his wasn't ever going to produce a squeaky-clean Yuppie, though: a couple of busts for possession were a blemish Abby wasn't surprised to uncover. Still, not too bad for this family
Yes, it was a well-researched document, except for one small problem. Paolo's older brother Marcos. There was nothing on him. Not one detail. Anywhere. Three years ago he, too, worked for Escopeda. Then he vanished, leaving no trace, no fingerprint, no telltale ripple in the international criminal pool. It was maddening. She even unearthed the gun-running cousins in Guatemala, but she couldn't shake loose Marcos.
Just when she was getting ready to scream from the frustration of it, she felt the air pressure in her lab change – her cue that someone had just entered. She'd been expecting Gibbs for the last half-hour and now she was more than grateful for the distraction to her Marcos puzzle. She spun on her heels to greet him and keep him from waking McGee.
Before you go ballistic, just listen to me a minute. He came in here ready to drop. I told him to get some sleep and that I would work on this for a while. So just relax, Gibbs.I told him to work with you on this! Gibbs retorted angrily, obviously not willing to be so easily placated.
I know what you told him. I also know that he and Tony have been up for over thirty-six hours straight. Don't you think that, however important this is, they need some sleep?
Gibbs leveled his patented withering glare at her. She matched his look and refused to be intimidated. Finally, recognizing he would not break her, he conceded the point with a sigh. I suppose you're right. How long has he been asleep?About an hour and a half. And you're not going to disturb him, she stated definitively. I've done just fine by myself, thank you. There's only one piece of information I just can't seem to get a handle on.Okay, Abbs. You're right. Thanks for taking care of him. Now, how about if you show me what you've got. He tried not to smile as he followed the girl over to the plasma.
The Muñez family is a very naughty bunch, Gibbs. They rather thrive on bad business. Let's begin in Argentina. His older sister married a drug runner who does quite well for himself. His younger sister moved to Paraguay where she set up her own house of ill-repute with one hell of a reputation, she told him as she brought up pictures of the women. Another click brought up detailed lists of their activities, although in their home countries criminal charges were rare. Those that were charged went largely unprosecuted.
Moving north, I happened to stumble across some Guatemalan cousins with a gun fetish. Several more clicks brought up a picture of a trio of young men and a lengthy list from ATF on known violations. These boys know an awful lot about the transport and distribution of firearms. Mostly the illegal ways. Central American rebels would be lost without their services. Abby stepped back to her computer, and with a couple of mouse clicks, zoomed in on the final few entries on their ATF jacket. As you can see from the dates, their forays into the US have apparently slacked off lately.I wouldn't be too sure about that, Gibbs muttered.
What's that?Nothing. Keep going. Gibbs nodded at the screen.
Next we have Baby Brother Juan. He's trying very hard to keep his nose clean, living in California. Land of opportunity and good pot. His only known violations have been for having and smoking the wacky weed. DEA's keeping an eye on the kid, just because of his family ties. She came around and stood next to Gibbs, looking at Juan's picture, shot from a workplace surveillance camera. Kind of a shame that his whole life is working in a convenience store with no way out, loser friends and dope. Of course, when you look at who his family is she shrugged. Still, you'd think that he could do better.
She clicked the controller one more time. And now we get to the good stuff. Marcos Muñez. Mr. Ghost in the Machine. He has nothing. No identity that I can find. And believe me, Gibbs, I've hunted.
She was about to continue when she caught sight of Gibbs' wolfish grin. Abbs you may just have found our first lead.I did? Of course I did. I knew that. So, who is he?How are you at cracking diplomatic records? he asked her?
well that depends on who he is and where he's from and what his duties cover, now doesn't it. Why would the eldest son of a sleazy crime family be in the diplomatic corps?What's the easiest way to smuggle something or someone in from another country unquestioned? Put in a diplomatic pouch or make them a diplomat. Find me everything you can about that man, Abby. He's our key.