Chapter Five: The Interviews

Tony and Ziva sat in a small room waiting. They had already interviewed five people each giving very little information. No one had gotten to know the Commander yet. They all said she seemed upbeat and cheery, but no one remembered a problem.

Now they waited for the commanding officer to come and talk to them. It would be their last interview of the day. Tony yawned and checked his watch again. After rolling his eyes he glanced at Ziva. She looked to be half asleep.

"Can you believe this?" Tony said with a sigh. "I mean what does Gibbs expect us to find?"

"You never know, Tony," Ziva said stretching her legs. "Gibbs is a strange man."

"We should be in California, that's where people knew this woman," Tony said as the door opened. He stood with a smile extending his hand to the officer that had just entered the room. Ziva stood and produced a large smile.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," the man said while taking Tony's hand. "I'm Captain Gerald Cooper."

"Captain Cooper, we just have a few questions for you. I'm Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, and this is Officer David," Tony said extending his hand out towards Ziva. She nodded slightly and then the trio sat around the table.

"This is such a tragic event," Captain Cooper said shaking his head.

"How well did you know the Commander," Ziva asked leaning forward on the table.

"Not well. She's been active on this base for about a week. They moved in about twelve days ago, her and her daughter," he replied with a slight shrug of his shoulders.

"Was there any problem with her?" Tony asked.

"How so?" the Captain replied.

"Her work, attitude, in how she handled herself," Ziva stated coolly.

"No, she was always on time, got what little she started on track, was cheerful the entire time she was here," he said clasping his hands on the table.

"How did she come to be assigned to this base?" Tony asked leaning back in his chair.

"One of our former JAG reps left the Navy to start a family. We put the position up for filling and we were immediately given her name."

"Define immediately," Ziva asked curiously.

"Less than two days."

"Is that strange?" Tony asked.

"Not really. It's the Navy. They reshuffle personnel all the time. She was probably due for a transfer."

"And she came in with no problem?"

"None what so ever. Like I said she was the perfect fill as far as I was concerned. Now…now I don't know what to do."

"Thank you for your time, Captain Cooper. Oh one more thing," Tony said as he stood from the table.

"Yes?"

"Did she have a relationship with anyone?"

"How so? You mean romantic? Not that I know of on base, you'll have to ask around the California base for that," Captain Cooper said standing up and nodding slightly.

"Thank you for your time," Ziva said with a smile. The Captain smiled and then exited the room. Tony looked over and Ziva and shook his head.

"That was a waste of time," Tony said as he gathered up his notes. Ziva smiled. "What?"

"You get to tell Gibbs that," she said with a smile as she exited the room. Tony stood for a moment with a smirk on his face before he hurried after her.

"No, I won't tell him that. I'll tell him that we need to go to California for more information, Zee-vaa," Tony said matter-of-factly. Ziva eye-balled him from the corner of her eye as her shoulders rose and fell in a subtle shrug.

"Suit yourself," Ziva said.

They made their way back to NCIS is silence. When they pulled into the parking lot Tony finally spoke. He looked over at Ziva as he put the car in park.

"Pack your bags, Ziva, we're going to California," he said with a toothy smile. Ziva shook her head and got out of the car. They walked up to the bullpen and found McGee sitting at his desk, the girl sitting at Gibbs' desk while Gibbs stood behind her. They also saw Director Shepard and two other women standing in the hallway waiting for the elevator.

"Boss," Tony said as he walked into the bullpen and smiled at Nicole. The girl ignored him.

"Yeah, DiNozzo," Gibbs grunted at him.

"Nothing going on base, need to go to Cali to speak to the old post," Tony said quickly. Ziva shook her head. Gibbs sighed. He then motioned for them to follow him, but first he told the girl he'd be right back. He then barked at McGee to watch over her. McGee nodded and gulped a breath.

Tony and Ziva followed Gibbs to an interrogation room. After they passed through the door he closed it. They sat awkwardly around the table before Gibbs broke the silence.

"What did you find?" Gibbs said sternly. Tony looked at him a moment before answering.

"No one knew her here, Boss, she was only active a week. Said that we'd be better off talking to people in California for past relationships that sort of thing," Tony replied.

"Captain Cooper told us that she was a dream post. He also said her name was given to him less than two days after the post became open," Ziva added.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Tony asked confused.

"He said the former JAG left the Navy to start a family. He doesn't know why Commander Conrad was chosen to replace her," Ziva replied quickly as Gibbs glared cut into Tony.

"Anything from anyone?"

"No, Boss. They all said she was on time, got her work in order, and was cheerful. That was everyone's take on her. But they only knew her a week," Tony said.

"Fine, Tony, take McGee and Ziva. Get to California and interview everyone that had contact with her there," Gibbs said standing sharply and heading for the door. Tony looked at Ziva and smiled pointing his finger at her. Ziva shook her head and followed Gibbs. Tony jumped up and fell in line. Tony went back to his desk quickly and booked three tickets to California on the computer before standing up suddenly.

"Probie!" Tony yelled as he popped up over his computer. McGee jumped. "Grab your stuff and pack your bags. You…are coming with us," Tony said with a smile as he grabbed what he needed and headed for the elevator.

"And where is that?" McGee asked Ziva as he walked up beside her.

"California," Ziva said.

"Oh," McGee said as he slung his backpack over his shoulder as the three disappeared on the elevator.

Behind the closed doors Tony was still smiling. He looked from Ziva to McGee. They both looked burdened by the trip. He shook his head.

"Come on, guys! We're going to California," Tony said enthusiastically.

Both McGee and Ziva looked up at Tony with skepticism. Tony shook his head and smiled wide, held out his hands, and clasped both on the shoulder roughly. McGee held his ground and Ziva glared up at Tony before taking a step away from him.

"Big deal, Tony," McGee replied as he shook his head and readjusted his backpack. Ziva sighed and then turned to face the doors so she could ignore Tony.

"All right, but I booked the tickets. So that means I get a window seat," Tony said like a kid calling shotgun. McGee shook his head in disgust as Ziva bit her lip as she stared at the doors, fighting a smile.

They each stopped at their lockers and picked up a change of clothes, not having time for each to reach home before their flight. They then proceeded to the airport where they made their way through security and onto the concourse. They found their gate and when the time came made their way on the jet and found their seats. Tony took the window, while Ziva sat in the middle seat, giving McGee the aisle.

The flight went smoothly, with Tony chatting the entire time. McGee tuned him out and caught some sleep while Ziva bantered with Tony. Ziva nudged McGee when they were about to land and he looked at her groggily before he realized what was happening. He simply nodded his thanks.

Once on the ground they made their way towards the car rental and secured a car for their stay, next the made their way to base to secure housing for their stay. Once that was taken care of they left their belongings in the rooms while they made their way to the JAG offices to start round two of the interviews. It was late in the afternoon in California so they would be able to complete at least a few before the day was over.

TBC…