NCIS – Cold Case – Chapter II
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or the characters of the show. But I like all of Bellisario's shows :)
Description: A CaseFile set pre-Twilight, no pairings since as true to the show as I can. After 3 month missing, a marine is found dead. There is no evidence but two bullets from different weapons and a missing blue Mustang Shelby.
Kate arrived at Norfolk in one of the Service's black sedans and headed straight for the assigned NSIC Agent's bureau.
At the Staff's parking lot she passes by a red painted sports car. 'Hadn't Tony said something about such a car?' Her thought was interrupted by a young man exiting the building in front of her. He wasn't wearing an uniform, but a NCIS-cap in his hands.
Smiling she waves her hand. „Agent Jerry Thomas?"
„Yes, how can I help you?" He puts up the cap and pulls out a set of keys.
„I'm Agent Todd, same Service. I'm here to talk about Lt. Commander Broderick." She first shows her badge and then flips it to reveal her ID.
"I understand, that he's been found dead? Poor guy. Got the car of his dreams and then nearly was dishonorably discharged." He slowly walks on towards the parking lot.
"You investigated his disappearance three month ago. Was it your conclusion, that he went AWOL?"
"No. Not exactly."
"Could you explain that?"
He nervously fiddles with his car keys. "His superior officer mentioned that he might have run away from something."
"And what would that have been?" Kate pulls out her PDA and begins taking notes.
"He had been confined to the base due to a race he set up with several other base personal. But he had that appointment to buy the car."
Kate points towards the red Mustang next to which they stopped. "You wouldn't be one of the racers, would you?"
"Am I under suspicion?"
"How long do you own this car?" Her tone stays calm, but her eyes focus on his behaviour. He seems nervous, but not lying.
"Must be six years now. Built it up myself. I'm kind of a hobby mechanic."
"What kind is it? Maybe a Shelby GT 500 Fastback?"
"Yes it is." His face lights up a bit. "But could have read the insignia on the back."
"Lt. Commander Broderick had bought just the same car."
"Yes I know. He was fascinated by the work on this one, he searched like half a year without success. But then, bam, there was the opportunity."
"He died few hours after getting it." Kate explains dryly. He frowns, but doesn't comment. "He was murdered, maybe because of his new car, which was stolen."
"Who would murder someone over a car?"
"We're about to find out. Thanks, Agent Thomas."
He ist left alone and stares down on his keys. Then unlocks the cars door to get in. Not exceeding the on-base speed limit, he pulls out. But as soon he left military property the powerful motor almost whines as the male Agent speeds off.
Kate decides to talk to Lt. Broderick's superior officer about the charge and the illegal races on the base. He might know, who took part in it.
Back at 'home', the NCIS Headquaters, Abby sits frustrated on the chair, the head placed on her hands and staring at the big plasma. Which shows the greatly enhanced profiles of the two bullets. McGee had retreated back, now leaning at the wall next to the sliding doors. He held his arms crossed in front of his chest.
When the doors open he jerks, but relaxes again as he sees Ducky entering.
"Well, Abigail, have you found out about the mysterious weapons?" Tim tries to stop the doctor, but without willing to grab his shoulder, he is ignored.
"They are of the same caliber. Which is in no weapons database known to me." The young scientist raises, stretching her back, then looking at her elder colleague.
"Nothing more?"
"No."
"What about the alloy? Are these the same too? If you can't find the calibre, it is most likely they are homemade. This reminds me of a case, I was assigned to, after the ME had been the unfortunate victim of his heart disease. He collapsed right over the body he was about to process..." Just then he expects to be interrupted, as they always do, but Abby is too desperate to do so. "Ah, the bullets." He begins wandering about the room. "The murderer used a self made gun with self made ammunition. We had hardly any trace but the alloy his bullets were made of. It was military grade ammunition, reshaped and fitted to his four barreled gun... Abby. Could it be just the same kind of weapon?"
The Goth jumps out of her chair. "You are right!" Like the doctor before she wanders around, just in a much higher speed. "He had some sort of two barreled handgun, but is not a very good shooter..."
"... therefor he needed the second shot. The first was not precise enough."
"Or he had no experience with this particular gun." McGee sprouts, but quieting on Abby's annoyed glance. "Just thought..."
"You are right McGee. It must be some very unusual gun."
"Or a very old one. The gunslingers in the early days of the New World, had to train quite hard to shoot where thy wanted. Although revolvers were made in relative large numbers, they were hardly comparable to modern armory. And they had nothing like registered calibres."
"So we are looking not for two modern guns, but for one that is possibly an hundred years old." Already typing away on her keyboard, takes a sip from her Cof-Pow.
"Who uses this kind of guns anymore? Or who owns them?" Tim has regained his confidence and approached the two brainstorming scientist.
"Museums. But they are most likely inoperable, because of legal issues with displaying operable weapons in the range of non-adults.", Ducky explains.
On the screen appears a website displaying several old guns. Scrolling down Abby selects one thumbnail titled "Derringer".
"A two barreled handgun.", she reads out loud, "Usually used by women or gamblers, that needed a small arm that could be easily concealed. There are dozens of registered types, normally firing standard issue ammunition." She sighs and looks up. "But we need one that fires non-standard ammo."
"I'd say, find out where the ammunition comes from. Or who made it, then we can look for the gun."
"Thanks, Ducky."
"Your welcome, Abby." The old doctor smiles and heads for the exit having completely forgotten, why he came here the first place.
"McGee! What are you doing still here?"
"Wha.. I .. um..."
"My cup is empty." With a thud the large container is dumped into the bin. While the Agent hurries to get his girlfriend's fix of caffeine.
A/N : Ok, I know, Derringers and their history. I read into a very informative page, but for the sake of shortness and Episode-likeness decided to reduce the info gathered to the pieces important for the case.
And im also aware, that the gun used in Abe Lincolns assassination was also a Derringer, so Ducky might have told this story, but as we all know his memory holds a vast amount of stories and he hardly ever uses one twice ;)
If i mistreated the gun-laws in america, I apologise. As you can tell I'm not quite from that neighbourhood. ;)
Thanks for the reviews. (Wow, 2 for the first chapter of my first story :D ) Please continue to R&R. I'll continue to write it then. ;)