Disclaimer : You'll have to re-read Chapter 1 for it.
jacey05 : I just might have a little "tiva" for you in a bit... winkwinknudgenudge
Chapter 10
Ziva looked down at her notes and wondered how McGee and DiNozzo were faring. Goodness knew that she and Gibbs were having a frustrating time with Ferdinand Van Werther…excuse her, Doctor Ferdinand Van Werther.
When it came to stubbornness, Gibbs had almost met his match in the computer nerd….excuse her, Doctor Computer Nerd.
"Look, Doctor…you have two choices." Gibbs stated plainly. "You can answer our questions here or you can answer them back in our office. I'll admit that you'll be more comfortable here…"
"Or what?" The grey-haired, paunch-bellied doctor snarled back. "You'll strap me to a chair and shine a bright light into my eyes until I tell you what you want to hear?"
"Not my style." Gibbs shrugged and then tilted his head towards Ziva. "Her on the other hand..."
"Like I said, I know nothing about Captain Reed's disappearance."
Ziva noted the doctor's dilated pupils. She and Gibbs had agreed to question the doctor stating that the Captain had disappeared. So far, the senior programmer had failed to slip up and indicate he knew anything about the death of the Captain. But body language…
"Your eyes are giving you away, Doctor." Gibbs leaned across the desk, closer to the prey. "You see, you work with computer coding…I work with a different kind of coding…physical, biological. Your eyes are transmitting a code right now…and they're saying that you know something and aren't telling me."
The older man looked away for a moment and refocused on Ziva.
"I know that the Captain went out last night with his assistant programmer." He confessed.
Gibbs smiled tightly.
"And why was it so difficult for you to tell us that?"
"Because, that programmer called in sick today. If the Captain has disappeared, I can't afford to lose another person due to your investigation. This project will fall behind schedule!"
"And this programmer's name, Doctor?" Ziva asked.
"Sara McLean."
"We've been told, Doctor, that you don't approve of co-workers dating." Gibbs said softly.
"Of course, I don't!" Dr. Van Werther scowled. "Sex just distracts them. We have a job to do. This isn't high school!"
"Right." Ziva mused. "Did you think that if you treated them like adults, they would act accordingly."
"Bah!" The doctor snorted. "Computer programmers spend their time staring at monitors. Give them a chance to interact with a warm-blooded body and they'll take it. It's human nature."
"And you think a rule will stop human nature?" Gibbs asked.
Ziva stared at him…she knew about Rule 12.
The doctor shrugged.
"Who knows…but maybe it can slow things down until the project is over."
"Getting back to the project," Gibbs changed the topic, "What was Captain Reed working on exactly?"
"He was part of a project team working on a contract for Lansing Corporation. We are developing a computer based training package that will improve communications between American and Canadian militaries." Came the response.
"And this is helpful how?" Ziva asked.
"Better communication between allies…better understanding of tactics, signals, operations, movements, strategies…will help them to reduce friendly fire incidents as well as plan attacks, even when normal communication methods are inoperative."
"Taking a chance here, aren't we, Doctor?" Ziva asked.
"In what way?" A bushy grey eyebrow raised up.
"The Canadians are currently our allies…but will that always be the case?"
The doctor snorted again.
"Look at the geography and numbers, Special Agent David. We could make Canada the fifty-first state if we wanted to. We have a peaceful co-existence with them. Besides, they know that it's in their best interest to keep on our side."
"How so?" Ziva questioned.
"Because, if anyone invaded Canada, they know that, as allies,we'd back them up…can't let the invaders keep moving south towards us."
"Sounds like it is in our best interest then, to keep them on our side." Ziva countered.
"Do you know of any one who would want to harm Captain Reed?" Gibbs asked, trying to get the conversation back on track.
The doctor shrugged.
"What about Sara McLean? Know of anyone who would want to harm her?" Ziva asked.
"Ask any member of the female staff here." Van Werther said simply. "If I knew they were going out last night, then everyone else knew. And Captain Casanova was a popular man."
"Captain Casanova?" Ziva asked, confused.
"Despite my rule, he flirted outrageously with the female population here. No matter the age or marital status. He was always charming them."
"You sound bitter." Gibbs remarked.
"I'm aware of my skills, Special Agent Gibbs, as a computer programmer. I am also aware of my skills with the opposite gender…and they are not of the latest upgrade."
"But you wouldn't try to socialize with a coworker, right?" Gibbs asked.
"Of course not." The doctor admitted. "Besides my rule, let's just say that I'm not compatible with the female species."
He chuckled softly at his own job-related joke.
Ziva rolled her eyes at Gibbs.
"Did you know that Reed is married?" Gibbs questioned.
"No." The doctor shrugged. "The files of the military personnel were not provided to us."
"May we speak with the other military personnel here?"
"Are you done with me?"
"Yes."
"Great." The doctor stood up. "I have work to do. Do you want them all at once or individually?"
"One at a time." Gibbs replied, letting the doctor go.
Ziva stifled a sigh. No lunch today. It was going to be a long haul today. Hopefully, they'd have time to grab something for supper.