"Is something wrong Agent DiNozzo?" asked the social worker.

"No. I actually need David's help with something," answered Tony.

"He's pretty sad. I think seeing you will cheer him up."

"I sort of miss him," admitted Tony. "I don't know what it is, but David really made me smile and feel better about things."

"He's in his room. He refuses to come out unless it's a meal time. You're welcome to go in there."

"Thank you." Tony smiled and stepped through the open door of David's room. "Hi, David," he said cheerfully.

The ten year old looked up from a book he had been reading on his bed. "TONY!" he shouted before flinging himself at the agent.

"Missed me, did you?" asked Tony with a laugh.

"Yes. Are you here to take me home with you?"

The innocent question caught Tony by surprise. "Sorry?" he asked.

"It's a long weekend soon and nobody wants me. I heard people saying I would have to go to an orphanage if nobody takes me in before the weekend."

"Is that why you're sad?"

David nodded. "I like Jessie, but I want to stay with someone that cares about me."

"Jessie? You mean the social worker?"

David nodded again. "Can I come home with you?"

"I'm not sure," said Tony thoughtfully. "I've never been in this situation before. No child from any case that I have ever worked on has liked me, let alone wanted to come home with me. I'll have to speak to some people before I can give you an answer to that question, David."

"Okay. I understand. I don't want you to get into trouble."

"Why would I get into trouble?"

"If you take me with you, and that's against the rules, then you will be in lots of trouble. I like you, so I don't want you to get into trouble."

Tony had to smile. The child was so sweet. "Thank you, David." Tony took a deep breath. "Actually, David, the reason I came here today was to ask you some questions. Not about everything that just happened- these questions are about some things that your father may have done."

"Bad things?"

"Possibly."

"What do you want to know?"

Tony hesitated for a moment. He hated putting a child in any position that was uncomfortable. "Well, David... I found some news articles about your dad... Not good ones; they were about drugs. I wanted to ask you if you have ever seen your dad, or anyone else for that matter, doing strange things in your house."

"My dad always had these two people over. One boy and one girl. I don't know who they are, but they did come to our house two times in police clothes."

"Do you remember their names?"

"I heard my dad call one of them Steven. I don't remember the girl's name. I'm not sure if my dad ever said her name."

"Can you tell me what these two people looked like?" Tony had a notepad out to take notes, but he had the feeling that he knew exactly who David was talking about.

"Well, the boy was tall," said David as he thought hard. "He had short, brown hair... kind of like yours, Tony."

"Okay. Keep going."

"He always did something weird with his hand whenever my dad went anywhere near the desk in his office. It was like the boy was going to grab something from his side."

"Which side, David?"

"Uh... his right side, I think."

"Anything else about this boy?"

David shook his head. "But, I can tell you about the girl, Tony."

"Tell me whatever you can remember, David."

"She was nice to me the first time they came to our house. I was in the living room, doing homework when they came in with my dad. She said hello to me."

"Do you remember what she looks like?"

"She has long hair. It's black and shiny all the time. But, she ties it up, so it kind of reminds me of a horse's tail. When she walks, her hair goes from side to side."

Tony had to hold back a laugh. "Right. Can you remember her face?"

David screwed up his nose and eyes, trying to remember. "She has darker skin than me, but it still looks like it's the same colour. And her eyes are strange."

"Strange, how?"

"They were always changing colours. I don't think people are meant to have purple eyes, Tony."

"No, I don't think so either. What else do you remember?"

"She smokes." David's nose wrinkled as he continued. "I could always smell the smoke when she came near me. It was yucky."

"Did you ever see her smoking?"

"Once. She was doing it in the driveway while my dad was looking for something in his car."

"Did your dad say anything to her?"

"No. He didn't see it, I don't think. He was inside his car at the time."

"Okay. Do you remember anything else?"

"Sometimes, my dad would give them bags. I never saw what was in them until the last time they came together, in normal clothes, not police clothes."

"What was in it?" Tony thought he knew what was coming. He had found the link he needed to connect the dead corporal to drugs.

"Powder. It was white. But it was also kind of lumpy, not smooth like the powder my babysitter showed me how to put on my body after a shower."

Tony stood up. "Thank you, David," he said as he gave the child a gentle pat on the shoulder. "I'm going to go and speak to my boss about taking you home for the weekend, alright?"

David's eyes lit up. "Thank you! I really do like you lots!"

Tony smiled. "I like you a lot, too, David. I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Okay. Bye, Tony!" David waved until Tony couldn't see him anymore.