"Where y' stayin'?" Langston asked. They were in a Dairy Queen parking lot, both enjoying their treats, in Langston's truck. Langston had a large cherry sundae, and Johnny was enjoying his large Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzard.
They had dropped Bishop off at NCIS, grabbed Johnny's bag, and taken Langston's truck to the nearest Dairy Queen, which Johnny admitted he hadn't been able to visit since they were pulled out of Marine bases in Afghanistan. He was also impressed with her truck, which she admitted she'd gotten at a police auction, with a little help from a friend.
"I was planning' on stayin' at the Marine barracks here, unless you have a better idea," he said.
"Yes, actually, I do. I have a nice fold-out couch in my apartment that is guaranteed t' be danged comfortable. My landlord's daughter fell asleep on it, so it's been tested an' proven satisfactory."
"Good enough for me. I just have t' check in with Lance Corporal Jackson, make sure he's okay."
"How much time d' y' have?"
"Four days, then I head back on the fifth. I know it's not much, but-"
"Hey, I will take whatever I can git. Only thing I should warn you 'bout is I do like t' git up early in th' mornin' an' do a fast cardio workout, 'fore breakfast."
He looked at her. "You do know you're talking to a Marine, right? Your fast cardio workout is probably my quick warm-up before I get into the real heavy stuff."
"An' now I'm curious." She watched as her brother's eyes followed a group of guys a little bit younger than them. "They're cute."
Johnny blushed. "Yeah, they are." He pulled on his ear nervously. "Did Pa ever, umm, did he ever tell you why he kicked me out?"
"After y' left, he never spoke about y' again, but I overheard a few words I later learned were homophobic-type words," Langston admitted. She looked at her brother. "Are ya?"
"Yeah, I am," Johnny admitted reluctantly. "I am, an' Pa refused to accept that, an' I got tired of hiding it, of denying it. I also knew if I didn't leave, he was either gonna beat me to death, or I was gonna have a real serious accident, an' on the ranch, it wouldn't have been hard to make happen. I joined the Marines because I had to, but I stay because I choose to."
Langston fiddled with her sundae. "I left at nineteen 'cause Pa wanted me t' marry this asshole who didn't love me, had no plans t' honor our marriage vows, an' only wanted what he thought I might inherit from Pa." Johnny swore something ugly. "I went an' stayed wit Cousin Dougie while I worked my way through my first year as a game warden. When I graduated, he was th' only one who was there, from our side of th' family. Haven't heard from anyone on th' ranch in years."
"Same here."
"Durin' th' five an' a half years as a game warden, I saw an' learned a lotta things, things that forced me t' grow up an' learn. That included homosexuality, an' I had a choice t' make. I chose to accept it. I don't care if yer gay, Johnny; all I care about is are y' happy? Are y' safe? An' have y' been able to find someone who loves y' fer who y' are, faults an' all?" Langston said. "I honestly do not care who y' bounce pillows wit, as long as y' don't git hurt. Yer my brother; that's all that matters."
Johnny looked at her, and she got the feeling that he was really seeing her. "You don't know how much that means to me."
"Pfft. Now, less wit th' sappy stuff, an' more wit the stories. How'd y' git that scar on yer hand?"
Back at NCIS, Lance Corporal Jackson had just signed the necessary papers to deal with Paulie's remains. Gibbs and Palmer were with him.
"Are any of them going to face charges, or a trial?" Jackson asked, seated in the conference room.
"Bridget is facing murder charges," Gibbs said. "Unfortunately May has alzheimer's and it's getting worse."
"So, she doesn't remember what she did?" Jackson asked.
"To some degree she does, but she's not a pleasant person to be around when someone brings it up," Gibbs said, having had a conference call with Mac Wilbur-Kent. Normally she would have refused to discuss patient confidentiality with someone like Gibbs, but since she was doing this as a favor to Gibbs, it was a bit of a different subject. He was already making mental plans for a cradle that was a combination of a rocker and a cradle, like something McGee had once shown him online. "Because Bridget is her primary caretaker, and facing jail time, it's likely she'll wind up in a long-term care facility. Robert's already dead; heart attack, years ago."
Jackson nodded. "I want to see them, to face them. I have to. And I know I don't need to see him, but I need to. I need to see my brother."
"We can do that," Palmer said. "Have you thought about what you're going to do?"
"I don't want to put him back in the ground; he's been there for too long," Jackson said. "He loved the playground."
"If you have him cremated, you could bury him with a tree that's planted near a playground," Palmer offered. "You could also have his ashes mixed in with concrete to create something that could be permanently added to a playground area. That way, spiritually, Paulie can always have a playground to play at."
Jackson perked up at that idea. "I think he'd like that."
In the morgue, Palmer showed him Paulie's remains.
"It's me, Paulie; it's your favorite big brother. It took me a long time, but I found you. And you and me, buddy, we're never, ever, going to be apart again. I promise," Jackson whispered, tears filling his eyes. He looked up at Gibbs and Palmer, determination in his eyes. "I'm done running. I'm done being afraid of the past. I don't know what I'm going to do after this, but I want to do something with kids. I couldn't save Paulie, but maybe I can save other kids like him."
"I know of a few places that could use a guy like you," Gibbs said. "Let's see what we can do."
"And I want my day in court," Jackson said.
"I'll let the prosecutor know," Gibbs said. His phone rang. It was Security, letting him know that Tyler Strathford was there, requesting to visit the morgue. After agreeing, Gibbs snapped his phone shut. "Looks like you're about to meet another former victim; Tyler Strathford. He's here for Amanda."
"He's going to take care of Amanda?" Jackson asked.
"Seems so," Palmer said, going to his desk to pick up the file.
"What about Julia?" Jackson asked.
"That's sort of a problem right now. Her mother is not mentally fit, and was possibly her killer, so that's out," Palmer said.
"What about Tommy?" Jackson asked, as the doors hissed open, letting Tyler in, followed by an agent who was escorting him. Gibbs nodded his thanks at the agent, who left.
"He's in no shape," Gibbs said, having gotten the report from Bishop. "Plus, because he's not financially capable, we can't really release Julia to him."
"But you can to me," Tyler said. "I'm already taking care of Amanda. If you release Julia to me, I can make sure she's got a good place." He smiled at Jackson. "I think I remember you. You had a little brother?"
Jackson nodded. "Paulie. I'm Lance Corporal John Jackson. They found Paulie with Amanda."
"Good. Good," Tyler said.
"What are you going to do about the Wentworth house?" Gibbs asked.
"Tear it down, rebuild it as a home for kids needing help," Tyler said. "I'm planning on buying the land behind the house, where Amanda was found."
"You two," Gibbs said, indicating the two men, "need to talk."
Upstairs, McGee, Torres, and Bishop were finishing up the reports that would close the case.
"This is going to be a fun one to deal with when it comes to court, if it comes to that," McGee said.
"What makes you say that?" Bishop asked.
"From what I've seen, most people like Bridget take a plea deal rather than go to trial," McGee said. "Means less time for them, usually. Plus, there was the way Bridget fought; that's not going to go down well."
"I'm a bit concerned about Robbie. I don't think he's going to do well in the system," Torres admitted. "This whole sex thing's kinda got me worried."
"Well, hopefully, with some recommendations, he can get the help he needs," McGee said.
"Hopefully this whole thing was a wake-up call for him," Bishop said.
"By the way, what's Johnny like?" Torres asked.
"Besides being real easy on the eyes, real nice," Bishop said. "He's a Marine, through and through." She fiddled with her phone and was quickly able to throw something onto the plasma. It was a photo she had snapped of Johnny and Langston, when Langston had nearly tackled her brother. The joy was evident on the siblings faces.
"That needs to get printed up," McGee said. "And I just confirmed that Bridget used to work for Bayside Memorial Hospital as a housekeeper."
"That's the hospital where Petty Officer Scotto's body was found?" Torres asked.
"Yup. She quit last year after May Wentworth started having more trouble with her alzheimer's," McGee said.
"Which is getting worse, to the point I have ordered her to be placed at a long-term care facility that specializes in difficult patients," said Mackenzie "Mac" Wilbur-Kent, as she joined them.
"Well hey there," McGee said, standing up to greet her. He gave her a hug and grinned at her. "Good to see you again."
"Same here," Mac said, accepting hugs from Bishop and Torres.
"You're looking good. How far along are you?" Torres asked.
"Six months, and we don't know if it's a boy or girl yet. We kinda want to do the whole surprise thing, but Tom and I did agree to use Tom as a middle name instead of a first name. And yes, he's in fuss overdrive as only a SEAL can be," Mac said, rubbing her pregnant belly.
"That's a SEAL for you," McGee said.
"I do have some information for you, regarding the Wentworths," Mac said. "A couple of times May thought I was Bridget, and she made comments to the effect of making sure I knew to hide Amanda's body and wipe the blood off the fireplace hearth extension." She held up her phone. "The best part is, I got it all on video, and I checked with Tom; it should be legal, because technically I had my phone within sight of May, but she doesn't know technology well enough to realize I can record with it."
"That makes Bridget a conspirator to murder," Bishop said. "She might not have killed Amanda, but she definitely helped cover it up."
"Which fits with the witness statements we're getting," McGee said. "Can you send me those videos?"
"How about I just give you my phone and let you work your magic?" Mac asked, handing him the device after unlocking it. "And I don't mean to be rude, but I really need to sit down."
Torres quickly got Mac a chair, and the pregnant nurse sat down with a sigh of relief. Out of curiosity, she checked out the new agent's desk.
"New agent?" she asked.
"Yeah, that's Jane Langston; she joined us a few weeks ago. We got her from another senior agent who was being an asshole towards her, even after she took a bounced bullet to the leg, helping us with a suspect," Torres said. "She's good stuff."
"So who was the cutie she was smiling at in that picture?" Mac asked.
"Her brother, Gunnery Sergeant John Langston. They haven't seen each other since he left home to join the Marines," Bishop said. "They only just found each other again."
"Wow. Hockey fan, huh?" Mac said, noticing the Dallas Stars cup.
"Hockey, football, baseball," Torres said. "Whatever she can get to, where she can yell."
"You'd like her; she's not above swinging, or kicking, if it gets the job done, and she was a game warden for a number of years, plus a rancher's daughter. Oh, and she's the last person to complain about an injury," Torres said.
"So she's the kind of girl who stands up for herself, and I'm guessing anyone else she thinks needs a defender?" Mac said.
"Cheerfully, with both fists up, and a pair of steel toe boots," Bishop said.
"You're right; I would probably like her," Mac said, grinning.
Gibbs came into the bullpen, and he grinned when he saw Mac. "Hey," he said, giving her a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Giving you guys some video I got in regards to May Wentworth. She thought I was Bridget a couple of times, and said some things about making sure I buried Amanda's body properly and wiped the blood off the fireplace hearth," Mac said. "And getting off my feet while I can. Baby's getting active, and I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to remove myself from dealing with May. She decided to chuck an ashtray at me this morning. It missed, fortunately, but I'm not taking any more chances."
"Don't. We have this case in hand," Gibbs said. "Besides, Tom would come after me if something happened to you or the baby."
"And we have the video, boss," McGee said.
He threw it onto the plasma and everyone watched as May Wentworth spoke.
"Are you sure Amanda's buried?" May asked. "Did Tommy and Robert bury that little freak like I told them to?"
"Yes," Mac replied, not offering anything more.
"Good. Good girl. Make sure you clean that blood off right and proper. Don't need no nosy cops poking their nose where it don't belong," May said.
"Understood," Mac said.
The video switched to another time.
"Bridget, did you make sure the boys took care of that little freak?" May asked.
"Yes," Mac said.
"Good. Stupid little freak. She got what she deserved. They all do. Shouldn't have mouthed off at me and I wouldn't have hit her quite so hard. Not my fault the hearth was there. She should have known better to piss me off," May muttered. "Stupid freak."
Later:
"Bridget, did you get the blood off the hearth?"
"Yes."
"What about those damn kids? Have they said anything?"
"No."
"Good. You know what to do if they open their mouths, right? Hit 'em and hit 'em hard. No one will miss 'em. Not the first time, won't be the last. Shirley will back me; she always does."
Mac looked at the team, whose faces were showing a mixture of disgust and dismay. "I don't know about you guys, but that pretty much sounds like a confession to me," she said.
"We'll turn it over to the prosecutor," Gibbs said.
"By the way, who's Shirley?" Mac asked.
"That sounds like Shirley Brax, the former caseworker who usually worked with the Wentworths," McGee said.
"Am I correct in thinking Shirley either encouraged or enabled what the Wentworths were doing?" Mac asked.
"It certainly looks like it," Bishop said. "Problem is, we can't really prove it."
"Ain't that the fun part," Mac said. She grunted softly and rubbed her stomach; the baby had kicked. She smiled. "When I found out I was pregnant, I took the stick to where Tom was taking his classes, and gave it to one of his classmates to give to him, while I watched from a hiding spot. It took him about thirty seconds to realize what the two lines meant, and then I swear, his eyes rolled and he hit the floor." She laughed softly. "Good thing I was there. His CO was going to get mad at him, until he found out why Tom had dropped, and admitted he'd seen a few other guys do the same."
"How's he doing now?" Torres asked.
"He's doing good, but he's really starting to fuss, more so since he was able to feel the baby kick," Mac said. "I have no doubt he's going to be a good father; he's already trying to arrange for parental leave around my due date, and has made it very plain that April is to stay the hell away from us, as she gets absolutely no grandma rights, despite her best efforts to suck up."
"What about your parents?" Gibbs asked.
"Mom and Dad are divorced now, after she found out he'd been having a long-term affair with some broad from work," Mac said, causing the team to wince in sympathy. "He tried to claim it was his right as a guy, and she showed him what her rights were, by kicking him out and serving him divorce papers. Fortunately Mom and Tom get along pretty good, because I may need her help when the baby comes, and she's promised to be there," Mac said.
"I'm sorry to hear about the divorce, but I'm glad you have a better relationship with your mom," Gibbs said.
"Yeah, same here. And on that note, I promised her I'd catch up to her so we could pick out some baby gear for the baby," Mac said, checking her watch and standing up. "Keep me posted about the case, just out of curiosity."
"Will do, and thanks," Gibbs said.
"For you guys, any time," Mac said, grinning.