Gibbs and Ziva headed back to the Navy Yard with a newfound determination to solve Eliana's case. Gibbs found DiNozzo and McGee arguing over McGee's skincare routine and decided a head slap would sort them out.
Immediately they gathered in front of the plasma and gave a sit rep which included very little new information.
"Ziva, go check in with Abby." Demanded Gibbs.
Ziva headed down whilst Gibbs updated McGee and DiNozzo on the full DNA test results.
"Wow Ziva's dad just became even more of a douchebag, I don't think there is a film reference for this one!" Tony tried to play it off as a joke but he desperately wanted to go and check on Ziva, this could be the final straw for her. She put on a brave face for most but he knew that Ziva was still struggling after Somalia, it had been about 8 months ago but the nightmares still plagued her occasionally.
McGee shook his head in despair, what was it with fathers? Ziva's was particularly bad, she had been trained for Mossad since she was a child! At least his father, whilst not affectionate, had never trained him to be a killer.
"Does Ziva know?" Asked McGee, Gibbs nodded his head and told them to get to work, this case needed to be solved.
"Hello, Abby, do you have any results back yet?" Asked Ziva.
"Yes, DNA and fingerprints were taken from the cabin where Eliana was found confirms that Ofe, Gurion and Dahan were the only ones in the cabin with her. They sent several other samples, none of which were any help, except for informing me what our former Mossad officers had eaten. State police found a burned up, exploded car on a trail 3 miles from the cabin, they want me to try and identify it, it's down in the evidence garage, I'm going to need everyone's help." Answered Abby.
"Ziva, are you okay?" Asked Abby when she noticed Ziva's face falter slightly.
"Yes Abby, I am fine, I went to visit Eliana this morning, she knows some sign language." Ziva tried to convince Abby that she was okay, Ziva did not want to be pressed to talk about things.
"No way! Gibbs didn't tell me that, I'll have to go and visit her again! Well, if you change your mind about being okay I'm here." Abby tried to comfort Ziva but she had already headed back upstairs to the squad room.
Ziva informed Gibbs that Abby wanted help down in the evidence garage sorting through a burned car and even Gibbs went down to help. They changed into overalls and got to work on the car, it was a mess but parts were salvageable. Abby's method of evidence organisation was complex and all four of the agents submitted to her instructions knowing it was probably the most effective way to complete the task quickly.
"Ah-ha!" Proclaimed Ziva, she had found wires from a bomb, she showed them to the team.
"Ziva, they're the wires that connect the GPS systems in most cars." Said McGee
"McGee, it is how Mossad wire their car bombs. We use this specific type of wire because it belongs in the car, to begin with, it makes it almost impossible to prove that the bomb was purposeful and not an accidental electrical short causing an explosion." Explained Ziva.
From the evidence found in the car, it was obvious that Mossad had blown it up and probably any evidence suggesting their whereabouts. Ziva was furious, it took the team most of the day to process the evidence. Abby had taken samples of the ashes to her lab to test for traces whilst Tony, McGee and Ziva headed to where the car had been found in the hope of finding a second getaway vehicle. It was unlikely that the missing Mossad operatives had made the rest of their journey on foot.
Gibbs headed up to the director's office as soon as his agents had left.
"Vance, I know this puts you in a difficult position but I really do think that we need to ask Eli David for more information. The bomb they used to blow up the car was made using Mossad issue materials yet the two officers were fired according to Interpol three months ago!"
"Agent Gibbs, I know we need to solve this case but we need to consider all possibilities to maintain his daughter's safety. I'm concerned that Eli sent Ofe, Gurion and Dahan in the first place. From my point of view the less he knows the better."
"Eliana is in a hospital bed unable to speak or understand English, she has been tortured to within an inch of her life for information that it is unlikely that she was physically able to give! I will not stand here and let Eli hurt another member of his family or my family". Shouted Gibbs, he kicked the table in Vance's office and slammed his fist into it.
"Gibbs, I know you're angry I am too but without proper evidence, we won't be given a warrant for his arrest let alone get a conviction to stick."
Gibbs sighed, he felt lost and out of control, he wanted to make everything better for poor Lia but he could do nothing without risking more harm to Eliana.
"Gibbs, have you thought about talking to Dr Mallard about Eliana, he might have some advice for both you and Eliana." Asked Vance, he trod carefully as he really wasn't sure how Gibbs would react to such a proposition.
As much as Gibbs hated Vance's suggestion he might not be of sound mind at the moment, he headed down to autopsy to speak to Ducky about Eliana.
"Ahhh Jethro, I wondered when I might be seeing you down here. What can I do for you today?"
Gibbs explained the situation to Ducky who was equally as shocked to find out about everything. Ducky suggested he head to the hospital to catch the doctor and to get a better understanding of Eliana's medical condition.
"Jethro, you can't change Eliana's past but you can shape her future, give her the life she deserves, the one that was taken from her. This is your second chance at having a family that's truly yours." Gibbs nodded agreeing with Ducky's suggestion, whilst hard to hear, the doctor always gave good advice. Ducky gathered his hat and headed off to the hospital to visit Eliana's doctor.
