Chapter 3 April 2024
Tony and Ziva set up a home office from which to work so that they could stay at home with the younger girls and maintain their routine. A secure line was installed for communication with Tim and Leon; Tim also set up a secure server private network for the four of them to use outside of NCIS so that no prying eyes would find any information about the investigation and tracking of the former team leader.
Leon officially retired on Friday, 29 March, but as per SecNav retained his credentials and NCIS-issued firearm for the duration of the case. It was Leon Vance who made connections to several other cases around the country of cops gone bad suddenly meeting their demise, or of several accused killers who escaped conviction on technicalities or plea deals meeting an untimely end. All fit the pattern the four had established and once reports were obtained from the investigating agencies, the ballistics matched the two weapons already known to the secret team.
Because Tim had to also perform his team leader duties with the current MCRT, the other three often worked at the DiNozzo house during the day and filled their fourth team member in on anything new at night or on the weekends.
Ziva was sorting through the various case files they'd obtained, while Tony was plotting the different murders on a map. When he got to Abby, he had to put a Post-It note on the Atlantic Ocean on the US map on the wall. The goal was to establish a clear time-line and also try to determine how Gibbs chose the targets.
"Ziva, do we have any others on the West coast besides that one from Oregon?" Tony looked over to his wife as she moved files around.
She shook her head, "No, just that one. Other than Abby, that is the furthest away from the DC area that we have." She looked over at Tony's map, "Most are within a day's drive of here." She noted the cluster of Post-It flags on the East coast and in the Ohio valley.
"Are there any where we can track a clear pattern of travel, such as back-to-back locations?" Leon was working on a time-line on a large white board. "Can we trace his movement with any of them?"
Tony frowned and looked between the two visual displays, "So far, the pattern fits a lone operative. That fits with what we know of how Gibbs operates; lone wolf. But if he is acting alone, how is he getting information to know where to be and when?"
"Or from whom?" Ziva added. "Is someone feeding him information, and how?"
Tony was about to reply when a little form appeared in the doorway. Ariella yawned and reached for her Daddy. "I wanna snack, Daddy. Please?"
He picked up the three year old and tussled her hair, "Are you the cookie monster? Or the fishy monster?" She giggled and squirmed to get down as another pair of little arms wrapped around his legs. Two year old Arianna tried to tackle her Daddy.
"Me hungee; me want cookies and fishies," the toddler grinned. She looked over at her mother and noticed the third adult in the room. "Oh, hi, Unka Leon."
Ariella ran over to her 'new' uncle where he was sitting at the large table. She raised her arms to give him a hug; Leon pulled her into his lap.
"How are you today, Ariella?" Leon smiled at the little girl as her younger sister ran over also. Leon lifted her into his lap as well.
"Me fine; are you gonna have snack wif us?"
"Fishies," Arianna added. "Mmmm, good fishies."
"I think," Ziva stood up from her chair, "That we should all have a snack. Then the adults can get back to work while some little girls play."
While the adults and children were enjoying the snack, Ziva's cell phone rang. She picked it up and noticed that Delilah was calling. She swiped to answer the call.
"Hello, De, how are you today?" Ziva greeted her friend.
"Hey, Ziva; just wondering if you and the family want to come over on Saturday for some family time," the other woman replied.
"Let me check with Tony," Ziva put her hand over the mic on the phone. "De wants us to come over on Saturday for some family time; okay with you?" Tony nodded. "De, yes, we will come over," she spoke into the phone. "What ti…"
"Oh, my," Delilah interrupted Ziva's question. "What is Gibbs doing watching my house?"
"WHAT? I am going to put the phone on speaker so Tony can hear you," Ziva placed the phone on the table and hit the icon for speaker option. "Where is he?"
"The kids are out back playing; I looked out the front window to check if the mail has come yet. He's in his truck across the street from the house. Should I go out and talk to him?"
"NO!" Ziva, Tony, and Leon all responded at the same time.
"Um… okay?" De was wondering why they were so emphatic and to whom the third voice belonged.
"Delilah, stay where you are. Leon Vance and I are on the way over there. Get the kids inside if you can and keep an eye on Gibbs. Lock the doors and stay on the line with Ziva until we get there," Tony took charge immediately. Gibbs presence outside the McGee house was no coincidence, nor was it innocuous.
Tony handed Ziva one of the secure cell phones, "If things get ugly or if she goes off the line, use this to call Tim and the locals ASAP. Hopefully we won't need it."
"Oh. My. God. Ziva, what's going on? Should I be scared?" De could hear the urgency in Tony's voice; it frightened her, but she wasn't sure why.
"I cannot tell you over the phone; once Tony and Leon get there, they will explain. Are Johnny and Morgan inside or still outside?"
"Outside; should I get them in?"
Ziva thought for a few seconds; on one hand she wanted her niece and nephew to be safe, but on the other hand, she didn't want to tip off Gibbs that they were on to his stalking. "Um, is the fence still locked with the keyed lock?"
"Yes."
"Is it locked now?"
"I think so; Tim likes to keep the gate locked since the kids got out and went on their little hike out of the neighborhood," De replied.
"Let them stay outside so Gibbs does not get suspicious; keep an eye on him. If he moves towards the house or the gate, get the kids inside quickly. Tony and Leon should be there in a few minutes," Ziva tried to stay calm for her friend. She moved the girls to the family room and put a Disney video on for them to watch.
"If he leaves, let me know," Ziva realized that Tali would be getting off the school bus in about fifteen minutes. Luckily their house was about two hundred feet from where the bus stopped each day. "Okay, what do you see?" she had to distract both of them from worrying about the children.
"He's just sitting in the truck, kinds slouched down and staring at the front of the house. Ziva, it's creeping me out," De was honest. "Oh, I see Tony's car coming up the street. And I think Leon's SUV is coming the opposite way."
"Good," Ziva focused on the fact that Gibbs was still in front of the McGee house as she looked out her own front windows. No unusual vehicles or people in sight; she felt a slight relief, but continued to watch.
"Looks like Tony is going to block him from moving and, oh, he's getting out of the car. Gibbs isn't moving at all. He's staring at Tony and I don't think he even sees Leon behind the truck."
Out front of the McGee house, Tony approached Gibbs' truck cautiously. He noted that Leon was approaching from the rear with a hand on his holstered weapon. Tony tried to maintain eye contact with Gibbs but the older man's eyes darted from mirrors to Tony to the sides of the truck.
Tony got close enough to call out, but didn't get a chance before Gibbs stepped out of the truck and spoke.
"Ah, DiNozzo, you can just get moving along; nothing for you to pry into here," the former team leader sneered at his one-time SFA. "And take Leon with you."
"Just want to talk, Boss," Tony mentally slapped himself; he hadn't meant to use the familiar term to address the man.
"Not your boss; not for a long time. Never was his boss," Gibbs jerked a thumb at the retired Director.
Tony held out his hands, showing that he intended to be non-threatening, "Okay, Jethro, can we talk?"
"Only friends call me that."
Tony sighed, the man sure was being difficult on purpose. "Okay then, GIBBS. Just wanna talk, is that okay?"
"Got nothin' to say to you."
Leon stepped into Gibbs' line of sight, "How about to me?"
Gibbs sneered, "You? The one who took away my job? And gave it to that one?" He pointed at the McGee house. "Got nothin' to say to you either."
"We can get you help; arrange for a counselor or mental health professional to meet with you," Leon tried again.
Gibbs turned to Vance quickly and snapped at him, "Ain't nothin' I need help with; just doin' okay and doin' things my way. You gotta problem with that?"
"Yeah, we do, Gibbs," Tony tried to diffuse the anger he could hear in his former boss's voice. "Your own words… vigilante justice isn't good for anyone."
"Kinda changed my mind on that one, and I am not doing anything wrong. I'll best be heading home now so you two goons can back off," Gibbs snarled and tried to give the two former coworkers his best Gibbs' glare with the steely blue eyes. "And tell McGee that he better watch his six."
"Is that a threat?" Leon stepped closer to the man who once was his best team leader. What had happened to him?
"Take it any way you want; I'm going home." Gibbs got back in his truck and started the engine. He shifted into gear and steered around Tony and drove off.
The two men shook their heads in disbelief and returned to their vehicles. Both pulled into the McGee driveway and strode to the front door.
Inside, De told Ziva what she saw in the street. "And now he's driving off; Tony and Vance are heading up my front walkway." She opened the front door, "Hey, come on inside and tell me what is going on!"
Ziva let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She listened as Tony and Leon entered the house while watching for Tali's school bus to arrive at the bus stop. She saw the familiar yellow vehicle stop and Tali and three other kids exited the door. Ziva opened her front door and checked the street; nothing out of the ordinary.
"Tali's home," she called to the two little girls. They came running from the family room to greet their big sister.
~Vigilante~
Saturday was a warm and sunny day; a great day for two families to unwind from the week and enjoy each other's company in the outdoors. The kids were all happily anticipating a day of playing and fun, while their parents were planning to put the stresses of the week on the back burner for a few hours and enjoy just relaxing together. Unfortunately that particular Saturday turned out to be anything but fun and relaxing.
The DiNozzo family arrived at the McGee house around 1100; Tim had the bouncy house set up in the backyard for the kids to play. Delilah and Ziva planned the menu of hamburgers, chips, soft drinks, and brownies ahead of time. They tried to make foods that all of the kids would eat. After lunch, the two families piled into their respective vehicles and drove to the kids' school for an afternoon of family fun and games.
As the families were headed back to the McGee house, Ziva spotted Gibbs's truck at the end of the street.
"Tony, straight ahead on the left, behind the red Mustang," she spoke quietly, not wanting to alarm her girls.
"Gotcha," he replied just as quietly. "Text whoever is not driving the McVehicle and let them know."
Ziva glanced over her shoulder at the vehicle behind them; Tim was in the passenger seat. 'G in truck; up by red Mustang. 600 ft on left.' She hit the send icon and waited for a response.
'Eyes on. Play it as if we did not notice.' She read Tim's response to her husband.
Both vehicles turned into the McGee driveway; Tony stayed on the right so that he and Tim could talk between vehicles without shouting.
"Get the kids inside; one or more of us needs to confront him," Tim quickly took charge. "Tony, you go inside with De and the kids. Ziva?"
"Yes, Tim?"
"You good with confronting Gibbs with me?"
"On your six," she gave a thumbs' up.
De had been getting herself prepped to exit the vehicle; her wheelchair was all she needed. She nodded at her husband to let him know she was ready to move.
"Okay, on three, we move; Tony, kids into the house. De, chair and inside; Ziva, watch the kids and Gibbs as much as you can. One, two, THREE," Tim hit the fob to open the SUV's doors and hatch. Tony and Ziva exited their car and quickly released the two little girls from their car seats.
"Tali, follow your father into the house; make sure your sisters don't dawdle," Ziva pointed to the open garage door. "GO!" She noticed movement up the street and saw Gibbs' truck inching closer to the McGee property.
Tony herded the five kids into the garage and then into the house; De followed and he held the door for her. "What's the most interior room in the house?" he asked as she passed by him. He hit the garage door closer switch on the wall panel and grabbed the pistol Tim had hidden behind some boxes of old computer parts on a set of shelves near the entrance to the house. He checked that the clip was in place and the safety on; then tucked the weapon in his waistband.
"Half-bath and coat closet in the hallway between the front door and the kitchen area," De rolled in that direction calling to the kids to follow her. "Active shooter practice, guys, let's go!"
Outside, Ziva and Tim watched as Gibbs stopped at the end of the driveway. The driver's side door faced the house. Tim pulled his small caliber pistol from the SUV glovebox. He motioned to Ziva to get behind him.
"Let me try to talk to him," she whispered as the pair slowly approached their former team leader's truck.
"You sure?"
"Yes," she stepped in front of Tim and raised her hands. "I am unarmed. I just want to talk to you, Gibbs. Let me come closer."
She watched as Gibbs lowered the window. "Three steps closer; that's all," he barked at her. She did as he instructed and kept her hands where he could see them. "Just you, Ziva. McGee, stay back."
"Okay, Boss."
"Not your damn boss anymore," a scowl from the silver-haired former agent and his voice tone had Tim concerned. He had the pistol in his hand, pointed downward, but ready to raise it if needed.
"What are you doing, Gibbs? Why are you here?" Ziva tried a calm and soothing voice.
"Public street, last I checked."
"Okay, but why here? Why by the McGee house?" Ziva kept the calm and soothing tone.
"HIM," Gibbs jerked his chin towards Tim. "Took my job. When did you have two more kids, Ziva? You and DiNozzo turn into rabbits?"
Ziva forced herself to focus on Gibbs; she knew he was trying to distract her attention. "What about McGee, Gibbs? Why are you here at his house?"
Tim watched as Gibbs reached down to the seat of the truck; he drew the pistol up and aimed it at his former boss, "No sudden moves; keep your hands where I can see them."
"Geez, McGee; ain't gonna shoot you," the older man sneered. "Ya stole my job; if ya want my life, ya better be prepared to sacrifice family for the job."
Ziva tried the calm tone again, "You retired Gibbs; Tim didn't steal your job. He is the best qualified to replace you."
Gibbs made eye contact with Ziva; he tried to use the infamous Gibbs' glare on her, but she resisted. "Didn't choose to retire; he and Leon helped them force me out. He just better be ready to lose it all for the job." With that he shifted the truck into gear and floored the accelerator, squealing tires as he sped off.
Ziva yanked her phone out of her pocket; she swiped the screen and pressed a button, "Recorded the conversation." She held up the phone as Tim grinned at her.
Once back inside, the adults decided to keep the plans for the day so the kids wouldn't get upset. Instead of playing outside, the parents agreed that they would be safer staying inside. Only Tim and Tony went outside to check the yard.
As the four McGees and five DiNozzos sat down to dinner, a loud bang was heard echoing in the yard. Tim and Ziva moved cautiously to the front windows, while Delilah herded the kids to the interior bath and closet again. Tony slid over to the patio door to check the backyard. The bouncy house was collapsed and Tony could see the tear in the fabric, cause unknown until further investigation.
He hit a speed dial key on his secure cell.
"Vance."
"Leon, we're all at the McGee house, there was what sounded like a single gunshot fired into the backyard. No injuries, but the bouncy house is dead in the water," Tony gave the retired Director a quick assessment. "How soon can you get here?"