The Cop and The Con Series
Part 6
Kinship
Tony leveled his gun at the agents around him. He refused to lower it. The problem was he didn't recognize these people as agents. He didn't recognize then at all despite their reassurances. Tony knew very few people from D.C.'s Art Crimes Division. All he knew was that he was not letting anyone near him. Tony looked down at his friend, his brother, unconscious in his arms. And he was not letting anybody hurt Neal again.
"Agent DiNozzo…."
"Nobody is touching him." Tony retorted in anger. "Where is Agent Gibbs? Leroy Jethro Gibbs?"
Tony tried to shift his weight to find a comfortable position. He regretted the action almost immediately. Pain exploded in his side, the side where he had been shot. He had to bit his lip to keep from yelling. Tony looked down at Neal. He was still, unconscious. For that Tony was grateful, he didn't know if he could deal with Neal's pain on top of his own.
"Agent Gibbs is on his way. Agent DiNozzo…." She knelt down in front of him. "You need help." One of the female agents pleaded, but, wisely, kept her distance.
"Yes, Agent…." Tony started. He heard the muffled conversation around him. He then turned his attention back to the agent speaking to him. These people said they agents, but he had no idea who they were. He didn't recognize any of them.
"I'm Agent Garrison. Kathy Garrison." She said, quietly. "Let us help you."
"I am aware I need help, Agent Garrison!" Tony snapped from pain and impatience. He groaned. The pain increasing as he fought to stay awake. "We've both been shot in the chest. I understand." Tony swung his gun in a wide angle, daring any of them to approach him. "Nobody is going to hurt him!" Tony replied, referring to the unconscious man in his arms.
An agent in Tony's periphery made a move. Tony swung his gun in the man's direction.
"You really don't want to do that! I'm an excellent shot." Tony reassured him.
The agent believed Tony and stepped back.
The other agents stayed back also. There was more muffled talk as, again, options were discussed. Agent Gibbs and Agent Burke had both been called. Apparently they were together and would be arriving shortly, along with Jones and Diana. The agents were debating calling Director Vance. They all were discussing ways of taking care of the situation. The only reason they were all there to begin with was because a man in the parking garage had heard the shooter refer to one of the other men as 'agent.' The observer figured he meant FBI, and he had placed the call. The FBI arrived quickly. A couple of those agents then recognized Agent DiNozzo and called NCIS.
Tony could feel himself getting weaker. He was finding it harder and harder to keep pressure on Neal's chest. He was having a hard time holding his hand up, holding his weapon. He didn't know these people. And he knew at some point he would be too weak to defend himself and Neal against them. The thought terrified him.
Moments later Gibbs, Peter, Diana, and Jones arrived. "Agent DiNozzo…?" Diana said. She knelt down beside the wounded agent.
Tony had dropped his weapon. But he was still semi-conscious. He tried to reach for his gun until her voice registered. He stopped.
"Di…Agent Barrigan?" Tony asked. He opened his eyes, a little, not realizing he had even closed them. It let her see just a small portion of that emerald green color that she thought made him so handsome.
Diana could see the panic in Tony's eyes. He had just realized that Neal was not resting in his lap anymore. "He's okay, Tony. Neal's being taken care of. We need to help you now."
Tony nodded. The EMT's had arrived moments earlier, with two ambulances. Neal was soon on his way in one, and Tony was about to be put into the other. They just needed to get him onto a stretcher.
Gibbs knelt down in front of his agent. If he had not seen it himself he would not have believed it. His severely injured agent holding off a group of other agents and defending his friend. It was moments like this Gibbs could not help but smile at Tony's courage and loyalty.
Tony sucked in a painful breath. "…didn't knew…feds."
Gibbs shook his head. "I know you didn't know, DiNozzo." He said smiling. "It's okay, Kid, ya did good." Gibbs moved back as the EMT's loaded Tony. Gibbs patted Tony's shoulder as he walked the stretcher out to the ambulance. "Ya did good."
"Neal's…okay?" Tony asked, looking up at Gibbs.
Peter spoke, answering Tony's question. He and Jones had had just a moment to see Neal before he was put into the ambulance.
"He's on his way to the hospital, Agent DiNozzo." Peter paused. "Thank you for taking such good care of him."
Tony nodded before his eyes slid closed again.
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"Trust us, Agent Burke." Tim said smiling. "You want the two of them to be in the same room." They were standing in the room Tony and Neal would be occupying after their surgeries.
Tim, Ziva and Abby were all smiling. Peter, Jones and Diana looked at the three of them, thoroughly confused.
Team Gibbs continued to smile, trying to figure out the best way to explain when Gibbs strolled in, holding his ever present cup of coffee.
"…because nobody wants to see another performance of 'Hairy Butt Theater.'" Gibbs replied, nonchalantly as he put his coffee on Tony's bedside table.
Peter, Jones and Diana then turned their confused looks to Gibbs.
"If Tony doesn't see Neal he will get up out of bed and look for him." Tim said, trying to be delicate. "Tony'll drag his IV pole, or whatever else is attached to him and wander the halls looking for him
"And if you're standing behind him…sometimes you get a show." Abby said, talking out the construction of the typical hospital gown. "Ziva gave him the nickname actually."
Ziva nodded. "We were undercover, as a very…amorous couple. They were a husband and wife team of assassins. Tony got into the role a little. He really enjoyed himself."
"Tony never forgave you for ruining his date with that FBI agent, did he?" Abby asked.
"No, he did not. And I apologized…profoundly." Ziva replied.
"It's profusely." Tim corrected. "It was kind of funny when you announced that you were pregnant."
Abby turned to Peter's team and explained. "The wife had been pregnant when she died. Ducky had called and told Ziva, and Ziva blurted it out when she got off the phone."
Abby looked at Gibbs. "How long have then been in surgery? Shouldn't they be out by now?" She looked at the clock on the wall.
Gibbs gave Abby a hug. "I just talked to the nurse. Both Tony and Neal are doing well. They will be fine. She couldn't tell me how much longer it would be, for sure. But she estimated another hour or two."
Abby went back out into the ICU waiting room and took a seat, Tim and Ziva followed.
"Your team is very close." Peter observed.
Gibbs nodded. He, Peter, Diana and Jones had stayed behind in room. "We've formed our own little dysfunctional family."
Peter smiled. He began to speak again as Gibbs' phone rang. Gibbs listened for a moment, and then hung up.
"I'm due back at NCIS. Tim and Ziva will be coming with me. We still have a case to solve." Gibbs stated. He had had no intention of staying at the hospital this long. He needed to get back to NCIS. He was going to find out who shot his agent, and he was going to make them pay.
Peter nodded. He was anxious to find out what had happened. The night before Tony and Neal were going to an art exhibit and then out for a meal. They had ended up shot in a parking garage in D.C. It was only three miles from the Naval Yard, and just outside the museum they had visited.
Peter's team followed Team Gibbs back to NCIS. Abby had agreed to stay at the hospital and report back to them, whatever she found out. Meanwhile, Director Vance had called Agent Fornell in to work on case with NCIS and Peter, along with D.C. Art Crimes. It was a massive operation, and Vance could only hope that Gibbs would take this opportunity to 'play well with others.'
Vance and Fornell were introduced to Peter and his team when they all returned from the hospital. Gibbs then stepped away to answer his phone.
"I just hope you guys find this guy before Gibbs does." Vance said to Fornell. "It would be nice to have a suspect to question."
Fornell nodded.
Peter, Jones and Diana looked at Director Vance for an explanation.
"There is something you should know about Agent Gibbs." Ducky said joining the group and joining in the conversation. He had come upstairs to get news on Tony. "These guys refer to Agent Gibbs as 'Papa Bear.' And there are a couple of things you don't do to bears."
Vance nodded. "You don't poke them with sticks."
Fornell added. "And you don't mess with their cubs."
Peter nodded. He now understood the intensity he was getting from Agent Gibbs. And he understood their family unit a little better.
"We are not sure if this is case-related. We don't…we don't know anything." Peter replied. Tony and Neal had not been working when this had occurred.
"We have to assume it is." Vance replied. "Until we find evidence that points in another direction."
Tim spoke up. "Abby has processed the crime scene evidence. There is very little left. No fingerprints. No hair. The blood belonged to Tony and Neal."
"Our lab is taking a look at the ballistics." Fornell stated. "Our tech just received them about 30 minutes ago. We should have results within the hour."
Director Vance had called Peter and Neal back to D.C. after their impressive job last time they were there. A priceless piece of art secreted away on a navy vessel. It had been found during a routine search of the ship. And the discovery had raised a great many eyebrows. The ship had been in Iraq, Italy, and Spain over its year at sea. So the opportunities had been there to 'pilfer.' It had just been surprising that a member of the U.S. military would do such a thing.
"Did Caffrey get a chance to authenticate the piece?" Vance asked Peter.
Peter nodded. "He looked at the piece yesterday. He said it was real."
Vance nodded.
Gibbs rejoined the group. "Then, I'm guessing, this thing is definitely worth dying over."
Peter nodded, again. "Neal estimated its value at approximately 10 million U.S. dollars."
Tim whistled. "…definitely worth dying for."
They all nodded.
"So, what?" Ziva asked. "Someone thought Tony and Neal would lead them to the painting?"
"It's possible. Everyone on the ship knew NCIS was investigating. It was the same ship where Tony had served as Agent Afloat a few years back." Tim offered.
"Which brings up another angle…Tony made a lot of enemies on that ship." Gibbs stated. "Lots of people were very, very glad to see Tony come back to D.C."
"But nobody knew where Anthony and Neal were going to be last night." Ducky replied. "Except us, I was up here when Tony and Neal were discussing their plans. So…." He looked at Ducky, realizing his conclusion.
"…a dirty NCIS agent." Gibbs whispered. The thought making his blood boil, one of his own.
"No one speaks of this again in this office." Vance stated. "This is to be treated as a normal, regular investigation." He addressed Team Gibbs, Fornell, and Peter's team. "Do whatever you have to do to find out who did this…" Vance stated. "…as discreetly as possible." He added.
Everyone nodded, understanding the need for secrecy.
"Tony and Neal will need protection, yes?" Ziva asked.
Vance nodded. "I will arrange for a guard outside the room. I'll come up with an 'official' reason."
"Where exactly is the painting…right now?" Fornell asked.
"Let's just say it's in transit." Vance replied.
Fornell took it to mean that the FBI would be getting a very special package from NCIS for safekeeping. He nodded.
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"I don't understand why I'm here." Dana Christian stated for the fifth time. Her boss was going to miss her if she didn't get back downstairs to accounting.
Gibbs paced the table in the interrogation room. "You are here, Ms. Christian," Gibbs said, barely controlling his anger. "…because one of my agents is in the hospital. A friend of his is in the hospital." Gibbs said, referring to Neal. "And you were the girlfriend of the sailor accused of taking a painting that connects all this. Also, when I looked you up, you had an interesting history. An art major in college…who has worked in the authentication of antiquities…." Gibbs paused. "Who are you protecting, Ms. Christian?" Gibbs stated coldly. "Your boyfriend is dead."
Everyone else stood in the observation room, watching the interrogation. Peter could see and almost feel Gibbs' anger. He felt almost sorry for her. An angry Leroy Jethro Gibbs scared even him.
Dana looked up at Gibbs with tears in her eyes. "I know that!" She stated. "Don't you think I know that?"
"I can show you a picture…if you don't believe me." Gibbs stated reaching into the manila folder that held a picture of the dead sailor, Seaman Tommy Brogan.
Dana shook her head. She then looked down at her hands and mumbled. "It wasn't supposed to happen that way."
"What!?" Gibbs asked. "Speak up!"
Dana Christian looked up at Gibbs. "It wasn't supposed to happen that way. Tommy…he made a deal with a marine, a Sergeant Kyle Edwards. Edwards and his unit had come across an abandoned mansion, full of paintings and antiques. The people who lived there had been world travelers. They had paintings from Rembrandt, Degas, and Monet. I think they even had a Picasso."
Gibbs paced the room while Dana talked.
Tim left the room to get a BOLO out on Sergeant Kyle Edwards.
Ziva stayed, watching intently until her phone rang. She looked at the screen and then left the room, stepping out into the hall. She returned a moment later, she had news about Tony and Neal, but it could wait.
"Anyway, the marine needed a way to get the pieces out of the country. And Tommy offered up my services as part of the deal. Tommy would help move the pieces out of the country and I would authenticate them. But, it…." Dana shook her head. "…something went wrong. Tommy couldn't sneak the piece off the ship, something about some sort of inspection. It was going to happen when they left the ship. Tommy couldn't take the chance of moving anything then. He got back on the ship, later that night. But by that time the item had been found, and everybody was talking. Tommy was in a great deal of trouble with the Navy and his fellow sailors." Dana explained. "He called me the night before he died and told me everything. He said he couldn't get the stuff off the ship. But he couldn't miss the meet either. He told me that the items had been found and removed. And an investigation was being held. He said that he was afraid of what Kyle would do if he didn't deliver." She shook her head. "I'm guessing Tommy told Kyle whatever he wanted to know. I guess to save his life." She sniffled. "It didn't work."
Gibbs nodded. That explained a lot in Gibbs' mind. If Kyle knew NCIS was investigating, all he had to do was hang around the scene, discreetly, and see who the investigators were. Kyle could have also approached any of Tommy's shipmates. They could have known Tony from his Agent Afloat days. That could have been how they got his name. Then it would have been fairly easy to track Tony, he had a pretty regular routine.
"It was supposed to be simple. Tommy and Kyle were going to meet the buyer together. They would get the money, split it, and part ways. Then Tommy was going to give me a few hundred thousand for my trouble." Dana said her head bowed.
"You said paintings, plural." Gibbs stated. "Only one was found."
Dana nodded. "They wanted them all, but they couldn't take them all. They only got to take one. It was just too hard to transport all that stuff across the desert."
"They could have cut them out of their frames." Gibbs suggested.
Dana nodded. "True, but that takes time. This was more of a rush operation. Plus, the canvas can be damaged, the value would go down. And older canvases can be destroyed when they are rolled up. It's better to leave it 'as is.'"
"Thank you, Ms. Christian. We'll be in touch if we have any more questions." Gibbs said, as he exited the room and a couple of agents entered. They escorted Ms. Christian out of the building. There were no charges to be filed against her.
"Boss!" Ziva said as Gibbs exited the interrogation room and Peter and the rest exited the observation room. "Tony and Neal are okay. Tony has been out of surgery for a few minutes. He is in recovery. Neal has been moved to their room."
Gibbs nodded. "Good."
"Boss," Tim said practically running down the hall. "…Edwards has been spotted in Alexandria. He's got a sister there. Ashley Williams, she lives at 4508 Highland Road."
Gibbs nodded. He started down the hall with, everyone else following him. They were soon all loaded into cars and heading towards Alexandria.
Edwards was captured without incident outside his sister's home. Gibbs handcuffed Edwards putting the cuffs on a little too tight. Gibbs allowed Peter to put Edwards into the car. Gibbs was afraid he might, accidently, bang the guys head against the door frame, or worse.
Gibbs took his time interrogating Edwards. Gibbs left him in the interrogation room for over an hour, long after Edwards had starting complaining about the wait, or how uncomfortable the chairs were.
Gibbs smiled as he walked in the door. He had heard the complaints. "Sergeant Kyle Edwards you are being questioned in the shooting of an NCIS agent..my agent." His anger and irritation obvious. "What did you expect a lounge chair and a latte while you waited?"
Edwards just looked to him.
"You're a soldier, Man up!" Gibbs said as he paced the room. "Well, actually…you were a soldier. I'm sure you're looking at a dishonorable discharge after this." Gibbs paused. "Why did you shoot my agent?" Gibbs fumed. "Just tell me why!"
Diana and Jones stared at Gibbs. They had not seen such…intensity before. They were really understanding the statement about the Papa Bear and his cubs a whole lot better.
"I was supposed to be in the Bahamas with a very million in my pocket." Edwards said shaking his head. "It all went to hell…Brogan was dead. I figured I would get the blame for that. But I didn't do it. I didn't kill him. Brogan said he owed a lot of money to some pretty bad people. He needed to pay them back as soon as possible. Brogan told me all about Agent Anthony DiNozzo. So I did research. I came up with a picture. I wanted to make sure I knew what he looked like. Brogan said DiNozzo gave him a lot of trouble when he was Agent Afloat. When I saw DiNozzo, I thought sure he had seen me, and that he knew all about me. That you guys thought I had killed Brogan. I…I panicked. I just shot. The…the other guy hit the ground first. DiNozzo then looked me square in the eye. I had to shoot him too." Edwards made the most of his statement looking at his hands. He was either ashamed or scared to meet Gibbs gaze. Edwards shook his head. "None of it…none of it was supposed to happen. I was…."
"My agent and his friend are in the hospital, fighting for their lives!" Gibbs leaned in, dangerously close to the man sitting across the table from him. "I don't care what your plans were, what you were going to do…" He paused, and took a shuttering breath. Gibbs motioned for the audio and video to be turned off. "You are very, very lucky that there are other people in that room…" Gibbs pointed to the two-way glass. "…because otherwise I would have strangled you with my bare hands." Gibbs then opened the door and left the room, going into the hallway to calm down.
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"I swear, DiNozzo." Gibbs warned. "One more movie reference and you won't get your pizza."
"Seriously?" Tony said. "That's the only thing that's kept me going these past few days."
"You need a quiet hobby." Gibbs stated. He pointed to Neal, lying in his bed, sketching on a pad Peter had brought in for him. "See Neal over there, enjoying his nice quiet hobby."
Neal smiled. "I don't watch much TV either, Agent Gibbs."
"You be quiet over there with your no-TV-watchin-intellectual self. Who asked you?" Tony pouted.
Neal just grinned as he continued to sketch.
"What are you drawing over there anyway?" Tony asked, craning his neck to see from his position in his own bed.
"Us." Neal said as he handed the sketch pad over. It was an excellent drawing of when he and Tony when they were at Peter and El's house over the Labor Day weekend. Tony was sitting by the fire place with a guitar in his hands, and Neal was sitting beside him. They were both smiling, like they were mugging for the camera.
Tony and Neal had been moved into a regular hospital room about 4 days ago and they were both just a couple of days away from being released from the hospital. Their beds were side by side with room to walk in-between.
"That's really good, Neal." Tony said. He was not surprised by Neal's talent. But the thing that struck him was how dead-on the expressions, the eyes. It was almost like they were looking out from the page. "Peter and El really know how to throw a party. I had a great time."
Gibbs looked at Tony. "…never knew you could play the guitar." He shook his head. His expression asked what else don't I know?
Neal took the tablet back and laid it in his lap. He watched the interaction. Tony seemed a little embarrassed. That surprised Neal. He could play and sing really well.
"We used to play 'gigs' in military school." Neal offered. "It was a lot of fun. Tony was really good. He still is."
"You sing at work…" Gibbs observed. "…badly."
"…on purpose." Tony admitted. "It's…it's my own thing. Something I like to do, just for me."
Gibbs nodded. He felt the same about his toy making. Everybody knew he built boats. But the toy making was something very few people knew about.
"Agent Gibbs, you don't have to…I can rent a hotel room somewhere. You don't' have to take me in." Neal said, giving Gibbs an out. Gibbs had told Neal that he and Tony would be recuperating at his house. Neal didn't know what to think at first. The doctors had told Neal he could not fly for a few days, after his release from the hospital. So he and Peter were stuck in D.C.
"Not gonna happen, Neal. Tony won't let it." Gibbs stated. "Besides, I need Tony where I can keep an eye on him. And Tony needs you where he can keep an eye on you." Gibbs said.
Peter had been watching the interaction so far. He had learned a little more about his C.I. and a lot about the Tony and his friends.
"I stay at Gibbs…fairly often, especially at times like this. He doesn't trust me to take my medicine or eat properly." Tony confessed.
"Should he?" Neal grinned, already knowing what Tony was like when he was sick.
"You already know the answer to that question." Tony replied.
Neal nodded and continued to grin.
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Neal was tired, and he considered himself a healthy person. But the trip from the hospital to Gibbs house had worn him out. By the time he got into the house he was ready to take a nap. He looked around the modest living room and headed towards the couch.
Peter had followed Neal in. Peter had sent Jones and Diana back after the case was solved. They were keeping the rest of the White Collar Division updated on Neal's condition. Peter followed Neal, wondering where he was supposed to sit Neal's things.
"No, Neal." Gibbs said as he and Tony headed to the back room. They had come in behind Neal and Peter. "It's the first door on your left. Take whichever bed you want. Tony gets the other one."
Neal looked at Gibbs like he wasn't sure if he could take another step. He and Peter then headed into the room. Neal sat down on the twin bed on the left-hand side. He bent down to pull off his shoes. But he gave up when he got a little dizzy. His chest protested his movement also. He pressed his right hand to the left side of his chest and moaned. He decided to lie down, giving up on his shoes and his jacket. But Peter helped him take off his jacket. He then removed Neal's shoes. Peter pulled back the cover as Neal slipped under and closed his eyes.
Gibbs settled Tony in the other bed. He exited the room a short time later. Peter waited for Gibbs to come into the living room before he spoke. "I don't know what to say, Agent Gibbs. I…you allowing us into your home like this." Peter shook his head.
"I know, Tony. He's a good judge of character. And I like Neal, he's a good kid. He's got a good heart." Gibbs replied.
Peter nodded.
"I'm guessing that's why he's been with you as long as he has." Gibbs observed.
Peter smiled and nodded again. "We do appreciate it. And I'll be getting Neal back to New York as soon as the doctor clears him to fly."
"I have no problem with him staying." Gibbs said. "And Tony loves having his 'little brother' in town." Gibbs shook his head. "Don't get me wrong, Tony is a great agent, and a good guy. But…he…."
"He's a talker." Peter smiled and nodded. Neal suffered from the same disease.
"I think he's why I drink Bourbon." Gibb said, only half kidding. "When Tony's here, I'm the only person he has to talk to."
Peter fully understood now. He grinned broadly and nodded.
"Maybe a few more days will do them both good." Peter stated.
Soon Gibbs house was full of people. Abby had been shopping and had brought a week's worth of food. She had also stopped by Tony's house and raided his DVD collection. Tim had come by to sit up with his DVD player. He also brought along his laptop computer and sat it up for them both to use. Both Ziva and Abby volunteered for 'babysitting duties' whenever they would be needed. And Ducky dropped by to give Tony and Neal their post-hospital checkups.
In activity lasted like this for several days. Peter spent most of his time on Gibbs' couch or beside Neal's bed. Despite all the activity Tony and Neal actually got to rest and spend some quality time together. Neal was scheduled to be released from his flying restriction in another day.
"Tony, I…." Neal started. It was the first time they had really had any time alone since the shooting.
Tony shook his head. "Neal…don't."
"I just…." Neal pressed on. "I know what you did. Thank you."
THE END