Chapter 9

One of the ironclad rules when it came to meeting in secret was to meet in a public place. That usually worked if you were talking to someone that could be particularly violent. It kept a check since to make a scene brought the cops and that was something to avoid, especially if you were doing something clandestine. Dead drops worked too and sometimes doing what the movies did with the secret shadows thing helped.

Ray had been in that game for a long time. Once he was prevented from being with NCIS, it left others to use him however the hell they wanted. JSOC wanted him back and he had done some work for them, which was why he didn't like CIA operatives. Then Director Shepard came in and gave him a way back in, but still doing the same thing. True she had DiNozzo on the frog she was after, but he was the one traveling and all that other stuff in between keeping an eye on Gibbs and his team.

Not much had changed as he bought a cup of coffee and walked to a park bench. He sat on it and looked out like he was enjoying the day. He didn't know if who he was looking for was going to show, but he was willing to bet on it. The past had a way of digging gouges in wounds and left them to fester. He knew that there was some resentment he old team had. On whom, it depended on who you asked.

Staring out, Ray felt his phone buzz and fished it out of his pocket. Glancing at it, he saw that there were a couple of text messages. The first was from Abby telling him that Gibbs was looking for him. The second was from McGee stating the same thing only he said that his six was burning. That was pretty bad, meaning that Gibbs was downright pissed and he was going to get it later.

There was a voicemail and he frowned as he opened it. It was from Ziva and it surprised him. She had his number since he gave it to her, but she never called him on that number unless it was because she needed his help on a job. He swallowed slightly as he listened to it.

Where are you? Gibbs is looking for you. Please, call me. Be careful.

"Sounds like good advice."

Ray had been aware that someone had come to sit beside him on the bench. He had a good idea who it was, but he didn't make a move. It was a good way to throw off your quarry and have a little fun. He was aware of his jaw tensing up to the point that his teeth were clenching. This was teetering close to those lines he didn't want to cross. Now it looked like he wasn't going to have a choice. He replied, "I should kill you right now."

"Not very private, is it, Sahib?"

Ray grit his teeth and took a breath to unclench his jaw. He turned to look at the one person he figured would be there. "I know a half dozen ways to do it and not attract attention. One involving a strike to a nerve center."

"Now that is farfetched even for you. But… for someone who was burned, you sure picked up some new means of employment."

"Why did you shoot at me and my partner, Simkins?" Ray looked forward, not meeting Simkins in the eye until he asked his question. He was doing all he could not to lose his temper.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten how overwatch works, Sahib." Simkins looked affronted at the thought. He couldn't help but smirk at the look he was getting from Ray. "I was watching your six."

"Is that what you call it?"

"You've never quibbled about it before. The close calls are what makes the difference on the job getting done." Simkins looked forward at the scenery before them. As far as he was concerned, they were just two people taking a break and enjoying the scenery. "You've just become hard a person to reach nowadays. Sometimes drastic measures have to be taken to even capture your attention."

"I was done," Ray replied calmly as he looked forward. He could easily go for the kill, but he wouldn't risk it in public. If he had to, he would though and he wasn't lying about the manner in which he could do it. "Retired."

"So you say," Simkins replied with a grin. He couldn't help but chuckle in a mocking manner. He lowered his head in a knowing fashion as he added, "But you know as well as I that you aren't done. You're still a dog of the military. Not much different as from before."

Ray didn't say anything about that. It was true that things weren't that much different. The only thing was that they sullied his reputation, disavowed him. He had to work in the shadows. The difference was that the things he knew and done… it could be visited back on him tenfold. He eventually managed to reply, "I am done, Simkins. And I was hired back on."

"Navy cops," Simkins snorted in derision. "You think that's worthwhile?"

"Better than being dark." Ray looked downwards before continuing, "DZ is done, Simkins. It has been for a long time."

Simkins snorted at that. "You always did have to play martyr, Sahib," he said with a hint of anger in his voice. "You stuck your neck out for all of us and this is how they repay you and you still want to work with them?"

Ray looked downward at the ground. He had been asked the question before. He always gave the same one; that it was because he was still loyal to the country he called home. What he didn't say… it was because he knew the truth. He replied, "I am still loyal to the country I call home. I've made my peace, Simkins. Right now I have to haul in the killer of a Marine and a sailor and I believe I am looking at him." He shifted to look at the man, "Why, Simkins?"

"What makes you think I had anything to do with it?"

Ray snorted at that and couldn't resist grinning. It reminded him of old times as he replied, "Please. Your personal touch on the casing. You used it every time, every kill. The distance… Only you would be daring enough to use it though there are others who could make the shot. You take a shot at no joy."

"Very compelling," Simkins replied as he sat back. He smirked as he thumbed his chin. "But if you had any compelling evidence, you would have brought that team of yours including that sweet exotic beauty that called you and bring me in. Instead, you're here talking to me. You forget that I know you're an investigator. An investigator that got saddled with a command."

"It's what they found out in BUD/s."

Simkins chuckled and continued like he wasn't interrupted, "You may have evidence and knowledge of MOs, but direct evidence you sorely lack. For instance, the casing. I'm sure you found a print. Was it mine?"

Ray knew Simkins was mocking him. He also knew that his former sniper was telling him, but not telling him that he was responsible. And it was because he knew that Ray wasn't going to tell his team in his desire to keep them from getting too deep. He looked away and replied, "No."

Simkins laughed, "You used to be better than that, Sahib. You really need to get back in the saddle with a real job."

"I have a real job."

"Of course. Always the one to protect," Simkins growled with a knowing grin and a hint of disdain. "Even when in command you always were the one to look for least number of casualties. We had a job and that was to make the world safer. Admit it. You liked it when we went after the scum that brought down the towers, threatened the troops and the people. The rush… It drove you. Fed you."

Ray sighed almost sadly. Even after all this time Simkins never understood his motivation. Secrets upon secrets. He sighed, "You haven't really learned a thing about me, have you?"

"Oh, I know you, Sahib." Simkins stood up. He paused to see what Ray would do next. When he didn't, he continued, "I remember how intense you were on each op. Then when we got our man, the release. You liked what we did."

Ray wasn't going to argue. He shook his head and leaned forward, "I grew up. I stopped looking for miracles."

"And living the boring life," Simkins countered as he looked down at Ray. He looked at the man and sighed, "Look, we all went through tough times. You especially. And there's plenty of market for a guy of your skills."

"As a PMC? No." Ray shook his head. "I've already got a job." He stood up to be even with Simkins. He stared at the man before adding, "And I will get you for those two murders."

Simkins couldn't help but chuckle at that, "You really are something, Sahib. I actually look forward to seeing what you're gonna do to get your man."

"I usually do," Ray replied. He straightened up, "You disappoint me, Simkins. I always thought you were better than what the jacket said about you." He turned to walk away.

Simkins let him walk a little bit. He wiped his jaw and said, "Yeah, and you should really be careful with your new team. Things could get pretty dicey."

Ray turned to look back at Simkins. He tried not to give away too much reaction. He knew he couldn't bring in his old sniper. He really didn't have anything on him except what he remembered he used to do to his ammo despite what the man just sort of admitted to. Now he was getting something akin to a threat.

Simkins knew that he had Ray. It would be fun to torment the man, play on his default setting. Of course, he could touch a nerve while he was at it. "I mean, the whole thing sounds like a familiar story. Something you wouldn't want that team of yours knowing about. Especially that sweet cheeks." He snorted a laugh for good measure.

Ray grit his teeth. He narrowed his eyes at Simkins. If he gave a warning, it would only egg on the man and the last thing he wanted was to put her in crosshairs that she didn't need to be in. He repeated, "DZ is dead, Simkins."

"So you say." Simkins turned to leave. "I mean how much of it is coincidence?" He paused before starting to walk away, "Well catch ya later."

Ray said nothing but watched as Simkins walked away. He clenched his fist and released it. He really was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He looked down at the ground. He only looked up when he heard Simkins throw back, "Wounds have been left opened to fester… JJ Rook."

The black car drove into the parking garage. It was clichéd like in the movies, but it served its purpose. It was surprising that privacy could be found in a parking garage despite the fact that it could echo sounds and there were a lot of open spaces. The upside was that it was private property and the owner gave permission. No one would ask questions.

Simkins was waiting with a calm and patient air. Actually, he was quite bored with this whole meeting in secret. Still, he had orders, and he was there, but he wasn't alone. He had his right hand watching his six. The others were at the safe house and awaiting orders. It was just this last bothersome step. He sighed tiredly as he watched the car approach.

The car pulled up and without preamble, the back passenger door opened and a voice called out, "Get in."

Normally, Simkins wouldn't have done it. It was putting himself into a position of vulnerability. It was the reason why he had his man covering his six. There was no way he was going to get into the vehicle unless he had reassurances of a sort. He replied nonchalant, "I don't think so."

"You will get in or your man will suffer painful death. And you."

Simkins looked around. He couldn't see anyone, but that didn't mean that they weren't there. He had no idea if it was true or not, but he wasn't willing to risk it. He looked at the opening in the car and snorted, "Seems like you picked up a few things since we last met."

There was no response, but Simkins got in all the same. He gave one last look before he closed the door and made himself comfortable on the seat. He looked over to his left at the person that had called for a meeting or update and smirked. Patience was something acquired for him and he made it work. For his companion, it looked like it would be anything but that. Then again, it was always tense when you went about dredging up the past. Deciding on breaking the ice, he patted the space next to his left and said, "Nice wheels. The kind of thing that gets you in places on the Hill. The money must be really working out for you."

"Cut the sweet talk, Simkins."

Simkins held his hands up in mock surrender. "Hey, just offering a compliment. Though I suppose you don't need them."

"I need commentary from a disavowed mercenary."

Simkins narrowed his eyed, "Let me remind you that I wasn't disavowed. If anything my record is clean."

"Won't be for long if you don't give me what I came for."

Simkins glared at his contact. It was always like this, but it seemed to have gotten worse the closer it got to the time to do the job. It was same thing when the team was all together. He looked at his contact with a wry look and sighed in a bored tone, "Well, I can tell you that Rook is back on the scene."

"You know I don't give a damn about your codenames."

"Salazaar is in town."

"He's been in town for years. Give me something I don't know."

Simkins glared at his contact. He didn't see the point to this since his contact seemed to know that his old CO was in town and it wouldn't have been a far stretch to figure out that the man was working and probably figuring things out or trying to lay low as he had the past decade or so. He growled, "Then you must know that he's working with NCIS."

The silence was more of a confidence builder for Simkins, but he wasn't showing that, and it really wasn't that for him. He grinned, "They brought him back on after nearly a decade. Imagine that."

"Any idea why that is?"

Simkins shrugged his shoulders, "Might have to do with the fact that Rawlings had Salazaar's old contact information on him." He made a gesture, "My guy saw them collect a card. Recognized it from those days."

"The bastard must have slipped it to Rawlings."

"Doubt it," Simkins replied with a yawn. He stretched like it was nothing. "Salazaar had the law laid down on him when you guys burned him and us. He wouldn't touch anything related to DZ unless it was forced upon him."

"Well it has. Rawlings had his contact information and Leland is working on what DZ covered."

"Was inevitable someone would start up and figure out a few things."

"It doesn't help our case any."

"It's not going to interfere with the job." Simkins tilted his head towards his contact. His eyes rolled slightly at the annoyance that he and his team were thought to be incapable. "And before you get your panties in a twist, I approached him and had a chat. He didn't bite at an implied offer."

"And why would you do that?"

"Because Salazaar is unique. He likes the thrill of the job. He lives for it even if the bastard denies it." Simkins settled into his seat as he adjusted his position. He studied his contact and added, "He's a boy scout yes, but he likes the action and the thrill. He misses it."

"And it would have been more permanent. None of you were supposed to live."

"Yeah well…" Simkins snorted at that. He ran his finger under his nose. "Gotta hand it to the man. He knows how to get out of a sticky situation." He spread his arms. "We're still here."

"And know more than you should. DZ was supposed to be buried."

"Well that went down the drain considering Leland started on their version of DZ."

It was quiet in the car. Simkins blinked slowly as he watched his contact, feeling the car bump along the road. He had heard it before and he had been pissed to find out that they weren't supposed to make it out of there alive. What really happened… that was all Salazaar. Simkins knew his old team leader was one to look for that way out with the least amount of bloodshed. Part and parcel of being the nice guy, but Simkins knew better. He had seen the killer side of Salazaar. He knew what the man could do.

The silence paid off when his contact finally spoke, "Is everything in place?"

Simkins huffed a breath, "Team's on standby."

"Anything on how Leland got it in the first place?"

"Nope. Couldn't get the computer."

A slight sound of annoyance came from the contact. Simkins didn't say anything. If anything, he picked up on being smart and letting things play out. If there was one lesson he learned it was to listen and eventually he would find something useful that would benefit him. The contact looked at him and said, "Make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Hey, we'll get it."

"I mean it, Simkins. You may have this second chance, but you're on a short leash."

The car pulled back up into the parking structure. Simkins looked out the window on his side and slightly rolled his eyes. "Look, you hired me on to do a job and it will get done. What you want with Salazaar… just know that he wants nothing to do with DZ?

"And does he even know that it's related to DZ?"

"Don't insult the man." Simkins glared at his contact. He may not have a liking for the man, but he respected him. The man did risk his life and career to make sure he and the others were able to have a life. "More likely he cracked Rawlings' computer and he knew to come look for me. More likely he has been asking around." At the looked he was getting, he continued, "The man's not just gonna sit around and let the world pass him up."

"So he knows?"

"Everything he does has been to forget DZ and to get others to forget. If anything, he'll give enough to keep them busy, but keep the real secrets to himself."

"So he does know what was the reason."

"You tell me. He was team leader on that op."

Simkins opened the door since they were stopped, and it was the cue for him to get out. He was held back when something tapped his arm. He turned to see a computer pad held out to him. He looked at his contact with a raised brow. He knew that he was only a small part in this wheel and cog operation. He probably wasn't vital, but certainly vital enough to be brought in and they were the team going in. Of course they could be burned if they were caught.

"I know the man, Simkins," the contact said. "My inside man was able to get access to the notes on the digital files at Leland. Still some things are missing. Those bastards Rawlings and Connolly were busy."

Simkins looked at the data on the tablet and gave a slight shrug. "Well, they are the primaries on the research. No surprises there. So, I take it everything is in there to plan and execute?"

"Everything you need."

Simkins nodded and tucked the tablet under his arm as he got out of the car. He turned to look back into the car and leaned his forearm on the frame of the door. "You know… Salazaar's not the vengeful type. You're lucky in that." He stepped back and started to shut the door.

"If he interferes… take care of it."

Simkins stared at his contact. He knew what that meant. His tongue ran along the edge of his teeth as he thought about what to say. He didn't want to appear too eager to do the job, but he knew that he had to give a response otherwise things could go bad for him and his team. He gave a nod and replied, "Okay. And if there are others?"

"Figure it out."

The door was being pulled shut but Simkins prevented it from being closed. He gritted his teeth since the force was felt in his arm, but he managed to keep the door from being closed. "And about us? What are the reassurances?"

There was a reason for that. Simkins wasn't stupid when he took on the job. He wasn't going to let himself or his team get burned if they got caught. He had been firm with the chores that they had been given for this op. He stared down at his contact with the silent demand for an answer.

"Do what you have to do. As far as anyone knows… you don't exist. Take care of Salazaar and you'll be in the clear."

Simkins stepped back when the door was pulled shut. It slammed shut and the car pulled away with a small burst of acceleration. He straightened up and watched as the car disappeared out of the parking garage. He sighed in slight boredom and annoyance at what he had been given. Apparently, this job was highly important, and his old team leader knew more than had been revealed in the AARs and the inquiries after DZ. He continued to stare at the direction the car left and brought his hands together and held the tablet in his hands.

"So, it's a go?"

Simkins fingered the tablet before handing it over to his right-hand man. "Specs on the building and where the target is located."

His guy took the tablet and looked at it and nodded. "Looks good. Jacobs was getting a bit antsy over having nothing to do." He looked up at Simkins and noted the expression. He ventured, "Looks like more is going on than a briefing from our client."

"Yeah."

"Wanna elaborate?"

Simkins stared in the direction the car left. His fingers twitched under the edge of his jacket sleeves. He knew that his right-hand wouldn't spill the beans and he would need some time to think about it. Taking a breath, he replied, "Taking care of a loose end," and walked to where their car was waiting.

A/N: Ray takes off to have a chat with an old friend and it looks like things are about to go down. Stay tuned for next time.