Chapter 18
Later that day, as he walked up to the Rivens house, Tim paused. "Right. I can do this," he told himself.
"Of course you can, Probie," Tony said from behind him. He slugged Tim on the shoulder. "But you won't get it done standing out here like a bump on a log."
"I know." Tim took deep breath and knocked on the door.
"Agent McGee. Agent DiNozzo. Come in," Liz Rivens held the door open for them. She was putting on a good act, but Tim could see in her eyes the same guilt he carried. He desperately wanted to erase that guilt...in both of them. Tony and Tim sat down on the couch across from the widow and noticed that there were a lot of boxes strewn around the house. "I'm sorry for the mess. I've been trying to go through our-my things."
"Are you moving, Ms. Rivens?" Tony asked in surprise.
She nodded, her eyes filling with tears. "I'm no longer married to Navy personnel. Base housing is for the families of soldiers." She smiled sadly. "Besides, I can't stay in this house. Too many memories. I'm going to stay with my parents for awhile and figure out what else to do."
"I understand, Ms. Rivens," Tim said. "We wanted to tell you that we found the man who killed your husband."
Her eyes wide, a glimmer of hope came out as she spoke. "You did? What happened?"
Tim mentally collected himself. He had told Tony that he could do it, and he would. "He was the victim of a copycat serial killer. We don't know exactly when, but he picked out your husband weeks ago and lured him to a running trail near the house where we found him. It was part of a series of murders going back almost twenty years. Lt. Rivens was just the most recent victim."
"I see." She looked almost disappointed, as if she had been expecting more. "Thank you for telling me." She stood and walked them to the door. "Will... Will his body be released soon?"
"If you come by headquarters, we'll make arrangements for releasing your husband to you for-for burial."
She nodded. "Thank you."
They were almost out the door when Tim stopped and turned back. "Ms. Rivens."
"Yes, Agent McGee?"
Tim took her hand. "It wasn't your fault. There was nothing you could have done to prevent your husband's murder."
"How can you know that for sure?" she asked, quietly, earnestly.
"Because I know how you must be feeling. But the man who killed your husband did not pick him because you argued with him. He picked him because he saw him out running, long before your husband left this house. I know this isn't much comfort for you right now, but please remember it because it's true."
Liz Rivens looked at Tim with a new appreciation in her eyes. "So many people have said that they know how I feel, when they don't. But I can see that you do understand what it's been like." She squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry that you do. Thank you, Agent McGee. I'll remember what you said."
"You're welcome, Ms. Rivens. I'm just sorry that it has to be this way."
"Me, too, but I'll survive. Good-bye, Agent McGee, Agent DiNozzo."
"Good-bye, Ms. Rivens."
Tim managed to keep his composure until the car pulled away from the house. Then, he slumped a little in his seat.
"Good job, McGee."
Tim looked out the side window. "I just hope it was enough."
They pulled up to a stoplight and Tony looked over at Tim. "You did what you could, McGee. The rest will be up to her. You can't make her feel better, but I think you helped."
Tim met Tony's eyes. They were sincere. "Thanks, Tony." Tim looked forward as the light turned green and they started moving again. He debated whether or not to say it. What the heck. Let Tony make of it what he would. "You did, too."
Tony chuckled. "You did most of the talking, Probie."
"No. I meant... you helped me. Thanks."
Tony shrugged, obviously uncomfortable with the trend of the conversation.
Tim just smiled and didn't say anything more. He didn't need any acknowledgment. He needed to give it and that was all.