Chapter 22
Gibbs found Tim leaning against his car with a stillness that was unnerving. "Let's go."
"Yes, Boss."
The ride over was as silent as the others had been. Neither one tried to turn on the radio. When they walked into the bullpen, Tim automatically walked over to his computer and sat down to work. He didn't get to for very long.
"Agent McGee!"
Tim froze. This was something he'd been dreading. "Yes, Director?"
"I would like to see you in my office. Now."
Tim stood and was surprised when Gibbs fell in beside him.
"I don't need to talk to you, Agent Gibbs."
"Yes, you do, Director Shephard."
She gave a long-suffering sigh and turned without comment.
Tim walked up the stairs, each step filling him with more dread. Cynthia actually gave him a sympathetic glance as he passed her desk. He couldn't muster a smile in response. Gibbs shut the door behind him and he felt like a trapped animal.
"Well, Agent McGee?"
"Yes, Director?"
"Would you like to tell me what happened yesterday? Why an NCIS special agent was involved in an accident killing three people and injuring four others?"
Tim opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
"I'm waiting, Agent McGee."
Tim tried to say something, but every word he formed in his head withered on his lips.
"What would you like him to say, Director Shephard?" Gibbs asked, coldly.
"I would like him to tell me something that will keep me from having to make an example of him when the families come to me demanding justice."
"I can't tell you that, Director," Tim whispered.
"McGee, be quiet!" Gibbs ordered.
Tim automatically shut his mouth.
"Get back to work," Gibbs said, pointing to the door.
Tim, again without any real conscious thought, began to obey his boss' orders.
"Gibbs," the Director said, warningly.
"McGee is my agent. If you want an explanation, you can ask me instead of attacking him."
"Fine. Then, you tell me."
While they were arguing, Tim slipped out and went back to his computer.
"He's not ready to be grilled about it yet, Jenny."
"Ready or not, we need to know what happened, Jethro. I have already fielded calls from the parents of James Zelaeny, the mother of his fiancé, Lisa Landeros, the children of Alan and Margaret Isaacson, and the husband of Mikaela Koprik. All of them want to know why this accident happened and what is going to be done about it. What should I tell them, Jethro?"
"I don't care, Director. McGee was as much a victim in this accident as they were."
"Or so he says."
"After two years here, do you really think so little of him that you believe he would lie about what happened?"
"No, but what I believe will not matter until I have some information to give them."
"You're the director of NCIS. I know you are capable of spinning things. Isn't that why they hired you?"
"I'm sorry?"
"You're political, Jen. You always have been. And now, I think you're letting your politics get in the way of defending one of your own. You do have ample experience in that regard." Jen was speechless as Gibbs stalked out of the office. He walked by Cynthia, ignoring her completely, and descended to the bullpen. Tim was hard at work at the computer, his eyes red, but dry. He didn't even look up as Gibbs approached him.
"Have you found anything, McGee?"
"No commonalities as yet, Boss. I'm running a program comparing the agents assigned to each case, the focus of each case and the results of those which have been completed. I also have a list of the forged art and I'm seeing if there is any reason that they were chosen."
"Keep on it, and tell me if you get anything."
"Will do." Tim never moved his eyes from the screen. His whole attention seemed to be focused on the program. Gibbs watched him for a few seconds and then left him to his search. Work would at least keep him from focusing on the events of the last day.