Chapter 24

When Tony came out of the room for the shift change, he found Ziva looking through the police report on the accident.

"So what did Gibbs say, Ziva?" he asked.

"About what, Tony?"

"You know. About McGee and the guy that he killed."

"McGee said that the assassin must have needed his help to infiltrate this facility. That is the direction and exit they were headed toward when McGee caused the accident. The man did not give specifics, but McGee brought up the point that the man must have had a reason for picking him."

"True. No one knows who the guy was?"

"Not at this time. He was not in any database, not even your DMV. Interpol has not given any useful information either. Whoever he was intent on killing, at least he did not succeed."

"That's something, I guess. I still can't believe that McGee was able to do that."

"Do what? Kill people?" Ziva said, bluntly.

"Cause an accident. He didn't kill them, Ziva."

"Who would you say did then, Tony? This is not another case of not knowing which bullet hit someone. McGee admits that he was trying to crash his car and that he was trying to stop the man."

"Stop him, not kill him. McGee isn't a killer. He's a computer geek."

"Even computer geeks can get angry, Tony."

"Not McGee."

"Haven't you ever seen him get angry before?"

"Yes, but that was a special case."

"You don't think this was a special case?"

Tony shrugged. "I just can't picture McGeek angry enough to cause an accident that could have killed himself just as easily as the man in his car."

"Everyone has their... what do you call it here? Breaking point?"

"I don't think McGee does."

"I think you are mistaken."

"Think what you like, but..." Tony broke off as Agent Gyllenskog came down the hallway. "Ah, Gyl, what can we do for you?"

Agent Gyllenskog ignored Tony's nickname and looked at Ziva. "Don told me that you wanted to talk to me."

"Yes. Why were we not informed of the replacement?"

"It's only temporary."

"Regardless, we should have been told. If it had been dark and Agent Donaldson took me by surprise, I would kill him without a second's hesitation."

"She would, too," Tony agreed. "We need to be kept in the loop, Gyl. How else are we supposed to do your job?"

Agent Gyllenskog gritted his teeth, but just said, "I'll keep that in mind in the future."

"Is there anyone else we should know about?"

"Not that I have been told. Don will be gone as soon as I get back to my post, and Agent Lowe won't be back."

"Good. He's incompetent," Ziva said.

The agent smothered a grin and saluted the two NCIS agents. "I'll be here the rest of the night, but Don will be in and out bringing updates." Then, he turned and walked down the hallway to his post.

"Well, there seems to be one FBI agent that does his job," Tony remarked.

"Two. Agent Donaldson is quite eager. Actually, he reminds me of McGee."

"Nerdy?"

"No, Tony. Over-achieving. He told me that he had read the case file twelve times."

"Yep. That sounds like McGee. Well, I guess you're inside for the next few hours."

"Don't fall asleep."

Tony put on a wounded expression. "I wouldn't do that."

"Just like this morning?"

"I was only resting my eyes," Tony said facetiously.

Ziva went solemn. "I feel like something is going to happen."

"So serious, Officer David."

"I mean it, Tony. Something does not feel right."

Tony put up his hands in capitulation. "Okay, Ziva. I'll keep a weather eye out."

Ziva rolled her eyes and went back into Terence's room without comment. Tony grinned and settled down in the chair. In spite of his jocular attitude, he had every intention of watching carefully. Gut feelings were not to be despised.