Chapter One
With barely enough sleep to qualify calling it sleep, Tony sat down at his desk after taking off his trench coat. Booting up the computer, he smiled at Ellie as she said good morning to him and then he grinned at McGee, who was on the telephone with Delilah. McGee waved. With that Tony went online and accessed Philly PD database. Over the years he had managed to keep passwords to both Baltimore's and Philly's police departments. They were two of his go to databases when he was working a case.
He put in Sergio Cortez and Cortez's file came up. He served almost sixteen years from double homicide, intent to distribute drugs, and assault. A combination of overcrowding and good behavior got him released. Of course, he was wanted for questioning by the Philly PD and he had already disappeared. Probably coming after me here in DC, thought Tony.
"DiNozzo, you have your report done," Gibbs barked as he came into the bullpen.
"Just getting started, boss. I spent half the night at Walter Reed getting my lungs checked out," he replied.
Gibbs took off his overcoat, tossed it on the floor, sat down and then he looked at Tony.
"You get a clean bill of health?" asked Gibbs with concern.
"Have to take some pills as a precaution but I should be fine," said Tony.
"You take the pills?"
"Early this morning," he sighed.
"You look like crap, DiNozzo. Do the report then go home and get some sleep," said Gibbs.
"Boss, you are a prince among men," smiled Tony.
After clearing the information on Cortez off his computer, he got to work on the report. It took less than an hour and he was done, packed up, and headed home. Gibbs was right he needed sleep before he thought about what to do about Cortez.
NCISNCIS
Special Agent Tobias Fornell entered the bullpen with two of his team in tow. Bishop smiled, which he returned, and then he continued to Gibbs' desk.
"Hello Fornell," said McGee.
"McGee, how's Delilah?" he asked.
"She adjusting, going back to work this week," he answered.
"Work is good," he nodded.
Gibbs finished up his conversation and hung up the phone.
"What do you want, Tobias?" he asked.
"DiNutso," he answered.
"He's home. What do you want my agent for?" asked Gibbs with a tone that sounded more like an order.
"It's about someone he arrested when he was a Philly cop," said Fornell.
"Important?"
"Probably not. I just wanted to let him know that Sergio Cortez was out and missing," said Fornell.
"Why is the FBI involved?" asked Gibbs.
"Because we were involved in the op that brought Cortez down. DiNozzo and another cop were already undercover in Cortez's gang when we got involved. His partner was killed and DiNozzo was gutted by a knife, but we got Cortez," explained Fornell.
"This Cortez threaten DiNozzo?" asked Gibbs.
"Many times along with a cop who ended up dead last night. Just wanted to warn Tony."
"He dangerous?" asked Gibbs, his grey blue eyes narrowing.
"I would have called instead of making a personal visit if he wasn't dangerous," said Tobias.
Gibbs nodded, as Fornell and his team left. He looked over at McGee.
"McGee, find out about the case, everything you can get on the operation. That would be Philly about sixteen or so years ago," said Gibbs.
"Got it, boss," said McGee.
"You want everything I can get on Cortez himself, right?" said Bishop.
Gibbs nodded yes. He leaned back in his chair and exhaled slowly.
"What have you gotten yourself involved in, DiNozzo," Gibbs said to himself.
NCISNCIS
After a long nap, Tony got up, ordered some Chinese food, and then walked over to his laptop. He was hoping that Macklin had emailed the autopsy report by now. Logging on, he checked his work email. There it was an email from now Captain Macklin. Tony opened it then downloaded the attached document. After eight of his ten fingers were broken, Seaver had his tongue cut out and then his throat cut. Cortez certainly was taking his time in prisoner personally. Tony sighed.
He shut the laptop then walked over to his bar area and poured himself a glass of Dalmore 15 Scotch. Taking a sip of the amber liquid, he felt the burn go all the way down his throat and into his stomach. He knew that the drink was a bad idea. If Cortez was looking for him, he'd need to keep his mind clear. He also need to come up with a way to deal with his current problem.
Taking his drink over to the sofa he sat down then took another sip. Eight fingers broken, tongue cut out, and then his throat cut - it was definitely a less than pleasant way to die. He hoped that WITSEC had put Cortez's wife and child somewhere they would never be found.
The door buzzer went off. Tony got up, went right to his weapon, and took it out and then buzzed to see who it was.
"Chinese food," said the disembodied voice.
"Come up," he said and buzzed them in.
Putting his gun in his left hand, he took twenty-five dollars out of his wallet and prepared to pay the delivery man. There was a knock on his door and slowly he opened it with his gun ready to fire if need be.
"Your delivery," said the young man.
"Here," Tony handed him the money then added, "keep the change."
He grabbed the brown bag from the delivery boy then went back into his apartment. Sitting down he started to unpack the food, grabbing the chopsticks, and choosing one of the containers.
"I definitely need to come up with a plan," he sighed then he stuffed his mouth with some pork lo mein.
The apartment was darkly lit. There was no music playing, no movie on the Blue Ray player. It was just Tony eating his dinner in silence.
NCISNCIS
Gibbs sat in his house at his dining table with the information both McGee and Bishop had collected for him. He nursed a glass of bourbon and a half eaten sandwich sat beside the glass of booze. In the silence of his house, he read the information.
Tony had performed above and beyond the call of the duty and almost died because of it. The operation bought him a gold badge, but he was never a detective in Philadelphia. He left Philly and some real bad memories and moved on to Baltimore as a homicide detective. When he got to Baltimore he was a damaged officer, but by the time Gibbs met him he was one of the best homicide detectives in the city of Baltimore.
Sergio Cortez was only a few years older than DiNozzo, but by the time they met up he was running his own drug ring. His relative out of Mexico, Diego Cortex, ran his own drug cartel. He shipped the drugs to Sergio, who moved them throughout the East Coast using Philly as his HQ. Sergio was noted for several things: a love of the high life and a very bad temper. His wife had to deal with his tempter more than once. Tony used that to turn her. Before he was caught Sergio killed two cops and one FBI agent. They couldn't prove that he did it personally otherwise he would have gotten the death penalty. No, he was too smart, or too slimy, to get caught with blood on his hands. He did get pinned with one death, though.
After the trial his wife and child entered WITSEC and Tony left for Baltimore. They said whenever Tony or his partner Seaver where in court that Cortez didn't take his eyes off of them. Now Seaver was dead. The autopsy was a fairly gruesome read, too. According to Bishop, Cortez would be the type to want revenge on as many people as he could get his hands on who were involved in the case, but most of all he'll want DiNozzo dead.
Gibbs put the file down and picked up his bourbon and took a sip. There was no way he was going to let Cortez get his hands on DiNozzo. Now he needed to find a way to approach the subject with DiNozzo, so that he didn't go rogue and run like a rabbit in order to protect his team. It was his job to protect DiNozzo and the team. Now he just needed to take care of DiNozzo.
NCISNCIS
Feeling grumpy from lack of sleep, Tony entered the bullpen. Both Bishop and McGee were already there.
"Good morning, Tony," said Bishop.
"Morning, Bishop."
Taking off his overcoat, he sat down. He wore jeans, a dark blue oxford, and a grey sweater. He was too tired this morning to deal with a suit. McGee looked over at him.
"Morning, Tony," he said.
"Morning, McLover," replied Tony. "How is Delilah?"
"Almost done with her therapy on how to take care of herself. She'll be back to work soon," said McGee.
Tony yawned.
"Sorry, McGee, not much sleep," he said.
Both Bishop and McGee looked at each other. They knew why he didn't sleep much, but Gibbs had told them to keep quiet. Tony would have noticed their conspiratorial look, except he was too tired to take notice. After dinner, he ended up watching film noir movies all night finally falling asleep an hour before his alarm clock went off.
Gibbs came down from the director's office. He looked over at Tony and saw him yawning. Shaking his head he sat down. He'd just spent the last half hour informing Vance about DiNozzo's situation. It was almost time to let DiNozzo know what he knew. He called Tobias.
"Fornell," he answered.
"Anything new on what you came here about yesterday?" Gibbs asked.
"Nothing."
"Keep me informed," Gibbs said then hung up.
Gibbs stood up and started walking towards the elevator.
"DiNozzo, my office," he barked.
Tony sighed and rolled his eyes. He stood up and followed Gibbs to the elevator. Gibb pressed the button and they got on then the ritual began. Once the doors shut Gibbs turned off the power. He stood for a second glaring at Tony then he spoke.
"I know about Cortez," he stated.
Tony exhaled deeply. He didn't want Gibbs or the team involved in this.
"This is police business, boss, not NCIS business," said Tony.
Gibbs glared at him. Green hazel eyes met blue eyes. They held for a few moments. It felt like an eternity for Tony.
"This is family business, DiNozzo," snapped Gibbs. "Someone comes after you then they come after me."
"Boss, I don't want to put the team in danger," said Tony.
"We are in danger every day we go to work," replied Gibbs. "I talked to Vance and the moment there is any evidence or action that says Cortez is around DC and after you then we are on the case and you are in protective custody."
"I refuse to live in a cheap hotel," stated Tony.
"My house isn't a cheap hotel, DiNozzo," said Gibbs.
He turned on the elevator then looked at Tony.
"Let's get to work," he said.
NCISNCIS
Tony was asleep. It was a better sleep then he had the night before. Gibbs had managed to make him feel better. Maybe it was a good thing he ended up knowing about Cortez. At two in the morning, Tony's smart phone rang. He reached for it without opening his eyes. Grabbing it off the night table, he answered.
"DiNozzo."
"We have a body in the alleyway of a Jazz Club in the U Street Corridor," Gibbs told him. "Call the team in."
"Yes, boss," he said then hung up.
Between calls and getting dress, it took Tony forty-five minutes to get to the alleyway in the U Street Corridor. The police had their yellow tape out and Ducky and Jimmy were already there with the NCIS bus to take the body away. Tony parked his new black '67 Mustang then got put and followed the commotion. Bishop and McGee were already at work taking pictures and collecting evidence. Gibbs was talking to a uniformed cop. He started towards McGee and Bishop when Gibbs called him over.
"DiNozzo," he called.
Tony walked over. There was an expression on Gibbs' face that told him he didn't want to hear what was coming.
"We have a dead ensign over there," stated Gibbs.
"What do you want me to do?" asked Tony.
Gibbs lowered his voice, "His throat was cut and his tongue cut out. Sound familiar?"
"Any broken fingers?" asked Tony.
"No, but the fingers were probably due to questioning. He didn't have to question the ensign. The ensign was a message to you."
"Speculation, boss," said Tony.
"If Ducky and Abby find that the ensign was killed by the same man as your ex partner then we'll know it's a message," said Gibbs.
"Great, just great," said Tony.
Gibbs looked over at Tony and said, "You better get a bag packed for staying at my house just in case."
Tony sighed heavily then mumbled, "I'm bringing my gold fish."