Chapter Two
Gibbs confined Tony to his desk while he spoke to Vance. Bishop and McGee brought the evidence collected down to Abby for processing then they returned and got to work. An uncomfortable silence hung in the air, as they brought up all the information they could on Ensign James Cord, including friends, enemies, and a tick tock on his night. Gibbs came down from Vance.
"DiNozzo, if this turns out to be Sergio Cortez behind this, you are in protective custody. And they'll be no argument," stated Gibbs.
"Boss, you know that I drive you crazy. You don't want me living with you," Tony said.
"You'd prefer staying at an FBI safe house, DiNozzo?" asked Gibbs.
"No, sir, I would not like that," he moaned.
Ellie looked from Gibbs to Tony then over at McGee. Her expression was asking what it was with the two of them. McGee mouthed the words later. She nodded.
Gibbs stared at McGee.
"Tell me about Ensign Cord," Gibbs ordered.
The information began to flow. Tony sat there half listening. His mind drifted back to Sergio Cortez. He was a stone cold killer. Cruelty was second nature to him. He enjoyed the terror on people's eyes right before he hurt them, and Tony had to pretend to be a man that Cortez would like to get close to him. It was a difficult thirteen months of his life. Anthony Campos was a difficult character for Tony to inhabit and live with for that long a period time. Campos did things that Anthony DiNozzo would never due and treated people in a way, Anthony DiNozzo would never treat them. He heard his name being called.
"DiNozzo, are you paying attention to what is being said?" growled Gibbs.
"Sorry, boss. Got lost in my thoughts for a minute," he said.
Gibbs glared at him, while Tony shrugged.
"Tell us about Cortez," ordered Gibbs.
"Sadist. He likes to hurt people. I mean that he really enjoys causing pain to people. When someone crosses him, he wants them dead as well as their family dead," he said. "His wife and kid are in WITSEC. If they didn't go into WITSEC, I have no doubt that his wife would be dead. He blames me for losing them and going to prison."
"Connections?" asked Gibbs.
"in who runs a drug cartel in Mexico," answered Tony. "Cousin made sure his time in prison was easy. They are close."
"Bishop start working on Sergio Cortez. I want to know everything about him, all his connections and all his so-called friends. McGee work up the financials on him. We want to be ready just in case Ensign Cord was killed as an attention getter to tell Special Agent DiNozzo he is coming," explained Gibbs.
"Boss, I think I'd prefer the FBI rather than you guys involved in this," said Tony.
Gibbs glared at him. This was about family to him and family stuck together.
"Boss, this might get real rough," Tony stated.
His voice betrayed his concern for his team.
"DiNozzo, I am not letting the FBI protect you. I can do that with help," said Gibbs.
"Cortez is an animal, boss," said Tony.
"DiNozzo, no argument. Now get to work," he ordered.
"You didn't give me anything to do," said Tony.
"Use your contacts and instincts and start looking for Cortez," said Gibbs.
"Yes, boss."
NCISNCIS
The call came first from Ducky and then from Abby. Gibbs motioned Tony to join him. The two men headed down to autopsy first. Entering they heard Ducky and Jimmy in conversation.
"Brass knuckles, or knuckledusters as they are also known as, were used by the Nihang Singhs in the 18th Century. Of course these first variants were made of cast iron, brass, lead, or even wood. They became popular in this country during the Civil War," lectured Ducky.
"They do a great deal of damage, don't they?" observed Jimmy.
Gibbs and Tony walked over to the body on the slab. The ensign's abdomen was peppered with welts and bruising.
"What have we got, Duck?" asked Gibbs.
"Besides the knife work, which you are aware of, we found this bruising and welts on his abdomen. I would estimate that a pair of brass knuckles were used by the assailant," explained Ducky.
"Kind of old school, isn't it, Duck?," remarked Gibbs.
"I've seen them used many times. From London ruffians to the Royal Marines," said Ducky. "I know what I know, Jethro."
"Boss, Cortez has a US Army Ranger knife from WW II. It was the kind of knife that had brass knuckles attacked to them. He loved use them, too," Tony stated.
Gibbs looked at him for a moment then sighed.
"Yeah, I know, boss; it looks like Cortez sent me a message," said Tony.
"I'm probably going to have to let Fornell know about this," Gibbs said.
"If I'm under protective custody then am I going to be able to investigate this?' asked Tony.
"We'll see," said Gibbs. "Let's talk to Abby."
Gibbs and Tony headed out of autopsy and to the elevator. Next was Abby's lab.
"I'm not sure I want Bishop and McGee on guard duty, boss," said Tony.
"Why?"
Tony reached over and stopped the elevator.
"This bastard is brutal. He'll eat and spit out Bishop and McGee has his mind on Delilah lately. If he found out about Delilah he'd use her against McGee to get to me. I really don't want them inn harm's way, boss," said Tony.
Gibbs stared at his second in command for a moment. He knew him too well not to know that Tony really was afraid for his team's life.
"They'll work the case but they won't be on protective custody duty. I'll talk to Vance about getting some Marine CID in for that," said Gibbs.
Tony turned on the elevator and it started up again.
"Thanks, boss," said Tony.
When they got to Abby's Lab, loud music was playing at unhealthy decibel levels. Abby was working at one of her computers looking like a mix of a Cosplay school girl and Goth. Gibbs turned the music off causing Abby to turn around with fire in her eyes. When she saw Gibbs and Tony, she broke into a big smile then ran over to Tony and gave him a bone crunching hug.
"Breathing is necessary, Abs," Tony struggled .
Abby let go then looked innocently at Gibbs.
"What have you got for us, Abs?" asked Gibbs.
She walked over to the computer and brought up a picture of a swarthy looking man.
"His name is Carmen Hernandez. He is from the gang La Pantera in Baltimore. I got some of his DNA off the trace evidence from the crime scene," Abby said.
"Cortez used Latino gangs throughout the Northeast to distribute drugs from Mexico," Tony stated.
"Okay, let's talk to Vance," said Gibbs.
NCISNCIS
Gibbs and Tony stood in front of Vance's desk waiting for him to get off the phone. After a few minutes he hung up and looked at his agents.
"Marine CID will put four men under you, Gibbs, for DiNozzo's protection," said Vance.
"When will they show up?" asked Gibbs.
"Tomorrow."
"I don't need that much protection," protested Tony.
"They found another body connected to Cortez. This one is a week old. The captain who was in charge of the op, Captain Henry Nagin. He had retired down to Port Lucie, Florida. His throat was cut, tongue cut out, and six fingers broken. Cortez is getting even," said Vance.
"Nagin… he was a bastard and incompetent but he didn't deserve dying like that," said Tony.
"I'm going to have a team down in Pensacola take a look at the body, crime scene, and evidence," said Vance.
"I'll let Fornell know about this Nagin," said Gibbs.
Vance looked at Tony then smiled.
"Trouble seems to follow you, Agent DiNozzo," said Vance.
"I'm blessed."
"Well, keep me in the loop. I'm sending my kids away from two weeks for early summer vacation to my cousin. They need some time away from here. I'll have the time to help you on this case if you need, since Agent DiNozzo shouldn't work on it," said Vance.
"I'll keep that in mind, director," said Gibbs with a smile.
"Now, I take you that you want to keep Bishop and McGee on the case," stated Vance.
Gibbs nodded.
"Let's make sure we don't lose any agents on this case," said Vance then he smiled.
As they headed back down to the bullpen, Gibbs gave Tony his marching orders.
"Grab your coat and gear. We are headed to your place for you to pack and then we are headed to my place," said Gibbs.
"Can we order out tonight?" asked Tony.
"I'll make us steak," said Gibbs.
They entered the bullpen. Tony went over and packed.
"McGee, Bishop," Gibbs started. "It appears that Cortez is after DiNozzo. Tomorrow morning DiNozzo and I will head to Baltimore to check out Carmen Hernandez. I want you two to work on finding Cortez. Stay partnered and don't leave each other's sight. I'll be in touch. DiNozzo, let's go."
Gibbs reached over and grabbed his bag, while Tony slung his bag over his shoulder.
"Goodnight, kiddies," said Tony, as he and Gibbs walked out of the bullpen.
NCISNCIS
In his bedroom Tony grabbed his suitcase and garment bag and started to pack, while Gibbs sat in his living room waiting for him. Gibbs looked around at the apartment. He was always amazed at how neat and clean Tony's apartment was. Maybe it was his upbringing, or maybe it was his years in a military academy, or even his years just being on his own, but he was as neat and clean as any military man he knew.
Tony exited with the garment bag over his shoulder and carrying a suitcase. He walked into the living room.
"Hey, boss, can you grab the fishbowl and fish food?" he asked.
Gibbs stood up at rolled his eyes at him.
"I can't leave Kate and Ziva alone, boss," he pleaded.
"Okay," growled Gibbs.
He walked over and grabbed the fishbowl and fish food.
"Amira will like the fish," said Gibbs.
"Amira visits?"
"Every Saturday Leyla and Amira visit. We have breakfast together and spend the day together and you get to join us this time," said Gibbs.
"Oh, joy," mumbled Tony.
NCISNCIS
The ride to the house was quiet. For once Tony didn't want to talk. With his fish in his lap, he sat and let his mind roam. His mind was on Cortez. He had seen that man do many things that still woke him up in a sweat. Never was he so happy to put a man away as he was with Cortez, yet he was having to deal with the bastard again.
Gibbs pulled up in his pickup and parked in the driveway.
"We are home," said Gibbs.
Tony sighed. He knew he couldn't convince Gibbs to let him be on his own, so he needed to get a few steps ahead of Cortez. He opened the door and stepped out of the truck with his fishbowl in his arms.
"It's out home away from home, girls," he said to his fish.
Gibbs grabbed the fishbowl from Tony.
"Get your bags out of the back, DiNozzo," he said then headed up the walk to the house.
Another sigh escaped Tony's lungs. He grabbed his bags and followed after Gibbs. Entering Gibbs' house, Tony noticed his fishbowl on the coffee table in the living room and the kitchen light was on.
"You know which bedroom to use," Gibbs yelled from the kitchen.
"Yes, sir," replied Tony.
The bedroom he got to use was the master bedroom. The other bedroom was Kelly's and Gibbs hardly let anyone into Kelly's bedroom. He brought his stuff up to the second floor, dropped it off, and returned to the first floor. Gibbs was starting a fire in the fireplace.
"We are having our steaks cowboy style," he smiled.
Gibbs pointed to the two Bohemian beers, sweating from having been in a cold refrigerator. Tony grabbed one, twisted the top off, and took a swig.
"You still don't have cable, do you?" he asked.
"Nope," was the answer.
A third sigh escaped Tony as he sat down on the couch. It was going to be a long protective custody.