Chapter 10: Vampirism at its Finest
Abby was right, someone else really had a thing for the full moon. We arrived in Fox Hollow Woods to find our naval officer drained of her blood by two circular puncture wounds to the neck and a heart carved into her back. Next to her head was a boot print with backwards letters in the center. I held a compact to the print, "BOONESBACK," it said. Gibbs grabbed me by the arm and grabbed me away from the body "You are not done your training," he said as he escorted me back to his car. "Ziva, bag and tag, Tony, pictures, McGee, witness statements. I want to know how this marine died when we get back to base," he called over his shoulder.
The ride back to base was silent. When we got there, he lead me through the building until we got to a gym-like facility on the forth floor, where he tossed me a black standard NCIS duffle bag and told me to go get changed. I was skeptical at first, but then complied with his orders and went to the locker room to change. When I came back out, Gibbs and I were both dressed in regulation NCIS sweat suits – mine black and his grey – and the director was seated at a table in the far corner of the room. "Hello, director," I said. She nodded back at me. "I've decided that due to your 'unnatural circumstances' you only need to complete a modified version of the fitness test. Dr Mallard and Abby have thoroughly assured me of your forensic knowledge and criminology specialties. So, in order to become a fully inducted member of NCIS, you simply need to complete the obstacle course in the allotted amount of time, win at least one out of three sparring matches with Gibbs, and then test out your aim at the shooting range," she said, as she opened a black book and got ready to take notes. "Okay, director," I said, "just tell me when to start."
One broken record, three matches won, and some perfect shooting later, I was presented with my official NCIS Forensics Field Agent certificate. "Congratulations, Special Agent Redmond, I've never seen such amazing results on any other test in my life," she continued to praise me. She then handed me my badge and my new firearm. "You are now free to work with Agent Gibbs' team in the field, Special Agent Redmond," Director Sheppard said as she took her leave. Gibbs turned to me. "Go get changed, then head to Abby's lab for an update on the case." "Yes, sir," I replied before staring off towards the locker room. "Oh, and Madi," Gibbs called over his shoulder as he headed of in the opposite direction, "don't call me 'sir,' it makes me feel old." I smiled at his retreating form before stepping into the locker room to change.
Twenty minutes later, I walked into Abby's lab with my wet hair up in a messy bun, dressed in a fresh pair or jeans and a black V-neck T-shirt. "Madi! Congratulations!" Abby squealed as she threw her arms around me in a hug, "Gibbs just dropped off your ID card and cell phone for you." I returned the hug with a smile. After receiving my new cell and ID, I asked the question that I had been itching to ask since that morning: "What's the case about?" "Well, Ziva thinks it's a vampire hoax, Tony thinks we're going to meet Dracula soon – and has been quoting said movie ever since – Tim thinks it's a set up, Ducky is working on the autopsy with Palmer to find out what actually happened, and Gibbs is—" "Here," Gibbs interrupted as he walked into the room, "Whatcha got for me Abs?" Abby threw me a 'hold-on' look, before she spun around on her chair to face her computer. "Well, I looked at the boot-print mold that Tony so kindly made for me, the bottom of the boot had the words 'BOONESBACK' carved into the sole, which is really cool if you ask me—but I can see that you're not, so ill move on. Make a mental note that the same saying was found carved into Jacob Boone's left boot." Abby paused for a bit of dramatic effect, but quickly continued when Gibbs made a move to throw out the extra large Caff-Pow that he was holding. "Hold on Gibbs, I'm not done yet," she grabbed the caffeinated drink and sat it on the table in front of her.
"As I was saying, there were high traces od sodium chloride and hydrofluoric acid – another component that ties the murder to both Jacob and Kyle Boone – which means that our murderer wanted our Jane Doe to suffer before she died by trying to dissolve her blood while she was still alive. I'd assume it was a terrifying and painful experience for her to endure that kind of torture, and that the person that we're dealing with is a vicious sadist."
When Abby turned back around, Gibbs was gone. "When did he…?" I shrugged my shoulders and she huffed in defeat. "Anyway," Abby continued, "when we found our Jane Doe this morning, she had been dead for about four hours, a man found her while he was walking his dog through the woods. As I had briefly mentioned to Gibbs, there is an unmistakable tie between this murder, the acid bath murders, and Jake: the murderer. At all crime scenes, there was the single boot-print with the saying 'BOONESBACK' carved into the left sole, the use of hydrofluoric acid in the blood/ body disposal, and the fact that, in all three cases, the victims are all 18-21 years old, 5'6"-5'10", have blond hair, and have tan skin." "We're dealing with a group of serial killers," I breathed out the statement that I was sure Abby had been thinking. "I'll go tell Gibbs, this has to be stopped before more innocent lives are put in danger," I called over my shoulder as I rushed to the elevator.
When I got up to the bullpen, the team was gathered around the plasma screen. I watched, dumbfounded, at the images on the TV. Now, taking up the entirety of the TV screen, was an older version of Jacob. "Breaking news announcement," a new anchor said, "Kyle Boone has broken out of prison. I repeat: dangerous serial killer and mass murderer, Kyle Boone, has broken out of his solitary confinement cell at the Virginia State Penitentiary. This psychotic killer id incredibly dangerous and should not be confronted. If you see him contact your local authorities immediately. Remain indoors, lock all windows and doors, and do not leave the confines of your home. We are using all available resources at our disposal in order to catch this perpetrator." Then the screen went blank. "What if he's trying to build up an army?" I thought out loud. The team turned to me, finally noticing my arrival in the bullpen. "What are you talking about, Madi?" Tim asked. "Abby and I found a connection between our past three cases," I said, "and I'm now starting to believe that Kyle Boone's been in contact with his half brother, Jacob, and has been raising an army of serial killers. I know it sounds pretty far fetched, but I honestly think that Boone's trying to get revenge on who ever put him in jail in the first place."
Tony was the first to speak up. "Yeah, you're right, Madi," he said, with a rather thoughtful expression, "that idea is pretty far fetched." I glared at him, "fine, Tony, if that's what you think, then, by all means, stay right where you are and follow up on all the leads that you don't have. I'm going to check something out, if any of you feel the need to tag along later, then have Tim trace my cell location." With those last words, I made my way to the elevator and, before long, was flying down the streets toward Farm View Road, the location of my first kidnapping.