9.
"Our new friend had a pretty good reason to hide his identity. Seems he works for Senator Harrison."
Director Tom Morrow stood at the observation window, gazing at Jason Holt sitting slumped in the interrogation room next door. "In what capacity?"
"Protection detail. Some investigation, as required." Tony thrust his fingers through his thick hair. "Holt has a permit to carry, but the gun he was using is a cold piece. Registration numbers have been completely obliterated by acid."
"Abby's working on it now," Gibbs added.
"Good. You've got more than enough to speak to the Senator regarding his employee's criminal activities," Morrow said. "As well as those on his staff who might have had contact with Holt."
"Just the usual questions," Tony said.
"Routine," Gibbs agreed.
Morrow watched as both men shared their satisfaction with this advancement in their investigation by exchanging smiles.
On the drive to Senator Harrison's office, Tony called to verify that he was actually there.
Gibbs turned to glare at him. "Thought we were going in cold."
"Oh, we are. But the element of surprise will be severely blown if the Senator isn't there."
Weaving through the traffic surrounding the state capitol building soon forced even Gibbs to slow down. The city was under a smutty darkness, car exhaust forced down by the rain-engorged clouds. Pulling into the underground parking, Gibbs showed his identification to pass through the heavy security into the restricted area. Well aware that his own local city police badge had no authority here, Tony kept his mouth shut, allowing everyone they met to assume he was also a federal agent.
They finally made it through the gauntlet, arriving outside the Senator's personal office. The woman behind the desk was an unstylish, soft little woman, or so she appeared at first glance. A second, longer look revealed dark watchful eyes that missed nothing.
She carefully inspected both men's identification, frowning slightly at Tony's Baltimore badge. "May I ask what this is in reference to?"
"It's in regards to the arrest of one of the Senator's security personnel." Gibbs made a show of referring to his notebook. "Jason Holt. I'd prefer to tell the Senator about the arrest myself, if you wouldn't mind."
Startled, the secretary pressed a grey button on her phone. "Senator, NCIS Special Agent Gibbs and Baltimore Detective DiNozzo are here to see you. You have about fifteen minutes free."
"Send them in, Lorraine."
She moved to open the thick oak door, ushering them into the inner office.
Senator Malcolm Harrison approached with a smile and an outstretched hand. "Special Agent Gibbs, what can I do for NCIS today?"
Tony watched as Gibbs calmly explained why they were there. He carefully observed Harrison's reaction to Jason Holt's most recent activities. To his eye, the surprise and shock appeared genuine. Although, as he reminded himself, this man was a politician, well-practiced in not revealing his true feelings.
"Do you mind if I call in my Chief of Staff, Roger Lambert? He deals directly with my protection detail."
Gibbs agreed. While they waited, Lorraine brought in a pot of coffee. Tony gently refused, not surprised when Gibbs accepted a cup.
Tony prowled around the office, looking at the various photographs displayed. He found some of a much younger Malcolm with a somber tow-headed boy. They were typical family photos, father and son enjoying leisure activities. Or so he'd heard was common. But young Lawrence didn't seem to be enjoying himself.
"Malcolm, I brought Holt's employee file. I can't believe it. Why would he try to kill anyone?" Lambert was impeccably dressed, appearing more politician-like than the Senator himself with his coiffed hair and matinee idol looks.
"That's what we're here to find out," Gibbs said. "How long has Holt worked for you, Senator?"
"About eight years, I think," Harrison looked to Lambert for verification.
"That's right. He was originally hired as a driver for Mrs. Harrison and Lawrence during your first term as Senator."
"Of course." Harrison looked to the photograph on his desk. "My late wife was very ill then. Lawrence wasn't able to drive himself to school, so Roger suggested hiring someone."
"He was thoroughly vetted," Lambert added. "It's all here in his file."
Tony held his hand out, noting the hesitation before Lambert gave him the folder. While Gibbs continued questioning the two men regarding Holt's most recent activities, Tony flipped through the papers. "According to this, Holt not only works with you, Senator, but with your son's charitable company as well."
"Roger would know more about that than I would." Senator Harrison glanced at his watch. "Gentlemen, I do apologize, but there's a bill up for vote that I need to be present for." He reached out and shook both Gibbs' and Tony's hands before leaving.
Once the Senator was gone, Roger Lambert resumed speaking to the men. "Frankly, I don't know what else I can help you with. I find it surprising that Jason would do something so horrendous. There's no mistake?"
"Nope. We caught him in the act."
"He's obviously had some sort of breakdown. A great pity." Lambert shook his head. "The Senator is unlikely to be able to assist with your investigation in any way. I would prefer that you filter any questions through my office. Now, unless you have further questions, I need to get back to work."
Gibbs quickly realized that Lambert's level of cooperation has decreased greatly since Senator Harrison's departure from the office. Exchanging a quick look with DiNozzo, he saw that his erstwhile partner also had noted the change in attitude. Gibbs handed Lambert his card. "If you think of anything else, please contact me."
"Of course."
Once outside, the two men stared at each other over the top of Gibbs' car. Tony leaned against the body frame, his elbows on the roof. "Are you thinking what I am?"
"That Lambert knows a lot more than he wants the Senator to find out?"
"Yeah. But how do we prove it?"
"We break Holt." Gibbs got behind the steering wheel, slamming the car door closed.
Tony joined him, the smile on his face not his usual charming grin. This one belonged to a predator scenting game.
~NCIS~
Jason Holt looked up as Gibbs came into the interrogation room, a folder in his hand. Tony followed behind him, closing the door and moving to the opposite side of the room to lean against it. Gibbs pulled the chair out, placing the folder onto the table.
"You attempted to kill Faith Lindsey, the victim of an attack and a near rape."
Holt just stared back at Gibbs, not saying a word.
"The person who attacked her killed Corporal Ramon Gonzalez whose only crime was caring enough to attempt to save an innocent young woman in danger." Gibbs placed a photo of Gonzalez from his records on the table, then one of his dead body. "The same predator has attacked and, in five cases, raped other innocent women."
"The earliest two were lucky. They were saved from injury by others." He pulled out more photos, naming them as he placed them on the table. "Consuela Lopez. Bridget O'Hara. Then he determined to change his modus operandi and made his next attack where he wouldn't be stopped. Rebecca Malone."
Holt's square jaw tensed visibly.
"She was too tough for him. She managed to get away before she was raped. The next few women weren't that lucky. Lavonia Montgomery. Lois Brennan. Trina Henderson. Precious Gunia. Brenda Trott." By the end of the list, Gibbs was slapping the photos down on the table, glaring at the man across the table from him.
When Holt began to look anywhere but at the photos, Gibbs slammed his fist down. "Look at them! You're protecting the animal that did this. Is this what you were hired for?"
"I…I want to make a phone call."
"It had better be to a miracle worker. Because right now, I'm considering you a viable suspect, just based on your actions at Ms. Lindsay's apartment."
"I'll have a telephone brought in here." Gibbs left the photos, walking out of the room.
Tony stared at Holt for a long moment. "Good luck."
"What?"
The younger man didn't answer, following Gibbs into the hallway. He is passed by an NCIS technician carrying a phone, plugging the set into the wall. Once that was done, he left the room and disappeared back into the observation room.
Curious, Tony quickly slipped into the room, watching as Jason Holt stared up at the camera, the tell-tale red light out. Holt used his body to hide the number he was dialing.
"Cautious, isn't he?" Tony asked, his question aimed to the room's occupants, the unnamed tech and Gibbs.
"Thinks we might use it against him," Gibbs replied.
"Hell, we already know who he's probably calling."
"I doubt if he's thinking clearly right now."
The call was becoming increasingly heated, then the receiver was slammed down into the cradle before the whole set was flung against the far wall.
"I think our friend has just discovered that he's been hung out to dry. Shall we go commiserate?"
"Yep."