Chapter 11: Returns

Everyone is a Genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. - Albert Einstein

Airport

1:47 pm

Watching as her luggage was placed in the back of a taxi cab Emily Prentiss sighed.
It was a long flight from Chicago but if things went according to plan it would be worth it.

"Where to ma'am?" The driver asked briskly, opening the door for her.

Waiting until he climbed in the driver's seat she replied, "The Hoot. I don't know the exact spot but it's a brand casino opening up. I'll be staying in the hotel it's connected to."

"Don't worry Miss I know exactly where you're talking about.
You're in luck too it opens tonight.
I heard it's gonna be one heck of a grand opening with live performances and all."

"Live performances, Wow!" Emily said trying to sound convincingly sincere.
"I guess I'd better make sure I stop to see the show."
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"Let's go, let's go, let's go people. We open in four hours and my dad will be here in three so move it!" Abby shouted clapping her hands.

"Abs, calm down; it's all gonna run smoothly tonight.
All you have to do is relax, everything will be fine." Tony tried.
She had been like this all morning and he was really getting tired of it.

"How can you be sure Tony? What if JJ didn't finish Ziva's dress, or Parker drops a tray, or…or well what if you run out of liquor." Abby worried.

"You're over reacting Abby.
JJ has never let Ziva down, Parker and I have been practicing, and I am a bartender and more importantly an Italian one.
There is no way I can run out of everything I ordered." Tony said delivering a reassuring smile.

"Thanks Tony. You're right." Abby conceded giving him a bone crushing hug.

"Of course I am Abs. Now come on let's go to the back and get some more glasses for tonight." Tony slung his arm around her pulling her with him.

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Rossi Residence

"Would you like anything else sir?" A young woman asked as she placed a tray of coffee mugs on the end table.

"That will be all Elle, Thank-you." Rossi said being a bit too friendly to the help if you asked Gibbs.

"Gentlemen" she excused swaying out of the room.

"So what would be the occasion? It's not every day I get the pleasure of entertaining detectives and FBI agents." Rossi falsely wondered as he sipped his coffee.

"We wanted to know a little bit about your wife's talent company." Gibbs said taking the lead.

Rossi couldn't help but laughing. "My wife in charge of a talent company? Believe me I love her dearly but there are goldfish out there with more talent.
That 'company' is more like a group of talentless girls with false hope wanting their egos stroked."

"That's awfully harsh don't you think?" Nate questioned.

"Sometimes the truth is." Rossi stated simply. "Is that all fellas? I do have a casino to open tonight." Rossi started standing.

"Just one more question." Gibbs replied also standing. "When was the last time you saw your accountant Mr. Anderson?"

Trying to keep emotion from showing, Rossi swiftly replied, "Well I guess I'd have to say three weeks ago
when we finished the budget for the casino. Now if that's all I really do need to be on my way?"

"For now" Gibbs said leveling him with a glare.

Walking down the driveway Gibbs and Nate then went around the corner where Fornell and Munch were waiting in a surveillance van.

"Does LVPD really think people believe this is a milk truck?" Gibbs asked skeptically.

"Hey don't blame us." Munch exclaimed raising his hands. "This is all on your guys."

Looking at Tobias accusingly Gibbs shook his head as he pulled the back closed having been last to enter.

"Hey! It was very short notice! I took what they had." Fornell defended.

Getting back to the point Nate asked, "Did it work?"

"Oh yeah them birdies was a singing. I think the CIA would be jealous of how clear that sound was coming through."
Munch answered playing around with the frequency of the bugs his partner had planted.

"Why didn't he ask why you were asking about his wife and Anderson?" That thought had been puzzling Fornell.

"You don't need to ask the question if you already know the answer, Toby." Gibbs said settling in for what he hoped would be a short stake-out.

You know that part of the conversation where I punch you in the neck nine or ten times? We're coming up on that part pretty quick. (Nate - LEVERAGE)