The two coworkers looked at each other, searching to see if the other knew something that they didn't, before coming to the mutual conclusion that they were both completely in the dark. They had become quite good at that, in only a few months time. Communicating, without having to say a word.
When they reached the conference room, Gibbs was already waiting. The two file folders that he had previously been holding now were sitting on the table, each in front of their own chair. Tony noticed that they were marked "T.S." – Top Secret. He and Ziva hesitated in the doorway.
"Come in, close the door," Gibbs ordered. "Have a seat."
The pair did as they were told. Tony considered making some comment about flashing back to boarding school and being called into the headmaster's office. With a girl by his side, no less. As if he was caught trying to sneak one into his room. But Gibbs shot him a look, as if he knew exactly what Tony was going to say, so he decided against it.
"Earlier today, Marine CID responded to a car accident outside of Kuwait International Airport," Gibbs began. "Inside the vehicle was a married couple, Jean-Paul and Sophie Ranier. Both were pronounced dead at the scene."
"They were Navy?" Ziva asked.
"No. Civilians. Canadian citizens," Gibbs responded.
"Foul play?" Ziva continued.
"No signs of any," Gibbs stated.
"Then what was Marine CID doing there?" Tony inquired.
"They were called in shortly after the couple was identified. Turns out the two of them had a reputation as contract assassins," Gibbs told his agents. "The wife alone had over 25 confirmed kills, and it's estimated that the husband had even more."
Tony's eyes grew wide in shock. Ziva… well, Ziva was not all that impressed. Gibbs continued.
"Upon searching their personal belongings, CID found two fake U.S. passports and two first class tickets to Washington, D.C. They were also able to confirm that the two had booked a suite at the Barclay through November 10th."
"And we suspect that this wasn't just their honeymoon?" Tony quipped.
"The Marine Corps Birthday Ball will be held at the Barclay on November 10th. Everyone who is anyone will be attending – top military leaders, congressmen, agency directors – including Director Shepard. We have reason to believe that the Raniers were sent to Washington D.C. with the goal of assassinating a government official, but we don't know who."
Neither Tony nor Ziva were quite sure where this was going. Tony was the first to speak up. "Well, our assassins are dead. So… problem solved?"
"Not quite," Gibbs continued. "If whoever put out the contract finds out that their assassins are dead, they're likely to hire someone else. That's our real target – the person, the terrorist, who is fronting the bill to kill U.S. government officials. Right now we have the upper hand. News hasn't been leaked about the Raniers death, or about their profession. The only people who know are a select few in Marine CID, Director Shepard, myself, and now you two. We can assume that whoever hired the Raniers is still expecting to make contact with them once they reach the hotel. It's going to be our job to make that contact, and to find the person, or people, that want to assassinate someone at the Marine Corp Ball."
Realization dawned on Tony, and a grin slowly crept its way onto his lips. "Boss," he started. "Does this mean…?"
Gibbs stopped him, not needing to hear the rest of the question.
"Yeah, DiNozzo," he confirmed. "You're going under cover."