Disclaimer on chapter one.

AN: Sorry bout the wait but here you go chapter three. Enjoy and as always let me know what you think. dark rolling sea.

Chapter Three

Tony and McGee had finally talked their way past the woman and were sitting in the living room. She had offered them coffee but they had both declined and now sat quietly staring at each other. They had managed to find out the woman's name was Miranda Mathews and was indeed Lt. Quinn's mother. She was average size, if not a bit on the hefty side. Her long graying hair was pulled back into a loose pony tail as her brown eyes were expressionless as they darted from Tony to McGee.

"Mrs. Mathews we just want to talk to your son," McGee began.

"He's not here," she replied pointedly.

"We understand that, but if you know where he is we need to talk to him," DiNozzo continued.

"He's in Norfolk, where the Navy stationed him," she replied like Tony was an idiot. Tony lowered his head a moment and composed himself.

"What kind of man is your son?" Tony asked once he raised his head once more.

"What kind of question is that?" she asked defensively, her eyes narrowing on Tony. He showed a small grin as he waited her out. "He's a fine man, serves his country."

"Is he capable of murder?" Tony continued. He watched the fire ignite in her eyes.

"NO," she shouted at him as she crossed her arms over her chest. He could see the tears building in her eyes.

"Tell us about your son," McGee said in a soft voice. Miranda tore her glare from Tony and looked at McGee. She paused a moment thinking about what to say before she answered him.

"He's my only child, his father died when he was a little boy. We went through rough times before I met my current husband. Zack made it through but we did end up sending him to a shrink. After a while Zack was ok. He finished high school graduating third in his class. Then went to Annapolis and became an officer in the Navy."

"Do you know where he would turn to if he were in trouble?" Tony asked. Miranda glared at him but didn't answer his question.

"We're only trying to help," McGee added.

"Help put my boy in jail."

"Mrs. Mathews, we really do need to talk to your son. Mainly we need to find out if he has an alibi or if he can explain the evidence we found at the scene. Right now we just need to talk to him," McGee continued.

"I don't know where he would go. I don't really know any of his friends. I know he used to get letters from someone. Address was moving a lot I figured it was someone in the service. Otherwise I honestly don't know where my son is."

"Do you have any of those letters here?" Tony asked. Miranda continued to address McGee.

"There may be some in his old room, but I think he kept them all together and took them with him when he left."

"May we check?" McGee asked. She nodded and Tony followed her directions to the room. Once he was out of sight McGee continued. "How long has he been in contact with this person?"

"A long time. Shortly before he agreed to see the shrink when he was…oh…eleven or so."

"A long time, and you never asked who this person was?"

"Oh I asked a lot. Zack would just shrug and tell me it was a friend."

"And you were ok with him receiving the letters?"

"They were just letters, Agent McGee," she said defensively. McGee nodded slowly before continuing.

"And you think your son would go to this person if he were in trouble?"

"Possibly, Agent McGee, I mean he doesn't really talk to me anymore," she replied. McGee could hear the sadness in her voice. He gave her a small smile. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Tony came back shaking his head.

"Nothing, McGee," Tony said. McGee rose to his feet.

"Thank you for your time, Mrs. Mathews," McGee said as Tony and he started for the door. Miranda rose and followed them. Once in the car and on their way back to the airport Tony called Gibbs and filled him in.

Kate stared at her computer screen slightly stunned. Gibbs had told her everything Tony and McGee had learned but now she wasn't sure if the mother was telling the truth. Gibbs happened to glance over at her and her expression made him pause. She continued to read, her eyes growing wider with each sentence.

"What, Kate?" Gibbs asked with a frown. She tore her eyes from the screen and looked at him before answering.

"I found something on Lt. Quinn," Kate replied slowly.

"What is it?" Gibbs asked his curiosity peaked. He rose from his chair and walked over to her desk, leaning down so he could squint at the words on her monitor.

"It appears that Lt. Quinn's father Hank Quinn was murdered."

"Yeah, Tony said that."

"By his twelve year old step-son," Kate added. Gibbs glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Miranda Mathews claims she only has one child," Gibbs countered.

"I know, says here that twelve year old Grayson Wilson shot and killed his step father Hank Quinn. The boy claimed the man was abusing him, his mother, and his half brother who was seven. Grayson told police that his step father was beating the seven year old badly when he ran for the gun kept in the closest. According to the boy the gun was always kept loaded. He shot Hank Quinn twice; the fatal second bullet hit the man in the heart."

"What happened after that?" Gibbs asked as he leaned a little closer. Kate glanced at him a moment before she cleared her throat and continued with the story.

"Miranda Quinn, as she was known at the time, denied that her husband beat any of them. Grayson produced bruises on his body but the mother explained them away. The seven year old also had bruises but the mother blamed them on her twelve year old son. She told authorities that he was out of control."

"What happened to the twelve year old?"

"Grayson Quinn was taken from the home. The mother cut all ties with the boy, disowning him and giving him to the State. He basically got lost in the system, moving from house to house. The record stops when the boy is fifteen."

"Well he obviously didn't go home, find him, Kate," Gibbs said as he hovered for a moment longer. He then pushed back and headed for the elevator.

"Where are you going?"

"Coffee," Gibbs threw back over his shoulder without slowing. Kate nodded before returning her attention to the screen in front of her. She began searching for more information on Grayson Wilson.

Grady felt his stomach clench, as he read the letter, the words sent chills down his spine. His eyes scanned the words over and over again knowing that his life was about to take a turn for the worse. He slammed his lids down and tried to will himself somewhere else. He opened his eyes and looked into his brother's. Grady could see and feel the fear there.

He let his arm drop as his fingers clutched the letter tighter. He slid into the chair next to Zack and stared at the table top. Zack picked at his sleeve as he waited for his brother to say something.

"Jesus, Zack, when did you get this?" Grady whispered unable to fully force his voice to work.

Hearing the fear in his brother's voice made Zack swallow hard. He hadn't expected to hear it from Grady. He didn't answer, unable to fully think of what Grady had just asked. Grady finally looked up at Zack with pleading eyes. "When?"

"Who's it from, Grady?" Zack asked instead.

"That doesn't matter," Grady ground out. "How long ago did you get this?"

"Four days ago. I immediately made arrangements to find you and leave the base."

"Four days ago." Grady repeated mostly to himself. He eyed the letter again feeling his blood run cold as he did. He fought to keep the memories that were struggling to come forefront in his mind at bay. It was something he had no intention of reliving, but he had a feeling that in the coming weeks he was going to re-experience every horrific detail once again.

"What does it all mean?"

"What it means is you are in trouble with the law," Grayson mumbled as he closed his eyes.

"But why me? You know something, I can tell, Grady, tell me," Zack replied.

"This letter is telling you to run from the police, Zack. It appears to be from an accomplice to a murder, a murder that YOU committed," Grady said pointing at his brother. "Why you? I don't know."

"I think you do," Zack replied weakly. Grady stared at him with hard eyes for a moment before he looked at the paper in his hand again. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

"Maybe I do but it's not important right now."

"What is?"

"Getting you out of here and away from this."

Zack could only nod as he sat at the table feeling helpless. Grady worked a plan out in his head. If Zack had found him it wouldn't be long before they would have company. He was sure that eventually NCIS would catch up with his brother, but it wasn't them that he was worried about. It was his past he needed to run from now.

"Where are we going?"

"We? No, you, Bubba. I got to make some phone calls," Grady said pushing up from the table. He fetched his cell phone from his pocket and left his brother in the kitchen. He made his way outside and stood on the porch as he waited for the phone to connect.

His phone call to Levi Brown was much like he expected it to be. Levi was understanding in his problem and agreed to help him out. Ever since Grayson had been fifteen and Levi had taken him in, the man was always willing to help Grayson. He never knew why, but he surly appreciated the gesture, and Grayson did his best to repay the man for his kindness.

After hanging up the phone he checked his watch and let out a deep breath. Time was short if he figured right. It wouldn't take long before the Storm found him. He had to get Zack someplace safe and now it was just a matter of getting him there. Grayson went back into the house and straight to his room. Zack was still in the kitchen waiting for him when Grayson returned with what he needed. Zack looked at him expectantly.

"I'm sending you to Levi. He's going to keep you safe. You're also going to met Dusty, just go with what Levi tells you. Dusty a bit different but you'll get along if you go along. Understand?"

"Yeah," Zack mumbled. "What's going on?"

"You got stuck in the middle of something and I'm very sorry," Grayson said in a soft voice. "It's got nothing to do with you, you just happen to be the bait."

"Bait? For what?"

"Me. Listen, Zack, I'm really sorry for this. I thought this was behind me, but I guess I was wrong. Somehow he got your DNA, your prints; I'm sure other stuff as well."

"What do you mean?"

"When the cops come for you they'll have indisputable evidence against you for this crime. It's his way. He won't go half assed, it will be a slam dunk case and I need time to undo what he has done."

"Who?"

"The man who sent you the letter. It's not important right now who he is just that you know he's evil and he's after me not you. You're just the bait to get me to show myself. It worked, but I promise you I will take care of this and you will be cleared in the end."

"I'm scared, Grady."

"So am I. I'm down right terrified."

"Where am I going?"

"Dusty has a cabin in the mountains not far from here. They're going to come out and get you and take you there."

"How long?"

"A couple hours. I just hope we have that long."

TBC…