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Chapter Five
Tony wiped the steam off the mirror, staring at his pale reflection in the mirror. The hot shower had helped, but he still felt sore all over. His knees were raw and grazed, his jeans had been shredded up in the fight and he could feel bruises forming on his chest and shoulders. His face hurt most of all, the punch to his cheekbone was one of the hardest Tony could remember getting. The area around it was tender and swollen, spreading across to the side of his nose and the bottom of his eye, a dark black bruise gathering just beneath the surface.
He was glad he hadn't bothered, or more correctly, hadn't had time to put away the clean laundry; it sat in a heap in the corner of his bathroom. He wouldn't have wanted to risk waking Abby venturing into the bedroom in search of clothes. Wearing yesterday's clothes wasn't all that appealing either and he didn't think Gibbs would appreciate him walking around wearing only a towel. Nor would his Captain at the police station for that matter. Running fingers through his hair, Tony pulled on a pair of black jeans and a long-sleeved button up white shirt, thick enough to conceal the dark bruises. It could do with an iron, but he had more pressing concerns.
Gibbs and Ducky were still on the lounge when he emerged from the shower. Tony grabbed his gun and badge, clipping them to his belt and picked up his keys.
"I've got to go, but you're welcome to stay for as long as you need. Guest bedrooms to the right-" he pointed to the door. "and you can sleep on the couch as well. Probably find some pillows and blankets in the closet."
Gibbs stood up. "I'm coming with you."
Tony turned back from the door, frowning slightly. "Umm, look Gibbs, I know you work with Abby, but this is a Baltimore Homicide case." He went to turn back to the door, but froze when he saw the expression on Gibbs' face.
"Listen kid," Gibbs growled, standing up and walking towards Tony. "I don't care if this is your case. Abby's one of mine. And I look after my own. Seven weeks and you still haven't caught the bastard. Sounds like you could use my help."
Tony's face darkened and he scowled. He turned and walked out of the apartment, but he left the door open behind him. Ducky raised an eyebrow.
"Was that entirely necessary Jethro?"
Gibbs shrugged. "Worked, didn't it? Keep an eye on Abs for me."
"Of course," Ducky replied, but Gibbs was already gone.
Tony was about to start the engine of his Corvette when he felt the weight shift. Before he could even glance over, he heard a door slam and suddenly Gibbs was in the passenger seat of his car.
"What the-?"
Gibbs smirked. "Just be glad I'm letting you drive."
Unable to think of a reply, Tony shook his head in wonderment, slipped on his glasses and started the car. Even though it was a Saturday, the pathway to the door of the head office of the Baltimore Police Department was crowded with reporters. An officer stood in front of the mob, unsuccessfully trying to make them leave.
"Vultures," Tony muttered, pushing his sunglasses further up his nose. The glasses were large and covered nearly all of the bruise, but Tony didn't want to give the press any more information than they already had. Gibbs followed closely behind as Tony approached the group. Many of the reporters seemed to recognize him.
"Tony!"
"Detective DiNozzo!"
"Is it true another woman was attacked last night?"
"What happened last night?"
"Did you catch him?"
"Detective DiNozzo!"
Tony sighed, pushing his way through the crowd until he reached the front door of the building, subconsciously pushing up the sunglasses again.
"People!" He yelled. The crowd quieted considerably. "I'm not at liberty to tell you anything at this time. There'll be a press conference shortly, you'll get your answers then."
The chorus of questions started up again as soon as Tony finished speaking, but he shook his head, pulling open the door to the building. Gibbs followed after him.
"What was that all about?"
Tony frowned, slipping the glasses back into his pocket. "The local journalists and I have become good friends over the past few weeks. Chief sticks me with all the PR duties and there's been a helluva lot of that on this case, so we've all become nice and familiar."
"You and your partner are the lead detectives on a serial rapist case! Why the hell are you wasting your time being the pretty face on the news?" Gibbs growled, his hand grabbing Tony's elbow.
Tony's eyebrow quirked but he stopped walking and faced Gibbs. "Out of my hands, Special Agent Gibbs."
Gibbs shook his head, but continued following Tony through the building.
"DiNozzo!" A bald-headed man of medium height stood at a doorway, his eyes fixed on Tony.
"Captain Vernski." Tony nodded wearily, approaching the man.
"What the hell happened last night? And who the hell is he?"
"Special Agent Gibbs, Naval Criminal Investigative Service," Tony said, nodding his head toward Gibbs, who was now standing beside him. "Number seven works for him."
Gibbs was impressed that Tony remembered what the acronym stood for, but growled under his breath when Tony referred to his forensic specialist as 'Number Seven'. She had a name.
The captain opened the file he held in his hand, scanning it quickly. "Says here she's a scientific technician. Navy cops don't have jurisdiction here. If anything, this'd fall to the FBI."
Gibbs gave the man the evilest glare Tony had seen in years. Captain Vernski was apparently unaware however, still flipping through the folder. "I don't give a damn about jurisdiction, Captain. I'm going to get this guy whether you like it or not."
"Easier just to agree," Tony chipped in.
Vernski looked between the men then, with a resigned sigh, thrust the folder toward Tony. "Fine. Whatever it takes to catch this scumbag. You ready for the press conference?"
Tony scowled. "Not yet, but they can wait. I've got actual work to do."
"You'll talk to them within the hour DiNozzo, you hear me? This whole situation is bad enough without impatient reporters circulating rumours. Show me your statement before you go out there."
"Yes captain," Tony nodded, walking over to his desk. Gibbs gave the man a final stare then pulled up a chair.
"Where's your partner?"
Tony glanced at his watch. It was a little after seven am. "Sleeping I guess. Our shift doesn't start until eight."
Gibbs' contempt for the man grew, but he said nothing. Tony shuffled the papers on his overflowing desk, rubbing absently at the bruise on his face.
"What are you thinking?"
Tony looked up, surprised at the intrusion into his thoughts. "It just… it doesn't make sense. We had officers in over thirty clubs last night. Thirty clubs and he happens to target the club Dan and I are assigned to. More than that, the victim he selects is the only female I speak to all night. It's… I mean, it could be a coincidence but –"
"I don't believe in coincidences." Gibbs stated firmly. Tony looked like he was about to say something but stopped, swallowing.
"Right. That's what I'm thinking, I mean I'm on the news talking about the scumbag every other night, it's no secret Dan and I are the lead investigators here. Which means…"
"He's getting cocky. Showing off. Pretty typical behaviour really," Dan Becker said, sauntering through the room and sitting at the desk facing Tony's.
Tony's face darkened. "You're here early Dan. Sure could've used that kind of attitude last night."
"Shut it DiNozzo." Becker stood again. "I'm going for coffee."
"Coffee." Gibbs repeated, quickly following Becker.
TBC