A/N: Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read this, and especially to those who go to the trouble of writing me a review. I really appreciate your comments.
A/N2: I know a few of you are waiting for the confrontation between Gibbs and Becker. I've been busy writing, so I can tell you that it -will- happen, but not until chapter nine. Just so you know I haven't forgotten it :P
Hope you like!
Chapter Six
Forty minutes later, Tony pushed his chair back from the desk and pulled a page out of the computer. He walked to Captain Vernski's office, slapping the paper down on his desk. "A draft of the press release."
Vernski nodded, reaching for his glasses as he skimmed the page. He handed it back to Tony with a nod. "That's good stuff DiNozzo. Now get out there, the mob is waiting."
Tony hesitated. "Cap, I don't think I should be the one to do this." He pointed to the dark bruise on his face. "They're gonna ask what happened, and this will turn into a story about the police's incompetence. I mean, this story's got enough bad press already."
Vernski shook his head. "They'll ask more questions if you're not the one to give the statement kid. You're on first name basis with most of the reporters, they like you. Besides, Becker's not as camera-friendly as you."
Tony bit his tongue, leaving the office. Outside, Melissa, Versnki's assistant, took pity on Tony, whipping out her makeup kit. She covered most of the bruise with foundation and powder so it was less noticeable. With his sunglasses on, it was possible nobody would even see it. With a sigh, Tony slipped on his aviators and went out to the press gathered around the doors of the building.
Within a matter of seconds he was surrounded, microphones, recorders and cameras pressed into his face. He cleared his throat, reading from the paper.
"Last night the Friday Rapist struck again, outside the Blitz Nightclub. The attack took place at 1:18 am. The victim, a 27 year old female who's name will not be released, managed to fight off her attacker until help arrived. She was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The Friday Rapist managed to escape however no witnesses saw his face.
"The Baltimore Police Department will be again increasing the number of officers on patrol and we are encouraging young women not to go out on Friday nights until the perpetrator has been apprehended."
Tony finished and tried to make his way back into the building but was stopped, dozens of reporters throwing their questions at him. "People!" Tony shouted in frustration. "I know you have questions, but they'll have to wait. I've got to get back to work."
Gibbs was seated, quite comfortably, in Tony's chair when he re-entered the building. "So where are we?" Tony asked, leaning on the desk.
"Nice speech DiNozzo," Becker smirked, switching off the television broadcasting live from the conference.
Tony ignored him. "Have we heard from forensics yet? Any results from the swabs we did of number seven's arms?"
"Nothing yet," Becker replied. Tony swore under his breath.
"Great. So that leaves us with seven victims and no leads. Any ideas?" Tony turned to Gibbs.
Gibbs stood up, pulling a piece of paper from his jacket pocket. "Well, you never finished this." It was Tony's sketch, the eyes of the Friday Rapist staring out of the page.
Tony took his seat, looking at the rough sketch. "That's all I've got. It was dark and I hit my head… all I remember is his eyes."
"They're distinctive. Think you'd recognize them?"
"Definitely." Tony said firmly. The eyes, the cold, dark eyes were something he'd never forget. "I guess I could start looking through pictures on the database. There's only a few thousand… assuming he's a convicted criminal."
Gibbs nodded. "You do that."
"Where are you going?"
"To get a refill." He held up the empty mug in his hand, walking down the corridor.
"Didn't he drink coffee like an hour ago?" Tony stared after Gibbs, shaking his head. He flicked through dozens of photos, nothing standing out to him. Suddenly he jerked up in his chair. "Dan!"
"What?"
"You ran the scene outside Blitz last night didn't you?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Where's the recovered evidence list?"
Becker shuffled through a few files before handing a piece of paper across to Tony. Tony scanned it. "The knife."
"What knife?"
"Exactly. It was never recovered, it's not on the list so you must have missed it, but the Friday Rapist was carrying a knife. It must still be at the scene."
"We didn't miss anything DiNozzo. We were stuck there half the night."
Tony ignored him, strapping on his gun holster and grabbing the keys. Gibbs returned with his latest cup of coffee, quirking an eyebrow at Tony.
"What have you got?"
"Possible lead. I'm not sure. I'm going back to the club."
"Where's your backup?" Gibbs stared at Becker.
"Don't need it, I just need to look at the crime scene again, in daylight. I'll be back in an hour." Tony grabbed his badge, jogging down the hallway.
One hour and eleven minutes later he returned, swinging an evidence bag in one hand. It held a long, shiny knife. "This would be the knife," he announced. "I'm gonna run it down to forensics, see if we can't get a print from it. We know he wasn't wearing gloves last night, he managed to claw Abby pretty good."
"Where was it?" Gibbs asked when Tony came back to the desks.
"Under a dumpster. Got kicked under in the fight."
"You missed a knife that size?" Gibbs asked, glaring at Becker.
"It was dark." Becker growled. "You could have told me DiNozzo, how was I supposed to find a knife I didn't know existed?"
"Well I was going to but you slammed the door on me before I had a chance to!" Tony stared at his partner. His expression softened. "You're right Dan."
"Of course I am."
"No I mean, I didn't think of it until now. He's never used a knife before. His methods are evolving, he's becoming meaner. Fiercer. Which means –"
"We need to find the bastard before he kills someone." Gibbs said.
TBC