NCIS
Gibbs walked in the Director's office and closed the door behind him. "I'll have to call you back," Director Vance said and smiled at Jethro. "Please, Jethro, sit down." Gibbs took a seat across from the director.
"I need some favors, Leon," Gibbs said and placed Abby's findings of heroine in front of the director. Vance looked them over and gave Jethro a skeptical look.
"What's this about?"
"It's about the murder we're investigating. Petty Officer Ashby was onto something and she was following someone named 'Xavier' around to prove they were guilty. We're down to twelve possible names and I want to bring them in for interviews," Gibbs explained and Director Vance raised an eyebrow.
"You want to pull twelve officers from their duties on base so you can interview them?"
"That's right."
"Why did you have to come to me?"
"Four of them are high ranking and can't get away that easily." Leon thought about the situation for a moment.
"I'll see what I can do, but the other eight you'll have to get yourself. You have 24 hours before I pull some strings. And if you find you're possible subject before I have to do this, let me know," Director Vance said and Jethro nodded.
"You'll be the first to know," Gibbs said and walked out of the office.
----
Gibbs walked briskly down the stairs to be greeted by Ziva and Tony. "Pack up, we have some investigating to do," he ordered and grabbed his gun and ID badge out of the right hand drawer of his desk. Tony and Ziva saw the action and copied it as the trio headed towards the elevators.
"Boss, you'll need this!" McGee suddenly shouted and handed him the report of all of the officers that had the name 'Xavier'. Nodding appreciatively towards McGee, Gibbs finally stepped into the elevator.
"Why is it always about drugs?" Ziva asked and Gibbs smiled, reminded of the conversation while they investigated Chief Petty Officer Stoller's death.
"It had high stakes, Ziva. One whisper could ruin the entire thing," Gibbs explained and they stepped out into the garage. Picking an SUV, the three got in and headed towards the first name.
--
"Brian Xavier?" Gibbs asked and the man opened the door; this was the fourth name.
"Yes, Agent Gibbs?" Brian asked and raised an eyebrow.
"Do you know a Petty Officer Tatum Ashby?" Jethro asked and Brian shook his head.
"Her unit is located on the other side of base. I've only heard that she's a great officer and that her mom died recently," Brian said and Gibbs nodded.
"Thank you for you time," Ziva said and Brian waved slightly.
"Anytime," he said and closed his door. The trio walked back down the sidewalk and contemplated their next subject. Gibbs handed the list to DiNozzo, who randomly picked a name.
"How about Chief Petty Officer Xavier Crowley, he's only about a mile away?" Tony suggested and Gibbs contemplated the proposal. Walking to the SUV, he got in and the other two followed obediently.
"So I am guessing that we are going to Officer Crowley's?" Ziva asked and Jethro didn't say a word as they drove towards the next house.
--
Knocking on the door, Gibbs waited patiently for the officer to answer the door. Suddenly, a few locks disengaged and a man in his late twenties appeared in the doorway. "Can I help you?" he asked politely and Gibbs showed him the ID badge.
"We'd like to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind," Gibbs said and the man nodded, complying with the on-site questioning. Ziva handed Xavier a picture of Officer Ashby and watched his expression carefully; there was minimal reaction.
"Officer Ashby; what about her?" he asked and that was his first mistake.
"You know her?" Tony asked and the man nodded.
"Sure, Tate and I used to hang out a lot on our off days. Is there something wrong?"
"She was murdered early this morning. We're just asking close friends if they noticed anything different lately," Ziva said and Xavier shook his head.
"I can't believe this…" he mumbled and Gibbs saw a flash of irritated flesh on the side of Crowley's neck, just below the ear.
"If you don't mind, we'd like to take you back for further questioning," Gibbs said, not letting Xavier know he had seen the red and aggravated skin; the man agreed.
"Sure, I was about to go out anyway, the groceries can wait," Xavier said, laughing lightly as he voluntarily went with the three agents.