DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!

Ch6

Tim took his aerial view of the original crime scenes and mapped them out. They weren't extraordinarily close, but there was definitely an area marked out. All were in a twenty mile radius.

"Check this out guys," Tim decided pointing this detail out may help them determine a common location to each victim. He showed how the pattern, though not making an exact circle, still worked in a pattern around the mapped out area.

"I think it's a stretch McGee," Tony shook his head.

Tim frowned. It was all he could come up with.

"No, Tony," Ziva countered seeing both what Tim was trying to show them and how Tony's rejection of his theory had deflated Tim. She wanted to keep Tim's spirits from plummeting, but also figured any possible lead was worth checking out.

Tim gave Ziva a grateful smile and returned his attention back to the screen. "I think we should concentrate on finding a location in this general area," Tim marked off an area about the size of a small city. "I know it's a lot, but hopefully there are enough places we could cross off quickly as improbable."

"Like what kind of places?" Tony asked not looking forward to a lot of leg work.

"Places opened only during the day are least likely," Agent Sacks spoke up. They all turned to look at their FBI counterpart, "Our profiler has been working almost non-stop trying to come up with something on this guy. One thing stands out. Everything he's done has happened at night; therefore, she thinks he does everything at night, including work."

"If he works at night, how could he be out hunting for these women?" Ziva asked.

"Theresa, our profiler, thinks he spots them around where he works, and then he follows them to find a pattern in their schedule. It wouldn't take long to grab them, put them somewhere isolated enough and go to work. He may even keep them near where he works to feel close to them or sneak a visit."

"You're getting into his head. Aren't you Sacks?" Fornell looked closely at his agent.

Slightly surprised by his boss's observation he replied, "Maybe I am. I've been trying to find something, anything to get some insight on him. This could be the time we do finally learn about him."

Tim had been searching through his computer as Ron had explained his theories. "Okay there are three or four likely possibilities. I'm using Sarah as my basis on these, only because I pretty much know her habits. These places are the most likely she'd pass with any regularity."

Tony looked a little less pained figuring he wouldn't mind checking out a handful of places. He started to grab his weapon and badge anticipating his boss's order to do just that. When he didn't hear anything he looked to Gibbs to let him know he was heading out.

Gibbs shook his head almost imperceptively. "Tim, go out there and see what you can find."

"Boss?" Tim questioned thinking he'd be more useful checking out more information on the computer.

"Go," Gibbs pointed toward the elevators, "And take Tony with you." He gave his lead agent a brief smile when he saw the gratitude on DiNozzo's face.

"Thanks Boss," Tony nearly sang. "Let's go McGee."

Tim gathered his things and met Tony at the elevator.

"Come on Tim," Tony tried to get his partner excited about doing something actively on the case, not that Tim had been sitting idle.

Tim nodded quickly knowing Tony enjoyed the hands on approach to solving crimes.

They parked in a centralized spot to the places they wanted to investigate.

"Let's walk Sarah's pattern," Tim suggested.

Tony ready to begin agreed wholeheartedly. "Where do we go first?"

Tim pointed across the street about a half block down. "She'd get off the bus there."

They strolled over to check it out.

"It wouldn't be here," Tim shook his head, "Some of the women were out with their cars. That almost eliminates Nathan's Deli." The establishment was directly across the street and had an open front with a clear view of the bus stop.

Tony agreed. "What's next on Sarah's routine?"

Tim began walking down the sidewalk Tony at his side looking all around. This time of night, well technically early morning, was a tad bit creepy, enhanced by their case.

They came to a coffee shop and Tim entered to get them each a drink. While he was inside, Tony checked out the surrounding buildings. Across the street there was a hotel with a security guard in the front window. He saw the guard glance his way and gave him a short wave. To his surprise the guard turned away and disappeared deeper into his office.

Tony shrugged it off, shaking his head and thinking it takes all kinds of people in this world.

They ran through the rest of Sarah's usual haunts and returned to the car. Tim looked disappointed; none of the places had worked out. The closest one to fitting in with her was the street vendor, but there was a different vendor assigned every few weeks, so it wouldn't tie in with the other women.

"Ya know there's someone we should get a word with," Tony wasn't sure it'd be worth their time, but that security guard seemed to take an interest in the outside, maybe he'd seen something.

After hearing about Tony's reasons Tim conceded, "It can't hurt." They left the car and began to walk back toward the hotel.

When they neared the building, the guard was once again scanning the sidewalk. "Must be a tedious job," Tony elbowed Tim. "This neighbourhood doesn't look like it gets too many tourists."

Tim was staring at the guard who seemed almost too interested in whom or what was on the sidewalk, especially at this hour. When the guard spotted them he gave them a short nod and once again retreated further inside.

"He did that earlier. Only he didn't acknowledge my wave at all. Weird." Tony looked at where the guard had once been.

Tim's gut clenched. He put his hand out to stop Tony.

"What is it? I thought you agreed to try talking to him," Ton looked at Tim concerned.

"It's too weird, Tony. My gut's telling me he might be the guy."

Tony glanced from Tim back to the hotel window which was still vacant. Maybe Tim was right. Gibbs' gut was never wrong and somehow each of the team had developed their own.

Trusting in his younger teammate they continued to walk past the hotel. They turned the corner intending to check out the hotel from the rear.