Chapter Seven
Ziva teased, joked, and even flirted a little with Tony. It was just like old times. When Morse left them to go the bathroom then to check out the bar, Ziva even confessed to Tony that she was fighting with her boyfriend. She was letting him know that she was acting as a friend and trusted him as a friend. He could handle the friend zone for now, even though he'd like more. The friend zone was better than the stranger zone.
"Is Morse coming back?" Ziva asked.
"He went to check out the women at the bar. He does that sometimes," said Tony.
"And do you do that still, Tony?" she asked.
Tony looked at Ziva for a moment and thought about his answer. He could put on a mask and act the player, or he could be honest with her. Putting on masks were easy for him, it was second nature, but he wanted her to trust him again.
"Less than I used to, Zi," he said, "much less than I used to."
She smiled at his answer, as if she was glad to hear it. Tony finished off his lasagna, while Ziva ate some more of her shrimp scampi. She sipped a Chenin Blanc, while he had a glass of Merlot.
"Really, why?" she asked him.
"Getting older, Ziva. I guess I want something different now. I've seen a lot of bad things as a cop and the past three years I've seen more bad things. I guess I'm just looking for something positive in all the negative," he said.
She shipped her wine, "You have changed."
"In a good way?"
"In many ways," she answered cryptically.
"Oh," he said. "Did you miss me?"
Ziva looked at him then smiled, "Maybe."
"I missed you," he admitted.
"Good," she smiled.
"Good, huh?" said Tony. "Are you serious about Mr. Joseph Stanton?"
Ziva didn't answer right away, but took another sip of her wine.
"We have been seeing each for six months. I think we are still getting to know each other. I know I learned a great deal about him the other day," she said.
"Well, if you need an opinion on him, just ask. I have one," he said.
"I can make my own mind up," she said.
"Oh, I know you can do that," smiled Tony.
Ziva looked at her watch.
"We better get going or we will miss the movie," she said.
"How about we have another glass of wine and see a movie on the TV back at the hotel?" he suggested. "I don't feel like going to a movie theatre."
"You do not want to go to a movie?" she said in surprise.
"As you said I've changed," he said.
NCISNCIS
Tony got out of bed at six in the morning and showered and dressed. He let Morse sleep in since he got back to the hotel much later. In the Lobby there was a place to get something for breakfast and coffee. Tony headed down there. When he arrived he was surprised to see Ziva already sitting there sipping a tea and eating a croissant. He grabbed a large coffee and muffin and joined her.
"May I sit down?" he asked her.
"Of course, you can," she answered.
Tony sat down and smiled at her.
"Thank you for dinner and the movie last night," she said.
"It was my pleasure," grinned Tony.
"How do we get started today?" she asked.
"The local NCIS office will have a surveillance van ready for us," he paused to check his watch, "in twenty minutes. We'll park it or double park near the Waldorf Astoria and wait for her to show up."
"It's near a Greek Orthodox church on Park Avenue, so maybe we can use that as cover. It is a tourist spot," she said. "Where is Morse?"
"Oh, yeah," he said then he pulled his smartphone out and dialed Morse.
The smartphone rang and rang until he answered.
"Yes," he said in a gruff voice, as he rolled around on the bed.
"Twenty minutes in the lobby. Don't be late," Tony said then hung up.
Ziva laughed. It was very Gibbs-like. She didn't mind Tony taking on some of Gibbs' mannerisms, but she hoped that he wasn't becoming Gibbs. That was a lonely life that she didn't want for Tony.
Thirty minutes later they were parked on 51st Street between the Greek Orthodox Church and the Waldorf Astoria. Tony took advantage of it being a fairly mild winter day in the high thirties to get out of the van and mill about. Ziva spoke into his earbud.
"Are you just going to stand round in the cold?" she asked him.
"No, I'm going to follow her when she comes out."
"She'll notice."
"No, she won't," he said. "I'm clever."
"Yes, she will."
"Trust me, Ziva, she won't notice me. I'm good at this."
"Please, Tony, I know you better than that," she said.
"I'm going to follow her," he growled.
"And we will follow you?" she asked.
"You are my bodyguards."
At 8 o'clock the beautiful Daria Malouf exited the hotel. Tony began to follow her. Using an old technique he learned as a detective, he'd take off his sunglasses for a block and put the Yankee cap he had in his jacket's pocket on his head. A few more blocks and the glasses were on along with the cap. In another block, he'd take the cap off. It may be minor but it kept changing his look.
He followed her all the way One Central Park West and the restaurant Jean Georges Nougatine. She was meeting someone there for Breakfast. Tony crossed the street and sat down on a bench at Central Park. He brought his right hand up to his mouth so he could talk into the mic and Ziva and Morse hear him.
"She is meeting someone for breakfast," he said. "Morse, grab a camera and get pictures. We want to know who she is meeting with. Ziva have the driver keep the van near. I'm debating about grabbing her and brining her in as a terrorist for questioning."
"I think we should bring her in for questioning," said Ziva.
"I'm thinking about it. I'll let you know my decision," he said then he brought his arm down.
From his vantage point Tony saw Morse show up acting like a tourist taking pictures. He shot a few through the window of the restaurant. Tony brought his hand up again.
"Morse, describe who she is meeting with," said Tony.
"Late thirties, early forties. American, brown hair, looks like he comes from money. He has that sort of expression that he's smelling shit all of the time," said Morse.
"I feel like I know him from that description. Get back in the van and run his face through facial recognition. I want to know who he is," said Tony.
"Yes, Boss," said Morse.
"Morse, one more question," said Tony.
"Yeah, Boss."
"How do you know he's American?" Tony asked him.
"Because anyone else but an American would be trying to get her into bed," said Morse.
"You're an idiot, Jimmy. Get me a name," said Tony.
Tony watched Morse take off to go back to the van. Whoever her guest was would decide what he did with Daria Malouf. Tony suppressed a yawn and a chill, as he waited to hear from Morse. Having been born in Long Island, his mother took him to NCY many times before she died. He saw theatre with her and movies. It was especially the movies that he loved going to with her. They would sit in the middle seats eating popcorn and Junior Mints.
"Hey, Boss, our cutie's breakfast mate is the top aide to Senator Ted Barclay. His name is Ned Marlin. How do you want to handle this?" asked Morse.
A senator's top aide. This just added a whole new level of dangerous to the situation. Tony didn't like this at all. He raised his hand up to mouth and spoke into his sleeve.
"Contact the FBI and NCIS local offices. They need to take over surveillance for us. I want twenty-four seven eyes on her and him," said Tony.
"What are we going to do, Boss?" asked Morse.
"We are going back to DC. This is getting more and more complicated. It' time to see if we can get an overview of this," said Tony.
NCISNCIS
Callen and Hanna had eyes on Michael Saeed. He was in his late twenties and looked like he was in need of a full time job. Saeed finally cancelled his reservation the day before, so they headed to his neighborhood in Chicago Lawn where he lived above a grocery on West 63rd Street and Albany Avenue. He didn't live too far from the Islamic Center on West 63rd Street, and it appeared that he associated himself with a radical Iman named Abed Sharif.
They sat in a 2010 Ford Expedition trying to blend into the neighborhood. Hanna had bought them coffee from a local store, which they bought now sipped.
"What do you think?" asked Callen.
"I think we need to set up a bigger surveillance of Saeed and whoever he associates with. Either Ulman has already given them their orders or they are waiting for them," said Hanna.
"Agreed," said Callen, who then took a sip of his coffee.
"What's on your mind?" asked Hanna.
"This is big, Sam. Whatever they are planning, it is going to be big. Big means expensive," said Callen.
Callen looked at Hanna and raised his eyebrows.
"Follow the money," said Hanna.
"To start with," said Callen.
"We need to talk to DiNozzo," said Hanna.
"Yeah," agreed Callen.
NCISNCIS
Tony stood in Vance's office. The security measures had been activated by Vance. Fornell, Gibbs, and Vance waited for Tony to speak. Tony arranged his notes in front of him, as he sat at the opposite head of the table from Vance. He looked up and started.
"Charles Lapine, arm's dealer and sometime bank for terrorists, appears to be one of the money men for Ulman this time. He has sent Daria Malouf to the US where she has been seen in the company of Ned Marlin, top aide to Senator Ted Barclay, who is chairman of the subcommittee overseeing Homeland Security and also the committee overseeing the DOD's budget. Next, we have Michael Saeed, who would have met with Daria Malouf in Chicago, except she cancelled her trip after the Boston Op. Saeed lives in Chicago lawn and is associated with a radical Iman, Abed Sharif. As the pieces come together they get more complicated and bigger," said Tony.
"What would the top aide of Senator like Ted Barclay being doing involved in terrorists attacks?" asked Vance.
"We have several choices," said Fornell. "He could be working without the senator's knowing, a convert and true believer following the path of Jihad."
"He could be dealing with Malouf on a separate illegal matter," offered Gibbs.
"Rule 39 – there is no such thing as a coincidence," said Tony.
Gibbs smiled. DiNozzo still knew the rules.
"If not a coincidence then Ned Marlin is working with terrorists," said Vance. "But why?"
"If this was a movie the plot might go something like this – ambitious senator wants to run for president but there are better candidates out there than him, especially since everyone in the country is more worried about economic matters rather than his bailiwick which is terrorism. He decides to bring some terrorism to the homeland and then he becomes a leader fighting for more security and money for the troops. He goes from a runner up to a top notch candidate," said Tony.
"Or he makes money from new contracts and an upsurge in military spending with his connections. The military has been getting a lot of cutbacks lately," said Fornell.
"Or both," added Gibbs. "He wants power and money."
"Let's get everything we can on Ned Marlin and Senator Barclay," said Vance.
"I'll get Jardine and McGee started on that now," said Gibbs.
Tony looked over at Gibbs, "Callen and Hanna need backup in Chicago. Local?"
Gibbs looked over at Fornell.
"I'll contact the Chicago office. Callen and Hanne will take the lead," said Fornell, who then looked at Vance. "Budgets, Director, are going to be steep on this?"
"Money will be found for this. I've been given guarantees by the DOD and White House, so don't worry about overtime and spending money," said Vance.
"Good," said Fornell. "If the FBI got caught with the bill I'm afraid I'd end up SAC of office in Wyoming. I'm really a city dweller."
"Can't have that, Tobias, we'd miss your sterling personality around here," said Gibbs.
"Thanks, Jethro," said Fornell.
Vance grinned, "Gentlemen, let's get back to work."
NCISNCIS
Ned Marlin had a hidden bank account in Liechtenstein. When McGee finally broke through firewalls and protection, he found an account with 5 million dollars in it. It was a nice nest egg for someone like him to have. Tony's next job for McGee was to trace were the movie had been transferred from. This was the harder, more time consuming, job.
While McGee worked on his task, Callen and Hanna set up surveillance in Chicago Lawn, and the FBI followed Daria Malouf. As for Marlin he returned to DC and Senator Barclay. Slowly, they were starting to make inroads.
Tony had made arrangements to stay on a cot in the autopsy, while Malachi and Liat arranged to stay in the Navy Lodge along with Morse. Tony wanted to stay in NCIS just in case he was needed for any reason. With that in mind he made his way down to autopsy to grab some sleep. Ducky and Jimmy were gone for the night. Everyone, except for the night crew and Gibbs, was gone under orders to get at least five hours of sleep. As time passed they will be taking twenty-four and forty-eight hour shifts, but Tony didn't want them to burn out too soon.
Ducky had allowed him to leave a bag of his clothes and the cot by his small desk. He left out a bottle of Bowmore 12 and a glass for him to have a good night drink. Unscrewing the top, he poured himself a drink and sampled it. The scotch had a nice peat flavor with a hint of smokiness and an after taste of vanilla and oranges. He downed the rest of the drink, turned on the desk lamp, and settled down for the night.
He didn't know how much time had passed when Gibbs woke him up.
"DiNozzo, wake up," he said.
"Yes, boss," Tony said instinctively then his senses started to kick into gear. "What is it, Gibbs?"
"MTAC. We got Bahrain on the line. They have some information of Fawad Al-Sistani," said Gibbs.
Tony sat up then stretch the ever soreness out of his muscles and back, as his body was still recovering from the bombing. He grabbed his bush shirt, buttoned it up, then slipped his hiking boots on. Now that he was dressed he followed Gibbs, as he headed back to MTAC.
"Aren't you supposed to be home getting some sleep?" asked Tony.
"I was getting some sleep behind my desk," said Gibbs.
"Oh," said Tony.
When they got to MTAC SAC Caulfield was on the screen. When Tony got within camera range, he smiled to see his ASAC.
"I heard Vance made you SAC and put you in charge of the task force. Does that mean you're not coming home?" he asked.
"Time will tell, sir," said Tony.
"Hellman and Mervyn along with a couple of CIA paramilitary officers have a lead on Al-Sistani. It seems that Fawad has come back to Afghanistan. Intel puts him in the Hindu Kush hanging out with some Taliban, who are planning a resurgence," said Caulfield.
"Hindu Kush in winter is impossible to get around," said Tony.
"Almost impossible," said Caulfield. "10th Mountain can be used, as well as Marine Recon Force."
"How well hidden and fortified are they?" asked Tony.
"Tough to say, Tony. The more we pull out troops the friendly the locals get with the Taliban in hopes of not getting slaughtered. Going after Al-Sistani right now will not be pretty," said Caulfield.
Tony took a deep breath then slowly released it. He didn't want to send American troops in a meat grinder in order to get Al-Sistani, who probably didn't have much information to give them.
"Stand down, sir, unless you guys want get some drones up and bomb the shit of out of Al-Sistani," Tony said.
"Really," said Caulfield.
"Really, chief. I don't want any army or marine deaths on my conscience," said Tony.
"You sure?"
"I'm positive," he said. "Chief, keep me abreast of what happens."
"I will," said Caulfield.
The screen went blank Tony stood staring at it for a few moments. Gibbs placed his hand on his right shoulder.
"Good call, DiNozzo. We'll get Ulman," said Gibbs.
"No guarantee that we would have gotten Fawad. It would have cost lives to get him," said Tony. "Hell, Ulman doesn't even trust Fawad."
"Get some more sleep. You could use it," said Gibbs.
"Yeah, I think I'll in here for a while. It's dark, fairly quiet, and these chairs are as comfortable as the cot," said Tony.
"Okay," said Gibbs, "I'll be in the bullpen if you need me."
Toy nodded. He picked out a seat in the theatre seating and sat down. The seat really was as soft and as comfortable as the cot. He slumped back in the chair, out his head back, and closed his eyes. It was time to get another hour or two of sleep. Hopefully, after he works out and showers in the morning, there will be some good news for him. Right now he was facing decisions and waiting. He wanted some more leads and action.