Gibbs and DiNozzo entered the sanctuary of the church and made their way to the front to pay their respects to Calvin Harris. Staring at the older man now lying in state, they were again struck at how little Callie looked like the rest of the family. Taking seats behind the pew reserved for family, they nodded to Mitch and Nick as they slid in beside them.
Tony spoke first, "So, if she doesn't look like her mother and she certainly doesn't look like him, where'd she come from?"
Gibbs laughed quietly, "She says it'll all make sense tomorrow when we get out to the ranch."
Tony shook his head, "I definitely see Mr. Harris in Kyle's features but, really, not Kayla's other than the coloring."
Nick leaned over, hearing their conversation, "There's a portrait at the ranch of Mr. Harris' mother. I think, when you see that, you'll understand where Callie's unique look comes from." He smiled as he continued, "I've always thought she was quite cute. Callie, that is, and to prick that temper that matches that hair was fun to watch."
Gibbs was confused, "I didn't think Callie came home much."
Nick shook his head, "She doesn't. But my work takes me to D.C. all the time. We always have lunch or dinner."
Tony slapped his forehead, "Of course you do. I kept thinking I recognized your name."
"I'm sorry. I should have made the connection, too. She just said her boyfriend, Tony. Callie never told me she worked with you as well."
They continued to speak quietly, Mitchell joining in on the conversation with the other men. The church began to fill up and, by 1pm, it was completely full. The preacher took the front and asked the attendees to stand as the family was led in.
Kayla was in front, followed by Kyle and Callie, escorting an older woman between the two of them. Gibbs figured this must be Leesa. Behind Callie were her mother and a younger man, obviously the Italian husband. They took their seats in the front row. Mitch, Nick, Jethro and Tony all positioned themselves behind their respective family members, the show of support not missed by the congregants.
The service lasted for close to an hour. During that time, Callie sat ramrod straight. She never flexed. Her mother, Caroline, made a rather dramatic show of weeping and was comforted by the husband. Kyle and Kayla seemed moved, at times, by different things said about their father. Leesa was less affected and kept casting surreptitious looks towards Callie.
Gibbs had begun to piece together the puzzle last night. The interplay between Callie and Leesa only seemed to confirm what he had surmised. Whatever the deep seated issue was between Callie and her father, Leesa Harris was involved. He also suspected that the transitions in Callie's softball activities also corresponded with whatever happened. Gibbs would get to the bottom of the situation before they all left Houston.
As the service ended, the mourners passed by the casket, some stopping to pay respects to the family, as well. Just like last night, no one paid any direct attention to Callie. Again, she continued to let everything happen around her, the calm in the center of the whirlwind.
As the last of the people exited the church, the four men on the second row were also asked to stand and pay their final respects. They waited in the back for the family to join them. Per the request of his estate, there would be no graveside. Both Gibbs and Tony watched for Callie to appear. There were still quite a few people milling around in the large entry hall. Jethro was distracted when Kyle led his mother up to him.
"So you are Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs," Leesa Harris spoke softly, a slight Texas drawl coloring her words.
Leroy smiled, "Guilty as charged, ma'am."
"I feel I know you. You are exactly as Callie has described you."
"Is that good or bad?" Gibbs was suddenly self-conscious.
Leesa laughed, "According to Callie, both."
Gibbs took her arm and steered her towards a bench, not far away. Taking the seat beside her, Jethro said, "So, what did you want to say?"
Leesa shook her head, "Cal said you had a way of doing that, too. Knowing that something was up before people got to it. Guess that's what makes you good at your job."
"Guess so," Gibbs replied.
"I'm guessing this hasn't been an easy week on Callie."
Jethro shook his head, "No, it hasn't. She's pretty much been hard to handle since Blevins showed up in our building on Tuesday."
"Blevins," Leesa spoke the name as if it were a curse word. "That sanctimonious son of a bitch."
"I see you and Callie share the same opinion," Gibbs smiled.
"You would, too, if you knew him as well as we do."
"Why don't you tell me what's caused that opinion," Gibbs encouraged.
Leesa shook her head, "Callie wouldn't appreciate the story coming from me."
Jethro was frustrated, "You know, closing ranks doesn't really help her get past this."
"No," Leesa replied, "but it keeps her from getting hurt more by people who should care for her."
"You think I'd do anything to hurt Callie?" Gibbs tone bordered irritated.
Leesa shook her head, "No, but what happened, I believe, transformed Callie in some ways. Choices she might have made, she didn't. That girl's been taking body blows for this family since she was twelve years old. And, unfortunately, she's still taking them."
Gibbs shook his head, "Look, Mrs. Harris, I need to be able to help my agent."
"No, Agent Gibbs, you need to be able to help your friend," Leesa replied cuttingly. "And that means waiting for her, on her terms, like it or not."
It wasn't often Leroy Jethro Gibbs was brought up short by a comment, but Leesa Harris had managed to do just that. She was absolutely right. He had come to Houston, not as Callie's boss, but as her friend, knowing that she was going to need as many as she could get in what would be a hostile environment.
"Well played, Leesa," Gibbs said simply.
Leesa smiled, "She'll eventually get it out. If she doesn't, pour a couple of bottles of tequila down her. That works."
Gibbs laughed, "Better than even you know."
He stood up from the seat, offering his hand to the obviously ill woman. Her son, who had been watching discreetly, joined them. With a brief nod, Kyle led his mother out to their waiting vehicle.
Looking around, Gibbs could only see Tony and Karl waiting by the exit.
"Where's Cal?" Jethro asked, closing the distance between him and his senior field agent.
"You haven't seen her?" Tony asked.
"No," Gibbs shook his head, "been occupied. Karl?" He asked turning to the driver.
"Sorry, I figured she'd hightail it to one of the two of you. I haven't been watching for her." The driver explained.
The three men did a quick walk-thru of the church and surrounding areas but their missing agent was nowhere to be found. Karl loaded them in the vehicle and returned them to the apartment. He joined Gibbs and DiNozzo on the ride up to the residence.
Once inside, they quickly discovered that Callie had been in the apartment but had just as quickly left.
"She's changed clothes," DiNozzo answered from the doorway of the master bedroom, her black silk suit in his hands.
"What about her weapons?" Gibbs said, a note of concern in his voice.
He could hear a jangle of keys and then Tony's response, "Her service weapon is still here. She was wearing her backup like the other night so I'm guessing she's still carrying."
Tony returned to where Gibbs and Karl stood in the sunken living room. Piercing the driver with one of his patented blue stares, Gibbs asked, "Well, Karl? Want to let us in?"
Karl shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck in frustration, "Problem is, Cal doesn't have anybody she's really close to around here. And, the places I think she would go aren't really places for reflection."
Tony looked at the fully stocked bar in the corner of the room, "Hey, didn't the staff replace that bottle of Patron she finished the first night we got here?"
Gibbs followed DiNozzo's line of vision to the now vacant spot behind the bar. Smiling, he replied, "Yeah, they did. So, Karl, knowing that Harris already has her booze, where would she go to drink?"
The older man bit his lip and closed his eyes. He'd hope against hope that Callie Harris wouldn't go there but, deep down, he'd bet money on it. Looking at the watchful expressions of the two agents, he replied, "Why don't you men go change? If she's where I think she is, we've got time."
Tony and Gibbs exchanged a glance and then left to do the driver's bidding. This afternoon was about to get really ugly.