Chapter Twelve
With Vance and Gibbs pushing Simms was pulled out of retirement and transferred to Marine CID within a week. During that time Tony was desk bound while Gibbs and his team worked the case. On Monday morning Tony and Ziva showed up to find Simms seated at his desk near Tony's, which was on the other side of the bullpen's partitions.
"Agent David, you seem awful smiley this morning," said Gibbs.
"We have put a bid in on a house, which we will hear about in a few days, and we decided that in six months we will be getting married," Ziva said.
"You're going to marry, DiNozzo," said Gibbs with a smirk. "You might need a pysch eval, Agent David."
"Boss, I'm hurt by that remark. It pierces me right to the core," said Tony.
"Your new driver and partner is waiting for you in your little play area, DiNozzo, and Vance said your computer is set up. How are the braille lessons going?" asked Gibbs.
"They are going," he sighed.
"Not fun?" said Gibbs.
"He is being stubborn. He does not like having to learn it," said Ziva.
"Learn it and learn it quick, DiNozzo. You need it," ordered Gibbs.
"Sure, boss," said Tony. "Zi, have a good one."
He kissed her cheek then Tony took a small pen-like device out of his pocket, turned on the laser and used it to guide himself to his desk. Simms when he saw Tony coming got up and walked towards him.
"Hey, boss," he said.
Tony turned off the laser and put the laser cane away then Simms took his elbow and showed him to his desk. Tony sat down and let out a slow exhalation of air.
"You packing?" he asked.
"Yes, boss, I've been issued a Sig Sauer. Not my favorite sidearm but a good one," said Billy.
"Okay, they are coming up with zilch so far. I thought we could prod things along," said Tony.
"How?" asked Billy.
"This afternoon we are taking a trip to Baltimore. Go requisition a car and you are I are going to visit some old friends, who want me dead," he said.
"Sounds like fun. I like your style, boss," chuckled Billy as he went to get a car for the day.
NCIS
The neighborhood of Fells Point was a nice one with a lot of bars and pubs and restaurants. On Thames Street with its cobblestone streets there was a police bar where the corrupt of Baltimore PD and the straight and narrow mixed and drank, ate onion rings, and burgers. The place was called The Badge Tavern and it was Tony's and Billy's destination.
Once Billy parked the car and they got out, Tony called Billy over.
"There are people in there that hate me. I mean really hate me. I was an honest cop and I was kind of dismissive of the bent cops," said Tony.
"Okay, some people hate you. I can understand that," said Billy.
"Are you saying that I'm an asshole?" asked Tony.
"No, boss. You just have a distinctive personality," Billy chuckled.
"Yeah, I try. Now just keep your head of a swivel," Tony said.
Billy took Tony's elbow and led him into Badges. Once they entered the bartender yelled: "Tony DiNozzo, the man and the legend."
"Hey, Hank," Tony nodded.
Several of the cops who remembered Tony noticed Billy leading him by the elbow and realized he was blind. It was split fifty/fifty between those who were amused and those who were upset to see the once top homicide detective now blind. Billy led him to the bar where the burly, weather worn bartender Hank was shaking his head.
"What happened kid?" asked Hank.
"On the job accident left me blind. Just one of those things," Tony said.
"Now that you definitely can get blind drunk what can I you?" asked Hank.
"I'll have a beer and he'll have a Shirley Temple," Tony said.
"You got it, kid," said Hank.
Det. Derek Wade came walking over to towards Tony. He was on the take from the Macaluso Family and his dislike for DiNozzo was legendary. A blind DiNozzo was something that he couldn't pass up on. A blind DiNozzo he could intimidate, maybe even kicked the shit out of.
Tony had opened his senses just like Buck taught him and continues to teach him. There was a hint of strong cheap cologne, a familiar scent that he remembered someone he didn't like wore. This put him on the defensive. He could hear the steps getting closer and sense a man. Everything Buck taught him was coming into focus. Someone was reaching for his shoulder. He turned quickly and his right hand shot up and grabbed whoever's hand it was by the wrist and stopped them form touching him.
"I thought you couldn't see, DiNozzo. I thought you were blind," said Wade.
"I can't see, not a thing," Tony smiled.
"Good," said Wade.
All it took was a slight twist and Wade's wrist was on the verge of breaking and he was down on one need. Several of the cops in the bar were amused by this, while Wade's friends and crew were on the verge of arresting Tony.
"Let go, DiNozzo. I'll arrest you," demanded Wade.
"I am still a federal officer, so don't ever touch me Wade without my permission," Tony said. "Do you understand that, Wade? Don't ever touch me without permission."
He let go and Wade got up looking like he wanted to kill Tony. Billy stepped in. Except for a slight limp, no one knew Billy had a prosthetic leg. What he looked like was a fit marine with an attitude who you didn't want to fuck with.
"Hey, DiNozzo," said a familiar voice.
Cpt. Ben Andrews knew Tony when they both were just detectives. He admired and thought he should never have left Baltimore because he would have been running the homicide division by now.
"DiNozzo," he said.
"Andrews," smiled Tony. "What are you now? You have to be more than a detective."
"I'm a captain now," said Andrews.
"Congratulations," said Tony.
Andrews looked at Wade for a moment then said: "Go sit with the scum you call your crew and behave yourself."
"Sure, Captain, anything you say," said Wade.
Andrew walked up beside Tony and ordered a beer. Tony relaxed. He could trust Andrew, who was as straight as a cop could get.
"What happened to you?" asked Andrews.
"Perp hit me in the head with a lead pipe. It hurt like a son-of-a-bitch," Tony said. "I woke up blind as a bat, which really isn't right because bats have sonar so they aren't really blind."
"Sorry about that, Tony," he said. "You were a great cop."
"You didn't do it, Ben," smiled Tony. "And I'm still good at my job."
"Why are you here, Tony?" asked Andrews. "Since you put Major Raimey away for killing Danny, you've made a lot more enemies. Some of them want you dead."
"I know but I need to know about Mike Macaluso, Jr., Ben. I think you might be able to help me," Tony said.
"What the fuck are you getting involved in, Tony?" asked Andrews.
"Macaluso is bribing cops and politicians and selling weapons to terrorists," said Tony. "I don't care about the cops and pols, that is a Baltimore PD thing, but I do care about the terrorists."
"You have names, any proof?" he asked.
"Maybe," said Tony. "You interested in working together, Ben. We might be able to help each other on this."
"Maybe I should give you my full title. Captain Ben Andrews, Internal Affairs," said Andrews.
"Care to take a trip to NCIS in DC?" asked Tony. "We can talk and maybe share information."
"Let me make a few calls," Andrews said.
He walked away to gain some privacy.
"You trust him, boss," said Billy.
"Yeah, I trust him. He is a real good cop and he can help kick start this investigation," said Tony.
NCIS
They entered the third floor with Andrews tagging along. Tony heard Gibbs growling and barking at his team. He wanted results. Billy, Tony and Andrews entered the bullpen.
"Calm yourself, Gibbs. I've got a way to start breaking this case open," Tony said. "This is Captain Ben Andrews, IA, Baltimore PD. We provide him with the names of the corrupt cops and politicians and he opens an investigation allowing us a way into going after Macaluso for the selling of weapons."
Ziva looked up at Tony and smiled. She wanted to get up and give him a hug because no one could calm the raging Gibbs like Tony.
"Rule number five, DiNozzo: Don't waste good. You are good," said Gibbs. "Let's bring him up to Vance and get this started."
"Come on, Ben, you have to get Director Vance's approval if we are going to work on this mess together," said Tony.
"Still have a slight problem with authority, don't you, Tony?" said Andrews.
"A little, not much," said Tony.
"A little my ass, DiNozzo," said Gibbs.
"You know me best, boss," said Tony as Gibbs took his elbow.
They entered Vance's office. Gibbs filled him in on the situation. Vance sat and listened. Tony swore he could hear Vance's breathing, steady, strong. His breathing was much like him, he thought. He waited for his chance to pick up where Gibbs leaves off.
"We can piggy bank on Andrews' investigation," said Gibbs finishing up.
"Director, Mike Macaluso, Snr. was a vicious sociopath. He used to have his enemies beaten to death, knocked down then kicked until dead and his son hasn't fallen far from the tree," said Tony. "He'll sell weapons to terrorists, drugs to children, purchase women from the Russia, kill indiscriminately and laugh in our faces unless we stop him. Can you live with that, Director?"
"It's not a matter of living with it, DiNozzo, it's a matter of rules," said Vance. "We are a Naval organization not a civilian one. We can't just get involved in civilian investigations. It goes against our mandate."
"He may have killed an ex-marine who deserved better from his country then to be dishonorably discharged. This was a marine who had his country turn its back on him and still risked his life when he saw his country needed him because deep in his heart he still thought himself a marine. Barton has put us onto Esteban and Macaluso. Form the grave he has helped us. Are we going to let them get away it? Are we going to let Barton have wasted his life?" asked Tony.
Vance sat silently mulling Tony's words. Gibbs sat stoically waiting, while Andrews watched the dynamic of the room. He noticed Tony, who looked like he was staring at Vance but couldn't see a damned thing. Vance stared back at him, even though he knew he was blind. Finally, Vance exhaled.
"Do it. Do what you have to do," said Vance.
"We will, Leon," said Gibbs.
"Now how do we get to Esteban?" asked Vance.
"I know people on the Metro if that appeals to you," said Tony.
"I'd rather not push my luck with SecNav and get involved in too many civilian investigations," said Vance.
"Okay, while Gibbs and his team work with Andrews on Macaluso then Simms and I will investigate Barton's death looking to tie it to Esteban. Would that work, Director?" asked Tony.
"I think that would work just fine. But are you sure Esteban killed him?" asked Vance.
"Esteban was the last one he worked for," said Tony.
"Occam's razor," said Vance.
"The simplest answer is the right one," said Tony.
"You surprise me, DiNozzo," said Vance.
"The Big Bang 2011 in Antonio Banderas. They talked about Occam's Razor," said Tony with a smirk.
Gibbs looked at him. He knew DiNozzo knew what Occam's Razor was beyond a movie reference. Even blind he still liked to play the clown.