I know I'm behind my schedule and I'm really sorry about it. Hopefully, the next week will be less stressful.
Enjoy the new chapter :D
I don't own anything. The characters belong to CBS.
Chapter 13
"What book do I search again?"
"Twilight from Stephenie Meyer," Pride answered, "You know the book with the shinning vampires."
"Vampires?"
"Yes, Laurel loved the books, so, I had no choice but to know them too."
Gibbs looked as if his brother had lost his mind. How could anyone buy a book about vampires? They didn't even exist.
"Don't look at me like that. Actually, I'm surprised that Abby didn't tell you to read them too."
"She knows better than to convince me to read such nonsense."
"Fine, I suggest you go and get our next riddle, so, we can move on."
Cursing Gibbs got out of the car and walked to the small bookstore. It was almost empty, so, there shouldn't be a big problem to find this damn book, right? The only problem was that Gibbs had no idea where this title could be. In which genre would you put vampires?
"May I help you?"
A young friendly woman appeared in front of the team leader with a big smile on her face. Obviously, she was used to helping people, who had no clue to find the right book.
"Ehm… yes. I'm looking for a book."
"Yeah, I figured this by myself," she laughed, "Do you know the author or the title?"
"The title is `Twilight´, and the author… ehm, I think it was a woman."
"Stephenie Meyer."
"That sounds familiar."
"Over here. You search a gift for your granddaughter?"
"My… yes, kind of."
"How old is she?"
"My… granddaughter… she is… seven years old."
"Seven?" the customer asked skeptically, "I think you should think about another gift. This book is for teenagers and not for a young girl. How about…?"
"You're absolutely right. This was my mistake. The book is for my second granddaughter. She is… twelve."
"You have a second one?"
The young woman didn't look convinced. Gibbs couldn't waste any more time with a discussion about fake granddaughters.
"It's just… I never heard anything about those books in my life. I mean… vampires? They don't even exist."
Relieved he watched how the customer tried to hide her laughter.
"I'm sorry for my suspicion. You really don't look like someone, who reads fantasy."
"Not a problem. You just tried to help an unaware man with a present."
Smiling the woman handed Gibbs the book.
"Have a nice day."
"You too."
At the register, the special agent read the description on the back:
`About three things I was absolutely positive.
First, Edward was a vampire.
Second, there was a part of him – and I didn't know how dominant that part might be – that thirsted for my blood.
And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.
What Bella doesn't realize is that the closer she gets to him, the more she is putting herself and those around her at risk. And it might be too late to turn back…´
He shook his head in disbelief. How could someone read such a nonsense?
"Sir?"
The young customer looked at him questioning. The people in front of him were gone, and he was the next in line.
"Anything else?"
"No."
"10$ "
Gibbs paid the price, then he remembered the riddle.
"Excuse me, is it possible that you have an envelope for me? My name should be on it."
"An envelope? I'm sorry, Sir, but I don't know anything about it."
"Could you check? It's important."
The woman wasn't happy about it, but she did him the favor.
"I'm sorry, but there is no envelope here."
"Thank you."
Surprised, Gibbs took the book and walked outside, where he stopped. Did the kidnapper lie to him? But why should he start with it now? What changed?
"Sir? Excuse me, Sir?"
The young customer, who had helped him with finding the book, appeared in the door.
"I'm sorry, but is your name 'Gibbs'?"
"Yes. How do you know my name?"
"A boy gave me this letter this morning. My colleague wasn't here this early, so, I couldn't tell her about it."
"A boy gave you this?"
"Yes, he said you would come to our store and buy the book `Twilight´. Then we should give this to you. Is this a game? I thought you buy the book for your granddaughter?"
"Don't worry, its fine. Thank you for your help."
Relieved Gibbs took the envelope and returned to his car and the waiting Pride.
"There you are. What took you so long?"
"I had a small problem with the customers. Tell me the next address."
"I need someone, who can give me those three numbers," said Gibbs and waved with the three envelopes.
"I'll bring them to Eric and Nell," Kensi answered.
Gibbs handed over the letters, then he walked to the second elevator, while Kensi ran upstairs to MTAC.
"Gibbs? Where are you going?" asked Callen.
"I'm in autopsy. Call me when there is something new."
Cards:
1.
7 x 28 : 4 + 247 – 16 x 3 : 5 + 312 x 2 : 6 + 84 x 9 – 159 + 24 : 3 – 182 + 34 : 2 – 46 x 4 – 132 : 8 + 159 – 31,25 x 3 + 11 : 8 – 47 + 14 : 4 – 10
2.
243 – 14 : 4 x 6 + 67 – 17,5 x 2 – 59 : 4 + 95,25 x 3 – 75 : 9 + 156 x 4 – 48 : 6 + 33,5 x 2 – 10 : 4 x 8 – 287 + 80 : 5 + 17 : 6 – 14
3.
4 x 30 + 287 x 3 – 195 : 4 + 37 x 4 – 67 : 3 + 248 – 74 : 6 + 279 – 15,5 x 2 + 59 – 136 x 3 – 572 : 2 + 70 – 354 x 4 + 48 : 8 – 73,25 : 11 + 5 : 4
Nervous he played with his fingers, while he waited for the elevator to reach their lowest level. He really should start getting some sleep and drinking less coffee. But this was easier said than done. As soon as he closed his eyes, these damn nightmares returned, and he couldn't see them anymore. He didn't want to feel the loss of his family again.
The elevator opened, and he entered autopsy.
"Palmer, get out!"
The team leader knew that he wasn't in the position to command the autopsy gremlin. After all, Palmer was Ducky's assistant, but right now, he needed some time alone with his good friend. Luckily for him, the young father asked no stupid questions and left the two older gentlemen alone.
"Is there a reason that you throw out my assistant, Jethro?"
"I need to talk to you."
"In this case, I'm all yours. How can I help you?"
"I need to sleep."
"I can see that. But when you already know the problem, why do you come to me?"
"I have dreams. Nightmares."
"About the team?"
Carefully, Ducky walked over to his old friend. He knew how hard it was for him to speak about himself and his feelings, and he appreciated it that he came on his own.
"Yes."
"Well, tell me about those dreams. Maybe I can help."
"They are… strange. I know Abby always says that we are a family, and they all mean the world to me, but… in my nightmares they are… little."
"And when you say 'little', you mean…?"
"Abby is four, and Tony and McGee are somewhere between five and seven. At least, that's what I'd suggest."
"What about Bishop?"
"This is one of the strangest parts. Unlike the others, she remains an adult. It looks to me as if she keeps an eye on them. Why isn't she a kid, too?"
"Actually, I expected this, Jethro. You see our beloved Eleanor as a part of our family, but you haven't decided yet if she fits in the role of a child of yours. The other three are your children for so many years now, and Bishop is still new. It's alright not to feel the same yet."
Gibbs had to admit that the words of his friend made sense. He knew Abby, Tony, and McGee for so long, he would always see them as his' kids. Bishop couldn't fit in yet. She would need a few years to earn her role in their family.
"But I assume that this is not everything about those dreams? There must be a reason that you call them nightmares."
"Each one of them is different than the others. In my first dream, I was in the office. The second and third happened at my house. And they all end in the same way. I lose my children."
"What happens?"
"In my first dream, I have a louder discussion with Pride and Callen, because deep down I know that Abby, Tony, and McGee are not really my children. Suddenly, the squad room turns dark and cold until four masked men appear, who knock out Bishop, Callen, and Pride and take the kids with them."
"And what do you do?"
"I'm trying to get to Abby, who is in Pride's arms, but I can barely move. It is as if my feet are glued to the floor."
"How ends your second dream?"
"I lose them again. We are at my house, and they watch TV. I want to make dinner when the melody of the ice cream car is heard from outside. Before I can stop them, the three kids run outside to get themselves ice cream, but there is only the shadow man inside the car. He pulls them into the car and races away."
"So, this time it was only one person?"
"Yes."
"Did you have this dream before or after you found out that one person planned the kidnapping?"
"Who cares?"
"Jethro, please."
Gibbs sighed. Why was it important when he had the nightmares? The point was that he wasn't sleeping anymore.
"I believe it was after the news. What is this telling you?" he asked sarcastically.
"I'll tell you later. At first, I want to know everything about the third nightmare."
"I am at my house again. It is night and a thunderstorm outside. The kids wake me because they are scared. So, I take them upstairs, and we fall asleep in my bed. When I wake up they are gone. Instead, I see them with a masked man, who takes them away from me."
"It seems as if you remember in your dreams, who was responsible for taking the kids. At first, we found out that it took four men to kidnap Bishop and Abby, so, there are four men in the squad room. But as soon as you found out that it is only one man, who is after you, you reduce the number of attackers to one. When did you have the last dream?"
"Yesterday."
"Alright, so, it is possible that you will have a fourth nightmare."
"No! I don't want any more nightmares! I still have two members of my team out there and I'm running out of time."
"What do you wanna do? Refuse to sleep?"
"If I have to. I'm close to finding either Abby or McGee. After that, I only have to solve three more riddles, and then this is all over. Then I'll find this bastard and shoot him."
"I don't think that this is a good idea. I mean the shooting part and the refusing to sleep part."
"Well, I believe it will help me. Thanks for the talk, Duck."
"Jethro, wait! You…!"
But Gibbs wasn't listening anymore. In fact, he had already left autopsy.
"So, you two pulled me out? That was really nice of you. But what on earth have you done with my desk?"
"Tony, they saved us and came over to DC just because of us. Why can't you just say 'thank you'?"
Gibbs felt the anger rise in him. His hand tingled badly. He wanted to give his two agents a head slap, which they would still feel in days. Sadly he knew that this wasn't a good idea in their current situation. At least, there was no problem to yell at them.
"DiNozzo! Bishop! Hell, what are you doing here?! You're supposed to be in the hospital! And I don't recall seeing a nurse around here!"
"We want to help, but we can't do this if we…"
"I don't need your help! I got two teams, who already helped me in finding you!" interrupted Gibbs the female agent.
"Boss, they are my siblings. I can't stay in the hospital, while they are dying."
"They will not die!"
"Then let us help!"
For a second, it looked as if Gibbs would strangle DiNozzo, but before he could open his mouth to protest or to use his hands against the man, Nell appeared on the stairs.
"Agent Gibbs? He is calling again."
The ex-marine ran upstairs without thinking twice. DiNozzo and Bishop watched the agents confused.
"Who calls him?" asked Tony.
"Come with us and see it with your own eyes," Callen answered.
"Let me go! You'll regret this! You're dead when I get out of here!"
Tony gritted his teeth, while he waited with the other agents in the dark. Gibbs was pacing up and down in front of the big screen, and the super special agent saw that his boss wasn't doing very well. But he couldn't say if it was because of Tony's audio recording or because Abby was still missing.
"Where am I? Where are my friends? I swear I will kill you if you've hurt them! I will…!"
"Where is my third riddle?", Gibbs interrupted the recording.
The shadow man sighed, but he stopped Tony's threatening voice.
"Agent Gibbs. I thought you know how this works by now. You'll get an envelope, so, you can hopefully find another member of your team."
Immediately, Gibbs turned around. They were running out of time, and he didn't want to listen to Tony's recording anymore.
"Agent Gibbs… Agent Gibbs!"
"I will find my team and then I'll find you!"
"You better hurry. She is running out of air."
Gibbs stopped when he heard how Tony gasped for air. He knew what the bastard was doing, and of course, he knew who he was talking about. Only one woman was missing. His beloved surrogate daughter.
Slowly, the old agent faced the screen again. Instead of the shadow man, he saw his little girl. She was lying on her blanket in the stupid metal container and she wasn't moving. It took Gibbs a few seconds before he saw that she was still breathing. She was saving air. At least, he hoped that this was what she was doing.
"Tick tack, Agent Gibbs. Tick tack."
Sudoku 3
/a/zesZmvG
This riddle is from "Rätselblock Sudoku Nr. 117", riddle on page 65.
Level of difficulty: moderate