AN: I've never been to the Blue Ridge Mountains (sigh), I don't know any of the trails, so I made up one that sounds plausible. There could even be one like it somewhere…

A Walk in the Blue Ridge Mountains

by scousemuz1k

Chapter 4

"No kidding, Boss!"

Tony strode about, talking animatedly into his cell, and looking as if he were having a friendly chat. Any time he had anything important to say, he'd turn away, but not for long enough to appear secretive. His mind was racing; Claire had said phoney, and her instinct had been good. He told Gibbs so, and mentioned what the teenager had said about her mom's money.

"We could be talking fraud here, then? A con man?"

"Well, Boss, that'd be a good thing to suggest to Abby, wouldn't it? She'd appreciate knowing something like that."

At the other end of the connection Gibbs clenched his teeth again; he knew why DiNozzo was sounding like he hadn't a care in the world, but even bogus light-heartedness still rubbed him the wrong way. He didn't want to even think of his people not taking this seriously, for their own sakes.

"She's raising fingerprints from McGee' photos; she thinks she can get something viable. I'll suggest areas for her to begin searching when she's ready to start."

Tony's too cheerful voice burbled on. "That's brilliant, Boss. She's going to love that."

"DiNozzo!" Tony shut up and listened again. "Tony… are you carrying?"

"Aw, only my leg, Boss… "

"Your back up." Gibbs voice was flat. Never mind… he knew what Tony could do with what he called his 'pithering little toy Glock'.

"Yeah, Boss." He let out a daft laugh. "But McGee's got a bigger one… matter of fact, so has Ziva…"

"O-kay… I'm at Gills. Nadia's waiting for me."

"Oh, great, Boss. Say hello for me? Let me know what she has to say?" He was talking to the dial tone. He laughed, although hell, the last thing he felt like doing was laughing. His mind raced; he had to alert his half-informed team without alerting the bad guy; who, his gut suggested, was something fairly unpleasant. In his experience, con men were not only good actors, but able to spot an act themselves. They were also without heart or conscience. He was going to have to be so careful…

This guy wasn't that good, he reminded himself. He'd let his guard down and a girl not much more than a child had seen through him. And DiNozzo… aren't you the one who conned the master con-man? Remember Dad? You can do this.

Nevertheless, he had a bunch of unarmed, unaware civilians to protect; and although they'd already been in situations together that made Claire's remark about her family and trouble magnets fair comment; and hadn't been found wanting - they were still civilians. His responsibility. Oh, yes, and he was on desk duty.

Suddenly every fracture in every rib hurt, both bullet holes hurt, the completely healed over abrasions on the back of his shoulder hurt; sure it was psychological, and simply a reminder… but yeah, he got it. He wasn't physically up to this. And back in DC, he knew Gibbs was worrying… Tony silently reminded both the Boss and himself that he wasn't alone in this, and sighed bleakly, although it didn't get as far as his face. He put his phone away, and wandered back to where Tim and Mari were with Josh and Anne-Marie, who'd gone to sit with Gill and Alistair, or whoever he was.

"Was that the Boss?" Tim asked innocently. "He still bothered about the Bronowski case? Aren't you supposed to be off duty?"

"Oh, yeah. Looks like he's going to be on my case all afternoon, and if not him, then Abby."

"No," Tim said. "Abby's more likely to be on my case."

" Yeah… I'm tempted to switch my cell off."

"Rule 5," Tim said reprovingly.

"Which one's that?" Gill asked, and laughed when not only the two agents, but Mari too chorused "Never be unreachable."

Tim gave Tony a quick, understanding glance – without any prior planning, they'd established that their phones could be going off all afternoon.

The others wandered back from the lakeside, and Ziva asked, "Are we going to walk one of the trails? Which one did you have in mind?"

Tim looked at Tony with a slight frown. "I know I'll regret saying this… but you shouldn't go so far that you're too tired to get back again."

"Aw, McGee… you know how much I hate being mothered… almost as much as I hate admitting you're right." They both knew that whatever was ahead, to keep up the semblance of normality, they had to walk a trail. That was what they'd come for.

Jack said eagerly, "My Dad says there's one starts from here called the Chute… it's not very long, but it makes a curve round a cleft in the hill, and there's a bridge over a waterfall. He says it's a great place."

"That sounds perfect, doesn't it, Alistair," Gill said.

"Oh, shouldn't we just wait here until the others get back?"

Tony couldn't work out if the man was contrary, or bone idle, or both. Gill seemed on the point of acquiescing, and that was certainly not what Tony wanted, he needed the lovely Alistair to be where he could keep an eye on him. To his delight, Claire took over.

"Come on, Mom! What's the point of coming out here if all we get to see is a diner? Let's go and see the waterfall."

Josh took his mother's hand. "Come on, Mom," he said gently, pulling her to her feet, "We hardly see anything of you these days." Claire, beside him, nodded vehement agreement.

Tony, watching closely, saw two things; the look of annoyance and malice that crossed McLennan's face, before it was wiped away, and Gill's thoughtful, slightly guilty look. She nodded. "You're right," she sad softly, and there wasn't a thing her suitor could do about it. Tony cheered inside.

As the ten of them set off up the trail, the three agents went into action, although no-one would have known. Tim led the way with the map; Tony and Ziva brought up the rear. They wouldn't be seen as a threesome, huddled up discussing something – just in case What'sisname was sensitive to atmosphere, but each of them would be aware of the other two, and ready to make a move if the time came. They had a feeling it would.

The trail led gently upwards, through tall trees, and the incredible smell of sun-warmed pines wrapped round them. The rustle and crunch of fallen needles on the path neatly masked their voices as Tony filled Ziva in on what Gibbs had said. She frowned.

"I am as unsurprised as you were, Tony. I do not like the sound of this, from what you have said, or from what Claire told me. Con men are reckoned to be soft criminals; people who rely on their wits and charm." Tony thought of his father. "I have not always found this to be so."

"I've met a few bad ones in my time," Tony agreed. "I guess I'll feel better if - or when - Abby comes up with something. When we know what we're up against. But since we know he isn't who he says he is, the least I'm going to do is put an end to his moving in on Gill before she gets too fond of him."

His phone beeped imperatively. Text. He laughed, and the two of them huddled together, looking as if they were reading something funny.

Won't send this to Tim for 10 mins. Good. Abby was as aware as them of the need not to look as if they were doing their jobs. Gibbs ran plate of Lexus outside Cooper res. Leased to Jonas Almond. Print belongs Gerard Woolley, aka Guy Brinkman aka Paul Birch aka Jonas Almond. Guy's a con, convictions 4 4gery imp in deaths 2 wealthy women, 0 proven, me search further. Gibbs on way back more prints. Tony be careful. Tell Tim+Ziva be careful.

"Claire told me her mother has money because of the Colonel's insurance. I think she's not in immediate danger; he's still working out the best way to access the money. That was what he was doing poking about in the cabinet. But we've enough to get him." There was a grim satisfaction in his tone. "A confession would make things easier though."

"There are three of us to one of him," Ziva said dangerously. Tony squeezed her shoulder.

"And six civilians to protect. Don't go ninja on me, sweetcheeks – not unless it becomes necessary."

"I will not, Tony," she said, looking at his hand where it still lay on her shoulder, "Although I should like to." He thought the look meant she didn't like the hand, and took it away. All his injuries ached again. He pushed it all aside and concentrated on the job.

"Probably best not to take him here," he said thoughtfully. "If he senses something he could disappear into the woods."

"Jack said that the trail comes out onto open ground before we reach the waterfall. There is a steep slope up on the one side, and a steep drop on the other. That would probably be as good a place as any, there would be no escape except along the trail."

Tony nodded. Up ahead, the others had stopped and were waiting for them. "Come on, you guys," Josh called. "You can dawdle together on the way back!"

They tried to look innocent, to fit with what Josh was implying. "We were only looking at Abby's photographs," Ziva said indignantly. "Tim, she is sending them to you as well. And that I hope will be the absolute last of the Bronowski case."

"What was the Bronowski case?" Josh asked curiously.

"It involved dumpster diving… you do not want to know what was in that dumpster."

Up ahead, Tim squeezed Mari's hand… recalling the picture that had been sent to her. She squeezed back, and reminded him, "I will never be afraid again, remember?" At that moment, Tim's phone beeped. He and Mari stood close and smiled and laughed… as the awful message reached them too. Tim, still smiling, called cheerfully back to his SFA, "D'you want me to do anything? Or just wait?"

"It'll keep," Tony said idly, and added softly to Ziva, "We let everyone enjoy looking at the waterfall. Get relaxed. We move in on Mr. Woolley. We don't assume he's unarmed, so we have to separate him from the others."

"We may not be able to communicate verbally," Ziva said. Tony was about to tell her that they could get by very well without words, but remembered her glance at his hand on her shoulder, and decided to keep quiet, so he was surprised at her next words.

"Fortunately," she said softly, "You and I know each other well enough not to need words." Mixed messages… He couldn't process that at all…

They came suddenly out of the trees, to where the trail was cut into the side of a steep slope. A few hundred yards ahead, in the deepest part of the curve Jack had spoken of, they could see the spray of the waterfall, the sun making a rainbow in it. The two youngest couples whooped with delight and ran on ahead. Tony jogged carefully up to Tim, calling, "McGee, you still got the map?"

"Sure," Tim said. "Didn't Ducky say you weren't to even jog yet?"

"You gonna tell him?"

"Not me, Tony."

He held it out, and Tony said very quietly as he shook it out, "You saw, then."

"Oh, yeah. Plan?"

"We'll try to separate Gill from Woolley. And the others. Then we play it by ear. I know, not much of a plan."

Tim flicked his eyes over Tony's shoulder to let him know the others were approaching. "We can go a bit further if you're up to it," he said more loudly. "And don't call me mother again, either. The trail ends at a lookout point." He showed Tony on the map, and whispered "Armed?"

"Dunno. Be prepared. S'pose I could do with a breather," he added grudgingly in a louder voice.

They let Gill and Woolley overtake them as they argued over the map; Ziva tutted at them as she too went past.

"There's something you need to know," Mari said after a few moments. "That awful man's been on Claire's back ever since we set out. Nothing but criticism. She doesn't want to upset her mother, but she's ready to blow. I think Gill seems to have more sympathy for her since Josh's remark, but whatever, there's a lot of friction going on."

Tony sighed and nodded. They were the last three to arrive at the waterfall.

If you stood on the bridge for long you got soaked by the spray, so the youngsters all looked damp. Woolley looked disparagingly at the teenagers. "What a good job the day's warm, Gilly. They might have a chance of drying out before they get back to the cars and make the seats wet."

Gill shook her head. "It's only water, she said soothingly." Tony tried to conceal how tense he felt; even if he hadn't known what he knew, he'd have had the feeling that the day was about to explode. He began to think of how long it would take to get to his ankle holster…

Woolley, of course, was the one who triggered the eruption. Gill remarked, in an effort to defuse the situation, that the waterfall was very pretty, did anyone want a photo taken? The bogus doctor said loftily, "It's very nice, Gilly, but some time I'll take you to see Niagara. Now that's a real waterfall."

Suddenly, he found Claire planted in front of him. "Mum's been there," she snapped. "Twice. Once on holiday with Dad when they were not long married. Then Dad took all of us before his first tour in Iraq. We know what a real waterfall looks like. We saw it with our Dad. Mom… you can't replace Dad with him! He's only after your money!

"Claire… that's not –"

"Not true? I saw him! He was in the study, looking through the cabinet!"

"Gilly… she's just being a silly girl…"

"No…" Gillian said calmly. "I was going to say it wasn't true that I wanted to replace your Dad, Claire. Nobody could ever replace him. I thought it was very nice to have a man's company again, but nobody could ever be like Phil. What do you mean about the cabinet?"

Ziva was standing behind Anne-Marie, slowly drawing her Sig. Anni had no idea, however, and as she made a move towards Claire, Woolley had a clear view of what Ziva was doing. It was inevitable that it was Claire he took his spite out on. His arm snaked out and grabbed the girl round the neck, and he dragged her in front of him as a shield. The gun he pulled from his pocket was tiny, Tony thought it was a Bersa; no matter, at close range, pressed against the teenager's neck, it would be effective enough.

"Drop your gun, Agent David… or she dies. Both of you… " he jerked his head at the male agents, "you drop yours too."

Tim made a great show of putting his down; Tony said calmly, "I'm on sick leave. I'm not carrying." He knew he had no hope of getting to his Glock, but if he revealed its location, the man might surmise that the other two agents carried back up guns. He'd have been right.

"Now, how d'you think you're going to get out of this, Mr. Woolley?" The effect on the con man was all he could have hoped for. His jaw fell open but no sound came out. Tony was sure he could have found a movie scene if he'd had the time to think about it. "Or is it Brinkman? Or Birch? Or Almond? Whatever… the only chance you have of getting off this mountain alive is if you give up now."

"I'll kill her!"

"The minute you so much as scratch her, you're dead. That's dead as in final."

Claire's eyes were wide, but she stayed calm, and didn't move.

"It's true… " Josh's voice spoke from behind Tony, and he stepped forward. "You harm my sister and I'll kill you."

Tim stepped forward, and so did Jack. "Drop the gun and you've got a chance," Tony said, tensing himself; he had a feeling it wouldn't be that simple. It wasn't. The bogus doctor swore, hurled Claire away from him as hard as he could, and took off running down the trail. Tony knew he wasn't in any fit state to chase him, but he knew who would.

He wasn't around to watch how efficiently his ninja took the man down, however, because he was too busy watching Claire flailing on the edge of the slope, before she went over with a scream. She wasn't the only one who screamed as everyone rushed to the edge.

Young Jack yelled and dived after her, before he realised just how steep the slope was, and like Claire he slithered, rolled and bounced, until he had the sense to spread his arms and legs wide to break his fall, and he grabbed fistfuls of scrubby brushwood to hang onto. Claire had done the same, but was a good six feet further down. She wasn't good with heights, and her eyes were closed in terror… below them was nothing but a long, long tumble to the foot of the mountain.

Tony was over the edge on his stomach in an instant, dropping his sling on the path and inching his way down; a moment or two later, Tim followed.

AN: Sorry, I've done it again… it's 3am, and I honestly thought I'd get it done in one chapter, tonight… so true to form, if I've got to stop and start again, I'll stop on a cliffie. Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa…