Episode tag for "Doppelganger."
This is one of those episodes that sort of leaves you wondering exactly how things may have transpired afterwards, which of course is one of the many wonderful uses for fanfiction. It's also very interesting that Gibbs is the one whose partiality may have been compromised in this episode, since we've seen so much of that prior to this with Kate and Tony.
"Fallibility"
It was a cold, crisp winter afternoon. Tony had enjoyed a leisurely morning at home, gone for a jog, and had just emerged from the shower when his cell phone rang. It was Gibbs.
Uh-oh. It was never good news when the boss called on a weekend. Still, considering they hadn't thoroughly wrapped up their most recent case, Tony sincerely hoped they weren't already about to jump knee deep into a new one. Abby was already so overwhelmed that she and McGee had gone into the office that day to finish processing the evidence from Petty Officer Lambert's murder. Nevertheless, he was reasonably certain his boss wasn't making a social call.
"Boss? What's up?" he inquired.
"DiNozzo," Gibbs' voice held an unusual tone of weariness. "Need you at the house. It's work-related. We're taking Karen Wilkerson into custody."
Tony was speechless. They'd thought they had the case all but solved with the previous day's arrest of Petty Officer Wilson, even though they were technically still processing the evidence from the cigarettes. Why were they now after the two men's supervisor? "Karen Wilkerson? I could just call McGee at the office to give me her address and I could meet you there…"
"No need. She's here. Need you to have Kate meet us at the office. And notify Lieutenant Cheney."
There was a long stretch of stunned silence during which DiNozzo started putting the pieces together. He'd noticed the attraction yesterday between Gibbs and Karen Wilkerson while they had been at Bethesda, even though she wasn't a redhead and, as Kate would say, didn't fit the profile. She had never been a serious suspect, though now Tony wondered regretfully if they'd been remiss. And if she was at Gibbs' house, then apparently they'd been engaging in some sort of extra-curricular activity. There's no way the boss could've suspected her. Gibbs would never get involved with a suspect. Abby and McGee must've found something new. And told Gibbs while he was there with her.
The implications were enormous. No, not necessarily from a professional standpoint. Gibbs' job wasn't in jeopardy, of course. Despite his own joking assertions that Gibb's gut was infallible, he knew anyone could miss a suspect, especially when the evidence seemed to be pointing elsewhere. And hadn't he just recently had this discussion with his boss in the man's basement? The Lead Agent had been able to partially assuage Tony's doubts after the Jeffrey White case with the assertion that his own instincts were not always completely accurate. However, hearing it had been one thing; seeing the evidence of it was something else altogether. Something about seeing Gibbs' famous gut fail left him with a queasy feeling.
Of course, the other man would need the support of his most senior agent, particularly when the rest of the team put the pieces together. Oh, how he dreaded the moment Kate figured this one out. Don't worry, Boss. I've got your six.
"I'll be right there."
Tony and Gibbs walked into the bullpen an hour later, accompanied by a much different Karen Wilkerson than the one they'd encountered over the past few days. In place of the sexy, charming woman was now a trapped wild animal, eyes darting left and right trying to identify some escape from her current predicament.
The three of them soon met with two pairs of demanding eyes. Both Kate and Lieutenant Cheney had been waiting in the bullpen very impatiently for the others to arrive with an explanation as to why they'd been called in on their day off about a case they thought was about to be put to bed.
"So are you finally going to tell us what's going on here?" Kate ordered. Tony had been evasive on the phone, something that had gotten her even more riled up.
Gibbs regarded her for a moment. "DiNozzo, please help Lieutenant Cheney escort Ms. Wilkerson to interrogation and fill him in. Then meet us down in Abby's lab. Kate, you're with me."
And without another word, he moved towards the elevator so swiftly, Kate actually broke into a jog to catch up with him before the elevator doors closed.
"Gibbs," Abby said with surprise, as McGee looked up in confusion. Then with even more surprise, she added, "Kate."
"W-what are you both doing here?" McGee stammered.
Their boss took a deep, calming breath and then launched into the explanation. "Got some new evidence for you to process, Abs." He pulled out a small Ziploc bag containing a cigarette butt and handed it to Abby.
She regarded it for a moment before making a realization. "It's a Llama. Gibbs, you found our chain smoker. But McGee, like, just called you an hour ago. I know you're good, but no one's that good. What gives?"
Kate, not having been present for the prior phone call and therefore oblivious to the new information was now transitioning from impatient to angry. "Is one of you going to explain to me what is going on here, or do I have to head slap it out of DiNozzo?"
"I don't think I'd try that if I were you, Kate…" Abby warned.
"Abs…"
"Sorry, Gibbs. Kate, we found out the cigarette butts you found at the crime scene were Llamas. Wilson and Wright both smoke Marlboros."
Kate began to understand. "So, neither of them is the killer."
"Well," Abby explained. "Not necessarily. It just means there was someone else smoking Llamas at the scene."
Kate turned to Gibbs. "So, obviously you figured out that Karen Wilkerson smokes Llamas." Abby and McGee both looked at their boss with interest. "I get that part. You questioned her a couple of times at Bethesda and could have easily seen what brand of cigarettes she smoked. What I don't get is how you got her to smoke one so you could get her DNA off of it. And had time to call DiNozzo, go pick her up, and then bring her back here. In an hour."
Tony walked into the lab at that moment, looking quite uncomfortable when he overheard Kate's line of questioning. But it wasn't his place to fill in the blanks. That task he deferred to their boss.
"She was with me when McGee called with the new information. I sort of tricked her into smoking the cigarette."
"Wait a minute," Kate said. "With you? Where?"
It was going to come out anyway once someone spoke with Karen Wilkerson. Gibbs knew it was best for him to be the one to come clean with his team. "At my house, Kate."
Everyone turned stunned eyes in Gibbs' direction, saving Tony who made a great effort not to look at the other man.
"At your house?" Kate asked incredulously. "As in, on a date or something?"
Having been patient up to this point, the Lead Agent's expression turned to one that made it perfectly clear he was finished discussing the matter. Looking at Kate and Tony, he directed, "Need you two down in interrogation in five minutes," and walked out.
There was an uncomfortable silence in the air as everyone took turns looking at each other, trying to find answers that weren't there. Predictably, it was Kate who broke the silence.
"Well, isn't that rich? After all the lectures he's given us about staying objective and not getting personally involved…"
"Kate…" Tony warned.
"Gibbs couldn't have had any idea she was involved. He wouldn't do that, Kate," Abby interjected.
"Well, no, Abby, he wouldn't do that on purpose. But what about that famous Gibbs gut that supposedly never gets it wrong? Guess it was overridden by another instinct."
Tony was starting to fume. Of course he knew Gibbs wasn't perfect. But he couldn't handle his teammates standing around questioning the Lead Agent's instincts behind his back, especially not with the disrespect he sensed in Kate's tone. Before he could step in, McGee's mouth started working again.
"Come to think of it, he did seem like he was flirting with her the couple of times we went to Bethesda. I mean, flirting for Gibbs I guess."
"He must've been so relieved when we found those cigarettes on Petty Officer Wilson yesterday. How far do you think he got with her before you called and burst his bubble, McGee?"
The Probie thought back to his call with his boss earlier. "You know, he was pretty mad that I was calling him. Abs, remember, I tried to hand you the phone?"
"That's enough!" Tony barked in a tone to rival that of Gibbs himself. All three of his teammates visibly jumped and stared back at him in amazement. Quieting the decibel level just a tad, he continued. "How many of you pegged Karen Wilkerson as a suspect? Huh? Kate? Cause I didn't hear you raising any suspicions about her or asking to dig into her background." No one dared answer. "Didn't think so. Kate, I believe we're needed in interrogation," he added coldly.
Giving her one last pointed look, he strode out of the room, Kate once again struggling to keep up.
They had all agreed to give Tony a shot at interrogating their suspect, feeling his less-threatening interrogation style may be more likely to get something out of her. And of course there was also the unspoken concern; namely, that it would not be appropriate for Gibbs to be any more intimately involved in investigating Karen Wilkerson than was absolutely necessary.
"Ms. Wilkerson," Tony started, introducing himself with his most charming smile. She is a looker. Can't blame the Boss there. "Anthony DiNozzo. We met briefly yesterday."
"Yes, when you arrested my employee I believe."
Tony's smile widened. She might be tougher than she looks. "So, Ms. Wilkerson. I'm sorry, can I call you Karen?"
"Whatever," she responded indifferently.
"Karen. Look, don't make this more difficult than it has to be. You know we found Llama cigarette butts at the scene of Petty Officer Lambert's murder. You smoke Llamas, don't you Karen?"
"Lots of people do."
"Yes, that's true of course. But only one has your DNA. And if the DNA on the cigarette you smoked this afternoon matches the DNA on the butts we found at the crime scene…well, you have to admit that looks kind of bad. So, where did you say you were the night of the murder again?"
"I didn't," she replied with a sardonic half-smile.
He leaned in. "Okay, so I'm going to ask you again. Where were you the night Petty Officer Lambert was killed?"
"At home."
"Can anyone verify that."
"No, I live alone."
Feigning disappointment, Tony commiserated, "Oh, that's really too bad. Cause you have no alibi, and we might be able to put you at the crime scene."
"What makes you think I don't just like to hang out at Rock Creek Park?"
Smart woman. She obviously knew they couldn't put her there at the time of the murder, and that was certainly problematic. "But see, the thing is, we'll be searching your apartment, your financial records, questioning your coworkers. What kinds of juicy secrets are we going to find, I wonder? Of course, you'd probably get a lighter sentence if you just chose to cooperate and tell us the truth." He leaned in again, "You know, Karen, I just don't see you as the prison type. And I've heard stories about those women's prisons. Pretty lady like you...it'd be such a shame."
He saw a flash of panic in her eyes and thought for a moment she was about to give in. Then, just as quickly, she shut down. "I'm not answering any more questions without my lawyer present."
And just like that the interrogation was over.
"We have enough to hold her until the DNA results come back, but we need more. We need to tie her to the murder. McGee, I want you all over her financial records. DiNozzo, get her phone records. Kate, get with Abby and see if you can track down the gun used to kill Petty Officer Lambert."
After divvying up the work, Gibbs left the room, as usual failing to announce his destination. Tony didn't think it mattered, really. As long as it was as far away from them as possible.
Kate looked after him suspiciously before feeling Tony's eyes on her. It would have been difficult to miss. They were practically boring a hole into her skull.
"I didn't say anything, Tony."
"You didn't have to, Kate. Just do us all a favor and keep what you're thinking to yourself."
Like you aren't thinking it too, DiNozzo.
Gibbs had been missing for a couple of hours, no doubt at his favorite coffee shop trying to distance himself from the investigation. But now his three agents had dug up enough on Karen Wilkerson to build a pretty strong case, even if it was mostly circumstantial.
Tony took it upon himself to call and offer his boss the news.
"DiNozzo. You got something for me?"
"Yeah, Boss, we do," he responded with a touch of sadness. How he wished he could have found some good news, if only to take the burden off of Gibbs' shoulders that he knew the older man must be feeling.
"On my way."
"Did he say where he's been?" Kate asked with irritation.
"No, Kate, Gibbs isn't required to check in with me, in case you hadn't noticed. I work for him. So do you, by the way," Tony bit back.
"Are you ever going to admit he isn't perfect, Tony?"
He could feel the anger starting to bubble up again. "I never said he was. But his gut is still better than all of ours put together and I dare you to prove otherwise. In spite of this case."
She still wanted to argue, but it was pointless. And the situation wasn't Tony's fault, after all. If he wanted to hold on to what she perceived as his "hero worship" of Gibbs, well, who was she to tarnish the man's idol?
Gibbs walked in just a couple of minutes later with a gruff, "What've you got?"
Tony took the lead. If anyone was going to deliver the bad news, he'd rather it be him anyway.
"McGee traced Wilkerson's financial records. She has numerous accounts, but put together, she's recently accumulated about $200,000 not accounted for by her salary. And she made a sizeable withdrawal the day before Lambert was killed. Which brings us to what I found. Several calls on the same day as the withdrawal to this guy."
Tony pulled up a mug shot on the plasma. "Troy Riker. Ex-con, out on parole. Deposit showed up in his bank account in the same amount as Karen Wilkerson's withdrawal the day after Lambert was killed."
"You think she hired this guy to do the dirty work while she watched from a safe distance away."
"That's our current theory, Boss. Which brings us to the murder weapon. Troy Riker has a brother, Gary, who reported his gun stolen a few days ago. Of course, without it, we can't tell you if it's the murder weapon. But it's the same type of gun used to kill Lambert." Tony looked at Gibbs ruefully. "The pieces are coming together, Boss."
"These people weren't very good at covering their tracks, either," Kate offered.
"No, but I guess that fits the scenario. Karen Wilkerson probably never planned on killing anybody. She never thought we'd catch on that Lambert was alive and faked his death. When we started digging, she panicked. Figured we'd find him eventually and he'd turn her in." Tony knew it was probably true, but the feeble explanation for their suspect's behavior didn't change the fact that she was a murderer.
"We've got enough to keep her 'til the DNA results come back. Abby said it would be tomorrow at the earliest. Meanwhile, pick up Riker and see if you can find the murder weapon."
Looking around at the team, Gibbs added with uncharacteristic humility, "We should've considered Karen Wilkerson as a suspect sooner. That one's on me."
Seeing that no one had moved due to the shock inflicted by his rare "mea culpa", he returned to his usual demeanor. That was all they were getting out of him.
"Why are you still standing here? Go!"
It was now Sunday afternoon.
They'd found Riker and brought him in for questioning, but no trace of the murder weapon. However, the suspect's brother had been unintentionally helpful, informing them that his brother had been over for a visit a few days earlier. It had been the same day his gun was stolen.
The suspected shooter had seemed stunned that anything had been traced back to him, but was refusing to cooperate. For now. But both Tony and Gibbs sensed that it was just a matter of time before someone started talking.
But for the time being, they were all just waiting, and that was the most frustrating of all. Tony knew it had to be especially trying for his boss. Finally, he gave in to the impulse to call the other man, casually asking him if he wanted to go out for a beer. Gibbs had accepted, and Tony had gotten the strange feeling that his boss hadn't been at all surprised by the call.
They sat at the bar enjoying their beers when Gibbs asked, "So, you invite me here to try to make me feel better, DiNozzo?"
"About what?" Tony attempted to ask innocently. Seeing that Gibbs wasn't buying it, he gave in and replaced the prior question with, "Is it working?"
With a slight laugh, the older man responded, "Not really. Appreciate the effort, though."
Tony hesitantly looked down at his beer mug before making the next statement. "You know, Boss, I don't think any less of you."
Gibbs was filled with something he couldn't quite name at the show of unwavering support. But he kept his face impassive and simply said, "Wouldn't expect you to. I already told you I wasn't infallible."
"I'm really sorry about Karen Wilkerson, though. I know you liked her. I remember what that's like."
Gibbs knew Tony was recalling Melinda Stone, the undercover ATF agent they'd ended up arresting last year. "Kate was out of line with what she said to you that night."
Tony knew exactly what the other man meant, but was caught off guard. "I didn't think you heard that."
"I did. Just didn't think you'd appreciate me running after you. Especially in front of Kate." He thought of also telling Tony that he'd dealt with it, but realized Tony might not appreciate thinking his boss had been trying to fight his battles for him either. So he left it alone.
"You're right. Probably wouldn't have."
"You two get into it about me, Tony?"
The younger man looked guilty. "Why would you think that?"
"Her face has said plenty. She's enjoying the fact that I was wrong and she's rubbing your nose in it. Am I right so far?"
"Nothing I can't handle, Boss."
"Oh, I know that. Don't think I haven't seen you glaring at her," Gibbs said with a slight chuckle. "It's ok, Tony. As long as she doesn't forget I'm still in charge. And she won't."
With a grin of satisfaction, Tony added, "You won't let her."
Gibbs cell phone rang. "Abs…you got something for me?...Got it…Thanks."
"Boss?" Tony asked expectantly.
"DNA results are back. It's a match."
The news was expected, but still disappointing. No words were necessary between the two men. Gibbs had already accepted the reality and Tony was there providing his support.
Instead, they enjoyed another beer while Tony rattled on about football and basketball and movies and pretty much anything else that popped into his head. Meanwhile, Gibbs sat and listened in amused silence, thinking to himself how glad he was to not be at home alone working on his boat for a change.
Meanwhile, the murder weapon was being pulled out of a dumpster three blocks from Troy Riker's home.
And the next day, Riker predictably started singing like a canary. Cause if he was going down, he was bringing Karen Wilkerson with him.