Drowning

Chapter 25

All the way to Vay's business, Abby put as much effort as she could muster into not begging Gibbs for reassurance that Tony was going to be okay. Their boss was already stressed enough. He'd never admit it, but Abby could tell. He had that same stony expression he had worn when Tony and Ziva had gone missing from the docks. And this time it was worse because Tony was alone. Abby tried not to think about Tony being anything more than his usual upbeat alive self, but images of him hurt and in trouble came unbidden to her mind. Abby gave a small, involuntary gasp as she came to the realization that if Tony did not make it through this, it would be ten times worse for her than losing Kate was.

'We'll find him, Abs,' said Gibbs from the passenger seat. And before she could find her voice to reply, he added, 'There's Vay's shop. Pull over here.'

Abby parked in front of 'Fortune's Fool' and killed the engine.

'Want me to come in?' Abby asked tentatively.

'Yep,' said Gibbs as he eased himself carefully out of the car. 'Bout time you did a bit of fieldwork.'

Abby managed a small smile and joined Gibbs. Together they entered the shop.

'Agent Gibbs. Abby. What a lovely surprise!' said Madam Vay in welcome from behind her counter. Abby gave a little wave hello but Gibbs was all business.

'I didn't think psychics received surprises,' he said, his face deadpan. 'See Matthew Brogan lately?'

'As I told Agent Dinozzo yesterday,' said Vay. 'I do not associate with my nephew.'

'We've found Officer Partington safe and well,' Gibbs told her, rapidly changing the subject and watching Vay carefully to gauge her response.

'I did assure you that she was safe and well,' said Vay, showing no surprise at all. 'That's wonderful news.'

'Not so wonderful for agent Dinozzo,' continued Gibbs.

Vay raised her eyebrows slightly and looked from Gibbs to Abby. The forensic scientist's face looked pinched and anxious.

'What happened?' Vay asked, her eyes showing her concern.

'Thought you'd be able to tell us,' continued Gibbs, his eyes hard.

'I'm a psychic, Agent Gibbs. I've never claimed to know everything and anything. Please, what has happened to your agent? Has he been hurt again?'

A tense silence followed during which Abby nearly chewed through her bottom lip.

'He's missing,' said Gibbs, finally breaking the silence. 'Taken by the same man who returned Partington to her parents' house.'

Vay visible paled and sat down on the stool behind her.

'Oh my goodness!' she remarked softly. 'That is awful, awful news.'

Gibbs eyes narrowed as he regarded the woman. It was hard to interpret what was behind her reaction, but she had definitely been shaken by the news. He wanted to stay and grill Vay further, but he was also anxious to speak further to Diane and co-ordinate the search for Tony. He placed one of his cards on the counter top.

'Ring me if you get any vibes,' he told her, trying not to sound sarcastic.

Vay watched the pair go but called out to Abby as she was half way out the door.

'Don't worry, Abby,' she told the young woman. 'Agent Dinozzo will be okay.'

Abby nodded tearfully before turning to leave with Gibbs.

……………………………….

He could not, Tony decided, recommend sitting for a long period of time in a cold room with one's hands tied behind one's back. His shoulders were screaming, his chest was tight and he could barely feel his feet. Adding the fact that his face stung where he had been struck, Tony admitted to himself he was pretty miserable and uncomfortable. But at least Dianne Partington was back with her parents and no longer at Brogan's mercy. Thinking of that gave Tony some joy and satisfaction despite his predicament.

The widening strip of light above indicated that he was about to have company again. Perhaps he was about to learn more about his immediate fate. Tony steeled himself for whatever he was about to hear.

When Brogan switched on the small lamp, Tony's eyes took a few moments to adjust to the brightness. When they did he was able to focus on the sight of Matthew Brogan squatting in front of him, a sickeningly smug expression on his face.

'Comfy?' enquired Brogan.

'Peachy,' was Tony's automatic response. He was not planning on giving Brogan any satisfaction.

'I've sent NCIS a message,' said Brogan. 'They have to come up with a million dollars by tomorrow night, or I start sending them bits of you.'

'You've been watching too many B-Grade movies, Brogan,' said Tony, clucking his tongue in disapproval. 'That's hardly an original idea. I'm disappointed if that's all you could come up with after all those years behind bars. Besides, I've already told you that you won't get anything out of NCIS. It's against their policy.'

'I don't frankly care what I get out of them,' said Brogan, nastily. 'Although I'm willing to bet they'll pay up. Won't matter either way to you, though. I've only said that they get you in exchange for the money. I didn't promise that you'd be going back alive.'

'Why not just kill me now and be done with it then?' challenged Tony, as his heart thumped wildly in his chest.

Brogan leaned closer to Tony and grinned dangerously.

'Now where's the fun in that?' he asked.

Tony was about to give Brogan some advice about oral hygiene when the door above their heads opened again. Brogan, standing up, plucked his gun from his belt and trained it upwards until he saw who it was.

'What the hell are you doing?" he demanded. 'I told you to keep out of sight!'

As Tony watched, fascinated, Madam Vay descended the stairs, letting the door close behind her. Her eyes darted to Tony and the NCIS agent saw genuine shock in her expression.

'Agent Dinozzo, are you hurt?' she asked him as she neared the pair.

'I'm fine,' lied Tony, still not wanting to give anything away. 'We're just catching up and talking about old times.'

'Shut up!' hissed Brogan, kicking Tony's numb foot.

'You can't keep him here like this!' exclaimed Vay. 'You promised to return the woman and leave. This man's a federal agent.'

'I know who he is,' sneered Brogan. 'He's the bastard who had me locked up the last time. I'm holding him for ransom now. I couldn't knock back an opportunity like this.'

Tony studied Vay's face and saw panic join shock. She might have known about Partington, but Vay had had no idea that Brogan was holding Tony hostage.

'At least put some heat on,' said Vay, indicating the oil heater that was plugged into the wall. 'And give him some food and a blanket.'

'And then you'll want me to read him a bedtime story,' said Brogan. 'No, Special Agent Dinozzo can stay just as he is.'

Vay met Brogan's eyes, and for a few moments neither of them moved. Then, without warning, Brogan grabbed the woman by the wrist and pulled her down to sit on the floor beside Tony.

'What are you doing, Matthew?' Vay demanded, her voice rising.

'Sorry,' said Brogan, tossing her a pair of handcuffs. 'Can't trust you to keep quiet anymore.'