Friends Like These
Notes: Thanks to the Nice English Lady ™ for the beta. All errors are mine. Thank you for all the follows, subscribes and reviews. Legal and procedure inaccuracies abound. Please disengage the reality check and dive into the fanfiction universe.
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Chapter 11
6987 words (31 min)
Tony sat calmly at the metal desk, his back to the two-way mirror on the wall. Eli David was seated in front of him, in that obnoxious orange jumpsuit that the American penal system uses. It was clear that the bright colour was easy to spot if any prisoner tried to do a runner, but almost everybody looked ill under the brash, bright lights while dressed like that. Actually, it was a good psychological weapon when dealing with conceited, proud people like the Davids.
DiNozzo discussed with his team the approach they would take with the interrogation, and Heather and Bob would double team Ziva, using all her ranting confessions they'd recorded during the car trip. Tony would be the one to go head-to-head with Eli, betting on his arrogance to dismiss DiNozzo as someone capable of extracting information. Tony was sure both Davids were still using the original Mossad profiles on the team. Probably still valid for McGee and Gibbs. He wasn't sure how they portrayed Langer though, but he was sure he himself was still considered a shallow cop without redeeming qualities in their eyes. Perfect to work with to get what they need.
'This…' Eli David waved his hand as far as he could considering he was cuffed to the table. '…act has gone far enough, do you not think so, Agent Meatball?' he completed with a sneer.
Tony cocked his head sideways. 'What is it with you Mossad and food? It's all you think about? It's the blood? There's a connection between meat and murder in your mind?' DiNozzo threw out the comment carelessly.
Eli let out an exasperated sigh. 'You did become an American federal agent. You cannot be this simple.'
'You're the one using stupid food nicknames around here, David,' Tony used the American pronunciation of the name, instead of the way Ziva explained it should be when they first met.
'Maybe I was mistaken, and you can be that simple,' Eli huffed. 'You are very disrespectful of your betters. I wonder where you learnt such behaviour.'
'From Ziva,' Tony smiled evilly again. 'She certainly never respected anyone she met in America.'
'Maybe because there is no one better in America,' David retorted. 'What do you want from me?'
'We don't need anything from you, David,' Tony shrugged, slouching on the uncomfortable chair. 'You were caught red-handed after murdering your pal Bodnar,' here Tony pronounced the name correctly and clearly to make Eli notice the slight. 'And you were illegally in the country. Israel wanted to "talk" to you, but you preferred to flee. Very suspicious,' Tony made quote marks as he referred to the request from the Israelis, and then shook his index finger to emphasize the comment about how questionable all Eli's movements were.
'I trusted Ilan to deal with the immigration protocols,' Eli lied smoothly. 'He always did it for all our trips. I did not know he hadn't done it this time.'
'Oh, really?' Tony straightened up on his chair, feigning interest. Looks like David had chosen to throw his second under the bus. 'And that mistake was worth a bullet in the gut?'
The older man tried to gesture again, shaking the shackles with irritation for his limited movements. 'He threatened me, I defended myself.'
'That's not how it sounded…' Tony waved the comment away.
'He was speaking in Hebrew, your agents would not have understood,' Eli responded dismissively.
'We can have an interpreter or translator go through the record,' Tony answered, impressed with the arrogance of the other man, as if there weren't any agents that might have spoken the language.
'The Israeli Embassy has an authorized interpreter that can work with you and clarify the situation,' Eli smiled like he scored a point in the conversation.
"Yep, an infiltrated Mossad agent in Eli's pocket," Tony thought, remembering the Interpol report. It seemed a standard procedure for the ex-director to have an undercover agent in each Israeli Embassy, usually in an apparently low position, but well placed to hear or access any information Eli deemed important or of interest.
Tony wrote something on the legal notepad in front of him. Shorthand code to pass on that Eli was counting on his mole at the DC Embassy to bail him out in some way.
'I'll pass on the information,' Tony commented, pretending his attention was fully on the notepad.
'You do that, Agent,' Eli said condescendingly. 'That means we can move forward and end this charade?'
'Eh,' DiNozzo leaned back in the chair. 'Lawyers, you know? They have to dick it out who the top dog is. We're here until it's decided. They don't want you feeling lonely, so I'm babysitting.' Tony let out a wolfy smile.
Eli sighed, like a disappointed father. 'My Ziva has a tendency to overlook foreign agents, believing their training is never as good as Mossad,' he started.
Tony made a face, as if he was not interested in the comment, but, at the same time, moved in his chair, like he was uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation.
The Mossad ex-director smiled thinly, happy with the perceived weakness of the other man.
'But your attitude here gives credence to her profiling,' Eli continued. 'Her interactions with Gibbs have also proved her sketch of his character. Maybe I did not give my daughter her rightful due.'
'Meh,' Tony waved the comment away. 'Gibbs is an open book, even if he pretends to be all broody and mysterious. He's the walking stereotype of a hurt tough man, just looking to protect those he believes are softer and vulnerable. Easy.'
'Ziva was also spot on in relation to your junior agent, McGee?' David asked, more for form's sake than an actual query.
Another dismissive wave from Tony. 'Another easy mark. He could be the picture beside the word "nerd" in an illustrated dictionary.'
Eli raised an eyebrow. 'Are you saying that Ziva was correct in all her profiling work?'
'I don't know what she wrote about Langer, so I can't vouch for her skills for someone normal.' Tony's smile started small and grew until he was showing teeth.
Eli leaned back from the table, his eyes running over Tony's posture. 'Are you not normal?'
Tony laughed a little too loud. 'As normal as you can be with my history. She probably said I was a womanizer, right? Not a lot of skills? I did survive 10 years in law enforcement, though,' he pointed out.
'She said you desired her, that you thought of yourself as a good seducer,' Eli stated with a smirk.
'More like she thought she could control me with sex,' Tony smiled back, leaving the "and couldn't"unsaid.
'Why should I believe you over my daughter?'
DiNozzo shrugged. 'She was duped before. With Haswari. Rivkin. It's funny, because Ziva always talked about you like you were a man with a plan,' he gestured, indicating the position David senior was in at that moment. 'Looks more like you're a patsy. Haswari double crossed both of you. Rivkin was so far gone in his addiction that you didn't know about, that he died on you. And your pal Bodnar seemed to throw you into the fire. And here you are, in cuffs, ready to be prosecuted.'
'I am no patsy!' David Senior retorted, clearly offended by Tony's comment. 'My people do what I tell them to do, or they don't live long,' he stated quietly.
Tony pretended to consider the comment and come to a surprise conclusion. He leaned forward, talking quietly also, as if they were exchanging secrets. 'Oh, and all three are dead!' Then he leaned back in his chair with a disappointed expression. 'But Gibbs killed Haswari, and nothing you say would make me believe Gibbs was in league with you,' He waved his hand when Eli kept smirking. 'Rivkin died of a heart attack because his addiction got the best of him. It's more like you couldn't control him at all. I give you Bodnar, though, you did shoot the guy.'
'Ari served his purpose and was becoming too unstable to be of use. Ziva made sure he was dealt with,' Eli stated. 'As I told her to do,' he continued to make a point.
'Eh, seems like you're overreaching David,' Tony responded dismissively. He pulled out his phone and started playing with it, as if he had lost interest in the conversation.
'The addiction was a way to control Michael,' Eli declared, bothered at being dismissed by the younger man. 'His heart gave way earlier than expected though,' he said pensively.
'Huh-huh,' DiNozzo made a noise to appease the man without looking up from his phone.
'Ilan was interested in things not for him to know, he should not have extended himself so,' Eli said.
'People who threaten but can't deliver on it usually do,' Tony agreed, still focused on his phone. 'Sorry that you are going down because other people bested you.'
'Nobody bested me!' Eli slapped the table hard. Tony pretended to jolt from his focus.
'Don't get huffy with me, man! Not my fault you got duped!'
'I do not get "duped", Meatball, I am in control the whole time,' Eli growled.
'So Haswari didn't double cross you when he went after the NCIS team and killed Agent Todd?' DiNozzo asked with a derisive tone.
'Everything happens as I want it to,' Eli replied.
'What might you have wanted that needed the death of an agent?' Tony asked, showing little care.
'It was unfortunate that the agent was occupying an otherwise needed space,' was the arrogant answer.
'Oh, a vacancy that you filled with your daughter?' Tony stated, while Eli shrugged with a malicious smile. 'Pretty ballsy move, if I believed it were true,' DiNozzo firmly swallowed down a flash of rage. This was Kate they were talking about so casually. He continued, leaning forward, faking an incredulous look on his face. 'In that vein, you let a top Kidon agent get hooked on opioids and still sent him out on high profile cases?' Tony asked with disbelief. 'Oh, please, David, this is way overreaching!'
'Michael's addiction was a weakness that was better exploited by his employer than by one of our enemies,' he answered with certainty.
Tony huffed with incredulity. 'And Bodnar? How do you explain that?' He challenged.
'He was too curious too quickly,' David answered without care.
DiNozzo cocked his head sideways and looked at the Mossad ex-director with calculating eyes. Eli David didn't seem to notice the change in the agent's attitude.
'So Ziva really was sending you files, not spying for someone else or for her own profit?'
'Ha, as if Ziva would take the initiative! She is a good operative, but so unimaginative,' Eli derided.
'So you're a big player then,' Tony said. 'Owning the game, huh?'
'Always, Agent Meatball, always,' David smirked.
'So, what's the next winning move here?' Tony gestured towards Eli's cuffed wrists.
The older man fisted his hands for a moment, but soon made a conscious effort to relax. 'I do not know what you are talking about.'
'Ah, the old trick of ignorance,' Tony exclaimed, clapping his hands. 'Did it usually work for you? Because with that face,' Tony shook his head, his features changing to an expression of pity. 'Not buying it, David.'
'I do not need you to buy anything,' the Israeli returned. Eli leaned forward, fierce expression glaring towards Tony, and spoke quietly. 'Do you think that I do not have enough contacts, friends, outside these walls to make all this go away? It will be sorted out.'
Tony kept his smirk on, leaning forward too. 'Oh, I know you have loads of friends, Eli, but you might have even more enemies. And considering how the whole investigation started with Rivkin's death, maybe you are not the hot ticket anymore.'
The Israeli withdrew, hooding his eyes. 'You do not know what you are talking about.'
'The careless way Rivkin went about things put the U.S. federal agencies in a bad mood, Eli. They're all demanding to see a change in procedure from Mossad.'
The ex-director smiled coldly. 'I have confidence that my successor will continue the procedures I established for Mossad. I trained Amit, after all.'
Tony feigned surprise. 'Amit? Are we talking about Amit Hadar?'
'Exactly, my third in command. He would be temporary director in Ilan's and my absence.' David said with certainty.
'Sorry to bust your bubble,' Tony said in a tone that made it clear that he wasn't sorry at all. 'Your government didn't want another of your pals in power, until he was completely cleared.'
Eli pressed his mouth in a thin line, trying to control his upset with the news. Tony went for the kill, since he had played enough with the old man. Now it was time to make him really worry and maybe try for a deal to save everybody the hassle.
'When Hadar was informed that you murdered Bodnar in cold blood, he made himself available to help anyone trying to bring you down. He might have worked for you, but he was a real friend of Bodnar. Your actions didn't go down well at all.'
David made a visible effort to relax. 'No matter, I still have friends in Mossad. Who did they decide to offer the chair to?' The man asked in a non-challenging way, as if the answer was not that important.
'Orli Elbaz. Ever heard of her?' DiNozzo smiled evilly, not missing the shudder running through the older man. 'Ah, yes;' he clicked his fingers like he just remembered something. 'Ex-lover, right? You shoved her sideways when things cooled down in the bedroom, according to scuttlebutt.' Tony's smile was all teeth now. 'Nothing like a scorned woman to burn and salt the earth beneath a guy's feet. I don't think she'll give you the time of the day, Eli. She knows your tricks.' Tony picked the notepad and rose from the table.
'Do not dismiss my contacts in Eastern Europe, Agent Meatball,' David sneered, even if he sounded a bit desperate.
'Rivkin's death made his Russian family all twitchy. Your black-market pals were put off by the way you tried to sell out Benoit, even if Shepard was too crazy to do anything with it.' Tony looked at the man with cold eyes. 'I think your "friends" are thin on the ground now, Eli.'
'Do you believe that I will stay in one of your "prisons"?' Eli didn't lose his poise completely.
Tony started moving towards the door. ''Right now, I don't see anything that you can say or offer that could help you.'
'You do not know everything,' was the dismissive response.
Tony opened the interrogation room door, allowing David to see an armed agent by the door. 'If you are considering Ziva as either possible help, or scapegoat, let me tell you that she's a couple of cells away, charged with espionage. They're considering using the Patriot Act against her. It's a toss of a coin which one of you's in the worse position,' Tony finished and waved his fingers in a farewell salute, closing the door while Eli let out an angry growl.
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The twelve seats available at the meeting table were full. Tony DiNozzo sat between his agents, Heather Foster and Bob Appleton, in the middle of one side of the table. Deputy Director Tom Morrow, from Homeland, was by Heather's side; and Director Daniel Miller, of the FBI, was seated beside B.A.
On the other side of the table, Gibbs claimed the middle seat, directly in front of DiNozzo. It spoke of his clout that he was able to slither his way into this meeting. On Gibbs' right side, Director Leon Vance, of NCIS, was having a hard time hiding his discomfort, since he had the hard-headed ex-marine on one side, and the despised CIA agent, Trent Kort, on the other. On Gibb's left side was Officer Malachi Ben-Gidon, sent by Mossad as their representative. The last seat on that side of the table was occupied by Lieutenant Nora Stanton, of JAG.
At the head of the table, between the FBI Director and the CIA agent, was the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, Colonel Frank Marsten, the same man who had hired DiNozzo for this Special Investigations Unit.
At the other end of the table, between Homeland Deputy Director Tom Morrow and the JAG lawyer, Lieutenant Nora Stanton, sat the Secretary of the Navy, Phillip Davenport.
Gibbs kept directing a laser focus glare towards DiNozzo, but the younger man ignored it completely, preferring to converse with his team's agents or doodle on the legal pad in front of him.
Vance was nervously playing with the metal box that held his toothpicks, opening and closing it, as if he desperately wanted one, but didn't think it would look good in this setting.
Trent Kort was leaning back in his chair, an arrogant smile on his face while he fidgeted with a coin in his hand.
The Mossad representative, Malachi Ben-Gidon seemed to be in a stare-off with the Special Investigations Unit agent, Bob Appleton. Bob, for his part, divided his attention between what his Unit Chief and team member Heather were saying, and the Mossad agent. It was clear from his attitude that there wasn't any trust to be given by the American to the only Israeli in the room.
Tom Morrow sat relaxed in his chair but kept Gibbs and the Mossad agent in his sights without concealing it.
FBI Director Miller was focused on his phone, clearly uninterested in what was going on in the room while he waited for the meeting to really start.
Lieutenant Nora Stanton was talking quietly with SecNav Davenport, going through a written list in her hand.
Masters finally cleared his throat to bring attention to him and to start the meeting.
'Well, everybody here has a stake in the situation,' the Colonel said. 'This whole investigation kicked off because of the amount of internal and classified information being linked from American federal agencies to a variety of people and organisations in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.'
The whole table fell quickly silent, and shifted to pay attention to the man talking. Gibbs threw him a swift look, just to check him out, but was soon back to glaring at DiNozzo.
'The appearance of Officer Rivkin on our shores, and his consequent actions, became a significant factor in that investigation,' Marsten continued, ignoring the snorts and huffs that went around the table after his comment. 'But in the end, this brought together a lot of information that helped the investigation. His… unexpected death,' he seemed to hesitate over the wording, 'also gave us the detailed information that we needed to bring down the culprits behind not only the leak of information but also the use of it against America and its allies.'
He looked around the table, as if checking that everybody was on the same page before continuing. 'Any decision will be made at the Secretary level, with Justice, State and Defence discussing the best way going forward. This meeting is to tie up loose ends and maybe create a road forward, so we don't get in this kind of mess again, anytime soon,' Frank Marsten completed. He then nodded towards the SecNav, silently passing the baton as it were, so the other man could take over.
'We're not here to point fingers,' Davenport started, throwing a quick glance towards Tom Morrow, sitting rigidly at his side. 'Mistakes were made all around, but we have the chance to learn and do better going forward.' Everybody ignored the snort coming from Trent Kort. 'Israel wants Eli David to face their justice and has offered to add the charge of murder in relation to Ilan Bodnar,' Phillip continued, nodding towards Malachi when passing the information.
'The illegal entry can be solved with a fine and a ban,' Morrow interjected, not caring that he was interrupting SecNav. It was clear by his stern tone that he didn't fully agree with Davenport's opening statement. 'He will be permanently banned from entering the United States and if he were ever to slip into the country again, he would be considered a spy and be charged accordingly.'
Davenport waited a moment to see if anybody else would comment before continuing. 'Ziva David's position isn't as settled,' he said. Gibbs immediately turned to glare at him. 'Israel said they would yield their claim on her to the American government. If we don't want to have her here after all charges are answered, they would accept her back and she might serve any sentences there.'
'That's bullshit,' Gibbs spat out.
'Gibbs…' Vance tried to stop the train wreck he saw coming their way.
'No!' Gibbs persisted. 'You're all talking about putting Ziva away, discarding her as nothing!'
'Well, not nothing,' Kort sneered. 'A half-way decent spy, more suited to wet work than anything. CIA might offer her a deal,' he smiled smarmily.
Vance clamped hard on the older agent's shoulder to hold him in place. 'Any comments on Ziva's actions or her future are related to the investigation, Gibbs. You need to let it be done by the book,' he stated.
'By the book?! When everybody else around this table is bawling for her blood?! Because of what? Jealousy? Misplaced revenge? Nothing is by the book here!' The MCRT team leader shouted.
DiNozzo squeezed the pen in his hand to control his instinctive response to the accusation. For all his shenanigans and even when he had to push, Tony always kept himself and his investigations on the right side of the line, never crossing it, and certainly not compromising an investigation with his bias. If he were ever to have done something underhanded to get rid of Ziva David it would have been after she shot him inside that damned container and acted as if it was nothing or even her fault.
'This was a very carefully done and monitored operation,' Marsten declared in his dry, official military tone. 'Considering all the people involved and the risk for volatility, I monitored it personally. The Department of Justice and State also had observers all the time, checking each step done throughout the investigation and interrogations,' He leaned over the table to look Gibbs in the eye. 'Do not accuse my department, or myself, of mishandling this case, Agent Gibbs.'
Heather and B.A. kept their faces blank but the fury in their eyes felt like they could set Gibbs on fire. Vance let go of the other man and leaned away, to distance himself from the fallout.
'It's easy to see that you are the one compromised, Gunny,' SecNav interfered before the agent could try and dig his grave deeper. 'Interpol started the investigation, FBI and Homeland assisted and the SIU of DoD was running around doing all the legwork. Lots of people involved that had no fingers in the pie the games of the Davids to start with.'
'Why NCIS wasn't involved then, if everything was so above board?" Gibbs asked sarcastically.
'Cyber was involved in the investigation,' Vance declared, leaning back farther on his chair to put more space between himself and the older agent. 'Langer was with the FBI and Homeland to monitor the take down of Eli,' he continued, ignoring Gibbs' angry expression. 'Just because you weren't part of it, or informed of it, doesn't mean the agency was side-lined.'
'And why…' Gibbs started but was quickly cut by Tom Morrow.
'Because of that attitude,' Morrow exclaimed, hand raised to point at the other man. 'You seem to have blinders whenever Ziva David is mentioned. I told you from the start that I didn't trust her or her father and the whole liaison position was a set up.'
'You don't know Ziva!' Gibbs shouted back.
'Clearly, neither do you, Special Agent Gibbs,' came the calm comment from Gibbs's left side. The quiet statement silenced the table and left Gibbs speechless. 'Ziva David was raised to be her father's instrument, blunt instrument mostly,' Malachi Ben-Gidon continued. 'Eli David trained her from childhood and pressed on after the death of his younger child, Ziva's sister, Tali. Ziva's mother lost all her will to live after that death and the multiple extra-marital affairs that Eli never tried to hide.'
'More reason to believe Ziva was manipulated by David and not doing anything of her free will,' Gibbs stated, letting some of his despair with the situation show.
Malachi dipped his head, agreeing with the comment. 'But Ziva's focus was always in pleasing her father, seeking paternal approval in any way she could. I do not have the knowledge to discuss the psychological ramifications of how she was raised and educated moulded her personality and attitude. I can only speak of the results of it. Ari Haswari tried for a while to get into Eli's good graces, but he quickly understood that he would only stay there as long as he was useful to Eli's plans. So Ari rebelled and paid for it with his life. Michael Rivkin also understood that his value was quite dependent on Eli's mercurial moods and plans. The way Michael chose to leave David's control was his own. Ziva never tried to escape Eli's control. She actually yearned for it. So I do believe all her actions were of her own choice, even if they all focused on achieving her father's acceptance and love,' Malachi completed.
'More proof that she was manipulated,' Gibbs tried again.
'That could be the excuse for all criminals then,' Lieutenant Stanton said. 'A bad childhood can excuse some actions, but she's a 30s something woman, with plenty of life and work experience and certainly plenty of opportunities to escape her father's influence.'
'This is a useless discussion,' Director Miller, from the FB, declared. 'We have a confession from Ziva David that she spied on United States investigations and military secrets. She certainly didn't claim any hardship while doing this.'
'But…' This time it was SecNav who was quick to interrupt Gibbs.
'Gibbs, I allowed you to be in this meeting because I understand your connection with Ziva David, and I believed it was important for you to see and understand all the evidence we have against her actions. You are certainly not here to defend her. So you can shut up, pay attention and actually learn something, or we can throw you out of the meeting and provide no more information to you. How long will you go on believing, in the face of all evidence, that you're right and everyone else is wrong?'
Vance put a hand on the older agent's shoulder again, not knowing if he was trying to hold the man down or transmit some calm.
The anger didn't leave Gibbs' face, but he did shut up and leaned back from the table, crossing his arms over his chest, sullen attitude on display.
'For all the problems created by the David family,' Lieutenant Stanton started, trying to cover the uneasy silence, 'I believe that we would be better served by the prosecution and any possible sentences being carried out by their own country,' she finished, perfectly aware that her comment was not well received.
'The murder was on American soil,' Miller responded.
'Of an Israeli citizen,' Nora retorted.
'They dealt with American secrets,' Morrow stated.
'Unfortunately, the United States of America was not the only affected country, I am sorry to say,' Malachi said.
'We can go back and forth with this forever,' Marsten interrupted. 'The issue here is if we can get our charges to be added to whatever the Israeli government plans to do with them. Nobody wants to see the discussion about espionage between allies splashed all over the tabloids.'
'But we need some guarantees and reassurances,' SecNav completed. 'Our trust has been damaged.'
DiNozzo caught his boss' eyes and lifted his chin, as if asking a question. Marsten waited a heartbeat before nodding in agreement.
'As Deputy Director Morrow said,' Tony started, ignoring the snorting coming from Gibbs. 'A ban on entering the country can be made and monitored. Prosecuting Eli David for the illegal entry into this country and the murder of Ilan Bodnar would work, but his black-market deals would certainly make an appearance during the trial, especially because David would use anything available to him to create chaos and try to extract a deal.' Nods in agreement went through the table. 'The Israeli government would have more control of the information flow if Eli David is tried there.'
Malachi Ben-Gidon acknowledged the comment. 'Mossad and the government do not have any interest in revealing Eli David's misdeeds to the world. We would do our best to provide punishment without the scandal.'
'The issue of Ziva David is more complicated,' Tony continued, still doing his best to ignore the incandescent glare Gibbs kept sending his way. 'She did not commit a crime by Israeli law. She might be considered an embarrassment to their diplomatic efforts, but nothing that would require prosecution there.'
'See, she didn't…' Gibbs leaned forward, trying to intervene.
DiNozzo gamely ignored the older man and kept talking. 'But in the United States, she committed serious espionage. She passed on classified information to outside sources, using her position in a federal agency. Her contract as liaison with NCIS states clearly that she cannot give information on cases or anything else she could access while in her position.'
Vance sat with a pensive expression, considering the ramifications. 'Her actions were a breach of the contract, so Mossad is liable, as her official employer,' he declared.
'Breach of contract seems quite a low-level offence considering all the information she passed on,' Miller said, upset.
'The espionage charge is the actual offence,' Tony responded. 'She used her position, and breached the contract, to do it though. Am I right in this assertion, Lieutenant Stanton?' DiNozzo asked the JAG representative.
The woman smiled with a side of vindictiveness. 'Yes, Unit Chief DiNozzo, you are correct. The breach of contract puts Mossad on the spot, since as her official employer, they were vouching for her.'
Malachi moved uncomfortably in his chair. His orders were to find a way to bring Eli David back to Israel to answer for his crimes and to help dismantle his connections, but nobody there wanted responsibility for Ziva. His comments about her focus on pleasing her father were completely true, but she was also considered a loose cannon, an untrustworthy agent who was hard to rein in and control. She was good at manipulation, Agent Gibbs's attitude a good example of how deep she could sink her claws in, but when manipulation didn't work, she reverted quickly to violence. A problem her training officers repeatedly complained about but were solemnly ignored by then Director David.
A breach of contract didn't seem a bad thing, a low-level offence as the FBI director pointed out. But the apparent glee from the lawyer also seemed to point out an issue that Malachi was not identifying.
'Maybe someone should clarify the issue for the Mossad officer here,' Trent Kort smirked. 'The poor man seems a bit lost as to the implication.'
Bob Appleton gave a shark smile. 'I think what Lieutenant Stanton and Chief DiNozzo meant is that if
Mossad can't actually guarantee the behaviour of their agents…'
'Officers,' Malachi stated.
B.A. waved a hand dismissively to the correction. 'If Mossad don't control their officers, then American federal agencies won't be interested in working with them at all.'
'Three rogue officers in four years?' Heather interposed. 'Bad form indeed. Maybe your people need re-training?' She suggested sweetly.
'They were under Eli David's regime,' Malachi tried to say. 'Without him in command…'
'Oh, of course, a change in the big chair will make a difference,' Tony smiled smugly.
'But takes time for a new director to make changes and stamp their mark,' B.A. stated.
'And the old guard is still there, right, the ones trained under Eli's methods,' Heather completed.
'So, that kind of breach of contract, besides the previous incidents with officers coming into the country to work behind the backs of our federal agencies, creates an untrustworthy environment for our law enforcement agencies to work in. I would think most, if not all, agreements between the U.S. agencies and Mossad would need to be suspended,' Nora declared in her best officious lawyer tone.
Kort snorted. 'And we might also feel obliged to alert our other partners overseas about the situation,' he said sarcastically. 'To help to keep a good working relationship, you know?'
Malachi felt like he was under siege. He cleared his throat, trying to stall for time to think. 'I… I should… It is probably best if I contact Director Elbaz to discuss the issue,' he finally decided.
'Please, take your time,' SecNav said. 'We want this issue solved the best way possible so as not to affect our work relationship.'
Malachi nodded curtly and raised from the table. He picked up his cell phone and walked out of the room.
'Nice work, Tony,' Marsten smiled. 'I was unsure how we could pressure Mossad to take a position in relation to Ziva David.'
'The real question is what do we want in relation to her?' Miller asked. 'Don't we want to prosecute her for espionage after all? She did pass a lot of information to David. We don't know how much he used to barter with his black-market pals.'
'Not as much as he could have,' Kort answered dryly. 'Eli seemed to be collecting the information more than using it. We think he was preparing to create an "on-demand" kind of information sale. Ask what his contacts wanted and then tell little David to find it. Seemed his MO with the arms dealers. He knew a lot, but only did something when someone came knocking asking for it.'
'Well, I'm glad we caught them before this whole "on-demand" thing started. We could find Ziva's fingerprints on the files because she was just collecting stuff that mostly affected the Middle East and the Mediterranean area. Getting ad hoc requests going all over would be an even worse nightmare to disentangle,' SecNav ran a hand over his face, tired of the whole situation.
'For all that I'd like to see the Davids behind bars for all they are responsible for,' Morrow declared. 'I know that the situation is a political powder keg that the Secretaries of State, Defence and Justice prefer to avoid setting off. If we can get some guarantee from the Israeli government that they will be dealt with, it might be our best outcome.'
'It would be good to have a promise from Elbaz to not use Ziva in her offshore operations,' DiNozzo mused. 'Mossad have a lot of undercover work going on through potential terrorists' groups. If Ziva is made in a situation like that, she has a lot of potential information to give away for her own safety.'
'Ziva wouldn't help terrorists!' Gibbs intervened, well over the whole discussion.
'Haswari,' Morrow stated quietly, cutting Gibbs' rhetoric short. 'I agree. Even if she didn't offer information to save herself, torture can break anyone.'
'CIA could offer her a position, but she would be heavily monitored,' Kort declared.
'I'd certainly prefer she's kept very far from our shores,' Morrow responded.
'We have some operations planned for the Asia-Pacific area,' Kort smirked.
Heather and B.A. snorted in unison and swallowed their nascent laughter under DiNozzo's glare.
Only Marsten seemed to understand the reaction. 'Let's see what Mossad offers first. She's probably too compromised to be of much use anywhere. The decision will still go to the Secretaries,' the colonel declared.
The table went silent at the return of Officer Malachi Ben-Gidon.
'Director Elbaz will reach out shortly to discuss the issue with Secretary Davenport and Deputy Secretary Marsten,' he stated. 'But I understand there is a proposal to take both Eli and Ziva David from the hands of the American law enforcement agencies and accept charges to be added to their prosecution in Israel.'
'That seems the most likely way to go,' SecNav responded. 'Maybe we can adjourn this meeting. Lieutenant Stanton is working on the charges. If any one of your agencies have anything to add to the current investigation, please talk to her. Unit Chief DiNozzo is the general point of contact. His Special Investigations Unit will be the one closing this case. All the other agencies should send him their reports. We all should receive a final version of the case.'
Marsten acknowledged the directive. 'I hope we can continue to work well between the agencies, but I also hope we don't ever have a case like this one again.'
Most of the group was quick to agree with the comment and to stand, moving in two or threes to talk before leaving the room.
SecNav stayed seated with Lieutenant Stanton, discussing the charges and what type of deal they could expect or negotiate with Mossad and the Israeli government. Director Miller was back paying attention to his phone, also still seated.
DiNozzo and his team stood and moved to a corner of the room as soon as they could, talking quietly. Marsten approached DiNozzo and his team, and the rest of the group seemed to follow suit, waiting around to listen and try to talk to them.
'I expect you to have a plan, Tony,' the Colonel stated after reaching the team.
'Yes, sir,' DiNozzo was quick to respond. 'I think I have an idea of what everybody would find acceptable in relation to any proposal from Mossad for Ziva. For Eli, I believe Lieutenant Stanton has everything in hand.'
Marsten nodded in agreement but was curtly interrupted by Gibbs shouldering his way to accost DiNozzo.
'You said she didn't commit a crime, so why send her back to Israel, so they can punish her for her father's sins?' The MCRT leader barked out.
'Sheesh, Gibbs,' Tony ran a hand over his hair, impatiently. 'I said she didn't commit a crime per Israeli's laws! We don't prosecute CIA agents for spying on whichever country! But if said country caught them, they would be in deep shit! Ziva spied on us! On You! Nobody wants the bad press, but we're not going to just let this slide.'
'I'm telling you, Gibbs,' Vance intervened. 'Let it go. Charges will be laid, and some agreement will be reached. She did hoodwink us, but let's not dwell on it too much. Better to think how to go forward now,' the NCIS Director was really ready to let this whole dirty history behind him and try to find a way to leave his mark on the agency. Since he'd got the big chair, he was trying to smother fire after fire.
'Like I said, CIA would be happy to offer some kind of a deal,' no matter what Kort said, it always sounded smug or sarcastic.
'Like she would work for the likes of you,' Gibbs threw to the other agent with scorn.
'You really don't know Ziva David at all,' Heather declared with disdain.
'Show him her interrogation,' Colonel Marsten told his agents.
DiNozzo turned to his boss in surprise. 'Sir?'
'I believe Agent Gibbs needs a reality check,' Marsten declared. 'Show him the video of the interrogation that Agents Forster and Appleton did of Ziva David. After all, we are basing our accusations and charges on something solid, right? Let's see if hearing from her own mouth will break the wall of denial the Gunny constructed.'
'If I may,' Malachi Ben-Gidon interrupted. 'I would also like to watch her interrogation.'
'Ha, as if!' Bob retorted.
Morrow squinted in suspicion of the request. Kort nodded, also interested in access to that kind of information. Vance blanched, afraid of what might come of it. Gibbs was surprised by the offer and ready to poke holes in whatever they did so he could help Ziva.
'Sorry, Officer Ben-Gidon,' Marsten responded. 'Any access to our primary investigation and evidence will need to be through an official request from Mossad and the decision will certainly depend on how that might affect any possible charges if an agreement about Ziva David isn't reached.'
Malachi nodded in acceptance, even if it was clear he was unhappy with the answer.
DiNozzo sighed and motioned to Bob. 'Could you take Agent Gibbs to the interrogation observation room and run the recording for him?'
Heather made a move to follow her fellow agent, but DiNozzo put a hand on her arm, to hold her in place.
'I will need your help with our agreement proposal, Heather. I think B.A. will be able to handle Gibbs by himself.'
She agreed but was sad to miss the reaction from the older agent. B.A. just pointed to the exit and waited for the MCRT leader to move so he could follow the man out. The room was silent until the two men disappeared through the door.
'The Gunny is an old friend, it's sad to see him so wrong footed,' Davenport declared quietly.
'I like Gibbs, but he can be too bull-headed sometimes. He loses focus and gets fixated on the wrong thing,' Tom responded sombrely.
'Like I said, I believe Agent Gibbs needs the wake-up call,' Marsten stated, turning away from the group to bid farewell to FBI Director Miller who was standing up and ready to leave.
Lieutenant Stanton followed suit, to go back to her own office. Kort waved goodbye, saying he would wait for Mossad's position to bring in a CIA offer. Malachi accepted Vance's invitation to follow him and Secretary Davenport back to the NCIS building. And Marsten went with DiNozzo to his own office to discuss what they could expect from Mossad and Israeli government in relation
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