Chapter 6

Back in Washington, Abby had finished with the tyre tracks, and was working her way through mining companies in Wyoming and one had caught her eye, so she went to find Gibbs.

"Oh Tony, was looking for Gibbs," as she looked about the bullpen, it was so quiet without Tim or Ziva.

"He went to speak with the Director, something to do with this yellowcake business. Why?" as he looked at her.

"Nothing really, just I got a hit for a mining company that needs another look at," she smiled now sitting at Tim's desk, "I'll wait."

"What you got Abbs," Gibbs asked as he descended the stairs and made for his desk.

"WORM," she replied.

"Worm?" Tony queried frowning.

"WORM, as in Wyoming Ore Range Mining," as she rose, and reached for the control for the screen off Tony's desk, and switched on. "As you can see WORM had applied to the Absaroka County Bureau of Land Management, in Durant for a private mining licence…And as you can see it is for gold but in reality it is for…"

"Uranium," Gibbs said looking at the map that Abby had now brought up.

"Yes, and it falls not only outside but within the Native Indian land and the AC Bureau of Land Management, have denied the licence."

"So what's the problem?" Gibbs continued to ask.

"Well it appears that WORM, using detailed mapping techniques to located the uranium, usually then do something called In-Situ mining," as she turned to Gibbs, to see his eye twitch and narrow.

"Which is what exactly?" he continued.

"In-situ mining is an environmentally friendly process involving minimal surface disturbance to extract the uranium. Wells are sunk, and then a solution of dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide is delivered to the uranium-bearing strata through the injection wells. Once in contact with the uranium, the solution dissolves the uranium into the ground water, which is then pumped back up to the surface. Once mining is complete, the aquifer is restored by pumping fresh water through it until the ground water meets the pre-mining use."

"But you're going to give me a but, aren't you?"

"Although In-situ mining has minimal environmental impact, as the affected water is restored when the mining is finished, and it's lower in cost, allowing low grade deposits to compete globally with the high grade deposits and although the method is safe resulting in minimal employee exposure to health risks…WORM had decided to use explosives to extract," as she brought up another document which showed an inventory for explosives.

"So Avon either found the explosives being an EOD or was forcibly going to help. Find out if that WORM company has anything on Avon or his family," Gibbs ordered Tony, "Good job Abbs," as he kissed her cheek.

-oOo-

In the grandparent's house, the grandfather Ishaynishus indicated that Tim and Jimmy sit, "How can I help?" was all he said.

"Mr Vipponah," Tim started to say only to be interrupted.

"Call me Isha please."

"Isha, Sir," Tim started again, "Did…or should I ask, when was the last time you saw Avonaco?"

"Three days ago, he was worried; he said he needed to talk to Walt and to Chief Mathias. He said that he had found something suspicious near the gorge and that he had followed a wire to some yellow powder. He had taken a sample and asked me to keep for him," Isha rose and went to a chest in the corner and brought out a plugged glass phial, as he went to hand to Tim, Walt offered to take, Isha nodded.

"I will get this tested but we think it is yellowcake a form of uranium," Walt answered, "But what did Avonaco say after he had given you this?"

"Just if anything happened to him, then to give to you, if he said," now pointing to Tim, "If NCIS came round, but he was going to visit a company called WORM, he had seen their vans round Durant and around the reservation."

"If they were in town, then someone must know something, and if they are looking to mine then there will be an application form lodged at the Bureau of Land Management for a licence," as Walt now looked at McGee, "You have any more questions?"

"No Sir, I think we now have to see, as you say the Bureau, and have a look there," as Tim thanked the old couple, Jimmy paused and looking at Isha and asked.

"Sir, is that a traditional tipi and may I ask who lives in it?"

"Yes and our daughter Ilia… she how would you say works from home" as he smiled.

Outside in the open Tim said he would need to call Gibbs and tell him what they had found out.

"From the office…once we have been to the hospital to drop off this sample and then the Bureau," Walt replied as the three made their way back to the car, Henry had said he needed to speak with Mathias. They drove back in silence.

The Absaroka County Bureau of Land Management, was a large imposing stone structure situated not far from the Sheriff's office, so after they had dropped off the phial they parked up and walked back to the Bureau. They entered the building and walked to the reception desk where Walt asked to see the manager. Mr Gardener appeared and Walt told him of his request.

"Sure," Mr Gardener had replied and ushered Tim and Walt into his office, Jimmy had preferred to stay in the Sheriff's office and chat to the Ferg.

"As you can see, WORM applied for a private mining licence, they said gold but we know of no viable seams in the area…not that there isn't any gold there, I said viable seams," seeing the look in Tim's eyes, "What we didn't like was the fact they wanted to extend into the reservation, giving the Indians a percentage of their find, or so they said."

"So you denied their application," Walt questioned.

"Yes, what we do know that could be mined there is yellowcake, but we are not willing to pollute or disrupt the environment, even for the amount that could have been taken."

"How much are you talking about?"

"We think about 1000 pounds at least," Mr Gardener replied. "The energy contained in one pound of yellowcake is equivalent to 31 barrels of oil or 10 tons of coal. The price of Wyoming oil isn't that good right now… about 30$ a barrel, but the price of Texan is nearer 50$."

"So quite a nice little earner," Tim added.

"Considerably," Mr Gardner replied.

The pair thanked Mr Gardner who said anything else they wanted to know just call. Out in the street, as they walked back to Walt's office, Walt asked what Tim thought.

"Not sure… but I need to call the Boss and let him know what we found."

-oOo-

"I know McGee," was all Tim heard Gibbs say down the line. "Abbs found all that out."

Tim just sighed and then felt down heartened; it was if the wind had been taken from his sails.

"Abby found out did she…you just want me to come home then?" he began to say in response, "Since it seems to have been wound up."

"It's not over Tim. You know, I know, Abby and Tony know what's going on, but you Tim, still have to nail the bast'rds…You Tim, you, Walt and Jimmy…Talking of whom, what is he doing at the moment anyway?"

"Jimmy?" Tim asked thinking quickly for a reply, "He…he's helping out at the hospital. We took the phial that Avon's grandfather was holding for analysis and Jimmy just kind of offered his services for the afternoon."

"Good lad, I'm sure Dr Mallard will question and interrogate him when he gets back," Gibbs replied, and if Tim could have seen the smile on Gibbs face, would have smiled too.

"What did Agent Gibbs want to know about me?" Jimmy began to stammer.

"He wanted to know what you were doing. But don't worry I don't think he's too worried, but what were you and the Ferg doing anyway when we were at the Bureau?" Tim enquired.

"Well I used a bit of grey matter," Jimmy replied tapping his head, "And called Abby. Asked if she could give me the make of the vehicles from the tyre prints…remember you said you were taking the pictures and were going to send?" as he watched Tim nod. "Well she said they were the Dodge Charger which is the Sheriff's car, and a Chevrolet Silverado, and also a Jeep Wrangler, so we drove round the streets looking for WORM vehicles or at least a Chevy and a Jeep… and we found out where they are staying…discretely, if you must know," Jimmy replied.

"And when were you going to tell Walt and Henry?" Tim questioned.

"Tell me what?" Jimmy heard Walt ask.