Charity stood with her team with the additions of the two detectives. They were going over everything that they had found so far. "All three victims were suffocated and had the same marks carved into their backs." Tony said, holding up pictures of the victims' backs.
"All three victims were between twenty and thirty with red hair and blue or green eyes." Dan added. "That being the only commonality they had."
"Not true detective." Abby said, stepping off the elevator.
"What did you Abby?" Charity asked.
"I found multiple receipts from the same cafe in each of their personal effects." Abby answered.
McGee was instantly on his computer and looking up the victims' credit card records. "Mom 'n' Pop's Cafe." He read.
"Right McGee." Abby replied.
That cafe name sounded familiar to Charity. She then recalled her many trips there when she was a girl. She remembered the kind old owner and how he would always give her a chocolate that he kept behind the counter. She also remembered that it was a favorite hang out of many Marines, enlisted and officers alike.
"Sounds like this is a place we need to visit." Tony said.
"Way ahead of you, DiNozzo." Charity said, heading for the elevator. "Abby, good work. Get yourself a CafPow on my tab."
Tony was rushing after her. "You're not going without me." He said, jumping on the elevator just before the doors closed.
"I'm guessing there's some kind of history there." McGee said.
"Yeah, a couple of months ago we all worked on a case together." Burley answered. "They got along about the same."
"So much fire." Abby observed.
"What are you talking about?" Dan asked, Abby.
"They way they react to each other." Abby answered. "Very firey and passionate."
"No way." Burley countered. "She doesn't get passionate about anything other than a case."
"I don't know. I think Abby could be on to something." Dan added. "Tony's never met a woman that challenges him the way Charity does."
"And I've never seen Charity react to a man like this before." Abby added.
"I still don't see it." Burley replied. "There's just no way."
Tony and Charity...
Charity drove the car to the cafe. "I think it's a left up here." Tony said.
"It's a right." Charity replied.
"How do you know?"
"Because, I do." Charity answered. She turned right and before long they were arriving at the cafe. She parked the car and turned to Tony with a smirk that said everything.
"Okay, you were right." He told her.
"I'm always right." Charity replied, taking the key out of the ignition and stepping out of the car. Tony got out and hurried to catch up with her.
They walked in and Charity was surprised to see the ancient looking man behind the counter. He was the same man she remembered from her childhood, which felt like it was eons ago.
"Are you alright?" Tony asked her.
"Fine." Charity answered and walked up to the old man.
"Hello there young lady." He greeted her, a kind smile on his wrinkled face.
Charity smiled back at him. "Hi, how are you doing today?" She asked.
"Just fine sweetheart." He answered, looking into her eyes.
Charity watched as she saw recognition flash in his face.
"I'd recognize those blue eyes anywhere." The old man said. "Of course, it is much different seeing you all grown up now. The last time I saw you, you were knee-high to a grasshopper."
Charity chuckled. "I'm surprised you remember me."
"How could I forget." The old man replied. "You used to come in here every weekend with your father. He would order a black coffee for himself and a hot chocolate for you."
"And you used to give me a choclate candy you kept in a box behind the counter." She replied.
Tony watched the exchange in stunned silence. He had witnessed when Charity could be kind to a victim or their family, but he was surprised to see her giving the old man what appeared to be a genuine smile.
"That's right." The old man replied. "You're still the prettiest little thing, too."
Charity grinned. "You're too sweet."
"I suspect that you didn't come here just to see an old man. What can I do for you and your friend?" He asked.
Charity pulled out a three pictures. "Do you remember seeing these three women in here?" Charity asked.
The old man looked at the pictures. "I remember them well." He answered. "They came in here everyday. This young woman," He said, pointing to the picture of the first victim, "ordered a Mocha late everyday. This second girl here, would order de-caf with two spoons of sugar, and this third liked her coffee like every Marine, leaded and black."
"You have a fantastic memory." Charity complimented the man. "Did you ever see them come in or leave with anyone?"
"No." The old man answered. "But I did see each of them speaking with Colonel Weems from time to time."
Charity smiled at the man. "Thank you. You've been very helpful."
"Would you like a hot chocolate for old time's sake?" He asked her.
"Perhaps another time." Charity answered.
"Alright, you be sure to come back."
Charity gave the old man another smile and then she and Tony were back in the car, headed for NCIS. "It seems you always get connected to the cases we work on together somehow." Tony observed.
"My father used to bring me here when I was a kid." Charity answered. "He was a Marine and this is a popular cafe that Marines love. Instead of worrying about me and my personal connections, why don't you make yourself useful and call your partner and have him and the others look into the Colonel's history."
"I love it when you boss me around." Tony told her, trying to make his tone joking.
"Just call." Charity ordered, turning her blue eyes on him for a moment, to give him a glare.