"Agent Gibbs, I must have been careless with the sample," Chip said. "That's the only logical explanation that I can come up with as to why my DNA is on that carpet sample."
"You're a scientist, Chip; careless shouldn't be in your vocabulary," Gibbs pointed out.
Gibbs had been patiently waiting for Chip to come up with some kind of explanation and now that he was on the defensive, the team leader knew it was only a matter of time before he managed to break the man sitting across from him. His gaze was fixed on Sterling, who was growing seemingly more uncomfortable with every passing second. A fine sheen of sweat danced upon Chip's forehead as he looked down and to the left, a sure sign of someone who was lying and being evasive; Gibbs was determined to find out exactly what Chip was hiding.
"I'm only human, Agent Gibbs," Chip countered. "We all make mistakes. I'm sure that you've made a mistake or two in your life."
The Marine glared at Chip, who quickly began trying to retract his last sentence. "I mean…no one is perfect…not even…well…you know what I mean."
"No, I don't," the agent replied as he turned over the pictures that had been lying face down on the table. "These are still shots of you that were pulled from the security cameras in the lab the other night; you're talking to a picture of DiNozzo; I want to know why."
"What do you mean?"
Gibbs tightly clenched his jaw; he despised people who feigned ignorance and it took a great deal of restraint to not reach across and throttle the man who had clearly gone to great lengths to frame his senior field agent. Don't make me repeat myself, Chip," he warned.
"I was…uh…just looking at the pictures. Abby has them everywhere," Sterling pointed out.
Abby did indeed have photographs of Tony all over the lab; she had once told him that she felt like DiNozzo was with her, cheering her every step of the way as she worked relentlessly to prove his innocence. There had been a time or two Gibbs had caught Abby talking to the pictures, but unlike Chip's taunting words, her words had been full of sincerity as she renewed her promise to find the evidence that would secure his freedom.
"Just answer my question," he pressed. It was evident that Chip had no idea how close was to meeting the end of Gibbs' fist.
Chip blew out a long, frustrated breath. The lead agent knew that Sterling was stalling in an effort to create a lie that he would believe; however, Gibbs knew the truth and he wouldn't accept anything less.
"Fine," Chip sighed. "I was…saying…goodbye."
"Goodbye?"
Sterling nodded. "Yeah, I was saying goodbye. I had come back to collect my belongings because I was…I mean, I'm turning in my resignation. I have another job."
"Another job? Where at?"
"Uh…why does that matter?" Chip asked.
"I guess it doesn't." Gibbs leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "Why don't you tell me the reason that you felt the need to say goodbye to DiNozzo's photograph? I kind of got the feeling that you never cared for Tony."
"Why would you say that?"
"Am I wrong?" the team leader challenged.
Chip refused to look at him. Gibbs could tell that he was getting even closer to extracting the truth from Sterling. He briefly wondered if his team members in the observation room were becoming as impatient as he was while he waited for the opportune time to take total control of the situation and backed Chip against the wall.
"Am I wrong?" he forcibly repeated, venom dripping from his every word.
Once again, his question was met with silence. "Look at me," Gibbs demanded. When Chip didn't comply, he rose from his seat and slammed his hand on the table. "I said look at me!" he roared.
Chip finally met his steely gaze. Gibbs leaned across the table, his voice tight and controlled. "Now, I want an answer to my question. Am I wrong in the fact you don't like DiNozzo?"
"Actually, I hate him," Chip admitted.
"Hate's a strong word."
"But an applicable one. I've put up with guys like him my whole life," Sterling began to explain.
"Meaning what?"
"He's just like all those jocks back in school that got their kicks by tormenting guys like me because we're smarter; DiNozzo was always looking down on me and I didn't like it! He was always spouting off some kind of nonsense and…"
"And what?"
"Nothing," Chip replied. "I've said too much. Maybe you should ask Agent McGee what I'm talking about; I'm sure he's been subjected to his fair share of bullying."
Gibbs knew that Chip was trying to deflect the blame from himself, but he was not so easily swayed. It was time to play his trump card; he was tired of playing games. If Sterling was the one who managed to frame Tony, then that meant the lab rat had been manipulating him and his team for a long time and it was time to put an end to the charade. He glanced over his shoulder towards the two-way mirror and said, "Abs, cue the video."
He walked over to the wall and turned on the monitor. Within a few seconds, an image of Chip appeared and he was talking to the wall that contained the collage of Tony's pictures. "This was taken the other night; this kind of proves the fact that you don't like DiNozzo. I think hate is the word you used," Gibbs testily recalled.
"All you've proven is that I was talking to a bunch of stupid pictures. You don't have any idea what I said and last I looked ranting at a photograph wasn't a crime."
A near smile danced upon his lips; he was so looking forward to knocking Chip off the pedestal that he had placed himself upon. Gibbs sat back down in his chair, opened the file, and began to read Abby's transcript.
"Well, former Special Agent DiNozzo," Gibbs began. "I guess this is so long; I wish I could say goodbye in person, but I can't. I'm leaving the country; something you can't do because you're in prison. I wonder if they'll ever figure it out. I wonder if they'll figure out that they've been beaten at their own game. I told you that one day I would get even with you and I did."
He looked up from the file and noticed Chip's ashen expression. Gibbs noticed that Sterling was sweating even more and was beginning to wring his hands; the team leader found out that he was immensely enjoying the younger man's discomfort. Turning his attention back to the paper in his hand, he continued to read.
"I still can't believe that you didn't remember me; I thought about you every day for a lot of years. One of these days, right before you draw your last breath, I'll make sure you know who put you in prison. Guess I better go, but don't worry; take care and keep thinking positive. Maybe I'll send you a postcard."
"That's…very…clever, Agent Gibbs," Chip stammered. "But there's no way that you can know what I said. I don't…even remember what I said."
"Abby reads lips."
Chip pushed back from the table and began to pace back and forth, his movements frantic and exaggerated. "She just made that up! You can't prove anything! She's biased! Abby will say anything to help that loser!"
"She had it verified with another specialist," Gibbs informed him. "Abby's not going to be happy that you're questioning her integrity; actually, if she were in the room now, she'd probably slug ya. Now, sit down." His menacing tone left no room for debate.
Sterling acquiesced and fell into the chair. "This is insane," Chip mumbled.
"Did you say something?" Gibbs asked, purposefully pushing Chip closer to the edge.
"I said that this is insane," the scientist exclaimed. "You all are looking for anyone to blame! You can't believe that your agent could be a murderer!"
"You just admitted to being the one that put him in prison!" the team leader barked. "Now, you better tell me how and why!"
"I'm not telling you anything! I want a lawyer."
The fact that Sterling was trying to lawyer up only infuriated Gibbs. The Marine cleared the table of the photographs and the file in one fell swoop, the papers randomly scattering on the floor. He stood up and knocked his chair backwards; in two steps, he was on the other side of the table, jerking Chip to his feet. He pinned Sterling against the wall, his forearm firmly planted against his chest, rage fueling his actions and emotions. Gibbs knew he was on the verge of losing control, but he didn't care. The door opened to reveal McGee nervously considering entering the room; the younger agent's expression was one of confusion and disbelief.
"Not now, McGee!" he barked.
"Boss, I…uh…the Director…"
"I don't care, McGee! Leave now! That's an order!"
He rarely had to pull rank, but he was prepared to do whatever was necessary to make Chip confess to framing DiNozzo. Tony had already spent far too long in prison and today had proven that his time had not been easy; at this moment, he was fighting for his life and Gibbs was determined to give him something to hold onto.
The door closed and once again, his undivided attention was bestowed upon Chip. "Now, why did you set DiNozzo up?"
Chip began to laugh; it was a sound that grated on Gibbs' last nerve. "What are you laughing at?"
"It was so easy! You have no idea how much pleasure I received from watching you all run around like little chickens with their heads cut off," he teased. "Tony played right into my hands; well, not literally, but I'm sure you know what I mean."
Gibbs tightened his hold. "Start talking! I want to know everything!"
"And I want a lawyer!"
"You'll get one when I say you can have one!"
He heard the door open once again. Gibbs took a step back as Jenny entered the room; he clenched and unclenched his fist as he fought to tamp down the anger that was consuming him. Ignoring the Director's presence, he yelled for the other members of his team. "McGee! Ziva! Arrest his ass!"
"On it, Boss!" McGee said.
"I want a lawyer!" Chip repeated.
As McGee began to read Sterling his rights, the scientist began to scream. "You can't do this to me! There's no way you…imbeciles figured it out!"
"Shut up!" Gibbs and the Director simultaneously ordered.
The team leader's gaze never strayed from Chip as he was escorted out of the room. He grinned when he heard Abby in the corridor, giving her former assistant a piece of her mind. Gibbs wouldn't be surprised if she gave him a well deserved punch to the face; he found himself silently willing for Abby to do just that. He heard the signs of a brief scuffle and then Chip proclaim that his nose was bleeding; Gibbs made a mental note to buy Abby an extra Caf-Pow as a reward.
"Agent Gibbs," Jenny called out, getting his attention.
He turned to face the woman who used to be so much more to him than just his boss. Gibbs saw a myriad of emotions in her green orbs; disbelief, confusion, anger, and regret were etched in her lovely features. Jenny was always worried about appearances, and this entire ordeal with DiNozzo had forced her to separate herself from Tony and the team. She had played it safe, along with the upper brass and had been willing to sacrifice his senior agent for the good of NCIS. He wondered if she was now disappointed in herself and her actions.
"Yes, Director?" he finally replied, figuring that she was going to berate him for the physical force that he had used against Sterling.
"How…"
Gibbs had rarely seen Jenny at a loss for words; he guessed that there really was a first time for everything. "How what?"
She shook her head. "I'll expect to be kept in the loop as to how the case is progressing and if there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Why the change of heart?" Gibbs wanted to know.
"I guess maybe a little guilt? I'm the one who hired Charles; I should have…done more to ensure that…"
"None of that helps Tony now." He wasn't in the mood to listen to Jenny's excuses; there wasn't a doubt in his mind that his quest to secure Tony's freedom would have been easier with her support.
"I know. I'll call SecNav and inform him of these latest developments."
"I don't care who you call, Jen; just stay out of the way," he warned.
"Gibbs, I'm not the enemy. Put yourself in my shoes," she suggested. "What would you have done?"
"I wouldn't have left a man behind."
He started out the door and as an afterthought, he glanced back over his shoulder at the Director. "You want to do something useful? I'm headed back to the hospital; pull some strings so I can get in and see Tony."
Gibbs knew that she was aware of the fact that DiNozzo was in the hospital. Jenny always knew a lot more than she ever let on; her tendency to keep secrets had nearly cost him his life on more than one occasion. The team leader had told her several times exactly what she could do with her need to know rule.
"But you're next of kin, it shouldn't be a problem."
"Well it is," he growled. "I need to see him; make it happen."
"I'll see what I can do," she promised. "One other thing, Jethro."
"What?"
"Nice work. I'm glad you didn't give up on Tony."
He wasn't impressed by her unnecessary praise; she needed to save her words of encouragement when she had to apologize to DiNozzo for throwing him to the wolves.
"Anything else, Director?" Gibbs coolly asked.
"I just wanted to let you know that something happened to the recording device for a few seconds; it seemed like while Chip was trying to escape, it cut off for a second, but it started up again after you apprehended him."
Gibbs couldn't help but smile; sometimes, a hint of the old Jenny would shine through the no nonsense persona she had created for herself, reminding him of better times. "Thanks for letting me know."
The team leader nodded his thanks as he left the interrogation room. Gibbs was aware that he still had a lot of work to do before Tony was set free. Although he was thoroughly exhausted, he couldn't rest; there would be time to rest when DiNozzo's name was cleared and the young man was back where he belonged. He pulled out his phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Fornell," Gibbs greeted before his counterpart could utter a greeting. "I need to meet with you and Slacks." The Marine couldn't help but refer to the moniker that Tony had bestowed upon Agent Sacks; for some reason, it just seemed like the right thing to do.
"About what?"
"Tony."
"Gibbs, you've got to let this go," Tobias insisted. "It's been…"
"I've got new evidence and I've got the man responsible."
"What?"
"Getting hard of hearing, Tobias?" Gibbs inquired.
"No, I just…who?" the FBI agent wanted to know.
"Chip Sterling."
"The lab rat?" Fornell asked, disbelief evident in his voice. "We'll be right over."
"Give me a couple of hours; I've got something I need to do first."
"All right. Two hours it is."
Gibbs hung up and broke into a jog as he hit the parking area, a renewed energy coursing through his body, giving him the strength he needed to face the next few hours. He sincerely hoped that by the time he got to the hospital, he would be able to visit DiNozzo; if Jenny did as he had asked, he should be able to see Tony without any problem. Tony needed to know that he was going to soon taste the goodness that came from being a free man and he needed to be able to tell the young man that everything was going to work out. This this time, it wouldn't be a lie.
Whew! I hope you enjoy the post. I'm off to Atlanta but it's a long ride, so I'll be writing. Thanks AZGirl for your help!