Chapter 10
He walked in to the lab.
" Jimmy! What do you need? " Said the chipper goth.
" Well Abby, I'm finished at Autopsy and I wanted to know if you needed any help here. I know that you're swamped."
" Finished already Mr. Palmer? " Said Dr. Mallard, coming from the other room at Abby's lab, where he was listening to the messages.
" Yes Dr. I wanted to see if Abby needed help, unless you have more for me to do? "
" No, no. I'm going to focus on the mind of our killer now, Mr. Palmer. Go ahead and assist Abigail. I already have made copies of the messages, and know will continue my work at Autopsy. " Saying that, he left.
" Okay then Jimmy. Assist! "
The time passed slowly while he worked on the lab with Abby and McGee. When he heard Abby saying to Dr. Mallard about the messages he knew he had to listen to them as soon as possible. But he had to do it alone, and that would not be possible with Abby in the lab. As soon as the evidence was processed Gibbs would tell her to go home and rest. Dr. Mallard had copies but now that he had started with his profiling, it ould take too long for him to leave. Abby was his best shot. Even if she didn't finish with work first, he couldn't just be at Autopsy listening to Dr. Mallard work. The emotional response of listening to them could give him away.
McGee was working on the sound of the messages, trying to get the real voice out. He had headphones on and looked completely focused. About three hours later:
" Yes! Got it! " Said Tim in triumph.
He took that as his cue to leave for a break. They would call Gibbs to listen to the message, he would take a half hour break.
About 45 minutes later, he was back at the lab. Abby was grabbing her coat and shutting down her 'babies'.
" Jimmy! Where did you ran off to? "
" Took a break to grab a snack. "
" Right. Well no more help needed. We got pretty much everything done as we could today. And Gibbs wants everyone resting today. "
" Well, good night then. " He said turning towards the hallway. " See you tomorrow. "
" See ya! "
He waited until the elevator door closed. Then he made his way to the lab. Getting in was no problem.
He kept most of the lights out, turning on just the ones from the table where the computers were. He turned one of them on. Took a deep breath. And played the files.
He couldn't help to close his eyes and lower his head when he heard her voice. Just like he remembered, sweet with a hint of mischievousness.
Hello My Love, it's good to finally talk to you after all this time, I missed you too much.
Her tone was soft.
I'm sure you knew this day was coming. You know me too well to think otherwise. As I know you too. I'm sure you already got my previous message, and already started making preparations for our meeting. Since I'm in a giving mood, and it's you, I will give you a few pieces of information that will help you better prepare. I would hate for it to be too easy. It would be disrespectful to you.
' Well this is interesting. Where is she going with this? '
Hello again Love, This will be a three stages game. The first step was already taken. I know the NCIS team is listening to the message, this information will be useful for you too. Only not too much, you will not be able to stop me. Exactly two days after this messages are delivered the next stage will occur. A friendly advice: Use boots, there will be quite a mess. At the scene, there will be a clue to the location of the third stage. I know you will understand. the NCIS team, well, them I'm not sure. The two days wait will give you time enough to physically prepare. But, as you know, that doesn't mean you should let your guard down.
" You can't resist the dramatics can you? " A small smile on his face.
I know that the time away have not destroyed your amazing abilities. As for the day and time, I know you will figure them out as soon as you see the clue. And if the investigation interfere with our meeting, I know you remember our procedures.
' How could I ever forget? '
Well Love, this is the last message. And in a way is a bonus, I already gave you all the tips I was going to. It wouldn't be much of a game if it was too easy. So, why this message do you ask? Well, I missed you. And I wanted to talk to you. I just couldn't believe it when I saw you. You look so different.
' And careless too, I didn't see it coming at all. '
It never ceases to amaze me how good an actor you are. You never needed plastic surgery to change, you always had a brilliant control over your own body. And this personality of your persona, it's amazing, I don't know anyone else that could keep that up for so long...I was happy to see the job you took, makes me think that we were never really that far apart.
Hearing the masked hurt in her words. He felt the guilt of leaving. He rubbed the back of his left shoulder, where he had their mark. Forever branded.
It saddens me that your actions led to this situation that were in, it's the last thing that I wanted. If you hadn't fought against fate. But you did, and both of us have to face the consequences of your actions.
' Yes, we do. '
Be ready. I expect nothing more than the best of games from you. I love you, always.
The last words were mirrored by his own lips.
" I love you, always. " He sighed. " I'm sorry about all this love. But it was not enough. I love myself more. "
He listened to the messages one more time, then shut everything down and left the lab. But he made one mistake, and it would come back to bite him.