Chapter 46
After finding out where Palmer would be meeting their suspect, Gibbs and the team decided that the Director and Wagner's team needed to be read in the case. To say they were stunned was an understatement.
They had just finished watching the video of Palmer attacking the agent posted in front of the conference room and then calmly walking away.
The Director was the first to speak.
" What else do you know Gibbs? " She asked from where she was sitting in one of the conference room chairs.
" Like is clear from the video, he has training. " He said. " As good as or even better than Ziva's. "
" And this woman is a threat to him? Trained as well? "
" She managed to leave no forensic evidence behind in any of her crime scenes. " Said Abby. " Nothing that could lead us to her. We only know is a 'she' because of the messages. "
" And despite having the voice changed, I don't think she thought we wouldn't be able to get it back to normal. " Said Tim. " She might have counted on it. "
" Why? " Asked Agent Wagner.
" We might not know to what extent Mr Palmer lied to us. " Said Ducky. " But I believe in what he said about her reasons and her methods. All of this is a show. She wanted to get inside our heads, more specifically his head. So, ask yourselves what is more disturbing: listening to a mechanical voice or to the voice of the person you thought you left behind and that you know has come back to get you? "
" So, she's one step ahead of us all this time? " Asked Shepard.
" But now, we know where they are meeting. " Said Tony.
" They have all this training, but you found no connections to any organizations? " She asked.
" None, so far. "
" I want to know how he managed to work under our noses undetected for so long Gibbs. " She said, standing up. " Ask for whatever equipment you need. " She said, leaving the room.
At the day of the meeting, they were set up with surveillance around the area of the meeting. The coordinates were very specific, but they stayed far away, to avoid detection. They didn't know what kind of training they had, so they didn't took any chances.
They didn't know the time of the meeting, so they had to wait. They sat in the van, looking at the satellite thermal image of the area. The more time passed, the more restless they became. Ziva was pacing around the van like a caged animal.
It was already 11 pm when a single person walked to the meeting location. It stood there unmoving. They immediately turned on the equipment that allowed them to listen to any sounds that came from the area. It was a VERY expensive, experimental equipment. The only reason that they were having access to it was the fact that Director Shepard wanted to know who Palmer really was. More specifically who trained him and what was he doing at NCIS. And she, along with Ducky and Abby, were at MTAC, listening and watching everything, also as in constant communication with Gibbs's and Wagner's teams.
A minute later a second figure arrived. After one minute of just standing there in silence, the woman broke the silence.
" You know, I was going to send a few more things your way before this meeting. Imagine my face when I could not, for the life of me, find you. "
" Surprised? " He asked. " You shouldn't have been. "
They recognized the voice as Palmer's, but it was not the warm friendly voice they knew. This one was detached, cold, arrogant even.
" Well, not surprised. But, it was not in my plans you not showing up at work anymore. " She said. " What really surprised me was that you got caught. I have to say, I got a bit disappointed Scot. "
" They got lucky, my performance was impeccable. "
The people listening in made note to remember that she called him Scot.
" Small ego he has, huh? " Said Tony.
" Considering he lived among us and we never saw it coming, I say he is not wrong to have a big ego. " Said Ziva.
They saw as the figures started circling each other, like animals preparing for a fight.
" Really? So how did they found out? Humor me with an explanation. "
" I assume that after I sneak up in the lab to listen to the messages you left me, I must have left something slightly out-of-place. Abby is extremely particular about her lab. "
" Sneak up? " She asked. " Why would you do that? You work with them, you have access. "
" It was the first time I listened to your voice after all this time Arty. Not even I am that good in keeping up an act. And also, they might not be one of us, but they are good. "
It didn't escape the people listening the use of the words ' one of us '.
" I understand, I too was alone when looking at you for the first time. I know how bittersweet it can be. Of course, I was not the one to abandon you. "
" I already explained this to you. I left them, you stayed behind because I know that your loyalty was never mine. "
" Not even a note. Though now I admit there were signs. "
" Would you have understood? " He asked. " Don't even try, you know that you wouldn't. You never will. I'm wasting my breath trying to explain. "
" Great, all this was just for them to discuss their relationship. " Said Tony. " Guess they never heard of couple's counselling. "
" That was not the reason you didn't leave a note. " She said. " You didn't leave a note because you didn't want to face the fact that you were betraying both the Order and me. You still can't admit. "
Now they had a name, The Order. Though Director Shepard had never heard of it.
" Is different to you. " He said. " We ended up together by different circumstances. You were brought in, you feel like you owe them your life. I was born to it. Before I was even a thought, my fate was laid out for me, no escape. But to the rescued ones? Never they are brought in against their wishes. Even being a child, you could have chosen against it. "
Whatever that organization was, they recruited children, getting them to join their ranks alongside the children of their members. Gibbs's jaw was tense in silent anger, while Ducky thought about the level of loyalty one could have by training them from infancy, an organization with members that are completely loyal, besides being extremely well-trained.
" You make it sound like it was a prison. " She said. " Like it was all some great torture. That we are monsters. You forget our mission, our calling. We are the sword that shapes the world! We keep the balance of power where it should be! For as long as humanity exists, there will be Order. "
It was all pretty clear that the last three sentences were of extreme importance. They spoke of a group with very big plans.
" I will never forget the mission or the calling. " He spat out. " And I will admit it wasn't all bad. "
" We are your family, you are who you are because of us. Don't try to pretend is not true. And don't pretend that you are some bleeding-heart humanitarian that cares about others people's lives, some pacifist, I was there. And what you did to that pathetic excuse of a sniper I sent to your place, that proves it. "
The two figures in the thermal image stopped circling each other. But they were all thinking about what she had said. On the day before, Ducky had finished the autopsy on the man they found hanging in the warehouse. He had been identified as a man who worked as a killer for hire, that used a sniper rifle before. Ducky had told them that he was killed some time after being tortured by someone who knew what they were doing. He had been killed by a broken neck, the sword were inserted hours after his death.
They were all suspecting the same thing, was Palmer the one to torture the man? Abby had unshed tears in her eyes.
" I never denied being a killer, it's what I was raised to be. What I wanted was not to be a mindless instrument of their will. And I never said you were a monster, I will never think that. " His emotionless tone getting a softer edge to it. " I left for myself. I wanted control over my life. "
Ziva couldn't help but to draw a parallel to her own life, after listening to what he said. She too, had been raised to be a Mossad agent, a killer. Palmer had run from his life as a killer. But one couldn't run from their own nature.
" I assume you considered my offer? " She asked.
If they were already concerned, that simple phrase raised their worries to the roof.
" I did. "
" And what is your answer? "
All the people listening in, were barely breathing, tense.
" You say that I will be taken back with open arms. That my betrayal will be forgiven. Will the leaders forget? Father and Mother? And the others? Or were you sent here just to kill me and nothing else? Is this a trick? Or just a desperate wish? "
" Would you really think I would use such a trick? Use your situation as a fugitive to dangle salvation in your face, just to stab you in the back when you started feeling safe? "
Her voice sounded amused.
" Yes. Especially because you'll have use for each one of your tricks to be able to take me down. "
" They are ruthless even amongst themselves. " Commented Tim.
" I do have authorization from the new leaders to make you this offer. " She said.
That bit of information seemed to spike Palmer's curiosity.
" New? For how long? "
" About three years now. And they still hold to all their credibility, despite your actions. Their word is law, as much as their predecessor's was. If they say you are to be taken back to your previous place, the others will accept. "
" Really? A traitor in the leaders inner circle and next in line to the leadership? I find that hard to believe. "
The tone of his voice showing how little he believed that.
" Gibbs, our first priority is taking them alive, especially Palmer. " Said Shepard, if he had been so important, he would know everything they needed to know.
" Nothing that some proven loyalty can't solve. " She said. " And, besides, you were born to it, raised from birth. You are your father son. And, me, I'm the perfect replacement for your mother. Everything will be as it was. "
' So, not only was he in line to lead this group, but she is in line aswell. ' Thought Gibbs. ' Both as a couple would lead. And from the way they talked about his parents, is likely they're the current ones. '
" I see. "
" So, your answer? "
They held their breaths once more while they waited for his answer.
" I accept it. "
After hearing those words, Abby's tears could no longer be held back, they started free-falling. Ducky closed his eyes for a moment, his head hanging low. All of their hopes that their friend could somehow redeem himself for his lies and apparent crimes, shattered.
They watched as the two figures walked towards each other, embracing. And from the movements kissing passionately.
" I wish I could believe that. "
The second they heard she saying that, they thought that Palmer was done for. But he was not caught off guard. Could be his training, or, he expected to be double-crossed. But if he did, why accept the offer?
They started to fight, and the agents knew that now, they could approach without being detected. So they ran towards the locations of the two dueling figures.
In MTAC, the three figures stood watching the fight, Ducky had his arms around Abby, that was barely holding herself upright with worry, aswell as other several conflicting emotions.
A few minutes later, Ducky and Shepard noticed that she was loosing speed.
" This makes no sense. " Stated Ducky. " Someone that demonstrated to be so well-trained, wouldn't start to lose ground so fast. "
More time passed, until they saw her jump out of his reach.
Their talk still being passed to the agents that were running towards them.
" What did you do to me Scot? " She asked.
" What's happening? " Asked Gibbs, not cutting his silent run.
" She jumped out of his reach, she's getting slower. " Answered Abby.
" One thing about being born in the Order, about being my father's son. Practically from birth I have been given increasingly larger amounts of several poisons and drugs. A carefully calculated mixture that made me, today, immune to pretty much every single poison on this planet. Or, at least, highly resistant. "
They heard his detached voice saying those words. And frankly, they didn't know what to think. Being in some sort of terrorist organisation or not, what kind of person deliberately poisons and drugs their baby?
" Oh my! " Exclaimed the old ME.
Abby gripped Ducky's arms even harder, both scientists understanding how dangerous that was.
Gibbs chose to lock down the growing anger he had towards that group and especially Palmer's parents. Focussing on getting there faster.
When she spoke again, she sounded amused, and even impressed.
" Very good. " She said. " I never even though to question why you received more pills and injections with our rations and medical check ups. " She gave a laugh. " And during our breakout and rescue training, they just gave you a more concentrated amount, didn't they? "
" What is a breakout and rescue training? " Asked Abby, crying, but not being able to hold her curiosity.
" I do not know. " Said ZIva. " But from the name, the mention of drugs and what we already learned from these people, I figure they drugged them and had them find their own way out of a kidnapping, or hostage situation. From the looks of it, they raised their children as soldiers, weapons. "
" Now you know how I always knew the effects of any mixture they gave us. "
She looked like she had dropped to the floor. Shepard passed that information to the agents.
" Some mixture you gave me. "
" Is not common, your resistance should be in a low to medium level. Others would have given in already. "
" Poisoned with a kiss. " She stated. " Needles would have been faster. And I thought you kissed me because you missed me. "
Now it made sense to them why he said he agreed to her offer, he needed to get close enough to kiss her, and pass the poison.
" How very poetic. " Said Tony sarcastically.
" No reason we couldn't enjoy the process. " He said.
Abby couldn't stop crying as she saw him walk closer to the woman.
" They're almost here. " She said. " I'll finally be able to talk face to face with your 'team'. "
So much for sneaking in on them, the two teams approaching cursed under their breaths, but kept going.
" They have nothing to do with us. You have no reason to harm them. I will not return and they will have no value in getting my attention. I won't keep tabs on them. "
" He still cares about us. " Said Abby, mostly to herself. The others couldn't deal with her denial at the moment.
" He is kneeling next to her and she is down. " Said Shepard, updating the approaching agents.
" Won't you? With their track record I assume they won't stop until they get you. "
" They're good, but not that good. " He said. " They know Jimmy Palmer, but me? They wouldn't even know where to start. "
To others, it would sound as pure arrogance. But to the people listening in, they knew it was true. How little did they know about them was clear. And what they learned during their talk, it didn't help much. If Palmer disappeared, he would stay gone. He had proven to be a master in becoming someone else.
" Alright. I won't harm them. " She said. " You're not going to finish the job, will you? "
" No, I refuse to kill you. " He said. " At least this time, you have your good-bye. I really wished you were coming with me. "
" And I wish you could stay. "
" At least that was true. " Said Ducky out loud by accident.
" What Ducky? " Asked Abby.
" I spoke with him. One thing he said without a shadow of doubt. " Said the ME. " He said that he loves her. Always has and probably always will. "
The agents were already closed enough to see the two figures in the middle of the trees. So they could all see as she with one last move, try to stab his heart, only for him to move and she got the left side of his torso instead.
" NCIS! Freeze! "