Author's Note: I knew how I'd planned to start this author's note, but then I watched the tribute episodes for Bobbie Spencer (Jackie Zeman) this week. Just wow! Great stuff. It has definitely been a rough year for the GH cast and crew and I hope 2024 brings a lot of peace and healing to them.
Thank you for the reviews and messages. They are always appreciated. In response to the review regarding whether Taggart tells someone about the Kellie's investigation room, I will tell you that Taggert does tell one person. However, I can assure you that we will all be more than okay with this when it happens.
Hope you all have a great weekend and happy reading!
Jason followed Kellie back to her office and handed her the bagel, she'd left on her desk.
"First things first, breakfast," Jason said.
"As soon as I make this call," Kellie said, putting down the bagel and pulling out her cell phone.
Jason took her cell phone from her.
"And then it will be after the next three calls or update or…" Jason said, "It will keep for a few more minutes."
Kellie reached out to try to take her phone back. Jason held it out of reach.
"Bagel first," Jason said.
"Fine," Kellie said, grabbing the bagel to eat if before Jason handed Kellie her cell phone back.
"Kellie Corinthos, to what do I owe the pleasure of a phone call on my personal cell phone," Director Vance answered when Kellie called, "NCIS and the Navy are on the lookout for Victor Cassadine and your cousin in connection with the PCPD and WSB."
"Can you tell me anything about a Navy op?" Kellie asked, "Operation Demeter."
"Not offhand," Director Vance replied, "But what's the interest?"
"My brother-in-law, Drew Cain, said that Victor Cassadine was obsessed with getting information on that particular op from him," Kellie said, "I'm wondering if it might have bearing on the search for my cousin."
"How so?" Director Vance asked, "It seems to me that focusing on the current search would be more beneficial than past operations."
"Maybe," Kellie said, "But I can't ignore the fact Victor being on the run for framing Anna Devane for murder and now shooting her isn't the full picture. Why frame her in the first place? He now has the Ice Princess Diamond which was involved in a plot to freeze the world back in the 80s. A plot he and his brothers were a part of, by the way. It seems to me Victor Cassadine has another shady agenda at play and that might help us find him and the hostages as well stop whatever he plans to do next."
"Give me a moment to see if I can pull up on the files," Director Vance said, working on his computer.
"Thank you," Kellie said.
"Don't thank me yet," Director Vance said, "I can't access this file. I'll make some inquiries. But I'm not holding my breath."
"Let me know what you do or don't come up with," Kellie said.
"If you find anything that indicates Victor Cassadine is planning something like freezing the world again," Director Vance said, "let me know along with the other authorities."
"Of course," Kellie said, "Gibbs still fishing in Alaska?"
"Don't even think about involving Gibbs in whatever it is you're doing," Director Vance said.
"All I want to know is if Gibbs heard anything about this op, back in his day," Kellie said, "He's been around long enough. Anyway, I'll let you get back to work and let me know if you find anything."
Kellie hung up before Director Vance could protest, then dialed another number.
"Hello," Gibbs answered.
"Please don't hang up," Kellie said.
"Corinthos, I ought to hang up right now," Gibbs groaned recognizing her voice, "And how did you get this number?"
"Trade secret," Kellie replied.
"Look I don't know what fiasco you've gotten yourself into now," Gibbs said, "But the answer is no."
"All I'm looking for is information on an old black op," Kellie said, "You might even be a longshot, but I already asked your former boss and he doesn't even think he can pull the file or even get answers if he asks. I'm hoping you might have heard something. You've been around NCIS a long time."
"Call me old and I'll hang up the phone right now," Gibbs replied.
"Operation Demeter," Kellie hurriedly spit out.
"Operation what?" Gibbs asked, stunned.
"Demeter," Kellie answered.
"What the hell have you gotten into now, Corinthos?" Gibbs asked, "Do you know what kind of black op that was?"
"No, that's why I'm asking," Kellie said, "I only even know the name of it because Victor Cassadine was interrogating Drew Cain about it. Supposedly, Drew was involved in the op. But of course, he doesn't remember anything about it. Victor wasn't going to give anything away."
"Victor Cassadine is interested this op?" Gibbs said, "That can't be good. Do you know what his interest is?"
"No idea. He is currently on the run for framing Anna Devane for the murder of Lucy Coe and now attempted murder of Anna Devane," Kellie replied, "He has four hostages, Spencer and Ace Cassadine, Trina Robinson, and Liesel Obrecht. He has the Ice Princess diamond with some code or coordinates for God know what. Last known whereabouts are the Haunted Star which is currently a ghost ship no one can find."
"All I know about Operation Demeter is that it was a search for stockpiles of biohazardous weapons," Gibbs said, "Who they thought owned the stockpiles no idea? I never heard if they recovered all the stockpiles or not."
"I was really hoping this wasn't freeze the world levels of bad," Kellie groaned.
"Do you know why Victor Cassadine would be interested in biohazardous weapons?" Gibbs asked, "What does that have to do with freezing the world?"
"That diamond necklace, the Ice Princess, that Victor Cassadine now possesses," Kellie said, "Had something to do with an attempt Victor and his brother made back in the 80s to freeze the world. No one currently knows what the code or coordinates in the necklace were for."
"You suspect he might need that necklace for something maybe like accessing another world ending weapon," Gibbs said, "Not just that he's evading law enforcement for murder and other charges or looking to cash in on the necklace. Does anyone else even suspect?"
"I doubt it," Kellie said, "They've been focused on finding them. I told my father to pass my concern along to well others looking into the matter. If only we knew where they were looking for the stockpiles."
"I'll see what I can do," Gibbs said, "I'll let Director Vance know what kind of op that was. Maybe that will help get the files unlocked."
"Let's hope so," Kellie said.
"I guess we're off to save the world, Corinthos," Gibbs said, hanging up.
Kellie made her way from her office to the rest of the group. Taggert noticed her and came over to her.
"Trina managed to get a phone briefly," Taggert said as Jason also approached, "and contact Portia. Laura was able to help her find the coordinates of where they were headed. I guess Victor doesn't know Trina's on board. She followed Spencer on board."
"That's good," Kellie said, distractedly, "Gives Trina an advantage."
"Kellie, what's wrong?" Jason asked, "Did you talk to NCIS?"
"Don't tell me they stonewalled you due to classification?" Taggert said, annoyed.
"Yes, but that's why I called Agent Gibbs," Kellie said, "He'd heard of Operation Demeter. It was a black op searching for biohazardous weapons. That's all he knows. He'll see what else he can find. But if Victor was interested in that op…"
"Then he wants to know where the weapons are or were," Jason said.
"When I get my hands on Victor Cassadine," Taggert growled.
"Taggert, would you let everyone else here know the latest," Kellie said, "I'll need to contact a few others looking into this matter."
"Right," Taggert said as Kellie's phone went off.
"Just a moment," Kellie said, motioning for Taggert to wait and answering her phone, "Director Vance."
"Gibbs filled me in," Director Vance, "And I was able to get a look at the file. The operation was dead ended when the map Drew Cain had with possible locations went missing with him years ago. Some of the locations were found. But there still some unaccounted for."
"Thank you," Kellie said, "Are you able to do anything with the information at this time?"
"In all honesty, no," Director Vance said, "All we have is a hunch that this is what Victor Cassadine is planning. It's all a guess at this point. I don't think I'd have to tell you what the WSB would do if it is confirmed biohazardous weapons are involved."
"No," Kellie said, solemnly, "I appreciate you and Gibbs finding this information for me. I'll take it from here."
"If things change and NCIS can be of further assistance," Director Vance said, "Let me know."
"I will," Kellie said, hanging up.
She turned her attention back to Taggert and Jason, "Director Vance called. He was able to review the files. Operation Demeter stopped when Drew and the map with possible locations disappeared. There's still stockpiles of weapons unaccounted for."
"I'll keep your crew here informed," Taggert said, "You and Morgan take care of the business you need to. And Kellie, make sure we get every opportunity to rescue my daughter before the WSB takes matters into their own hands."