3.

Tony put the last folder back into its box, leaning back in his chair until his spine creaked. “I think eight of the cases are connected.”

Gibbs winced at the sound. “Six attacks on females, five of which were rapes. Why include two of the bar fights?”

“Beside the similar description of the guy involved?”

The NCIS special agent nodded.

“Both fights were instigated by inappropriate behavior with women working at the two bars. And that’s something else. All the women attacked work in this six block area. Not a one were customers, all of them worked at the local bars, clubs, and restaurants.”

An expression of satisfaction showed in Gibbs’ eyes. “Interesting. So you think our guy prefers to attack people he doesn’t consider an equal.”

“Yeah, that’s my take. His problem is with women who serve him, cater to him.”

“But not as far as he wanted.”

“Exactly.”

Gibbs considered the boxes in the room, divided by the possibility of a connection. “So we have two fights that preceded the seven attacks, five of those ending in rape. We can presume that Ramirez was the reason that Faith wasn’t raped. But why wasn’t Rebecca Malone?”

“She was the first. Could be he hadn’t worked his way up to it yet, or something stopped him. The detective assigned to the attack never considered it as an attempted rape. His report was sketchy at best. We need to talk to all the victims again, Gibbs. And look again at the evidence we have, see if there is something there that could forensically tie the cases together.”

“Not here. I want everything gone over by my people.”

Tony grimaced. “The only way that can happen is if NCIS takes over the case. Sorry, cases.”

“Then that’s what I’ll do.” Gibbs didn’t understand the problem.

“As soon as you do, Tidwell will try to pull me off.”

“Try?”

“Like I told you, I want this S.O.B. I’ll still work it with you, but it’ll be tough. Tidwell tends to micromanage my time.” There was an edge to Tony’s voice.

“I’ll take care of that. While I’m talking to your captain, I want you to get everything ready for transport to NCIS, including any and all forensic evidence.”

“On it, Gibbs.”

Gibbs’ tall figure turned and headed toward Tidwell’s office. He knocked once before stepping inside. He ignored the captain’s glare of annoyance.

“What can I do for you, Special Agent Gibbs?”

He tossed the list of case numbers onto Tidwell’s desk. “I’m taking these cases over. They are all related to the attack that ended Marine Corporal Gonzalez’s death.”

Tidwell looked at the nine case numbers. “He committed all of these?”

“No, he was a victim. Detective DiNozzo believes that you have a serial rapist.”

“Detective DiNozzo believes that? I’m afraid you’ve put your trust in the wrong man. DiNozzo is a screw-up. He’s been bounced from department to department since he started in law enforcement. He’ll be out of here soon enough.”

“I’ve looked over the cases myself and I agree with him. I also want DiNozzo assigned as liaison.”

“That’s out of the question.”

Gibbs gritted his teeth. “Why?”

“We’re short-handed.”

Gibbs looked out into the bullpen. He saw six detectives, one of whom was reading a newspaper while another was playing solitaire. “Yeah, I can see that.”

Tidwell’s face grew beet red with rage and embarrassment. “I told you, he’s no good.”

“Then you shouldn’t care if he’s working with me.”

“Fine. Take him, Special Agent Gibbs. Just don’t come back here complaining about DiNozzo.” Tidwell waved his hand in a gesture of dismissal. “Sgt. Callahan will prepare the necessary paperwork for my signature.”

Gibbs struggled to keep his temper, wondering how DiNozzo managed to work for so long under an idiot like Robert Tidwell.

It took longer than Gibbs believed reasonable to complete the paperwork necessary to transfer the cases and related evidence to NCIS. By the time he came outside to find DiNozzo leaning against the government-issue sedan, he was ready to explode.

Tony took one look and immediately changed whatever he had planned to say. “Gibbs, everything is stuffed in the car. The perishable stuff is packed in dry ice in a cooler I placed on the back seat. The file cases are in the trunk and the back. It’s a tight fit, but I made sure to seal everything with duct tape.” Tony hesitated for a moment. “You should be fine to drive back to NCIS. All I need is your signature for evidence transfer.”

“Get in the damn car, DiNozzo,” Gibbs growled. “For the time being, you’re mine.”

~NCIS~

Arriving at NCIS headquarters at the Navy Yard alive, Gibbs had grabbed two red-garbed individuals to help carry the various boxes of evidence and case files.

Tony followed behind the others as they took the elevator to another floor. He was startled to see a most unusual young woman come bounding across the room calling Gibbs’ name over and over again. Her black hair gleamed in the lights of the lab, bouncing in the shape of pigtails. She had dark eye makeup, black lipstick, and a collar around her neck decorated with nasty spikes.

He found himself smiling when the bouncing figure threw herself into Gibbs’ waiting arms, barely avoiding impalement.

“Gibbs! Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs!! You’re back!”

“I wasn’t gone that long.” Gibbs gently disentangled himself. “And I was only in Baltimore, not the other side of the world, Abby.”

“Might as well have been,” she muttered, before taking in the boxes being deposited throughout the room. “Ohhh, you brought me presents?”

“Cases, old ones that need to be looked at again and see if any information and/or evidence can be be tied together.”

“Cool.” Abby glanced sideways at the man currently snooping around her lab. “So who’s the pretty boy?” she whispered.

“Detective Anthony DiNozzo, Baltimore PD. We’re working together.”

“Together? You and a local cop?” Abby looked back at the intruder.

Tony grinned across the room at her sudden interest. “So you think I’m pretty?”

Abby turned scarlet. “How did you hear that?”

He tapped at his ears. “Exceptional hearing. And I think you’re rather pretty as well.” His strikingly handsome face smiled warmly down at Abby as he moved to stand beside her. “You can call me Tony.”

“When you two lovebirds are done admiring each other, I’d like to get back to finding the Corporal’s killer,” Gibbs said, glaring at both of them.

“Sorry, Gibbs.”

“Sorry, bossman.”

“This is Abby Sciuto, our forensic expert. DiNozzo caught a case that may be more complicated than it appeared at first. Abby, I want you to recheck every piece of evidence on these cases. See if anything matches.”

“You’ve got it, Gibbs.” Abby darted around the room, organizing the boxes by date and switching her equipment on. “Give me the evidence logs so I can get started.”

Once that business was completed, Tony found himself following Gibbs into the elevator. They made a silent journey to another floor, the silver doors opened onto a busy working area. Tony looked at all the people hard at work, a stab of jealousy slamming into him. This was what he had searched for during his spotty career. People working together toward a common goal.

“Sit over there,” Gibbs pointed to an empty desk across from where he took his own seat. “The case files are on the floor next to you. Set up an interview schedule.”

Searching the desk drawers for a pad of paper, Tony soon got to work, using the computer to find local addresses for victims and witnesses, as well as what station the detectives involved worked out of.

It was hours later that the seductive fragrance of fresh coffee filled the air, drawing Tony’s attention from his work. Looking up, he was just in time to grab the sandwich tossed at him from across the room. A fresh cup of coffee had been placed by the telephone, packets of sugar and creamer beside it. Tony gave a quick nod of thanks before digging into the food.

~NCIS~

“Does he have a place to stay?”

“What?” Gibbs looked up to see Ducky standing in front of his desk.

“That young man you brought back with you. If he is to continue working here, Detective DiNozzo cannot continue to commute.”

Gibbs glanced over at the man in question, currently on the phone and oblivious to being the focus of attention. “So he’ll get a hotel room.”

“During the height of convention season? Most of the decent hotels will be fully booked. That will leave him a choice between extremely expensive and barely more than a flop house, I believe you call them. I sincerely doubt if his department will be reimbursing him for his living expenses.”

“What do you expect me to do about it, Duck? Invite him to stay with me?”

Ducky beamed. “Excellent idea.”

“I wasn’t seriously suggesting that as a solution.”

The older man shrugged. “You have a spare room, Jethro. He needs a place to stay, not to mention a ride since you drove here together. It seems perfectly logical.”

Gibbs knew when to give up, grumbling a bit as a matter of form. He was well aware that at the end of the day, he would be taking home a guest.

“DiNozzo!”

Tony jumped, his startled green eyes wide.

“You planning on staying here during the case?”

“Yeah, thought it would cut down on commute time.” He frowned. “I need to call around, see if I can find a hotel nearby. Anything close that you can recommend?”

“Doubt you’ll find anything. I’ve got a spare room. You can stay with me.”

“Don’t think your wife would appreciate you bringing unexpected guests home.”

“No wife, not anymore.”

Uncomfortable, Tony tried to get out of the obviously reluctant invitation. “I can sack out here, Gibbs. Won’t be the first time I’ve sacked out at the office, even without using the cots.” He grinned. “You’ve got better carpet here.”

“Forget it. You’re staying at my place. I assume you’ll need to go get some spare clothes?”

Tony held up a small backpack. “Nah, I’ve got enough here to last me a few days.”

Gibbs was impressed by the detective’s foresight. He gave a quick nod of approval before getting back to work.

2.

Gibbs drove DiNozzo back to the station after they left the hospital. He was amused that the detective didn’t complain, just strapped himself in place and grabbed hold of the “oh crap” handle.

“You willing to share?” Tony asked.

“Dead Marine. NCIS case.”

“Not arguing.” The blare of horns as Gibbs swerved around a semi had Tony holding his breath. “I want in.”

“Why?”

“Because someone attacked Faith Lindsey. Not Gonzalez, based on the size of the hand that grabbed her so forcefully. But some jackwad who has her terrified did, and probably killed Gonzalez as well. I want this S.O.B.”

Gibbs had intended to take over the case, but now found himself reconsidering. His first opinion of Detective DiNozzo hadn’t been favorable, based on his almost GQ clothes and his model good looks. There was something in his eyes, a fire that had Gibbs hesitating.

“Well, do you agree?” Tony prodded.

“What if I say no?”

The detective grinned mischievously. “You’ll be seeing or hearing about me everywhere you go.” He sobered. “I’m working this case, with or without your cooperation. I just think it would be easier if we weren’t butting heads.”

Gibbs pulled into the visitors’ parking area at the Baltimore Police Station Tony worked out of, putting the vehicle in park. “How long have you been a detective?”

Tony blinked at the sudden shift in topic. “Here? About two years.”

Gibbs smiled. “Agreed.”

“Okay. If you’ll pull your records on Gonzalez, I’ll check on Faith’s background. I’ll also see whether there have been other attacks in that general area.”

Tony got out of the car with a cheery wave. He heard the squeal of tires from behind him as Gibbs left. He headed into the station, only to be stopped by the desk sergeant.

“DiNozzo, the captain left word he wants to see you asap.”

“Thanks, Del.”

Tony took the stairs two at a time, making his way through the old battered metal desks of the detective division. He knocked on the well-worn doorframe, waiting impatiently for the order to enter. It was a power play by his captain to make his men wait, especially Tony. Captain Tidwell had taken an instant dislike to him from the moment he arrived at the station, although Tony didn’t know why.

“Enter.” Tidwell was looking down at a sheath of papers on his desk, drawing out the annoying power game. A tall, distinguished-looking man in his late forties, Tidwell was carefully groomed. He finally put the papers down, turning his attention to his waiting detective. “You had a death related to a failed rape attempt?”

“Why isn’t the case closed?”

“I have some questions regarding the circumstances. There are some inconsistencies.”

Pushing his bottom lip forward in thought, Tidwell considered the situation. “Fine. Two more days, then you close it. Understood?”

“I understand.” Tony quickly left the office before Tidwell could question him regarding the mysterious soaping of his precious vintage Porsche.

Several heads raised when Tony left the captain’s inner sanctum. They resumed working after seeing that Tony appeared unscathed. Tony settled behind his own desk, booting up his antiquated computer. He hated using it, not only because the light grey characters on the black background gave him a headache, but due to the machine’s lack of speed..

He began his search on Faith Lindsey’s background. At the same time he called records for information on attacks in the area. He pulled a candy bar from his desk and started munching during his research time.

Three hours later, Tony had some answers and one big question. He was just about to call Special Agent Gibbs when the man appeared in front of his desk. “Geez, Gibbs, I was going to…”

“What do you have?” Gibbs interrupted him.

“There have been six reported attacks over the last two years. Based on the fact that some women won’t report an attack, I think we can safely assume there are many more. These were all committed within a six block area of Faith’s attack.”

“Suspects?” Gibbs pulled a chair up beside Tony’s, looking at the map filled with red and blue marking pen splotches.

Tony glanced around the room, lowering his voice. “Officially, none. And considering how detailed some of the descriptions were, I don’t understand how there couldn’t be.” He paused for a moment. “No one was ever arrested. Hell, no one was even seriously questioned, based on what was entered into the system. I need to pull the actual case files.”

“Need some help?”

“Wouldn’t mind it.” Tony rubbed at his bloodshot eyes.

“You look like crap, DiNozzo,” Gibbs said.

“Yeah, well, I’ve only had about two hours sleep in the last three days.”

“Must’ve been a hell of a party.”

“I wish. Nah, no party, no date. I’ve been working a double homicide. Two gangbangers killed by a third member of their happy little family over who would take control of the local drug trade after the original leader died. I was staking out the killer’s baby mama’s place.”

“Alone?”

Tony shrugged. “I was the only detective available.”

Gibbs looked around the room at the six other detectives currently at work. He knew there was much more to the story than that, but let it go for now. “Go home. Get some sleep. You’re no good to anyone if you’re too tired to think.”

“We’ve got bunks in the back. I’ll sack out for a couple of hours, be back to my usual brilliant self in no time. C’mon, I’ll check the file boxes out and you can get started.” Tony got slowly to his feet, gesturing for Gibbs to follow. He took the list of case file numbers with him.

They stopped by the break room to get the NCIS agent a large cup of hot, overly strong coffee from the always percolating urn. Proceeding onto Records, Tony chatted with the sergeant in charge while helping the older man search for the evidence boxes.

Gibbs found himself watching the way the detective easily pretended to be totally alert and wide awake while listening to stories about the old days as related by the records sergeant. The man was obviously nearing retirement, marking time until he could get his full pension.

“Hey, Gibbs, want to help me out here?” Tony stood in the doorway, surrounded by ten file boxes. “Tompkins and I can’t do it all.”

“Sure. I thought you said there were six other attacks.”

“There were. But I also found four other incidents from the same general area that I wanted a closer look at.” Tony balanced four of the boxes in his arms, followed down the hallway by Gibbs carrying four more boxes. Trailing behind was Sgt. Tompkins with the last two boxes.

“We can use conference room A. It’s one of the few rooms around here with a lock on the door. There are only two keys and I’ll get them both. Put the boxes over here,” Tony instructed the other two men.

Once Tompkins left, with Tony’s thanks, Gibbs looked around the room. “We’ll need supplies.”

“I’m on it. I’ll be right back.”

Tony returned with pads of paper, pens and markers, as well as both keys and a large map of the neighborhood where the suspected attacks occurred. He handed Gibbs one of the keys before he pinned the map to the wall. “You and I will be the only people with access to this room. If what I suspect is true, we’ll need to restrict the number of individuals who can come in here.” Tony was overcome by a jaw-cracking yawn.

“DiNozzo, go. Get some sleep.”

“I’m going, I’m going.” With a weary wave, Tony headed to the small gray storage room in the back of the stationhouse. The room was crammed full of bathroom supplies, broken office equipment, and two sets of rusty metal bunk beds, faded gray blankets folded neatly at the foot. Tony dropped onto the musty mattress of one, almost immediately asleep.

~NCIS~

Gibbs quickly began to see the pattern that DiNozzo had spotted as he read through the case files. He had pages of notes with some follow-up questions in the margins. He also had the same suspicions regarding the investigations. Someone was preventing any arrests. Beyond that, someone was blocking even the mention of a viable suspect. Gibbs listed the full names of the investigating officers and, on a hunch, made another note to ask his Baltimore partner the names of their immediate supervisors.

Discovering his mug was empty, Gibbs grabbed it and the conference room key and went in search of a refill, carefully locking the door behind him. As he headed down the hall to the break room, he was stopped by a man who reminded him of a politician, slick and a bit slimy.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Special Agent Gibbs, NCIS.” Seeing the lack of comprehension on the other man’s face, he explained. “Naval Criminal Investigative Service.”

“Captain Robert Tidwell. Is there something Baltimore P.D. can do for NCSI?”

“NCIS. I’m working with Detective DiNozzo.”

“Regarding which case, Agent Gibbs?”

“The Lindsey attack, Captain.” Tony DiNozzo appeared behind Tidwell. “The dead guy was a Marine.”

Tidwell turned, transferring his gaze to his detective. “You didn’t mention that NCIS was taking over.”

“We’re not. I’m merely here to assist Detective DiNozzo in his investigation.”

“I see.” His mouth thinning with displeasure, Tidwell considered the two men. “Remember, detective, two days.”

“Got it, Captain.”

Unable to foist the case onto the federal agency and unwilling to respond to the edge of distain in his man’s voice in front of a third party, Tidwell spun about and stalked back to his office.

“Two days?”

“Tidwell gave me a deadline to finish with this case.”

“That mess in there will take longer than two days, DiNozzo,” Gibbs said, gesturing toward the locked conference room.

“Don’t worry about it.” Jauntily he cocked his brunette head to one side. “You’re here to assist me? Does that mean I’m your boss?”

Gibbs snorted. “Dream on, DiNozzo.”

Tony broke into an open, friendly smile. “Were you looking for me?”

“Coffee.”

“Ah, I see.” Tony laughed, letting himself back into their make-do command center. Checking through Gibbs’ notes, Tony grabbed a pen and jotted some answers to a few of the special agent’s questions.

The names of the detectives were read carefully over. For the ten cases, there were a total of five. He considered the list. Tony knew only one of the men well, three by name, and the last not at all. He went through the first folder, making his own notes.

Gibbs returned with fresh coffee, settling at the table across from Tony. The men worked in relative silence for the next two hours, only the rustle of paper and occasional scritch of a pen heard.

Tony’s stomach growled, breaking the silence. “I need food. I don’t even know what time it is, but I need food now.”

“Where’s your watch?”

“In the shop. The crystal got busted during a fight.”

When Tony didn’t elaborate, Gibbs glanced at his watch. “It’s late afternoon. Might be a good time to break. Anyplace good to eat around here?”

“Hot and filling diner food, strong coffee and great desserts at a reasonable price. Sound good?”

“Sounds perfect.” A smile ruffled Gibbs’ mouth.

Locking the conference room behind them, the two men headed out of the station, unconsciously falling into step as they walked side by side down the street.

~NCIS~

Gibbs leaned back in his chair, relaxing over his empty pie plate and a freshened cup of coffee. He found himself amused by the detective’s whole-hearted enjoyment of the diner, from the food to the waitress, a grandmotherly type who seemed amused by DiNozzo’s flirting, to the ambiance of the authentic 1930s place.

“Need anything else, handsome?”

“Nah, I’m full, Louise. Thanks for the extra ice cream on my apple cobbler.” Tony patted his stomach.

“We owe you, Anthony DiNozzo. Extra ice cream doesn’t begin to repay that debt,” Louise said softly, her eyes narrowing. “Especially since you won’t let us feed you for free.”

Tony just took the check from her, waving off Gibbs’ move to pull out his wallet. “I’ve got this. You can spring for a pizza tonight.”

They remained at the diner, discussing the cases as Gibbs finished his coffee.

“The basic descriptions of the attacker appear almost identical in four of the six core cases. Compact frame, well-muscled, a thick crop of yellow hair.”

“Two victims mentioned a polished veneer, one swore he was wearing a high-end suit,” Tony said gloomily. “The follow-ups were meager, no viable suspect was named in any of the reports.”

“Bribery?”

“Or threats. I don’t know who, and I’m not a profiler, but I think I can guess some of the generalities.”

“Let’s hear it.” Gibbs was curious as to how much they agreed on the basics.

“Rich, powerful or from a powerful family, fairly young. Anger management issues. We probably would find a juvenile record for violence if they weren’t sealed.”

“Might even be expunged if your guess about the rich and powerful is right. What else?”

“I’m no profiler.”

“You’re an experienced cop.”

Tony blew his breath out, before continuing. “Small in stature, no more than five foot eight inches. That also fits with the marks on Faith’s arm. A small hand grabbed her, not the wide hands and thick fingers of our corporal.”

“Compensating for inadequacies?”

“That’s my guess.” Tilting his head, Tony watched Gibbs considering that assessment. He was relieved when the older man inclined his silver gray head in agreement.

“We have a basic description. Now all we have to do is put a name to this killer.”

Title: I Smiled

Author: Lizabeth S. Tucker

Rating: PG-13 (all the various ratings confuse me, so I'm going movie style)

Pairing: None

Spoilers: None really

Archive: Yes, just let me know where.

Summary: My version of how Gibbs and Tony first met in Baltimore. I thought it was time for me to try this.

Disclaimer: The characters in the story are the sole property of everyone but me. No money is received, even if I wish there was.
A/N: To kickstart my writing, I am actually writing as I post. It is why this will be the only place the story will be found until I'm done with it. Then it will be posted on FF.net, per usual.

By Lizabeth S. Tucker

1.

Rubbing the sleep, or lack of it, from his bloodshot green eyes, Baltimore Detective Anthony DiNozzo made his way through the onlookers to get to the crime scene. There was nothing like yellow tape and flashing blue lights to bring a crowd out. This particular group of nosy locals included hookers, drug dealers, and gang members, as well as some homeless from the area.

“Sorry about pulling you back out, Tony,” the heavyweight uniformed officer said while holding the tape up. “I know you just got off-duty a few hours ago.”

Tony ducked under the flimsy barricade. “Don’t worry about it, Lou. Guess Tidwell is still in a snit about his car.”

They walked together toward the refuse-filled alley. Officer Louis Donovan shook his head. “That wasn’t your fault, kid. Why don’t you tell the Captain that?”

“I doubt that he would believe me even if I did tell him who was behind the soaping, which I wouldn’t. I’m already on his hit list, so why should I bring anyone else along to be at his mercy?”

“You’re a better man than me, Tony. Sometimes.”

A quick grin was Tony’s only answer. He nodded toward the alley. “What’ve we got?”

“Looks like an attempted rape gone bad for the rapist. The intended victim, one Faith Lindsey, managed to kill her attacker before he could complete the act.”

Tony stopped at the edge of the scene, grimacing at the number of people milling around the body. He whistled shrilly. “Listen up, people! Just because the alleged perp is dead doesn’t mean you can mess up the scene. If you don’t have business here, clear out!”

Once the sightseeing police officers were gone from the alley, Tony had a clear view of the dead body. He moved closer, frowning at the sight of the uniform. “Damn, a Marine. Has anyone notified NCIS yet?”

“Yeah, I had dispatch do it,” Donovan replied. “Right after I called you. They’re sending someone over along with their medical examiner, Tony. Seems Doctor Raj is overloaded with work. Techs are on the way.”

“Where’s the victim?”

“Paramedics took Ms. Lindsey to Baltimore General.” Donovan held up his hand. “And before you ask, I sent Jake with her. He’ll get her clothes and any further statements she might make.”

“Good. What else can you tell me about what happened?”

Donovan referred to his notes. “I had some trouble getting a straight statement from her. Ms. Lindsey was a bit hysterical, poor little thing. She said that the Marine grabbed her as she was taking a shortcut to the bus stop. She managed to get loose and hit her assailant with a board. Unfortunately for him, the board was studded with nails.”

Tony walked around the dead body. “You called her a ‘poor little thing’. Ms. Lindsey isn’t big, she’s not muscular?”

“Nah, she’s hardly bigger than a minute.”

The detective stared down at the body of the six foot, well-trained military man. “Then how did she overpower him? It doesn’t make sense. What’s wrong with this picture?”

“Good question.”

Tony turned to see a man with salt and pepper hair staring at him with intense blue eyes. He took the new man’s measure, including the almost military haircut and posture. “You from NCIS?”

“Special Agent Gibbs. You in charge?”

“For the moment.” Tony held his hand out. He shrugged when Gibbs ignored it, the agent’s attention on the dead Marine. “Detective Anthony DiNozzo. You can call me Tony.”

“Maybe he was drunk or high on something,” Donovan said, referring to Tony’s earlier question.

“If he was, it’ll show on the blood workup. This is Doctor Mallard, our medical examiner.” Gibbs introduced the older man directing the placement of the gurney.

“Dr. Mallard, I understand NCIS will be handling the autopsy,” Tony said, nodding pleasantly.

“Yes, your ME asked if I would be willing. I hope you don’t mind,” Dr. Mallard said while kneeling next to the body.

“Fine with me. Raj is probably busy dealing with the Thompson Street apartment fire victims. Can you state the cause and time of death for our Marine?”

“Tony, I already told you all that,” Donovan protested.

“You know it has to be official, Lou.” Tony looked back at Mallard. “Doc?”

“Blunt force trauma to the skull is indicated. Something also appears to have penetrated and been ripped free.”

“Consistent with a nail-studded board?” Tony crouched down, barely registering the arrival of Baltimore Police Department crime scene technicians.

Mallard’s pale blue eyes considered the shape of the wounds, comparing them with the alleged weapon indicated by DiNozzo. “Possibly. I won’t know for certain until I have this young man back in autopsy.” He probed the dead Marine’s skull with his glove-covered fingers. “I can say that it appears that he was hit with extreme force.” He used the liver probe, checking the results. “The time of death would be approximately three hours ago.”

“That’s fairly consistent with our timeline. Thanks, Dr. Mallard. If you could let me know when the autopsy report is ready, I’ll come pick it up.” He handed the NCIS medical examiner his card.

“Of course.”

“You don’t believe he’s guilty.”

Tony frowned, considering Gibbs’ statement. “I don’t know. I just can’t put the pieces together. I need to see this woman.” He glanced up at the NCIS field agent. “Feel like a road trip?”

“I’ll drive. My car.”

“Sure. Lou, have one of the uniforms drive the sedan back to the station, willya?” He tossed the keys to Donovan, following Gibbs to his car.

Twenty minutes later, Tony was debating on his next move. “As soon as I manage to pry my fingers off the dashboard, I’m going to shoot you. Or throw up. Or both.”

“Stop whining, DiNozzo,” Gibbs snapped, glaring at the cop.

Tony slowly pulled himself out of the government-issue Taurus, convinced that his fingers would never straighten out. He fell into step with Gibbs, still grumbling about psychotic drivers and generally ignoring the non-verbal attempts to shut him up.

As they approached the emergency department, Tony finally stopped complaining. “Nurse Kathy! How’s my favorite caregiver?”

“Tony DiNozzo, what are you doing back here? I thought we had an agreement, no more ‘accidents or incidents’.”

“I’m not a patient this time, sweet lady. I’m here on business. Popeye Doyle and I need to see Faith Lindsey. Paramedics brought her in a while ago.”

Nurse Kathy nodded. “Assault and attempted rape.”

“That’s the one. Is she legit?”

The older woman pursed her lips.

“Kath?”

“She’s definitely been attacked. Her injuries are consistent with an attempted assault.”

“But?”

“Something is…off. I’ll leave it up to you to figure out what.” The nurse provided the examination room number and returned to her work.

“Know her well?” Gibbs asked as they walked down the hall.

“Yeah, Nurse Kathy is usually on duty whenever I have to visit here.”

“As a patient?”

“Sometimes.”

“Seems like most times based on what she said.”

“Captain Tidwell would tell you that I’m a bit disaster-prone.”

“Popeye Doyle?”

The grin flashed. “Oh, yeah. The French Connection. Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider. Had this kickass car chase scene. One of the best cop movies ever made.”

Any comment Gibbs might’ve made was held as they came to the exam room. A uniformed officer was standing just outside the door. Tony exchanged softly uttered greetings with the young red-haired man.

“She say anything, Jake?”

“Nothing, Tony. Cried for quite a while, refused the rape kit, and basically hasn’t said a word since we got here other than answering the doc’s questions. Am I free to leave?”

“Yeah, go ahead. Where are her personal effects?”

“Here. I put everything in a paper bag like you taught us.” He pointed to a chair slightly hidden behind him.

“Good job, Jake. And here I thought you were sleeping during my class.”

“Are you kidding? Not a chance. I want my own gold shield someday. Knowing what to do and what not to do will help.”

“Just hang in there, kid. Someday you’ll get one.” Tony clapped the earnest young patrolman on the shoulder. He took charge of the bag, pulling out a pen to initial and put a time on the bag. Once done, he nodded at Jake. “Go on, get back to work before Lou comes looking for you.”

“Thanks, Tony.” Officer Jake O’Brian left with a cheery wave.

Tony took a deep breath, his face and posture changing to someone a bit bashful and flustered. He slid hesitantly into the hospital room. “Ms. Lindsey?”

The young woman’s features were dainty, her wrists small. As Lou had said, she was just a tiny slip of a thing. “Y-yes?”

“I’m so sorry to bother you. I’m Offi…uh, Detective Anthony DiNozzo, Baltimore PD. This is Special Agent Gibbs from NCIS.” When he saw her puzzled glance at Gibbs, Tony clarified. “Naval Criminal Investigative Service.”

“Oh.” She began fidgeting with the thin off-white blanket covering her body.

“I just have a few questions to ask you.”

“I…I don’t know what I can…it happened so…”

“I know, Faith. May I call you Faith?” Tony’s demeanor was gentle, non-threatening. He kept his distance as well, never moving within reaching distance.

“Yes, I suppose so, Detective DiNozzo.”

“You can call me Tony, if you want.” The detective’s smile was charming and a bit rueful. “I haven’t been a detective very long. It kinda freaks me out to be called that.”

Faith began to relax, smiling tentatively. “Okay, Tony. I don’t really want to talk about it.”

“I know this is painful, but I’ve gotta write up a report of what happened before it can be closed.”

“I…I understand.”

Gibbs stood back, watching as DiNozzo gently and carefully led the young woman through the events of her day. She revealed that she had been working an extra shift as waitress at Connor’s Diner. The detective commiserated with her over being on her feet for such a long day, related how he handled it as a beat cop, and recommended some remedies for relieving the aches and pains.

Just as the increasingly impatient NCIS special agent was about to take over the questioning, DiNozzo got to the alley where the alleged attack occurred.

“You were heading to the bus stop after work?”

“Yes. I always go through the alley. So do others who work in the area.”

“During the day?”

Faith rubbed the back of her trembling hand across her swollen and bruised mouth. “I guess. I’ve never…I don’t usually work at night. I was working an extra shift.”

“Was anyone else in the alley when you got there?”

“I didn’t see anyone. Tony, can’t we just drop this? It’s over with, I’m okay. I don’t want to talk about it.”

Tony bent his head slightly forward. “A man died, Faith. A man who you claim attacked you. That man was a United States Marine. That’s why Special Agent Gibbs is here. I mean, if this guy, a decorated Marine, was so vicious as to attack a defenseless woman, there has to be an investigation. His family will have to be told what kind of man he really was.”

Her brows drew together in an agonized expression. “His family? He was married?”

Gibbs stepped forward. “Corporal Ramon Gonzalez was his name.” He didn’t answer the question about Gonzalez’s marital status, mostly because he didn’t know as yet.

Faith took a shuddery breath, her eyes darting between Gibbs and Tony.

Tony resumed the questioning. “You saw no one when you first stepped into the alley. What happened then?”

“Someone grabbed me from behind.” She gestured unconsciously toward her throat.

Tony pulled a small disposable camera from his jacket pocket. “Do you mind if I record your injuries? Just for the case file.”

“I suppose so.”

Tony had Faith hold open the neck of her hospital gown, taking photographs of the red marks across her throat. “Thank you, Faith. Go on.”

“An arm was choking me. I tried to get free, but he was so strong.” Faith could hardly lift her voice above a whisper. “He pushed me onto the pavement and…and began pulling at my dress.” Tears slid down her face.

“Faith, can you tell me how you got away?”

“I…I don’t know.”

“Was Gonzalez drunk? Did he seem to be high?”

“I don’t know,” she wailed. “I don’t know!”

“Okay, okay, Faith.” Tony moved closer, gently rubbing the sobbing woman’s arm. As the sleeve of the gown was pushed up, he noticed a series of finger-shaped bruises on her arm. He tossed the camera to Gibbs. “Just one more picture and we’ll leave.” Tony put his own hand next to the marks on her upper arm.

Gibbs quickly snapped the photograph, holding onto the camera as Tony carefully put the gown to rights.

“Faith, is there someone I can call for you? A family member or a friend maybe?” Tony asked softly. “They’ll need to bring you clothes to leave the hospital in.”

“The nurses called my roommate, Stella. She’ll be here soon,” Faith replied, a slight tremor in her voice. “Stella’s bringing something to wear.”

Tony wrote her address down in his notebook, handed Faith his card, and explained that he would be contacting her with more questions in a day or so. He nodded toward the door, following Gibbs out into the hallway.

Gibbs silently handed the camera back to the younger man. He saw a muscle quivering at DiNozzo’s jaw.

“Damn it.” He ran his fingers through his slightly long hair in frustration. “She’s lying.”

“Not about the attack.”

“No, just about who did it.”