Catalyst 9/?

[emerald_green37]

 

 

 

The annual antique festival almost tripled the town's population, so it was standing room only in the local coffee shop. Whitehorse and Gibbs plowed their way through, DiNozzo and David following in their wake, moving fast to avoid the crowd closing back in.

 

"Morning Sheriff, your usual?" The red-head behind the counter smiled as she picked up the glass carafe.

 

"Not this morning, Emma, official business." He stepped back and let Gibbs take over.

 

Gibbs moved closer and laid a photo of their missing man on the counter. "We think this man might have been here Tuesday morning, somewhere around 9:00 in the morning."

 

"Tuesday? During Antique Week? Are you kidding me? Wait a second, is this the guy the hunters have been out looking for?"

 

"Yes, ma'am. We know he was here to meet up with someone at the park at nine, hoping he grabbed some coffee before then." Gibbs waited while Emma obviously thought back, pulling out the weekly schedule to take a look. Off to the side, both Tony and Ziva were surprised that Gibbs didn't react at all to the attractive woman.

 

"Okay, our deliveries are on Tuesday and Friday mornings so I usually have an extra girl here with me while I deal with that idiot." She ran her finger down the column of names, finding the one she was looking for. "Tuesday morning it was Liz, so you're in luck."

 

Behind them the sheriff snorted and Gibbs looked at both of them. "Why am I in luck."

 

"Well, you see," Whitehorse rubbed the side of his face as he grinned, trying to find a tactful way to explain. "Let's just say that Lizzie puts a lot of effort into finding her next Mr. Right. A good looking young man like your lieutenant probably would have caught her attention in a big way."

 

By now Gibbs was smirking, too. "DiNozzo."

 

Tony stepped behind Ziva, wincing at the slight squeak to his voice. "Yeah, Boss."

 

"Since it looks like our man was actually in town instead of just lost in the woods, you and Ziva do some checking with the other businesses in the area. See if any of the motels had a no-show or someone that seems to have abandoned their room."

 

"No reservations were in his name, Boss. Probie already checked."

 

"So maybe the woman he was meeting made the reservations. Go."

 

Grateful to not be dealing with the manhunter, Tony grabbed Ziva's hand and hurried her out the door. Gibbs and Whitehorse waited long enough to order coffee before heading to the park.

 

 

---NCIS---

 

 

The difference between the laptop screen and the huge plasmas in MTAC gave a slightly distorted look to McGee as he updated the Director and Carter's commanding officer on the investigation.

 

Vance rubbed at his eyes. "Let me get this straight, it looks like he vanished in town, not thirty miles away in the woods?"

 

"It's still possible that his meeting with this woman had nothing to do with his disappearance, but it's certainly a lead worth following."

 

"All right, keep us posted – and McGee?"

 

They could tell he'd been reaching out to sever the link, but he froze on command. "Yes, Sir?"

 

"I just got word that Patterson is to be released next week."

 

Tim closed his eyes briefly before returning his attention to Vance. "Understood, Sir."

 

 

---NCIS---

 

 

"Lizzie?"

 

"Morning, Sheriff. What brings you out here so early this morning, and who's your friend?" Dressed in a semi-sheer nightgown, she made no effort to cover up as she held the door open for them.

 

"Down, girl, I think he might be a bit old for you."

 

She moved closer to hang on Gibbs' arm. "But with age comes – experience."

 

Gibbs peeled her off his arm and held up the picture. "You try to get any experience with this guy?"

 

Disappointed at being shot down, Liz took the photo and moved closer to the window for better light. "My Tuesday morning hunk. Shot me down faster than you did, sugar."

 

"Told you no?"

 

"Didn't have to. Had a bouquet of roses and ordered two coffees to go. You could tell the man had plans." Shrugging, she handed the picture back. "The last time I saw him he was crossing the street, towards the park."

 

"Do you know what time that was?"

 

"It was after Kevin left but before Joey arrived, so 8:45, maybe 8:50?"

 

"You keep track of all the men that come into the coffee shop?"

 

Lizzie played with the strap on her gown. "Only the hot ones. If I think real hard and come up with something, can I call you? Like the witnesses do on TV?" She held her hand out, obviously hoping for a card with his phone number on it. Gibbs just pointed out the sheriff.

 

"If you do, call him. He'll get the message to me." Gibbs marched out, not stopping until he was back at the patrol car. "Wow."

 

"Yeah, our Lizzie is something all right."

 

"Reminds me of an ex-wife of mine."

 

Whitehorse grinned as he opened his door. "Bet you're glad to get out of that one."

 

Climbing into the passenger side, Gibbs instinctively touched the back of his head. "Sheriff, you have no idea."

 

 

---NCIS---

 

 

Tim gave a little cheer to himself as he was able to find and open Carter's Hot-mail and G-mail accounts, only to groan as he realized the man used them for online dating services, a different email for each service. Scrolling through the thousands of emails in the first account, he saw a very long day ahead of him.

 

 

---NCIS---

 

 

DiNozzo and David met back up with Gibbs and Whitehorse at the park, finding a bench in the Northwest corner, just as McGee had told them. "Hey, Boss, you survive Miss Lizzie?"

 

"By the skin of my teeth. You two find anything?"

 

"Nothing. Found the shop where he probably bought the flowers, but it's on an honor system, so he probably never even went inside." Tony looked around at the small businesses that circled the park. "Too bad nobody has a surveillance system, we could use a camera about now."

 

Whitehorse looked around, his face lighting up. "We got something better, Agent DiNozzo, we've got a Gertrude." He headed across the street, the rest moving to keep up.

 

"Gertrude? What is it about this town and naming everything?"

 

Ziva shook her head at Tony. "I do not know, but if Gertrude is related to Charlie, I will not be happy."

 

In answer, Tony rubbed the top of his own head. "Or Norman."

 

 

 

Comments

[merzibelle]

*laugh* Ah, the joys of small town living. Having lived in a small town like that for a decade, I know it all too well. :) Why do I foresee lots of trouble coming for McGee soon?

[emerald_green37]

Yep, I grew up in a little town that would make Milford look huge. It had its drawbacks, that's for sure.

Trouble, really? *Emerald whistles innocently as she looks around.*

[merzibelle]

That it does... that it does...*grin* And you, innocent... uh huh... I should stock the bunker now, eh?

[emerald_green37]

Luck favors the prepared.

[merzibelle]

I'll go prepare the bunker then! :)