Chapter 16: Sins of the Past
[MTAC, NCIS HQ, Navy Yard]
In the dimly lit confines of MTAC, the large screen displayed the seal of the United States Navy as the video call connected. Gibbs stood with his arms to his sides. Beside him, Alex maintained a calm posture, his eyes fixed on the screen as they waited for the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) to appear.
The connection stabilised, and the stern face of SECNAV, Edward Sheffield, popped on the screen. His expression was unreadable, a blend of authority and concern. He leaned forward slightly, his voice carrying the weight of his position as he spoke.
"Gibbs, Alex," SECNAV began, nodding to both men. "I understand there's been a bit of a situation with the Governor of Virginia. He called me personally, and he's not happy."
Gibbs didn't flinch. "With all due respect, sir, I don't care if the Governor's happy or not. I or My team isn't getting involved with Kyle Boon, not for any reason."
SECNAV's eyes narrowed slightly. "You know how sensitive this is, Gibbs. The Governor is under immense pressure from the public and the families of Boon's victims. The bodies of the women he killed haven't been found for a decade, and now, with Boon set to be executed in two days, he's claiming he'll reveal their location if, and only if, you meet with him."
Gibbs shook his head, his eyes cold. "Boon's playing us, sir. He's done this before. He's a manipulative bastard. He's had years to come clean, and now, two days before his execution, he does this? No, I refuse to play his game."
"What do you think, Alex?" asked the SECNAV.
Alex, who had been listening intently, finally spoke up. "He's a wildcard, and I doubt he'll provide anything useful without trying to play us. If we engage with him, we're giving him exactly what he wants—power over us, over the victims' families, and over the state. Frankly, Sir... it's a no-win situation."
SECNAV nodded slowly, "The Governor believes that finding those bodies is worth any price, even if it means giving Boon what he wants. And I am of the same opinion. This is the last chance for us to give proper closure to the families of the victims."
Gibbs was unrelenting. "Boon's been playing games with law enforcement for years. He enjoys the attention, the control. We give him what he wants; we're just feeding into his ego. This isn't about solving cases for him—it's about power."
SECNAV's gaze sharpened. "I understand your concerns, But you need to consider the political implications. The Governor isn't going to back down easily. So I will give you an out: Meet with Kyle Boon; if he is for real, then good; otherwise, leave and let the bastard fry in 2 days. Does that work, Gibbs?"
"...Yes, Sir."
"Then it's settled. Good luck, gentlemen."
As the screen shut down, Alex could tell Gibbs wasn't happy. His jaw clenched tightly, a clear sign of his displeasure. Alex could feel the tension radiating off him, but he knew better than to offer empty words.
"Damn Politics."
" We got forced into a corner, Boss. But we can still control how we handle this. We go in, get what we need, and get out. No games."
Gibbs said nothing; he knew things wouldn't be that easy. He exited from Mtac to his desk at the bullpen and got his sidearm.
"Where you are going, boss?" asked Dinozzo.
"Sussex State Prison, to interview Kyle Boone. Be gone the rest of the day."
"Catch ya later, guys." said Alex as he waved them goodbye
[Bullpen, NCIS HQ, Navy Yard]
"That's the guy, right? Lt. Alex Bishop, the one who saved Kate," asked Agent Paula Cassidy.
Agent Paula Cassidy was at HQ at the request of the Gov. of Virginia to act as his liaison and provide Gibbs with any support.
As Gibbs and Alex left the building, Tony DiNozzo leaned back in his chair, spinning a pen between his fingers. He turned to face Paula Cassidy, who had just asked about Alex Bishop. "Yep, that's the guy," Tony confirmed, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Lieutenant Alex Bishop, the Navy's golden boy. The one who swooped in and saved the day."
Paula raised an eyebrow. "You sound like you're not impressed, DiNozzo."
Tony smirked. "Oh, I'm impressed. The guy's practically a poster boy for recruitment ads. Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Stars… it's like he collects them like Pokémon cards."
Tim McGee, sitting at his desk nearby, couldn't help but chime in. "Tony, you know that's not fair. Bishop earned those medals in some of the toughest situations imaginable. He's one of the most decorated officers in the Navy."
Tony turned his chair to face McGee, his smirk widening. "Well, McGeek, sounds like someone has a bit of a man crush on the Lieutenant, huh? You got his file pulled up and everything. "
McGee rolled his eyes. He brought up Alex's file on the large plasma screen, listing off some of the decorations. ". Medal of Honor for valour in Afghanistan, Navy Cross for actions during Operation Watchtower, three Silver Stars for gallantry in combat, a Combat Action Ribbon, National Defence Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal…"
Tony interrupted with a chuckle. "Wow, McGee. You are memorizing his whole résumé. Are you planning to ask him out?"
Cassidy, who had been quietly observing, stepped in with a grin. "Tony, I think you're just jealous because Bishop's got more medals than your bad pickup lines."
Tony feigned a wounded expression. "Jealous? Please. I'm just saying the guy's a bit of a poser. Probably one of those types who writes his own Wikipedia page."
McGee frowned, his voice defensive. "That's not true, Tony. Bishop's reputation isn't just about medals; he's known for being a great soldier, someone who's willing to go to any lengths to protect his team. You don't get the Medal of Honor by being a poser."
Paula nodded in agreement. "McGee's right. I've heard stories about Bishop too. He's been on some of the most dangerous missions out there, and he's still standing."
Tony raised an eyebrow. "You mean like standing in MTAC, listening to SECNAV lecture Gibbs? Doesn't sound that heroic to me."
Cassidy leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "You know, Tony, you could learn a thing or two from him. Maybe if you did, you'd finally get that promotion you keep whining about."
Tony grinned, leaning in toward Paula. "Looks like someone else also got a crush. You've got that look—like you'd follow Bishop into a burning building."
Paula didn't miss a beat. "Only if you were the one who started the fire, DiNozzo."
McGee chuckled, appreciating the quick back-and-forth. He added, "Honestly, Tony, I think you'd like Bishop if you gave him a chance. He's got a dry sense of humor, kind of like you."
Tony raised both hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll reserve judgment until I get to know the guy. But if he starts quoting Navy regs or someshit, I'm out."
.
.
.
On route to the prison, Alex went through the files once more. Kyle Thomas Boone was a notorious serial killer responsible for killing many women in Virginia. His mother was a Hooker his father was one of her customers. In the 1990s, Boone began killing in Washington, D.C., claiming the lives of at least twenty women.
His mistake was that Kyle murdered Navy Petty Officer Desiree Ann Rivera, causing NCIS to become involved. Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs was the one who arrested him. Gibbs spent five months interrogating, but Boone refused to give up the location of his victims.
Finally, in 3 days, he's getting the chair.
[Sussex State Prison, Virginia]
Once they reached the parking lot of the prison, Alex got a whiff of a familiar scent: the smell of dried blood. He traced the smell to the trunk of a black BMW. He walked over to it casually so as not to alert anyone, including Gibbs.
'definitely human, but it looks like it's been a while.' Alex could tell currently the trunk was empty, and it's been a while since the body was moved.
"Today, Bishop."
"Coming, Boss."
Inside the the prison, the officer in charge of boon was talking with Gibbs about the man who had the same opinion as Gibbs. He knew Boone wouldn't reveal anything and knew they were being stupid for humouring him. Meanwhile, looking for someone.
"Special Agent Gibbs? I'm Adam O'Neill, Kyle Boone's attorney. I really appreciate your coming."
'Polo.' Alex found who was looking for.
Adam O'Neill was making a case for Boone; he was trying for Life in Prison instead of the Death Penalty for Boone.
" I truly believe that my client's intentions are sincere, Agent Gibbs."
"The day I arrested your client, we found two human female tongues in his refrigerator."
"I am the attorney; I'm familiar with the case."
"Are you familiar with his victims? "
"I'm here trying to save a man's life."
"Does Boone want a deal? "
"No. Mr. Boone wants the chair for his crimes. I'm the one hoping to get him life in prison."
Gibbs wished him good luck as he went to talk with Kyle Boone. Apparently, he wanted a one-on-one with Gibbs, with nobody else present.
Over the years, Alex has come into contact with all kinds of people: Psychopaths, Sociopaths, Narcissists, and Histrionics, to name a few. Alex could tell this man, Adam O'Neill, was a sociopath, a high-functioning one at that. He looked well dressed and seemed to really care about his client, the serial killer, but everything he spewed was a lie. It was hard to tell from his body language, but Alex could tell from the heartbeat. While Gibbs interviewed Boone, Alex was observing O'Neill.
.
.
.
Boone's smile faded, replaced by something darker. "You always were somewhat predictable, Gibbs. That's what makes this so fun. But this, I am serious, Gibbs. To prove my sincerity, I will give a gift."
Gibbs narrowed his eyes.
"You see, I've left something for you, Gibbs. Something to remember me by."
Gibbs' expression didn't change, but there was a shift in the room's atmosphere.
"What are you talking about?"
Boone leaned back, a sinister grin curling his lips. "At my old house, the one you've searched so many times. I think you'll find something... interesting in the .... You know what, I won't spoil the surprise."
Gibbs remained silent, the tension between the two men like a taut wire ready to snap. Boone's smile grew as he realized he had piqued Gibbs' interest.
"You want to know what it is, don't you?" Boone taunted. "But you'll have to go and see for yourself. Maybe then you'll understand."
He turned on his heel and left the room, his jaw clenched. As he exited, Alex noticed a fleeting change in Lawyers' demeanour.
For the first time, O'Neill's mask slipped. A slight, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as if he found some dark amusement in the situation. It was enough to confirm Alex's suspicions about the attorney.
Gibbs stormed past Alex, his voice a low growl as he spoke. "Boone says there's something at his old house. We're checking it out."
Alex nodded and followed Gibbs. He didn't discuss his suspicion of the lawyer with Gibbs; there was no probable cause or any indication of trouble, and he wouldn't be able to bring up any points without raising suspicion about himself.
<<scene break>>
The team found a scrapbook containing all the pictures of the victims from Boon's chimney. The initial inspection confirmed that there were at least 25 women in that book. Gibbs had Boone moved from the maximum security prison to NCIS HQ.
[Forensic lab, NCIS]
Abby Sciuto, clad in her usual gothic attire, leaned over her workstation, her fingers dancing across the keyboard as she meticulously examined the gruesome scrapbook filled with photos of Boone's victims. The dim light of the lab cast long shadows, but Abby was unfazed, focused entirely on the task at hand. McGee was sitting next to her, while Alex was in the inner lab figuring out something.
"There were 27 women in the scrapbook, McGee," Abby said, her voice steady despite the gruesome subject matter. She glanced over at Timothy McGee, who was deeply focused on his own work at a nearby station. "As far as I can tell, they're in the order that they were killed."
McGee, absorbed in his analysis, didn't respond. Abby, used to McGee's tendency to get lost in his thoughts, continued, "Now, Boone has admitted to killing 22, which matches the photos in the files the FBI sent over. You'd think that would leave us with five Jane Does, but you'd be wrong because I know who the first victim is."
Still, there was no reaction from McGee. Abby frowned, noticing his lack of engagement. "You're not listening to a word I'm saying," she remarked, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.
Determined to get his attention, Abby decided to throw him a curveball. "I'm pregnant, McGee. Twins."
McGee remained silent, his eyes still glued to his screen. Abby, her lips curling into a mischievous smile, pushed the joke further. "I haven't told the father yet. It's Gibbs. I know it's wrong, but something about his silver hair just gets me all tingly inside."
"Excuse me for a sec. I think I'm gonna vomit," said Tony who who entered the lab as he heard what Abby said,
"I'm joking, Tony," she said just as Tony DiNozzo walked into the lab.
"Except for the part about Gibbs' hair," Tony quipped. "That is really hot."
Abby rolled her eyes, her playful demeanour shifting as she turned her attention back to McGee. "McGee is ignoring me again," she said, crossing her arms in mock indignation.
Tony, never missing an opportunity to tease, responded with a smirk, "Easily fixable." said Tony as he smacked the back of McGee's head.
"Ouch."
"Stop ignoring Abby. She's sensitive," Tony advised, shaking his head with mock seriousness.
"I'm sorry," McGee said earnestly, his focus now fully on Abby. "I was concentrating."
Trying to make amends, McGee quickly redirected the conversation back to the task at hand. "I think I know how we can find Boone's victims without Gibbs having to talk to him."
Abby's curiosity was piqued, and she leaned in slightly, eager to hear his idea. "I'm listening," she said.
McGee pointed to the screen, where he had been analyzing the photos from the scrapbook. "There are distinctive geographical and man-made features in several of these pictures. Here's a stream and what may be a bridge. Up here appears to be a power line."
Tony, who had been peering over McGee's shoulder, squinted at the images. "Or some dirt on a picture," he suggested, ever the skeptic.
McGee ignored the comment, focused on the larger picture. "If I can make a land plot, create scale by computing the distances between these points, then we can—"
Tony interrupted, shaking his head. "Okay, streams and power lines? It would take years searching just one county, McGee. Never mind a state."
McGee nodded, acknowledging the challenge but remaining optimistic. "Yeah, for us, Tony. But not for a computer."
Abby's expression shifted as she realized the potential of McGee's idea. "Satellite imagery? I should have thought of that."
Abby, already thinking ahead, jumped in. "I need to figure out a way to calculate an accurate scale."
McGee, still thinking aloud, added, "Polaroid cameras have a fixed focal length. That's a good start."
Abby nodded, her mind working through the logistics. "I'm gonna need one known measurement."
Without hesitation, McGee replied, "Pick one body, and I'll pull her stats."
"Three known vectors should do it," Abby calculated quickly, her tone confident.
Tony, who had been trying to follow the technical jargon, threw up his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. Enough with the geek-speak."
Realizing they needed to update Gibbs, Tony turned to Abby. "Gibbs wants to know how many victims we've ID'd."
Abby sighed, the weight of the investigation settling back on her shoulders. "All except for the last four in the scrapbook. We're running them against missing person reports prior to Gibbs putting Boone behind bars. No matches yet."
McGee, still focused on his screen, spoke up again. "The one that stands out the most is the first victim. She disappeared in 1974."
Tony's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you sure about that, Abs? Boone was just a kid back then."
Abby's expression darkened as she revealed the chilling truth. "I know. And it turns out his mother did not abandon him. She was his first kill."
Just then, Alex finished what he was doing and walked towards them.
"I think I have a better solution for finding the dumping site; Call Gibbs and Cassidy; the situation just turned way worse."
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