Chapter 5:
"Okay…don't forget to breathe guys," said Tony in an effort to break the silence. The team was still staring at Fornell like he had a third eye on his forehead.
"Hey! Snap out of it! Yes, before you ask, he is serious. We have work to do people," Gibbs shouted. It worked well enough, everyone seemed to come out of their dazed expressions and looked at him waiting for instructions. "Fornell, why don't you bring everyone up to speed?"
Nodding, Fornell took a deep breath before continuing. "We've been monitoring a drug-trafficking ring for the past few months. So far all my team and I have managed to do is catch the guys distributing heroin on the streets. We also know who supplies it, but what we are missing is the middle, that is, we don't know how the drugs are being transported from one location to another."
"And is there a specific reason as to why you need NCIS help?" asked McGee.
"Or do you not have any decent agents to do this sort of undercover work?" Abby said smartly.
"We have reason to believe that two Petty Officers have been using their jobs as tour guides on the Youghiogheny River to transport the drugs. They carry it down the river, and sometime during the trips they drop off their load to whoever is waiting to pick it up. This weekend is the first opportunity we have had to send anyone in," said Fornell.
"Why this weekend only? Sounds like you have been tracking these guys for a while now," observed Ziva.
"All of the trips are on weekends, usually specific group types, such as a father son outing, and require reservations. The only reason we were able to get in on this trip is because one father son team had to cancel at the last minute. Seems the son's wife went into labor early," continued Fornell.
"Talk about dumb luck," said Tony.
"No kidding," agreed Fornell. Looking at Gibbs, he asked, "Are you sure about this Jethro? My agent is more than capable…"
"For the last time, Fornell, yes. We finished this part of the conversation in the Director's office. Now when exactly does this trip start?" retorted Gibbs.
"The actual rafting trip doesn't start until Saturday, but there is a check-in on Friday evening. You stay in a cabin, you meet everyone else going along and the tour guides give you instructions and the like on what to expect on the water," answered Fornell.
"Alright. McGee, Ziva, I want you to work with Fornell on getting background information on the Petty Officers and the drug operation. Start making plans to keep track of everything and be ready to provide any necessary back up. Abby, you are going to need to provide Tony and me some fake ids. Let's go Dinozzo. We have to work on our background story," Gibbs barked out his orders. "We are on a timeline, people. Let's get moving!"
"Perhaps I could be of assistance on your background story Jethro?" asked Ducky, the amusement obvious in his voice.
"Sure thing Ducky," grinned Gibbs.
So Gibbs, Ducky, Tony and Abby headed for the elevator that would take them to Abby's lab as McGee and Ziva started questioning Fornell for more information.
'More like an interrogation,' thought Fornell with annoyance.
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