JD was glad for the slight reprieve that Abby gave him. When he called her she asked him to meet her in her lab, so that he could fully explain and show her what he had found so far. Abby thought it would be better if she knew everything JD knew before taking the evidence to Gibbs. JD couldn’t fault her logic. The young ATF agent knew he was up to the task of briefing the no nonsense former Marine, working for Chris “Glarabee” more or less made you immune to the intimidation tactics which he had seen Gibbs employ thus far, but there was still that small part of him who was that kid from Boston still trying to prove himself and afraid he would be found wanting. Except this time instead of only disappointing himself he would be letting his whole team down. The reputation of the Magnificent 7 was not something that he wanted to tarnish.
His assessment of Abby, from the time he had spent with her and Tim in the lab last evening proved to be more than accurate. She quickly saw the hacked code and how it was disrupting the systems’ ability to function. She also knew that there were very few people who had both the necessary access to the system to add this type of code and the knowledge to carry out the changes.
They had gone together back to the bullpen, JD stopping only to have Vin and Ezra accompany them as JD explained to Gibbs what was wrong with the computer system.
So here JD sat calmly, as Gibbs ranted at him. He calmly and professionally answered all of the questions the NCIS team leader had for him. This only seemed to infuriate the man further. JD explained that it was a “white collar” crime, and that a full investigation would have to be held to determine the parties who were responsible.
“Yes, we will.”Gibbs said with a steely eyes glare. A glare that had broken many marines, but had little effect on the young ATF agent in front of him.
JD was undaunted by Gibbs attempts at intimidation. If it had been a few years ago he may have behaved differently but working for Chris “Glarabee” had cured him of any fear he may have had towards older domineering glaring federal agents.
JD then said. “I have made arrangements for one of my per diem contractors to come and repair the damage to your computer systems. She is well versed in the system as well as having some expertise in forensic computing, so-”
Even though he did not have the authority, technically, Gibbs had never let that stop him before and he was not going to let it stop him now. He cut off JD in mid sentence.
“There is no need. Until the investigation is done no one from your company is to have access to these computers. I also need you to leave the premises Agent Dunne. It is a conflict of interest.”
JD gathered up his belongings and printouts. Ezra and Vin did the same they were shareholders in the company and as such were sure that Gibbs would want them to leave as well.
Gibbs did not want the ATF agent to leave with the papers he had. JD willingly surrendered the printouts outlining the changed code. He had already downloaded a copy on to his laptop. Gibbs couldn’t understand how the younger man could remain so calm and collected.
“Leave whatever you would have your tech work on here, I’ll have Abby and McGee fix whatever your company fucked up.” Gibbs said deliberately trying to get a rise out of the younger man.
Ezra who had let JD, as the principle partner in the company, handle the discussion up to this point, decided now was the time to intervene.
“I’m afraid Agent Gibbs we cannot allow that.” Ezra spoke softly but with assurance. His southern accent genteel but his words themselves showed his determination.
“I’m sorry Agent Standish but I wasn’t speaking to you…”
Ezra cut Gibbs off this time, an occurrence he was sure the older man rarely had happen to him. “No Agent Gibbs I am sorry. That software is proprietary. We will have a court injunction against your agency if anyone so much as looks at it in an odd manner, never mind trying to rewrite the code… I assume you want anyone with ties to the company to vacate the building? To recuse themselves from the investigation?” at Gibbs slight curt nod, Ezra grabbed his suit coat and called to his cousin, “Let us depart these premises Anthony, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Dunne.”
Tony had watched the exchange silently. He knew that the lack of response from the young ATF agent caused Gibbs to become more frustrated than usual. When Gibbs was frustrated anger was the only emotion he was capable of displaying.
Tony was impressed. He had seen few people stand up to Gibbs the way JD had, most especially someone so young. Tony did so on occasion but always only to a point. Never crossing an invisible line that Gibbs had drawn in the sand as it were.
Tony grabbed his gear and jacket at Ezra’s prompting. If Gibbs really wanted everyone involved with the company off the investigation that meant that he was off too. He was one of the larger share holders in the small but prosperous company.
*************************************
McGee sat in horrified fascination. He had not worked with Agent Gibbs and his team that often but at the very least he had a healthy respect for Gibbs and his infamous glare. OK if Tim were completely honest with himself Gibbs had a tendency to scare him shitless. To be the subject of a Gibbs interrogation even an informal one was one of his worst nightmares. Gibbs affected most people that way. Even Marines back from war tended to break down in the face of Gibbs interrogation techniques. Yet here was a young man only a year or two older than himself seeming unconcerned for the ire directed towards him. Not a marine or other military man either, a geek not all that different than Tim himself. Tim was impressed and frightened all at the same time, wondering what in the young man’s life had happened that a full on Gibbs glare had no effect on him. What concerned him more was what he had found buried in the code. Abby had called him before she and JD came up to the bullpen. She told him what JD had found and since then McGee had been going through the code line by line as carefully as possible and he thought he found something. He motioned Abby over to look at what he was seeing for a second opinion. As he did this he caught the end of the exchange between the southern agent and Gibbs.
He hoped that Gibbs reconsidered. If they lost complete access to the software never mind decreasing their productivity, it could seriously hamper the investigation. Someone with more knowledge of forensic computing would be ideal for his job.
*********************************
Gibbs saw with that the ATF agents were gathering their coats to leave the building. That’s when he noticed his own agent looking as if he was planning to go with them.
“Sit back down DiNozzo, you aren’t going anywhere!” Gibbs growled at his agent.
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