“Okay, so what does ‘Sleep, Holy, Honest, Forever’ mean?” Abby continued grilling Noah for information.
“Actually, this is a very ancient language. Words have slightly different meanings than what your modern research might tell you. A better translation would be ‘Paradise, Perfect, Pure, Perpetual’, referring to what was then revered as the religion of vampirism. In actuality, vampirism is not a religion or even a school of thought; it is a physical alteration that can happen to people from all walks of life – regardless of theology or philosophy,” he explained.
“Okay,” Abby replied. “That helps. What about the actual medallion?”
“At the time these medallions were first created, people didn’t know what ‘radioactive’ meant. All the elite knew was that the ‘power’ of the medallion would harm those they considered inferior.”
“Isn’t a werewolf affected by radiation poisoning as easily as a human?” McGee questioned.
“Not really,” Noah explained. “It is impossible to kill a werewolf using poison or any other slow-acting agent because of the rate at which a werewolf heals.”
“That makes sense,” Abby agreed, remembering her own research and training. “So which theory do you think is most likely?” she asked.
“I don’t like any of them,” he said, frustrated.
“We got a lead, boss,” DiNozzo rose from his chair. “The Suburban was spotted heading East on Highway 9 about ten minutes ago,” he added.
“Ziva, you’re with us… Let’s move!” Gibbs shouted, grabbing his coffee as he rushed to the elevator.
They took separate vehicles. Tony stopped to speak to the convenient store owner who reported seeing the vehicle; Gibbs and Ziva drove in the direction the SUV had last been seen.
“He stopped in for cigarettes,” the store owner, Bob, explained, after giving Tony the physical description of the man driving the vehicle. “I recognized the truck. I always keep my police scanner on, you know,” he continued.
“Did he purchase anything besides cigarettes?” DiNozzo questioned.
“Just the Winstons,” Bob confirmed. “I kept his money out in case you wanted to get some prints off it; he wasn’t wearing gloves or nothing,” he continued. Tony smiled. A Colombo wannabe. “I even bagged it for you. There’s a few crumbs in that bag, but it outta be alright.”
“Thank you, Bob,” Tony said. “You’ve been a big help.”
“Oh, that ain’t all,” Bob continued. “He also touched this here counter,” he said animatedly. “I imagine his’d be the only set of prints on both the money and the counter. Besides mine, of course,” he hurriedly amended.
“Of course,” Tony repeated. “You wouldn’t happen to have surveillance video of the interior or exterior of the store?”
Bob’s face fell. “We used to,” he admitted. “Now the cameras are there, but they don’t work no more.”
“I appreciate your willingness to assist in the investigation, Bob,” Tony said with a smile.
“Oh, I’m happy to help,” he continued. “I watch CSI all the time.”
“I’m sure you do,” Tony quipped.
“You gonna get these prints off the counter?” Bob asked, as Tony was moving toward the door.
“Actually, Bob, I was going to ask you to close early so we can fully examine the scene. We may need to you come down for more questioning.”
Bob’s face broke into a huge grin. “Happy to oblige,” he said. “I can’t wait to tell the family about this!”
“Gibbs” he answered his ringing phone, frustrated that he and Ziva had been unable to pick up a trail.
“Hey, boss,” Tony said. He filled him in on the situation at the convenience store. “A team is on their way to examine the scene.”
“No need,” Gibbs responded curtly. “Take the prints yourself, take a few photos, and bring the owner in for additional questioning. Send him to the sketch artist for a rendering.”
“On it,” Tony said quickly disconnecting.
Noah entered the empty office, and then closed and secured the door. He knew he had to make contact with others for information. The master who made him had been executed centuries before, but his master’s master still lived on. He remained in hiding, like most of the ancient ones, but still held much power without surfacing. Noah closed his eyes, his mind completely focused on otherworldly things. Within moments, he had the telepathic audience he desired.
‘Master, it appears a group of our kind has become interested in the work of the Alchemists’ Guild,’ Noah informed him. ‘They have abducted a werewolf friend of mine, and are trying to make her by force.’
‘That is impossible, even for an ancient one,’ the older vampire confirmed. ‘What has led you to believe this is the group responsible?’
‘They left an AG medallion at the scene of the abduction,’ Noah responded. “And they made a werewolf before, but he was mad and easily defeated. I believe I have a usurper in my ranks.’
‘Noah, I will seek answers among the other ancient ones. Some of those still living were active when the Guild was in its prime. I suspect the culprits are new, eager vampires who have heard too many stories, but it would benefit no one to approach this situation without exploring every angle,” the older vampire continued.
‘Thank you,’ Noah continued. ‘I will continue to investigate my people as well.’
‘Keep me apprised,’ the older vampire said as they broke their mental connection.
Back in the bullpen, things were finally coming together. Abby had been able to ascertain the identity of the driver using the evidence collected at Bob’s Quik Stop. The man’s picture showed a strong likeness to the sketch rendered from Bob’s description. The man’s name was Wesley Caper. His wrap sheet showed a series of petty crimes, but nothing serious. He was unknown to the NPID, which led them to believe he had only just been recruited for this mission. A careful review of Mr. Caper’s financial records revealed several deposits into an offshore account in his name over the course of the past ten months. McGee was working frantically to uncover the source of the funds.
“Gibbs,” he answered his phone with a heavy sigh.
“Agent Gibbs, this is Morgan Sullivan,” the caller said in a frantic voice. “I’ve been trying to reach Maggie and it’s a matter of utmost importance.”
“Morgan,” Gibbs answered, unsure of himself for the first time in a long while. “What seems to be the problem?” he put off giving too much information.
“My youngest daughter, Shannon, has been taken,” Morgan’s voice showed his nervousness and concern. “My Annie is just beside herself with worry. We don’t know how it happened…”
“When?” Gibbs barked the question, standing from his seat.
“She wasn’t in her room this morning when we went to check on her. At first we weren’t concerned because she’s an early riser and likes to walk along the shore. But after much searching, we cannot find her anywhere. I don’t want to alarm Maggie, but I thought…”
“Morgan, we will do our best to find your daughter. Maggie has been taken as well.” We are following some leads, and the information we have could help lead us to your daughter as well,” Gibbs explaining, hoping the man would allow them to investigate, but somehow knowing they were about to have some more Irish visitors. He knew no one could keep him away if it was his daughter in danger.
“Either they are hoping young Shannon will be easier to manipulate, or they are planning to use her to force Maggie into agreement,” Noah stated the obvious.
“Either way, I don’t like it,” Gibbs muttered. “McGee! Money trail?” he questioned impatiently.
“I’ve traced the deposits back to a company by the name of Calliope Enterprises, but I haven’t been able to find any information on the entity at all. Someone has taken extreme measures to secure the company’s information,” McGee reported.
“Calliope Enterprises…” Tony brainstormed. “We came across that name when we were investigating Lenny, Boss.”
“And…?” Gibbs asked.
“And I don’t remember, but I’m looking,” Tony said, his fingers racing across the keys of his keyboard.
“Calliope Enterprises: a new force for tomorrow,” Ziva recited, having beaten Tony to the report. Tony stuck his tongue out at her. She smiled. “The owner is…”
“Estelle,” Noah interrupted, his mind unable to comprehend the latest turn of events. “Darn it! I should have known!” He immediately began reviewing her role in Lenny’s capture. There were times when things that should have been easy were difficult. But it had been so easy in the end – because she had given him up to protect herself. In all that time, he hadn’t suspected her.
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