Special Agent 2: The Dark Soldier

Chapter 8

Loki knocked on the door of Millie Swenson's house. DiNozzo stood behind him, shooting a wary glance at the boarded up windows.

"Man," he said. "After all Palmer's stories, I wonder why people would want to live here."

Loki didn't get a chance to answer before the door was opened by a young woman in a baggy sweatshirt and leggings. "Yes?" she said cautiously, looking like she was ready to slam the door closed.

"Are you Millie Swenson?" DiNozzo asked. The woman nodded.

"We're from NCIS," Loki said as he and Tony displayed their badges. "Special Agents Laufeyson and DiNozzo. We need to ask you a few questions."

Millie rubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand. "Is this about that man that got shot?" she asked in an undertone.

"Yes," Loki said.

"Come in, come in." Millie beckoned them into the house and the two agents stepped inside. She led them into her kitchen, sweeping a pile of papers off the table and depositing it on the counter. "Don't mind my mess, I never have time to clean."

Loki and DiNozzo took seats at the table as Millie sat down, placing her arms on the table. She looked from one agent to the other. "What do you want to know?"

"Did you witness the murder of Navy Captain Samuel Morris?" DiNozzo asked, showing her the captain's picture on his phone.

Millie peered at it and then nodded. "Yes, I did."

"Did you see who killed him?" Loki asked.

Millie nodded again. "There were two. Three if you count their getaway driver – he drove a black Sudan – but only two were there when they shot him. The ghost and his companion."

DiNozzo frowned. "What ghost?"

"The ghost of Ghost Street," Millie replied, a touch wryly. "He showed up after the captain dropped to the ground. The shooter wasn't anywhere near him when he was shot."

"I guess Palmer was right about the ghost killing people," DiNozzo muttered to Loki.

"What about his companion?" Loki asked. "Who are they?"

Millie thought for a moment. "She's not a ghost, not like he is. She's more aware of her connection to this world than he is. But I don't know who she is. She always wears a mask."

"Does she carry a weapon?"

"A rifle, on her back."

Loki was getting that bad feeling again. "Can you describe her at all?"

"Dark hair?" Millie offered. "Dark clothes. She's Caucasian. But that's all I can say. I don't get too close when they're here."

Sounds enough like Sniper.

"Are they here often?" DiNozzo asked.

Millie pursed her lips. "No? I don't see them that often. Occasionally, they show up here, usually near the building in front of where the captain was shot."

"Tell us about the ghost," Loki said.

"Dark hair, shoulder length," Millie began. "He wears a mask, too. Dark clothes. His gun is smaller than hers. His most distinctive feature is the silver arm, painted with a red star."

"Silver?" Loki repeated.

"I think it is made of metal," Millie replied. A knock sounded on the door and she stood. "Excuse me a moment."

"If you don't mind me asking," DiNozzo started as she headed to leave the kitchen. "Why do you live here in the first place?"

"It's cheap," came Millie's reply, followed by the sound of the door opening.