Émission TV: NCIS - 21x1
Good morning, Dr.
Mallard.
Just me.
Hey, Solo, good morning.
Did you two sleep in again, huh?
What is that?
Is that Bach?
Book tours always bring him back to Bach, don't they? "
Art is how we decorate space.
Music is how we decorate time."
Now, who was it who said that, Dr.
Mallard?
Was that, uh...
Was that Basquiat?
Or was that you?
Dr.
Mallard.
Ducky?
McGee?
You okay?
Yeah.
Yeah, I'm okay.
It's so hard to believe, man.
Yeah.
Well, dying quietly in your sleep isn't the worst way to go.
I think even after all these years, most of us just assumed he would live forever.
Uh, yes, Ambassador, donations to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and, again, that's in lieu of flowers, okay?
Please.
Right, um...
Yep, thank you very much.
Bye.
Talking the Scottish Parliament into not sending an entire mountain of thistles, that's-that's harder than you think.
Yeah, flowers we have plenty of.
Magnolias from the New Orleans office, roses from L.A.
Cherry blossoms from the Far East office, golden wattles from Sydney.
And now...
these beautiful plumerias from our friends in Hawai'i.
Those are beautiful.
Uh, they're kind of small, though.
Oh, no, these reeds are just for us.
They will be 20 more of these at the funeral this weekend.
Garden keeps growing, I see.
From all corners of the world.
As well-intentioned as they are, they don't seem to help, do they?
Well, Director, you would know better than most.
Well...
none of us are strangers to loss, Agent McGee.
Dr.
Mallard would be the first to remind us that he lived a very long, very rewarding life.
Which he'd want us to celebrate, more than anything.
Any suggestions as to how to do that?
That's a good question, Ms.
Hines.
You know, I often go back to, um...
...something Dr.
Mallard wrote to me after my wife died.
He said...
we all die twice.
Once when our bodies give out, and again when our stories stop being told.
I suggest we keep the good doctor with us by sharing his stories.
I think Jimmy needs to hear that.
Is he still in Ducky's office?
Still feeling guilty about not being there the night Ducky died.
Well, he couldn't have known.
I mean, the man was strong as an ox, he just finished another book tour.
Yeah, but apparently Ducky called Jimmy earlier that night wanting to discuss some old case.
Jimmy said that he would be by in the morning and that's when he found him.
Jimmy is going through his office now, trying to figure out what he wanted to talk to him about.
Plenty to look through down there.
Indeed.
But that was hardly the case not too long ago. "
Dr.
Donald Mallard, MD.
NCIS Historian"?
Your office still needs work.
Yes, it does.
Never forget, Mr.
Palmer, experience is the ultimate teacher.
I think we're running out of room.
Yes, it will be lonely in the Mallardian tonight.
Until I am buried, there will be stories to tell.
And I look forward to telling them.
You're awfully close to that body, Timothy.
You have a long ride coming up here, Palmer?
He wouldn't let me drive.
I begged and begged.
Dr.
Mallard.
Ma'am, excuse me...
Dr.
Mallard!
You've been ignoring my calls.
I'm sorry, wh-- Yeah, you're sorry.
What kind of person are you, anyway?
Hey, first of all-- First of all, you promised me you'd help clear my family's name.
And now what?
You just ghost me?
Jimmy, hey, how you doing?
Find what you were looking for?
No.
But I think it found me.
Everyone, this is Serena.
Again, I'm-I'm so sorry.
I had no idea that Dr.
Mallard passed so soon after I spoke to him.
Spoke to him about what?
Uh, it was a few days ago.
He promised to help clear my dad's name.
That was Marine Sargeant Daniel Zawadski, he was killed in Afghanistan, May 2013.
I was only seven, so...
all this time, I thought my dad died in combat.
You know, a war hero.
Until...
Go ahead.
Until that jerk councilman started spreading lies about him.
Wait, wait, wait.
What lies?
What councilman?
Berger.
Allan Berger?
BergTel Technology?
That guy's loaded.
Yeah, that's the one.
Now he's running for Senate.
In Kabul, I worked with some great Marines.
But I'm here to tell you our military is rotting from within.
We have drug-addled deserters in our ranks, like Dan Zawadski, who I told you about earlier.
Well, as senator, I will rid our military of every bad apple just like him.
All right, he goes on like that for a while.
Yeah, and then it went viral.
So now every college I apply to thinks that I lied on my essay.
So, I asked my mom to tell me what really happened and...
Turns out she'd been sparing me the truth all these years.
Official record has Zawadski listed as UA before being found shot to death in a, uh...
An Afghan brothel.
With heroin in his system.
Or so my mom was told.
Uh, granted, it was a low blow to call out your father by name, but...
What makes you think the councilman lied?
Your Dr.
Mallard.
She emailed him, hoping to find her father's autopsy report.
Now, naturally, Dr.
Mallard remembered his case and he called her right back.
And he was pretty sure there were no drugs in my dad's system.
But he did want to double-check the autopsy report.
That sounds easy enough, Jimmy.
How long would it take you to dig up the original autopsy?
I already asked Kasie to find it.
And I found part of it.
Cause of death was a .44 caliber bullet, but other than Ducky's signature, everything else is redacted.
What?
Redacted by who?
And why?
What is going on?
We're going to find out, Serena, I promise you.
Well, if it was Ducky's last mission to clear Serena's dad's name...
You can bet your ass we're gonna complete it.
McGee.
I'll pull Zawadski's record.
I'll find the incident report.
Dr.
Mallard started keeping detailed case journals at his house.
I could try to find them.
Take Knight with you.
I'll see if the director can help us with this councilman.
Yeah, Victoria's so excited we adopted Solo.
Oh, there's a little bit of a woman's touch in this place.
Was Ducky ever married?
He wasn't.
Some of this stuff actually comes from the original Victoria.
Right there.
His late mother.
Hmm.
And she was into motorcycles?
Actually, that was Dr.
Mallard.
He had a need for speed all his own.
ATVs, motorcycles, you name it.
Trains?
No, I-- Wait.
I haven't seen that in years.
It's actually a family heirloom.
We used to have it up in our lab.
Behold the model of my namesake, the Mallard.
Magnificent locomotive.
Set the world's speed record for a steam engine back in 1938.
You really knew the man like no one else, Jimmy.
I mean, to think of all the things the two of you have been through together.
Yeah.
Remember the time we were chased through the woods together?
You mean our first date?
How could I forget?
Hate to say it, Jess, but...
you weren't my first.
What's the plan?
Well, we-we sit here and wait for them to find us.
We don't have time to strategize any more than that.
Give me the gun.
Fine by me.
Wait.
Why?
Because I have military firearms training.
With a musket.
Doctor, that was 50 years ago.
It's better than your none.
I will have you know, I have prestiged six times in Black Ops II.
Do I even want to know?
It's not like I want the gun, okay?
It's just that it's very dark out and...
Frankly, your eyesight is not what it used to be.
I beg your pardon?
I know that was not going to end well.
You keep that up, I may have to ask you to leave again.
Wait.
What happened?
Oh, you know, lots of fighting and shooting, our team saving the day.
So now you decide to get humble.
Well, at least Ducky didn't have to pull a bullet out of your ass.
Oh, hey, look at this.
His journal.
Oh, just one?
Yes, but, uh...
I think it only covers about the last three years or so.
Well, look, there's six more of them.
So, say, three years each?
Wow.
Ducky's handwriting.
Not that great.
Yeah, well, he's a doctor.
But look at the way that it's all laid out here, huh?
I swear, he is the most organized man I know.
Knew.
Forgive the informality, gentlemen.
Um, campaign trail's got me hopping.
What can I do for NCIS?
It's about a deceased Marine you've been mentioning in your speeches, Councilman.
Sargeant Daniel Zawadski.
Oh, yeah.
An unfortunate case, that one.
Actually, we're reaching out on behalf of his daughter.
He had a daughter?
He does.
A teenager who knew a much different version of her dad before you publicly disparaged him, so, um...
unnecessarily.
I wouldn't say there's anything unnecessary about the truth.
Fair enough.
But we were wondering if, in the future, when you're making your point, you would not call out the sergeant by name.
Oh, of course.
See, this is why I hate politics.
It's the only reason I said anything.
My opponent's been trying to make my proximity to some dead Marine sound nefarious.
And by proximity you mean...?
My family's company, BergTel, was hired to rebuild Kabul's power grid.
The Marines assigned Zawadski to be my bodyguard and-and he seemed okay at first.
Until I realized he was doped up half the time.
And before I could have him replaced, he turned up dead.
It would sure help if the autopsy report supported that claim.
According to the State Department, it was redacted because Zawadski was killed while UA.
Even I don't have access to it.
But our ME recalled something odd about his body.
So we were wondering...
what else you might remember.
Me?
Why not ask your ME?
Unfortunately, our Dr.
Mallard just passed away.
Well, my condolences.
But I just told you all I know.
I feel terrible about the kid, but I stand by my message.
And given Zawadski's bad habits, his death likely saved my life and countless others.
And no one's saying otherwise, Councilman.
We're just trying to get some answers.
Along with getting you to stop bashing the kid's father.
Message received, Agent Parker.
But we're on the same team here, gentlemen.
So, a little mutual respect would be appreciated.
And we will all do our best.
Absolutely.
I'll certainly lay off Zawadski and wish you both good luck getting your answers.
Thank you, Councilman, I-- Guess he's in a hurry.
You just can't help poking the bear, can you?
Not when that bear practically spit-takes at the mention of Ducky's autopsy, no.
No, I think he knows something, Leon.
Yeah, but without Ducky, we don't.
Damn, every single case is exactly four pages.
This man was organized.
That's what Jimmy said.
You know Ducky didn't even have a junk drawer in his house?
Who doesn't have a junk drawer?
Well, DA confirms it.
Zawadski was dishonorably discharged after his death in 2013 for desertion.
So...
my councilman buddy has that part right, at least.
Yeah, and as far as the junkie part, that's not a big stretch, considering where Zawadski's body was found.
So all we have to go on is, uh, Ducky's...
teeny tiny words.
Yeah, and I'm not finding a single word about the Zawadski case.
That's because it wasn't our team's case.
It took me a while to realize it, but these are all of Dr.
Mallard's greatest hits from our team, so only our stories are included.
Yeah, I'm not so sure about greatest hits, Jimmy.
I'm looking at Ducky's last entry, right before he died, here, and...
just scribbled a note to himself. "
Palmer will be here in the a.m. "
Our answer lies with the team, however cluttered it might be."
So he's saying that we have the answer?
But what did he mean by "cluttered"?
Yeah, it's an odd choice of words.
Yeah, you can call our team a lot of things, but cluttered is not one of them.
Well, he did write it in his last hours.
Did we ever get a hold of Zawadski's old platoonmates?
Yeah, Torres and I talked to a few of them.
They said he was a great man and even better Marine.
And not one of them recall him having a drug problem.
Some addicts are real good at hiding it, but I don't know, how did he keep it from his closest friends?
Yeah, it doesn't seem likely.
Neither does this.
You got something?
Well, how was Ducky friends with Gibbs for 20 years, and yet he didn't know about his family?
Ducky wrote about that?
The night you retired, you asked me to drive you home.
You didn't say a single word the entire trip.
No explanation.
Not even a goodbye.
And Kelly and Shannon.
All those years of friendship together, and somehow you failed to mention that you have a family.
I had.
Had a family.
You know how I feel about apologies, right?
Yeah, they're a sign of weakness.
Not between friends.
I am sorry, Ducky.
I should've told you.
That's it.
That's what we need.
What do we need?
Zawadski's best friend.
We need to find his Ducky to get some answers.
Hmm.
Agent McGee.
Uh, yeah, send her up.
Serena.
She's asking for us.
Kid's tenacious, I'll give her that.
I just wish we had more to tell her.
That's okay, that's not why I'm here.
I have something for you.
Not another campaign video?
Not this time.
It's a voicemail I got about an hour ago.
MAN Don't believe Berger, kid.
He's got your dad all wrong.
Semper Fi.
And that's it?
No...
no name, no caller ID?
Nothing.
But I know who it is.
Who?
Well, I don't know him, but it has to be the same guy who sends me a few bucks every Christmas.
And he never signs the card, either.
No name, just "Semper Fi."
Serena, I'm gonna need your phone to trace that call.
Here you go.
Thanks.
So we're looking for a payphone.
Actually like a, like an existing payphone?
Yep, there are exactly eight still operational in D.C.
And this is the one where Serena's voicemail came from.
Mm, hey, hey, hey, before we go, can you explain this mysterious entry from Ducky?
Mysterious how? "
McGee plus "poison ivy, equals...
unforgettable."
End quote.
Please tell me he didn't write that.
Let's see what we're dealing with here, Timothy.
Ah, the dreaded Toxicodendron radicans.
The poison ivy plant.
What I don't understand is how did I get it all over my face?
It's the urushiol oil in the plant.
Yes, once it gets on your hands, it spreads by contact.
Um, then I have a major problem, Ducky.
When I was out there, I, um, I had to...
you know.
No, I don't.
Relieve myself.
Oh.
Oh.
Well, uh...
let's take a look, then.
Good lord.
What?
What, is it bad?
No, no.
It's fine, fine.
Uh, nothing to worry about.
I didn't...
expect to s-- to see quite...
so much swelling.
If Tony finds out about this, I'm gonna have to quit.
Well, your secret is safe with me.
Doctor, I've got the new inspection forms you req-- I'll come back.
Him I'm not so sure about.
That may seem hilarious now, but, believe me, it was not at the time.
Though you don't seem to be laughing.
Oh, believe me, I'm cracking up on the inside.
I am wondering why Jimmy never told me about it.
Well, 'cause Jimmy's discreet.
Much like my boy Nick, right?
Of course, bro code will be honored.
Thanks.
There's our payphone.
Yeah, like an ancient artifact.
Except they need it more than the Smithsonian.
Hello.
NCIS.
Uh-oh.
Everything okay?
So far.
You know where we can find any, uh, Marine veterans around here?
Specifically a male veteran who may have used this payphone.
Would've served in Kabul around 2011.
That might be Jonesy.
He helps us out quite a bit.
I've heard him talk about Kabul.
You know where we could Jonesy?
His encampment's right around the corner.
One of these tents is not like the others.
Clean, tightly made.
Yeah, that's a Marine bunk.
Hey!
What the hell are you doing?
Get away from my stuff.
Are you Jonesy?
Who wants to know?
NCIS.
Whoa.
Hey, hold on!
Hold on!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
We just want to talk.
Wait, hold on.
I'm sorry!
I'm sorry!
Just calm down, take a deep breath.
What are you sorry for?
Berger sent you, didn't he?
The councilman?
You were honorably discharged in 2014 and...
it's been a pretty rough road ever since.
You could say that.
What makes you think that Councilman Berger sent people after you?
I misspoke, sir.
I was confused.
Sometimes my brain doesn't make sense.
Uh, certain things I did in Afghanistan...
...stuck with me.
And that's why you ran?
I've also done things here I'm not proud of.
Just surviving, you know?
You know who this girl is?
Is that Danny's girl?
My God.
She's all grown up.
You called her today.
Yes, sir.
I served with her dad.
When Berger said what he said, I wanted to set the record straight for her.
Which maybe made you a little paranoid about Berger sending people after you?
Yeah, maybe.
Why set the record straight?
You think the councilman was lying about her dad?
Danny Zawadski was a good man.
And he would never desert.
Never get mixed up in anything bad.
He was your friend.
Absolutely, he was.
Was there any bad blood between Zawadski and the councilman back then?
I just don't want to get involved.
Please.
When was the last time you ate, man?
Can we get you anything?
I wouldn't mind a sandwich.
Come with us.
I hate to see our men in uniform struggle like that.
Fear, paranoia, depression.
Checks all the boxes for post-traumatic stress.
And to top it off...
that Marine lost one of the only people who was always there for him.
You okay, Leon?
I'm fine.
Let's just say I can relate.
I can relate all too well.
What's the word, Doctor?
Owens went down fighting.
I would hope so.
My condolences, Director.
I understand this man was a-an acquaintance of yours.
I hadn't seen him in some time.
But once, you were quite close.
Gibbs was here.
What's his issue?
There is a lack of recorded evidence that Owens was ever a Marine.
You can't believe everything you read on a piece of paper.
Ducky helped you set things right.
Not just Dr.
Mallard.
Whole team.
Like it's always been around here.
Dr.
Mallard's role was...
well...
I suppose...
he provided a little glue to keep us all together.
Don't go falling apart on me, bud.
Falling apart?
Kasie, I'm fine.
I just wish I had more to do, you know?
But since this case doesn't have any forensic evidence or a body to examine, I figured we use this extra time, maybe get a little spring cleaning done.
Though it is not spring.
Well, you know what they say, early bird gets the...
...clean countertops.
Would you mind moving this over there?
Bet you can guess who it's from.
Yep, mm-hmm.
Forgive me, Mr.
Palmer.
But I can't resist the urge to give you one of my all-time favorite pieces of advice.
If you're going through hell, keep going.
It's clean.
I just don't want to be down in Autopsy, Kase, not right now.
I know.
We had so much time.
I mean, how many stories of his did I listen to?
How many hours did we spend in that van after I got us lost?
And all that time, I am not sure...
...I ever told him how I really felt about him.
Jimmy.
Why do we do that?
Why do we hold back on telling people every day how much they mean to us?
You two told each other constantly.
Of course he knew.
In fact, I know he felt the same way.
What's going on?
I am properly displaying your artwork.
All these should be shown and admired.
I can't believe that you did this.
I am touched.
Well, consider it a parting gift.
Parting gift?
You going somewhere?
Indeed I am.
You can call it a globetrotting adventure.
But...
you just got back.
You have proven yourself more than capable in the last year, Dr.
Palmer.
I have no doubt that you'll continue to hold the fort while I'm gone.
Sure, but...
you will be back, right?
Of course.
And when I return in the new year, I shall have many more stories to relate.
You are one in a million, Doctor.
True.
We tell our friends we love them through our actions.
And you two acted it all the time.
You're pretty great at advice, you know that?
Yeah, well...
learned it from the best.
And, Jimmy...
I love you.
Now...
let's get these out of here.
I keep my lab very clean.
I was almost insulted.
Still looking for something to do, Jimmy?
Uh...
Jonesy, Jimmy.
Jimmy, Jonesy.
How was the sandwich?
Really hit the spot.
Thank you.
I'm feeling a lot better now.
So, uh, Agent Knight tells me that, uh, you don't want to talk about Afghanistan?
I'd rather not, sir.
I understand.
D-Do you ever think about your friend, Zawadski?
Every day.
What do you think he'd say about the situation?
I can't ask a dead man what he thinks about my problems.
We know how hard this is.
That's why I brought Jimmy here.
He just lost someone important to him, too.
Sorry to hear it.
Thank you.
You know, it was actually my friend's job to...
speak to the dead.
Seriously?
Yeah.
I watched him do it.
All the time.
And...
...more often than not, they gave him the answers he needed.
This case should be known as a simple lesson in forensic pathology.
Know who is on your table and talk to them.
While they're on the slab, Doctor?
Oh, that's where they reveal their secrets.
You are...
part of a proud and noble tradition, Sergeant LeMere.
It will be my honor to provide your widow with any measure of peace that I can.
If you listen, the dead will speak.
That happened.
The dead spoke.
If Zawadski could speak...
...what would he say to you right now?
He'd tell me to stop being so scared.
He'd want me to do what's right and tell you everything.
So tell us.
We're here to help you.
I don't know if you can, but...
That Councilman Berger...
is as crooked as they come.
Crooked how?
When he was a contractor in Kabul, he was taking money from a local heroin operation.
Taking money for what?
For cover, to make sure we never saw it.
But Danny worked protection for Berger and found out, so...
...of course...
he went off base one night, and...
tried to find some evidence.
At the brothel?
Hell no, ma'am.
He went where the heroin was being made.
Bet that's where he was killed, too.
Everything else was just a smokescreen.
To...
discredit your friend?
That's right.
Jonesy, are you sure about all this?
I was on the desk that night, and I'm the one who signed Zawadski out.
So, when he didn't come back, I knew something went really wrong.
And you thought Berger was involved?
The next day, I did.
Before the whole base found out, he had me give him the logbook, and he tore that page out of it, told me that Danny had gone UA.
Well-well, then, why didn't you tell your CO?
Berger's got his whole powerful family behind him.
So Berger threatened you?
Said he was glad I knew my place, that I could get hurt out there.
Like I said, I did things over there I'm not proud of.
You can reverse that.
If you're willing to say all of this in court, we can put him away.
You think so?
Who's the jury gonna trust?
Hell, I wouldn't trust me.
A homeless guy's word against some rich politician?
He...
got...
away.
Not...
if you...
stop him.
These files are organized perfectly, but no autopsy report.
Yeah, same here.
Very tidy, but no reports.
We have to find something fast.
The councilman will be here in 45 minutes, and he is none too pleased about coming in.
Well, if he had any part of that Marine's death, I say, too bad.
Yeah, if we don't have some solid proof, this guy is not above playing dirty.
He'll smear Jones and discredit us while he's at it.
He'll definitely scare Jones away from testifying.
So we need something.
All right, Ducky said that the answer lies with the team.
You were on the team ten years ago, McGee, so you may have the answer and not even know it.
Wait a minute.
The team.
Like I said, everybody's got a junk drawer.
However cluttered it may be.
How long before Berger gets here?
42 minutes.
I'm calling for backup now.
We just need a few more minutes.
I know Jonesy was telling the truth.
We're gonna find it.
Kase, I have a few more discs for you.
Okay, thank you.
Uh, Vance can't stall the councilman any longer.
Just keep looking till you find Ducky's answer.
First, you make me wait half an hour.
Then, you start asking if there was-- sorry, how'd you put it-- uh, bad blood between me and Zawadski?
Well, was there?
What the hell kind of outfit are you running here?
You know, I-I...
I think NCIS might have too much time on their hands, and-and, also, maybe too much funding.
Message received, but it's not gonna stop us from doing our job.
Your job harassing public figures?
Our job is providing peace for families of fallen service members.
Hey, Councilman.
Sorry to interrupt.
Just, uh, dropping something off here.
Don't mind me.
Sounds like my cue to leave.
Councilman?
Have a seat.
There's no need to defend myself against some homeless guy's ridiculous story.
Well, I have a story here, too.
Nothing, uh, ridiculous about it.
It's about a, uh, Marine who was assigned to protect a private contractor.
A contractor who was accepting bribes for an Afghan heroin operation.
You just throw made-up crap against the wall and hope it sticks?
I'm not making up a thing, Berger.
Our Dr.
Mallard performed the autopsy on Zawadski, and he made...
thorough notes. "
Photos show the sergeant had "postmortem lividity on his chest, "yet was found face-up. "
This indicates his body was moved "at least four hours after death. "
Tox results show no illicit drugs in his system. "
However, on his clothing were traces "of acetic anhydride, "a chemical used in perfume-making, "as well as playing a critical role in heroin production."
Thank you, Dr.
Mallard.
You started the lie about Zawadski's drug problem.
He only had the chemical on him by investigating your heroin op.
Oh, so, it's my heroin op?
You killed him and you moved his body and you used your family's power and influence to have his autopsy redacted.
Look, this man-- he was a deserter.
Not according to the Marine whose logbook you ripped a page out of.
What Marine?
You.
Me.
And so, it is with deep regret that I hereby suspend my campaign for the Senate.
I will not be taking any questions at this time.
Thank you.
Bye-bye.
I can't thank you all enough.
Your father served his country honorably.
It's only fitting that his dishonorable discharge be reversed.
It'll make college a lot easier this fall, not having my last name in the papers.
Speaking of which, Dr.
Mallard made a call to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation just before his death, and he recommended you for tuition assistance.
I am happy to report you will be receiving a call...
and a scholarship.
Congratulations.
Thank you so much.
Oh, my gosh.
I think Dr.
Mallard would have loved to have watched us solve this case.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, he would have loved to be the one to catch the bad guy.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
How about you, Jimmy?
You okay?
Yeah, have you got your eulogy ready?
Uh, yeah.
Actually came to me surprisingly easily.
Is everything all right?
Is everything...?
No.
No, it's not.
It's-it's not at all.
I...
I had just about enough of people leaving this year, just one after another.
Breena.
And then Bishop, and...
now Gibbs.
Jimmy...
yesterday is over, sad as that may seem, but...
...change is the essence of life.
I know that, Doctor, but...
...this feels like a death.
I miss him, too, but Jethro isn't dead.
From what I hear, it sounds as if he's starting to live life again.
Possibly...
for the first time since losing his family.
If that is the case, I don't mourn his departure.
I'm grateful for it.
Our pain...
is a small price to pay for his peace.
Ducky always had the right words.
Certainly knew how to talk.
Yeah, a lot.
We'll be upstairs, Jimmy.
Okay?
Yeah.
I'll give you a moment.
Thanks.
Here we go.
Yes.
Ah.
Autopsy gremlin.
Tony.
Are we here to celebrate a great man, or what?
And I figured, Duckman would want a little DiNozzo magic at his party.
Of course he would.
And as I'm only passing through, I thought I'd bring you a little something.
Duty-free, Heathrow.
I had a connecting flight, and after a couple glasses of champagne, I thought, "This would look very good on Mr.
Palmer."
All right, well, you're gonna have to help me.
Okay?
'Cause I have absolutely no idea how to tie one of those.
Well, fortunate for you, I am the son of Anthony DiNozzo, Sr., so, had a little bit of practice.
Reminds me of time I was in Borneo.
Sarawak, Dr.
Palmer.
Sarawak.
Yes.
I was an officiant at a wedding for a young boy and his rather vulnerable arranged bride.
He was frightened to death, sick to his stomach.
He vomited all over her.
And the altar, and the priest.
I always feared I perhaps had secured his bowtie a bit too tight.
I'm really glad you're here, Tony.
Wouldn't miss it for the world.
Been telling stories all week about Dr.
Mallard.
You know.
The whole team.
Yeah.
A lot of stories.
I guess that's...
that's all we have in the end, right?
Is just...
just the stories we leave behind.
Hmm.
I wouldn't say only that, Jimbo.
We also have the lives we touch while we are here.
The people we leave behind.
He had a good friend in you.
Hey, guys, we're gonna be late.
We got to get going.
Tick, tick, boom.
McHurry, what is it with you and the clock?
By the way, I want to talk to you about the movie selection last night.
Which one do you like better?
And I mean, not to pick favorites, but instant classics, both of them.
But such different leading, uh, characters, you know?
Captioning sponsored by CBS and TOYOTA.
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org
Mallard.
Just me.
Hey, Solo, good morning.
Did you two sleep in again, huh?
What is that?
Is that Bach?
Book tours always bring him back to Bach, don't they? "
Art is how we decorate space.
Music is how we decorate time."
Now, who was it who said that, Dr.
Mallard?
Was that, uh...
Was that Basquiat?
Or was that you?
Dr.
Mallard.
Ducky?
McGee?
You okay?
Yeah.
Yeah, I'm okay.
It's so hard to believe, man.
Yeah.
Well, dying quietly in your sleep isn't the worst way to go.
I think even after all these years, most of us just assumed he would live forever.
Uh, yes, Ambassador, donations to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and, again, that's in lieu of flowers, okay?
Please.
Right, um...
Yep, thank you very much.
Bye.
Talking the Scottish Parliament into not sending an entire mountain of thistles, that's-that's harder than you think.
Yeah, flowers we have plenty of.
Magnolias from the New Orleans office, roses from L.A.
Cherry blossoms from the Far East office, golden wattles from Sydney.
And now...
these beautiful plumerias from our friends in Hawai'i.
Those are beautiful.
Uh, they're kind of small, though.
Oh, no, these reeds are just for us.
They will be 20 more of these at the funeral this weekend.
Garden keeps growing, I see.
From all corners of the world.
As well-intentioned as they are, they don't seem to help, do they?
Well, Director, you would know better than most.
Well...
none of us are strangers to loss, Agent McGee.
Dr.
Mallard would be the first to remind us that he lived a very long, very rewarding life.
Which he'd want us to celebrate, more than anything.
Any suggestions as to how to do that?
That's a good question, Ms.
Hines.
You know, I often go back to, um...
...something Dr.
Mallard wrote to me after my wife died.
He said...
we all die twice.
Once when our bodies give out, and again when our stories stop being told.
I suggest we keep the good doctor with us by sharing his stories.
I think Jimmy needs to hear that.
Is he still in Ducky's office?
Still feeling guilty about not being there the night Ducky died.
Well, he couldn't have known.
I mean, the man was strong as an ox, he just finished another book tour.
Yeah, but apparently Ducky called Jimmy earlier that night wanting to discuss some old case.
Jimmy said that he would be by in the morning and that's when he found him.
Jimmy is going through his office now, trying to figure out what he wanted to talk to him about.
Plenty to look through down there.
Indeed.
But that was hardly the case not too long ago. "
Dr.
Donald Mallard, MD.
NCIS Historian"?
Your office still needs work.
Yes, it does.
Never forget, Mr.
Palmer, experience is the ultimate teacher.
I think we're running out of room.
Yes, it will be lonely in the Mallardian tonight.
Until I am buried, there will be stories to tell.
And I look forward to telling them.
You're awfully close to that body, Timothy.
You have a long ride coming up here, Palmer?
He wouldn't let me drive.
I begged and begged.
Dr.
Mallard.
Ma'am, excuse me...
Dr.
Mallard!
You've been ignoring my calls.
I'm sorry, wh-- Yeah, you're sorry.
What kind of person are you, anyway?
Hey, first of all-- First of all, you promised me you'd help clear my family's name.
And now what?
You just ghost me?
Jimmy, hey, how you doing?
Find what you were looking for?
No.
But I think it found me.
Everyone, this is Serena.
Again, I'm-I'm so sorry.
I had no idea that Dr.
Mallard passed so soon after I spoke to him.
Spoke to him about what?
Uh, it was a few days ago.
He promised to help clear my dad's name.
That was Marine Sargeant Daniel Zawadski, he was killed in Afghanistan, May 2013.
I was only seven, so...
all this time, I thought my dad died in combat.
You know, a war hero.
Until...
Go ahead.
Until that jerk councilman started spreading lies about him.
Wait, wait, wait.
What lies?
What councilman?
Berger.
Allan Berger?
BergTel Technology?
That guy's loaded.
Yeah, that's the one.
Now he's running for Senate.
In Kabul, I worked with some great Marines.
But I'm here to tell you our military is rotting from within.
We have drug-addled deserters in our ranks, like Dan Zawadski, who I told you about earlier.
Well, as senator, I will rid our military of every bad apple just like him.
All right, he goes on like that for a while.
Yeah, and then it went viral.
So now every college I apply to thinks that I lied on my essay.
So, I asked my mom to tell me what really happened and...
Turns out she'd been sparing me the truth all these years.
Official record has Zawadski listed as UA before being found shot to death in a, uh...
An Afghan brothel.
With heroin in his system.
Or so my mom was told.
Uh, granted, it was a low blow to call out your father by name, but...
What makes you think the councilman lied?
Your Dr.
Mallard.
She emailed him, hoping to find her father's autopsy report.
Now, naturally, Dr.
Mallard remembered his case and he called her right back.
And he was pretty sure there were no drugs in my dad's system.
But he did want to double-check the autopsy report.
That sounds easy enough, Jimmy.
How long would it take you to dig up the original autopsy?
I already asked Kasie to find it.
And I found part of it.
Cause of death was a .44 caliber bullet, but other than Ducky's signature, everything else is redacted.
What?
Redacted by who?
And why?
What is going on?
We're going to find out, Serena, I promise you.
Well, if it was Ducky's last mission to clear Serena's dad's name...
You can bet your ass we're gonna complete it.
McGee.
I'll pull Zawadski's record.
I'll find the incident report.
Dr.
Mallard started keeping detailed case journals at his house.
I could try to find them.
Take Knight with you.
I'll see if the director can help us with this councilman.
Yeah, Victoria's so excited we adopted Solo.
Oh, there's a little bit of a woman's touch in this place.
Was Ducky ever married?
He wasn't.
Some of this stuff actually comes from the original Victoria.
Right there.
His late mother.
Hmm.
And she was into motorcycles?
Actually, that was Dr.
Mallard.
He had a need for speed all his own.
ATVs, motorcycles, you name it.
Trains?
No, I-- Wait.
I haven't seen that in years.
It's actually a family heirloom.
We used to have it up in our lab.
Behold the model of my namesake, the Mallard.
Magnificent locomotive.
Set the world's speed record for a steam engine back in 1938.
You really knew the man like no one else, Jimmy.
I mean, to think of all the things the two of you have been through together.
Yeah.
Remember the time we were chased through the woods together?
You mean our first date?
How could I forget?
Hate to say it, Jess, but...
you weren't my first.
What's the plan?
Well, we-we sit here and wait for them to find us.
We don't have time to strategize any more than that.
Give me the gun.
Fine by me.
Wait.
Why?
Because I have military firearms training.
With a musket.
Doctor, that was 50 years ago.
It's better than your none.
I will have you know, I have prestiged six times in Black Ops II.
Do I even want to know?
It's not like I want the gun, okay?
It's just that it's very dark out and...
Frankly, your eyesight is not what it used to be.
I beg your pardon?
I know that was not going to end well.
You keep that up, I may have to ask you to leave again.
Wait.
What happened?
Oh, you know, lots of fighting and shooting, our team saving the day.
So now you decide to get humble.
Well, at least Ducky didn't have to pull a bullet out of your ass.
Oh, hey, look at this.
His journal.
Oh, just one?
Yes, but, uh...
I think it only covers about the last three years or so.
Well, look, there's six more of them.
So, say, three years each?
Wow.
Ducky's handwriting.
Not that great.
Yeah, well, he's a doctor.
But look at the way that it's all laid out here, huh?
I swear, he is the most organized man I know.
Knew.
Forgive the informality, gentlemen.
Um, campaign trail's got me hopping.
What can I do for NCIS?
It's about a deceased Marine you've been mentioning in your speeches, Councilman.
Sargeant Daniel Zawadski.
Oh, yeah.
An unfortunate case, that one.
Actually, we're reaching out on behalf of his daughter.
He had a daughter?
He does.
A teenager who knew a much different version of her dad before you publicly disparaged him, so, um...
unnecessarily.
I wouldn't say there's anything unnecessary about the truth.
Fair enough.
But we were wondering if, in the future, when you're making your point, you would not call out the sergeant by name.
Oh, of course.
See, this is why I hate politics.
It's the only reason I said anything.
My opponent's been trying to make my proximity to some dead Marine sound nefarious.
And by proximity you mean...?
My family's company, BergTel, was hired to rebuild Kabul's power grid.
The Marines assigned Zawadski to be my bodyguard and-and he seemed okay at first.
Until I realized he was doped up half the time.
And before I could have him replaced, he turned up dead.
It would sure help if the autopsy report supported that claim.
According to the State Department, it was redacted because Zawadski was killed while UA.
Even I don't have access to it.
But our ME recalled something odd about his body.
So we were wondering...
what else you might remember.
Me?
Why not ask your ME?
Unfortunately, our Dr.
Mallard just passed away.
Well, my condolences.
But I just told you all I know.
I feel terrible about the kid, but I stand by my message.
And given Zawadski's bad habits, his death likely saved my life and countless others.
And no one's saying otherwise, Councilman.
We're just trying to get some answers.
Along with getting you to stop bashing the kid's father.
Message received, Agent Parker.
But we're on the same team here, gentlemen.
So, a little mutual respect would be appreciated.
And we will all do our best.
Absolutely.
I'll certainly lay off Zawadski and wish you both good luck getting your answers.
Thank you, Councilman, I-- Guess he's in a hurry.
You just can't help poking the bear, can you?
Not when that bear practically spit-takes at the mention of Ducky's autopsy, no.
No, I think he knows something, Leon.
Yeah, but without Ducky, we don't.
Damn, every single case is exactly four pages.
This man was organized.
That's what Jimmy said.
You know Ducky didn't even have a junk drawer in his house?
Who doesn't have a junk drawer?
Well, DA confirms it.
Zawadski was dishonorably discharged after his death in 2013 for desertion.
So...
my councilman buddy has that part right, at least.
Yeah, and as far as the junkie part, that's not a big stretch, considering where Zawadski's body was found.
So all we have to go on is, uh, Ducky's...
teeny tiny words.
Yeah, and I'm not finding a single word about the Zawadski case.
That's because it wasn't our team's case.
It took me a while to realize it, but these are all of Dr.
Mallard's greatest hits from our team, so only our stories are included.
Yeah, I'm not so sure about greatest hits, Jimmy.
I'm looking at Ducky's last entry, right before he died, here, and...
just scribbled a note to himself. "
Palmer will be here in the a.m. "
Our answer lies with the team, however cluttered it might be."
So he's saying that we have the answer?
But what did he mean by "cluttered"?
Yeah, it's an odd choice of words.
Yeah, you can call our team a lot of things, but cluttered is not one of them.
Well, he did write it in his last hours.
Did we ever get a hold of Zawadski's old platoonmates?
Yeah, Torres and I talked to a few of them.
They said he was a great man and even better Marine.
And not one of them recall him having a drug problem.
Some addicts are real good at hiding it, but I don't know, how did he keep it from his closest friends?
Yeah, it doesn't seem likely.
Neither does this.
You got something?
Well, how was Ducky friends with Gibbs for 20 years, and yet he didn't know about his family?
Ducky wrote about that?
The night you retired, you asked me to drive you home.
You didn't say a single word the entire trip.
No explanation.
Not even a goodbye.
And Kelly and Shannon.
All those years of friendship together, and somehow you failed to mention that you have a family.
I had.
Had a family.
You know how I feel about apologies, right?
Yeah, they're a sign of weakness.
Not between friends.
I am sorry, Ducky.
I should've told you.
That's it.
That's what we need.
What do we need?
Zawadski's best friend.
We need to find his Ducky to get some answers.
Hmm.
Agent McGee.
Uh, yeah, send her up.
Serena.
She's asking for us.
Kid's tenacious, I'll give her that.
I just wish we had more to tell her.
That's okay, that's not why I'm here.
I have something for you.
Not another campaign video?
Not this time.
It's a voicemail I got about an hour ago.
MAN Don't believe Berger, kid.
He's got your dad all wrong.
Semper Fi.
And that's it?
No...
no name, no caller ID?
Nothing.
But I know who it is.
Who?
Well, I don't know him, but it has to be the same guy who sends me a few bucks every Christmas.
And he never signs the card, either.
No name, just "Semper Fi."
Serena, I'm gonna need your phone to trace that call.
Here you go.
Thanks.
So we're looking for a payphone.
Actually like a, like an existing payphone?
Yep, there are exactly eight still operational in D.C.
And this is the one where Serena's voicemail came from.
Mm, hey, hey, hey, before we go, can you explain this mysterious entry from Ducky?
Mysterious how? "
McGee plus "poison ivy, equals...
unforgettable."
End quote.
Please tell me he didn't write that.
Let's see what we're dealing with here, Timothy.
Ah, the dreaded Toxicodendron radicans.
The poison ivy plant.
What I don't understand is how did I get it all over my face?
It's the urushiol oil in the plant.
Yes, once it gets on your hands, it spreads by contact.
Um, then I have a major problem, Ducky.
When I was out there, I, um, I had to...
you know.
No, I don't.
Relieve myself.
Oh.
Oh.
Well, uh...
let's take a look, then.
Good lord.
What?
What, is it bad?
No, no.
It's fine, fine.
Uh, nothing to worry about.
I didn't...
expect to s-- to see quite...
so much swelling.
If Tony finds out about this, I'm gonna have to quit.
Well, your secret is safe with me.
Doctor, I've got the new inspection forms you req-- I'll come back.
Him I'm not so sure about.
That may seem hilarious now, but, believe me, it was not at the time.
Though you don't seem to be laughing.
Oh, believe me, I'm cracking up on the inside.
I am wondering why Jimmy never told me about it.
Well, 'cause Jimmy's discreet.
Much like my boy Nick, right?
Of course, bro code will be honored.
Thanks.
There's our payphone.
Yeah, like an ancient artifact.
Except they need it more than the Smithsonian.
Hello.
NCIS.
Uh-oh.
Everything okay?
So far.
You know where we can find any, uh, Marine veterans around here?
Specifically a male veteran who may have used this payphone.
Would've served in Kabul around 2011.
That might be Jonesy.
He helps us out quite a bit.
I've heard him talk about Kabul.
You know where we could Jonesy?
His encampment's right around the corner.
One of these tents is not like the others.
Clean, tightly made.
Yeah, that's a Marine bunk.
Hey!
What the hell are you doing?
Get away from my stuff.
Are you Jonesy?
Who wants to know?
NCIS.
Whoa.
Hey, hold on!
Hold on!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
We just want to talk.
Wait, hold on.
I'm sorry!
I'm sorry!
Just calm down, take a deep breath.
What are you sorry for?
Berger sent you, didn't he?
The councilman?
You were honorably discharged in 2014 and...
it's been a pretty rough road ever since.
You could say that.
What makes you think that Councilman Berger sent people after you?
I misspoke, sir.
I was confused.
Sometimes my brain doesn't make sense.
Uh, certain things I did in Afghanistan...
...stuck with me.
And that's why you ran?
I've also done things here I'm not proud of.
Just surviving, you know?
You know who this girl is?
Is that Danny's girl?
My God.
She's all grown up.
You called her today.
Yes, sir.
I served with her dad.
When Berger said what he said, I wanted to set the record straight for her.
Which maybe made you a little paranoid about Berger sending people after you?
Yeah, maybe.
Why set the record straight?
You think the councilman was lying about her dad?
Danny Zawadski was a good man.
And he would never desert.
Never get mixed up in anything bad.
He was your friend.
Absolutely, he was.
Was there any bad blood between Zawadski and the councilman back then?
I just don't want to get involved.
Please.
When was the last time you ate, man?
Can we get you anything?
I wouldn't mind a sandwich.
Come with us.
I hate to see our men in uniform struggle like that.
Fear, paranoia, depression.
Checks all the boxes for post-traumatic stress.
And to top it off...
that Marine lost one of the only people who was always there for him.
You okay, Leon?
I'm fine.
Let's just say I can relate.
I can relate all too well.
What's the word, Doctor?
Owens went down fighting.
I would hope so.
My condolences, Director.
I understand this man was a-an acquaintance of yours.
I hadn't seen him in some time.
But once, you were quite close.
Gibbs was here.
What's his issue?
There is a lack of recorded evidence that Owens was ever a Marine.
You can't believe everything you read on a piece of paper.
Ducky helped you set things right.
Not just Dr.
Mallard.
Whole team.
Like it's always been around here.
Dr.
Mallard's role was...
well...
I suppose...
he provided a little glue to keep us all together.
Don't go falling apart on me, bud.
Falling apart?
Kasie, I'm fine.
I just wish I had more to do, you know?
But since this case doesn't have any forensic evidence or a body to examine, I figured we use this extra time, maybe get a little spring cleaning done.
Though it is not spring.
Well, you know what they say, early bird gets the...
...clean countertops.
Would you mind moving this over there?
Bet you can guess who it's from.
Yep, mm-hmm.
Forgive me, Mr.
Palmer.
But I can't resist the urge to give you one of my all-time favorite pieces of advice.
If you're going through hell, keep going.
It's clean.
I just don't want to be down in Autopsy, Kase, not right now.
I know.
We had so much time.
I mean, how many stories of his did I listen to?
How many hours did we spend in that van after I got us lost?
And all that time, I am not sure...
...I ever told him how I really felt about him.
Jimmy.
Why do we do that?
Why do we hold back on telling people every day how much they mean to us?
You two told each other constantly.
Of course he knew.
In fact, I know he felt the same way.
What's going on?
I am properly displaying your artwork.
All these should be shown and admired.
I can't believe that you did this.
I am touched.
Well, consider it a parting gift.
Parting gift?
You going somewhere?
Indeed I am.
You can call it a globetrotting adventure.
But...
you just got back.
You have proven yourself more than capable in the last year, Dr.
Palmer.
I have no doubt that you'll continue to hold the fort while I'm gone.
Sure, but...
you will be back, right?
Of course.
And when I return in the new year, I shall have many more stories to relate.
You are one in a million, Doctor.
True.
We tell our friends we love them through our actions.
And you two acted it all the time.
You're pretty great at advice, you know that?
Yeah, well...
learned it from the best.
And, Jimmy...
I love you.
Now...
let's get these out of here.
I keep my lab very clean.
I was almost insulted.
Still looking for something to do, Jimmy?
Uh...
Jonesy, Jimmy.
Jimmy, Jonesy.
How was the sandwich?
Really hit the spot.
Thank you.
I'm feeling a lot better now.
So, uh, Agent Knight tells me that, uh, you don't want to talk about Afghanistan?
I'd rather not, sir.
I understand.
D-Do you ever think about your friend, Zawadski?
Every day.
What do you think he'd say about the situation?
I can't ask a dead man what he thinks about my problems.
We know how hard this is.
That's why I brought Jimmy here.
He just lost someone important to him, too.
Sorry to hear it.
Thank you.
You know, it was actually my friend's job to...
speak to the dead.
Seriously?
Yeah.
I watched him do it.
All the time.
And...
...more often than not, they gave him the answers he needed.
This case should be known as a simple lesson in forensic pathology.
Know who is on your table and talk to them.
While they're on the slab, Doctor?
Oh, that's where they reveal their secrets.
You are...
part of a proud and noble tradition, Sergeant LeMere.
It will be my honor to provide your widow with any measure of peace that I can.
If you listen, the dead will speak.
That happened.
The dead spoke.
If Zawadski could speak...
...what would he say to you right now?
He'd tell me to stop being so scared.
He'd want me to do what's right and tell you everything.
So tell us.
We're here to help you.
I don't know if you can, but...
That Councilman Berger...
is as crooked as they come.
Crooked how?
When he was a contractor in Kabul, he was taking money from a local heroin operation.
Taking money for what?
For cover, to make sure we never saw it.
But Danny worked protection for Berger and found out, so...
...of course...
he went off base one night, and...
tried to find some evidence.
At the brothel?
Hell no, ma'am.
He went where the heroin was being made.
Bet that's where he was killed, too.
Everything else was just a smokescreen.
To...
discredit your friend?
That's right.
Jonesy, are you sure about all this?
I was on the desk that night, and I'm the one who signed Zawadski out.
So, when he didn't come back, I knew something went really wrong.
And you thought Berger was involved?
The next day, I did.
Before the whole base found out, he had me give him the logbook, and he tore that page out of it, told me that Danny had gone UA.
Well-well, then, why didn't you tell your CO?
Berger's got his whole powerful family behind him.
So Berger threatened you?
Said he was glad I knew my place, that I could get hurt out there.
Like I said, I did things over there I'm not proud of.
You can reverse that.
If you're willing to say all of this in court, we can put him away.
You think so?
Who's the jury gonna trust?
Hell, I wouldn't trust me.
A homeless guy's word against some rich politician?
He...
got...
away.
Not...
if you...
stop him.
These files are organized perfectly, but no autopsy report.
Yeah, same here.
Very tidy, but no reports.
We have to find something fast.
The councilman will be here in 45 minutes, and he is none too pleased about coming in.
Well, if he had any part of that Marine's death, I say, too bad.
Yeah, if we don't have some solid proof, this guy is not above playing dirty.
He'll smear Jones and discredit us while he's at it.
He'll definitely scare Jones away from testifying.
So we need something.
All right, Ducky said that the answer lies with the team.
You were on the team ten years ago, McGee, so you may have the answer and not even know it.
Wait a minute.
The team.
Like I said, everybody's got a junk drawer.
However cluttered it may be.
How long before Berger gets here?
42 minutes.
I'm calling for backup now.
We just need a few more minutes.
I know Jonesy was telling the truth.
We're gonna find it.
Kase, I have a few more discs for you.
Okay, thank you.
Uh, Vance can't stall the councilman any longer.
Just keep looking till you find Ducky's answer.
First, you make me wait half an hour.
Then, you start asking if there was-- sorry, how'd you put it-- uh, bad blood between me and Zawadski?
Well, was there?
What the hell kind of outfit are you running here?
You know, I-I...
I think NCIS might have too much time on their hands, and-and, also, maybe too much funding.
Message received, but it's not gonna stop us from doing our job.
Your job harassing public figures?
Our job is providing peace for families of fallen service members.
Hey, Councilman.
Sorry to interrupt.
Just, uh, dropping something off here.
Don't mind me.
Sounds like my cue to leave.
Councilman?
Have a seat.
There's no need to defend myself against some homeless guy's ridiculous story.
Well, I have a story here, too.
Nothing, uh, ridiculous about it.
It's about a, uh, Marine who was assigned to protect a private contractor.
A contractor who was accepting bribes for an Afghan heroin operation.
You just throw made-up crap against the wall and hope it sticks?
I'm not making up a thing, Berger.
Our Dr.
Mallard performed the autopsy on Zawadski, and he made...
thorough notes. "
Photos show the sergeant had "postmortem lividity on his chest, "yet was found face-up. "
This indicates his body was moved "at least four hours after death. "
Tox results show no illicit drugs in his system. "
However, on his clothing were traces "of acetic anhydride, "a chemical used in perfume-making, "as well as playing a critical role in heroin production."
Thank you, Dr.
Mallard.
You started the lie about Zawadski's drug problem.
He only had the chemical on him by investigating your heroin op.
Oh, so, it's my heroin op?
You killed him and you moved his body and you used your family's power and influence to have his autopsy redacted.
Look, this man-- he was a deserter.
Not according to the Marine whose logbook you ripped a page out of.
What Marine?
You.
Me.
And so, it is with deep regret that I hereby suspend my campaign for the Senate.
I will not be taking any questions at this time.
Thank you.
Bye-bye.
I can't thank you all enough.
Your father served his country honorably.
It's only fitting that his dishonorable discharge be reversed.
It'll make college a lot easier this fall, not having my last name in the papers.
Speaking of which, Dr.
Mallard made a call to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation just before his death, and he recommended you for tuition assistance.
I am happy to report you will be receiving a call...
and a scholarship.
Congratulations.
Thank you so much.
Oh, my gosh.
I think Dr.
Mallard would have loved to have watched us solve this case.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, he would have loved to be the one to catch the bad guy.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
How about you, Jimmy?
You okay?
Yeah, have you got your eulogy ready?
Uh, yeah.
Actually came to me surprisingly easily.
Is everything all right?
Is everything...?
No.
No, it's not.
It's-it's not at all.
I...
I had just about enough of people leaving this year, just one after another.
Breena.
And then Bishop, and...
now Gibbs.
Jimmy...
yesterday is over, sad as that may seem, but...
...change is the essence of life.
I know that, Doctor, but...
...this feels like a death.
I miss him, too, but Jethro isn't dead.
From what I hear, it sounds as if he's starting to live life again.
Possibly...
for the first time since losing his family.
If that is the case, I don't mourn his departure.
I'm grateful for it.
Our pain...
is a small price to pay for his peace.
Ducky always had the right words.
Certainly knew how to talk.
Yeah, a lot.
We'll be upstairs, Jimmy.
Okay?
Yeah.
I'll give you a moment.
Thanks.
Here we go.
Yes.
Ah.
Autopsy gremlin.
Tony.
Are we here to celebrate a great man, or what?
And I figured, Duckman would want a little DiNozzo magic at his party.
Of course he would.
And as I'm only passing through, I thought I'd bring you a little something.
Duty-free, Heathrow.
I had a connecting flight, and after a couple glasses of champagne, I thought, "This would look very good on Mr.
Palmer."
All right, well, you're gonna have to help me.
Okay?
'Cause I have absolutely no idea how to tie one of those.
Well, fortunate for you, I am the son of Anthony DiNozzo, Sr., so, had a little bit of practice.
Reminds me of time I was in Borneo.
Sarawak, Dr.
Palmer.
Sarawak.
Yes.
I was an officiant at a wedding for a young boy and his rather vulnerable arranged bride.
He was frightened to death, sick to his stomach.
He vomited all over her.
And the altar, and the priest.
I always feared I perhaps had secured his bowtie a bit too tight.
I'm really glad you're here, Tony.
Wouldn't miss it for the world.
Been telling stories all week about Dr.
Mallard.
You know.
The whole team.
Yeah.
A lot of stories.
I guess that's...
that's all we have in the end, right?
Is just...
just the stories we leave behind.
Hmm.
I wouldn't say only that, Jimbo.
We also have the lives we touch while we are here.
The people we leave behind.
He had a good friend in you.
Hey, guys, we're gonna be late.
We got to get going.
Tick, tick, boom.
McHurry, what is it with you and the clock?
By the way, I want to talk to you about the movie selection last night.
Which one do you like better?
And I mean, not to pick favorites, but instant classics, both of them.
But such different leading, uh, characters, you know?
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Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org