(HANGS UP PHONE)
GIBBS: We have a possible execution-style murder of a Navy Lieutenant Commander in Grayson County. (MUSIC OUT) ABBY: Is that a guess? AUTOPSY ROOM - DAY
DUCKY: Based on the width and edges of the entry wound and the absence of an exit wound... All three were committed by the same person. And remember, two killings don't make a serial killer. But she seems to have a solid alibi. GIBBS: ....since the victim was a Naval officer, we'd like to take over the investigation. GIBBS: And? GIBBS: How are we doing on the DNA sample? GIBBS: We need to find the murder weapon and tie it to Seeger. KATE: Could be a motive. NCIS SQUAD ROOM - DAY
TONY: There wasn't a copycat murder? Or three. SHERIFF DUPRAY: (ON SCREEN) There was a murder two counties over, very similar to Commander Julius. Thanks for the call. The trajectory was from left to right, indicating that the shooter fired from the left.
Plan: A: A local county sheriff; Q: Who called NCIS to investigate a murder? A: a murdered lieutenant commander; Q: What did the sheriff discover by the roadside? A: two counties; Q: How far away was the murder of the civilian contractor? A: the team; Q: Who struggles to find motives or suspects for the murders? A: Ducky; Q: Who points out that the murders were not carried out by the same individual? A: a serial killer; Q: What type of killer is Ducky referring to? A: a copycat; Q: What does Ducky think is on the loose? A: A DNA sample; Q: What draws suspicion onto the widow of the third victim? A: a complex investigation; Q: What does the widow of the third victim leave Gibbs and the team with? Summary: A local county sheriff calls in NCIS upon discovering a murdered lieutenant commander by the roadside, quickly followed by the murder of a civilian contractor two counties over. As the team struggle to find a motive or suspects for either case, another murder occurs; this time a naval aviator. Ducky points out that while the murders appear to follow the same modus operandi and seem to have been carried out by a serial killer, some elements are different, indicating that the murders were not carried out by the same individual which suggests that there is a copycat on the loose. A DNA sample draws suspicion onto the widow of the third victim, but she has an iron-clad alibi, leaving Gibbs and the team with a complex investigation and many loose ends to tie up.