Chapter Three
As Granger kept an alternating eye upon Callen and Nell, then as to not direct suspicion to himself, occasionally the rest of the team, he stated. "Lauren Reynolds was an alias for former Interpol Operative, now FBI Agent Emily Prentiss. This morning, Prentiss was placed into the protective custody of two US Marshalls. If, when you need any insight from her, you will need to contact SSA Aaron Hotchner, though try not to need it."
"So that explains the BAU," Deeks drawled curious to know the answer to his following question. "But, a birdie told me that you two were talking to the White Collar Unit of the FBI, what they got to do with this John dude?"
"Who was this birdy?" Granger demanded, as he knew that the only one to know such a detail was the man he ordered not to officially start briefing anyone.
Eric's eyes widened then narrowed as Deeks had just ratted him out, as he, Eric, had earlier briefly and unofficially told them a detail of the case.
Deeks shrugged and pursed his lips in contemplation as he recognized the anger emanating from Eric. "You know, I don't think I know the name of that Angry Bird. Fern you got a clue? You're the one always playing that gameā¦"
Kensi smiled showing her pearly white teeth in a condescending way. "Not a clue."
"Hetty Lange," Granger snarled as he was close to exploding; revealing himself and his true intentions. "I find your entire team to be insufferable and mutinous."
"They get the job done." Hetty retorted before she answered the question about the White Collar Unit. "Mr. Deeks, your question is valid, but all will be explained if all of these interruptions would stop. Mr. Beale, please continue onward with the official briefing."
"Like I said," Eric began as he hid the smile he wanted to display at Hetty's emphasis on the word official. "The hunt for Doyle became cold, and the BAU got involved. The BAU traced Doyle here to Los Angeles where Doyle owns a partnership in a nightclub. Before Captain Pike, he had eight known victims, all fitting the description of the age-difference relationship, all four men were older while the four women substantially younger. He made his first mistake of underestimating the United States Government when he came here to LA and sought refuge in his club; he slipped up when he had Captain Pike murdered. As the task force compiled evidence against him for crimes against humanity and terrorism, Captain Pike created a legal case against him for tax fraud and embezzlement, which brings to our friends from the White Collar Unit."
"Agent Peter Burke and his partner Neal McCaffery," Granger began, but was prevented from continuing as Callen interrupted him.
"What? You're kidding me." Callen interjected in disbelief. "How in the hell did Neal become an FBI Agent?"
"That is of no consequence." Granger answered surly. He wanted away from the Office of Special Projects as soon as possible. He'd have to bribe Vance to reassigning him somewhere else. Anywhere, away from than Los Angeles, sounded more appealing right now. Well, he would request the transfer, after his plan was successfully executed. He hated G. Callen and if he had to suffer through his time with the OSP until he could bring the elusive agent down a few notches, he would.
"How do you know him, Mr. Callen?" Hetty asked concerned.
"If there ever was an equivalent of my skills as a Legend, in the world of thievery, conning, and fraud, he would be it, without a doubt." Callen stated without an ounce of arrogance lacing his tone. He was stating fact.
"So earlier." Eric said bringing the attention back to him and the screens. "I spoke to FBI Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia and she sent us surveillance feed placing Pike outside the club three nights ago, and in the main area but Garcia wasn't able to access any other surveillance cameras. However, I was able to access the one pointing to the main office, and found Pike entering it last night, but never coming out."
"How is that possible?" Kensi asked. "Obviously she came out of the office, because she was found dead in an alley."
"I recognize that club." Deeks stated as he walked closer to the screen where images popped up to support whatever Eric said.
"Of course, you do." Sam snorted as he figured Deeks knew where every bar, club, or anywhere to pick up a girl in Los Angeles, was located.
"No, seriously, guys." Deeks stated as he looked at Eric. "The reason why you and the FBI chick can't access the cameras, are because there aren't any."
"What?" Both Nell and Eric startled, exclaimed; they could not believe that a business in Los Angeles could have no surveillance. "How do you know?"
"Four years ago, I was undercover there as a bartender then monitor." Deeks revealed. "LAPD suspected that the club was a front for a drug cartel, but nothing was ever proven, because there wasn't drugs there. Hell, except for the front main area, alcohol wasn't served."
"What is a nightclub without alcohol?" Nell questioned.
"Sweetheart," Deeks drawled. "The Starship, is a front for a highly discreet and private fetish club, which specializes in a lot of things, but voyeurism being number one. It took me months to even get a strand of my hair out of the main area and into the dungeon."
"Dungeon?" Kensi retorted as her mind took her back to the case that had required her and Deeks to go undercover as a married couple while they tried to figure out who was a sleeper agent.
"Well," Deeks shrugged. "Not figuratively, but close."
"Mister Deeks is correct. This club is highly discreet and is known in high roller circles to be the place to socialize if one prefers what the club offers. We fear that John may target one of those high rollers and a lady friend, that could frequent there, even though what he would be doing goes against everything that the both the club and culture stand for."
"Safe, Sane, and Consensual." Deeks stated. "None of which would be upheld were he to target anyone there."
"The FBI has delegated primary jurisdiction to us," Granger stated, ignoring Deeks. "Although the original taskforce, the BAU, White Collar, and JAG will have full disclosure. Interpol will be briefed, as they need to know certain information."
"That is a lot of hands, eyes, and ears in the cookie jar." Nell quipped, oblivious to the undercurrent between Callen and Granger.
"The operation could be compromised if it isn't already." Callen declared as he agreed with her.
"Mr. Callen," Hetty countered. "The original taskforce have representatives from each of the entities that Owen stated. Rear Admiral Rabb from JAG, Agents Burke and McCaffery from White Collar, Agents Easter and Prentiss from Interpol, then SSA's Hotchner, Rossi, Morgan, Jareau, Doctor Reid, and Technical Analyst Garcia from the BAU. All of whom are highly decorated and trustworthy, and yes Mr. Callen, even your friend McCaffery."
"I trust Neal more than several people." Callen retorted as he stared at Granger.
"Who do you trust?" Granger retorted snidely as Callen's trust issues were known throughout the upper brass.
"Not you." Callen retorted.
"Mr. Callen!" Hetty exclaimed.
"He asked, I answered." Callen replied as he glared at Granger.
"Okay, okay," Sam stated as he shifted his weight and uncrossed one arm, placing the elbow in the palm of the hand of the crossed arm. He tapped his chin with his index finger in contemplation. "Doyle is a known terrorist whom runs under the radar, but we or anyone else have nothing concrete to nail him on."
"Yes, Mr. Hanna." Hetty confirmed the statement.
"He's allegedly in the name of his brother killed or orchestrated the death of nine people. This club is the only chance to get to him, right?"
"Possibly, yes." Hetty answered and then added. "There is, however another way to infiltrate Doyle's operation, but the first step would be the club."
"What is the other way, Hetty?" Callen asked.
"Doyle lives under an alias, in a highly secure gated community that has a house vacant and on the market." Hetty answered. "The house has a high turnover rate, as it is right next door to Doyle. Five years ago, the couple that lived there filed a report against him and his staff, for invading their privacy, a landscaper was arrested, and shortly thereafter, the couple were found dead in their front garden. The Medical Examiner stated that both had a heat stroke; however, it is believed that Doyle paid him off. A year later, the Medical Examiner was a victim of a mugging and killed. Since then, no couple or family has lasted more than three months."
"Why? Is it haunted?" Deeks asked cheekily, as the seriousness of this case penetrated his awareness.
"No, Mr. Deeks." Hetty answered, as she appreciated the comic relief that Deeks was often known for. This case, Hetty was afraid would need any and all of Deeks and anyone else sense of humor, as she feared that it would become dark, too dark, especially with what Owen would demand from her and her team. She did not agree with him and tried every which way she knew, but when someone pulled rank, there was nothing one could officially do. She was livid, and times such as this is when she regretted turning down Leon's countless offers of promotion to Assistant Director, before Owen was appointed such. "The couples or families have either, mysteriously vanished, killed in accidents, or found dead in what appear to be accidents, but I assure you that they were anything but."
"Two of us will move into that house and start to frequent, The Starship?" Deeks asked for clarification.
"Yes, among other questionable things that will become privy at a later date." Hetty answered.
"So who's it gonna be?" Sam asked curious and anxious to get the case started, as he wanted it over as soon as possible. He did not like the feeling he got about it. "Will it be me or G going undercover with Kensi?"
"Hey!" Deeks retorted, affronted that he was not in consideration as he and Kensi had become professional at going undercover as a couple. He thought it would make perfect sense for them to continue to do so for this case. "Kensi is my partner!"
"No, Sam's right." Kensi said as she looked at Deeks apologetically. "We wouldn't fit the profile that Doyle is targeting. We look about the same age, and if not, you look younger than what you are."
"Agent Blye is correct Detective Deeks," Granger interjected as the smile on his face slowly formed into a smirk as he continued. "Which is why it will not be either you, Agent Hanna or Agent Callen going undercover with Agent Blye."
"Then who will be?" Kensi asked concerned and a tad scared that Granger would answer himself.
Hetty interjected. "Miss Blye, you are not a part of the starting equation. As young and beautiful as you are, you do not fit the role that is required. The BAU believe that the younger the woman is or looks, the more likely, that John will target the couple. Each couple targeted, the woman became younger and younger. NCIS," Hetty paused, as she strongly believed that it was not NCIS, but that of Granger's opinion. "Believe that an eighteen-year-old woman would be the best candidate for this undercover operation."
"Unless there is a special consideration, you have to be twenty-three to be an NCIS Agent." Eric retorted, not understanding the logic of an eighteen-year-old, being involved with an op when they could not apply to become an Agent.
Livid, Callen immediately understood what had caused both the apprehension that he had felt earlier and the transforming all-knowing looks, Granger had been tossing him and Nell. He growled, making Nell and Eric jump at the ferocity in his tone. "Find another option."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Callen." Hetty apologized as she dipped her head in remorse. "I tried to find another, but there is none."
"Absolutely not, Hetty." Callen retorted angry, almost panicked. "Anyone, but her. Find someone in another agency. Hell, have the FBI promote someone from Quantico!"
Granger smugly smiled as he interjected. "Agent Callen, there will be no such search or promotion. We have the perfect candidate here in NCIS to go undercover with you." He paused as he glanced at each of the team, before his eyes leveled upon the young Intelligence Analyst. "Miss Jones, how old are you?"
At the question, each person realized what Callen had realized, and what Granger wanted; what he meant by the perfect candidate. Each person had varying degrees of disbelief, anger, and worry. Eric slammed his Cisco Tablet down unto the nearest flat surface; closed his eyes, crossed his arms, breathed deeply, as his jaw clenched. He had always hated Assistant Director Owen Granger, but now the man had become number one of Eric's list of targets. He would find something, anything on, Granger and he would make the older man pay for what he was and would subject Nell.
Nell stood immobilized as she stared at Callen for reassurance that this was some sort of joke, some ill-fated prank. She swallowed as she silently agreed with one of Deeks' earlier assessments, that it must be April Fool's.
"Miss Jones?" Granger prompted.
Nell did not answer as she was still in shock.
"She is twenty-two," Callen barked. "Four years older than what is required of this op."
"She will do, Agent Callen." Granger stated as he enjoyed the look of fear in the young woman's eyes and body language as much as he enjoyed the anger and hate emanating from the Senior Field Agent.
Granger's plan had not yet exited the gate, but he was already satisfied with its development.
Thank you for reading and to all who have reviewed. I appreciate all of the readership, alerts, favorites, and reviews.
