Dynamic Deeks

Chapter 4 – Sending A Message

"At approximately 1530 an LAPD patrol car noticed an abandoned Cadillac XTS. A search of the vehicle revealed the bodies of two men in the trunk. One Asian, the other American, both with their throats cut. We're still waiting on positive ID but they are estimated to have been dead for almost 6 hours," Eric said as he started briefing the team.

"Who is the car registered too?" Deeks asked, gazing at the crime scene photos on the screen.

"Satokashi Industries. It's an American Company run by this man, Michael Satokashi," Eric answered. "The vehicle is question was one of three assigned to him."

"Do we know what his itinerary was for today?" Callen questioned.

"He has been at his office all day," Nell replied. "The car was more specifically assigned to take his 16-year old daughter Tanya to and from school each day."

"And that is where it gets interesting," Eric said as he started typing on his tablet. "Kaleidoscope has the XTS picking up Tanya from school and driving her home at 1345."

"Can you get a clear image of the driver?" Sam requested, already doing the math in his head.

"I thought you might ask," Eric asserted, typing again. "Image on the left is from this morning when Tanya was dropped off. It's our two dead guys. Image on the right is from this afternoon when Tanya was picked up. They are hiding their faces so I can't get a clear image but I can get enough to confirm that neither of them was there that morning."

"So we have two guys, looks like a guard and driver, taking Tanya to school. They are presumably killed soon thereafter and dumped in the trunk. The killers then wait around with the car to pick up Tanya that afternoon and take her home before driving off and dumping the car," Callen summarised neatly.

"That takes balls," Deeks commented.

"Yeah," Sam agreed gravely. "The bad kind. They were sending a message."

"Why is this one of our cases exactly?" Kensi queried.

"Because Mr Satokashi is the head of a multi-billion dollar corporation that has numerous defence contracts, several of which are highly classified," Hetty announced as she appeared. "SECNAV is concerned that whoever took Miss Satokashi for a drive is after that classified material, to what purpose, remains to be seen."

"So we investigate the murders and see where that takes us?" Sam asked.

"That is correct Mr Hanna," Hetty confirmed. "Once Mr Satokashi was informed of what happened, he immediately left his office and headed home to his daughter. I want the 5 of you to head out there and see what he has to say. His estate is located in Malibu."

"Nice," Deeks drawled.

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"Says here that Tanya is Michael's daughter by his second wife Catherine. She died from complications due to childbirth. Michael has two older sons; Minato, 27 and Kazu, 24; from his first wife Mei. She died from lung cancer in '95," Nell read from her new tablet as she rode in the back of Kensi's SRX. She would never admit it but she had been disappointed when Eric hadn't given her a gift when everyone else had but she should have known better. Eric had had a tablet computer custom built for her and then he had preloaded it with an entire suite of useful programs. He had presented it to her after everyone else had left Ops after the briefing, stopping her when she had turned to pick up her bag.

"What do they do?" Kensi asked, breaking Nell from her memory.

"Ah, Minato is the Vice President of one of his father's subsidiaries, Satomei Transport. Kazu owns and runs several nightclubs in LA but has also put in building applications in San Diego and San Francisco," Nell answered.

"Trying to start his own little entertainment empire is he?" Deeks jested.

"Looks that way," Nell conceded. "He used a loan from his father to open his first club at 19 while still attending university. He repaid the loan 3 years later before opening his second last year. If he was able to continue at his current rate he could be looking at 10 clubs by the time he was 35, maybe faster if his returns are good."

"What do you have on Michael himself?" Kensi queried. "What's his story?"

"Born here in 1961. Attended Harvard Business School before taking his father's transport company and through strategic investing, buying and selling, now has a multinational corporation worth over a $100 billion. His hobbies include archery, art, kendo and kenjutsu," Nell explained as Deeks' phone chimed. "Seems that despite being born in the U.S. he has embraced his Japanese heritage as well."

"Looks that way," Kensi said, echoing Nell's earlier words. "Who was that?" Kensi asked as Deeks pulled out his phone.

"It's from Hetty," Deeks answered, puzzlement clear to both Kensi and Nell, as he read the text message.

MICHAEL SATOKASHI CAN BE QUITE A STUBBORN MAN WHEN HE CHOOSES TO BE. HE MIGHT NEED SOME CONVINCING. I BELIEVE THAT YOU WOULD BE THE MOST QUALIFIED TO PERSUADE HIM THAT WE CAN ASSIST HIM. AND WHEN HE ASKS, TELL HIM RITORU WAN TAUGHT YOU.

"What did she say?" Kensi wanted to know.

"That Michael Satokashi can be a stubborn man and that she thinks I would be the most qualified to persuade him to let us help," Deeks said. "I'm not sure how she thinks I can do that. I've been a Special Agent for less than a day."

"I'm not sure either," Kensi agreed. "But we're about to find out. We're here."

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"My name is Brian Ward and I am Mr Satokashi's head of security. Anything I can do to help you in your investigation you just have to tell me," the man, Brian said as he introduced himself. He had met the SRX and the Challenger in the driveway and ushered them off to the side, away from the main house.

"What can you tell us about the two men that died?" Callen asked as he ran his eyes over his surroundings. It was subtle but there was a distinct presence of security, all fully alert.

"Good men. Both had families and had almost 30 years in the security field between them," Brian said as he too took in his surroundings. "I want whoever did this as much as you do. Maybe more."

"How long have you been head of security?" Sam questioned, trying to gain a feeling for the man in front of him.

"3 years, but I was working here for 6 years before I was promoted," Brian answered, knowing what Sam was doing. "Before that, I was a Marine for 16 years. But you already knew that."

"We did Staff Sergeant," Kensi said respectfully. "Have there been any recent threats? Either to the company or Mr Satokashi personally?"

"Nothing credible that I have seen," Brian replied. "But I can only speak for Mr Satokashi's personal security. Company security should have records of any threats delivered to the company. I can check with them if you want."

"Thanks but we can take care of it," Kensi said. "Where is Mr Satokashi?"

"He is currently with Tanya. He asked not to be disturbed as he wanted to spend time with her," Brian answered.

"Unfortunately, this cannot wait," Callen declared respectfully. "Could you take us to him?"

"I must make sure that the compound is secure. I can have one of my staff take you to them," Brian offered.

"That would be appreciated," Callen acknowledged calmly yet with an edge of terseness. Brian stepped away and spoke into a radio he pulled from his belt. Less than a minute later they were approached by a woman who looked to be no older than 25, yet they could all see that she carried herself with an assurance beyond her age and that showed that her training was top notch.

"This is Hinata Ikeda, my protégé," Brian introduced her. Greetings were exchanged before Brian turned back to her. "Take them up to Mr Satokashi."

"He asked not to be disturbed," Hinata proclaimed. "He will not like them barging in."

"This is important. He will understand," Brian argued. "Take them up."

"Very well," Hinata acquiesced, turning back to the five agents. "Please, follow me."

She led them across the lawn and back to the main house, entering through a side door. The house was a three story affair with a modern appearance from the outside. Inside was another story.

The first floor was very open. Entry, foyer, lounge, formal dining, kitchen, even a theatre. Everything that you would expect for a rich person to have in their mansion. The 2nd floor, however, was another story entirely. It was segregated from the first floor so that it could not be accessed during events held at the house. The family retained their privacy even in the middle of the busiest party or function. The third floor, that was unique. If the first and second floors were American, than the third floor was Japanese to its core.

Stepping up to the third floor, they were met with a closed door. A pair of stands were against the wall beside the door; one with 2 pairs of shoes, the other with multiple pairs of white slippers in different sizes.

"Shoes off," Sam announced as he knelt to undo his boots. The others didn't argue and promptly followed suit; exchanging their footwear for the appropriate sized slippers. "Uwabaki, so we don't scratch or dirty the floors."

"Correct Agent Hanna," Hinata said, having exchanged her footwear as well. After a quick glance confirmed everyone had change, she slid the shoji and stepped up onto the tatami mat flooring. As the others followed, the sounds of wood impacting wood and shouts from two different people began to filter out to them. A short walk down a hallway and through another shoji door led them into a dojo; a dojo currently occupied by Michael Satokashi and his daughter, Tanya. "Now, we wait"

Both wore Bogu, Deeks observed and each wielded Bokken; a single, katana shaped bokken by Michael while Tanya wielded matched, wakizashi shaped bokken. Tanya was fast and experienced, Deeks noticed but her experience paled compared to her father's as even with two blades she could not breach her father's defence. Her father on the other hand, he pierced her defences seemingly at will but Deeks saw that he had to look for those gaps that Tanya left and even then, he didn't always take them. They continued back and forth for almost 5 minutes before Michael slipped his bokken past Tanya's guard and placed its tip against her armour, directly over her heart. They both stopped and stepped back, facing each other. They dropped their swords to their sides before bowing in respect to each other.

"You are still telegraphing your offhand attacks," Michael said as he knelt on the ground, placing his weapon at his side. He reached up and pulled his helmet off. "But you have improved on using your offhand offensively."

"The best defence is a good offense," Tanya quoted after removing her own helmet. She set it beside her on the floor, opposite her bokken. "At least that is what I was going for today. How did I do?"

"Very well. You maintained a constant offence while being mindful of your guard," Michael analysed. "Your mistakes came when you were forced to transition from an offensive posture to a defensive one."

"Should I try and force myself back on the offence?" Tanya asked.

"I would suggest always being prepared to shift to a defence while continuing to attack," Michael suggested to his daughter. "It would seem we have guests. Go and shower while I see to them."

"Alright," Tanya said. She stood up, holding her helmet and weapons before turning and walking away without a glance at the newcomers. Michael, however, he looked over each of them in turn before he stood, also picking up his helmet and weapon. He walked over to the wall perpendicular to the door and placed them on a narrow cupboard before taking off his gloves.

"I asked not to be disturbed," Michael stated, turning to face the 6 arrivals. "I wished to spend some time with my daughter."

"I am sorry sir. Brian had me bring them up," Hinata replied respectfully. "He said that you would understand."

"Then let us have some understanding," Michael said, gliding over to stand in front of the agents. "I am Michael Satokashi. I assume the defence department sent you."

"Special Agent Callen, NCIS," Callen introduced himself. "My team, Special Agents Hanna, Jones, Blye and Deeks."

"Welcome to my home. To what do I owe this visitation?" Michael asked, clearly knowing why they were there but not willing to voice it.

"We are here due to an incident that happened today," Sam spoke now. "We were hoping that you would be able to assist us with our investigation."

"I believe I know of which incident you are referring too," Michael said, being deliberately avoidant. "I also believe that I said that it was not an issue that the government needed to worry about."

"Forgive our intrusion than," Sam placated. "But we have been assigned to investigate to ensure that there is no threat."

"There isn't. It is nothing to worry about," Michael emphasised. Deeks could just tell that they weren't going to get anywhere with him with how he was reacting. Hetty's words filtered through his mind and he knew what Hetty wanted him to do.

"Mr Satokashi," Deeks broke in. "I read that you were interested in Kendo and Kenjutsu."

"It is a strong part of my heritage," Michael stated, taken aback by the blonde man's change in the direction of the conversation. "Are you interested as well?"

"I have read up on it and taken a few classes," Deeks offered, being obvious that he was downplaying his experience; challenging Michael.

"Deeks, this isn't the time or place," Callen said, stunned that Deeks was being so unprofessional.

"It is alright, Agent Callen," Michael assuaged the lead agent before looking back at Deeks. "Would you be interested in sparring with me? I have many sets of spare armour."

"I wouldn't want to intrude on your space," Deeks said calmly.

"You wouldn't, Special Agent," Michael assured him. "You would honour me."

"The honour would be mine, Mr Satokashi."

Author's Note

I realised while writing this chapter that I had completely forgotten Eric's gift to Nell back in chapter 2. I actually think it worked out better this way in hindsight. Seems more the way Eric would do things. BTW, this has not been edited. I am in a rush.

I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. Please review as they keep me writing. Thank you to everyone that reviewed Chapter 3. They were excellent.

Chapter 5 should be out in 10-14 days. I have a major personal event happening this week that will prevent me from writing as much. Happy Easter.