Ok, we need a break or a clue to move this case forward!

2 days later in the bullpen

Sam was frustrated and angry "2 days and nothing. None of our CI's or snitches have come up with squat. Eric and Nell are comin' up empty and I'm startin' to get really nervous about this whole thing G."

"Just don't let her know Sam. My gut says he's still alive- -but not in real good shape- -Angelo wants something and needs Deeks for it" but G looked anything but hopeful as he said this. G then went on "on another subject- -don't you think it's strange or out of character for Granger to do what he did? The initial op not so much, that's definitely him but he seems taken by Deeks so I can't see him not honoring the request to read her-and probably us in. It's pretty simple do the rest at that point-just run the op, Deeks becomes agent and we get to observe their PDA forever. Something just isn't sittin' right on this whole thing." Sam just nodded though he seemed lost in thought at the same time.

At that point Kensi came in. She looked worn out. She wasn't sleeping and it was showing. "Sorry guys, I spent a long night bonding with Deeks mom last night. She is some kinda women. She gave me some more insight into him. She said he is immune to pain until it become intolerable. Now I understand how bad Siderov must have been. His dad used to beat them both and spent hours telling Marty how he was worthless. I have a newfound respect for him to have survived all that to be the guy we know." Then she looked down and shook her head. Sam thought to himself she looks really sad, I hope she hasn't resigned herself to his death for real then she went on "you guys got anything? We need something to find him and end this thing." Both men just looked at her and shook their heads. About that time Nell came flying down the stairs, yelling something and talking a mile a minute.

"Slow down Nell, what the heck are you talking about?" This came from G as the rest gathered round the screen behind Deeks desk.

"I decided to touch bases with Bates and he gave me some added information when I brought him up to speed with where we're at. As soon as I told him we were sure it was all tied into the IA investigation, he opened up. He has been trying to follow up but he has to be careful and on the DL since he is LAPD and Deeks C.O. - -they have kept him out of the loop but he was given some added information by Tony and asked to keep an eye on a certain property and the person who lives there. He has no name other than this person is the key to getting to the bottom of this but he didn't know why. Tony felt it was better if he didn't, that it might somehow get out at LAPD and cause problems for Deeks as they could force Bates to tell em what he knew. When we ran that address, it came up as a restaurant owned by Ron Culp. When we dug deeper we found he is the owner, manager of Ron's Soup and Sandwich. It is a restaurant on 3rd St. just off MacLean in South L.A. All information has been sent to your phones."

"Kensi you drive and we'll go in 1 car" said G as they were all standing and heading down the tunnel. They pulled up to the restaurant ½ hour later. Entering they asked for the manager. Finding out he was not in the building at the moment they asked if there was an assistant they could talk to. The waitress told them she would be get him. A few minutes later a young man came out and introduced himself as Steve Culp, the owner's son. G made introductions for them and began by saying "no offense but you look a little young to be managing a place like this?"

"I've been working here since I was 15 on a permit and started as a dishwasher and holding down every job in the place. Got my Bachelors while in the service and am getting my MBA at UCLA. Trust me I know what's going on and most of these people have been with dad for 10 years or more. The place kinda run's itself if you get out of the way and let people do their job." That brought a smile from the agents as they realized he sure did know what he was doing. Kensi then went on and told them what they were looking for and why.

"Do you have any idea why agent DiNozzo asked LAPD to keep an eye on your dad and this place?

"None, no idea why he would even be interested in our place being from out of town. We do a great business but it's based on long time customers, friends and mouth to mouth advertising. We don't really have a national reputation and honestly, we aren't sure we want one" replied Steve then he added "we're quite happy with our little corner so to speak. Can you give me anything more to go on? I'll do what I can to help."

"Well, it has to do with a shooting several years ago at the half moon motel" offered Kensi.

"Oh that place. Slime joint as it is. Yea that's it's rear entrance right over there and the back side rooms on each side and above. It's a really old Holiday Inn as you can tell. That's why the over and under rooms front and back. For the last 10 years it's been mostly by the hour for the ladies that wander around next block over. The backside rooms are especially useful as they can come and go and no one really knows they were even there."

The agents looked at each other and all of a sudden Sam said, "do you have a surveillance camera that would also have the back side of that hotel on it?"

"Yea, seems like someone else was asking about that awhile back. Dad would have to answer that though as he was the one who dealt with it although he did think it strange someone was asking after all these years. I do remember a shooting there so that part fits. Seems like it was an LAPD off duty cop or detective maybe? Anyway, I don't have the pass codes to the system and dad can't be reached till this evening."

"Is your system wi-fi or do you have cloud storage?" This came from Kensi. "If so we have someone who could get us in. This is important. It could prove the innocence of someone close to us."

Steve responded, "let me see your cred's again to verify everything." After looking the cred's and the agents over very carefully he went on "ok tell him to get to it as we do use the cloud for storage and I'm sorry I had to do that I just wanted to be sure. I saw to many frauds when I was stationed overseas."

"What branch" asked Sam as he always did when he met someone who'd been there, done that.

"Well not up to the level of the SEAL's that I'm bettin you were but the 87th Airborne Rangers weren't exactly chopped liver either. We managed to get their attention now and then." And then came the 1000 yard stare most Vets got thinking about friends and teammates who paid the ultimate price.

Sam just put a hand on the man's shoulder and just nodded. Then he went on "Eric, you been listening?" Getting an affirmative Sam went on "then do your thing. Copy anything you think relevant and we'll review it when we get back. Verify the date and time of the killing and check around that day and time and- - - oh, yea, ok and Kensi wants to add something."

"Eric, a pic of Deeks mom is on the way to you so you have it for any matching or facial rec needed."

"On it, we'll have something by the time you get back if there's anything there."

Aha, a clue maybe. Is the game afoot? Stay tuned sports fans. Hope you had a Merry Xmas and enjoy a great New Year. Our Xmas present came a day early-8lb, 6 oz. and 21 inches of granddaughter. She is already spoiled! Let's hear from ya!