SURF'S UP
/Chapter 8/
Over the next two weeks the LA agents had regular debriefs with the 5-0 team, as the 5-0 team continued to watch March and Davenport and the LA team kept their eyes on Deeks as he eased into his undercover with Jensen.
As Gordon Jensen had promised, Ben Bass got a clean background check on Deeks. The detective, in return, proved himself to his new employers by steering the LAPD away from some of Mallory and Davenport's "exchanges" of merchandise and occasionally rounding up some hired muscle from his undercover contacts for some of Mallory's jobs.
After his near fatal encounter on the beach, the team never let the detective out of their sight as Deeks repeated meetings with Jensen finally led to a face to face, via conference call, with Terrance Davenport himself...
"I'm impressed, Mr. Deeks, you have proven yourself quite useful In the short time you've been in my employ," Davenport said smoothly, "Mallory says each shipment made it to its destination without a hitch..."
"Yeah, about that...I thought I was supposed to be workin' for you, but all I've been doing is runnin' interference for Mallory..." Deeks questioned.
"Mallory is one of my primary 'distributors' on the mainland. The smooth running of his operation guarantees a smooth running of mine." Davenport said. "...and if all goes to plan, there will be regular shipments of merchandise within the next six months."
Frowning, Deeks commented, "that doesn't sound like it's getting me any closer to Hawaii man...the whole point was to get me outa LA...and on the surf team..."
Davenport laughed, "Have no fear, you're services will be needed from time to time on the islands, but for now you best serve my purpose right where you are..."
Seeing Deeks continued scowl, Davenport asked guardedly, "Is that a problem?"
The detective heard the subtle threat in the question and grumbled, "as long as I get paid and get to surf somewhere...."
Davenport again chuckled, "I look forward to meeting you when you arrive on the islands for the competition..."
...NCIS LA...HAWAII 5-0….NCIS LA…..
Into the third week of the investigation, Kono came back with a piece of news that further cemented the connection between Davenport and Jensen, as the teams were stumped why a man with a good, high paying job and no criminal record would take up with a ruthless smuggler like Davenport.
"Jensen and Stone are siblings," Kono reported at one of the regular team briefings, "well, step siblings...her father married Jensen's mother when they were teenagers. Jensen didn't take his step-fathers name: the marriage ended about four years later, but, it seems the two stayed in touch after their parent's divorce."
"Were they ever in trouble before," Callen asked.
"Julia Stone was in and out of juvie a few times, has a few misdemeanor charges on her record throughout her twenties...tended to hang with a tougher crowed. Seems step brother, Jensen, bailed her out a lot over the years..." Kono reported.
"So was Jensen playing the 'good' brother or was it something more..." Danny commented.
"So, it was Julia Stone who most likely introduced Davenport to Jensen...gave him the idea to use the surf team as a cover," Sam said.
"How's Deeks doing," Danny asked, "all the contestants are due on the island at the end of the week for the competition..."
"His cover is solid...had a met and greet with Davenport and he says Mallory is gearing up some kind of shipment that coincides with the trip to Hawaii," Callen reported.
"So they're moving something from the mainland to the islands," Steve questioned, "any idea what?"
"They haven't given him that yet...but he did get that Mallory and Davenport seemed confident that they'll have a new, more secure pipeline between the islands and the mainland in about six months," Callen replied.
"Six months? That's when the new Coral Prince stores are to be opened up and down the California coast. Which means regular shipments between Hawaii and the mainland..." Chin reported.
Clapping his hands together, Danny huffed out in frustration, "This is all well and good but it's not getting us any closer to March and the diamonds."
"Think about it...if Davenport proves he has a secure pipeline to move smuggled merchandise through a legitimate company—"Steve started.
"Then he convinces March he can move 20 mill in diamonds using the surf team..." Sam finished.
"That might have been the original plan, but now that the investigation is active again I don't think Marsh is going to be willing to wait six months," Danny commented.
"Maybe he doesn't have to...the stores may not be open for another six months but there will still be regular shipments to the mainland starting in about three to a distribution warehouse," Chin reported as he pulled up information on the table, "and the team's first competition is in Italy in six weeks and another in Spain three weeks after that..."
The teams nodded as the magnitude of the operation sunk in. They had no idea who or if March had a buyer or buyers for the diamonds nor where the exchanges were likely to take place; coming to realize this case could take them half way around the world before it was over.
"Then we just have to be prepared for all eventualities..."Hetty interjected.
...NCIS LA...HAWAII 5-0….NCIS LA…..
Two days before the contestants were scheduled to fly out, Deeks received a call from Jensen, "meet me at the LAX cargo hanger in one hour..."
"What's up," Deeks asked as he strolled into the hanger.
"We need help loading up some equipment," Jensen said.
Turns out the "equipment" to be loaded was stolen art...causing Deeks to question sarcastically, "...doesn't exactly blend with the whole 'surfer' motif we got goin' here."
"That's what these are for," Jensen said, as he uncovered several surf boards.
"Yeah, so, it's just new boards..." Deeks questioned.
Jensen waved Pratt forward, and with a smirk the man grabbed a board on either side a gave an outward pull; the board's top and bottom slid apart revealing a hollowed out section that Jensen then laid the rolled up canvases.
Deeks gave a whistle, "I'm impressed...all these boards got the same surprise inside?"
"We have six boards that are hollowed out and a few other pieces of equipment that can hide larger items," Jensen bragged.
"Sweet deal, no one would think twice about a bunch of gear for a surf team," Deeks commented, "gotta hand it to you...ingenious idea."
"Not mine...my sisters..." Jensen commented off-handedly.
"Smart lady, hope I get to meet her," Deeks said, noting the scowl that crossed Jensen's face.
"I don't think so..."
"Whoa, man," Deeks placated holding up his hands defensively, "...didn't mean nothing by it."
"Just be here day after tomorrow with Pratt and Richards...oversee the gear being loaded up," Jensen barked out, "flash your badge if need be to make sure this stuff makes it through any check points..."
"Aye, captain," Deeks said cheekily, giving the man an exaggerated salute.
The men parted company less than an hour later. Deeks slid into his jeep, commenting to his watching team, "it's a go..."
