Chapter 8
Callen stepped outside and found Sam leaning against the Challenger, so he walked over and leaned against the Challenger next to him. The silence hung between them for a few minutes while they both seemed to be studying the exterior of the building. Callen didn't look at Sam when he spoke, "I know the operation isn't perfect, Sam, and if you have some alternative ideas, just tell me." He paused and then glanced at his partner, "I may not agree, but I'm willing to listen."
Sam sighed deeply, "You're right, the operation isn't perfect, G, but we've run ops before that weren't perfect."
"Like the one in Brazil last year?" Callen reminded him with raised eyebrows.
"Yea, that one was far from perfect," Sam noted, but he turned to Callen and continued. "But neither one of us was being put in a life-threatening situation against an unknown enemy in that operation, so any mistakes that we might have made wouldn't have resulted in one of us not coming home."
Callen stared at the ground for a moment and then met Sam's eyes, "We both know that I'm the only one who can go undercover in this op, but you and Kensi and Deeks will all have my back."
"And we still don't know exactly who and how many we're dealing with," Sam countered.
"This wouldn't be the first time, Sam," he paused for just a beat and then continued, "and it won't be the last. You have my word that I will do everything possible to minimize the risks for all of us," Callen looked steadily at Sam and spoke with a sincerity that was strong and true, "including myself. And I've never broken my word to you, partner."
"No," Sam looked at Callen with genuine affection, "you never have. And you'd better not start now, G." He reached out and offered his hand which Callen grasped and then Sam said in a deadly serious voice, "If you pull any of the lone wolf crap, I'll kill you myself."
"It's nice to know you still care," Callen said as Kensi and Deeks walked into view.
Shortly after Sam returned to the field, Hetty had called Kensi to inform her and Deeks that Sam had been cleared by Nate and was back at work. Hetty wanted them to know so that when they returned, they would not be surprised. She also didn't want them to make much ado about his return.
"Ms. Blye, I think it would be wise when you and Mr. Deeks return to L.A. to welcome Mr. Hanna back, acknowledge that he has been absent and express condolences as appropriate, but to not make too much of his return to work. We want everything to feel as normal as possible for him."
"Copy that, Hetty. That is great to hear, and I agree with you. I'll let Deeks know."
So now, when Kensi and Deeks crossed to the Challenger, they didn't demonstrate an exaggerated emotional response.
"Sam, my man, it's good to see you back," Deeks called out as he offered Sam his hand and when he took it, Deeks pulled him close for a quick clench. "I have to tell you, it's been tough on me and Kensi, babysitting Callen while you were away."
Kensi stepped forward and gently pushed Deeks aside, "Don't listen to him, Sam." She smiled and embraced him, "We were happy to babysit Callen for you." Then she grew serious. "Seriously, Sam, it's good to see you again."
"And it's good to be back even though the time off was needed," Sam told both of them and gave them his 'I know what you mean' look. "And, I know Callen can be a handful. Thank you, both, for keeping him out of trouble."
Callen looked and listened with mock astonishment while waiting for the conversation to come to an end. But Deeks wasn't quite ready to get back to the serious task at hand. Looking from Callen to Sam, he turned to Kensi, "Kensi, do you think we were interrupting something? Because if we were, we can always come back."
"We certainly can," Kensi agreed, and then she cast a sidelong glance at Deeks. "The sun will be setting soon."
"But the night is young," Deeks said with a wink.
"Well, whatever you two might be thinking about doing, you can forget it," Callen said with finality, "because we have an op to run starting tonight."
"And," Sam continued as they all headed back inside, "we all need to be at the top of our game."
A little while later in Ops, they were going over the operation and ironing out the finer details.
"So, while you're setting yourself up to be the target," Deeks said looking at Callen and then caught Sam's expression, "oops, contact, Artie will be your street shadow."
"Tonight, tomorrow, and the next day."
"And Artie better not lose sight of his charge," Sam stated giving Deeks a look that needed no additional explanation.
Trying to lighten the mood a little, Deeks looked from Callen to Sam and said, "Artie—and his coat—stick to any assignment—or person—the way gum sticks to the bottom of your shoes or tree sap to your car's window."
"I want Artie and his coat staying at least one block away from me," Callen told Deeks. "Any closer and I'll probably get a rash again." Then he turned back to the screen. "Eric has tapped into cameras on the streets bordering the Weingart Center. Based on what Mary told us, it seems likely that someone is choosing the vets prior to Ross and Xavier meeting them and giving them whatever it is they're giving them."
"Why do you think that?" Kensi asked.
Sam replied, "From what Mary could see, there wasn't a lengthy discussion between the two men—who we think were Ross and Xavier—and the vet before he took possession of the large bag and the money."
"Also," Callen continued, "none of the other vets approached and tried to get in on the action."
"It does sound pre-arranged," Deeks concurred and Kensi nodded in agreement, "with maybe a little intimidation tossed in."
"Using what we know about the three vets who've been found dead, I'll be backstopped as a former Navy petty officer who's fallen on hard times and recently arrived in Los Angeles."
"I'll drop Callen off in an alley several blocks from the Men's L.A. Mission," Sam explained as he outlined the area on the map that was now on the screen. "He's going to 'check-in' there."
"Which means," Callen interjected, "I'll drop some personal details and pick up information about the services they offer."
"But you won't be staying inside?" Deeks asked.
"No, I'm going to be on the street tonight, tomorrow night, and I should be making my delivery Friday night."
"Okay," Deeks said and then let Callen continue.
"Tomorrow during the day, the plan is to visit as many of the charity and homeless shelters as possible before settling down among the other vets."
Kensi interrupted, "Do you think it's possible that one of the volunteers or an employee at one of the shelters or charities is involved, providing details about vets to Ross and Xavier?"
"It's possible," Callen said, "which is one reason I'm going to drop by as many facilities as I can, ostensibly to see what services they offer but really to be seen by as many people as possible."
"So what else do we know about the three vets who died of drug overdoses other than that they were homeless?" Deeks asked.
"Even though they were homeless, they seemed to have been solid, decent men who became homeless through no fault of their own," Sam noted.
"Which is why Artie," Callen explained, "although he has plenty of street cred, won't work in this situation—besides the fact that you've been seen by Ross."
"But if the vets were Navy men, why not let Sam go?" Deeks asked. "He actually was a Navy man."
Callen looked at Deeks, then at Kensi, and then at Sam before finally looking back at Deeks, "Seriously? Nobody is going to hire a guy who looks like he could break their necks with one good swing."
"Probably true," Deeks said as he looked at Sam.
"And that makes my alias, Jim Matti, who's bio indicates he's honest and responsible with a solid service record, is perfect."
"So," Deeks commented, "he's nothing like you."
Callen and Kensi both acknowledged Deeks' touché, but Sam was not amused. "Stay focused," he snapped, and everyone fell silent. "Look, outside of Ross and Xavier, we have no idea who we're dealing with or how many. The only thing we do know is that they won't hesitate to kill. We can't afford to slip up in any way, at any time."
"And we won't, Sam," Kensi promised.
"We got this," Deeks assured him echoing his partner.
"Okay then," Callen said to his team, "let's get this done."
As they exited Ops, Deeks whispered to Kensi, "Does Sam seem wound a little tight?"
She whispered back, "You would be too if I were the bait."
"Touché," Deeks said under his breath because he couldn't argue with that.
Sam was the last one to exit Ops and before leaving, he turned back to Eric and Nell. "You need to monitor those cameras as long as Callen's out there."
"Don't worry, Sam," Nell replied, "I'm brewing lots of coffee." Eric gave her a quizzical look, but Nell simply shrugged and said, "Hetty's orders."
Sam was in the doorway when he turned back once more. "And Eric, don't forget to run a kaleidoscope search for Xavier's SUV on Friday. We need to know where it is and where it goes."
"I won't," Eric confirmed. "I have the license plate information already entered."
"Okay, thanks," Sam said and then went to join the others waiting downstairs.
