Presumption of Innocence
Chapter Nine
"Absolutely not!"
Hetty's 'gorgon' stare was renowned for making even a seasoned agent feel like a naughty school child. Callen, who faced it regularly, gave no visible sign of discomfort. He responded with the hint of a smirk and waited. He'd thrown out an idea and was confident that Hetty would eventually come round to his way of thinking.
"It's dangerous," Hetty continued, "and runs contrary to our instructions to stay out of the police investigation."
"When isn't our job dangerous?" Callen asked reasonably. "Look, Hetty, we were told to keep out of the murder enquiry and we are. My proposal might lead to a break in that investigation but that isn't the focus."
"Semantics," Hetty snapped.
"What are Deeks' chances for an acquittal if we do nothing?"
"Not good," she conceded.
"From what Deeks told Kensi it's looking more and more likely that Marta was killed because she cheated on Olisov. Framing Deeks for the murder was masterful. Either he would be killed at the scene or arrested, convicted and sentenced to life. Either way Olisov wins."
"That is a fair assessment unfortunately."
"The LAPD investigation into Vincent Savage has stalled. He knew Marta and must have known she was Olisov's mistress. We need to go in hard and dirty, gain his confidence and build a case against him. If we can get enough evidence to arrest him on people smuggling charges it gives us leverage to turn him against Olisov."
"What if he tells Olisov about you?"
"I'm counting on it."
"Then you become a target if Olisov believes you are a threat."
"Why would Yuri Olisov think you're a threat Agent Callen?" Granger asked, taking the seat next to Callen and fixing him with a baleful stare.
"Mr. Callen is proposing an undercover operation to get close to Vincent Savage," Hetty said.
"No," Granger responded flatly.
"You haven't heard the details. If it works we bring down a successful people smuggling operation and clear Deeks," Callen argued.
"It isn't our problem."
"Olisov's a terrorist," Callen persisted forcefully.
"He's an American citizen and a respected businessman."
"He's funding a network that brings illegal immigrants into the country. Most are poor and desperate but the terrorists and drug dealers are using it as a back door to avoid the authorities."
"This is all speculation. There's no proof," Granger said, his temper rising.
"Give me a chance to find some. Even if we don't get Olisov this time we'll stop the flow of people."
"For how long? Unless you cut off the funding it'll just start up again someplace else."
"So we don't even try?" Callen asked angrily.
Hetty had stayed quiet while Callen and Granger argued. Now she held up a hand. "Gentlemen, please. Fighting among ourselves isn't productive."
Callen was quivering with tension and the need to do something to help his beleaguered colleague. "I won't sit back and let Deeks be convicted for a crime he didn't commit."
"You'll follow orders, Agent Callen."
"Why are you being obstructive? Are you afraid for your job? Maybe Olisov's got to you too," Callen said rashly.
Granger flushed. "That's enough. One more word and I'll have your badge."
Callen kept his lips pressed together to hold back the words that would almost certainly see him suspended.
"We all need to take a step back," Hetty said quietly. "None of us likes feeling helpless particularly when one of our own is in trouble. How much harm could it do, Owen? We can provide Mr. Callen and Mr. Hanna with extensive back stopping for their aliases. Either they get traction quickly with Vincent Savage or they don't. If he doesn't take the bait then the operation is over. If he does…well, it could produce interesting results."
"I thought you weren't in favor of this either," Granger said, his color gradually returning to normal.
"I don't think I would ever forgive myself if we didn't try and Mr. Deeks went to prison to serve a life sentence without hope of parole. Would you?"
"I'm not as sentimental as you, Henrietta."
"No, but neither are you as hard-hearted as you would like people to believe."
Callen could barely breathe through the tightness in his chest. Hetty's unexpected endorsement might be enough to tip the balance in his favor. Granger and Hetty locked stares for an interminable period of time while Callen waited silently.
"There are conditions." Granger turned his attention to Callen. "If the police get wind of this it's over. If NCIS gets an urgent case it will take priority. If I see or hear anything I don't like it ends immediately. Understood?"
Callen licked his lips while he considered the proposition. "Understood, sir and I apologize for what I said earlier."
"Don't give me cause to regret this, Agent Callen."
"I won't."
"Very well. I suggest you get up to Ops and start working on your cover story."
NCISLA
Deeks was relieved to be back in his room. The police officer had removed the cuffs and returned to his post outside the door. Kensi, who had accompanied him to the x-ray was still in the hallway taking a call from Callen. When the door opened Deeks looked up expectantly. Dr. Morrison stepped inside accompanied by a nurse.
"I'm pleased to say your x-ray was clear. How about we remove your chest tube?"
"Sounds good."
"I need you to lie on your left side. Nurse Coleman will help you."
Nurse Coleman was middle-aged, not pretty but cheerful and Deeks couldn't help responding to her smile. He eased down the bed until he was lying flat. When he tried to turn on his side he felt a sharp pain and caught his breath.
"Easy, honey," she said. "Your wounds are still healing and there's a lot of internal bruising. Try to breathe normally and roll when I tell you."
The pain subsided while he concentrated on following her instructions. With her hands to steady him he managed to get into position. He could feel his limbs shaking with the effort of keeping himself in place. The nurse untied the back of the gown and slid it down until his right arm was free of the material. Deeks stared straight ahead, unwilling to look at the state of his chest.
"Good." Dr. Morrison walked over to the bed. He was wearing a pair of disposable gloves. "I'm going to loosen the suture holding the tube in place. Try to relax."
Deeks felt a pulling sensation. His eyes tracked the movements of the nurse while she clamped the tube to disconnect it from the suction system. Even though this was a minor procedure which would make him more comfortable he couldn't help feeling exposed and vulnerable.
"Take a deep breath and hold it," Dr. Morrison instructed.
Deeks obeyed and immediately the doctor pulled the tube out in one swift and efficient movement.
"Done," the doctor said. "Lie back now."
After numbing the skin around the entry wound the doctor inserted one suture to close the small cut. Deeks began to breathe easier. "Thanks, Doctor."
"The nurse will put a dressing on to keep the area sterile. I'll arrange for you to have another chest x-ray in an hour." The doctor hesitated over his next words. "You don't need to stay in intensive care unless the x-ray shows any problems with your chest or lungs."
Deeks heart sank. "That means the police get to interview me."
"Yes. You'll be moved to a private room attached to the general medical ward. In my experience the police will want to take greater precautions to keep you secure and it will only be a matter of a few days before they will be able to petition the Court to have you removed to the medical department in the remand center."
"I know how it works. D'you think you could ask Kensi to come back in? I think it's time I got a lawyer."
His limited freedom was about to end. He would be shackled to the bed and subject to interrogation. Now that he was out of the acute phase of his recovery he wouldn't be allowed any visitors except for his lawyer. Time was running out to tell Kensi everything he could remember. He wasn't sure if he'd also have the courage to tell her how he felt about her and how grateful he was for the time they had worked as partners.
Tbc
Caroline
August 2013
