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Presumption of Innocence

Chapter Ten

Kensi's burst of relief and happiness upon being told that her partner was well enough to leave the ICU evaporated the minute she saw his face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Okay," she said sceptically. "Dr. Morrison says they're moving you. That's good news, right?"

"Yeah."

"What's with the one word answers, Deeks?" When he continued to look miserable she suddenly realized what was wrong. "Oh, crap!"

"That's about right." Deeks made a visible effort to climb out of the dark emotional hole. "We don't have much time. What did Callen say?"

"He's working on something." She sat down and looked at her hands. "I can't tell you what it is."

"I understand."

"It isn't like we don't trust you," Kensi continued hurriedly. "It's just best if you don't know."

"I get it, Kens. Tell them to be careful." Deeks grimaced when he tried to sit up straighter. "I remembered some more about the night Marta was killed."

"We don't have to do this now." Her professional instincts were secondary to her concern for his wellbeing. His complexion was ashen which made his blue eyes stand out starkly. More than anything it was the lack of life in those eyes which scared her.

"Yeah, we do. She called me at work and suggested we meet for a drink. I wasn't sure it was a good idea but she insisted. She sounded like she was high and sounded kinda reckless, like she didn't care if Olisov found out. I was worried about her."

Kensi listened, outwardly calm and detached. Inside, her emotions were churning. She had no right to be jealous and yet she was. "What happened after you met her?"

"We had a couple of drinks and she invited me back to her place. I'd never been there before. I think it was pretty late before we left the bar but everything after that is blank."

"Did you get the sense that you were being watched?"

"Not particularly. There were a lot of people coming and going. No-one really stood out."

"Could someone have slipped anything into your drink?"

"I doubt it. I was drinking bottled beer. Although…" his voice trailed off and he frowned. "Just before we left I went to the men's room. When I got back Marta said something about a friend stopping by the table to say hello. I finished my drink and…and that's the last thing I remember."

"Did she identify her friend?"

"No, and I didn't ask. How could I have been so careless?"

"They'd have found a way to get to you. We're not dealing with amateurs."

"I guess so."

Kensi couldn't reconcile the memory of her vivacious partner with the broken man lying in the bed. Deeks was never quiet and still. He always had a bad joke or teasing comment on his lips. The reality of his situation slammed into her. "I won't be able to see you again, will I?"

"Probably not. They'll put me on lockdown until I'm well enough to move to the remand center. Once I'm in there I'll be allowed visitors."

"It won't get that far?"

Deeks gave a half-hearted smile. "I wish I had your confidence."

"Hetty's getting you a lawyer. Maybe you'll make bail."

"They don't grant bail to a man capable of butchering a helpless young woman. Face facts, Kensi. They have enough evidence to send me away for a very long time. The chances of beating the charges are slim to non-existent."

"We'll find a way," she replied almost desperately. It was impossible to imagine life without him. He could be brash and annoying but he was also the one man she could imagine spending her life with. She hadn't felt like this since Jack and it terrified her.

"Will you visit when I'm…you know?"

"Stop it. None of us'll give up until we find the evidence to clear you."

"I know."

"Don't do that! Don't humour me." She felt a spark of anger.

"I'm not but we have to accept the possibility that I'll be convicted."

Rationally she knew he was right. Emotionally she wasn't ready to reach that conclusion. She bit her lip to hold back tears of frustration. Deeks didn't need to see her fall apart.

"Tell Callen to watch Vincent Savage. He's ruthless and, if he's hooked up with Olisov, he has no conscience. Find their connection. Eric and Nell can dig deeper than the police." Deeks' voice was growing weaker. "Bringing them down is more important than proving my innocence. They've ruined too many lives."

"They don't get to ruin yours," Kensi said fiercely. "I won't let them."

"It's strange. I went to law school because I wanted to help people. Then I realized I could do more good as a cop. But, I never really found a home until Hetty brought me into NCIS."

"Stop talking like it's over."

"It's been good…our partnership." He was fighting a losing battle against his exhaustion. "You should go. Let Hetty know I need that lawyer now."

There were too many things Kensi wanted to say and she knew they would remain unsaid. It would be unfair to tell Deeks about her feelings for him even though she was almost certain he felt the same way. Better to let him think they could only ever be friends. "I'll be back once I make the call."

"No. I don't want you to come back."

"Why?"

"It'll just make it harder when they make you leave again."

She understood and respected the strength it took for him to send her away. She bent over to kiss his cheek but he turned his head and his lips brushed against hers. It was like being hit with an electric charge. She pulled back and turned away. Her heart was pounding and her view of the door was obscured by a shimmering veil of tears.

NCISLA

It was slightly after ten the next morning when Callen stepped out of the Jaguar XKR. In his expensive charcoal grey suit, black shirt and opaque sunglasses he wasn't aiming for subtlety. He stood by the car waiting for Sam who looked every inch the deadly bodyguard he was supposed to be.

"I hate wearing a shoulder holster," Sam grumbled.

Callen smirked at his partner. His gun was in its customary place well hidden by the cut of his jacket. He took a leisurely look around. The building housing Savage & Savage was an ugly structure with windows set at regular intervals. It was situated in one of the neighbourhoods outside downtown that was trying very hard to become chic and desirable. In Callen's opinion it was a miserable failure. He liked the quirkiness of Venice and the sight of the ocean. This was bland with an undercurrent of despair.

"Are you sure he's in there?" Sam asked.

They were both fitted with earwigs and button cams so that their colleagues back in Ops could follow their every move.

"He's there," Eric said.

The five storey concrete monstrosity was prefect for the image of a law firm supposedly doing low rent good deeds. It was an inspired cover for the extremely lucrative and illegal activities of Vincent Savage and his investors. The entrance door was made of reinforced glass and the lower windows had bars across them. Callen sneered for the benefit of the few passers-by. They took one look and him and Sam and quickened their steps.

Sam opened the door for him. It led into a reception area which was no more welcoming than the exterior had been. A young woman sat behind a wooden counter talking on the phone. She looked up briefly and her flow of words stuttered to a halt. The seating area for clients waiting to be seen consisted of mismatched chairs and a few low coffee tables. There was a water cooler in one corner and a potted fern in another, wilting from lack of attention. Callen's sneer increased. He removed his glasses to look at the other occupants of the room; a middle-aged Latino couple and a young Asian man who was nervously shuffling a small stack of documents. None would meet his hard stare. He could practically smell their fear.

Sam approached the receptionist. "Maksym Koslov to see Vincent Savage."

"Does Mr…." She stumbled over the name, embarrassment now mixed with her general unease. "Sorry. Does Mr. Koslov have an appointment?"

"He doesn't need an appointment," Sam responded. "Tell Mr. Savage he's here to discuss a mutually beneficial proposition."

Callen sauntered up to the desk. "And tell him not to keep me waiting," he said, his Russian accent flawless.

"Would you like to sit down while I call him?" the girl asked.

"I don't think so." His words dripped with contempt for his surroundings.

"Oh, okay. Give me a minute."

While she relayed the message Callen crossed his arms and waited impatiently. Sam came closer, bent down and whispered in his ear.

"You been taking lessons from Arkady?"

Callen's lips twitched while he fought a smile. "Gibbs." Sam straightened and took up a protective position a few steps behind and to the right.

"You can go up," the receptionist said, her tone conveying relief that she didn't have to deliver bad news. "The elevators are through the door over there." She pointed toward the back of the reception area. "Fourth floor. Mr. Savage will meet you."

"Thank you." Callen's smile seemed to disconcert her further and she gave only a brief nod before silencing the persistent ringing of the phone by answering the call.

When the elevator doors opened on the fourth floor Vincent Savage was waiting to greet them. "Mr. Koslov?" he extended his hand to Callen. "I'm Vincent Savage."

Callen noted the firm grip. This man wouldn't be easily intimidated. "Pleased to meet you."

Savage looked uncertainly at Sam before deciding that further introductions were unnecessary. "My office is this way." He set off down the hallway.

The doors to either side were all closed and could only be accessed by a swipe card. Callen filed that information away in case they might need to stage a break and enter at a later date.

When they reached the last door Savage unlocked it and waved them in. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Coffee. Black."

The large office was expensively furnished with an antique oak desk and comfortable seating area. Callen chose a chair while Sam remained standing.

Savage joined them after placing a call to order coffee. "What can I do for you Mr. Koslov?"

"I am a businessman," Callen said, leaving his occupation deliberately vague. "My business is growing and I need to bring in some specialists from Russia."

"You need help with their visas?"

"Not exactly."

There was a tentative knock on the door. Savage opened it to admit a woman pushing a trolley. She kept her eyes averted from Callen while placing coffee, cream, sugar and cups on a nearby table. Once she left Savage poured the coffee, once more giving Callen an appraising look.

"I'm not sure how you think my firm can assist."

"I have been reliably informed that you can arrange entry to the country by-passing the usual formalities."

"Who told you that?"

Callen's answering smirk did nothing to alleviate the chill of his gaze. He sipped his coffee. "This is good and strong," he said. "Just like at home."

"I'm afraid you've had a wasted trip," Savage said, standing up to indicate that the meeting was at an end.

Callen didn't move. "I don't think so."

"I can't help you."

Sam walked forward to stand uncomfortably close to the lawyer. "Mr. Koslov isn't finished."

"You aren't the only one with connections," Savage responded.

The lawyer didn't back down which Callen found interesting. Clearly he felt he was protected. He was also understandably wary and suspicious of strangers.

"You haven't heard my proposition yet." Callen gestured to Sam to back off. "I will make it worth your time to listen."

"Ten minutes." Savage returned to his seat.

"I am prepared to offer one hundred thousand dollars each for getting six of my employees safely into the country."

"There are cheaper ways."

"There are. However, they aren't as reliable and I am told you always fulfill your commitments. As an extra incentive I will pay a bonus of a quarter of a million dollars upon satisfactory completion of the contract." Callen saw Savage's resolve wavering in the face of a substantial profit. "I'm sure you will wish to make some enquiries before committing yourself. I am staying at the Biltmore Hotel." He reached into his jacket and pulled out a card. "This is my telephone number. The matter is time sensitive so I hope to hear from you by this evening."

Savage gave the card a cursory glance. "I don't think there is anything more to discuss."

"Perhaps not, but I hope you will give my proposition some thought." Callen stood up, ready to leave, and threw out his ace. "You should take account of the fact I came to you despite your carelessness in allowing an undercover police officer to infiltrate your organization." From the look of shock on Savage's face Callen knew they had been right about the motivation behind the attack on Deeks. "I can be a very good friend," he added, "or a dangerous opponent. The choice is yours."

Tbc

Caroline

August 2013