The Favor
Chapter 2
...
Shaking the water from his hair, he began to dry himself, suddenly realizing he was smiling. He was surprised to discover he had spent over two hours on the waves, reading the swells, carving, cutting, even completing a floater, skimming the top of the wave with an enthusiastic shout. He'd had a few wipeouts, but nothing dramatic or anything that would embarrass him in front of serious surfers. A couple of young teens were staring at him as they passed by, nodding approval before heading out to catch their own waves. They undoubtedly thought he was an old man, and if he were being honest he would have too at their age. But they acknowledged his skill and it felt good. He was relaxed and hated that he had to leave, feeling the urge to head up the coast to tackle waves that were more of a challenge. That would have to wait. He stood silent for a few moments, breathing in the salty smell of the ocean, listening to the persistent calls of the swooping gulls, and feeling the tingle of anticipation for what lay ahead, especially the surfing part.
Out on the water, he had sensed the awakening of a persona that was familiar. It was who he'd been many years ago, a laid back kid seeking to escape the everyday sameness of school and harsh memories of an unsettling childhood. He would have to find a way to incorporate that attitude into the type of character he wanted to represent to the surfing packs along the coast. The more he thought about it, the more he glimpsed a persona of a disenchanted man who had returned to find solace once again on the waves he remembered from his early youth. It might get him close to a few groups of surfers, but if he did spot Kai, he wasn't sure how he'd approach him. Not yet anyway. But finding him at all was a long shot. He needed more information and a better sense of what this kid was like, so he gathered up his towels and board and headed for the parking lot. Talking to Harry Mayne was at the top of his list for today, and after that he intended to pay a visit to the private detective the man had hired. But it was Hetty he called first, dumping his stuff and pulling his phone as he settled in behind the wheel of his red truck.
"You're up bright and early, Mr. Deeks."
"Need a favor, Hetty," he said with a grin.
"Do you now, Mr. Deeks," she replied. "And what might that be?"
"I need a used truck. Preferably one with a lot of miles on it."
"Anything else?"
"No questions about the truck?"
"I assume you want to protect your shiny red one from possible retribution from some of the more territorial surf gangs," she replied evenly. "Is that about right?"
"And to blend in."
"That goes without saying, Mr. Deeks. May I also suggest you stop shaving, and allow your hair to cover your ears. It's always looked better that way and will add to your surfer vibe."
"The Admiral called me a hippy."
"You do fit the profile...outwardly at least," she said. "You can pick up your beat up rattletrap of a truck at the boat shed this afternoon. Is that all, Mr. Deeks?"
"You sure Beale has time to do research for me?" Deeks asked. "He must have a bazillion things on his agenda now days."
"I asked, and he agreed."
"A favor then?"
"As you can see, we all need them occasionally, Mr. Deeks," she said. "Now anything else you need to know?"
"Everything Admiral Kilbride didn't tell me about Harry Mayne and his son Ralph."
"A deep dive, so to speak?"
"Good one, Hetty," he laughed.
"How's the surfing going? Do any tail slides or perhaps a roundhouse cutback?"
He quickly looked around to see if she'd been watching him surf. "How did you...?"
"Please, Mr. Deeks. I'm not omnipotent. I spoke with Kensi this morning," she said with a small chuckle. "She got your note and told me where you were."
"Yeah, no, but how do you know..."
"Surfer lingo? Many years ago I spent a little down time in Australia, hiding from the Russians. I grew to be quite proficient on the waves. I've remained a fan of surfing through the years and follow the competitions now that I've retired my board."
"Guess I shouldn't be surprised," Deeks laughed.
"No you shouldn't," Hetty said sharply. "Just as you shouldn't try and keep your wife out of the loop on your plans for this assignment. She worries about you Mr. Deeks, so I ended up filling her in on a few things."
"Yeah, no...You're right. I'll call her. Anything you told her I should know?"
"Watch your back, Mr. Deeks," she said. "There may be more to this situation than you've been told."
"Admiral Kilbride holding out on me, Hetty?"
"Possibly, but I'm not sure he even knows the whole story."
"Do you?"
"I have my suspicions, but they're unconfirmed. And I'm sure you have your own. Go find the answers and the boy, Mr. Deeks. Just keep your wits about you. I don't believe anything is ever as simple as it appears."
She left him hanging with that unsettling thought, and he wasn't happy about it, but it was typical. He wondered if Eric had been given any more choice than he had and placed a call to find out.
"Beale! How's the billionaire business?"
"Harder than I thought."
"Seriously? Can't spend it all or spending too much time avoiding taxes?"
"I'm setting up non-profits..."
"I know you are and I'm proud of you, buddy," Deeks said kindly. "Which is why I'm wondering why you agreed to do research and background checks for me on this outside the lines favor I'm doing for Admiral Kilbride?"
"Hetty asked...sort of, and I owe her," he replied. "Besides, I miss digging into the mystery of a case...and I miss working with you guys."
"Well this one is more like finding a needle in a haystack."
"How can I help?"
"Has Hetty brought you up to speed on the parameters of the case?"
"Yes. And the players. I feel for that kid."
"Me too. Can you research Kai's family for me? See what skeletons might be lurking in his dad and mom's closets in Corpus Christi?" Deeks asked. "Also, Kilbride's friend, Harry Mayne hired a private detective after reporting the kid missing to LAPD. Name's Jasper Price. Get me what you can on the guy. I'd like to know who I'm dealing with when I show up at his office."
"That's assuming he'll want to take a meeting with you." Eric said. "It is his case."
"Then you better find out if he works well with others."
"If he doesn't, do you want me to hack him?" Eric asked, making Deeks laugh.
"Missing the sneaky stuff, are you, brother?"
"Maybe just a little," he whispered. "Being naughty can be fun."
"Do your non-profit friends know about your less than stellar wild side?"
"Let's keep that between us, okay?" He snapped.
"Whoa. Slow down, man...I'm not trying to blackmail you," Deeks laughed.
"No...no, of course not...sorry. It's just that some of those people make me nervous," he mumbled. "I don't exactly fit in."
"Come on, Beale. You're smarter than ninety-nine point eight percent of those people and probably one of the riches guys in the room."
"Nell keeps reminding of that, but it still takes some getting use to," he said. "They all seem to know each other and they make me feel out of place. It's like they want my money...just not necessarily me."
"Want to come surfing with me tomorrow?" Deeks asked. "The waves don't care who you are or how much money you have. They'll kick your butt regardless."
"Thanks, Deeks. I'd love it," he replied quietly. "And I'll call you with what I find on Jasper Price and Kai's parents."
"Counting on it, buddy. And thanks. Couldn't do this without you."
Deeks stared out at the incoming line of waves as they ran up the broad swath of sand, leaving bubbles of foam to mark their final reach. He never tired of watching the sea or the feeling of calm it brought him. He wondered if Kai felt the same, or was he a hotdog, only in it for the excitement of catching and riding the big ones. Or worse. A Barney...a surfer without talent. If he was one of those or a kook looking to cause trouble, then Deeks knew finding him would be even more difficult. Surf packs didn't like either type and would kick the kid off their patch of sand without a backward look, keeping him moving from one beach to the next. He needed to know, so he punched in the number the Admiral had given him and waited for Harry Mayne to pick up. He didn't. Deeks left a message introducing himself, and in the meantime decided to pay a visit to the PI he'd hired.
"Beale? Got anything for me on that PI yet?"
"What? Now? You just gave me his name a second ago. I'm not The Flash you know."
"I'm on my way to his office in Century City," Deeks replied. "What can you get in the time it takes me to get there?"
"Some things never change," Eric mumbled. "I am doing you a favor, you know."
"Aren't we all. Sorry, man."
"Hold your horses, Agent Deeks. Just give me one minute. Uh oh.
"What?"
"He's ex-military, and has a higher security clearance than everyone on the team," Eric said. "Three tours in Iraq as an Army Ranger. Decorated. Got out four years ago."
"And so he comes home and hangs a PI shield out in Tinseltown?"
"Let me see if I can access his bank account..."
"I'll call you back. I'm here."
As he pulled into the parking garage outside the building on Wiltshire he whistled. This guy charges big bucks. The address surprised him, since it was in one of the more expensive areas of LA. This Jasper Price guy probably catered to the rich and famous now, judging by his business address, but Harry Mayne wasn't one of them, unless Admiral Kilbride had left out a few details.
He checked Jasper Price's business card as he entered the lobby between the two towers of the gleaming blue glass building, noting that no number was listed for his office. The lobby sported security and a check-in desk that didn't appear to be an option. Not wanting to be told he had no appointment, he flipped his badge out and announced he was a federal agent, impressing the very attractive blond woman behind the massive desk. One security guard suddenly became very interested and moved closer.
"I'll handle this Melanie," the guard said, looking Deeks up and down. "How can I help you?"
"You can't. I'm here to see Jasper Price," Deeks replied. "What's his office number?"
"Mr. Price doesn't take meetings this time of day," the man said.
"Seriously?" Deeks said with a slow grin. "It's ten in the morning."
"I look out for him, and he doesn't like his mornings to be disturbed," the guard said stiffly.
"And who might you be?"
"Craig Stenzel. I'm part of the security team here at the towers."
"The towers? Cute. Listen, Craig...I'm sure you get a great big Christmas bonus for watching out for Mr. Price," Deeks said as he held up his credentials again. "But I don't think he'll be very pleased or give you a bonus if you get him in trouble with a Federal agency."
"Is that a real badge?" The guard asked. "Because you don't look like any Federal agent I've ever seen."
"Really? So you're an expert, yeah? Or maybe you've been arrested by a Federal agent before? FBI, perhaps? Are you on their homegrown terrorist watch list, Craig?" Deeks asked, stepping closer to the man.
"Craig, please don't make a scene," the receptionist pleaded.
"Good advice, Craig. Save the attitude for your next audition for The Rookie. I hear Brooklyn Nine-Nine is casting for season eight."
The man was glowering at him when Deeks turned to talk to the receptionist.
"Now...Melanie is it? Lovely name. I'm guessing you're the one who has a handle on things here, so could you please direct me to Mr. Price's office? I really don't feel like arresting your security guard this early in the morning. Plus I'd have to handcuff him right out here in the lobby and you know how that would look."
"Penthouse. Suite B. North tower," Melanie said sweetly.
"Thank you, darlin'."
He laughed when he heard them begin arguing as he headed for the elevators. Stepping inside the nearest one, he pushed the button for the top floor suite of offices, his mind turning to Jasper Price. This guy had to have come from money. No way you start up an investigative service in a place like this without seed money. When the elevator doors opened, he found himself in another lobby, but this one was smaller and empty. The door to the office on the right was slightly ajar, and as he moved past the reception desk he noticed a woman hiding beneath it. She looked scared to death and cringed when he approached. Once again he pulled his badge and she closed her eyes.
"Three men," she whispered. "Help him. They have guns."
"Jasper Price?" He asked.
She nodded and he pulled his weapon, ushering her quickly out of the office. Moving low, he slowly pushed the door open and surveyed the interior. There were only four workstations and they were all empty. The computer screens stared blankly at him from uncluttered desks that looked as if they'd never been occupied. As he moved toward the back of the workspace he could hear voices, and the person talking was not pleased.
"I'm not giving you my files, asshole," a deep voice said, followed by a crash.
Two men flew out of what looked to be a file room, landing hard against the opposite wall in a tangle of limbs. They struggled with one another as Deeks moved toward them to intervene. One had a gun, but the man he was fighting quickly took it away from him and flipped him over, slamming him down on his back on the floor. Two armed men attacked him immediately from behind, one pistol-whipping the man Deeks assumed was Jasper Price.
"Federal agent!" Deeks shouted, surprising them all. "Drop your weapons and get up against the wall. Now!"
One man seemed hesitant to put his gun down, and Deeks moved in with his weapon pointed directly at the man's face.
"Don't even think about it," he warned and the man dropped his Glock, looking pissed. "I'm here to take a meeting with Jasper Price."
"That would be me, but I don't have any appointments this morning," said the man bleeding on the floor.
"I can leave if you like, and you can continue your meeting with these fine upstanding gentlemen."
"Who are you?"
"Agent Marty Deeks. NCIS Special Operations," he replied. "I have a few questions about a runaway."
"Okay. Give me a minute," Price said as he got to his feet and slammed his fist into his assailant's mouth.
"Take all the time you need," Deeks replied with a smile. "I've got your back."
With lightning fast moves, Jasper Price laid out the other two men without a word. Then he turned back to the first man, who was leaning against the wall looking down at the two teeth in his hand. Blood poured from his mouth and nose.
"You tell that rat fuck if he ever sends armed men to my office again, I'll come to his cheap ass little production company and shoot his dick off. Got it?" Price growled. The man nodded, but the PI knocked him out anyway.
"Is Julie okay? My receptionist?" Price asked as he staggered past Deeks. "They threatened to shoot her and her kids. She couldn't move she was so scared."
"She hid under her desk. I pulled her out and told her to run," Deeks said as he followed him into his office. "She was pretty shaken up. Not sure she called LAPD."
"Probably have to get a new receptionist after this," Price said as he took a first aid kit off a bookshelf. "Julie never developed a taste for this kind of thing. Too sweet."
"I know a couple of female cops looking to get out of law enforcement and move into the private sector," Deeks offered. "If you're interested."
"Are they cute?"
"That's your first question?"
"Yeah, you're right," he grinned as he pressed a wad of gauze into the cut on his head. "Are they ugly?"
"Seriously?"
"Sorry. Got my bell rung pretty good I guess," he replied. "Now who are you again?"
"Marty Deeks. Federal agent."
"Glad you showed up when you did. Thanks. Those three pieces of shit might have roughed me up pretty good before I kicked their asses."
"Want me to call my buddies down at LAPD and have them arrested?"
"You pick up their guns?"
"They're on one of the empty desks out there," Deeks said, pointing over his shoulder.
Price tossed the bloody gauze into the trash, and walked out into the outer office. "They're still down and out."
He picked up and examined each weapon, pocketed one and dropped the other two into the bottom drawer of the desk. The time he took gave Deeks a chance to look him over. His dark hair was trimmed close on the sides and was longish on top, but he was clean-shaven. The skin along his left jaw was deeply pebbled with scars, as was his neck. His left hand was missing its little finger. Deeks guessed an explosion as the cause. His clothing was expensive. Blue silk shirt, now spotted with blood. Dark slacks, and black running shoes with no brand. He was the type of man who would fit in anywhere, be it with a man like Admiral Kilbride, or with the elite of Hollywood or the boardroom. He looked formidable and unafraid.
"I'm tempted to let them go," Price said, sounding amused by his own comment. "Maybe word will get around not to mess with me."
"Or word will get around you had backup and that you're weak or compromised for not having them arrested," Deeks said. "Or they could just come back and kill you."
He squinted as he thought about it. "Their boss claims he can't afford to pay the bonus he promised my client. Claims he's out of money. She hired me to prove he's not."
"Is she cute?"
"Touché."
"I'll tell my wife you said that," Deeks said. "We have a thing about it."
"You don't look married," he said. "Or like a Federal agent for that matter."
"That works in certain situations."
"Undercover operative?"
"When needed."
"Like working the surfer scene?"
"Bingo!"
"So Harry Mayne's unhappy I haven't found the kid, and asks you to see what you can find?" Jasper Price said as he sat down on the edge of a desk and stared pointedly at him with sharp hazel eyes. "He didn't call to fire me so it's still my case. Is this a side job for you? Need a little extra cash for the wife?"
"Being suspicious must come with your new job," Deeks said without a smile.
"It helps. So which is it?"
"I'm doing a favor for someone I can't say no to."
He laughed and stood up. "Admiral Kilbride."
"You know him?"
"Met him at Harry's house," Price said. "Don't know him personally, but I know the type. Doesn't seem like the kind of guy who asks for anything...just gives orders."
"Sounds about right."
"So you came here for my files too?"
"I came to talk," Deeks replied. "Maybe we can help each other. You can still get paid, and I can meet an obligation. There's still a scared kid out there and I don't think he knows how dangerous the surfing world can be if you fall in with the wrong pack."
"And you do."
"Yeah, I do."
"I can see that," he said. "Okay. You call the cops and I'll get the file on Brandon Webber."
"Kai."
"But he got in trouble under his real name," Price said. "The Admiral didn't tell you he has a record? Juvenile, but trouble all the same. He was twelve when he started screwing up."
"Maybe he had reason."
"Or he's just a bad kid," Price laughed. "They exist, you know."
"Something you know about or just believe?"
"My dad would...and I quote..."tan my hide" if I screwed around and got arrested when I was a kid," he replied. "Maybe yours was more lenient."
"Not even close."
The man stopped to stare at him, but Deeks wasn't in the mood to share. He took the lull in the conversation to pull his phone and call LAPD. They were already in the lobby according to dispatch. He turned to watch Jasper Price put a stack of papers in the copy machine and assumed they were the files on Kai. But he couldn't help but wonder if he was giving him everything. He doubted it, but he did have Eric Beale in his back pocket, so he wasn't too concerned. If Jasper Price had paperwork on Kai's arrest record, then Eric would easily find out if he'd left anything out. What he might not share were the people he'd talked to, and what they had told him. Deeks didn't fully trust this man yet, and he had the feeling Price didn't trust him either, even though he'd saved the man from a beating if not something worse.
"LAPD's in the lobby," he called out to the man.
Price looked up and nodded while he continued to type on his computer. Even the arrival of the cops didn't deter him so Deeks showed his badge and gave them a brief statement. When his phone buzzed, he turned away and answered.
"Deeks? Someone is digging very deeply into your background."
"How deep?"
"Juvenile records."
"Sonofabitch," Deeks spit out. "Can you stop it?"
"Already done."
"Thanks, brother."
"Jasper Price?"
"Yeah, and I'm looking right at him," Deeks replied.
"Well, two can play that game," Eric said. "But just so you know...that guy has friends in very high places."
"So do we."
...
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