The Family
Chapter 6
…
The ranch had always been a haven for him. It's where he wanted to be, but Joe had insisted he and George go to the hospital to get checked out, Elan too, silently ignoring all their protests. Littleshield and Soldier had met them at the trail head in the ranch SUV to drive them to the hospital in Rawlins. Lily was waiting for them when they got there, worry etched on her face. She kissed Deeks on both cheeks before showing him the long thread of text messages from Kensi on her cell phone. When he reached her, she was at the airport in DC, waiting to catch an overnight flight into Cheyenne, and he had no idea what to tell her.
"Deeks? Talk to me, baby," she said. "I need to know you're all right."
"I'm a little sore, but I'm fine."
"Liar," she said instantly, and began peppering him for details.
"I don't need to be interrogated, Kens," his snapped, his voice suddenly raw with anger.
She didn't speak right away, and he thought they'd been cut off, but then he heard her flight being called in the background.
"I know you're not okay, Deeks," she finally said. "And when I get there, we're going to talk. Okay? I love you. I need to hold you…"
"And make it all better?" He said, taunting her for some reason.
"Probably not, but I'll do my best," she replied. "I'll even get naked if I have to."
"Been there, done that," he snapped, sorry the minute it was out of his mouth. "Kens…"
"Deeks…I get it. You're pissed. You're hurting. And you need to take it out on somebody," she said softly. "I'll be there in the morning. You can share what you want to share or not say anything at all. But I'm coming. You're not the only one who's angry, baby."
He didn't say anything, feeling nothing but regret for the way he'd spoken to her.
"Get some sleep, okay?" She finally said. "I love you."
"Okay…Kens. Listen…I'm sorry. I really missed you today," he said, tears suddenly choking his voice. "So…how was your day?"
She laughed and he felt a rush of emotion, knowing how fortunate he was that she was his wife. She played along and told him briefly about the committee hearing, the sound of her voice soothing and just the comfort he needed.
"Just heard the final call for my flight, so I have to go," she said. "Callen and Sam are on their way. We'll all be there tomorrow."
"I love you, Kens."
"I know. I love you too. Even when you're being aggravating."
"Guess I deserved that."
"Yes, you did," she said. "Now, get some rest. Sounds like you need it."
Kensi was on her way. Callen and Sam were his brothers in arms, and he was grateful once again to know they were willing to fight beside him. The family was gathering, circling the wagons to protect their own. A few skirmishes had been won, but Deeks knew, just as the rest of the Atwood clan did, that there would be more coming. They had no idea who was waging war on their family, but they instinctively knew it wasn't over. And it had drawn them closer together, especially Lily and Soldier. They'd hovered around Elan as his wound was being treated, united by the outsiders who had attacked him. On the drive in, Joe had told them about the firefight, how she had fought to protect Elan and George from the men who'd been right on their tail. Deeks had been shocked at how close they'd come to being run down and killed. And they would have been if Lily and Joe hadn't been there to stop them. Soldier seemed to realize that too, and Deeks smiled when he hugged her at the hospital, shyly thanking her for what she did.
The doctors insisted that George stay overnight because he was dehydrated and exhausted. He didn't like it, telling them all he was fine and that he needed to see to Honcho. Jim Littleshield scolded him and that was that. They both stayed. Jim would watch over him throughout the night, even though Sheriff Sogard had assigned one of his men to stand guard outside his door.
"Take care of Honcho for me," he called out as they left. "And Crazy Horse. Damn, contrary animal saved my life."
It was well past sunset when they got to the ranch. The yard lights were on so he could still make out the yellow leaves of the big cottonwoods, glowing like a halo over the barn. The scene was calming as always. It was good to be home, but it was over an hour before he got to sit in front of the fireplace and have that beer. A hot shower had helped, but his body still ached all over and he wasn't in the mood to answer the multiple questions Joe kept asking. But he did. Not that he really had any answers. The whole damn thing was confusing. Joe had done what he'd always been good at when he was with the FBI. Details. Even though they were in a hurry to leave, he had photographed the entire crime scene, did a cursory search of the cabin, collected the dead guys' cell phones and the satellite phone Soji was carrying. He had also given him back his own cell phone, finding it on top of a weapons case embossed with Chinese characters. He'd been thorough as always, despite the situation. Deeks just wished he would quit asking questions now so he could relax, even though he knew he shouldn't. Not until this was over.
"Sheriff Sogard's here," Joe said, catching Deeks napping. "Sorry. Didn't know you'd dozed off. Apparently, he's got bad news."
"Awesome."
Tom Sogard was a good man, and a good sheriff. He had been good for Joe too, especially after what he'd suffered at the hands of Scarabaeus. He'd given him all the time he needed to recover, and they had become close friends. Since then, they had learned to trust one another in the field. It was good to know Joe had someone watching his back on the job. Tonight, the sheriff looked pissed and tired. It wasn't surprising. They all were.
"You got any coffee?" The sheriff asked as he walked over to the fireplace. "Cold as shit out there."
Joe was already on his way from the kitchen with a cup, asking a question before handing it to him.
"How bad is this news of yours?"
Sogard took the coffee and drank deeply, ignoring Joe as he stared at Deeks. "They'll kill you next time."
"Well, aren't you a cheery sonofabitch tonight," Joe snapped.
"That's what the note said, just not in those words," Sogard said, still staring at Deeks. "Tacked it to that frame they hung you up on."
"Wording too scary to say out loud?" Deeks asked. "Didn't think you were the sensitive type, sheriff."
"It was body part specific," he replied. "I'm usually not that squeamish except when it comes to that particular part of the male anatomy. The note's evidence, or I'd give it to you."
"Keep it. Message received," Deeks said, unsurprised by the threat. "What else?"
"There were no bodies when we got there. Just blood, and that note," he replied, finally turning to stare into the fire. "Somebody hauled the bodies away and set fire to the cabin. The forestry boys had to call in an air drop to get water on it."
"Just what we need, another forest fire," Joe said.
"Whoever these guys are, they've got resources," Sogard said.
"And a lot of men," Joe said. "Did you arrest the two bad guys we tied to the trees?"
Sogard turned and looked sharply at Joe. "You tied up two men?"
"Yeah…what do you think we did?"
"We only found three dead bodies to add to your count," he replied. "Which stands at fifteen now…I think. People are gonna start calling you the bloody Atwood's if you keep this up."
"They came at us, Sheriff," Deeks said. "We had no choice."
"Wait. You only found one guy tied to a tree?" Joe asked.
"His throat was cut. Almost decapitated," Sogard said with disgust. "Listen, I know Elan was angry, but…"
"You think Elan did it?" Deeks snapped and stood up to confront the man.
"Papa wouldn't do that," Soldier said as he stepped into the room.
"You're right, son. Sorry. Your dad's a good man, but this whole day's been a blood bath," Sogard replied. "I have a lot of dead bodies to account for, Joe, and none of it makes any sense."
"So, blaming Elan makes sense to you?" Joe said angrily.
Elan came in silently and put both hands on his son's shoulders. "I thought about it. But I didn't act on it. Did the dead man have a busted nose?"
"What? Why?"
"Did he?" Joe asked.
"No."
"Then his name was Wayne," Joe said softly. "The missing guy was called CJ. I broke his nose when he joked about what they were doing to Marty. They must have let the guy live for now. He told Wayne to keep his mouth shut when we were questioning them. Said they'd tossed a guy named Cecil out of a helicopter at two thousand feet."
"We met Cecil," Deeks said. "He tried to run me down. He's the one who shot Elan."
"Who the hell is behind all this?" Sogard said. "And why come at you so heavy handed?"
"Damn good question," Deeks said and sat back down. "But he sure as hell isn't squeamish if he had one of his own men thrown out of a helicopter."
…
Jefferson Hyde stood over the dead body of Soji Kwan while Taft beat the shit out of CJ. His screaming curses and the man's begging were getting on his nerves, but he understood. He was pissed himself, but also curious. He'd been shocked when Kyle had called from the elk camp to say everyone was dead and their prisoner was gone. Taft had been talking nonstop all afternoon about the hippy Fed, excited by what Soji intended to do to him. Taft was a sick bastard, but he usually got results. So had Soji before some asshole gutted him.
He had acquired the young man's services and loyalty when he was just nine years old. His mother, Lorraine, was a former lover, but had made a serious mistake, costing him a few million dollars. She couldn't pay it all back, so she'd offered her son from a liaison with a Chinese drug dealer. She didn't give a shit about the boy or his heritage, or her own for that matter. The only thing she cared about was money and sex. She'd told him she had taught the boy how to pleasure both women and men as if that would interest him. It had disgusted him instead. He'd made the boy watch when he killed her. The kid never flinched, so he took him home, changing his name to Soji because it was one of the few Asian words he knew. He'd heard it in a Japanese restaurant he liked in Atlanta. He'd had him trained in Chinese martial arts, and the boy worked hard to please him, putting on muscle and reading whatever books he gave him. Whatever weapon Hyde presented to him, the boy would work until he mastered it. He was a good student and smart. He also grew to be quite handsome. Almost beautiful. When he'd seen him showering after a training session, he'd raped him. He was thirteen. Soji was told never to speak of it. Ever. On pain of death. Now that death had come at the hands of another.
"I'll find the bastard, Soji. If he has a kid, I'll gut him and make the sonofabitch watch."
"He can't hear you, Jefferson," Taft said with a smirk as he wiped CJ's blood from his hands.
"Shut the fuck up."
"CJ thinks it was an Indian that killed him," Taft said. "The other guy was a deputy sheriff. You shoulda let the old cowboy go, Jeff. You fucked up when you sent our guys to track him down. It was a mistake. A real fucking bad one. Now we got local law enforcement to worry about as well as the Feds."
"Watch your mouth, Mr. Taft."
"It's not my fault we're in this situation…Mr. Hyde," he sneered. "It's not just your life on the line either. They find you, they find me, and they find the rest of the family. If they do that, then we all go down, along with the whole fucking organization, and your days as the supposed Godfather ends."
"Keep talking and yours could end right now."
"You can't afford to take me out right now, Jeff, and I think you know that. If not…look whose dead at your feet. Apparently, he wasn't all that perfect if some two-bit Indian could take him down. You need me."
Hyde hated it when Taft was right, especially when he disrespected him and needled him in that irritating high voice of his. He looked over the man's shoulder at what was left of CJ. He was unrecognizable, but he'd fucked up, and that's what you get when you fuck up in this family.
"Do you really believe CJ? That two locals from the sticks took out Soji, a highly trained assassin and three hired guns?" Hyde asked. "Well, I don't. There had to be more guys. Men CJ never saw because he let himself get tied to a damn tree."
"Whoever they are or how many…they're good," Taft said. "Maybe we should just quit this place and go back to more familiar country. The Feds can't watch every inland waterway along the coast."
"Do I look like a swamp rat to you? Does Laurel?" Hyde asked. "No. There is no way I let a bunch of local yokels run me off a place I bought and paid a lot of money for."
"You could leave Laurel here. Head south of the border for a while," Taft suggested reasonably. "Rodrigo has a couple of pretty sweet properties you could hold up in. And it's nice and warm in Colombia."
"Fuck that," Hyde spit out, angry at the suggestion. "These yahoos need to answer for Soji and the rest of them. Damnit, Kyle, we're pros. We're the sharks and these guys are nothing but minnows. Fuck these cowboys and Indians. We've fought bastards tougher than these fuckers. Call Brother Ambrose. He knows boys who grew up around the Cornbread Mafia. That organization's glory days may be over, but he's still in business and some of his guys might enjoy a little excitement out here in the boonies. Besides, the old fuck owes me. Now it's time to get busy finding out who we're really dealing with."
"I'll call my contact at the FBI and see what he can tell me about the local law around here," Taft said.
"Put your Navy guy on it too," Hyde ordered. "Soji said that Deeks guy is an NCIS Investigator, right? I want to know everything about him. And I mean fucking everything. Especially family. Ever man has a weak spot. Find his."
"What about the Indian?"
"If he risked his life to rescue that hippy then they must be connected somehow. Put Tilly on it. She can work the bars for local gossip. Ain't a cowboy alive who won't spill his guts when sweet Tilly whispers in his ear."
"Yeah, and those big tits don't hurt either."
"She'd twist your dick if she heard you say that."
"Not sure I'd mind."
…
Deeks woke to the murmur of voices coming from the kitchen and a warm body snoring softly beside him. He smiled when he realized he was right on the edge of the bed, his wife splayed out across most of it, her dark hair covering half her face. He propped himself up on his elbow to look at her, gently brushing her hair aside so he could admire her beautiful face. A soft snort made him huff out a laugh and she opened her eyes.
"Hey, Miss Piggy…you were snoring big time again," he whispered.
"That was not a snore," she said sleepily.
"Okay…a snort then. Hence the Miss Piggy reference," he grinned as she glared at him. "What time did you get in?"
"About five this morning," she groaned as she tousled her hair and sat up to look him over. "Oh my God, Deeks. You've got bruises all over, baby."
"You gonna kiss 'em and make 'em better?"
"Yesterday you weren't too interested in that idea," she reminded him.
"I never said that. As I recall, you didn't mention kissing."
"Because you were the one who said it."
She leaned in and kissed him softly. "Are you okay?"
"Am now…" He smiled as she began kissing every bruise on his face.
"I have a few lower down…you know…in the private section," he said with a hopeful grin. "They were very thorough."
She pushed him over onto his back and stared down at him, her eyes full of fury. "Who did this, Deeks? And why?"
"The guys who did this are dead, Kens. As for the why? None of us have a clue."
"Tell me what you do know over breakfast," she said as she slid off the bed. "I'm starving."
"Of course you are."
"We can shower after we eat," she said as she tugged on her jeans and grabbed a sweatshirt.
"Together, together?"
"Of course," kissing him before she headed for the kitchen.
He followed her and smiled when he saw Callen and Sam having coffee with Joe and Lily. Sam looked him over with a critical eye, but Callen hung back. There was a wounded look in his eyes, but his mouth was twisted as if he had just tasted something nasty.
"I'm okay, guys," Deeks said. "I've had cracked ribs before."
"You don't look okay. Concussion?" Sam asked and reached out to squeeze his shoulder.
"Maybe."
"Probably." Callen said.
"When did you get in?" Deeks asked, studying Callen's changing expressions.
"About a half hour ago," Sam replied. "Drove up from Denver after our connecting flight got cancelled."
"Any ideas about the reason for all this?" Callen interrupted, his eyes now like sparks of obsidian. "Why torture you for information? What did they want to know? And why try to kill George in the first place?"
"Nous sommes tous en colère, mon ami," Lily said, stepping in front of Callen. "Tu es trop émotif. Nous avons besoin d'esprits clairs maintenant."
"Look at him, Lily. Look what they did to him and to George," Callen said. "Yeah, I'm angry, and maybe a little emotional, but it's not going to cloud my judgement."
The two continued going at each other in French with Kensi interjecting comments when she could. Seeing Callen this intense was rare, but it showed he cared and that meant a lot to him. Joe smiled and shrugged as he handed Deeks a mug of coffee. He didn't understand what they were saying either. The atmosphere in the kitchen was full of tension and strong emotions, and for some reason that made Deeks feel better.
"So, Joe…who's making the pancakes?" Deeks asked.
"I'll make 'em," Sam said, shaking his head. "You do the bacon. A lot of it. Maybe if they stuff enough food in their mouths, they'll shut up and give us some peace."
The kitchen door opened, letting in a blast of cold air as well as Elan and Soldier, who was immediately drawn into the French discourse going on. Elan muttered something in Arapaho, as he shook Sam's hand.
"Good to see you, brother," he said. "Any intel yet?"
"Waiting for Hetty's call," Sam replied. "She enlisted Eric and Nell to dig up everything there is on the dead guys."
"Thought those two were out of the game…off doing their own thing," Elan said.
"Deeks is family."
"The more the merrier," Joe said. "I have a feeling whoever these guys are, they've underestimated who they're up against."
"Over confidence can get you killed," Sam said.
"They already found that out," Elan said.
"Kens? How many pancakes do you want?" Deeks called out.
The French connection broke up as breakfast became the central topic. Callen came up behind Deeks, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder as he snatched a piece of bacon off the plate he was loading up. The camaraderie returned as the family gathered around the table. They were a tough bunch who loved one another. They had fought for each other through the years and this latest attack would be met head on by all of them…together…as a family.
…
…