Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Chapter 11
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~ her trouble was never his, and his never would be hers ~
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Los Angeles || Sakura Crossing, Little Tokyo
Perhaps he'd reacted too harsh but somehow the association with Romania, the blood feud and the fear for others around him to get hurt — because of him.
"Listen," he said. "It's quite complicated. I promise you, I'll explain. But for this moment, we need to unwind. You really got to rest. I'll be here in case you need anything."
Her reply was a soft "Okay. Thanks, for... for everything."
Callen left the bedroom but left the door ajar. He expected she would be asleep soon. After applying an antibiotic cream and the right patches on his wound, he took his shirt and put it on.
He once again checked the contents of the fridge and cabinets, then took the inhouse phone and made a call to Regina. During his previous short stays at this place, he knew the concierge was used to order groceries. She actually preferred to do so, since she disliked the fact that delivery services walked in and out the building: one of the many things he liked of this secret hideaway.
Right now, he asked if Regina could arrange a breakfast box which contained doughnuts, yoghurts and some fruits. Things he knew Anna preferred and although Elisabeth was no Anna, he figured she would like this as well. He also needed toast, jams, juices, tea and coffee pads to be delivered before half past seven the next morning. Which was, again, no problem at all to be arranged for Mr Clark.
A quick glance at his watch showed that it was early enough. In two hours from now, he'd needed to wake the woman in his bed since she had to have her medications. It meant he had two full hours to be able to do some reading or, in his case, work out a plan. Most of the time, there hardly was time to think through all scenarios as cases solved themselves with their usual way of working. Not this time.
He needed more time and was glad he had two full hours. He sat down at the breakfast bar. And although Callen was mastering the systems of the world wide web where all kinds of connections were made, he decided to leave no electronic footprint whatsoever. This was the old fashion school, with a pencil and a paper pad, making notes.
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Los Angeles || NCIS office of special projects || next morning
In fact, Sam Hanna had better starts of the day. No matter how the day would end, there already was a feeling of frustration. Ever since Roundtree had followed the directions Callen gave, then had left the senior agent and the US marshal on a cemetery of all places, there had been no contact at all.
He had tried to call several times and even checked if his partner had been at his usual place. But Roberta hadn't seen him, Callen's car wasn't parked anywhere near either. He'd doubted if he should call Anna, but decided not to. After all, she wasn't in Los Angeles and he didn't want her to worry. Sam knew that if Callen didn't want to be seen, no one would find him. And he probably would be alright, wherever that was. Still, without him around, it felt like 'just another day at the office'.
If there was one thing Sam regretted right now, it was the fact that he'd come up with the plan of some kind of early retirement and also from the way he and Callen used to work.
Once inside the office, he dropped his bag on his desk and took out the items he needed. He headed to the gym at first, needing a work-out. He'd feel much better after that. He settled for the second round on the bike when he noticed a short flash of light up at Ops, which meant there were more people around. He stopped the machine, turned off the sound of his in-ear headphone and figured he could check if it was Eric or Nell around. Maybe there was a new case waiting.
Minutes later and still dressed in his sweaty clothes, he stood outside the doors of Ops, which were closed right now. Not what he expected. For a few seconds, he stood and listened. Director Vance's voice, he was pretty sure about it. And Nell's, and heck… Callen.
Sam didn't even hesitate, pressed the button next to the door, let it slide open and entered too.
From Washington, Leon Vance shook his head at the unexpected visitor and the way he was dressed. "Agent Hanna. Welcome to this party. In fact, I did not expect you in here."
Without words, the same message came from his partner, although Callen grinned wickedly at Sam.
Nell glanced at the large former Seal with her usual facial expression; a habitual mix of pouting with the biting of her lower lip. With anybody else, it would be a sign of uncertainty, but not with Nell.
"Director," Sam greeted back at NCIS' director for years.
Vance smiled and said "Too bad though that you joined us a little late, since I have to leave." He nodded to his audience and said "And good luck, agent Callen." With another wave of his hand, the screen turned black again.
"Good luck with what, G?" Sam crossed his broad, bear arms in front of him, now showing the tattooed snake on his left forearm clearly. Facing his friend, he noticed how Callen was dressed, far from usual, in a light brown baggy chino with a white hoody. "And where the hell have you been?"
Before Callen got a chance to explain, Nell said "You can discuss that matter later. I suggest you go and change into something less casual, Sam. Meanwhile, I'll brew you two a cup of coffee and call Fatima."
There were too many questions Sam had but he knew better than asking them right now. He turned to go back to the gym and counted; a four minutes shower, toweling and getting dressed. Four minutes during which he could only think of one thing — what kind of plan did Callen come up with? 'The guy probably even forgot how he ran into a bullet less than 24 hours ago', he muttered to himself.
Still, it was a good call to cool down some minutes and when he finally finished, he gratefully accepted the mug filled with coffee from the younger redhaired woman.
"I'll be back with you in a minute," Nell said as she headed for the old oak desk that, in her opinion, belonged to Hetty.
Sam watched her back when he asked Callen "So... how're you doing?"
His friend blinked his clear blue eyes twice. "Okay, I'd say. Had quite a restless night because my guest had a restless night. Had to take care of that."
A sincere look, upright words.
He nodded. "I get that. Where's she now? And why haven't you been answering your phone?"
"She's at a safe place and it better stay that way. And no, not gonna tell where she is. She knows what to do if I may not return."
"Don't talk humbug man," Sam said, not liking Callen's last sentence. He knew he missed some important information though. "What was that all about, with Vance and Nell?"
A trademark smirk appeared on Callen's face. "First, I'm gonna do a burglary, preferably with Fatima as my partner in crime."
"What do you mean?"
"That place you and Roundtree checked? I want to go and go through it as well."
A feeling of offense came over Sam. "You're saying we missed things."
"Didn't say that," Callen shook his head. "Thing is, I need some of her stuff and a suitcase. Besides, I think I now know better what to look for, which was what I told Vance about. I mean, how would you have known? We've talked about this Sam, Elisabeth and I. And well, she can't go. We don't know if we're being watched or not. That's not all, I mean, she's wounded and already not able to live her own life."
"Bloody Romanians," Sam grumbled.
"Not exactly. Listen, I need you to find out if there're any ties of the Riviera Maya gang to the Romanian gangs here in town. You see, those are who Elisabeth was dealing with. And maybe dealing with still."
He watched how his friend reacted to what he just said. "Oh, and I was requesting new papers for her. Not the thing NCIS usually arranges, but well, in her case... So I asked permission from Vance."
"Mexico... in combination with the Romanian mafia? But crap, G. That's massive."
"It is," Callen agreed. He slowly breathed out as he understood how Sam missed some intel as well as his friend wouldn't like how Callen worked out a plan which he had decided to ask permission for without cancelling his partner first.
"So... no matter what Fatima and I will find, or won't find, I'm gonna let Poliakoff know that Elisabeth shared it with me. You see, once we know who's Poliakoff's contact, it's possible to root out the US branch."
"But if Poliakoff mentions your name, and Comescus are involved... G, I don't like it a bit," Sam argued.
"I'll fix that, as ever, buddy." Callen patted his friend's shoulder but noticed through Sam's dark brown eyes how the anger was building up. He grinned and said "Just kidding, Sam. It's a tiny risk we've got to take... But I figure that if there's any Comescu alive they'd found me by now. No, I don't see that as a risk, not really."
Nell came back to join them and – holding her mug with both hands – sat down at Kensi's desk which now was unoccupied. "So, I've asked Fatima to join you as soon as possible."
"Thanks. You know what, I'll text her and ask to meet me at the Mayflower Avenue address," Callen said. He kept explaining to Sam "This Riviera Maya gang has a Romanian leader, by the way, hence the connection to Romania. The Mexican brand is known for corruption and organized crime."
"And skimming hundreds of ATM machines, stealing millions of dollars from the rich and famous tourists visiting the Riviera Maya, of course," Nell added.
Callen nodded. "Contrary to many other Mexican gangs, there seems to be no connection to drug cartels. But Sam, they are masters in extortion and worse, linked to human trafficking."
"Sex trafficking, you mean?" Sam replied. He knew from prior years how Callen struggled with cases where innocent people were treated like if their lives meant nothing and bodies and minds were owned by others.
Callen shrugged, hardly able to hide the wince on his face since he'd ignored the fact he was wounded too. "Just see what the two of you can find," he asked Sam and Nell. "I suppose Fatima and I won't need hours to get back in here."
"So, Sam, you and Deeks, Kensi and Roundtree need to work out as much as possible. Let's see… Sitrap in two hours from now?" Nell suggested.
Callen got on his feet, took his jacket and while he put it on he said "Sounds okay. See you."
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Los Angeles || Mayflower Avenue || half an hour later
The yellow tape still was crossed in front of the entrance, however, there were no police officers around to keep people away. Fatima's eyes flicked over Callen's self-assured face.
"What if anyone's trying to stop us? Or calls the police?"
Callen chuckled. "Dear agent Namazi — you are a Federal agent. If that were the case, flash the badge."
He took a set of lockpickers from the pocket of his jacket and handed it to his junior co-worker. "Give it a try."
She worked a bit slower than the ones he usually worked with, but they all had to practice and she managed. Once Fatima closed the door behind her she asked "You know what we're looking for, and where to look, Callen?"
He shook his head. "Even with Sam's instructions it'll be hard. Maybe you notice sooner than I would what could be hers in this place, considering she left her own place in a hurry. Not all we see is 'feminine stuff' for the eye."
Fatima nodded, looked around and said "I'll start in the bedroom if that's okay with you."
"It is."
Callen opened the bathroom door. First, he let his eyes go over every item around, remembering how Sam and Roundtree found this was also a panic room. Perhaps if they'd check the place for fingerprints it was easier to find anything suspicious.
But not now. He opened the drawers and let his hands go through towels and other bath linen. Nothing. Maybe the Poliakoff team also searched the whole place, but he doubted it. It all was too neat for that. To be honest, he didn't really know what they were looking for. And if there wás anything to find in here, or was it in Phoenix?
The next drawer was filled with weapons and ammunition. Definitely the other marshal's stuff. There were cheap and new toiletries, probably recently bought when Elisabeth moved in. Maybe he could take some of it with him.
Callen turned to join Fatima. "You found something?"
She shrugged and gestured "That's her suitcase, I think."
"Let me check it."
"Okay," she agreed. "These items are hers," she pointed. "Boxers and boyfriend jeans."
He blinked his eyes and frowned. "It wasn't that sort of relationship."
Fatima giggled "You need to keep up with fashion, Callen. It's the shape of the jeans and It's for women only."
"Sure." He felt a bit embarrassed. "Keep it apart, will you?"
Meanwhile his hands roamed the suitcase, tried handles, felt the wheels. Nothing. Still, he'd take it with him.
"Oh, Fatima, you may put it in the suitcase. Shoes, underwear... some shirts too."
"She basically has nothing if I understand what you ask."
Callen nodded. "And these are her own. Better than buying new things, right?"
Still, inside his head he planned, but not for the near future.
"I'll start in the main room. If you're done here, join me."
There were usual items in the living room, not many personal and hardly any that would fit her. A magazine, sunglasses in a case and a framed picture. He studied it for a second — a young Elisabeth between ditto young women and men, all smiles and happy faces. It looked like some festival or so. He put it apart. It was something, but not much. He heaved a sigh as he let his gaze go over the room, where the couch and the floor were shattered with stinky stains and sputters of dried blood, although it was covered in plastic.
This was a safe house. Which meant hardly or none personal items, not from the main occupant nor from the temporary guest. Her place in Phoenix could be similar to this.
Different from where she stayed at this moment, also different from his own apartment. Maybe he'd need a new place himself, a place he would share definitely with Anna, instead of the one room above Deeks' bar. It was airy, but he preferred a two bedroom place in the end.
Again, Callen shook his head and glanced at his watch. They spent more time in this place already and should be heading back.
"Fatima, we need to get back. It could be we missed some things, but we can always come back. Besides, I really some fresh air."
She put in the last items in the suitcase and he added the few things he figured were Elisabeth's, then closed the lid.
"Great work, thanks," Callen said. He took the suitcase and lead the way out.
"Listen Fatima, you go ahead. See what the team has come up with while I take this to Sharden."
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Los Angeles || Sakura Crossing, Little Tokyo
At least he had a reason to see how his guest was doing. He parked his second spare car — the one that belonged to Gregg Clark – and took the suitcase from its backseat.
"It finally arrived!" He said as he motioned to it for the concierge Regina as an explanation.
Minutes later he opened the door. He didn't know what he would find, and much to his surprise Elisabeth had taken the couch, a glass of water and one of the many novels he kept in there.
"Listen, I brought you these items which we suppose are yours."
The expression on her face changed from surprise to sadness. "You were at Marcus' place. Is he… will there be a funeral?"
It was something he hadn't taken into account and until now, it wasn't something that crossed his mind. "Listen, I don't know, I really don't but I'm going to find out and let you know the minute I know more. Now, what I want you to do is go and check. Is there anything from your previous place that stands out? If you find it, call me." He had handed her a burn phone with his number programmed: Gregg Clark. Not his government issued one, but also one with a memory card and a number he would never remember. In his, there was only one pre-programmed number: 'home'.
If anything went south with his plan, at least Sam or anyone else could contact her.
"I need to go now. You sure you'll manage for the next two days?"
She nodded. "Of course. Regina had more groceries delivered." Elisabeth let her gaze go over the man in front of her. There was something in his stance, in his gaze, that made her quite sure he worried for her safety. Yet there was something she'd describe as sturdy, energetic, full of confidence. A stalwart agent, one who was in charge of a team, he told her. Whereas yesterday he'd been pensative. A loner, perhaps. If there hadn't been a woman in his life…
"You'd better stay in. It's safer that way. I'll let Regina know I'm meeting some friends in town and stay for the night. You — Ellie — on the other hand are new in town and will be looking for a place of your own." Callen smiled at her and gently let his hand rest on her shoulder for a few seconds. "This'll be over in a couple of days. I'll be back."
She chewed the inside of her cheek. "And if not?"
"I'll give you a call anyway, let's say before noon the day after tomorrow."
"Okay.'
Callen nodded as some kind of goodbye. "Just… be careful. Take your medication in time and if you do feel worse, just call."
An other 'okay' sounded, then she added "Thanks, Callen. You be careful too."
TBC
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