AN: Someone asked me if Maya and Zeinab have a ship name yet. After many suggestions from readers, I agree that Zaya fits them.
Chapter 2
Kate pulled Lucy closer and buried her face into her fiancée's hair as she slowly began to register the sound of phones buzzing. She groaned and blindly reached for one on her nightstand as Lucy slept in her arms. She placed it to her ear as she let out a yawn.
"Whistler," she said groggily. It had been a long night, a pleasurable one, but a long one nonetheless. She immediately woke up and the haziness of her sleep cleared when she heard her mentor's voice.
"Are you on a secure line?" Kate gulped when she heard the seriousness in her mentor's tone and sat up. Lucy groaned and rolled over in bed to reach for her buzzing phone as well.
"Of course," said Kate as she rolled out of bed and headed into the living room.
"Are you at NCIS Headquarters?"
"No, I'm at home."
"Good. I have a case for your task force. It's a high priority. I know you're feeling out some leads on the Edwards case, but that's not a pressing matter at the moment. This one is more complicated."
"Okay, what's the case?" She was confused by the pause on the line and checked to make sure they did not get disconnected.
"Is Lucy there with you?"
"Yes, why? What's this all about?"
"Kate, there are very few times in our relationship that I give you a direct order, but this is one of them. You and your task force are being assigned to a new case, one NCIS will not be allowed to interfere with, and if they do, you will need to handle that according to standard protocols. Everything about this needs to be by the book for your sake, your team's, and even NCIS. That may test some of your ties, but that's what happens when you choose to mix business with personal."
"Okay, what's going on and why won't you just tell me?"
"Wally Holman is the main suspect in the murder of Richard Kakuda."
"Wait, what? Richie Kakuda is dead?"
"Yep, which means one of Hawai'i's biggest organized crime bosses was just taken out and the ripple effects could be catastrophic. His organization has been on our radar for well over a decade, but there was never enough evidence and he seemed to be slowing down in recent years so his name was no longer a priority for us. It is now. We need to know how he was taken out, why, if it will cause an escalation from others in his organization, and if Holman is involved in a rival organization we didn't have on our radar. I'm aware of how close you and your team are with Holman's son and the rest of NCIS, but it was never an issue before because it didn't impact your work. You tend to do well with navigating conflicts of interest, so I need you to be on top of your game with this one. We want it handled efficiently, so your team will need to get to work. Call me if you need me." With that, her mentor hung up and Kate groaned when she saw the text messages from Jane that were already popping up on her phone. Suddenly, Lucy rounded the corner with panic and distress heavy in her eyes. Kate was immediately by her side.
"Tennant is calling me in. They found Wally at a crime scene. He's okay, but…"
"Richie Kakuda is dead. Yeah, I just got the call too. How is Kai?"
"The call, the call about what?"
"Luce, Kakuda was a very big fish and news of this will send ripples through a lot of crime syndicates and gangs. How did Wally get mixed up in this?"
"I don't know, but Kai mentioned before that his dad knew Kakuda from back in the day. They grew up together."
"This is really bad."
"Yep and Wally was found at the scene covered in Kakuda's blood, passed out with a gun."
"Why the hell is Wally hanging out with him in the first place? Even if they grew up together, he has to know Kakuda is a crime boss," Kate wondered out loud.
"And a loan shark. I don't know, but I have to go. Kai is freaking out. I'll keep you updated." Lucy gave her a quick kiss before jogging out of the house before Kate could respond. She rubbed her temples and clenched her jaw in frustration, knowing just how messy things could get with the case.
By the time Kate and the rest of her team arrived at the crime scene, Jane, Lucy, Kai, and Jesse were already there. Kate frowned in confusion when she saw Kai speaking with Honolulu PD about the investigation. She headed over to Jane, who sighed, already knowing why her friend was giving her a look of disapproval.
"What are you doing here? Come on, you know better than this. He can't be here," whispered Kate as she pulled Jane aside.
"Kate, it's his father. Did you really expect for him to stay home? He got a call from Wally that he was being arrested and called me. Of course we were going to come in. Why didn't you tell me you were on the case? I tried texting you."
"We were just assigned. You know how this looks, right? This isn't even in your jurisdiction. All it takes is one report from someone here and Internal Affairs is all over this. None of us want that. You need to take your team and go back to base. We've got this."
"You can't be serious."
"Actually, I am. I've been given orders from some higher ups to make sure this one is handled properly. We need to know how Kakuda died, if a rival organization is behind it, and why Wally is mixed up in this."
"So the brass got wind of it and sent you in hopes of our personal relationship being enough to keep us clear of this one? That doesn't sound suspicious at all." Kate smirked.
"I hate to break it to you, but the sole purpose of my team's work isn't connected to you. We're very good at what we do and have solved plenty of cases without NCIS's help. We're not here simply because we know you."
"Come on, I didn't mean it like that."
"No, it's just how you said it." Jane was about to defend herself, but Kai interrupted as he jogged over to them.
"Kate, hey, I'm glad you're here. Thanks for coming. My pop is freaking out." Kate looked down and stuffed her hands into her pockets.
"What exactly happened? Did he tell you?" questioned Kate.
"No, but I know we'll get to the bottom of this. We always do. We're talking to HPD about it now and could use Zeinab and Maya's help." Kate gave him a sympathetic smile.
"Um, actually, I'm not here to help you with the investigation. I'm here to lead it."
"Oh, cool, okay, so then, where do you want us?" asked Kai.
"Back on base and far away from the crime scene and any evidence," she revealed. He frowned at the words and immediately shook his head.
"You can't be serious. You think I'm just going to sit around while my pop goes down for this?"
"No, I think you're going to let my team figure out how your father got mixed up in this. Go check on him, be there for him, but you can't work this case. It's a massive conflict of interest and you know that."
"Who cares about a conflict of interest? He's my family, Kate. I thought you of all people would understand and have my back," he said as his face showed all the disappointment he felt in that moment. Before she could respond, Zeinab approached.
"Boss, you need to see this," said Zeinab. Kate clenched her jaw in frustration and glanced over at Jane and Kai before following Zeinab over to the crime scene.
"What is Kai doing here? He can't be here right now," whispered Zeinab.
"You don't think I know that? I'm giving him a moment to collect himself, but don't worry. I'll handle it," assured Kate as they stepped onto the porch of the Kakuda House. The man was crumpled up in a heap on the porch in a pool of blood. There were multiple gunshot wounds in his chest and abdomen. Carlos was speaking with one of the forensic analysts while Maya walked around the crime scene. Kate saw Lucy out the corner of her eye. She was speaking with Jesse by their car while Honolulu PD searched the area.
"This is bad," said Maya as she walked over to her boss.
"How bad?" asked Kate. Zeinab knelt down by the body.
"Scrapes on the forearms and hands could be defensive, looks like there was a struggle, and he took four to the chest and abdomen," informed Zeinab.
"The range and trajectory of the bullets suggests the shooter was able to get pretty close. Kakuda had a lot of enemies, people like that tend to be careful about who they are around and for how long, so it's a strong possibility he knew the shooter," said Maya.
"Just spoke with forensics and they'll need to run ballistics back at headquarters but Wally was found with the gun in his hand," added Carlos.
"It's bad, Kate," said Maya.
"Incoming," said Zeinab as she motioned in the direction behind them. Kate sighed when she saw Lucy heading their way. She walked back off of the porch and over to her fiancée.
"Tennant said it's your case and you told us to clear out. What's going on?" asked Lucy.
"That's what we're trying to figure out, but we can't do that with all of you hovering."
"We just want to help."
"I know, but you can't on this one. Think about it, Lucy. Look around you, look at all of these agents." Lucy glanced over her shoulder at all the law enforcement officers surrounding the crime scene.
"Word spreads quickly. They know Kai's dad is the main suspect. They know Kai is NCIS and has no jurisdiction but is hanging around the evidence. The longer you are here, the longer you compromise this crime scene and investigation. I'm sorry, but you can't be here."
"So what are we supposed to do?"
"You're supposed to let me do my job and trust that I can do it well, which apparently is going to be a challenge for some of you." Lucy was taken aback by the frustration evident in Kate's words and tone.
"Hey, that's not…"
"Boss," called Carlos. Kate glanced over Lucy's shoulder at Jane.
"Either you get them out of here or I'll have to pull chain of command and jurisdiction to do so. Please don't make me do that. I have to go." Before Lucy could respond, Kate headed inside of the house.
"Yeah, what you got?" asked Kate as she walked over to where Carlos was hovering by a desk. She was confused when his eyes weren't trained on a screen. Instead, he pointed at a framed photograph. She gulped when she recognized the two men in the picture.
"Shit," she hissed.
"Yep," he agreed. Maya and Zeinab walked over to them and Kate pointed at the photograph. In the picture stood a younger Wally with Richie Kakuda and several of his known associates.
"Weren't those three on the Most Wanted List before?" asked Maya.
"Yep and these two were killed a few years back in a gang war. Looks like Wally hung with a certain crowd," said Zeinab. Kate shook her head in frustration, already sensing how quickly things were unraveling for Kai's father.
While the crime scene continued to be searched and more evidence was gathered, Kate and her team went back to the FBI Headquarters to sift through the evidence they already had. They were in Carlos's lair discussing their options and everything they already knew about the case.
"What all do we have on Kakuda?" asked Kate as she paced.
"He and Wally grew up in the same neighborhood. Records show that they went to school together. I haven't had time to look more into Wally, but I do know that Kakuda started off with the Company and was a neighborhood loan shark. He eventually branched out when the Company was dispersed and had his hands in a lot of illegal dealings on the islands. He's been connected with arms dealers and gang leaders in the area too," informed Carlos.
"Then maybe we start there. I'm sure they won't talk, but we all know sometimes it's about what isn't said," suggested Zeinab.
"Carlos, what do we know about him and Wally from last night? We last saw Wally around nine. Anything found out of the ordinary with him or Kakuda so far?" asked Kate.
"Preliminary tox screens just got back. Wally's blood alcohol level was .24. Kakuda's was .19. Think they were partying together? Ballistics and forensics also confirmed that Wally's prints were on the gun and the slugs were close range shots from said gun like we thought," added Carlos.
"Any cameras or security feeds? Any signs at all that there was a party or other people around?" asked Kate.
"No cameras by the Kakuda Estate, which is odd considering the level of security you would think he'd have, poor lighting too. I hate to say it, but it's the perfect place to kill someone without being spotted," said Carlos.
"That has to be intentional. Kakuda did dealings at his property and his reputation speaks for itself," said Maya.
"And it became the perfect place for his murder. Doesn't bode well for Wally," said Carlos. Maya shook her head.
"Wally isn't a killer. Besides, even if he was, why would he be that drunk if he planned on killing Kakuda? That isn't a guy you just randomly shoot. His reputation alone would make people hesitate," said Maya.
"Maybe it wasn't planned. They were both drunk and we've seen crazier things," reminded Zeinab.
"I can go talk to Wally and see if I can get a read on him," suggested Maya. Suddenly, Kate's phone rang and she sighed when she saw who it was.
"I need to take this, but keep working. I'll be right back," said Kate before heading toward her office and answering the call.
"We're already working the case," she assured.
"You know, I expected more of you. I trained you better than this. Hell, this is basic training under anyone," said her mentor.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me, Kate."
"Look, I'm trying to lead an investigation and don't have time for games, so spit it out. What's wrong?"
"You really don't know, do you?"
"Know what?" she asked through gritted teeth as her mentor giggled.
"Wow, she has guts. I'll give her that. It seems Wally Holman has been released on bail. Now, that should be impossible in a case of this nature, but apparently there was a clerical error. I'm sure NCIS's tech nerd didn't have anything to do with that."
"Wait, what?" exclaimed Kate.
"Systems won't be ready to process a new request without bail until Monday and since he was released with an ankle monitoring bracelet, no judge is going to fast track the system for a guy without a violent history who killed someone with one. New papers will be processed on Monday. Until then, looks like your friends got what they wanted and dear ole dad is out on house arrest. There are protocols in place for a reason, Kate, and they just made your investigation that much more complicated, especially if anyone with a pair of eyes looks at it. NCIS is interfering with your investigation. Maybe you should do something about that."
"I'll handle it."
"You better." Kate cursed under her breath as they both hung up and she marched out of her office. She was headed to NCIS Headquarters for a talk she wondered if she was long overdue to have with her best friend.
Jane was in her office sifting through some documents and signing off on others while she waited for Kate to arrive. She knew it wouldn't take long for word to get out about the supposed clerical error. She could hear her before she even looked up to see her and sighed when she saw the fury in Kate's eyes.
"Have you lost your damn mind?" yelled Kate as she slammed the office door closed.
"Listen, before you freak out on me, we had reason to believe Wally's life would be in danger in there."
"Based on what?"
"Based on the fact that he is suspected to have killed a crime boss, but also someone considered a beloved member of his community. Not everyone saw him as just a criminal and there might be people locked up with Wally who would want revenge, not to mention those still on Kakuda and his associates' payroll. At the end of the day, we bought you some time and kept Wally safe. He's at home and being monitored by an ankle bracelet at least until Monday. I have Lucy, Kai, and Jesse looking for leads, but discretely."
"Oh my God, you really didn't listen to a word I said before, did you? Tennant, you cannot be on this case. You cannot work this case discretely. You cannot have Ernie break into a database to create a clerical error…"
"I wasn't around for such a thing so I can neither confirm nor deny it ever took place."
"You cannot cut corners with this one and the more you do, the guiltier you make everyone look, not just Wally, and last time I checked, you can't afford to look guilty again!" Jane stood up and walked over to her with her arms crossed.
"So what, we just were supposed to let some mysterious accident happen overnight to Wally while he was in custody? It's Kai's father, Kate!"
"I'm aware of that, but he was at a crime scene covered in the blood of the victim…"
"Who was a crime boss that…"
"So that makes it okay? Which story are you trying to defend here? That Wally didn't do it or that he did, but was justified?"
"All I'm saying is that maybe you need to remember that Wally is innocent until proven guilty."
"I am trying to, but you keep making him look guilty while I am trying to clear his name!" Jane sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
"It's just until Monday. That gives you 48 hours to figure out what the hell actually happened and then…"
"Jane, I am begging to let me do this my way. We need to do this by the book and I need you to trust me to do my job. The longer I have to babysit you and your team because you won't listen…"
"Babysit, really, is that what you call keeping an innocent man safe?"
"They were both drunk off their asses, the bullets match the gun that was found in Wally's hand, and all I want to do is make this make sense, but I can't do that if you keep getting in my way. So, if you keep doing that, I'll…" Kate caught herself before she said something she would regret. Jane narrowed her eyes at her.
"You'll what?" Kate sighed and stuffed her hands into her pockets.
"I'll have to remind you that your team is not above the law or the chain of command and right now, you aren't just putting Wally or yourself at risk. Your orders are putting your entire team at risk too and I can't have that."
"Then I guess we're at an impasse."
"That's not how this works," warned Kate.
"Well, then you'll do what you have to do by the book and I'll keep reminding you that this is Kai's father. Remember Kai, your friend? The one you watch rom coms with?"
"Yes and Wally is the one who is supposed to be catering and attending my wedding, but that doesn't change the laws, Jane. All it changes is that I'm trying to fight like hell to find another explanation and you are making that very hard."
"Then like I said, you do what you have to do and I'll protect those in the crossfire while you do it. That's also the job, Kate, not just the protocols and procedures that sometimes overlook the human beings at risk. We are supposed to protect people like Wally and I will always protect family," argued Jane. Kate shook her head in disbelief.
"And I don't, right?" Jane looked down and shrugged.
"Like I said, we're at an impasse." Kate slowly nodded.
"You know, I was talking to my mom the other day and she asked me how it was possible that you and I used to not get along. She said she couldn't believe it and it got me to thinking, what was it back then? I mean sure, the job, but now I remember. You're so self-righteous sometimes. You didn't just give me 48 hours to help Wally. You also gave me 48 hours to figure this out before someone starts digging into how that clerical error can be connected to your team, especially if Wally is the killer. Thanks for that." Kate stormed out of the office and Jane sighed as she leaned against her desk. Kate jabbed at the button of the elevator and clenched her jaw in frustration as past, familiar feelings of being dismissed and ignored started to creep back in. The elevator doors opened and she crossed her arms when she saw her fiancée, Jesse, and Kai stepping off the elevator. They all gulped and Jesse let out a nervous laugh.
"Kate, hi," said Jesse. Kate shook her head in disbelief as Lucy looked guiltily at her.
"Look, I know this isn't ideal…" started Lucy, but Kate interrupted her.
"Ideal? You think I'm worried about ideal? Lucy, I was very clear…"
"Hey, it's on me, not them, so if you're going to be pissed. You can be pissed at me," defended Kai. Jesse and Lucy glanced uneasily at one another as Kate stared her friend down.
"Actually, it's on Tennant for even letting you near this case. Kai, I'm trying to help your dad, but you are making it hard to…"
"To what, have him locked up with people who might want him dead?" challenged Kai. Lucy stepped in between them and frowned at him.
"Hey, chill, we're all on the same side. Remember?" reminded Lucy. Kate smirked.
"You know what? Think what you want, but I don't have time for this. Thanks to you and your boss, I now have a deadline to figure this out and save your asses," said Kate as she entered the elevator. Jesse frowned in confusion.
"Wait, what do you mean save our asses?" he questioned as the doors began to close.
"Ask your boss," called Kate before the doors completely shut. Kai turned to head into the bullpen, but Lucy stepped in front of him.
"Hey, I know you're stressed, but Kate is just trying to help. Biting her head off won't help your cause or Wally's," said Lucy.
"Then maybe your fiancée should remember that we're the good guys and so is my pop. He's being set up and it's obvious. If she can't see that, then…"
"Then what?" challenged Lucy. It was Jesse's turn to step in between them and Kai shrugged as he looked away. The tension between the group increased with each passing second as Lucy stared Kai down.
"Then maybe she isn't who I thought she was," he grumbled before walking away. Lucy started after him, but Jesse stopped her.
"He's just stressed, Luce. Let it go," advised Jesse. She sighed, but begrudgingly nodded, knowing tempers were starting to flare.
Kate's hands tightened on her steering wheel as she drove out of the parking lot of the Pearl Harbor Base to head back to headquarters. She was relieved that Lucy wasn't there to see her blowup with Jane. She didn't want to put her fiancée in the middle, but also was worried that Jane was putting the team in a compromising position with each lead they checked into. She called Zeinab, who put her on speaker phone with the rest of the team. Kate explained the situation and was open to ideas about how to speed up the investigation.
"We're on the clock now, so we need to move as quickly as possible on this. Carlos, keep digging. Jane seems to think Wally didn't do it and she isn't the only one, but we need evidence, not emotions or speculation. Zeinab, I think you're right about checking out some associates and seeing what they say. You'll need backup, so Maya and I will go with you," informed Kate.
"Boss, I need to speak with Wally. He could hold the key to all of this and we need to know what happened last night after we left the restaurant. How did he go from being there on a Friday night to being at Kakuda's house passed out with a gun? I want to go see him," said Maya.
"You and Zeinab can go once we get back," said Kate.
"But you said it yourself, we're on the clock now. You two can cover each other with the associates and I'll see if Wally can nail down some of the details. It will save us time," advised Maya.
"Fine, Carlos, keep us updated on your searches. Zeinab, meet me at the pier."
"Got it, boss," said Zeinab. Kate hung up and sighed as she felt the tension in her neck seeping into her shoulders. She wished she could talk to Lucy about what was happening, ask her for advice and even reach out for comfort, but she didn't think doing so would be fair to her. Her team was like her family and Kate felt the same, but it was also starting to feel like there was a growing rift in the family that she hoped would be mended by getting answers about the case.
An hour later, Maya pulled in front of Wally's house to question him about the night before. She hoped she would be able to connect the missing pieces from the events and figure out how exactly he ended up at Kakuda's house. She stepped onto the front porch and knocked as she looked around the neighborhood. She had been to the home once before for a barbeque a few months after she arrived in Hawai'i. Kai had invited her and Zeinab and it was one of the first nights she didn't just feel like a member of Kate's team, but a part of the overall family they had all created together. She frowned when she heard no movement inside Wally's house and knocked again.
"Wally," she called and listened out for any noise inside. When she heard none, she grabbed her phone and dialed Carlos's number.
"Talk to me," he said.
"Carlos, I need you to run a track on Wally's ankle monitor. I'm at his place, but he isn't answering."
"On it, will only take a sec. I already had his info pulled up in the database." She began to look around the neighborhood again for any suspicious activity and averted her eyes when she noticed a suspicious vehicle down the block.
"Okay, got it. Says he's still at his place."
"I have a bad feeling. I'm going to check on him, but call for backup. There's a black SUV down the block. It seems out of place. Maybe Jane was right about it being dangerous for him now that people know he's the main suspect in the case," she said as she pulled out her gun and checked the doorknob.
"Front's locked. I'm going around the back."
"Maya, wait for backup. I'm calling it in now."
"There's no time. Wally could be in trouble."
"Maya…" She kept him on the line, but put her phone back in her pocket. She pulled out her gun, circled around the back of the house, and stepped onto the back porch to see if the back door was unlocked. As soon as she reached for it, the crackling sound of a shot being fired boomed in her ears and glass shattered around her. She jumped out of the way and stumbled back into a table on the porch. The cracking of her head against something behind her made her grab it as she suddenly felt dizzy and her head pounded. She tried to focus her eyes as heavy footsteps rushed forward and she looked up through blurred vision to see someone hovering over her. She barely registered someone shaking her shoulders and the last thing she saw was Wally's panicked face before she fell unconscious.
AN: Dun, dun, dun. Poor Maya. Wally has a lot of explaining to do. I think I hate writing Jane and Kate fighting almost more than I hate Lucy and Kate fighting. What did you think of the chapter and the story so far? Next up, the aftermath and here's a hint…Zeinab is not going to be happy.