Thanks for all the reviews, do review more.

My knowledge of the layout of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, the NOSC and its surrounding area

En route to the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC)

New Orleans

1345 local

"You must live a very lucky life," Brody commented to Coates as the three agents and former Legalman drove to the NOSC. LaSalle was at the wheel, Pride in front, with the two females at the back.

"What do you mean?"

"From delinquent to Electronics Technician Third Class, then to Legalman, then kicked up to First Class and on top of that, living off the rent of a senior JAG officer."

"It wasn't exactly like that," Coates replied.

"Oh, explain," Brody said with a slight sarcastic tone.

"I never questioned my promotion, I just worked hard when turning over a new leaf. As for the living quarters I think you read it—then Commander Rabb took a teeanged girl as his ward, Matilda Grace Johnson, and she had to move into an apartment near him. I needed a proper place to stay in DC and Harm, uh, Commander Rabb offered to pay half the rent if I boarded with Mattie. I did for a while, then Mattie re-connected with her biological father and I still stayed on until Commander, later Captain Rabb was posted overseas."

"I still call that born with a golden spoon in your mouth," Brody remarked.

"It's just about the same as hopping around NCIS field offices, running away from your past," LaSalle commented then felt a kick to his seat. "Brody!"

"Settle down children; we're all on the same side," Pride remarked. Soon enough, they had reached the NOSC. Coates was just about exit when Pride held up his hand. "I know you're with us on this case Coates, but I suggest that you stay in the vehicle or away from the barrier. It's a NCIS crime scene." The former Legalman First Class nodded, failing to see her cousin's face look saying: Yeah, remember, you are a guest over here.

"Pride, under other circumstances, I would welcome you with open arms," NOSC Commander Theodore Barnes said, shaking the Senior Special Agent's hand.

"Teddie, the same. What do we have here?"

"Someone killed my best junior logistics officer," the Commander stressed on the word 'killed'.

"Pride," they heard the familiar voice of Dr. Loretta Wade and immediately spied her and Sebastian over a body in Navy service Khakis. "Exactly the same MO as the young Corporal: half smashed, mouth bleeding heavily, lacerations all over. Only this time the assault was more severe, causing death. I'll know more at autopsy."

"Time of Death?"

"Just an hour ago in fact, unless my thermometer is off."

"Wait, just an hour ago? That's around lunchtime at a Navy base and even if it's a one for reserves, there's normal base security."

"I'll be looking into that, Pride," Sebastian said, suddenly scooting off.

"Lieutenant Paul Martinez, age 38, born La Jolla, California, enlisted in the Navy one year before completing high school, reached rank of Chief Petty Officer Logistic Specialist in his early 30s," LaSalle read out from the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) device, "wow, selected for commissioning as Warrant Officer shortly after, but somehow got a late commissioned as Supply Corps Officer."

"Sounds like another magical US Navy sailor again," Brody commented.

"Save it. Any relation to the first victim, Wayne Wright? Any relation to our suspected assailant, Pia Bonfilio?"

"Doesn't say here, King; AFIS is just mostly armed forces data."

"Well it's back to our bases again," Pride announced and they exited out of n the Frank J. Uddo Armed Forces Reserve Center (Building 492). It was immediately evident that someone was missing. "Hey, where's Coates?" LaSalle asked.

"Officer," Brody quickly asked a NOPD officer, "did you see a brown-hair, long-haired girl in our vehicle?"

"Yeah, she was there when I lasted looked, oh ten minutes ago but my eyes wasn't always there, ma'am."

"Ok, ok, damnit, let's spread out," Pride announced, but his two agents already did so, with Brody covering the area from Avenue F to Chambers Avenue, LaSalle Chambers Avenue to Bloski Avenue. What a silly bitch, Brody, thought as she searched around the streets and outlets. When I find her I'll personally restrain her and sent her back home...

Pride found himself wandering around the smaller lane of Bourgeois Street, looking up at the buildings, remembering an old case when suddenly a brick fell down from above, nearly striking him on the head. He stretched his neck up and saw a load of brunette hair. "Coates," he breathed, searching for a way up.

The former JAG HQ Legalman was there, her hair dishevelled, a wad of cloth stuffed in her mouth and her hands tied in front of her with several strips of cloth. "It..was...Pia.." she choked as Pride eased the cloth out of her mouth.

Jefferson Parish Medical Examiner's room

20 minutes later

"Ow..." Jennifer Coates groaned as Loretta applied antiseptic lotion to her cuts.

"These are nasty cuts, but they should fade away in a few days," she remarked.

"Well, we are after a nasty girl, or girl and accomplice," she replied.

"We?! You mean us, the NCIS New Orleans team. Not you. We told you to stay put! And look what happened instead!" Brody scolded her cousin.

"Easy now, Meredith," Loretta cautioned.

"You could have been killed!" Brody's almost screamed.

"Brody, step outside now," Pride ordered. "Now," he repeated. Brody glared at her cousin then did so.

"Ok, Miss Coates, you want to tell us why you disobeyed orders?"

"Well, it was really hot in the car and not much of a difference outside. I was glancing around when I saw someone in dark sunglasses and hair that almost matched Pia's; the person looked almost exactly the same as the one I saw when I walked back with Agent LaSalle. As I moved slowly towards her, the person took off. I quickly followed, but when she darted into alley way, I was about to follow when suddenly I was tackled from behind by someone else. We started fighting ferociously, but I was soon over-powered. The next thing I know, I bound and gagged on a rooftop."

"Someone else you say?" LaSalle added. "So when know this Bonfilio girl has an accomplice."

"The good thing is, while he was initially wearing a mask, I managed to pull it off part of the way during the fight and had a good look at him."

To Be Continued.