Chapter 4
They pulled into the boatshed and Kensi parked the car. The whole way there the car was silent once again. Kensi didn't know what to say to Deeks. He clearly was upset and angered by his mother and step-father. Kensi couldn't blame him though, from how they acted in the court house Kensi knew that growing up they wouldn't have been easy. Kensi knew that Deeks didn't have the best childhood, but she had a feeling she was about to find out just how bad it was. Kensi always thought she had a horrible childhood, her father was killed in the line of duty and she spent a few months here and there on the streets, but that was her own doing. She could have gone back to her mother, but she was stubborn and refused to go back to her. Kensi was the one to make her life hard and she knew that. Deeks was different though, Deeks didn't make his life hard; his parents did. The two people that are supposed to help you and protect you were the ones that Deeks had to fear. It wasn't supposed to be like that. A child wasn't supposed to have to fear their own parents.
Deeks got out of the car and went over to the wall separating the land from the water. Deeks always found water to be calming for him. It was part of the reason why he loved to surf so much. Kensi got out of her car just as the other two cars pulled up. Kensi went over to Deeks; she knew the others would go inside and give them some time alone. Kensi went and stood next to Deeks, but didn't say anything right away. She stood there and watched as Sam dragged Jason inside the boatshed as Callen and Walker took Mary inside. Walker had two file boxes and Kensi knew that was all the gathered information on this cartel. Callen looked over at Kensi and Kensi gave a nod letting him know that she would be in, in a minute. Once they were alone outside Kensi decided she would speak.
"Deeks, I know this isn't easy for you. Are you going to stay out here?" Kensi asked softly.
"I'm sure you guys will get any information out of him. I'm not really in the mood to listen to his bullshit."
"Okay I'll come back out when we are done. Deeks you know anything that happens in there it's not going to change anything. I don't care about your past. I care about who you are now."
Deeks looked at Kensi as he spoke.
"See if you can still say that after the interviews."
"I know I will. You are a good man Deeks. Nothing they say will ever change that. I know you. I know you are a good man and that is all that matters." Kensi said looking right at Deeks.
"Be careful in there with him. If you are going in there alone keep him cuffed to the table."
"I'll be fine Deeks."
"Kensi I mean it. Keep him cuffed to the table." Deeks said in a serious voice.
"Ok I will. Though, I'm pretty sure Sam wants Jason. He seemed pretty angry with him."
"That's because Jason goes against Sam's seal ways."
"Everything will be fine. We will get Jason to talk then we will go back to Ops and figure this out. I should get in there so we can get started."
"Be safe."
"I'm always safe. I'll come get you when we are done."
Kensi left Deeks there leaning against the wall facing the water. Deeks didn't like Kensi being in there with his mother and step-father. He really didn't want her to know about his past, because it wasn't good. He had done some things growing-up with Ray that he wasn't happy about or proud of. He was different when he was younger, he was angry after having to shoot his own father to keep himself from being killed. He was at peace with it now on some level and he was more level headed. He still didn't want Kensi, the woman he loved, to know about his past at least not this way. Everything between them was different and confusing. After that kiss they just both tried to pretend like it never happened. The problem was Deeks didn't want to pretend like it didn't happen. He was glad that it happened and he wanted to be with Kensi. He just didn't know if she would want to be with him after this.
Kensi entered the boatshed to see that Jason was in the interrogation room and Mary was sitting down on the couch. Sam, Callen and Walker were staring at the video screen. Jason was sitting down and looking like he didn't have a care in the world. This was nothing to him. What he did to that woman was nothing to him. He truly didn't care at all that he was arrested by federal agents or that he almost beat a woman to death less than twenty-four hours ago.
"Where do you want to go from here?" Walker asked.
"Is this all you have on the cartel?" Callen asked pointing to the two file boxes on the table.
"That's all. In one year that is all we have been able to get on them. These guys are good and they make sure everyone is too afraid to talk." Walker said.
"So how do we want to do this?" Kensi asked.
"I'll go first." Sam said with a smirk on his face.
"Try not to hurt him too much." Callen said.
"This is fucking stupid! My husband didn't do anything." Mary said as she stood up from the couch. "Where is that no good son of mine? He's going to fix this shit."
Mary went towards the door and Kensi went over to stop her. Kensi grabbed Mary's arm and dragged her back to the couch as she spoke.
"You are going to sit her and not say a single word. Deeks is busy and when he is free he'll come in. So until I say otherwise sit your ass down and don't speak or you'll be the one arrested next got it?" Kensi said with anger in her voice.
All Mary did was give Kensi a dirty look and Kensi walked away. Kensi didn't know what happened growing up, but she did know if Mary was any kind of mother she would have shot Deeks' father and not leaving it to an eleven year old. Kensi went back over to the others at the table.
"I don't see him being easily intimidated." Kensi said.
"Not this animal. He almost beat a woman to death and he's sitting there like he's waiting for a bus. Jason is stone cold. He doesn't have remorse or regrets. He's already been to prison before for years and inmates were afraid of him. He won't have any fear of going back." Walker said.
"What kind of record?" Callen asked.
"Drug related charges, running a prostitution ring, child abuse and domestic abuse. Jason and Mary met when Deeks was eleven, only three months after his father was shot. Mary was a prostitute and Jason became her pimp. Not even a month after Deeks' real father, Gordon, went to jail she was married to Jason and had him adopt Deeks. Deeks lived in that house for two years with prostitutes and Johns coming in and out all day and night; drugs and dealers there at all hours. Plus Jason was abusive towards Mary and himself. When Deeks was fourteen they kicked him out and he lived on the street until he was eighteen and went to College." Walker whispered so Mary wouldn't know what they were talking about.
"Parents of the year." Sam said sarcastically.
"That's where Deeks' legendary alias, Max Gentry, came from. When Deeks was fourteen and forced to live on the streets he needed to be someone tough. Someone that people wouldn't mess with so he created Max. It stuck with him his whole life. When he went into the L.A.P.D they used that as a way to get information on drug dealers, arm traffickers and human traffickers. Max had a long list of informants. Deeks hates Max though, he hates being him and everything about him. At the time it was just a means to stay alive and survive. He never thought he would have to go back to being that person. Deeks had to do a lot of bad things as Max even when he was fourteen to survive." Walker explained.
"Deeks was homeless?" Kensi couldn't believe that Deeks didn't tell her. He knew about her being homeless and living on the streets here and there for months at a time. Yet he didn't feel the need to tell her that he was also homeless growing up for four years.
"He never told us." Callen said.
"Don't think too much of it. There are only a handful of people that know Deeks' whole story. He doesn't like to talk about it. I only know, because my partner knew Deeks from growing up. There are still a few older officers that refuse to retire that know about Deeks' childhood, because they were there for part of it." Walker said.
"I think our best shot with this guy is to try and get a bottom fish out of him. Maybe you can have an undercover work their way up. It could take a while, but at least you'll have someone on the inside." Sam said getting everyone back on track.
The more he learned about Deeks' past the angrier he was getting. He needed to be able to keep his cool when he goes in to speak to Jason. He didn't want to go in there just wanting to beat the living hell out of him.
"It would take longer, but that might be our only choice. Like I said we don't even have complete confirmation of who is even in charge of this cartel."
"Sam, go in and see what you can get out of Jason. If we don't get anywhere maybe Mary knows something." Callen said.
Sam headed into the interrogation room. Sam was angry at Jason for trying to hit Deeks. Deeks was still hurt from being torture and the last thing he needed was to be punched in the face. Deeks' jaw was still giving him some trouble after being drilled through he didn't need any more pain to go with it. Sam also didn't know what happened to Deeks growing up, but he knew that Jason was part of the nightmares that Deeks had going through his mind. Sam couldn't imagine kicking one of his daughters out onto the street at any age, let alone just fourteen to fend for themselves. Deeks' life was a lot harder than Sam had ever thought; which just made what Sam used to think of Deeks even worse. Sam never gave Deeks a chance even when he proved he could be a good agent Sam still belittled him and road his ass all day long. Sam was a seal and he was different than Deeks, but he never realised just how deep Deeks truly is. There were a lot of demons in Deeks' past that Sam never even considered. Sam judged him and he continued to judge him, because of how he acted and because of his title. Sam knew he had to make it right; the problem was Deeks didn't really want to talk to him. Even during the twelve weeks that Deeks was healing from everything he still refused to talk to Sam for more than five minutes. Sam knew that Deeks was pissed off at him and it would take a long time before they could ever repair what was done to their relationship.
Sam entered the room to see Jason still sitting down like he didn't have a care in the world. Sam figured he would go in as a bad cop. Jason was hard and he had already been through prison before so Sam using that as a threat wouldn't work. Sam didn't sit down he just stood on his side of the table and looked at Jason. This was a tough man, he was cold hearted and he almost beat a woman to death for just the hell of it. Sam couldn't imagine what he had done to Deeks while Deeks lived with him and his mother.
"Did that worthless piece of shit son of mine put you all up to this?" Jason asked with nothing, but hatred in his voice.
"He's not your son and he's not worthless or a piece of shit. That would be you."
"He is my son. I adopted him when he was twelve. I just made sure I kept any guns away from him."
"For two years then you kicked him out. Threw him out on the streets like he was nothing." Sam said with disgust.
"Hey I gave that bitch a choice me or him. She picked me. She was the one to throw him out with the trash. I wasn't about to complain. Why the hell am I here?"
"What do you know about Los ángeles de Satanás?"
"What the fuck is that a new dance?"
"It's a cartel, translated to Satan's Devils. We have pictures of you with some of their runners."
"I don't know any cartels or any runners. I'm an upstanding member of society." Jason said with a smirk.
"Ya real upstanding member you almost beat a woman to death last night. The only reason you aren't in jai right now is, because we know you have information on them. You don't want to talk then you go right back to jail with a whole new list of charges."
"Oooo scary. You want information you're gonna have to make it real interesting for me. I'm use to prison it's not an issue."
"No you're not used to prison, where I'm going to send you isn't going to be anything like the last one. You went to a nice comfy prison last time. This time you don't cooperate then I am going to send you to the worst prison in the United States. Let's see how much you enjoy being in a prison full of serial killers, terrorists and the criminally insane. You'll be someone's bitch by the end of the day."
"Prisons don't scare me." Jason said with more force. "So try again. You want the information make it worth my wild. Bring that fine piece of ass in here and maybe I'll talk to her. I could use an upgrade from my whore of a wife."
"You need to learn how to speak to woman with respect. You don't get to speak to her. You get me, so start talking before I lose my patience."
"You don't scare me. Why don't you go ask my worthless son how I can be? I've done things worse than you ever have or will. You can't threaten me. I want to speak to her and only her. Or is she too afraid to come and have a chat?"
Sam didn't say anything he just left the room. He knew that Jason wasn't going to budge. He had been doing this long enough to know when someone was willing to talk and when someone wasn't. Jason would only speak with Kensi and Sam didn't know how he felt about that. Sam didn't want Kensi in the same room as Jason. There truly was no telling just how he would act with her. Sam walked back to everyone in the room and Sam could tell that they were all upset with what Jason had to say about Deeks. Sam walked over to the table.
"Well that didn't work." Sam said.
"So I'll talk to him." Kensi said.
"Are you sure Kens?" Callen asked.
"I don't think it's a good idea. He just wants to play around." Sam said.
"I'll be fine. If he's going to talk to me then fine. I can handle myself." Kensi said.
"I don't like it. He's too cold and heartless. He just wants to play." Sam said.
"We don't have much of a choice. It's either she goes in or Deeks has to go in. We need the information and it's looking like he's only going to talk to one of them. I really don't recommend sending in Deeks." Walker said.
"Deeks isn't going in there." Callen said.
"I'll go in. I'll get him to talk. We need the information if he's willing to talk to me then I'll do it." Kensi said.
"Go." Callen said.
Kensi grabbed the cuffs that were on the table from when Jason was arrested. She headed into the room.
"I don't like this G." Sam said.
"I know, but we can't have Deeks in there. He can't even handle being in here to hear this. If Kensi can get the information out of him then we should let her." Callen answered.
Kensi walked into the room and went right over to Jason.
"Well, well, well they did send you in. I thought I would be in here all alone." Jason said with a smirk.
Kensi went over to him and slapped the cuffs onto him and around the table leg so he couldn't move his hands. She then stood where Sam was with her arms across her chest.
"What's wrong sweetheart scared of little old me?"
"No I promised Deeks I would cuff you if I came in here with you." Kensi said with a controlled voice.
"Ah I see my worthless son has told you some things about me."
"Nope he never mentions you. That's how little of an impression you left on him."
"Oh I left an impression on him. Twenty scars, bloody noses, over a hundred bruises, welts and lashes on his back. Tell me have you seen him without a shirt?"
"No." Kensi said with seriousness to her voice.
Kensi truly hadn't seen Deeks without a shirt on. Even though she had spent a few nights at Deeks' apartment after what happened, she never saw him without a shirt on. Deeks wasn't comfortable with the scars left from his torture and Kensi could understand that. He was a little self-conscious with his body after what happened and Kensi understood that perfectly well. Deeks had been through a lot and he was still healing from it all. Kensi couldn't help, but be worried about Deeks. He didn't need any more stress right now. Kensi didn't even like that he was back to work, on desk duty or not. She felt that Deeks needed more time to get over what happened. He needed more time to deal with everything.
"That's a shame you haven't seen my work. And here I thought you were fucking my son. Or maybe he doesn't remove his shirt while you're doing it."
"He's my partner. Now unless you actually have something useful to tell me I'm leaving and you are going back to prison."
"Fine, I just figured you would want to know more about him. I'm surprised they gave him a gun. I'd be a little worried about who he is aiming at. Anyone that shoots their own father really shouldn't be trusted with a gun."
"His father tried to kill him. He made the choice to live and not be killed. Anyone would make that same choice. Now talk or I'm leaving." Kensi said with force.
"I may know a few runners within the Satan's Angels cartel. They won't help you though; they won't talk to any cops."
"Who are they?"
"They're runners; they run drugs for the cartel." Jason said in a smart ass tone.
"Their names." Kensi said with an, I'm not messing around voice.
"Booger A.K.A Nathan Walter, Sticky A.K.A Chris Dawson and Scar A.K.A Daniel Phillip."
"How often do you see them?"
"Depends on if they are in the neighborhood or not. When one of my whores needs a fix I call them. They have everything and always gave me a good price and quality. On slow nights we'll go for drinks and they talk about work."
"What do they say?"
"Just how dangerous their boss is. How he killed their old boss and now they have to work for him. How they are making more money with him than before. Shit like that."
"When was the last time you saw them?"
"About a week ago I needed a refill on my order."
"What did they say?"
"Not much just that they were looking to add on to the family. Asked if I was interested. I told them I was too busy running my own business."
"Is that all?"
"They're drug runners for one of the largest cartels that L.A has now. They don't exactly share too much information sweetie. That's all I know."
Kensi didn't say anything she just left the room and headed back out to the table. Mary was up and wandering around, clearly her heroin was wearing off.
"When can I see my husband?" Mary asked slightly too loud.
"Why don't you ask about your son?" Kensi snapped.
She couldn't take it anymore. They were both calling him worthless and acting like he was nothing more than a piece of trash they had to throw away. She hated anyone treating Deeks like shit and these two seemed to be the worst.
"Why the hell should I? He's nothing, but a piece of shit. He'll never be good enough. He's constantly screwing up. He's always been a trouble maker and a mistake. It's because of him that I lost my husband. I lost my soul mate, because of him."
"You're soul mate tried to kill him." Sam said with disgust in his voice.
"He deserved it. He deserved every hit he got. He was a screw up. It just got worse after he shot him. He was sneaking out at night, he wouldn't help me count and weigh the drugs, he wouldn't help me deliver them, yet he could go steal a car with that bastard Ray. He had time to get into fights and get arrested, but he didn't have time to help me. I don't regret anything that happened to him. He deserved everything he got. He was a horrible son and if I failed at one thing it was not letting either of my husbands beat him enough. Maybe then he would have turned out right."
Kensi went to go over to Mary, but Callen grabbed Kensi's arm knowing that she might lose it. Callen was on the edge of losing it and he was always able to stay calm. The problem was recently Deeks was having a really hard time and he didn't need this to go with it.
"Sam put her in the room with Jason so we can work." Callen said.
Callen knew that Sam was upset and pissed off, but he also knew that Sam wouldn't hurt a woman regardless of how much he wanted to. Sam went over to Mary and grabbed her by the arm and brought her into the interrogation room with Jason. He didn't even say anything he just put Mary in the room and then left locking the door behind him.
"Kensi calm down." Callen said.
"They don't even care. They don't care about what they did to him. They don't care how he is now. They just don't care. Deeks was completely on his own his whole life. No wonder he doesn't know what family is and what a team is. He's never been on one or had one." Kensi said with anger in her voice.
"He does now." Callen let out a sigh. He just couldn't believe how bad Deeks' parents were towards him. "That's all the information we are going to get out of Jason. He doesn't know much, but at least we got three names now." Callen said.
"I told you he was more trouble than he was worth." Jason's voice broke out over their conversation. They all turned to the screen.
"Well it's not my fault he never died. God knows Gord tried. Five years old Gord ties him up outside to a tree in a huge thunderstorm. There's lightening and torrential rain. It went on for three days and he still didn't die. He just got sick and that was even worse than before. He kept asking for a hug pathetic child." Mary said with nothing, but anger in her voice.
"You should have let me shoot him when he was twelve it would have solved our problems."
"And then the cops show up and you go to jail like my last husband, because of him. You only had to deal with him for two years I had fourteen. He used to cry all day long as a baby. He would never shut up. Damn home nurse said it was from the heroin, apparently he was addicted. I couldn't even get rid of him when I was pregnant."
"Well you certainly enjoyed him when he was fourteen and I found you naked on top of him." Jason said with disgust.
"Well if you hadn't been so drunk and high all the time I wouldn't have to of turned to him. You and Gord were just a like. Too drunk to get it up. Seemed like the perfect way to satisfy my needs when he was eight. Just had to handcuff him to the bed and made sure he kept his mouth shut. Gord was always good at keeping him afraid to speak. Besides I chose you and kicked his ass out. What more do you want?"
"I wanted to know that my wife had been fucking her son since he was eight. I could have made money off from that."
"Well you should have said something back then."
Sam reached over and turned the mics off.
"I can't hear any more or I'm going to go in there and shot them both in the head." Sam said with nothing, but hatred in his voice.
"His own mother was molesting him?" Kensi said with disbelief and hurt in her voice.
"Ya it's probably best you never mention that to Deeks." Walker said.
"You knew?" Callen asked with anger in his voice.
"Deeks has never admitted to it or denied it. My training officer was called out for an abuse case once. It was Deeks and he was ten at the time. The doctor at the hospital didn't believe his story of being beat up by a gang. He suspected that Deeks was being abused and he thought he was sexually assaulted. Deeks never talked about it and there wasn't any evidence of it. My training officer knew that it was true, but Deeks was so afraid to talk, especially to cops that he couldn't ever charge Gordon or Mary with abuse. Deeks would never talk and CPS never did anything about it, because of the area he lived in. too many kids being abused and none of them talking. They could never get into the house or even talk to Deeks. Deeks doesn't talk about growing up and he won't ever talk about that so don't mention it. All it will do is upset him." Walker explained.
"How does someone like Deeks turn out the way that he did with parents like that? He didn't just have one bad parent he had three." Kensi said.
"Deeks raised himself and he did a good job of it. Deeks has been through a lot and I'm not going to tell you his story. You want to know it; then ask him, but don't expect him to tell you much." Walker said.
"We do have three names now that we can look into." Callen said hoping to get this conversation back on track. He felt that it was wrong for them to be talking about Deeks behind his back. This was Deeks personal childhood and Callen wouldn't want someone talking about his behind his back.
"We have a way in now to." Walker said.
"How?" Kensi asked.
"There is an existing alias that is friends with Scar. They need some new help then I can give them that and with Scar already working there. This alias will be perfect." Walker said.
"Who is the undercover?" Callen asked.
"That will be the problem." Walker said.
"Why?" Sam asked.
"Because the undercover might not be in the condition to go in. He also hates the alias." Walker answered.
"He might not have a choice. If he's the best person for the job he's going to have to go in." Sam said.
"Who is the undercover?" Callen asked.
"Deeks." Walker said.
"No way." Kensi said immediately.
"Max Gentry and Scar go way back. Same with Ray they all knew each other. Scar only knew Deeks as Max never anything different. Max also has the perfect backstory and history for something like this." Walker said.
"It's not happening." Kensi said.
"You did say this person wouldn't have a choice in going in." Walker said.
"Deeks isn't going undercover. He's not even cleared for field duty." Sam said.
"Why isn't he cleared for duty?" Walker asked.
"His wrist is in a brace he can't fire a gun." Callen said.
"He's fired a gun before in a cast; he can do it in a brace. So what's the other reason you don't want to tell me?" Walker asked.
"It's classified. Deeks isn't going in." Callen said.
"He's L.A.P.D so he doesn't take orders from you. It's his decision and my Lieutenant will think the same thing. We have a chance to take this cartel down finally. The death toll is over two thousand, not to mention the millions of dollars of drugs being sold and weapons being sold. So unless Deeks has a really good reason not to go in then I don't see the point in this discussion." Walker said.
"We can also choose to kick L.A.P.D out of our investigation. This involves military weapons which makes this our jurisdiction not L.A.P.D. Deeks isn't going in. He can't go in he's not ready." Callen said.
"Ready after what? He's been on bad Ops before and has never had a problem coming back to work and going on another one. So what happened on this Op that made it so he can't go back to field work?" Walker asked with more authority in his voice.
Walker had known Deeks since he came into the L.A.P.D and he had every right to know why Deeks couldn't be active in the field. He has seen Deeks going through a lot over the years and never had he not returned to active duty.
"You know you can hear you arguing outside. I can't actually hear what you are arguing about, but your voices are loud. When Kensi starts to get loud then something can't be good." Deeks said from the doorway.
They didn't even hear Deeks come into the boatshed, but thankfully he didn't hear what they were saying. Deeks looked around and could tell that his mother wasn't in the room so he went over to the table with the others. He turned to see his mother and step-father arguing in the interrogation room.
"Did you get anything out of him?" Deeks asked.
"How are you feeling?" Walker asked.
"You know me."
"I know you well enough to know that no one really knows you." Walker said back.
"Touché." Deeks said as he looked at the screen again.
"What happened to you on this Op Deeks?" Walker asked.
Deeks looked over at Walker as he spoke. "Why does that matter?"
"It doesn't." Kensi said with anger in her voice.
"I just need to know where your head is at. They said you can't be in the field, because of the brace, but I've known you to be in the field with a cast and still shoot a gun. That means there's something going on with your head." Walker said.
"My head is fine. Ya I've shot a gun with a cast before and I broke my wrist more. I just got the dam cast off I'm not looking to break it again. You're asking me about my head and this last Op. Kensi is pissed and no one will answer my question about what you found out. So how about someone tells me what the hell is going on before I get mad." Deeks said.
"Jason gave us three names of the runners. He also said that they were looking to add to the family." Callen said.
"So who are the runners?" Deeks asked.
"Street names are Booger, Sticky and Scar. Also known as Nathan Walter, Chris Dawson and Daniel Phillip." Walker said.
"And there it is why Kensi is pissed." Deeks said.
"Deeks" Walker started.
"I'm not going under especially as him." Deeks said with force.
"You're dam right you are not going under." Kensi said with even more force as she looked right at Deeks.
"What is she your wife?" Walker asked Deeks.
"She's my partner. She's a little possessive." Deeks said trying to lighten the mood, but it wasn't working.
Thankfully Eric and Nell popped up on the video screen to take the attention off from Deeks for a little bit.
"What do you got?" Sam asked.
"Well this cartel has been very busy in the last year. The death toll so far is over two thousand. You already know about them selling drugs and military weapons, but they aren't just selling the weapons overseas. They have been selling them to local gangs that they are in an alliance with as well." Eric said.
"They also may be involved with human trafficking. They take young girls and boys from Mexico and sell them all over the States. From what we have been able to find they are working almost as if they are a company. They are branching out jobs to other local gangs to do. That's how they have been able to keep their hands clean for so long. They physically haven't done the work. Whoever is in charge of this cartel is smart enough to know how to remain unseen. We can't even find out who is in charge." Nell said.
"He's intelligent, which means he might not have a record. He could just be a business man." Deeks said.
"What just a normal everyday business man?" Walker said.
"Think about it. How many gangs or cartel members have you seen that don't brag about what they have done? How many don't have a record? How many actually have the IQ to keep his own identity a secret? I'm willing to bet that even if you do find a name on him it will be fake and someone else is acting like he's in charge and taking orders from this man. He's operating like it's a business which means he's gone to school for business and probably has others that are legal to supplement his income. He's contracting other gangs to do the dirty work and rewarding them with money, drugs and guns. It's the perfect business transaction. He's killing off the competition and building his employees at the same time. A normal cartel will stick to selling drugs and they might sell small guns here and there. They never branch off to that many different levels. This cartel is running a drug ring, stealing military weapons and selling them everywhere, killing off the other cartels and now human trafficking. Cartel leaders are lazy they don't want to work that many angles, because it's a lot of work and takes a lot of intelligence that cartels don't have." Deeks explained.
"Makes sense. Could be how he has been able to keep people away from him. No one not even the cartel members know his name. Police wouldn't be looking for a business man; they would be too busy trying to find the one with the biggest record. It's a smart move." Sam said.
"Did you find anything about the military weapons?" Kensi asked.
"We were able to trace some back to different bases all over California. They were able to get in without alerting security or any alarms." Nell said.
"So they have someone on the inside to these bases." Walker said.
"Or just a military contact. If you can get into one base you will know how to get into them all. If they have a military contact then they have all the information they need. Including what base has what weapons." Sam said.
"There is one other thing we found. We have been running a trace on all the stolen weapons to see if we can locate them. Some of the higher weapons actually have a microchip in them so they can be GPS. Some we can find if the serial number wasn't scratched off and they were arrested with the weapon. A lot of them are in L.A." Eric said.
"We also found some communications done online between different gang leaders. Guys they are claiming war against L.A.P.D and its set to start today." Nell said.
"Something big is going to happen." Deeks said.
"Ya it's called ten thousand gang members going after L.A.P.D" Walker said.
"No seriously think about it. Say you want to rob a bank completely empty, safe, safety deposit boxes everything. It's going to take a skilled team at least thirty minutes, but the longer you are in there the more cops are going to show. You risk tripping silent alarms, someone calling the police; anything could happen whether it's day or night. So what do you do? You create a distraction something to keep the cops busy so you can get in and get out." Deeks explained.
"The cartel is planning something big." Callen said understanding where Deeks was going.
"When someone declares war against one precinct it's that precinct's problem. Declare war against all of L.A.P.D all of a sudden you have a mass hysteria among all of the precincts. Unless you are in deep cover you get called back. Everyone gets called in doesn't matter what ranking you are or what department you are in. You get called back. You could literally be hours away from making a major drug bust and it gets put on the back burner. It doesn't matter what case you are on it becomes second best. The number of false calls will go up drastically and you don't know if when you get there it will be an ambush or not. So each call at least two cruisers has to go making four cops busy with just one call. The longer this goes on for the more likely that cops will transfer to a different city, cops will be injured and killed and cops will be afraid to go on calls putting innocent people at risk. Everything goes to the extreme and cops are too busy just trying to survive each hour that if a cartel wants to steal something really good they'll be able to." Deeks explained.
"Even people who are on medical leave; if they are healthy enough they get called in. Chief of Police takes control of all precincts and will put together a special tactical squad to hunt down the gang leaders and bringing them in." Walker said.
"It also means that we both get called in if this happens." Deeks said.
"You can't go. Deeks you're not cleared for field duty." Kensi said.
"It won't matter. Everyone gets brought in regardless. If you can move and shot you get brought in." Deeks said.
"So if they are planning a heist then it's something big. I can't see robbing a bank they would have enough money from the drugs and weapon sales." Callen said.
"Which means some base is going to get hit; or an armory maybe." Sam said.
"Eric, make sure all bases are on alert for any break-ins." Callen said.
"On it." Eric said.
The screen went back to the interrogation room with Jason and Mary in it still arguing.
"This is bad. If they strike the whole city is going to go nuts." Deeks said.
"Bases in California have a variety of weapons, from guns to rockets big enough to take out a small city." Sam said.
"But if they were going to go after a base then why the war with L.A.P.D? It has to be something in the city and it has to be big enough for them to need a distraction this big." Kensi said.
"So what do we have in L.A that would be big enough for the cartel? Banks, but like you said they don't need the money. So what kind of weapons do we have in the city?" Walker asked.
"Armories, but it's just guns." Kensi said.
"We're missing something and whatever that is; it's what they are going to go after." Callen said.
The screen changed again and it was Eric and Nell once more.
"Guy we have a problem. This just came on the news." Eric said.
The screen split so Eric and Nell were in a small box in the top right hand corner. On the rest of the screen was breaking news from a helicopter. There was a gun fight out front of a precinct. There was a gang out front taking cover while they shot at the building. The building had smoke coming out of it and the front door was destroyed by what looked like some kind of explosion.
"As you can see there is multiple gang members out front of precinct twenty-nine. We don't know much, but the building does appear to be on fire and officers and prisoners are trapped inside. The gang members have yet to stop fire on the building. Officers have been shot down out front as they tried to make it out to safety. So far there have been no back-up to help the officers trapped inside." The news reporter said.
"That's our precinct." Walker said.
Deeks had his cell phone out and called 9-1-1.
"Who are you calling?" Walker asked.
"9-1-1. We need to go. You got weapons in that car?" Deeks asked.
"I have riffles. I was bringing them back to the station."
"9-1-1 what's your emergency?" The operator asked.
"This is Detective Marty Deeks with the L.A.P.D. Badge number 9546. I need all available units to get to precinct twenty-nine. They are under attack by a local gang. Have ambulance and fire stand by a few blocks away. We need a tactical squad down there as fast as possible. Officers are trapped inside and the building is one fire." Deeks said as they made their way out the door.
"I'll have everyone sent over there right away Detective." The operator said.
Deeks hung up the phone and Kensi, Callen and Sam followed behind them outside.
"Deeks you can't go. Your wrist is in a brace you can't shoot." Kensi said.
"I don't have a choice. I'm not just going to leave them. Give me your keys you suck at driving." Deeks said to Walker.
Walker threw his keys to Deeks and Deeks went to get into the driver seat. Callen pulled out his cell phone to call Eric.
"Callen what do you need?" Eric asked knowing that Callen wanted something.
"Get a tactical squad together and send them over to the precinct. We're going with Deeks and Walker." Callen said as he went over to Sam's charger.
Kensi ran to her car and got in while Callen and Sam got into Sam's charger. They drove off after Deeks and Walker. They actually had to fight to keep up with Deeks. They had no idea that he could drive like this. Usually it was Kensi that drove so they really hadn't seen Deeks drive too much. He could definitely drive; Sam was having a hard time keeping up with him. They stopped half a block away from the precinct and Deeks and Walker got out. They went to the trunk of the car so they could grab the weapons. Callen, Sam and Kensi came up to them.
"What's the plan?" Callen asked.
"We don't have much and we don't have vests. Just up the street is the back of the station. If we can get into the station we can get more supplies and vests. Other officers will be here soon to cover the front." Deeks said.
Walker handed Deeks a raffle and he took one for himself. Kensi handed Deeks his hand gun and he put it in the back of his pants.
"Let's go." Deeks said.
They ran the rest of the way to the precinct. Around the back there were a few gang members there as well to shoot anyone that came out. They took cover and took out the few gang members outside and carefully made their way inside. Once they were inside they couldn't believe it. The place was covered with smoke and ash from the explosion. Thankfully it didn't take the building down. The power was out so it was only the emergency lighting. They were still taking heavy fire and they had to keep cover as they moved throughout the station. As they passed someone that was unconscious they checked for a pulse. So far they hadn't come across anyone dead, just injured. Deeks made his way out towards the armory of the station and he found Bates trying to help out. Deeks crouched by Bates so he could talk to him with the others right around him.
"Deeks when the hell did you get here?" Bates asked.
"We saw it on the news. I called it in, soon half the city should be out front with a tactical squad."
"Get some vests and take some men and go out front to help get them away from the front doors. The armory is fine, go there and get ready then take a team out front."
"You have a lot injured down the hallway, but none dead so far." Deeks said as he started to move on towards the armory.
"Deeks you're in charge of the team take whoever you find." Bates said.
Deeks made his way towards the armory with Walker, Callen, Sam and Kensi behind him. Deeks grabbed officers and detectives as he made his way there and by the time they reached the armory there were twenty of them.
"Grab a vest and put it under your shirt. If they see a vest they will automatically shoot you in the head. If they don't see a vest they will shoot you in the chest. So put it under your shirt. Grab ammo and a riffle if you can shoot one. We are going out front to help draw their fire and help the back-up when it arrives. Hide behind anything you can and make smart shots. Look around and get a good picture of everyone in this room so you don't shot the wrong person. This is Agent Hannah, Blye and Callen; they are with NCIS and have more training than you do. So if they tell you to do something do it. Let's gear up and get out there." Deeks said.
They all grabbed vests including Callen, Sam and Kensi. They had never seen Deeks in charge before and they had to admit they were surprised that he was this good at it. The officers and other detectives were listening to him and following his orders. That surprised them, because they knew that his station didn't like him. They grabbed some of the riffles and lots of ammo. Deeks took the lead and led everyone out back so they could go around the building.
"Alright half of you are coming with me. We are going around to the right. The other half of you go with Agent Callen and go around the left so we can hit them from both sides. Those of you going with Agent Callen you follow his orders." Deeks said.
"My team let's go." Callen said.
Sam went with Callen and half of the officers while Kensi and Walker went with Deeks and the rest of the officers. They went around the right side while Callen's team went around the left side. Deeks knew they needed to pin them down so they couldn't escape. Deeks also knew that pretty soon half the city was going to be out front and helping them. They just needed to help stop the gunfire on the building. They got to the front of the building and everyone took cover as they fired back at the gang members. It was an intense few minutes while they fired back and waited for the back-up to show. Both L.A.P.D and NCIS tactical teams arrived and they were able to add help to getting the gunfire to stop. It was a good thirty minutes after they had arrived did it finally end.
The street was a mess; cars were on fire and destroyed by a hail of bullets. There were dead bodies all throughout the street and people injured. The stations front entrance was destroyed by the explosion and still smoking. The windows were blown out from bullets and the sign was destroyed and smashed on the ground. There was glass everywhere and blood on the ground.
"We need all available ambulances here right away." Deeks told one of the tactical officers with a radio.
The officer radioed it in for all available ambulances to be brought down to the station. Within a few minutes you could already hear the sirens. Deeks ran into the building to see what he could do to help. Officers were injured all over the place and same with prisoners and victims that were making complaints and statements.
"We need to get the injured outside." Bates called out so everyone could hear him.
Deeks, Callen, Sam and Kensi all started to help bring the injured outside so the paramedics could work on them faster. It would also make it easier to prioritize the injured so they were able to get the most injured to the hospital first. The next hour went by in a blur. They were able to get everyone out of the station so it was empty and would be able to be used to assess the damage. The building itself was fine, it was just a little smoky and the front was destroyed. Paramedics were running around trying to help everyone and get everyone fixed up that was injured. Callen, Sam, Kensi and Walker were standing off to the side just watching and trying to be out of the way. Deeks was talking to a few different officers about what to do with the prisoners and the victims that were in reporting a crime.
"Walker" Callen said.
"Ya?"
"I thought fellow officers hate Deeks." Callen said.
"They do." Walker answered.
"Then why are they listening to him?" Callen asked.
"Well Deeks does have a higher ranking then most of them. So for that they have to listen to him. They don't like Deeks, because he's been undercover for IAB and has put some fellow officers in jail. So people believe that you don't turn against your own no matter what. Deeks doesn't believe that. He doesn't believe you should protect and lie for cops that are dirty, especially if it is getting innocent people killed. So a lot of officers don't like him because of that. Some of the newer ones that have heard of Deeks are uncomfortable around him. They think if they do something wrong Deeks will go straight to IAB about them, which isn't true. They listen to him though, because they respect him. He's done a lot to earn that respect with his undercover operations. So day to day activities they will give him a hard time and treat him like crap, but when emergencies like this happen they will listen to him. When they need a leader and someone to help handle a situation they will look to Deeks, because they know he'll get it done." Walker explained.
"So they treat him like garbage until they need him." Kensi said with a slight anger in her voice.
"Pretty much ya." Walker said as Deeks made his way towards them. Walker headed off towards fellow officers that were being treated by paramedics.
"This is nuts." Callen said looking at the mess in front of him.
"It's only going to get worse. You guys didn't have to be here or call in a squad." Deeks said.
"You are a part of this team Deeks. We aren't going to stand around and just watch this happen. We need to put an end to this." Callen said.
"We need to get that cartel taken care of. With them no longer controlling things, the gangs should go back to normal." Sam said.
Hetty came down the street towards the station. She couldn't believe how bad the attack was on the station. Eric and Nell had called her up to Ops to explain the situation to her when everyone had headed over to the station to help. Hetty knew that this was going to get worse as long as the cartel was in control. So she headed over to the station so she could speak to everyone and Bates.
"Hetty what are you doing here?" Deeks asked.
"We still have an operation to sort out. I figured it would be easier to speak to Lieutenant Bates here. We need a plan and we need one fast before the whole city goes crazy." Hetty said.
"I think Bates is inside." Deeks said.
"Let's go find him then." Sam said.
They started to walk towards the entrance as they made their way over there Deeks called out to Walker so he could join them. Deeks wasn't going to keep Walker out of the loop. He had a right to know what the plan was. They all headed inside and started to look for Bates. He was over talking to the fire Chief about the building. Bates looked over to see Hetty and everyone standing there waiting for him so he finished his conversation up real quick. Bates went over to the small group so he could speak to them.
"I think the second floor is still in tacked. Let's go to the stairs and head up. I'm assuming there is a lot you need to explain to me." Bates said.
"We do." Hetty said.
Bates led the way to the stairway so they could go up to the second floor and hopefully find an office that they could talk in. The second floor didn't have any damage at all and the whole building was emptied. They headed down the hallway where the offices were and they went into one of the conference rooms. Once everyone was inside the room Bates closed the door so they would have complete privacy.
"Alright, what the hell is going on?" Bates asked.
"Remember that cartel that I have been working on for a year now?" Walker asked.
"Satan's Angels. What about it?" Bates said.
"We haven't been able to get anything on them, but last night I caught a little break. Jason Deeks was arrested same with Mary Deeks. Jason had been seen with some of the runners for the cartel. I called Deeks this morning and sent him an email giving him a basic description of the case. He agreed to get Jason and Mary out of jail and NCIS agreed to help, because of the military weapons. Jason finally told us three names for the runners Booger, Sticky and Scar."
"Scar as in Max's friend?" Bates asked Deeks.
"Ya" Deeks said.
"Our technical analysts were able to track some of the military weapons that were micro-chipped. It's a new protocol that was put in place so if any weapons were stolen or had gone missing they would easily be found. Not all of the weapons that were stolen had them so we were only able to locate a handful. All of the weapons that we located are in L.A and were given to gangs." Hetty explained.
"Why would a cartel do that?" Bates asked.
"The thing with this cartel is its being run differently. The guy that everyone thinks is in charge is just a front. The cartel is being run like a business, by a business man behind the scenes. The cartel has their hands in drugs, weapon trafficking, homicides and human trafficking now. Their men aren't the only ones doing the dirty work though, he's hiring outside to other gangs to handle some of the things. In return he's giving them weapons, money and drugs." Deeks said.
"So he's operating this cartel as a business. How far does it go? Is it just L.A?" Bates asked.
"Our analysts have been able to track the human trafficking to all over the States and the weapons are going overseas as well. They are taking young children from Mexico." Callen said.
"Our analysts found some online communication between all of the major gangs in L.A. They declared war against the L.A.P.D. This was their first strike." Sam said.
"What does that have to do with this cartel?" Bates asked.
"I think the cartel is up to something huge and they are using this as a distraction. They're going to steal something and need all officers busy. What better way to keep the heat off from you then to start an all out war?" Deeks said.
"If we shut this cartel down we can end this war. The gangs will go back to killing each other and fighting over turf. This cartel is keeping them all in check, because he's giving them work and everything they need. Once the cartel is gone they will have to go back to their old ways." Walker said.
"This is the biggest station in L.A. If they were more intelligent with explosives this whole building could have gone up. There are a thousand officers in this building at any given time, plus the prisoners, victims and eye witnesses. Obviously they are serious about this war. The whole city is in jeopardy." Bates said.
"9-1-1 calls will increase, false calls will increase, officers will transfer out, call in sick, quit; officers will get too scared to go on calls leaving innocent people in danger. None of this is good. I know in a time like this that you call back all officers. I think you need to focus on shutting this cartel down if you want everything to go back to normal Mr. Bates." Hetty said.
"Scar is the way in. Deeks you have to go undercover." Bates said.
"He can't go undercover. He's not cleared for field work." Kensi said.
"I don't have a choice. Look around this is only going to get worse. The only way in right now is through Scar and Max already has a friendship with him." Bates said.
"Deeks isn't going undercover." Sam said.
"Bates I can't. You know why I can't. I'm not ready, especially to be him." Deeks said softly looking at Bates.
"Can someone please tell me what the hell happened to screw him up?" Walker asked annoyed.
"It's none of your business." Kensi said with attitude back at Walker.
"This is my investigation. So I think it is my business when the only person that has the ability to go undercover is refusing to go. That makes it my business." Walker said clearly angry.
"I was tortured. Me and another Agent were tortured three months ago. This is literally my first day back. I'm not going." Deeks said with anger in his voice.
He didn't want to go undercover; he didn't want to be Max Gentry, because he couldn't handle being him. He was still having problems sleeping and being around people. He wasn't okay and he knew that. That was why he didn't fight when he was only going to be on desk duty. He was okay with just working a case from inside the mission. He knew he wasn't ready.
"Deeks listen to me for a minute." Bates said softly.
Deeks looked at Bates and waited for him to continue.
"I know you know what is going to happen and who is already on his way down here. Right now I have control, but once the Chief of Police shows up here he will have all control and say in everything. He will kick NCIS out of here and make this only an L.A.P.D case. He will make you go in or he'll take your badge away from you and you know that. I know you aren't ready I don't blame you. There isn't a person in this room that blames you. I understand you aren't ready. I was more than happy to let you slowly get back into it. Whether that was months or years I was more than willing to wait and leave you over there at NCIS. This situation changes everything and I don't have a choice I have to push you into the deep end and you need to remember how to swim. I have control right now, but only while the Chief of Police is not here. Once he finds out about this he will take control. So an operation already needs to be put into place. You have to go in and you know you do, just like you know you will go, but I'm not saying you go alone."
"I'm not going into a cartel this powerful and dangerous with some rookie or undercover I don't know. They say one thing wrong and we are both dead." Deeks said.
"What about someone at NCIS? We leave this as a joint operation with NCIS at the point. You have better technology and ways to keep track of your agents. You have far more resources than we do. I don't care if this turns out to be the biggest bust in L.A history and NCIS takes the credit. I just want this cartel dealt with and L.A can go back to normal. Once an operation is already established the Chief of Police can't say anything about it. NCIS has every reason to be involved, because of the military weapons. Deeks has the alias to get you in, what if you sent in an agent with him as backup?" Bates said trying to find some sort of solution that would work.
"I'll go. I have the military background. I could be used for information on the bases and weapons." Sam suggested.
"Ya, because us working together always ends so well." Deeks said with anger.
"I'll go with you. You are my partner I will be there with you to back you up." Kensi said.
"Max Gentry doesn't do girlfriends. Scar will know that and automatically think something is up." Bates said.
"Well that leaves Mr. Hanna and Mr. Callen. What do you think Mr. Deeks?" Hetty asked.
"I think there's a reason I'm on desk duty." Deeks said frustrated that he was going to have to do this when he truly didn't want to. Deeks started to pace and they all knew that was a sign that he was upset.
"Deeks" Kensi said gently.
"I don't know if I can do this." Deeks said softly back.
"You can do this Deeks, because you are not doing it alone. The team is here for you and with you. This won't be another L.A.P.D operation. You won't be going in with nothing, but a driver's license. You are going in with an ear piece so we can be in contact at all times. You are going in with Sam or myself. You are going to be in a safe house so your apartment doesn't get burned. You can do this." Callen said in his team leader voice.
"I think Mr. Hanna would be better for this. It's easy to make him an ex-seal that was dishonorable discharged and looking for some payback. He also has the most knowledge of the military on the team. The most important question is though, Mr. Deeks do you trust Mr. Hanna to have your back?" Hetty asked.
They all looked at Deeks to see what he would say. It was no secret that Deeks was still upset with Sam for what he said to him about his character. Deeks had every right to still be upset over it. He had taken a lot of crap from Sam over the last three years all, because Sam thought that Deeks' character wasn't good enough. That he wasn't good enough for the team or for his trust.
"He's the one that doesn't trust me." Deeks said back.
"I trust you Deeks." Sam said.
"Oh that's right not my character. Could have sworn that was the same thing, but I am just a cop." Deeks said back.
"Deeks" Sam started, but Deeks wasn't going to hear any of it.
"We need to do something about Jason and Mary. We need to have them locked up and in solitude while this is happening. We can't risk one of them making a call." Deeks said to Bates.
"Where are they now?" Bates asked.
"In the boatshed." Deeks said back.
"As long as it is alright with you Hetty, I will pick them up and personally bring them to a prison. I'll make sure the warden and his guards all know to keep them in solitude and not to let them make any phone calls until this is over." Bates said.
"That's fine with me." Hetty said.
"When are we doing this?" Walker asked.
"I think tomorrow would be best. We will head back to our center and have Mr. Hanna's alias created and backstopped. We will also improve Mr. Deeks' alias to make up for the time difference. Tomorrow we can start on getting into the cartel." Hetty said.
"Walker, I know this has been your investigation so I will keep you in the loop. From here on out this is mostly an NCIS investigation. I hope you will keep me in the loop." Bates said.
"I will." Hetty said.
"Deeks, I know you are not happy about this. I owe you big for this." Bates said.
"He dies. When this is over Max Gentry dies. I'm not doing it anymore." Deeks said softly.
Bates held his hand out as he spoke. "You have my word." Deeks shook Bates hand to seal the deal.
"Let's head back to Ops we have a lot of work ahead of us." Hetty said.
"Thank-you for your help." Bates said.
"L.A.P.D has been there for us when we needed them. Happy to return the favor." Callen said.
They all followed Hetty down the stairs and out of the building. They had a lot of work ahead of them and they needed to get started. They would be starting an operation in less than twenty-four hours. An operation that would again break-up the partners and put Sam and Deeks together again. Hetty was hoping that they would be able to work through their problems and be able to fix what has always been broken. Hetty knew it was possible if Sam stopped judging Deeks and if Deeks could let go what happened between them and the hurtful words that Sam had said to him. Hetty was hoping that maybe this operation would do the trick.