Chapter 2-Fight
"We're losing him!" yelled the EMT as they rushed Deeks to the ER.
Not long after three very agitated federal agents entered the hospital trying to find out what was going on with their coworker and friend.
What they saw was nurses and doctors hovering over Deeks, trying to save his life. His body lay motionless on the bed, the monitor beeping, and a flat line on the screen.
For a moment that sound was deafening and Callen tried to cover his ears in an attempt to his shit back together, but he failed. He almost crushed to the floor, but Sam's firm grip on his shoulders stopped him before he did that.
Kensi never saw Callen in such a state. He was almost going to cry and if he couldn't hold it, she was going to blow. She hated to see Deeks suffer.
Few minutes passed, while the medical staff performed CPR in every way possible, but Deeks wasn't responding. They were ready to declare the time of death, when suddenly the flat line on the screen was swapped with irregular one and the beeping on the monitor turned to a softer tone.
Kensi swore that she could actually hear Deeks breathing and calling her name even she was far away from the ER.
The doctor approached them "Family of Marty Deeks?"
"Yes." Callen answered
"Detective Deeks is stable for now, but the condition is still critical. We will get him to surgery soon. I can't promise you that you will get him back alive, but we'll try everything in our power to do so. Now, if you'll excuse me…"
"Of course."
If they were worried about finding Deeks at the airport, now they were worried about finding out if Deeks was still breathing.
Callen rested his back against the wall and he didn't see when Hetty joined them.
"Mr. Callen!" she spoke and startled Callen and the others "Why in the hell didn't you call me about Mr. Deeks? I get to know that he is in a hospital by the hospital administrator. Next time, I might just write you as his next of kin Mr. Callen."
She was angry and nervous Callen concluded.
"I'm sorry Hetty. I completely forgot you."
"Tell me what happened Mr. Callen."
"Well, we landed on LAX. Deeks was the first to go out. He went through his luggage check before us. Then we lost sight of him. We figured that he'll wait for us on the parking lot. After we finished our luggage check we started asking ourselves where he was. He wasn't anywhere near us and we freaked out. We searched every inch of the place where we last saw him; we asked people if they saw him. Nothing, nada. We even tried his cell phone, but no answer."
"That's when G suggested a way how to find Deeks. We went to the security loft and checked the surveillance tapes. We saw Deeks, and that he was approached by two men in suits. He went with them to the detention room. They must've hit him with something on the head, because he was unconscious when they dragged him out of there. They took him to the lockers room." Said Sam
"When we were entered the room, we found Deeks laying on the ground in a pool of blood. One of the men was on the ground unconscious and the other tried to escape, but Sam took him down. I cuffed the other one. We made sure that they were taken by the LAPD in county jail. We'll take them to the Boatshed later for questioning." Continued Callen
"But there was a third man in that room that left when we came. And I guarantee you Hetty, you won't believe at what we saw there." Said Kensi
"And what would that be Ms. Blye?"
"The man was the exact copy of Deeks. Same height, same hair color plus fluffy, same eye color, everything. Like he was Deeks' twin." Said Kensi, gesturing with her hands
The fact that Hetty was listening surprised was enough for the others to realize that even Hetty knew everything she hadn't the slightest idea what they were talking about.
"Oh bugger."
…
Carl Whitaker was a lawyer that made his money and career defending criminals with connections to the Molina cartel. Whenever one of them had a need of his defending skills, they made a call and he was there for them.
They paid for his law education and expected a lot of him in return.
Carl was the son of Angela and Bruce Whitaker. He was about the same age of Deeks and he was born also in Reseda, LA.
Ramon and Diego were sent by the boss of one of the families that were in business with the cartel. Their son was caught distributing cocaine on the streets and arrested. Carl took his case, but he didn't make the awaited result. The young boy went to jail and since then his family was determined to kill him. That's why Mr. Munoz hired Ramon and Diego. But, that wasn't the only reason why he wanted him dead. Oh, Carl Whitaker was so in trouble. And he was nowhere to be found.
…
"Bugger indeed Hetty." Said Callen "I just hope that Deeks will get through this."
"You need to think positive Mr. Callen." Hetty said "Now if you will, you and Mr. Hanna go and talk to the two men that this to Mr. Deeks. Ms. Blye will stay with me."
"But Hetty…"
"No 'but' Mr. Callen. You can do much more on the field now than to sit here and do nothing. The faster you go, the faster we'll solve this case, and the faster we solve the case the better."
"Hetty is right G. Let's go. Let's make some good thing so we can tell Deeks good news when he wakes up."
Callen knew that he couldn't argue with Hetty and the big SEAL so he followed Sam to his Challenger that magically popped up on the hospital parking lot.
"Hetty really does have super powers G."
"I heard that Mr. Hanna."
"Uffff."
…
Ramon Diaz and Diego Morales were scared to hell from the big guy in front of them. He signed the papers for their release and then both of them were officially a part of a federal investigation.
Ramon knew that whenever he worked with Mr. Munoz there was always trouble. Now he involved his cousin Diego and the job and he knew that Diego's family will give him a nice pep talk when they'll come out of jail. If they do get out.
"Move!" the man growled behind him and Ramon and Diego trailed off like puppies on a walk
Sam and Callen switched cars and they took Kensi's SRX. They stuffed the guys in the back and Callen put the engine in gear.
The rest of the way to the Boatshed they drove in silence.
Callen decided to question Ramon and Sam decided to question Diego.
-Interrogation room 1-
"So, Ramon Diaz, 30 years old from Mexico, came here on a student visa, gained American citizenship and is a proud member of the Molina cartel."
"It's not like that man."
"Okay 'man' tell me how it is."
"They'll kill me and Diego if I just said 'a'."
"Listen Ramon, the man that you took and beat up is a police officer. He works for NCIS. You are already facing charges for attempt of murder of a federal agent. You knew what is like to go to a federal prison Ramon."
"Federal agent… No, my time, I mean the time I served was in county."
-Interrogation room 2-
"Have you heard about Oakvile Diego?" Sam asked
"No."
"Well, Oakvile is a federal prison. You'll go there if you don't tell me who's behind this. I've been undercover in it few times, and believe me it isn't pretty."
Diego's eyes widened at the mention of federal prison and that the blonde man was telling the truth.
-Interrogation room 1-
"Well Ramon if you tell me what we need to know you won't have to worry about federal prison."
"What do you want to know?"
"Who sent you at the airport?"
"Alfredo Munoz. He is the one that sent me."
"I'll get back soon." Said Callen leaving the interrogation room
"Hey Eric, run a name for me, will you?"
"Sure thing."
"Alfredo Munoz."
"I'll get back to you soon."
"Thanks Eric."
Callen sent a quick text to Sam to tell him about the new information.
-Interrogation room 2-
"So this guy Munoz, what does he have to do with the man you had to kill?"
"With Carl? I don't know what he has to do with him, he just sent us to finish him off. He must've done something wrong. Mr. Munoz doesn't do something to someone if he's clear with him."
"This Carl guy, he has a last name?"
"Carl…"
-Interrogation room 1-
"… Whitaker. Carl Whitaker. Mr. Munoz told us that he'll be at the airport at that specific time. He even gave us a photo so we can recognize him."
"Can I see that photo?"
"Sure, it's in my pocket." Ramon said as he flipped his hand in the inside pocket of his coat. "Here you go."
Callen took the picture and looking at it was the same as looking at Deeks yet he looked different. His hand trembled a little at the thought of Deeks. The man was fighting for his life in the hospital and it was thanks to these people. His anger bubbled up again and he strained himself from doing something he'll later regret it.
"Who stabbed the detective?"
"It was Diego, Sir."
-Interrogation room 2-
"You son of a bitch! You know what you did? The man could've died!"
"But, I am not the only one to blame, Sir." Said Diego "Ramon held him by his arms while I stabbed him. He told me that was Mr. Munoz's order and that I was doing the right thing."
Sam looked the man in the eyes and saw sincerity in them.
"How are you connected to Ramon, Diego?"
"We are cousins. My mother and Ramon's mother are sisters."
"Close."
"Well, not exactly. Up until two years ago we weren't on speaking terms."
"And why is that?"
"My mother moved out to LA County with me when I was 10 accusing my aunt for wanting to kill her. My aunt then prohibited Ramon to contact me. Two years ago I discovered that Ramon came here too on a student visa few years back. Imagine what a surprise to meet my cousin after so many years. I looked out for him and when we found each other again it wasn't like before. Something changed."
"What changed?"
"He changed. He wasn't the same as he was before. He works for a drug cartel for God's sake."
"So, this is your first actual job?"
"No, I did few minor jobs for Mr. Munoz."
"Thank you for your collaboration Diego, but you know I'm still pissed off about my friend."
"Believe me man if I knew that he was telling the truth, we never would've done what we did."
"Wait, Deeks actually told you he was a cop?"
"Yes, but we thought that he was making that up."
"WHAT?!"
-Interrogation room 1-
"So, you say you don't know why this Munoz character wants Carl dead? Not a hint?"
"Nada, Sir. I'm just doing what I was told. He said, take your cousin and go get Carl."
"Your cousin works for Munoz, too?"
"From time to time."
"What have you done to the detective Ramon?"
"We were to the airport, we spotted him and approached him. We told him that he was detained. He was surprised, but we were convincing enough so he came with us."
Callen knew Deeks was better than that, but they just spent 12 hours of flight and he was tired. The tiredness clouded his senses and that's why he was so easily subdued.
"We hit him on the head and took him to the lockers room. We waited to him to wake up, but he wouldn't. Then Diego started slapping him on the face. He woke up and when we said his name, he said that his name was Marty Deeks and that he was a cop."
"WHAT?!" now Callen was angrier than ever
"We thought that he was lying. I swear if we just knew…"
"Go on!" Callen snapped unable to hear lame excuses
"We beat him up pretty good and called our boss. He told us to kill the bastard."
"What exactly did he tell you?"
Ramon recalled the conversation he had with Munoz just couple of hours prior.
(flashback)
"Senor, el dice que no es Carl Whitaker."
"No me importa loque dice o no Ramon. El es Carl. El sabe algo muy importante."
"Si, ya lo hemos tratado de obtener informacion de el, pero no logramos."
"Esto es raro."
"Parece que necesitamos utilizar otros metodos."
"Ni ques metodos ni que nada Ramon. Matan lo."
"Quieren que lo matemos ahora jefe?"
Munoz growled on the other side of the line.
"Esta bien, lo entendi. Asi lo haremos."
(end of flashback)
"Your boss thought that Carl had some information that was worth killing him right?"
"I guess."
That's when Callen heard Sam scream "WHAT?!" and ran out of the room
He went into the interrogation room where Sam was and he watched Diego's face go from normal to blue. Sam had his hands on Diego's throat and was choking the life out of him.
"Sam calm down. Take your hands off of him."
"They knew it G! HE knew it! He knew that Deeks was a cop and they tried to kill him anyway."
"I know Sam, I know. Leave him alone please, don't fall on his level. You are not a killer Sam."
"He knew and still he didn't do anything about it." Sam, not listening to what Callen was saying
"SAM DAMMIT! Deeks wouldn't have wanted you to do this. Stop."
Sam let go off Diego's throat and when he realized what he did, he punched the wall.
"Come on Sam, we need to go to OPS."
…
Eric and Nell were working on their computers when Sam and Callen came to OPS.
"What do you got for us Eric?" asked Callen
"I found something about the man you told me about, Alfredo Munoz. He runs a family business that has close ties to the Molina cartel. He does some shady export/import business with bananas. A cover for drugs smuggling. Mostly cocaine."
"It makes sense. Bananas are the best way to hide the drugs."
"What about Carl Whitaker?" asked Sam
"Carl Whitaker is a young man that by coincidence is a lawyer. Said Nell
"Just like Deeks."
"Deeks was a public defender Sam."
"Whatever. He finished law school."
"Go on Nell."
"Well he finished law school on Harvard. His tuition was fully paid. I'm accessing his finances right now." Nell typed in her keyboard some more "Oh-oh."
"What?"
"The Molina cartel paid for his tuition. Since then he defends people that work for the cartel."
"What's the connection with Munoz?"
"Alfredo Munoz's son was arrested five months ago. Carl defended him in court, but he failed. He went to jail, the sentence 12 years with a chance of a parole after 5 years."
"Wow." Said Callen
"Wow, indeed." Said Sam.
"The trial was 5 months ago. Why now? I highly doubt that's the whole story behind the hit." Said Callen
"You are right." Said Eric, as he typed on the keyboard again and a set of files appeared on the screen.
Nell expanded the files and shared the information with Sam and Callen. "Mr. Munoz son knew about the deals the cartel had with arms dealers and terrorists in the last year. They were well hidden and they didn't pop up in the radar the first time. After Chino Munoz went in jail, not only those deals were discovered and the police sent numerous undercover operatives as to discover more of their dealings. They closed down three arms dealing rings and one terrorist group."
"Impressive. So, Munoz thought that his son told his lawyer everything that had something to do with the cartel and Carl ratted him out to the police." Said Callen
"There's no way to find out how much information Chino shared with Carl, if he shared any information at all." Said Sam "Besides, Carl Whitaker worked his way through law school, and defended the cartel. Why would he turn against them? It doesn't make sense."
"You are right Sam. No matter who snitched the deals to the police, we need to find out where Carl Whitaker is." Stated Callen
"I already know where he is." Said Eric "He is at the hos…"
Callen's phone buzzed. When he saw the caller ID he immediately picked up. "Hetty what's up?"
"Why? Something happened to Deeks?"
"No. Mr. Deeks is just fined. He got out of surgery 10 minutes ago. He is stable. I need you for something else."
"For what?"
…
Seconds… minutes… hours… Kensi was counting every second, every minute, and every hour that Deeks was in surgery. And they passed slowly. She was eager to know what happened to him and if he will be fine. She was thinking about the many times she was hurt in life.
First, her mother left her and her dad. Then Donald Blye died, scratch that, he was killed and taken from her when she was a teenager. The person that understood her and provided unconditional love and support for her was snatched from her and she felt guilty for his death. If she hadn't gotten out with her friends he would've been still alive.
Then Jack left her. Another hurtful period in her life. Was she guilty for that too? Or Jack had too much going on in his head, that he couldn't deal with his girlfriend, to whom he was engaged?
Dom's murder was another hurtful point in her life. Just as they thought they retrieved their colleague and friend, he was killed in that rooftop. Maybe if she insisted for him to come with them for their night out, he was going to be alive today.
Lt. Macey, another support in life she had died too.
It seemed like every good she experienced in life either was dead or was taken away from her.
The last thing Kensi wanted was Deeks' death. If he died, she wasn't going to be the same. He was the light on the end of the tunnel and if he died, part of her was going to die too. He was the second person after her father that Kensi trusted most in life.
She remembered the time in the hospital when the nurse gave her his wallet and his badge when he was shot 4 years ago. She feared for his life then, she feared for his life, too.
And then, here was the torture. She remembered his face, pain and hurt written on it when she was forced to leave him.
Kensi flipped through her memories and she remembered the good times. When Deeks made her smile. When he made her laugh hysterically, even he counseled her not to do that anymore. The goofy grin of his that was irresistible…
…
Hetty knew the emotional turmoil which Kensi was going through and she prayed for the man that was in surgery and for the woman that was nervously pacing up and down the hallway for the last… um, 3 hours. She prayed for him to live, because if he died, she would not only lose him, but her as well. She knew that the young female agent would break and she would never be repaired again.
Hetty noticed the doctor getting out of the OR and she held her breath at the news they all waited for.
"He is alive." Said the doctor
Hetty blew her breath out and a small smile appeared on her face.
"He has a concussion, two cracked ribs and numerous bruises from the beating he took. As to the three knife wounds they'll heal, but it'll take time. He lost a lot of blood and he'll be exhausted for a while."
"What about recovery?"
"It depends on how much time his body needs to heal. The trauma he endured was huge and it may take time. He'll need a lot of help though."
"Something you are not telling us doctor?" Hetty's suspicious voice set off alarm in Kensi's head
"Well, he might have difficulties walking at first when he wakes up."
Kensi gasped when she heard the doctor, tears pooling in her eyes.
"It's not so serious Miss. I said difficulties. He'll be able to walk, but not as before. He'll get through it with a little help and a physical therapy."
"He has people that are willing to help doctor." Said Hetty
"Do you have someone to stay with him and help?"
"I will." Said Kensi "I could do it."
Kensi was barely able to look after herself, but she was willing to do everything for Deeks.
"When can we see him?"
"As soon as he is transferred to a room."
"Thank you doctor."
Hetty pulled Kensi into a hug and reassured her that everything will be fine, when she saw the man that looked exactly like Deeks behind Kensi. He approached them and when Kensi turned around and spotted him she lashed out. She backhanded him on the mouth and sent him flying through the hall. She would've continued hitting him if it wasn't for Hetty that intercepted the fight. The fight that Kensi was definitely going to win, considering her strength and the raw emotions.
"Calm down Ms. Blye."
"Get her off me please." Pleaded Carl, scared to death
"She won't hurt you any further, Mr. Whatever your name and last name is. Tell me what do you want?"
"I wanted to know how's the man that was has stabbed the airport."
"He is alive if that's what you wanted to know." Spit Kensi
"I'm sorry okay? I never meant for this to happen."
His words were sincere, Hetty thought.
"What's your name young man?"
"Carl Whitaker."
"Carl, why don't you sit down and let me call the rest of my team and we'll talk okay?"
"Okay." Carl nervously fidgeted with his fingers.
Kensi saw fear in his eyes and she figured out that either he didn't knew why they are after him or didn't know who were they.
"You need to put ice on your jaw." Said Kensi
He didn't say anything.
"Coffee?" she asked
"You hit me and now you are offering me a coffee?"
"Take it or leave it."
"I'll take it." He said and a trademark goofy grin appeared on his face.
It was almost like she was looking at Deeks. Almost.
…
"… I need you for something else."
"For what?"
"Carl Whitaker, Mr. Callen. He is in the hospital. So, I suggest that you and Mr. Hanna drag your ass.. ets down to the hospital. If we are to find out who these people are and why are they after him, it's better if we talk straight to the source."
"Which is Carl Whitaker."
"Exactly."
"We're on our way."
"What's up G?"
"Carl Whitaker is in the hospital. Hetty wants us down there to talk to him. It might shed some light on the events."
"Got it."
Sam put the Challenger in gear.
…
"Why there is always someone telling my line Nell?"
"Well, it's a habit all of them have somehow."
Nell smiled at the tech operator as they continued to pile up files on their current case.
