Halo part 6
NCIS LA and all its characters are the sole property of CBS and Shane Brennan.
The street was a mass of confusion with people screaming and rushing to safety. Soon the sirens of the emergency vehicles and police cruisers announced their arrival. Uniformed officers stepped out of their cars to hold back the gathering crowd of on lookers and curiosity seekers. Shards of glass and metal littered the street. Thick, black billowy smoke wafted into the air from the burnt out shell that was once Polzin's car.
Tom looked over at Kensi, "You ok?" checking her over for any possible injuries from the flying debris.
"Yeah, I'm fine" she replied, stunned at what just happened.
"о мой бог! Да вы что!"(Oh my god! I can't believe it!) A young woman exclaimed next to Kensi. Tom turned his gaze to the petite young woman who appeared to be in her mid-twenties, attractive with green eyes and dark brown hair.
"Вы хорошо, мисс?" (Are you alright, Miss?) Tom asked, taking in her name tag that read Monica Dubinina.
Monica gazed at him with tear filled eyes, "I…I think so. Just can't believe it. Mr. Polzin…who would want to hurt him?" she replied in a shaky, lightly accented English.
"Did you know him well?" Kensi asked.
"I'd worked as his secretary the few times he'd come here for business. He was a good boss…" she broke off, her voice trembling with emotion.
Kensi gently posed her next question, "I understand this is difficult…my friend and I are investigators," showing her badge before continuing, "Had Mr. Polzin seemed anxious at all? Did you see anyone hanging around here that seemed out of place?" She then pulled out the photos of Bessonov and Dylan.
Monica grimaced staring at the image of the pale man, "I've never seen anyone that looked like that," she shuddered. "Mr. Polzin seemed like his usual self today." She studied the photo of Dylan again, "Actually, I think I did see him for a moment here today, but I can't be certain." She paused a moment, her gaze swinging from Kensi to Tom, "Do you think this guy had anything to do with what happened to poor Mr. Polzin?"
"I don't know, but we're going to find the person or persons responsible." Kensi assured her. "Sorry for your loss."
Monica gave a weak smile and walked back to the office building.
Callen and Jordan observed Kensi and Tom moving toward where they were parked.
Hearing the side doors open, she watched as both of them entered the back of the vehicle. Neither said a word as they settled into their seats. "You guys ok?" Jordan asked.
Kensi responded with a quiet, "Yeah." Tom merely nodded his head.
The sudden beep of Callen's cell phone broke the silence. Taking it from the dash he looked at the display, "Text from Hetty; has some information for us," he explained eyeing each of them. He turned on the ignition and pulled the car out of its hiding place to head back to the apartment.
Callen opened up his laptop on the coffee table to set up communication with OSP. Jordan and Kensi sat on the couch with him while Tom sat in a chair next to Kensi.
"Good afternoon to you all." Hetty stated as her image along with Granger and Fornell appeared on the screen.
Callen studied the screen, "Where are Sam and Deeks?"
"They are on a stakeout and will be apprised of this meeting. How is your investigation going, Mr. Callen?" Hetty asked.
Callen sighed, "Polzin was killed earlier today by a car bomb just outside his office."
"He was the last one linked to the Galipova trial…or so the killer thinks," Tom chimed in from his seated position.
Hetty nodded, "This case is becoming trickier by the minute. As my text said, I have some information for all of you."
Jordan leaned forward, "What is it Hetty?"
"We were able to find out who this Dylan person is and yes I do know him…When I knew him, his used the name Scott Dolan."
Jordan slid a brief glance at Callen whose posture appeared relaxed and his face unreadable; yet she could feel the tension rolling off of him in waves.
"He was a CIA operative…one of the best…who had a vast knowledge in weaponry and was a decorated former Marine. I was his handler." Hetty took a breath, "Mr. Dolan and another agent were assigned to a highly classified mission in Chechnya. When they failed to check in at their appointed time I sent people looking for them. The other agent, Talia Grant, was found in the house where their meeting with an informant was to take place; she'd been tortured and her throat slashed. Their informant decapitated. Mr. Dolan was found outside unconscious with his gun in hand. He'd been shot in the face. He languished in a coma for nearly two months. The last time I saw him was in the hospital a few days after he woke up…his face was still heavily bandaged…he never said a word; just watched me for a moment before writing one phrase on a tablet that he had near his bed…. 'Go to hell'. That was the last time I ever saw him."
There was not a sound in the room when Hetty finished her story.
Callen was the first to speak, "When did this happen?"
"Eight years ago."
"The mission dealing with Sokoloff…" Jordan questioned next.
Granger then spoke up, "Much of Dolan's file after he returned to the CIA is redacted. He'd been placed in Russia as a sleeper agent."
"Do you think Dylan…Dolan can still be trusted," Kensi asked.
The operations manager appeared to be considering her answer, "The man I knew as Scott Dolan I would have trusted with my life. As to the man he's become now…just trust your instincts and your training."
"How is it going with finding the mole?" Callen asked after a moment.
"We've narrowed it down to three suspects," Fornell replied, "We'll send you a fax."
Hetty spoke next, "What will be your next move?"
"We should go in a different direction," Callen explained, "Think we should look at Sokoloff ourselves."
"Very well then, Good luck and be careful." Hetty replied before closing communication.
"Dolan may not like having us move in on his investigation," Jordan reasoned a moment later.
"Then we won't tell him," Callen smirked.
A short time later a fax came through from Granger with the names of the three agents-Katheryn Gray, Todd Hughes and David Phillips. Callen looked over the information, with the others, According to the file; Hughes who was now thirty five years old; graduated cum laude from MIT and worked for the CIA as an intelligence analyst. The corresponding picture showed a man with a freckled round face; red hair that was cut in a business man's style and hazel eyes beneath straight brows.
Katheryn Gray, who was the same age as Hughes, graduated with honors from Dartmouth and was listed as an intelligence analyst and a tech operator as well. Gray was blond, square faced with blue eyes behind round glasses. Both were there during the Galipova mission. Callen thought they looked like the reverse of Eric and Nell. The last one Davis Phillips whose position was listed as a Counterintelligence Threat Analyst. Could one of them be the mole? If so why? What did they have to gain?
Callen turned his attention to the others, "I remember that night when we were faking my death and Bessonov shot me; he made a phone call to someone and said it's done. The call could have been made to Sokoloff or whoever masterminded this whole thing."
"So, what's the plan," Kensi asked.
"We pay Sokoloff's office a visit. Check out his computer and anything else," Callen replied before going to his phone to contact Eric in OPS.
Denis Sokoloff's company, Omni Tec Systems, was a software development and IT outsourcing company with more than 300 employees. It sold custom software development services for enterprise IT organizations and software vendors. The building was located in St. Petersburg. Just in luck they were having a recruitment seminar in two days at eleven in the morning.
"They'll have another recruit at that seminar…me" Jordan remarked, focusing her gaze on the rest of the group.
"What about Bessonov…if he sees you," Callen started; unsure about letting Jordan do the job.
"I'll change my appearance, Hetty provided me with a few things. I can do this," Jordan countered, hoping Callen wouldn't try to stop her from doing the plan.
Callen watched her for a moment; part of him hated having her do this but he knew she was a capable agent with years of experience under her belt. "Ok then, Jordan will be the recruit at the seminar. Let's see what parts the rest of us will play," he finished as they huddled together formulating the plan.
Later that evening:
Jordan closed the door to the bedroom behind her and walked out into the living room. She saw Callen sitting on the couch reading a book. As if sensing her presence he looked up, smiling in her direction, "Hi."
Moving forward, Jordan sat down next to him on the couch, "You ok?"
Callen gave a slight smirk, "Yeah," he replied, placing his book on the table.
"So…what do you think about what Hetty told us about Dylan…Dolan," she asked, slipping her shoes off and pulling her legs beneath her.
"I don't know. In a way I'm not too surprised that she knew him, she's been at this game a long time."
Jordan worried her bottom lip for a moment, "Do you think we can trust him…Dolan?"
Callen thought about her question for a briefly, "My gut tells me yes."
"Mine too."
Callen leaned back against the arm of the couch and pulled Jordan against him, "So, how many undercover jobs have you done? I know you told me that you'd used your middle name for an alias once."
Jordan settled comfortably into his embrace, "Counting the one I did with you guys; Three. Once was to trap a jewel thief, I had to go as a wealthy heiress. The next time was as an assistant to a candidate, that running for Mayor, who had his life threatened. He was a pain in the ass. After we got the bad guy and saved his life he actually wanted me to leave the FBI and work for him. Said that I was the best assistant he'd ever had and whatever the job was paying me he would pay double.
"You weren't tempted to take it?" He smirked, planting a kiss on the top of her head.
"Maybe for a millisecond; but no amount was enough to make me have to put up with him," she laughed; lifting her head to look into his eyes.
"His loss…our gain," he grinned before capturing her lips for a kiss.
Two Days Later: Morning
At six o'clock sharp they were in the Range Rover heading towards St. Petersburg. An hour later Callen pulled into Bolshoi Sampsonievski Avenue in St. Petersburg where Omni Tec Systems was located. Circling around once, he found a secluded spot that was five blocks away from the building. He exited the driver side dressed as an electrician; his cap was pulled down low on his head. With toolbox and clipboard in hand he marched to the building. After going through the door he went to the desk marked security where two officers sat drinking coffee and looking bored.
"доброе утро" (Good Morning) I'm here to check your phones and equipment," Callen stated.
"No one told us about anyone coming in," one of the officers whose name tag said Mikhailov.
"Routine maintenance," Callen replied, pushing his black framed glasses up his nose.
"Mind if we see your card?" Kaminski, the other officer asked in a nasally tone.
Callen reached into his pocket removing the business card and laying it on the table. Mikhailov called the number and spoke to the person on the other line. After a minute he hung up and let Callen through.
Tom hung up the cell, "He's in," turning his attention to both Jordan and Kensi.
Glancing at the directional signs, Callen saw that Sokoloff's office was on the third floor-room 34 B. Heading toward the elevator he found one of the cars open and rushed in before the doors closed. Pushing the button marked three he waited; listening to the piped in music until the elevator reached its destination. The doors opened and he stepped out into a carpeted hallway. Turning left he headed toward room 34 B. Moving closer to Sokoloff's office he saw a secretary setting up her desk for the day. She was in her early fifties, pale skinned with dark hair worn in a no nonsense bob. Her slate gray, hawk like eyes watched him as he approached.
"Доброе утро," Callen spoke giving her a charming smile. He gave her the same spiel that he had given the officers downstairs. The woman, whose nameplate on her desk read Mrs. Olga Alkaev executive secretary, called downstairs to confirm what he had said.
"Very well then; get on with it," she retorted in a snooty tone after receiving confirmation.
Callen made a show of checking her phone on the desk. "I'll need to check Mr. Sokoloff's phone and other equipment too."
Mrs. Alkaev sighed, "Is all this really necessary?"
"I'm afraid so; everything must be kept up to specifications." he replied.
She rose from her seat, opening the middle drawer of her desk and taking out a key. With brisk steps, she to the office door and unlocked it, motioning for him to come inside, "Be quick about it he'll be here soon," she stated looking at her watch, "He usually arrives at 7:45 sharp."
"Nice lady," Jordan's voice dripping with sarcasm remarked.
Callen smirked and glanced at his own watch, he had fifteen minutes.
Sokoloff's office was spacious with beige, wall to wall carpeting; oak paneling. Cherry wood executive desk sat in the center of the room near the panoramic window. On the desk were a business phone and a laptop computer that was still up and running. To the left was a mini bar.
Setting his toolbox next to the desk and opening it, he quickly palmed the listening devices as well as the tools needed to make it look like he was working on the equipment, He placed a bug under the desk and placed another one in the receiver of the phone. He picked up another device; acting as if checking the wires in the back of the computer, he placed it where it would be unnoticed. It was a keystroke monitor that would allow them to know Sokoloff's password.
Callen packed up his tools and headed on out, "All done. Sorry for the inconvenience."
She merely sniffed and returned to her own office space.
Callen went to the other rooms to continue the charade.
Kensi, watching the front entrance with her binoculars, caught sight of a black limousine pulled up to the curb and Sokoloff, Dolan and Bessonov climbed out and entered the building.
"Dolan and the gruesome twosome are inside now," Jordan announced tapping her finger against the dash.
"Got it," Callen replied as he went through the offices on the second floor.
Within ten minutes Callen was back outside and inside the Range Rover with the others.
The three listened as Sokoloff entered his lair and went about his day. The secretary told him about the phone maintenance and he seemed to take it in stride. The next thing they learned was that he was a dictator as a boss nearly driving Mrs. Alkaev ragged. They almost felt sorry for her. There were phone calls made but mostly to business associates. Sokoloff had a business lunch scheduled a twelve thirty this afternoon. The seminar would be starting in half an hour.
"Now it's my turn," Jordan announced grabbing her briefcase and exiting the passenger side. She was dressed in a dark blue dress suit with a starched white shirt. At her feet were low heeled shoes the same color as her suit. Her hair had been scraped back in a severe bun at the back of her head. To complete the look she wore round, silver framed glasses.
Callen watched silently as Jordan strode to the building.
"Can you guys hear me?" Jordan asked, tapping the earpiece with her finger.
"Loud and clear," Callen responded, "Be careful," he added before he could stop himself.
"I will," she replied a slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Доброе утро; здесь для семинара." (Good morning; I'm here for the seminar) Jordan spoke after arriving at the security desk. After showing the required identifications, she was issued a visitor's pass and let through. Jordan's pass had the name Victoria Krupin.
The conference room was on the main floor; room 119 which was straight ahead past a few offices to the left. A few people had arrived. The room had eight four by six tables lined up in rows facing the white media projection screen. The room could hold at least thirty people. Once she signed the guest form, Jordan chose her seat near the back of the room next to the door. Soon the rest of the recruits entered and the speakers. She heard a familiar voice, Mrs. Alkaev, speaking to one of the presenters.
"Looks like our friend Mrs. Alkaev is participating in this thing too," Jordan stage whispered.
"Good. How long is this supposed to last," Callen asked.
"Three hours with a break."
Mrs. Alkaev then took a seat behind the podium as the meeting started.
Callen hated stake outs. They were boring, tiring. From what they could hear of that meeting, it sounded as interesting as watching paint dry. Soon a familiar black limo pulled up to the curb near the building; Dolan, Sokoloff and Bessonov walked out and entered the car. The limo then drove away in a matter of minutes.
"They're gone; all clear," Kensi announced putting down the binoculars.
Jordan nearly jumped up in relief from those words. She'd never been so bored in all her life. It was another half hour before the room went on a twenty minute break. Some sat at the table, others stood talking and a few left to get coffee or take a cigarette break. Mrs. Alkaev was busy on her blackberry. Jordan quietly left and headed for the elevators.
Third Floor:
When the doors opened she stepped out and headed left like Callen told her earlier. Hearing voices she ducked into an empty office holding her breath until they went past. Once she was sure it was clear again and started down the hallway again. When she reached the door to Sokoloff's office she tried the handle and found it locked. Taking a bobby pin from her hair, she straightened it out and placed it into the keyhole. After hearing the tumblers click she turned the knob and entered the room; closing the door behind her.
"Wow, he's really living the life," she muttered, making her way to the computer. Opening her briefcase, she took out her tablet. Then she took the keystroke monitor out of Sokoloff's computer and attached it to her tablet. After a minute she knew the password-Nirvana.
Moving to the computer again she typed in the password Nirvana.
"We're in guys."
"That's my girl," Both Callen and Tom said at the same time. They stared at each other briefly and laughed; shaking their heads.
Jordan inserted the USB flash drive and began the downloading process. She then packed up the keystroke monitor, bugs and tablet back inside her briefcase.
"Where are you now?" Callen's voiced asked three minutes later.
"I'm at eighty-nine percent."
"They're back early," Kensi announced two minutes later.
"Jordan, get out of there; they're back!" he exclaimed anxiety building in the pit of his stomach.
"Almost there; ninety eight percent," she announced.
"Don't worry about it, just take what you have and get out of there!" Callen demanded; the feeling of dread growing stronger as the three men entered the building.
Jordan nearly whooped in triumph as the number hit one-hundred percent. Taking the USB drive out and putting in her jacket pocket, she ran to the door and left the office; closing the door behind her and securing the lock. Down the hall she heard the elevator ding. Hearing men's voices and recognizing one of them as Bessonov's she quickly ducked into a utility closet. She held her breath as the voices came closer. Leaving the door cracked, she watched as they walked past her hiding space. The voices faded and soon there was silence. Carefully opening the door; she checked the hall in both directions. Satisfied that it was clear, she exited the closet and headed for the elevators.
"I'm at the elevators guys," she whispered; pushing the down button. A second later she heard a man's voice shout, "Hey! Stop!" as the elevator was arriving.
Callen, Tom and Kensi heard the same thing. "That sounded like Bessonov," Callen stated, dread curling its way around him again.
"Think she got away?" Kensi asked.
Callen listened some, hearing nothing, "Jordan, are you there?" Had her earpiece stopped working? Had they gotten her?
Suddenly the passenger side door opened and Jordan climbed in, "Hey guy, miss me?" she smirked.
Callen sank back in relief, "What happened?" he asked not knowing whether he wanted to hug her or shake her.
Jordan settled into her seat and handed him the flash drive, "Got all of the information off of Sokoloff's computer. The elevator doors had opened when I heard Bessonov's voice so I pushed the button for the main floor and closed the door as he approached. No one was following me when I got out."
"Thank goodness," Tom piped in as his own heart rate began to settle down.
Callen studied the flash drive before pocketing it in his shirt, "Let's go home and see what this bad boy has to tell us" then he pulled the Range Rover out and headed down the road.
Apartment:
The laptop was set up once again and the USB flash drive put in place. There were a few files that were encrypted so the information was transferred to Eric in OSP so he could work his magic.
Callen knocked on the door to Jordan and Kensi's room. Kensi was in the living room on the laptop and Tom was reading the paper.
"Come in," he heard her voice say.
Stepping in and closing the door behind him he saw Jordan at the dresser brushing her hair. She was dressed in faded jeans and white sweater. "Like this look much better," he remarked, moving closer.
Putting down her brush she threw her arms around his neck, "Glad you approve," she grinned.
Called gazed deeply into her beautiful eyes, "You did a good job today. Tom was right you are one of the best," he grinned.
"Oh, you two have been talking about me, huh?" Jordan's brow ticked up.
"Maybe a little," he smirked.
Jordan's eyes twinkled in amusement, "Should I be worried?"
"Not at all," he replied; kissing her deeply.
A sudden knock at the door broke them out of the spell. Jordan took her arms from around Callen's neck, "Come in."
Kensi poked her head in, "Eric called, and he thinks he found something."
TBC
Hope you liked this chapter. Please review, I love and appreciate reviews. More coming soon.