All characters and all rights at 'NCIS: Los Angeles' belong to CBS and Shane Brennan Productions. The following story does not serve any commercial purposes, but was written only for the pleasure of fans. An injury of Copyright is not intended. All further persons belong to the authoress.

English is my second language, if you find any mistakes in my story please send them back to me for correction.

I also would be very glad to get your reviews.

Chapter 5 - Investigations

"Thank you for making time for us, Mrs. Melnikow." Joann smiled at the woman.

"But that's a given, Agent MacKenzie. If I got you right yesterday, it's about the young man in the garden of my friend Letty. I think he has very frightened her at that time."

"And you weren't, as Mrs. Powell said." Joann waited.

Natalia Melnikow smirked. "A few years ago I did a course in self-defense for women. Since then I always carry the pepper spray with me. That evening I have not thought much about it but only acted. I'm afraid I scared the heck out of the young man, but I don't think I've hit him with pepper spray. It's likely that the sight of an elderly woman in pajamas with disheveled hair, who ran shouting toward him, put him to flight."

Ray and Joann could suppress their laughter only laboriously. The idea, that this woman in her fifties, who now sat opposite to them, with chic hairstyle and a plain but elegant costume, should run screaming through a garden with tousled hair and in pajamas, was most amusing.

"Can you specify the man, Mrs. Melnikow?" Joann returned to the base of this conversation.

Focused she stared into space before Mrs. Melnikow gave an answer. "I guess he was about 6'1" tall, 175 to 200 lbs, short hair, maybe mid to late twenties. He wore jeans, T-shirt and sneakers, all in dark colors. Oh, and it was a white man."

The two agents were surprised by the accurate description. They had not planned on that. Ray and Joann had assumed that Natalia Melnikow would be similar to her friend Letitia Powell. But the opposite was true.

"Did you know the man, Mrs. Melnikow?"

"No, I'm sorry, Agent Wingate. I've never seen him before."

"Has it been this man?" Ray showed her the driver's license photo of Allan Spinotti.

Again Mrs. Melnikow concentrated. Then she resolutely nodded. "Yes, that was him. No doubt about it." She looked up. "He has probably not been wrong in the garden, right?"

Joann shook her head. "This man is suspected of being a voyeur."

"A voyeur? And then he looks into the bedroom window of two old women?" Mrs. Melnikow shook her head. "He definitely was mistaken about the garden."

At the last moment Ray managed to hide his smile behind a coughing fit.

Joann adamantly kept her friendly smile. "Have you mentioned this experience to someone?"

"I think I've told a few colleagues about it, at lunch. But otherwise I didn't mention the incident. Frankly, I was a little embarrassed. I didn't want to give the impression of being a fury, who frightened young men."

"Please give me the names of the colleagues to whom you reported this incident."

"Sure." Curiously Mrs. Melnikow looked at Joann. But because the agent said nothing else, Mrs. Melnikow mentioned names and departments of the women in question.

"Many thanks for your help, Mrs. Melnikow."

"With pleasure, Agent MacKenzie. If I can do anything else for you, you know where to find me."

…

In the hallway, first of all the two agents gave vent to their laugh. Finally, Ray took a deep breath. "Okay, now we know that Spinotti was the voyeur. What now?"

"We still need to find out who has access to all information that we have found out with so much difficulty." Joann looked at the list of names. "I've been thinking about it yesterday and made another appointment."

Ray was stunned for a moment, but then he grinned. "We go to Jason, right?"

Joann smirked. "You can't keep a secret from a good agent."

…

"Hey, Little One." Lovingly Jason clasped his sister in his arms. "So, how can I help you?"

Briefly Joann described their case and then showed Jason the list of names to which she also had added Natalia Melnikow. "Could one of these women have access to relevant data in our case?"

Jason carefully studied the list. "I know three of the women. They are paralegals and are ineligible. The other four are unknown to me." Jason looked up. "Why don't you apply to the personnel department? Or better, why don't you let investigate Eric and Nell?"

"We don't know how far-reaching the relationships or connections of the offenders are. If we formally investigate in the personnel department, it could scare the offenders. That's why we come to you. Can you find out something discreetly?"

Jason looked thoughtfully at them. "Does Hetty know that you're here?"

Joan shook her head. "No. I first wanted to talk with you, if you can help us or want to." Joann grinned at her brother. "Besides, we all have our sources, haven't we?"

Jason laughed. Then he became serious again, pointing to the list. "I'll see what I can do for you. Inconspicuous. I'll call you later."

"Thank you, Big One. Bye!"

…

"In the meantime we made a find with other victims." Eric looked at his colleagues and activated some photos. "Charles Groome, the second victim with cut out eyes. A few months ago a young girl was attacked and raped by a Latino Gang. Instead of helping her, a group of onlookers gathered and watched it. One of them should have been Groome. The witness reports were contradictory, that is why no charge was brought against him."

"That was not the first time that he has become conspicuous in this form." Nell took over. "I found a report in his school records after he has watched more than once that classmates were beaten by a gang of older students. During his college years, his name appears twice. Every time he showed up at a place where a crime has been committed. Apparently he has never seen anything, but he was always there before the police. "

"Clearly a recurring pattern." Kensi nodded to Eric and Nell.

Eric went on and activated two photos on the monitor. "Garry Warren, hacked off hands, probably with an ax. We couldn't find anything unusual at first, until we noticed that quite often he changed his position. After a few interviews with former employers..."

At this point Nell interrupted him. "Not with the employers, Eric, with their secretaries." She grinned. "That was my idea, because we were stuck with the bosses. And I was right. The ladies have enthusiastically given away internal details. Warren is a grabber, buttock or breasts, whatever he can reach."

"Why has he gone unreported? And why did he get good employment references?" Deeks had glanced at the file and now looked questioningly at Nell.

"The involved women have complained to their superiors. None of the companies wanted to be associated with unpleasant headlines. That's why he was getting good employment references despite dismissal without prior notice."

Grimly Joann shook her head. "It's always the same. Nobody wants to report the offender, so he can go on scot-free. When will the women finally learn that?"

For a moment everyone was silent. Joann had not been one of those women, she had reported the offender.

Eric cleared his throat. "Then there's Ellis Holbrook. The second one with ripped out tongue. He has given us a hard time." Nell just nodded. "He's a pathological liar. On the basis of his lies, there have been several divisions among long-term couples, police investigations into perfectly respectable citizens and at least one suicide."

"A suicide?"

"Yes, Callen. He has spread rumors about a young woman that she mends wages by call girl services. Subsequently she was harassed so badly that she apparently saw no way out."

"Sleazebag!" Sam summed up the opinion of everyone in one word.

"You haven't yet mentioned one, Eric." Callen had glanced at the list of victims. "Gene Duning."

"Well, he's the only one to whom we couldn't find anything, Callen." It was visibly that Eric felt uncomfortable to inform Callen about that.

"Nothing?" Sam could not believe it. "The guy doesn't have a skeleton in the closet?"

Nell shook her head. "A few pranks in high school, but all harmless. Equally unobtrusively in college, nothing except a few times where he drank too much. Now he has the third position since graduating and has only changed in order to improve. Duning is a partygoer, every weekend on the move. But he is not noticed negative with it. He doesn't drive, when he has drunk. He is very popular with the women, but there are no complaints or police reports. Just an ordinary single."

"Why do one cut out the heart of someone like that?" Ray was just as confused as everyone else.

Helplessly Nell shrugged her shoulders. "We have really dug deep, but found no motive. Maybe he was mistaken for someone else?"

"I can't see that. The offenders have been very accurately in choosing their victims. They had a reason to choose Duning. We have not yet found it." Joann mused.

"Tell me, Nell. How does Duning appeal to the women?" Kensi hit on an idea.

"I think good. As I said, Kensi, no complaints or reports."

"I don't mean that, Nell. Does he have a steady girlfriend?"

"Not really. Rather every few weeks a new one. Why?" Nell did not understand what Kensi was driving at.

But with Joann the penny dropped. "Of course, that's it! You're awesome, Kensi!"

"Can someone enlighten us ignorant men?" Deeks looked back and forth between Kensi and Joann.

"Gene Duning is a womanizer. He serially breaks women's hearts."

Ray was quite flabbergasted given Kensi's explanation. "You mean because Duning has broken the women's hearts, they cut his heart out of him?"

"You've got it."

The men looked at each other doubtfully, while the women were sure to have found the motive.

"You should assume this explanation until you find a better one." Inaudible Hetty approached to her people. "After you have found all the motives, it is time to find the offenders. What about information in this case?"

"I'm waiting for a return call from Jason. He discreetly wanted to inquire about some staff members of the JAG."

With a frown, Hetty looked at Joann.

"We don't know where our offenders work, except that Navy members are among them. What if one of them works in the personnel department or the computer department? Then they get wind of our investigations and can disguise their traces. So I've asked Jason for help. He is secretive and able to make discrete inquiries."

Hetty nodded. "I see. All right, let's wait until then."

…

"Hello, Little One!"

"Hey, Big One. Thank you for your call. Could you detect something?"

"I think I've got something what can help you. None of the women had access to the specific information that is relevant in your case."

"Shit, I had hoped we would get ahead." Joann was disappointed.

Jason laughed. "Little One, I don't give up so fast, you should know that." Then he became serious again. "Today I've watched with whom these women spend their lunch break and checked these employees also. Two of them have the corresponding access possibilities. I send you immediately their names and the staff numbers."

"That's great, Jason, hopefully we will go one step further." Joann was genuinely grateful for his support.

"Jo, there's something else. Today after work I was in the gym. It's not far away from the JAG office. There I observed one of the women who were on your list. She spoke with two women, one of them I knew from the JAG. I went back again and have investigated about her. She also comes into question. During the inquiries I've stumbled over another woman, who also has been in the gym. I think she also fits into your profile, although she isn't a staff member of the Navy."

Joann sighed. "We were grateful to be able to narrow down the possible offenders. Because of your discovery it will grow again."

"I'm really sorry, Little One."

"No, Jason, don't worry. You have helped us fantastically. No one has said that our work has to be easy."

"You may touch base with me if I can do more for you. Do we see ourselves Saturday with Dad?"

"If work permits, in any case. Bye, Big One."

…

Joann went straight into the ops. "Eric, I have four names for you." Joann gave him her phone. "Before you activate the personnel files, make sure that they aren't marked somehow. One of the women is computer technician. She may have manipulated something." Eric nodded. "The fourth is a civilian, but has to do something with one of these women. You have to be careful while investigating about her, too."

"All right, Joann. Just let me see to that, I know what I'm doing."

Gently Joann placed her hand on Eric's shoulder. "I know that, Eric. I'm sorry, I didn't want to offend you."

Eric glanced up at Joann. "No problem." Then he turned back to his computer and downloaded the data of Joann's cell phone.

…

"What did Jason found out?"

"He has called me four names, G. Eric attended to them just now."

"Can you tell us anything, Jo?"

"Not much, Kensi." Joann looked at her phone. "Melissa Hill, Navy computer technician. Andrea Huntington, Marine lawyer. Erin Clarke, court reporter of the JAG, civilian. And then there's Deborah Jennings, civilian. Jason could not tell me how she is related to the others. I'm sure that Eric will find out the connection."

"I'm quite clear, how a computer technician can get the information about our victims. But a lawyer and a court reporter? None of our victims has ever been charged, either civil or military." Sam was skeptical. "And even a computer technician must have clues. She doesn't seek simply at a venture for men who have committed any unpunished crime against women."

"I'm of your opinion, Sam. What we lack is the link. Hill is the one who finds out everything relevant about the victims. Huntington may have the necessary knowledge so that no traces are left behind. I have no idea how Clarke fits in there as a court reporter. Perhaps also to avoid traces. Or she has other qualities that have nothing to do with her profession, of which we still know nothing."

Thoughtfully Sam looked at Joann. "Apparently you have given a lot of thought to that. How do we proceed further in your opinion?"

A small smile played around Joann's lips. "Is this a test, Sam?" Eagerly everyone looked at Sam who showed no reaction. "Well, the answer to your question is: very carefully. The strategy of the women, if they really are our female offenders, shows that they are very intelligent, able to act organized and must be pretty ruthless. That makes them dangerous opponents. Without the request of Detective Peterson, which Fisher has pulled off to herself, we wouldn't even know that serial killers do their mischief in L.A.. Before I'm doing anything, I first want to know what Nell and Eric can find out about these women."

"Let's say your assumption is true, and these women are serial killers, how do you want to convict them?" Callen looked blankly at Joann.

Joann looked him straight in the eye. "By catching them in the act."

Deeks let out a surprised whistle, Ray almost fell off his chair in surprise and a shocked "What?" escaped Kensi's lips. But Sam and Callen nodded simultaneously.

"You're not serious, are you?" Suspiciously Ray looked at his partner.

"Joann is right." Sam turned to the young agent. "They left no traces. I don't believe that there is a direct connection between them and the victims. We may discover that one or other circumstantial evidence, but probably not enough to convict them."

"What about the connection that we have just discovered? Natalia Melnikow has identified Spinotti as a voyeur. She has told some colleagues of it. These colleagues have told it to other people at the JAG. So the story has landed with our suspects." Ray looked questioningly at his colleagues, but earned only head-shaking.

"This is just hearsay, at best a vague indication. It is enough for us to look for other connections, circumstantial evidence and traces. But no judge would sign a search or arrest warrant at that." Every now and again Deeks' law studies shimmered through.

"And how do you want to convict them?" Kensi just wondered whether Joann changed from maddish to barking mad. Alternatively, the possibility existed that her best friend was decidedly more ruthless than she ever suspected.

"There are two possibilities. As we have discovered one way on which our suspects get their information, we could plant a decoy on them. As soon as he is in their hiding spot, we can clamp down them. I am sure that we will find sufficient evidence at the place where they torture their victims."

As Joann said no more, Deeks asked his question. "Okay, and the second possibility?"

The answer came from Callen. "They have already another victim and we found their hiding place, hopefully before they kill him."

Silence spread. Deeks, Ray and Kensi swallowed. On the basis of their experience the three older agents had discerned much more quickly what it was about. For a moment Ray wondered, how callous one had to be to come to these alternatives. But then he realized that this had nothing to do with callousness. Sam, Callen and Joann were merely realistic.

…

While Eric and Nell undertook extensive research, the team made use of its time otherwise. Kensi and Sam decided to treat themselves to a few laps on the mat. Deeks and Callen went on the shooting range. Joann did the paperwork and Ray disappeared, without saying where. Joann asked no questions, but let him go.

…

"Is it really a good idea to put a bait in front of their nose? If they find out he is quicker dead then we can intervene."

"Do you have a better idea, Deeks?" Callen was not happy about the idea himself, but did not see an alternative.

Deeks also shook his head. "Not at the moment. But I'm thinking about."

"Don't hurt you thereby!" Callen grinned.

"Haha!"

…

"Kensi, you're not concentrated! Usually you don't fall for this simple trick!" Sam was not really angry, but definitely very irritated.

"I'm sorry, Sam. The whole time I just need to think about the plan Joann has conceived. Also, I wonder if there is already a new victim."

"That's what we all ask ourselves. Nevertheless, you don't allow yourself to get distracted by it." Seriously Sam looked at Kensi. "If that happens to you in the street, you're dead."

"I know." Kensi sighed deeply. "Okay, let's do it again." Now she grinned slightly. "This time I won't make it easy for you!"

…

"Can I do anything for you, Hetty?" Joann did not look up from her computer. This time she had noticed her boss when she came on.

Hetty chuckled. It was rare that she was noticed when she approached their employees. "As always with the reports, Miss MacKenzie?"

Joann shrugged her shoulders. "You know, Hetty, I am pleased to date with my paperwork. You never know what will happen."

"And what will happen in your opinion?"

Finally Joann looked up. "There will soon be a new victim. Unless we are fast enough and can arrest them before."

"You want to set a trap to them, Miss MacKenzie, and thus convict the offenders."

"I am aware of the risk, Hetty. But I see no other possibility. The women are very smart and very cautious. We must be smarter and more cautious."

Hetty looked at her thoughtfully, then she nodded. "Do what is necessary, Miss MacKenzie. And be smarter and more cautious."

…

Eric's whistle called them into the ops. Ray was already there. Joann gave him a curious look, but said nothing.

"Okay, guys, we have found it. Deborah Jennings is the head of a woman's house and she also directs a support group for women who are victims of violence in the local community center. Many of the victims never report the offenders to the police. She is the one from whom the names are coming. Jennings and Huntington met in college, they were in the same sorority. Huntington and Hill have met during a case. Hill has done research for Huntington at that time."

"And how does Clarke fit in there?"

"We aren't at one with it, Callen. Nell has made out that a cousin of Clarke has been abused by her father as a child. That would be a possible connection. The other one could be her job. Before she became a court reporter at JAG, she has worked in various areas of the Court of Los Angeles."

"But in both areas, she can obtain no information because our victims have never come before a court."

"It's not quite right, Sam. In the case of Patty Officer Loomer, there was an investigation. This was ceased when there were no evidence or references to child abuse. Clarke may have had direct or indirect access to investigation files."

"I think Joann is not so wrong therewith. With Meddick there have also been investigations, which have been ceased, too." Callen went to the monitor and activated Meddick's file. "What leads us to a new question: how did the women get the file of Meddick? The Navy hasn't investigated against him that was the L.A.P.D.."

Nell cleared her throat and stepped forward to the monitor. Callen made room for her. "The answer is in the phone data to our suspects. I compared the numbers that have been frequently called by them and I hit upon that woman." Nell opened a picture file. "Sally Wolfe, secretary of the L.A.P.D., namely with the Chief of Police."

Deeks let out a surprised whistle. "Then she has access to any investigation the L.A.P.D. ever was running or is still running."

"And even to the FBI and NCIS data in the course of joint investigations." Hetty turned in at this point.

"What about our data and the ongoing investigation?" Worriedly, Kensi looked at her boss, but was assured by a shake of the head.

"For the OSP the general agreement on data exchange in joint investigations isn't valid, Miss Blye. Nobody from the outside is allowed to have access to our data. If necessary, we provide data storage device with the appropriate information."

"Nevertheless, the suspects could know from our investigations." Sam was very serious. "Deeks and Kensi have talked to all detectives who were involved in the murder investigations. Along with it the official handover of all investigation to us. They might be warned."

Worried, the team was silent. Joann finally took the word.

"That may all be true, but we have no choice. If we want to prevent that the women are looking for a new victim, we have to take them of the streets as soon as possible."

"Won't thy become suspicious when we hand a potential victim to them on a silver platter?"

"Of Course, Ray. Therefore we have to hide our traces well. They must have the feeling that we investigate against them with no success. Then they won't believe that we will set a trap to them." Joann still was convinced of her idea.

"How exactly do you figure that?" Callen expected that Joann unfolded a plan to him, and she did not disappoint him.

"I have two things in my mind. First, we have to let appear a wrong culprit either at L.A.P.D. or at JAG. His legend has to reach back far, at best back to school times. However he doesn't have become noticeable the last years, otherwise our suspects become suspicious when suddenly such a perfect victim appears. Maybe he was in jail or lived a few years in another state. In any case, he must be interesting to them, because he is also easy to catch for them. Not too easy. Second, we need to pass inconspicuously false identification results through to our targets. Results that point away from them. Only then the women will take our bait."

"Have you ever thought about further details?"

"Not really, G. I thought of the women's house, but I'm not sure if this will work quickly enough. Also, I'm not happy with the idea to abuse this facility."

"It is already." Kensi understood Joann's reservation. "I don't think we make it worse if we plant one of us in there as a victim. Quite the contrary, as we uncover the abuse of this women's shelter. But how do you want to make the bait palatable to them?"

Joann shrugged her shoulders. She had racked her brain for a while, but found no satisfactory answer. "Maybe that he'll leave the town. Or that he is already looking for his next victim. Something that forces our suspects to act quickly. That's why the bait should to be so easy to caught. Little time, easy prey." She looked at her colleagues. "I may have had the idea, but you all can take part in the draft."

"Who will be the bait?" Amazingly Nell asked the question.

"G or Sam. Ray is too young and I'm not sure if one would believe that Deeks is a wife-batterer." Joann had thought about this yet.

"Thanks!" The answer came at the same time from Callen and Sam.

With sparkling eyes Sam looked at his colleague. "I wasn't aware of appearing like a wife-batterer to you."

"You bet, Sam, just look at yourself: black, tall, muscular, tattoos. If you still look so grim as now, you're perfect." Callen grinned at his partner.

"Sure, and you look absolutely harmless!"

"My best camouflage, buddy!"

The sparkle faded from Sam's eyes and made place for a grin before he became serious again. "Okay, and who of you will be my victim?"

"Me."

Everyone looked at Joann.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Jo. Let me do that, you're emotional too close to it."

"That's why I am the right one, Kensi. I know exactly how you feel as a woman if the man who should worry and take care of you, nearly beats you to death." Joann's voice was rough, but firm.

"That's why it's not a good idea, Jo. You go in there as undercover agent not as a victim."

"I'm Kensi's opinion, Jo." Callen mingled into the discussion. "You're just too close. I'm not sure if you can keep the distance that is necessary as an investigator. Not only because of the role, but because there you'll meet a lot of other women which were made to victims by men. You may identify yourself too much with them."

Joann who had been leaning on the table, straightened herself up. "Both of you are not clear in your mind or have forgotten something. I never was a victim. I fought against my attacker and lost. Something that already has happened to all of you. No way I'll let you victimize me!"

Embarrassed silence followed Joann's remark.

Deliberately G shook his head. "That was never my intention, Jo. But your response shows me that I'm right."

"I'm of a different opinion, Mr. Callen." Now Hetty mingled. "Miss MacKenzie seems to be the right choice for this task. Mr. Beale, Miss Jones, you develop an appropriate legend for Mr. Hanna and Miss MacKenzie. If you need help, consult with one of the psychologists. Of all the others I expect shortly a detailed elaborate plan of action." Then Hetty left the ops and left behind a pretty tense team.

…

After they had discussed the outlines of the background stories with Eric and Nell, the team went to the bullpen. The details were discussed extensively, but the atmosphere remained tense.

"Well, I think that's it. As soon as Eric and Nell are ready we can start." Callen ended the meeting and went to the ops.

Ray followed him. Kensi and Deeks fall on donuts, bagels and coffee as they were on the brick of starvation. Sam also wanted to got to the ops, but Joann stopped him.

"Sam, one moment please."

"Sure, Jo. What's up?"

"There is something that was not mentioned. You'll have to beat me in a way that caused visible marks."

Sam was horrified. "Jo!"

"You've already hit me in training, Sam, if I was not fast enough."

"Joann, that's not the same!"

"Sam, it must be, so I seem credible. You know that, too." Joann sighed. "Besides, you have to beat me twice. Right now and right before I go to the shelter. I need signs of abuse from different times. My X-rays speak for themselves. There nothing needs to be faked." Expectant Joann looked at her colleague.

"G will shoot me for it." Sam indulged. He had nothing more to counter Joann's arguments.

A faint smile appeared on Joann's face. "He won't, Sam. I ensure that. Let's get going."

…

Kensi gasped in horror when she saw Joann's face, and Ray stopped slacked-jawed. Deeks' eyes seemed to reach saucer size.

Only G was apparently unapologetic. "Where else?"

"Blows to my ribs, a twisted wrist and bruises of hard clasps at my upper arm." Joann slightly slurred because she had a busted lip.

"Eric and Nell are finished with the legends. As discussed, they have used your x-rays and a few of your medical reports." Callen gave Joann and Sam each one file. "Make yourself familiar with it. Another team is furnishing your new home and Hetty lets put together your wardrobe. In about an hour you can move in."

"Then I can go into the women's shelter in a few days." Joann had already glanced in her false biography. "We only have to produce a few very loud and nasty quarrels."

"Maybe we don't have so much time." Completely unexpected Ray began to speak. "I also have researched a little. My first target was missed former Navy employees, but I had no success therewith. Then I asked Eric to give me access to all research conducted by Hill. Currently she checks three men." Ray activated the photos on the monitor and pointed at them one after another. "Maybe a rapist, a pedophile and a thug. All three could become new victims of our suspects."

"How far is Hill with the research?"

"Not very far, Callen. But it's just a matter of time."

"Is there something to the suspicion about the three, Ray?"

"I can't say yet, Sam. Eric and I have to dig further and we hope that we are faster than Hill."

"We should still continue. Deeks, Kensi, in the house opposite had been set up a surveillance post. Ride down. Ray and I will relieve you later. Nell, you take over Ray's part and support Eric. And you", Callen addressed to Joann and Sam," you take care of your legends, Mr. and Mrs. Moore."