Chapter 6

"I wonder what's going on in there," Kensi was saying to no one in particular. The team was discussing the unusual sight of Hetty's office door being closed and Nell and Granger in the office with her. It had the entire building buzzing.

"Maybe it's just a meeting to discuss intel," speculated Sam.

"Or they could be discussing evaluations on us," came Deeks.

"No it has to be something else, why else would they have Nell in there," Sam was saying.

"Another case," said Callen.

The conversation went on like this. Eric had even called asking if anyone knew anything. It seemed like ages before the door opened and Nell came out scurrying to her own desk not even noticing the multiple pair of eyes watching her.

After a few more minutes, Granger came out his cell phone to his ear while leaving the door open and they could all see Hetty on the phone. "Something's up," chimed in Sam.

They kept glancing Hetty's way from time to time while working on paperwork. Then Eric came downstairs. "Anyone know why Hetty's setting up a major conference call," he asked.

"What do you mean," Kens glanced up from her paperwork.

"Try, this office, San Diego, DC and Newport," replied the blonde.

"That is major," Sam said setting his pen down.

"Yeah, I wonder if it has anything to do with Nell," wondered Callen.

"What do you mean," asked the geek.

"She was in the office with Hetty and Granger. We have no idea what is going on since the door was closed," callen was saying.

"Maybe it's a case from another office and they're using ours to run the operation. It's been quiet around here lately," speculated Eric.

"Well your guess is as good as mine," Sam was saying. "It isn't the first time this has happened. Besides, I kinda like the quiet moment we're having right now."

"Yeah, no bad guys to chase, no dodging bullets. That kind of thing," said Deeks.

"Yeah exactly," replied Sam. "Besides, Michelle would rather have me in one piece anyway."

"Well I'm going to go ask anyway," Callen spoke getting out of his chair. He made his way to Hetty's office and hung at the entrance until Hetty finished her call.

She knew Callen was there and why. Apprarently Owen Granger's arrival had sparked everyone's curiosity. "Yes, Mr. Callen."

"Is there something going on we should know about," he asked matter-of-factly.

"Now why do you say that."

"Well, it seems that whenever Granger is in the building, there's a case."

"Not this time, Mr. Callen."

Callen's right eyebrow rose.

"Apparently Granger was asking if I knew of any agents with a particular set of skill. It's for a case out of San Diego, so I was abliged to assist."

"So it doesn't involve us, then."

"That's right Mr. Callen. We do not have a case. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a conference call in OPS." Indicating the conversation was over and getting out of her chair. She walked passed Callen and headed straight for the stairs.

Callen made his way back to his desk and before he could take his seat Sam spoke. "So we don't have a case then?"

"No we don't, Granger was asking for agents with a specific skill for a case out of San Diego. So it's not ours."

"Now I wonder what kind of skill you would need for that case then," Deeks said his interest piqued.

"I don't know but whatever it is it doesn't involve us and so we just do our thing here which is finish paperwork," Callen said to no one in particular.

"So I guess they don't need a sniper," chimed in Kensi.

"No guy with undercover experience," said Deeks.

"No SEAL training," spoke of Sam.

"Then what," Deeks asked.

"I don't know and don't care, so let's finish this paperwork and for once I'll be happy to get out of here on time," Callen said returning to the pile on his desk.

A short Time Later

Hetty, Granger and Nell were now in OPS waiting for the call to begin. The three were gathered around the table. "Carson can get me in he actually knows someone there. I also briefed him on the case out of San Diego so Carson and his team are in."

"Very good," came Hetty.

At that moment, a tech spoke up, "Sir, we're ready."

"Go ahead," replied Granger eyeing everyone in OPS one more time. They all understood not a word was to be spoken. Even Eric had been moved to a corner console and out of sight. The death glare from Hetty was enough to keep him quiet. He was in trouble again over the dress code already.

The large screen was split into three images. One had Director Vance and Carson's team from HQ, another the head of the Newport office, the last one had the San Diego Team. Vance began with greeting everyone and there were acknowledging nods all around. "I understand that Agent Cortez's team has a case right now that's going to require borrowing Agent Carson's team here and and Agent Jones out of OSP."

"Yes Leon, that's correct. With some assistance from our office in Newport," replied Granger.

"Agent Carson gave me a brief synopsis before we began this call. So why don't you and Agent Cortez fill me in on the case."

So Granger and Cortez spoke giving Vance and the head of the Newport office the full lowdown on the case out of San Diego. Once the full brief was over, Vance spoke again. "So in order to ensure the security of Commander Ingram while not deviating from his scheduled run in the Boston Marathon, You need Agents who have marathon experience to run with him until we can catch this so called blackmailer."

"That's correct sir," replied Granger.

"Agent Carson, I'm aware you are running in Boston, you alright with this," asked Vance.

"Yes sir I am and my team will provide back-up for us in Boston. Along with some logistical support from Newport."

Vance nodded, "I'm aware of at least 10 agents who run marathons in this agency. But if memory serves me right, all of them are either overseas or on a boat somewhere. Except for you and Agent Jones."

"That's right Leon," Hetty spoke up. "That's why I suggested her for this assignment. She has marathon experience."

"I would agree," replied Carson. "Her finish times are equally matched with mine. Now I have no idea what Commander Ingram's times are in a marathon but I suspect that they're closer to ours as well. It would be best to have runners who can run at a pace with the Commander so that there won't be any chance of getting separated in the crowd."

"Uh, just out of curiosity," asked the head of Newport. "But how many people are expected to run Boston this year."

"Something like 29,000," replied Carson. A few whistles could be heard in the background.

"Well not quite as big as New York, but still that's a good sized crowd," replied, Cortez surprised by the number. "And I thought San Diego's was big."

"You ever run a race, Cortez?" asked Carson.

"Just the 5K," she replied.

"That's peanuts compared to a full blown marathon which is 42K," chimed in Nell.

"Nah, I'll stick to the 5K then," replied Cortez. That elicited quite a few chuckles from everyone participating in the conference call.

"Alright then," Vance spoke redirecting everyone's attention to the case at hand. "It looks like Agents Carson and Jones will be running with the Commander while his team runs back-up. Now how does Newport fit in? Jennings"

"In the past Newport has provided agents and other military personnel to assist in security and logistics. That's where we come in. We can assist Agent Carson's team in tracking the three runners in real time while still helping out with security."

"I see," said Vance and Granger.

"And while that's going on, my team can concentrate on tracking down our suspect who is in the wind at the moment and is still active in his threats to Commander Ingram and his wife."

"Will the commander's wife be joining him in Boston," asked Hetty.

"No, she's eight months pregnant and instead will be staying in San Diego. My team is providing security for her," replied Cortez.

"Sounds like you all have everything covered then. Keep me apprised of any changes. And Cortez, let's see if we can find this suspect before Commander Ingram runs Boston," Vance spoke.

"We'll do, sir," she replied.

The call ended and Hetty turned to Nell. "Miss Jones, go ahead and finish up any work you have here today. When you leave at the end of the day, go home and pack, tomorrow, you report to our office in San Diego."

"Yes, Hetty," and Nell walked right out of OPS followed by Hetty and Granger.

As they walked down the stairs, Granger was saying that he would make lodging arrangements for her at Naval Station San Diego.

Eric, sat there not believing that Nell was a marathon runner. He was thinking it was some kind of joke. How could she find the time to train. He knew he couldn't discuss the case with the others unless he wanted to face the wrath of Hetty. But he knew the others wouldn't believe it either that Nell ran marathons.

You are welcome to R&R.