Chapter 9
The explosion sent everyone scurrying into action. Nell finished getting dressed tossing the towel on the bed and then they heard another explosion. "That's not good," Jenna spoke. Jenna had been at HQ the day Harper Dearing set off that bomb in Vance's car. That was a day she would never forget. But something told her that whatever just happened was about to topple that experience big time. Heading for the door, "I'm going to check with the others."
"Okay, meet you in the hall in a sec," Nell said finishing what she was doing.
A few moments later Nell stepped into the hall to find everyone there. Carson was on the phone. "Yeah, got it."
Everyone stood there listening and when Carson ended the call they all knew something major had happened. He signaled for everyone to gather in his room. Once the door was closed, he spoke, "Looks like two bombs went off at the finish line. It's chaos over there." It seemed everyone had a colorful reaction. "Commander you don't mind heading back to San Diego today do you?"
"Actually no,"
"Good let's see if we can get you on a flight out of here today. Jenna call Newport and see if they have any transport heading out west later if not we'll see about getting a commercial flight for Commander Ingram. The rest of us, we're waiting on word but be ready to join in the investigation if we're called to."
"That means we're heading to Newport," asked Jim.
"Depends on what comes down. I'm going to call Vance and our Newport office to see what our orders are. In the meantime, everyone pack. We're going to need to be ready to check out if we have to."
"Got it," everyone replied.
Nell went back to her room and finished putting on her makeup and then began packing her stuff. Her suitcase is going to smell from the clothes she'd been wearing from the run earlier but right now she didn't care. Depending on what Vance says and if it's okay with Hetty, she would most likely be staying out this way.
NCISLA
Los Angeles
30 minutes later
Someone had turned on the big plasma in the main area for the local noon news. Sam was eating his lunch when the breaking news came out. He quickly grabbed the remote and put it on ZNN. It was there too. "Two explosions went off at the finish line at the Boston Marathon." The commentator was saying as images began coming in. Sam didn't think twice. He headed for Hetty's office. She was already on the phone. She saw him and held up her hand to indicate he wait, "That's fine with me Owen. " He could hear her say. "and Commander Ingram? … Okay I can have someone meet him here at LAX and take him home. Not a problem. … Keep me informed."
Hanging up the phone, she sighed in relief. "They were already back at their hotel when the explosions occured. "
Sam let loose the breath he was holding. "So Nell's okay then?"
"Yes she's fine and she won't be coming home tomorrow as planned. Vance has asked that she work with our Newport office and other investigators on what happened out there.
"So what do they think it was?"
"Two bombs Sam."
In the main area the rest of the team was watching the coverage on the plasma. Not realizing that Sam was talking to Hetty.
"You mean someone set off two bombs at the Boston Marathon," Sam couldn't believe it.
"Yes, and from what I hear, FBI, ATF and others are quickly sending agents to Boston. Miss Jones and the team from headquarters that were already there are being told to stay put."
"That's why she's staying, makes sense she's one of our best Intelligence Analysts," said Sam. "I don't know if Eric's going to survive any longer without her here."
"Well he'd better and so should the rest of them," referring to the rest of the team."This should give them all some more time to think about their actions last week towards Miss. Jones."
Sam thought about it for a moment. "I guess you're right Hetty. But they still haven't let up." Which was true, Nell had told Sam that Hetty was ready to strangle them all. "Maybe it might be time for a major intervention."
"I'm not even sure that will work Sam. They're all too thick skulled."
"It's worth a try and we'd better do it before Nell get's back."
"We'll see, now onto other matters. Since the case in San Diego is closed, they're flying Commander Ingram who was the naval officer they were protecting to LAX he should be arriving this evening. Will you be willing to pick him up and drive him home to San Diego?"
Sam thought for a moment, there was nothing major going on tonight at home and he would have to let Michelle know. "Sure let me talk to Michelle just to be sure."
"Give her my regards, and tell her that we'll try and get you home on time the rest of this week."
"thanks Hetty," leaving the office he already had his phone to his ear. This was going to be a long day, Sam knew but he was hoping that the rest of the week went well for him too. He was holding Hetty to her promise.
Meanwhile in the mail area, "Two explosions, sounds like bombs to me," Deeks was saying. "But who would want to bomb a marathon."
"Well, let's see, it's one of the oldest and most prestigious of marathons around and It attracts top athletes from all over," Kensi was saying.
"When did you become knowledgeable about marathons," asked Callen.
"Had a friend who was a runner," came her reply.
"That wouldn't be Nell would it," he said.
"No, it's not. Besides, I still don't believe she's a runner."
"Well, speaking of Nell, where is she anyway," asked Deeks.
"Probably still in San Diego, would be my guess," said Callen. "Eric you heard from her lately?"
"No, she hasn't been returning my calls or texts. I know she's been in touch with Hetty though," the blonde spoke.
After getting off the phone with Michelle, Sam returned to Hetty's office picking up the conversation on the way there. Appearing at the door Hetty acknowledged him. "Yes, Mr. Hannah."
"Michelle says its fine with her. So I'll go ahead and pick up Commander Ingram from LAX. Do you have the flight information yet," he asked.
"They're making the arrangements now and the Commander is on his way to Boston Logan Airport as we speak. I'll let you know the information and provide you with a photograph when I receive it."
"Thanks Hetty,"
"You're welcome Sam," but then winced at the conversation that was taking place in the main area. Others in the building had also voiced their displeasure at the negative talk about Nell and from what they could hear, everyone had had enough.
"That intervention you spoke of earlier Sam," spoke up Hetty.
"Yeah Hetty, what about it?"
"It's time we did something about that awful noise out there," she said getting up from her chair. "Let's inform the other's about Miss Jones's delay and put a stop to the language out there."
Sam nodded as the two made their way over to the group of gathered agents. The conversations ended when everyone noticed Hetty.
"Hetty, do you know when Nell will be back," asked Callen.
"Miss Jones return has been delayed. The case in San Diego has been closed but she is now needed in Boston for the immediate future."
"Excuse me Hetty," Callen asked.
"You heard me Mr. Callen," replied the petite woman.
"So when does she leave for Boston," Eric had to ask.
"She's already there," replied Hetty.
"Wait, I thought she was in San Diego," came Deeks surprised at the new information.
"That explains why she hadn't been returning my calls," muttered Eric.
"Hetty what's going on here, I thought the case she was working on was in San Diego," Callen spoke not to amused.
"The case did originate in San Diego and they closed it earlier today," replied Hetty. "But with any case, things change in this case necessitating that Miss Jones had to go to Boston."
"Did this case have something to do with the Boston Marathon," asked Kensi. "That would explain why Granger was out here last week."
"And looking for people with marathon knowledge and experience," continued Eric.
"Why would you all care, all you four have been doing since learning that Nell runs marathons has been cutting her down and behind her back too." Sam spoke not too happy with them.
"That's a very good point Mr. Hannah, and it stops here."
"But Hetty …" spoke up Callen.
"Let me make myself clear to all of you. Whatever you all do in your off time is your business. Now let me ask you something, Has anyone complained or much less cut you down for activities you do outside of work. Say you Mr. Deeks and Mr. Beale. We all know you two like to surf. Now that's a good way to work off stress and it allows you to have something you like to do outside of work. Is that true?"
"Uh, yeah Hetty," answered Eric uncomfortably.
"What about you Mr. Deeks?"
"Well yeah, but …"
"No buts, Miss Jones has found an outlet that suits her outside of this office. She may not look the part but she has found something she enjoys tremendously. Mr. Hannah, what do you like to do outside of work besides spending time with your family," Hetty asked.
"Shooting hoops and going to Lakers games," replied Sam with a slight smile on his face.
"And none of them have complained about it or talked about you're activities behind your back in a disparaging way?"
"No."
"And yet here we are in this awful mess over Miss Jones' running races. I expected a lot more out of you all but apparently not. And until this stops, I might have to pull people off this team because of this situation."
"Hetty!" came a chorus of voices.
"No, instead of appreciating Miss Jones asset to this team, you have chosen not to accept that she has a skill that could be invaluable to us. That is unacceptable."Hetty said in a very sern disproving voice. It left Eric Deeks and Kensi wincing and Callen still had a defiant look on his face. "So until further notice," Hetty continued. "Miss Jones has been reassigned to the East Coast until the situation in Boston is resolved."
"Hetty …" Callen tried to speak.
"No Mr. Callen, not another word. Until Miss Jones returns to us I suggest you use the time wisely to think about your actions towards Miss Jones. If I have too, I will stand this team down and since Mr. Hanna has been the only one to come to his senses, It stands that he is the only active agent on this team at this point."
"You're standing us down," Kensi blurted out in surprise.
"Yes, I am." Hetty replied. "You are all assigned to desk duty for the rest of the week and Mr. Deeks. I will be sending you back to LAPD for the remainder of the week."
The shocked looks on their faces got no sympathy from Sam or any of the other agents and personnel who were witnessing this exchange in the main area.
"And Mr. Beale. You will not be working in OPS for the remainder of the week either. You will be working down here."
Eric looked like he was going to die of a heart attack. Banned from OPS for the rest of the week! He couldn't believe it. What was he going to do down here.
"Now everyone back to work, and Mr. Beale I have a space for you to do your work." Indicating an area around the corner. "Mr. Hannah with me please. I believe we have some things to discuss."
Sam and Hetty left four very stunned people standing there while those who had witnessed the exchange gave Sam broad smiles and thumbs up.
NCISLA
Boston
Later that day
Nell along with Carson's team and a team of agents from Newport were in the command center that had been established as a result of the bombing. They had put Commander Ingram on a flight to LAX not too long after the bombing so he was now on his way home. Nell had briefed the commander on who would be picking him up when he arrived to take him home.
The command center was rapidly filling up with federal law enforcement from the alphabet soup if you can call it that. The place was a beehive of activity as plans were made on how to handle the investigation, the evidence, and tips that would be coming in. Nell suspected that the following days would be busy as everyone from NCIS along with others hoped to put the pieces together and find out who the bomber of bombers are. She was ready for this, putting her training to the test in a high profile case. Which for her was her first and she knew she was ready for it.
Nell was sitting at a station with Jenna and the two women were busy looking through some of the footage that had already been gathered so far from street cams, television broadcasts, and what had been posted on the internet so far. It was going to be a long night she knew as she continued going through the video footage.
NCISLA
LAX
Sam had left the mission early in order to make it to LAX to meet Commander Ingram when he arrived from Boston. Rush hour as usual was a mess but he had arrived early and was waiting in the arrivals area outside of security for him. Callen had tried to sneak out early but had been caught by Hetty and was now still at the office. Sam knew his partner was curious as to what Hetty had him doing but at least she was one step ahead of Callen since he was now grounded to a desk.
The plane landed on time and Neil Ingram made his way to the exit. Nell Jones had informed him that an agent would be meeting him at LAX to take him home even providing him with his name and a photo. After exiting the secure area he found Agent Hannah waiting for him. "Agent Hannah."
"Commander, how was your flight?"
"Good, thank you."
Indicating the bag Ingram was carrying he asked, "Is this all your bags?"
"Yes it is, I pack light when I take trips like this."
Sam nodded. "I do the same thing. So let's get you home."
"Sure thing, I can't wait to get back to my wife. She'll definitely be glad to see me now that I'm out of Boston."
They were heading for the parking lot to Sam's car as they spoke. "Yeah, I'd be worried too if either myself or my wife had been there."
"So any more news, when I left it was confusion and chaos. They were clearing downtown Boston and I heard there were a lot of injured and no sure number of how many dead."
"Yeah, before I left the office, Nell called."
"Agent Jones, yes, she said she was out of the office here."
"Yes she is, well so far there was way over a hundred injured and still counting. The walking wounded are still turning up at hospitals. Up to eight dead.
"Oh God, before I boarded the plane, I was watching tv coverage at the gate they said the bombs went off by the finish line. I remember seeing kids there. A lot of people waiting for loved ones to finish the race. I'm glad Beth wasn't there."
"You're wife,"
"Yeah, pregnant with our first child due in three weeks. That's why she didn't travel with us."
Sam was thankful that Mrs. Ingram didn't either. "Congradulations."
"Thank you,"
"Well, one of the dead is a boy, that makes me sick to my stomach. It could have been one of my kids. I'm just glad they're safe at home right now.'
"Same here, so how many kids do you have?"
"Two,"
"Good number. We were lucky we finished the race almost an hour before the bombs went off."
Sam was now driving the car out of the airport. He stopped to pay the parking fee and continued on.
"Yeah, I heard, so it was a good finish?"
"Yes it was, I had no idea that NCIS had agents that ran marathons. Agents Jones and Carson were good. Once the race started, we had established a pace that allowed us to stay together the entire race and finished in three hours ten minutes roughly."
Sam nodded. Whish the other's could appreciate this. "So it was a good run then."
"It was considering it was warmer day than usual in Boston. So yes it was a good run."
The two men continued talking while driving down I-5 to San Diego. At one point they did turn on the radio to catch the latest update on the news but eventually turned it off. Traffic was a little heavy and it took over an hour and a half to reach San Diego. After dropping the Commander safely back at his home Sam made the long drive back north to his house where he suspected Michelle had his dinner waiting for him.
Until next time.