We are starting to make progress but Kensi sums it up well at the end of this chapter

"The rounds were hand loaded 308 Lapoa boat tails" Eric said as they walked in. Kensi took the printed report from him and scanned it quickly.

"These came from a sniper rifle like my dad's. Gibbs also shot the same thing. They called the rifle a 'Kate'. Dad shot hand loaded 308 Lapoa B.T.'s while Gibbs shot the same except they were molly coated also. Claimed they flew truer and farther as they 'slid' thru the wind easier. These rifles aren't in use anymore but any former marine sniper worth his salt will hold on to his for dear life. That means most likely our shooter is an older serving marine or retired one. I wonder if the marines have any kind of record of that."

Granger, who had walked in while the agents were talking said "I remember how well you take care of Don's rifle Kensi. It is still functional and sighted in?" She simply nodded yes. That's as it should be" he growled and as he walked out he threw over his shoulder "kinda nice to see 4 agents working together with no whiny detective acting stupid while half listening. Now, go find these killers and this Afghani drug lord."

"Whoa Assistant Director, that was a little over the top don't you think. Deeks is undercover with a realistic chance of being compromised and you're trashing him" this came from Sam. Granger glared at him and spun as if to leave but then turned back around.

"Agent Hanna, it is not your place to question me. I happen to believe agents work in agencies and cops work in cop shops and the 2 should not co-mingle." Everyone in the room knew what he was really saying. "The training is different as is the attitude as I'm sure you all have noticed. Why would you defend someone who acts like he does? He gets cactus needles stuck in his ass, installs a walking work station and oh yea, he doesn't flush for #1. Really? He's just a local yokel" then Granger really did leave. After turning his back on the room, the slightest hint of a smile appeared on his face.

Sam grabbed Kensi as she was headed after Granger. He literally picked her up and brought her back kicking and threatening bodily harm to Granger.

"Not worth the cost Kens or I would do it myself" Sam stated flatly, but with anger in his eyes. "Now back to the case. Eric did you find a match to the bullets?"

"Not a chance both were thru and thru's and mashed against a cement floor. It is estimated the shot came from about 400 yards. That puts it inside the base perimeter, most likely close to the outdoor firing range" answered Eric quickly.

"Kens, let's head back to Pendleton. We can take another look at everything and see if we missed someone in our earlier interviews and we can see if we can spot the snipers nest. Besides we could both use some fresh air, right" and Sam was walking out even as he said this. Kensi double timed it right behind him a hint of a smile on her face. In the car Sam asked "anything you want to tell me? You know how we feel about you plus its obvious things have been rough for you lately. You want to talk about it?" Hell yes I do her mind screamed. She was silent for a moment then shook her head sadly. Sam then offered "have it your way but we WILL deal with Granger later. No one liked his cheap shot but we gotta get this case solved and get Deeks get back so we can stick it to Granger and make things right again. That IS what you want isn't it?" She kept looking at her hands but shook her head yes.

The rest of the day was spent chasing information. G and Nell were sorting thru the information SAC Hammond had provided. They had contacted the LAPD gang squad asking for information on the LAkings and ties to the Demons. The LAPD gang squad detective informed him they had very little on the newly reformed LAkings as they hadn't been able to get inside them yet but that one of their undercovers knew them like the back of his hand. When they asked who the officer chuckled and said "your liaison, Detective Deeks. Actually rumor is he was just promoted to Sergeant." G and Nell looked at each and then it dawned on them, every time they had needed information on something from LAPD Deeks seemed to have it at hand. How did he know all that and why hadn't they been on the short list to know about Deeks promotion? Did Hetty know? They looked at each other, the same question in both sets of eyes and minds. What the hell are we missing?

"Maybe you should pay more attention to the desk work he did Mr. Callen." G and Nell both jumped up at the sound of her voice. "He has to file 2 sets of reports to your 1 and he has all the regular agent bulletins plus all those from LAPD to read and try to remember. But then you were too busy slamming doors in his face umm?" G was still blinking in surprise that Hetty had snuck up on them and offered her assessment. "Nell and Eric helped him with some of it as Mr. Deeks would pass on relevant material to them and they fed it out to all of you at a moment's notice, when required. They also notified other NCIS and/or federal agencies as needed. Did you think this information just appeared? Oh and be sure to congratulate him on his promotion if you see him again" and she left as quietly and quickly as she arrived.

After they both calmed down from another Hetty sneak attack, Nell was staring at G as he looked around. "Why didn't someone tell us" he muttered.

"To hell with that, what does she mean if we ever see him again" snarled Nell in return and then added "none of you ever asked where the information came from G. Eric, and I knew it all along." Nell turned and headed upstairs after her statement.

Sam and Kensi returned and the agents met at the big screen behind their desks. With Eric on from ops they were talking about what Sam and Kensi had found. "We found the shooters blind next to the firing range so a marine, even a retired one with a sniper rifle would have fit right in. It appears he had almost new shoes as the imprints were clear and deep into the soil. The shooter had been there after the rain which fits with the overall time line. We took pics and sent them to Eric. They should be pretty easy to match if we can find them. There was a cut on the left heel that is very distinctive. But all we really nailed down for sure is our shooter had new shoes. The size doesn't tell us much. Could be a man or a woman. Eric, tomorrow can you have the base send you the entry logs from all gates starting 2 days prior to the shooting. Maybe we get lucky. We can match that to any marine with a sniper rating in his designator." Kensi had recapped their findings as well as given them something to start on the next day. "We keep taking little steps forward but we still have bumkiss. It's been a long day, anyone for a drink" she asked. She got no takers and realized that they would work with her but they were still in Deeks corner on this one. "Ok got it" was all she said as she walked out not looking forward to another night of nightmares.

Still keeping Kensi at arm's length. Will they get over it?