Chapter 15
The time had arrived for the takedown of Haswari and Arturo Molina. Molina's limo was on its way here and Eric had the GPS marker on the screen in OPS. Then the time would come for both men and the cartel to be arrested and taken to trial.
Both the Washington and the Los Angeles teams were poised for the move. Callen and Tony sat in their Malibu waiting for the go signal. Tim and Sam waited in the van with the listening gear and Ellie and Gibbs sat across the street in their sedan. Gibbs scanned the street looking for any signs that Molina had gotten to Haswari and that he'd be running. So far it didn't seem to be happening.
Callen and Tony each eyed the building where they thought Haswari was hiding. The back door to their car opened and Marty Deeks slid in. "Where is he?"
Callen turned to him. "Deeks? What are you doing here? Is Kensi alright? Does she know you're here?"
Deeks gave a half-hearted chuckle with a mood that matched. "Does it really matter? She didn't want to see me so I thought I'd come and help." He looked over the carseat with a vengeful stare. "I repeat, where is he?"
Tony turned to Marty and smiled even though his take on the detective wasn't good. He seemed on the verge of a breakdown. His lip had been chewed on and his hands shook like he'd been living on coffee for the last couple of days. He gave one of his best smiles to his friend. "Hey Marty, have a muffin. We stopped for them on our way here. Pretty tasty."
Deeks just shook his mop of hair and looked at the floor of the car. "No, I'm good. Had a croissant and egg a while ago. I had coffee on my way here."
Callen wasn't feeling good vibes from his team-mate. Deeks had the feel of someone just hanging on and it left Callen feeling cold. Something wasn't right with Deeks. "When did you last eat something substantial or sleep longer than twenty minutes? Deeks go home, get some sleep, see Monty. You don't need to be here. We'll get him."
Deeks head shot up and the steely glare that Callen recognized not as Deeks, but as Max Gentry, met him. "So the promise to be in on the take-down was bull. Shove Marty aside and take him down yourself? Thanks but no thanks, I'll stay."
Sam listened to the man in Callen's car and didn't like what he heard. He dialed Nate's phone.
Nate answered on the third ring. "Nate Getz."
Sam still listened to Marty Deeks. "Sam here. Did you have another conversation with our detective today? If you did, what happened?"
Nate sat next to Kensi and looked her way. "I haven't gotten to him today. I passed him in the hallway heading away from her room. He was surly and didn't respond when I spoke to him. Why do you ask?"
Sam didn't like the implications of this. "He's here at the stake out and asking how he can help. He sounds shaky and Callen is trying to deflect him from the operation. Can you get here?"
"Let me talk with Kensi for a second and I'll be there as soon as I can. Try to keep him from going in with you. If not leave him far away from Haswari. It could be dangerous." Nate looked to Kensi and started walking to the door.
Sam realized that they needed to keep Deeks safe for Kensi. "We'll keep him safe, don't worry."
Nate stopped in his tracks. "Sam. It's not Deeks that I'm worried about. He's there to kill Haswari. That's his focus right now, not himself or Kensi. Don't let him in there. Two minutes until I leave here. See you in about fifteen."
Kensi had sat up in her bed and began to get up. "I'm coming with you Nate. He can't do this. I need to go." She stumbled as she tried to put a shoe on.
Nate reached for Kensi as she tumbled. "Kensi stay here. You don't need to do this. I have you on speed dial and will call if I need you." He placed her back in the chair and moved to the hallway. Julia was just coming in so he asked her to keep Kensi calm and near her phone.
Sam had heard part of the conversation with Kensi and knew she was in good hands and that Nate was on his way. If only they could contain their detective for those fifteen minutes.
The phone call from Molina had come about fifteen minutes ago and they'd be here soon. Tim had listened while Molina gave Haswari hell and then he demanded a meet. That meet would be as soon as Molina was here and Callen had estimated another fifteen.
Gibbs contemplated it for about a second. "We take Haswari before Molina gets here. Sam, Tim, cover the back door. The rest of us will take the front. Deeks will stay put in the car as overwatch.
Callen told Deeks what Gibbs had ordered. Max Gentry's eyes met his and Marty voiced his displeasure with a grunt. "Deeks, stay here. Do not get out of the car."
Deeks just looked out the window at the surrounding neighborhood and ignored the rest of the world.