When they had arrived back at the mission Melissa had darted straight up back to Ops. Seeing her friend in the sorry state he had been in with the bandage wrapped around his head she was now even more determined to find out who the assailant was and the reasoning behind the beating they had given Marco Triton. She had lost all patience and whoever was behind it had picked the wrong day to mess with Melissa Louise Createn and her friends. Callen and Sam had been left at the door with Deeks and Kensi in the bullpen watching as Melissa started up the stairs taking them two at a time.

'She's in a rush.' Deeks commented as Melissa disappeared from view.

'Any luck with our victim?' Kensi asked.

'None.' Sam answered sitting at his desk. 'We still don't know why he was attacked.'

Melissa appeared in Ops within seconds of returning to the mission. She had rushed up the stairs, her mind racing. Eric and Nell both faced her in shock as she stood behind them with only Hetty staying neutral.

'Eric play the feed again.'

Eric looked to Hetty questioningly who motioned for him to play the feed from her seat nearby. Melissa watched as the fight played out on screen. The assailant hitting Marco from behind in the alley and then looking out of shot before kicking him repeatedly causing Melissa to flinch once more. Marco trying to get up from the floor, covering his head instinctively until he passed out. Eric stopped the feed and restarted it as Melissa once again motioned for it to be played. This time Melissa did not flinch.

'What is the problem Miss Createn?' Hetty asked as the feed finished once more.

'The assailant, see how he looks for witnesses out of the shot, but he seems to know the camera is there.' Melissa answered facing Hetty.

'I noticed that.'

'It's like whoever he is knew we would look at this footage. He's been cautious to not show us his face….' Melissa pointed to the screen

'You think it was premeditated.' Hetty responded.

'The assailant is too aware for it not to be. Mr Triton was not in uniform either so it couldn't have been fuelled by any political or racial motive. Why the alley? Nell can you pull up local maps. What's in that area?'

After a few moments Nell had the maps up and Melissa stepped forward towards the screen. Taking it all in as Callen and Sam stepped into the room.

'It's all warehouses.' Nell commented.

'Nell's right.' Eric responded seconds later and gave Sam and Callen a quick nod.

'What's this?' Callen asked.

'Miss Createn has a theory.' Hetty answered.

'Oh…'

'And that is?' Sam glanced at Melissa who was still looking at the screen.

'The attack on Marco Triton was premeditated which means it's either related to his work or personal.'

Moments later and after a minute of silence Hetty's phone rang. Melissa turned to face her as she answered it. Callen and the team watched her expressions as she did and took in what was being relayed down the telephone to her, giving the odd nod.

'That was the director he will be briefing us himself in a minute. Eric if you could get the connection ready? Mr Hanna could you get Miss Blye and Mr Deeks for me?'

Sam gave a nod as he left and Melissa joined Callen by the table. Hetty standing up from her chair and joining Eric by his computer.

'Why is the director briefing us Hetty? What's changed?' Callen asked.

'He will tell us all in a moment Mr Callen.'

The feed became live second later and the director appeared on the screen. He was in MTAC with agent McGee. He had a serious look on his face and Melissa knew that her day was only going to get worse. That whatever the director was about to say would impact the case.

'Is your team there Hetty?'

'Yes Leon,' Hetty responded as Sam returned with Kensi and Deeks.

'Is agent Createn there?' The director asked. Melissa stood forward as she heard her name and Hetty motioned for her to join her. Joining Hetty Melissa was nervous as she stared at the screen and waited for the director to speak. Callen and Sam both looked at each other then to Kensi and Deeks who both shrugged.

'Special Agent Createn I'm afraid it's bad news…. We have reason to believe that the attack on Lieutenant Triton was premeditated and that the assailant is Dante Davies. He's coming for you.'

'Dante?' Melissa answered laughing. She didn't mean to but Dante being the assailant that was far-fetched. He was in prison she had put him there after the murder of Kyle three years earlier. 'He's in prison?'

'He escaped yesterday and from your teams BOLO it seems that he's in LA. Our last lead was that he had left our jurisdiction. I'm sorry Melissa but he's back on the streets and from prison records it seems you are the person he will try and find.'

'Are you trying to tell me he escaped yesterday and now I'm only being told?! Because you think he's after me and responsible for putting my friend in hospital Director Vance?'

'I'm sorry agent Createn but it wasn't my call not until now.'

'Then who's was it?!' Melissa shouted forcefully causing Sam to stand up straight.

'Gibbs.' The line cut off as the director finished.