Sheriff vs. Agent
Chapter 6 Barn Raising +
Both girls accepted Marty's invitation to ride with him. Ah, but who rides where? This could be a really childish discussion. Or worse, a cat fight!
But Kensi takes charge.
"Claire, can we sit together in the back? I have some questions to ask of you?"
"Surely." They get in and buckle up.
Marty starts to drive toward the farm where the barn raising was to happen. He is surprised and intrigued by Kensi's seemingly friendly attitude. He listens closely.
"I think you know that I am a federal agent. I would like to help you, with your problem; your assault."
"Oh, how can you help?"
"Well, it seems like you, we need to know several things. Where this Johnny is, why he did this, has he done this before and so forth. May I help?"
Marty is stunned. This is his Kensi! His girl! He listens closely.
"Surely! Where do we start?"
"Well, what is his full name?" Kensi has her phone open, to take notes.
"Johnny Jacobsen. We graduated Vincennes HS together in 2015."
"Good. Do you know any data on him? SSN, birth date, employment history?"
"Birth day is August 15, 1997, I think. He works in a 4-man vet clinic in Elkhart, Indiana. At least that is what he said."
"Any other identifying information you can think of?"
"Our team won the state BB championship our senior year. He was a star guard on that team."
"Great! I have talked with our office manager, she said that we could do some digging. I will tell you what we find."
"Wow! Thank you so much."
"No problem. Now, what can you tell me about barn raising? I hear you are a veteran."
Both girl's giggle.
"Well, it's hard work!"
They talk the rest of the way.
Marty's heart soars.
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THE BARN
Claire was correct. A barn raising was HARD work.
But it was the kind of work that left you exhausted . . . and simultaneously supremely satisfied.
Kensi had never made so many friends in 1 day.
She had never sweat so much.
She had never eaten better.
She had never ended a day feeling more ALIVE.
She wanted to do it again.
She had seen a perceived enemy become a BFF!
Amazing.
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REPORT
Back at Susie's the group had some hot chocolate and mama's fresh baked apple pie. They relaxed in the parlor and Kensi called Hetty. They were alone, and Susie made sure they would be.
RING RING
"Hetty here, is this Kesi?"
"Yes, Hetty. And I have on speaker Marty, Susie and Claire. We are alone, and will be."
"Good. How was the barn raising?"
Kensi reports all. Especially the hard work, satisfaction, and BFF made. Hetty is pleased.
"So, what can you tell us?" Marty asks.
"Well, Johnny Jacobsen is quite a character. This is his 3rd vet practice. The previous 2 went bankrupt; suspicious circumstances. Suspected internal financial shenanigans. Nothing has ever been proven."
"Slippery," Marty mutters.
Everyone nods their heads.
"Also, 2 prior sexual assault charges. 1 arrest, not convicted; the victim would not testify. Not a surprise."
Claire shakes her head. "Any idea why he was in Vincennes when we ran into each other?"
"You don't want to know," Marty whispers. Marty shakes his head; he has a premonition.
"Well, we're not positive, but we think that he was targeting Claire."
"What? Why?" Kensi shouts.
"We're not certain. He has had 3 girlfriends, all of them finally rejected him. It looks like he was getting desperate for companionship. He found where Claire worked and decided to give his HS friend a try. This is a healthy dose of speculation, remember."
Kensi snorts, "When Hetty and the wonder twins speculate, it's usually spot on."
"Amen, to that," Marty adds. "Shall we go to Elkhart and punish him?" He looks at Claire.
"What would we do?" She asks.
"Wear our uniforms and scare the shit out of him!"
"Careful folks," Hetty advises.
"Absolutely," Susie adds.
"Would you like to press charges, Claire?" Marty asks.
"No. Well yes, but the chances of conviction are not high. And he would get parole, at most. So, what good would it do?"
"Give him a rap sheet."
"Make him mad as hell."
"Make you a bigger target."
"Bullseye on your back."
"Geez, you guys are comforting!" Claire rubs her hands down her face.
Silence.
"Could we notify the local authorities?"
"Then what?"
"Have a beer!"
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SUNDAY
After a hearty breakfast, Marty met with his deputy and the ladies.
"Well, did any ideas pop up overnight?" The sheriff asks.
Kensi offers, "Not regarding dear Johnny. But I can accompany Claire on her drive home. Hetty will arrange transportation home to California from Vincennes."
"That's great," Marty asserts,
"Not necessary," Claire claims.
"Yes, it is!" Marty insists. He glares at Claire.
"All right," she gives in.
The girls leave at noon.
Marty and Claire reaffirm the next 2 weekends.
Marty has made a decision.
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THE CALL
"Hetty here, Marty?"
"Yes, Hetty. I have made my decision."
"Will I like it?"
"Yes, and no."
"Give me the yes."
"I will return to California."
"And do I know the no?"
"You know everything, Hetty."
"Ah, not until after the election. 2 years from now."
"Correct. But there is more, and I need your help."
"Yes, I still have the papers."
"Ah . . . how?"
"You said I know everything." Hetty smiles.
"What do you want to do?" Hetty inquires.
"1-train Claire to replace me; 2-support her in the election, which she will win; 3-become an agent during this time, known ONLY by you and me; 4-return to Ca. I realize that coming back to Callen's team as Kensi's partner cannot be guaranteed. I'll have to take my chances. What do you say?"
"It would help me assure you success with all that if I can bring Kensi into the plan. Only Kensi."
"Um . . . why?"
"I will need Kensi to cooperate, accept a new partner, and work well with him/her until you return."
"You and Kens can run an op on G, Sam and the wonder twins?" Marty is dubious.
"Yes, we can."
"I don't want her to know when I am at FLETC."
"I understand." Hetty agrees.
"Deal."
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TBC