The atmosphere in the boat shed was significantly less laidback than the previous times. Eric and Nell had set up camp across from each other at the middle table and were typing furiously while occasionally throwing back random pieces of data that made little sense to Deeks without context.
Sam, Callen, and Hetty were grouped around the mounted screen. Based on their expressions, Deeks surmised the discussion wasn't going well. When Callen noticed them, he gave a brief nod.
"Glad you're here. We have a problem."
"Yeah, that's what we heard. What happened?" Kensi asked, taking up a position next to Sam.
"We were able to intercept a call from Aaron Knight–" Nell started, but Deeks held up a hand, eyebrows furrowed.
"Wait, you have him bugged?"
"Essentially," Eric allowed. "It's a little more complicated than that, involving more sophisticated-and that is not important right now," he decided when he caught sight of Sam's mild glare. "The point is, we're able to track both Aaron and Bennett's phone, text, and email usage."
"That could be dangerous. Why didn't you tell me you were planning that?" Deeks glanced between Hetty and Callen.
"Because it wasn't your decision to make, Mr. Deeks," Hetty said slowly. "And it doesn't affect your current role."
"Well, I disagree. Forthright is incredibly paranoid. I'm sure he monitors those kinds of things and if he discovers that someone is tracking him, he'll shut the operation down," Deeks warned her.
He was vaguely aware that everyone else in the room was watching him, particularly Eric and Nell. It was probably rare that anyone challenged Hetty, let alone a random civilian.
"I'm afraid that's a risk we'll have to take," she responded evenly. Deeks was prepared to continue the argument, but Kensi nudged his elbow and gave a quick shake of her head. Hetty lifted her hand towards Nell. "If you'd like to continue, Ms. Jones."
"Uh, right. So, like most of their conversations, this one was fairly vague. Aaron Knight told Forthright that a shipment is expected on Friday. We're still working on tracking their movements to see if leads to a possible drop off location, but we haven't found anything yet."
"Any idea what's in this particular shipment?" Deeks asked.
"Knight started to say something about packages, which we're assuming means drugs, but it's not certain," Sam explained. "Here, take a listen."
He nodded at Eric, who pulled up an audio recording.
"Is everything on schedule?" Bennett asked, his voice instantly recognizable. "You know Hugh is getting anxious."
"Hey, that's not my fault. The packages got held up by some idiot at customs. But we took care of–"
"I don't care what you did as long as the shipment is here by Friday and you cover your tracks." Bennett hung up abruptly, assuming that Aaron Knight would do whatever was necessary to keep him happy. And as far as Deeks had seen, that was usually the case.
"Have you heard of anyone named Hugh?" Callen asked. "Maybe another one of Bennett's associates."
"No, unfortunately I haven't," Deeks said. "There are certain limits to what I'm privy to. Bennett's a little bit better at keeping control of his mouth."
"That's too bad. Well, it's a good thing you two managed to get an invite from him."
"I was really impressed with that, by the way," Nell added. "You predicted exactly how Bennett would react to finding out about Kensi." She gave him an admiring look that lasted just a second too long.
"Yes, impressive indeed," Hetty agreed pointedly while Eric stared at the side of Nell's head through slightly narrowed eyes.
"Since the shipment date is moved up from what we expected, your goal isn't just making contact with Forthright's contacts and gleaning whatever information you can. You'll need to find out where he keeps his hard drive and retrieve the information."
"I thought this was supposed to be a dinner party," Kensi murmured to Deeks as they waited outside Bennett Forthright's mansion. It was in a classical style, with what she could see in the minimal lighting, a perfectly manicured lawn and ornamental bushes. She eyed the 15 or so cars parked around the spacious drive.
"Well, in Bennett's world, this is a dinner party," Deeks replied wryly. He grimaced, tugging lightly at the collar of his crisp blue shirt. Kensi let her eyes slide down over the rest of his tailored suit, which fit him perfectly. As much as he hated it, he looked fantastic.
Keeping Bennett's wandering eyes in mind, she wore a cobalt sleeveless dress with a pleated skirt and sweetheart neckline. Hopefully it would keep their host suitably distracted while Deeks searched for the hard drive. They had Eric and Nell on comms, but Deeks would be doing most of the footwork.
The door was answered by a butler of all things, who took Kensi's wrap and directed them towards a large sitting room.
"He has a freaking butler?" Kensi hissed to Deeks as they approached the open double doors.
"Only on special occasions." Under the guise of fixing a loose curl, he kissed her temple and added, "It's also a chance to impress those less fortunate than him and his prospective business partners." Resting his hand on her lower back, he guided her through the door.
There were 30 or so people in attendance, spread around the room, dressed in tuxedos and gowns. A tall, red-haired man saw Deeks and nodded from across the room before traveling over Kensi in a lingering way.
"That's George O'Connell," Deeks supplied as the man watched them for a second longer and then turned to say something to his companion.
Bennett Forthright was in the center of the room, chatting with another man, his arm around his wife, Lisa's, waist. She had a drink in one hand and looked thoroughly miserable despite her designer dress and the glittering jewelry she wore. Kensi guessed that she was a good 5 years younger than her husband.
Quickly ending the conversation, Bennett headed their way, tugging poor Lisa along with him.
"Marty, I'm glad you could make it," Bennett boomed, squeezing Deeks' shoulder with more familiarity and force than was warranted. Kensi resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the suggestion that Deeks was there of his own accord.
"Hi Marty," Lisa added, showing the first sign of emotion with a brief smile, which Deeks returned. As soon as his gaze was off her, she took a long drink from her peach-colored cocktail.
"You know, whatever the client wants," Deeks drawled. Bennett just laughed it off, squeezing Deeks' shoulder one more time before turning his attention to Kensi.
"And Ms. Capon, good to see you again. Definitely easier on the eyes than your boyfriend here."
"Thank you, Mr. Forthright," Kensi responded, looking up from under her eyelashes. "But you can call me Natalie. Ms. Capon makes me think of an old aunt of mine."
"Oh great, now I have to create an aunt for you," Eric complained over comms. Bennett chuckled lightly, resting his hand on her forearm.
"Then let's drop all the formalities. At least outside the courtroom," he said, managing to infuse it with enough innuendo that Kensi wanted to shake off his hand. She flicked a quick gaze at Lisa Forthright and he followed her gaze, quickly clearing his throat as he apparently remembered her existence.
"Oh, Natalie this is my lovely wife, Lisa. Lisa, this is Marty's new, ahem, assistant." Lisa acknowledged her with an unimpressed look and sighed,
"Nice to meet you. You must be lucky to work with Marty. Bennett always says he's the best."
Great, apparently Deeks had won over yet another admirer without even trying. Though perhaps they could use her attraction to their advantage.
"So, have you considered my offer, Marty?" Bennett asked abruptly. "You know if you work for me exclusively, I can offer you more incentive more than your current position."
"I'm a founding member," Deeks reminded him lightly. "Don't think I can get much more incentive than that. Besides, you know I don't like to be tied down."
Bennett's eyes tightened slightly with annoyance before he settled on grudging respect. It was obvious just from their brief meetings, that he wanted to control Deeks even as he appreciated his independence and craved his approval. It had to be a welcome change among a sea of brown-nosing subordinates.
"Well, I guess I'll just have to find another way to convince you." Slipping his arm from Lisa's back and gestured across the room. "Honey, why don't you go with Marty and get everyone drinks?" he suggested, though he'd already turned away and taken Kensi's hand. "I'll show Natalia around."
Kensi shot Deeks a quick look, which he responded to with the smallest of nods.
"Just watch your hands, Forthright." He acknowledged Deeks warning with a chuckle and Kensi allowed him to lead her away.