The drive back to John Rogers office was quiet, both men deep in thought. The mention of Kensi had shaken Deeks far more than he cared to admit. He had been so caught up in Andy Pederson's investigation he had pushed Kessler's threats to Kensi to the back of his mind.
"You know he is locked up, under arrest, he can't get to her" John Rogers broke the silence.
Deeks jumped visibly "He's escaped before, he can escape again. He's probably working on it right now. He manipulates people"
Rogers glanced across at Deeks "I guess this is not the best time to tell you Kessler was right"
"About what?"
"The President said No"
"Of course he did" Deeks looked straight ahead, then turned back to Rogers "Did he offer anything?"
"Yes" Rogers answered slowly "He said if Kessler went to trial in Pennsylvania or California he would suspend the moratorium on the death penalty"
"Can he do that?"
"Maybe, maybe not. Whatever, we need to charge him with more than smuggling."
"We don't have enough….."
John Rogers interrupted "You're the Investigator, so investigate!"
Deeks was stunned. He had travelled to DC as some sort of wingman to Special Prosecutor John Rogers. He had looked at Andy Pedersons findings with a view to check they could be used in court, rather like checking his homework. Now he had to find enough evidence to convict David Kessler of nothing less than homicide. "Okay" he replied.
In his hotel room that evening Deeks felt an overwhelming need to hear Kensi's voice. The phone call was long and intense. Kensi was adamant Deeks would be able to find enough evidence to get Kessler convicted for more than arms smuggling.
"I wish I could be there to help you but we are really busy right now. You can do this baby, I believe in you. Love you" Kensi finished the call.
Deeks appreciated the vote of confidence but was acutely aware that the information Pederson had collected was thorough and and plentiful but it wasn't enough to get the conviction they needed.
Next morning Deeks returned to the NCIS Philadelphia office. He sat at the same desk and looked to see what, if any, files were available.
"Okay Andy Pederson. What are you trying to tell me " Deeks said as he opened the nearest drawer. The only file he could find was Pederson's Personnel Record. Deeks remembered that Pederson believed his sister had been killed by Kessler, he wondered if that really was the case. At the back of the file Deeks found the address of Pederson's parents, it seemed they were living just outside Baltimore. Deeks called the number and spoke to Mr Pederson Snr.
Three hours later Deeks parked outside a neat house on the outskirts of Baltimore. A knock on the door was quickly answered by a couple in their late fifties. Deeks was taken aback by their appearance. The man was tall and slim with unruly blond hair turning grey and his wife was tall and slim with long dark hair.
"Mr Deeks? Come in" the man smiled and ushered Deeks into the house "Take a seat, you want to talk about Anders?"
"I would like to talk about your daughter too, I am sorry for your loss" Deeks said quietly. Mr and Mrs Pederson looked at each other then back to Deeks.
"Our son is dead, they found his body, but Kirsten is still alive, she came back to us a few weeks after they found Anders" Mr Pederson smiled and continued "She is …..different now. She doesn't want to leave the house"
"You didn't tell the police?" Deeks asked
"She was too scared, terrified he would come back for her. We didn't know what to do or who to trust. Anders didn't trust his boss. He had the idea that he was somehow involved"
Deeks thought for a moment "I understand. Do you think she would talk to me?" he paused, then continued "I can explain everything."
True to his word, Deeks proceeded to tell the Pedersons the whole story, even parts he should have kept to himself. When he had finished the Pedersons sat motionless, stunned. Mr Pederson recovered first "I am so sorry, where are my manners, would you like a cup of tea?" He headed for the kitchen before Deeks could answer.
When he returned he was closely followed by a slim dark haired young woman. At first Deeks thought she was in her teens but quickly realised she was probably in her late twenties.
"How can I help you Mr Deeks? I heard everything" The young woman sat down opposite Deeks "We escaped, three of us, we were lucky"
"Are you in touch with the other girls?"
"Yes, we can tell you everything, how he killed some of the other girls, were they came from, where he left some of them"
"Do you have any proof"?
Kirsten thought for a moment "I still have my phone, he smashed it. I dialled 911 when we were kidnapped, he grabbed it and told them there was a mistake, then smashed it. I don't know why I kept it"
"I'm glad you did" Deeks felt as if all his Christmases had come at once.
The next few days Deeks meticulously recorded the girls accounts of what happened to them. How they were bundled into a van in different parts of the city and taken to a dingy building and put to work. Most of the other girls came from Guatemala and Mexico but they didn't have too much contact with them. They were sure Kessler had killed some of the girls that didn't co-operate. All the girls independently identified Kessler as the man who held them captive. They also identified Bruno MacIntyre as the man who helped them escape. Deeks managed to get the police recording of Kirsten's 911 call, the distinct sound of Kessler's voice gave him the shivers. The icing on the cake came in the shoebox Mr Pederson found in his son's old bedroom. "I don't think Anders thought this was safe at his office, he didn't trust his boss, thought he was somehow involved with that man" It was the evidence Andy Pederson had found of Kessler's people trafficking enterprise.
Deeks was confident he had a solid case. Not only did he have the victims statements he hard evidence. Kessler was going down again, for sure. Deeks smiled broadly, the first time for over a week.
His phone buzzed "Go for Deeks" his smile disappeared "You're kidding me! Escaped… how? What do you mean don't worry?!" Deeks finished the call in horror and disgust.
