12x02 - w*r Crimes

[bunniefuu]

Previously on "NCIS Los Angeles..." MAC: Your team is being ordered to investigate allegations by two Navy SEALs against Special Warfare Chief Petty Officer Thomas Argento.

Everybody, cameras off.

MAC: Operators First Class Kendricks and Barr claim Chief Argento m*rder*d an unarmed, unconscious and injured Taliban prisoner in cold blood.

We're going to Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Afghanistan?

I'm NCIS Agent Sam Hanna.

I heard of Chief Hanna.

- The guy's like a legend.

- SAM: Chief Petty Officer Argento?

You're now in the custody of NCIS.

Do you swear that the statement you've provided is true and accurate to the best of your belief?

- I do.

- I do.

- I do.

- I do.

You're never gonna convict me.

We'll talk after the trial.

CORRECTIONS PETTY OFFICER: Reveille!

Reveille!

Reveille!

Reveille!

Reveille!

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

Reveille!

Reveille!

Reveille!

Reveille!

Good morning...

Chief.

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

Reveille!

Reveille!

Reveille!



"Anchors aweigh." Or is it "anchors going away"?

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

Reveille!

Reveille!

Reveille!

Reveille!

Reveille!

All dressed up for your big day...

Chief?

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

♪ Anchors going away.

♪ ♪

I'm coming.

SAM (OVER PHONE): This is a big day, G.

- A very big day.

- I know.

Then why aren't you here?

(CHUCKLES): We'll be fine.

I don't want to be fine.

I want to be early.

I know.

I'm sorry.

I...

I had an issue with my tie.

Just get your ass out here.

DEEKS: I got this.

I am the walrus.

Whoa...

Look at that.

Nope.

Kens?

- Yeah?

- Hi.

Hey.

Talked to Rountree.

Ooh, hey.

You think Rountree can do this blindfolded?

Uh, I know he can.

You're probably right.

Is he heading down to San Diego?

No, he's actually almost there.

Oh, if he beats Sam and Callen to the courthouse, there is gonna be blood.

Yeah.

This is a big day, Deeks.

A really big day.

I know.

I know it's a big day.

It's a huge day.

I'm just stating the obvious, that, based on the circumstances, Sam is gonna be in a really, really bad mood.

You know what?

I'm just happy that Rountree's gonna get to finish what he started.

You know?

This was his first case with the team, it's his first time in-country, it's his first w*r criminal.

Ah, yeah.

I remember my first w*r criminal like it was yesterday.

You always remember your first.

Why?

Why, baby?

Just...

why?

- What?

- Ugh.

What?

It's a, it's a coping mechanism.

You know what I'm saying?

Without comedy, there is only pain.

Good morning.

I'm just on my way in, but, uh, wondering if we have anything yet?

No, and I really hope it stays that way, for SECNAV's sake.

How bad does it look?

It's bad.

The president's tweeting about it.

Well, that's obvious.

I mean, it's the only thing cable news is covering right now.

Well, it's a big day.

A really big day.

And this trial's a really big deal.

The stakes couldn't be higher.

Well, let me tell you, anxiety levels are definitely creeping up there.

Now, is that more of a professional assessment of the situation, or a personal observation?

Oh, that's personal.

Very personal.

Yeah, I hear that, girl.

I guess now it really depends on the prosecution's case.

I can't even imagine what kind of pressure they must be under.

Yes and no.

It's not their first rodeo.

(CLEARS THROAT)

I have a feeling we're gonna be just fine.

(ENGINE STARTS)

SAM: Lieutenant Colonel Castro?

Special Agent Sam Hanna, NCIS.

- We spoke on the phone.

- Yes, a couple of times.

Thank you so much for coming.

Of course.

My partners, Agent, uh, Callen and Rountree, are around here somewhere.

They're probably trying to hunt down breakfast.

In the courthouse?

They got strong stomachs.

Hmm.

How are you feeling about today?

Good.

It's a strong case.

As you know, Kendricks, Barr, Moffet and Cole gave almost identical accounts of Argento's w*r crimes, which speak for themselves.

The defense is gonna try to tear them apart on the stand, but they've been prepped, and they're ready for it.

- How are they holding up?

- Incredibly well, all things considered.

Not one of them has wavered since we started down this road.

Well, they're sailors trying to do the right thing.

Doesn't make it any easier.

Amen.

Let me know if you need anything, huh?

Will do.

Excuse me.

Ms.

Castro?

Lieutenant Colonel Castro, yes.

Right, your title.

I'm sorry.

I'm still getting used to all of this pageantry.

I'm sorry.

Who are you?

Margaux West, Esquire.

Chief Argento's civilian defense counsel.

You've heard of me.

I'm a quick study.

I flew in this morning from New York.

Private.

I'm sure you did.

Thomas Argento's wife's cousin, the senator, and I go way back.

He called in a favor, I thought to myself, "Ugh, how could I not say yes?" How could you not?

So, all of this to say, I know you've been dealing with the public defender up until now.

The defense counsel.

But I will be taking the reins from here.

I look forward to it.

Good luck today.

Thank you.

I won't be needing it.

Oh, this is going to be fun.

All rise.

Chief Argento.

You have the right to be tried by a court-martial composed of a panel of members including one-third enlisted persons or by m*llitary judge alone.

If you choose m*llitary judge alone, I will decide if you are guilty or not guilty.

And if you are convicted of any offense, I will determine your sentence.

Do you understand?

- Yes, sir.

- Do you wish to be tried by a court-martial or by m*llitary judge alone?

- m*llitary judge alone, sir.

- Your request is approved and this court-martial is assembled.

You may be seated.

This is a judge-alone trial, as requested by the accused.

Presentation of witness statements help me understand evidence to be presented but are not, in fact, evidence.

The government carries the burden of proof.

Trial counsel, you may make your opening statement.

Thank you, Your Honor.

There's a reason why the president and all the television pundits and the nation have turned their attention to this particular case.

And it is not because the sailor in question, Chief Petty Officer Thomas Argento, has been accused of murdering an unarmed, unconscious and injured Taliban prisoner.

As heinous as Argento's actions and conduct may have been, he is actually not the reason why we are here today.

We're here because of how we know about Chief Argento's alleged crimes.

We're here because four of Chief Argento's SEAL Team members had the audacity to speak up about the atrocities they witnessed. We're here because these four brave sailors recognized that their leader was committing what could only be described as w*r crimes, and made the difficult decision to not stay silent about them. We're here because four honorable sailors knew the code of conduct and respected it enough to come forward with the truth.

Now, over the course of this trial, you will hear testimony from three of them.

Special Warfare Operator First Class Malcolm Kendricks, Petty Officer William Moffet and Petty Officer Second Class Michael Cole. Special Warfare Operator First Class Adam Barr is away on a classified op.

These men will swear that on December of last year, immediately following an air strike, Chief Argento instructed his men to turn off their vest cameras while he used his hunting Kn*fe to repeatedly s*ab and m*rder a Taliban cleric who was injured and medically sedated but otherwise would have survived.

But that's not all.

Chief Argento didn't stop there.

The witnesses will also testify that after Chief Argento k*lled this prisoner of w*r, he dragged the dead body outside and forced members of his SEAL Team to pose with the corpse for a photo. I said everybody.

Move it, Kendricks.

LUCILLA: Even though Chief Argento had the foresight to instruct his men to turn off their vest cameras, we do have this image to present as evidence in this case. As for what happened before the photo was taken, four sailors with impeccable records have put their careers on the line to defend the code of conduct, even in a time of w*r.

Petty Officers Kendricks, Moffet, Cole and Barr embody what it means to be a sailor.

Chief Petty Officer Thomas Argento, on the other hand, is not worthy of the trident that is pinned on his uniform.

He is a w*r criminal, plain and simple.

As plain and as simple as the facts of this case.

Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel.

Does the defense wish to make an opening statement now or reserve until the close of the prosecution's case?

The defense wishes to reserve opening statement.

In that case, after a brief ten-minute recess, the prosecution will call its first witness.

- (GAVEL BANGS)

- All rise.

- (THUNDER CRASHING)

- (RAINDROPS FALLING)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(DOOR OPENS)

Oh.

Hello?

Fatima?

I'm trying to meditate.

And, uh...

how's this going for you?

I don't get it.

I spent a fortune on these candles.

And I didn't realize they were scented.

Yeah, I can, I can smell that.

I have such a headache and I keep repeating the same thing, but it just makes me more stressed.

Right.

Well, what is your mantra?

There's a lot riding on this.

Oh, I-I'm aware of that.

No, that's, that's my mantra.

Oh.

Oh.

(SIGHS)

Ugh, I'm doing this wrong.

No, no, it-it's not wrong.

It's just maybe...

not entirely right.

Do you know of anything that will make me feel better?

Unfortunately, not while we're on the clock.

And I may have found something that will make you feel even worse.

Okay, what is it?

The senator...

Argento's wife's cousin...

Just posted something on social media.

Will you read it to me?

Yes.

"Chief Petty Officer "Thomas Argento "is an American hero of the highest regard.

"And those who slander his good name "will burn in the eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." - Well, that's a ray of sunshine.

- Yeah.

You think he knows something we don't?

I hope not.

Me, too.

LUCILLA: Petty Officer Kendricks. Did you provide a signed and sworn statement of the events in question to NCIS while they were still fresh in your mind?

Yes, ma'am, I did.

Let the record reflect that I'm handing the witness a sworn statement dated April 20, 2020.

The record shall so reflect.

LUCILLA: Please take a moment to review the sworn statement and look up when you're finished reading it.

Petty Officer Kendricks? Is that your sworn statement?

Yes, ma'am, it is.

And is your sworn statement a true and accurate account of the events that took place on December
19, 2019?

No, ma'am, it's not.

What about your statement is inaccurate?

It's true that a Taliban cleric d*ed after he was in our custody.

But Chief Petty Officer Argento wasn't the one who k*lled him.

Uh...

who k*lled the prisoner, Petty Officer Kendricks?

I did, ma'am.

It was me.

(EXHALES)

What the hell just happened?

Kendricks just blew this case out of the water.

SAM: You know what really hurts?

We fought to get that guy immunity.

Counsel, please approach the bench.

Lieutenant Colonel Castro, - what the hell is going on?

- I can fix this.

Can you, though?

Do you want to continue questioning your witness or do you need time?

I need time.

I respectfully request a one-week continuance, Your Honor.

Your Honor...

When you're spoken to, Counselor.

This can't wait that long.

You know what kind of pressure we're all under here.

Best I can do is, uh, give you an hour.

Your Honor?

I think that's being more than generous.

And I think you just changed my mind.

Lieutenant Colonel, you now have until .

Thanks for the help, Counselor.

Appreciate it.

At the prosecution's request, the court will stand under recess until .

The witness is dismissed until then.

BAILIFF: All rise.

Look at him.

Cool as a cat.

ROUNTREE: Think Argento had anything to do with Kendricks changing his story?

I don't know, but I can't wait to find out.

SAM: Kendricks.

Kendricks, talk to me!

Get away from me, Sam.

Come on, what was that back there?

You know you can talk to me, right?

Hey.

Kendricks, you know you can talk to me, right?!

(ENGINE STARTS)

Kendricks!

Agent Callen.

Tough break today, huh?

Yeah, and the hits keep on coming.

I just found out that Moffet, my second witness, never showed.

Well, that sucks.

And I can't risk putting anyone on the stand until I know what the hell happened to Kendricks.

I just...

can't believe how similar this case is to the Gallagher trial.

Look... we're here to help.

Just tell me what you need.

I need to know what the hell happened.

Okay, I'm gonna have my team look into...

everyone that went to visit Argento when he was at the brig.

If there was a plan to move against your witnesses...

Someone would've told Argento about it in person.

Exactly.

I'll also look into Kendrick's family.

If somebody on Argento's team threatened them, they may have convinced Kendricks to change his story.

Agent Callen?

Yeah?

Thank you.

Don't thank me yet.

Agent Rountree.

Agent Rountree.

Petty Officer Cole.

- It's been a while.

- Yeah.

It has.

How can I help you?

You got it all wrong.

I want to know how I can help you.

I heard about Kendrick's testimony.

And?

And-and I fought next to that man for three years.

In all that time, I never heard him tell a lie.

Till he just did under oath.

I know Kendricks.

And Moffet and Argento.

I can help.

Well, that's good because we're gonna need it.

Hey, how we looking?

Um...

Fatima, I like you.

I like working with you.

But we haven't developed a shorthand yet, so you're gonna have to just spill it.

Okay, okay, um, so I've been reviewing Argento's visitors log and it is bizarre.

How so?

Well, for starters, his wife never went to see him.

Ooh, that's an ouch.

Yeah, neither did his sister, his brother, his parents or his in-laws.

Okay, that makes no sense.

Each of them have been all over the press for weeks b*ating the drum that Argento's the victim of a witch hunt, - that he's totally innocent.

- Yeah.

Exactly, it's super weird.

Wait.

Are you at Hetty's desk?

How do I look?

It suits you.

Hold on, has anyone visited Argento?

Well, that brings us to chapter two of Argento's very bizarre visitors log.

Because a ton of people visited him in the brig.

Who, random SEAL Team fanboys?

I don't know.

I don't recognize their names, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Or maybe it does.

Quiet neighborhood.

Too quiet.

Like Days Later quiet.

Like zombies quiet...

I don't like this.

(CHILD SCREAMS)

Federal agents!

Open up!

Federal agents!

Open up the door!

WOMAN: I'm sorry, who are you?

We're federal agents with NCIS.

We heard a scream.

Can you open up the door, please?

No problem, I'll open the door as soon as you put your G-U-N-S away.

(MOUTHING)

Oh, okay.

(CHILDREN CLAMORING)

Oh.

Yeah... oh.

Hi, I am Special Agent Kensi Blye with NCIS, this is my partner, Detective Deeks.

And, uh, this belongs to Colin, who just found Sasha in a game of hide-and-seek.

Hence the scream.

BOTH: Hence the scream.

Which makes you Monica Kendricks.

- We worked with your husband?

- I know who you are.

Thank you for everything you did to support Malcolm.

He couldn't have gotten up and testified today without your support.

Uh, actually, about that...

What?

Could we have a word with you for a moment?

I don't understand...

Is Malcolm okay?

Yeah, no, he-he-he's totally fine.

We-we promise you.

Oh, thank goodness.

The pressure that man has been under.

That he's put on himself.

You have no idea.

That's actually what we wanted to talk to you about given what happened in court today.

What happened in court today?

What?

I turned my phone off and I haven't been watching the news.

I didn't want the kids to see something about their dad that might scare them.

Um...

so Malcolm changed his testimony on the stand today.

Changed it how?

Listen, there's no easy way to say this.

Malcolm said he was the one that k*lled the Taliban cleric, - not Argento.

- What?

- I'm sorry, that's...

- No.

Did Malcolm receive any threats about his testimony, or were you and the kids threatened in any way?

No.

I don't believe you.

Which part do you not believe?

That my husband would put himself through a living hell just to lie when he got on the stand today.

- (DOOR UNLOCKS, OPENS)

- Look at that.

If it isn't the man, the myth, the legend himself: Sam Hanna, in the flesh.

To what do I owe the great honor?

Not in a talking mood today?

I've been there.

I get it.

Bet you didn't see that coming, did you?

The question is, did you?

Did you know Kendricks was gonna change his testimony?

I think I was more surprised than anyone else in that courtroom.

Imagine the key witness claiming he was the one who committed the crime.

How crazy is that?

I don't know what kind of game you're playing, Argento...

Oh, this is no game.

This is my life.

And I have no intention of spending the rest of it behind bars.

And after what happened today, doesn't look like I'm gonna have to.

This isn't over, Argento.

Pretty sure it is.

♪ Straight to voice mail.

And Moffet's not picking up his home phone, either.

Which means he's either in trouble, or he's gone underground Either way, we need to find him and make sure he's ready to testify by : .

- Or Argento walks.

- So where is he?

You said you wanted to help.

Let me hear something.

Look, I know...

I know Moffet works out at a gym downtown.

And he has an ex, so...

so if he's not at home and he's not at the gym, and he hasn't been kidnapped and tortured by Argento's minions, then maybe he's holed up at her place.

All right, go to the gym, see if anyone's seen Moffet.

I'll head to his ex's house.

This is not how today was supposed to go down.

Wow, I don't even know what to say.

Told you it was bizarre.

Yeah, you were right, and it gets more bizarre by the minute.

Should I call Kensi and Deeks?

Yeah.

I'll patch Kensi in.

(LINE RINGING)

Hey, Kens?

- Hey.

- Fatima and I have something rather curious to share.

Okay, what is it?

So we've been going through Argento's visitors log at the brig, and not one of his visitors has any kind of connection to him.

Not through family, not through social media.

That's weird.

FATIMA: Yeah, don't worry, it gets weirder.

We did some digging, and we realized that even though none of the visitors have a connection to Argento, they all have a connection to each other.

All of them work for the same courier service here in L.A.

So there were couriers literally delivering messages to Argento - from the outside?

- So it seems.

Good work, ladies.

Send me that address to the courier service.

Already did.

Nice work, Fatima.

I am the woman who looks like she's still in her s, in the Nancy Reagan red suit.

Godspeed.

Lieutenant Colonel.

Did I get that right?

I was wondering if we could talk.

About dropping the charges against my client?

Not quite.

Mm.

Because your first witness blew himself up on the stand.

Didn't even have the pleasure of crossing him.

And so, I hear your second didn't show?

And if memory serves, you only have one witness left, so...

Don't get me wrong, I cannot wait to go toe-to-toe with you.

Ah, when the senator called, told me about this case, who I'd be up against, I literally cleared my calendar for this trial.

I'm so... flattered.

Ah.

Hi.

Thank you.

But you have got to give me something to work with here, because the most challenging part of my day so far has been Postmating this Red Eye to the courthouse.

Careful what you wish for.

Because if I find out you or anyone working with you was responsible for my witness changing his testimony or not showing up to court, you will be disbarred so fast that coffee will still be hot enough to burn you.

Well, all right.

Maybe this is worth my time after all.

I'll see you at .

(SNIFFS)

- Hi.

- Hello, and welcome to Seda's Printing & Direct Mailing, the fastest, most affordable, most secure way to deliver your message anywhere in Southern California.

- Well, hi.

- Don't take my word for it.

Just ask our customers on Yelp.

They love us there, and I'm confident you will, too.

- That's great.

So...

- My name is Martin.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

How may I assist you?

KENSI: I don't...

Is he done?

- Yeah, no, he's done.

- Are you done?

The man posed a question, so now it's...

- We get to go.

Hit it.

- Okay.

- Hi.

- Howdy.

Hi.

I'm Special Agent Kensi Blye, NCIS.

This is my partner, LAPD Detective Deeks.

My name is Martin.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

- How may I assist you?

- Yeah, you already said that part.

- Please don't distract him.

- That's a valid point.

Listen, couriers from this company have been sending messages to Thomas Argento, who's been in m*llitary prison, for the last five months.

- Whoa.

Is that even legal?

- It's debatable.

Which is why we need to know who's been sending those messages.

I'll say.

What was your name again?

Martin Deeks.

LAPD.

- No way.

My name is Martin.

- You said that.

Twice, actually.

Uh...

Yeah, sorry, we haven't sent anything to anyone named Martin Deeks, - like, ever.

- (CHUCKLES): No.

No, no, Martin.

Um...

I'm Martin Deeks.

You are Martin.

What we need is who's been sending messages to Thomas Argento.

How do you spell that?

A-R-G- - E-N-T-O.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa.

- Hold your horses.

- Slow down.

G- E-N...

T-O.

- T...

- O.

Oh.

- Yes, O.

- No, I meant "oh," LIKE: Whoa, we've definitely been sending messages - to that dude.

- Okay.

Well, that's great.

Do you have the name of the person who's been sending these messages?

Do you want me to say it out loud, or should I write it down, and slide it...?

Or I could e-mail it to you.

- Or I'll text...

- You know what?

Stop.

Just...

If you could just turn the monitor towards us, then you don't have to use the Bat-Signal.

Just crank that thing a little bit further.

There you go.

Almost there.

- (CAMERA CLICKS)

- Got it.

Five stars, Martin.

- KENSI: Thank you.

- No.

Thank you for choosing Seda's Printing & Direct Mailing, the fastest, most affordable, most secure way to deliver your message...

NELL: Hey, are you seeing what I'm seeing?

I-If you mean a ghost, then yeah.

So the person who's been sending all those messages to Argento just doesn't exist.

The name was a fake.

The law firm that he supposedly worked for, also fake.

Well, I mean, I'm looking at these dates, and whoever it is, they've been sending couriers to the Brig since Argento entered pretrial confinement.

Which means whoever's pulling the strings here has been plotting this for months.

And we have how many hours to figure out who's behind this all, undo the damage they've done, and get the case back on track?

Oh, you know, less than two.

I like those odds.

That's the spirit.

Nice place.

And Cole thinks Moffet is holed up there?

Yeah, his ex-wife lives here.

Well, let's hope they're on good terms.

No kidding.

Moffet's running.

- Moffet!

- Have fun with that.

It's Agent Rountree, NCIS!

I just want to talk!

(GRUNTS)

(PANTING): I just wanted to talk.

Come on, Moffet, what's going on, man?

You know we're on your side.

And I know I let you all down.

What the hell happened this morning, man?

Who got to Kendricks?

I honestly don't know.

You don't know what happened, or you don't know who got to Kendricks?

Oh, I know what happened.

Yesterday, I started getting text messages, pictures from outside this house.

My boy eating breakfast.

My boy swinging on a tire.

My boy on his scooter.

That's messed up.

Only the pictures weren't taken yesterday.

I could tell from the weather and by my boy's hair that somebody had been watching him for several months.

Unbelievable.

So I called my ex, and...

(SIGHS)

I told her to take our son to her folks' place in Palm Springs.

And I've been here keeping watch ever since.

Well, what did the text messages say?

Nothing at first.

Just a stream of pictures.

I didn't know what they wanted.

And then I got a message last night...

threatening me not to show my face in court tomorrow.

So, what happened with Kendricks?

I mean, we know they didn't thr*aten his family, and he still changed his testimony.

They knew Kendricks was gonna testify first, so they told me to stay home and Kendricks to change his story...

...or they were gonna k*ll my boy.

So Kendricks lied to save your boy's life.

- (DOOR OPENS)

- DEEKS: Martin.

Hello, and welcome to Seda's Printing & Direct Mailing, the fastest, most affordable, - most secure...

- Martin, hey, hey, hey, it's us.

It's I.

Martin, as well.

LAPD detective, NCIS agent.

We were just here, like, minutes ago.

I thought you two looked familiar.

Okay, listen, the name you gave us, of the person delivering messages to Argento in jail, turns out it's a fake.

No way.

- Way.

- Ay-yi-yi.

Yeah.

Actually, that adds up.

- Uh, what does?

- He was pretty weird.

- The guy.

- For the love of all that is holy, gather your thoughts, think clearly and tell us what the heck you're talking about, please.

MARTIN: Look, I don't know.

He was a weird dude, and for all the trouble that he was going through, it makes sense that he would use a fake name.

Okay, and you know this because...?

Look, I'm kind of the linchpin around here.

This whole operation falls apart without me.

Thank God it's not a hospital.

That is a terrifying thought.

And the guy that you're asking about, he came in here every week for months.

He never did business over the phone or by e-mail.

And he always paid in cash.

So you've seen him.

Of course I've seen him.

This joker's a detective?

Really?

- Hello?

- Okay.

Do you know what he looks like?

Can you tell us?

Presents as male.

Pronouns: He/him.

He's white.

Always very well-dressed.

- m*llitary?

- Sure.

Yeah.

And he's pretty old, too.

Wow, Martin, that's actually incredibly helpful, finally.

You don't happen to have a photo of him, do you?

(HISSES)

No.

Sorry.

Hmm.

What do you think?

I think we have less than two hours to get Moffet to court.

Well, Nell's sending agents from Palms over to the grandparents' house to protect the kid.

That should make everybody feel a little bit better.

Well, if the person who threatened Moffett is anything like Argento, this doesn't end today.

They're gonna keep coming after Moffet's kid till the trial's over.

Yeah, Which is why Kendricks changed his story and Moffet never showed up today.

Might be a sh*t in the dark, but last time these guys needed help, they came to you, Sam.

Maybe if I talk to Moffet now...

It's worth a sh*t.

Where's Moffet?

Sam's gonna try and talk to him.

Agent Callen, we're running out of time.

We understand, and we are doing the best we can given the hand we've been dealt.

So there was witness tampering.

(SIGHS)

Just a bit.

Do we know who's behind it?

Still working on that part.

(SIGHS)

Damn it.

We were so close.

- Lieutenant Colonel...

- Hmm?

Who is that?

LUCILLA: A legend.

Decorated former SEAL, the whole thing.

He also happens to be Petty Officer Second Class Michael Cole's father Parker.

Why?

No reason.

(PHONE CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING)

Okay, Parker Cole.

Captain, United States Navy, retired, graduated from Annapolis in the class of ' , at the height of the Vietnam w*r.

He served years in SEAL Teams.

Guessing he skipped the hippie phase.

Yeah, this guy's a decorated w*r vet who's been active in the Fleet Reserve Association.

And his only child, Michael Cole, basically followed in his exact same footsteps.

Naval Academy, SEAL Team and w*r.

Makes sense why Parker Cole would care - about Argento's case.

- Well, yeah.

It's his son's team leader whose life is on the line.

And yet...

We don't know whose side he's on.

Send his photo to Kensi and Deeks.

You got it.

MOFFET: So tell me. - How bad is it?

- SAM: Not great.

Kendricks' testimony dealt a huge blow to the prosecution.

The judge needed to hear irrefutable evidence that Argento's a w*r criminal.

And instead, Kendricks went up there and said he did it.

From what I understand, he did it to protect your son.

He's just a four-year-old boy.

He doesn't deserve to be mixed up in all this.

You're right.

But there are other ways to protect your son.

You could have called us.

You could have called me.

You don't have to do this alone.

I wasn't thinking clearly.

And whoever's pulling the strings, they were counting on that.

Hmm?

So what now?

Kendricks' damage is done.

You still have time to do the right thing.

Hey.

Hey.

I know you two.

We'd be concerned if you didn't.

Is that the guy?

Which guy?

Martin, focus.

The guy who was sending messages to Argento in jail.

Oh, yes.

That's definitely him.

That's exactly what he looks like on my security footage.

- What?

- You said you didn't have any photos.

I don't.

I have a video.

- Martin.

- Wow.

So, Cole's father's been pulling the strings.

- Do you think Cole knows?

- I don't know.

But if he does, he's been helping us all day long.

KENSI: Either that, or he's feeding his father information as we get it.

Kens?

I know.

Our key witness is also a sitting duck.

Nice work, Kens.

LUCILLA: Agent Callen.

- What's going on?

- We have reason to believe that Parker Cole has been sending messages through a courier service to Argento the entire time he's been in custody.

- What did the messages say?

- It outlines a plan.

First, to monitor Moffet's son and then use those photos to try and convince Moffet, as well as Kendricks, to change their testimony in court.

Bastard.

Well, you're handling this pretty well.

Because that's witness tampering.

And it sounds like we have enough to arrest him.

- Give me a second.

- Mm-hmm.

(LINE RINGING)

Sam, where are you?

We're headed back to court.

Be careful.

We don't know that Cole is necessarily involved, but his father is the one that's been helping Argento behind the scenes.

Well, if Cole's been feeding his dad information, then he knows exactly where to find us.

Stay safe.

G, we got company.

Call San Diego PD.

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(CRYING)

Cole, put the g*n down now.

Cole.

Let's talk about this.

- There's nothing to talk about.

- Yes, there is.

- There's always a way.

- You don't understand!

Yes, I do.

More than you know.

Maybe one day I'll tell you stories about my own father.

Hmm?

But for now, I need you to put the g*n down.

All right?

Just put it down.

Put it down, Cole.

Just put it down.

Come on.

Come on.

Nice and easy.

Nice and easy.

Nice and easy.

There you go.

- It was you!

- I'm sorry.

It's a little late for that now, don't you think?

I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry!

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm good.

You still want to do this?

More than ever.

SAM: All right.

(SOBBING)

(SIREN APPROACHING)

As soon as San Diego PD gets here, we got to go.

Parker Cole?

Who's asking?

Special Agent Callen, NCIS.

You're under arrest for obstruction of justice.

Take him away.

PARKER: This is ridiculous.

I'm a captain, damn it.

(DOOR OPENS)

BAILIFF: All rise.

Everybody, please be seated.

Counselor, are we ready to proceed?

Your Honor, the prosecution wants to thank you for granting us a recess this morning.

- It's not lost on us...

- Counselor, it is .

Are we ready to proceed?

Counselor?

Yes, your Honor.

The prosecution is ready to call its next witness, Petty Officer William Moffet.

Trial counsel, please administer the oath.

LUCILLA: Please stand, face me and raise your right hand.

Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you will provide here today shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Yes, ma'am, I do.

Wow.

Lieutenant Colonel Castro does not mess around.

Really?

She's charging Parker Cole with obstruction of justice?

She got the U.S. Attorney to do it, and they're throwing out Kendricks' false testimony.

And Moffet still took a stand and told the truth, Which is all that matters.

Now I just hope the judge does the right thing.

Oh, I'm not worried about that.

I'm sure he's gonna do the right thing.

I'm just talking about the betrayal.

- You know?

- Mm-hmm.

I mean, Shakespeare can't come up with this stuff.

These guys were like brothers, right?

On the same SEAL Team, fighting side by side, surviving the atrocities of w*r.

Yeah, I know.

And yet, Cole still turned on Moffet to get his father's approval.

Woosh.

Talk about daddy issues.

Well, that's actually not the definition of "daddy issues." That's textbook definition of daddy issues.

No.

No, it's not.

Uh, what else could "daddy issues" possibly mean?

(LAUGHS)

Oh, my sweet, sweet Kensi.

(PHONE BUZZING)

(CHUCKLES)

What, you miss me already?

Ha.

You wish.

So, what's up?

This was a big day.

This was a very big day.

We did the right thing.

We absolutely did the right thing.

There's no doubt about it.

I'll tell you what, though, the next time we have to go to San Diego - for something like this?

- Yeah?

SAM: If you touch my radio even once, I'm throwing you out of the car.