NCIS Los Angeles s14e12 Episode Script
In the Name of Honor
Previously on "NCIS Los Angeles"
Agent Namazi,
I'm ONI Inspector General Akhil Ali.
ONI! Stop!
Thought maybe you could use some help.
This is how you help?
By letting him crash into you?
Does it look okay?
It's almost sundown.
Do you want to break fast together?
Yeah. I'd love that.
Come on, I know a place.
You're a soldier.
You always have been,
you always will be.
What are you saying?
I'm saying, when you're
ready to put that drink down,
I will find you a job, soldier,
one befitting who you really are.
Kensi?
Kensi, you got to wake up.
Kensi.
Kensi, you got to get up!
Kensi, come on!
Come on!
Kensi, you got to get up now!
Come on.
Kensi, wake up!
This feels so very wrong.
You know what to do, Fatima.
Establish your base.
Are you sure I'm not hurting her?
It's not personal.
Good. Now drop your hips.
Fire.
- Do what?
- It's not personal.
Beautiful.
Yes. Beautiful.
Okay, that's good for today.
Great job, Fatima.
Thanks, Jeremy. It was an awesome class.
Uh, by the way, congrats on
opening up the second location.
I heard you guys are
blowing up over there.
It's been crazy.
We hired seven new instructors.
Herbie's a man on a mission
right now to grow this company.
Just don't forget to come back
and see us, okay?
We love working with you guys.
Your agency's the first
to give us a chance,
so we won't forget that.
Uh, what about me, Coach?
How'd I do?
You, uh
stopped making
those weird squeaking sounds
whenever you were grabbed.
So, how do you feel?
I can't yet.
My entire body is still numb,
even my teeth.
Well, I'd say for
your first self-defense class,
you did better than expected.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah. Keep it up and, uh,
soon you'll be
taking down a fleeing suspect
without breaking your nose.
I deserve that.
It was a nice morning,
all things considered.
Yeah, it was.
We should do it again.
- I'd love to.
- Cool.
But maybe next time, uh,
we can just go for a walk.
I think I can do that.
I have to go, uh
- I guess I'll
- We should get dinner tonight.
Unless your teeth aren't up for it?
Huh.
Look at that, feeling better already.
I'll pick you up later.
Great.
Can't do anything about it, G.
It's genetics.
Still doesn't give you
the right to be a bully.
How am I being a bully?
I'm just using the seat
the way it was designed.
Oh.
So, now you're blaming your
bullying on a design flaw?
That-That's interesting.
Three seats, four armrests.
One passenger is supposed
to get two armrests.
Simple math.
Is finding things to complain about
also part of your genetics?
Come on. What's going on?
It's my first time leaving my dad alone.
He's not gonna be alone.
He's gonna be with his caretaker.
Constance.
Right. You told me
that since she got there
things have never been better.
It's true.
But I'm also close enough to
come home if anything happens.
I can't do that
when I'm across the country.
So take him with you.
I'm sure he'd like to see Aiden.
That's out of the question.
Okay, then you just need to trust
that everything is gonna be okay.
'Cause if you don't,
it's gonna drive you crazy,
and then you're gonna drive
everyone else crazy.
And then you're gonna become your dad.
Don't even joke about that.
I don't joke about the truth.
It's not true.
I'm not turning into my father.
All right, looks like we have a case.
Uh, follow me, Mr. Hanna.
Hey, guys, what do we got?
Well, we received a call from ONI
about a missing Navy nuclear submariner.
Lieutenant Zahra Mahmad
is assigned to a fleet
anti-submarine warfare
training center in Point Loma,
but she spent the last two years
at a defense contractor in El Segundo.
What's she been working on?
Her team's been developing
a new anti-detection technology
for the Navy's nuclear subs.
Access to technology like that
can make you a target.
When was the last time someone saw her?
According to her CO,
she left early yesterday afternoon
for personal reasons.
He realized last night
she wasn't returning any phone calls
or texts, she didn't
check in the next day.
Her phone was offline,
so he figured there was a problem.
It's been less than 24 hours.
There may be a legitimate reason
why she's not responding.
How do we know she's actually missing?
Well, we don't.
But given her position
and access to classified intel,
ONI is not taking any chances.
Has anybody been over there
to check on her?
LAPD did a welfare check
this morning at her home.
She wasn't there.
She does have family nearby.
Her parents live in Northridge,
where she grew up.
They own a restaurant
that serves Afghan cuisine,
and the entire menu is in Dari.
Has anyone notified the family?
Not that I can tell.
All right, Sam and I will go
speak to her CO, see if we can
Actually, uh,
Admiral Kilbride is on his way
to the boatshed to talk to them now.
Okay, then we'll, uh,
head over to her house.
See if LAPD missed something.
And, Fatima, since you speak Dari,
why don't you go with Kensi
and Deeks to talk to the family?
Even if they don't know where she is,
they may know something
that could lead us to her.
Yeah. Copy that.
Thank you, Agent Castor.
I'll take it from here.
You got it, Admiral.
Captain Alonso.
As you were.
Vice Admiral Hunt speaks
very highly of you.
The vice admiral is being kind.
Vice Admiral Hunt is many things.
Kind is not one of them.
I trust that the compliment is
as genuine as it is well-deserved.
You don't seem to agree.
I've never been good
with compliments, Admiral.
Hmm.
Well, those with childhoods
like yours often aren't.
They never feel quite deserving enough.
You read my file.
The thing about compliments is,
the more you embrace them,
the more you start to believe them.
I've carried an edge with me
my whole life.
It's what got me here.
I won't allow it to be dulled.
NCIS could use a leader of your caliber.
My understanding is, OMS is gonna be
looking for a new CO soon.
Love to have you aboard.
Thank you, Admiral.
I'll consider that.
Now tell me about Lieutenant Mahmad.
From what I read in her file,
she's everything you'd want
in a subordinate.
It's true.
I've never seen someone perform
at a level like Lieutenant Mahmad.
She's one of the hardest
workers I've ever been around.
And yet suddenly she has gone missing.
Now,
why do I get the feeling
that there is more to this
than the Navy has let on?
I now see why you and
Vice Admiral Hunt are so close.
You two think alike.
Last week Lieutenant Mahmad
was involved in a briefing
on a top secret recon mission.
And this is where you tell me
that you are not authorized
to divulge the details
of that mission.
My hands are tied, Admiral.
And this is where I tell you
to untie them.
I will not have
my team out there flying blind.
That's how mistakes get made.
All I can say
is that the Navy is prepared
to do whatever it takes
to see this mission through
one way or another.
I can read between lines, Captain,
but I cannot read minds.
If the mission has been compromised,
instead of sending in stealth
submarines to obtain the intel,
it'll be SEAL Team TWO
sent into hostile territory.
Just how hostile are we talking about?
Suicide mission.
Your team has 12 hours
to find Lieutenant Mahmad,
or that SEAL Team is going in.
Garage is clear.
No cameras either.
No sign of forced entry or any struggle.
- Yeah.
- Well, if something happened to Zahra,
it doesn't look like it happened here.
We don't even know
if she came home yesterday.
Aha.
What is it?
A safe.
Warrant doesn't cover that.
Yeah.
Uhp.
Rountree found
a Suspicious Activity Report
filed in Zahra's bank account yesterday.
She cashed out over $20,000.
When was the last time you made
a large transaction in cash?
I haven't.
Check, wire, credit card.
Secure,
easier to carry,
easier to trace.
So maybe she wanted to disappear.
$20,000 isn't gonna last forever.
She'd have to figure out
a way to find more money.
Well, maybe she's selling
military secrets?
I think it's time
for Rountree to make a call
and get that warrant expanded.
What is that?
Something smells amazing.
Oh, I love Afghan food.
- Have you ever had it?
- Evidently not like this.
I am missing out.
Oh, my gosh. Look at that.
Mm. Start with the aushak,
and then you got to get
the Kabuli pulao.
Ooh, and the kebabs.
You have to try the kebabs.
all the above.
There's Zahra's mom.
Hi. I am Special Agent Kensi Blye.
This is Investigator Deeks.
This is Special Agent Namazi.
We're with NCIS.
I'm wondering if we could
ask you a few questions.
My apologies.
My wife's cooking is amazing.
Her English, not so good.
Huh. I got the exact opposite problem.
My wife's English
Cooking?
I'm joking. He knows I'm joking.
My name is Ahmad.
How can I help you?
Uh, as I said, uh, we are from NCIS.
Uh, your daughter Zahra
was reported missing this morning.
We were wondering if you had any idea
where she might be.
When is the last time either
one of you had contact with her?
Uh, Saturday.
Uh, Zahra came over
to our house for dinner.
Did you notice anything unusual
about her behavior?
No. She was her normal self.
Did she say anything that may suggest
she might be in trouble?
No, no, nothing like that.
She was happy.
I'm sorry, just a,
just a few more questions.
Zahra has a, has a brother, yeah?
Yes. He's, uh, studying in London
for his master's degree.
Are they close?
Yes, of course.
We are all very close.
Family is everything to us.
I'm sorry, is there anyone else
who could have information about Zahra?
Yeah.
About 30 years ago,
before the war in Afghanistan,
we were forced
from our homes by the Taliban.
Our families fled to Pakistan,
but my wife and I decided to come here
to chase our dream
of having a restaurant in America
and raising our children
where they would be safe from violence.
Yeah, I'm so sorry.
I know this is difficult. I really do.
Zahra is our only daughter.
Please find her
and bring her back home to us.
Mina.
There's something about Zahra's
brother they're not telling us.
It was the way the mother
reacted when we asked about him.
We didn't even say his name.
Does that mean she can speak English?
She definitely knew what we were saying.
Then why act like she didn't?
Like, her daughter is missing.
We're just trying to find her.
I mean, it might have
nothing to do with Zahra.
It's possible she just doesn't trust us.
And I get it.
My parents were immigrants.
They probably would've
done the same thing.
It took me joining NCIS for them
to finally trust law enforcement.
And they live in Beverly Hills.
It's Kilbride. He wants me back in Ops.
Doesn't seem like he's
in a good mood either.
Oh, that's just baseline Kilbride.
Like "resting Kilbride mood."
You see what I, see
what I did right there?
No, but unfortunately I heard it.
We should definitely head back to Ops
and dig into Zahra's brother.
See if what you're saying
is true for them, too.
How's it going over there?
Fine.
Need any help?
I'm good.
Okay.
I'll just be over here.
Hmm?
You don't think I can crack
this safe, do you?
I'm just hoping you have it open
by, you know, Christmas.
That's something your dad would say.
I don't even know why I try.
I don't either, but it's fun.
Hmm.
Insurance card, vehicle registration,
toll road transponder.
All things that should be in her car.
Well, maybe she sold it
to free up more cash.
Or maybe a friend borrowed it
or it's in the shop. You know what?
I'll have Rountree run a Kaleidoscope.
Check out all the mechanics
and body shops,
in case she took it in.
Who knows?
By the time he gets back to us,
maybe you'll even have the
You were saying?
You want a trophy?
Looks like a bunch of jewelry.
There's no cash.
There's an old watch,
a bunch of family heirlooms.
All portable and sentimental.
If she was trying to disappear,
those are things she
would have taken with her.
She definitely would've taken this.
Maybe she was kidnapped.
Or she wants us to think she was.
Hey, guys.
I just went through
Zahra's phone records.
Mostly calls from her family, but
she's been talking to someone else.
A guy named Ted Brown.
I'm seeing daily calls
over the past seven months,
including yesterday morning.
Boyfriend?
Kens and Deeks would have told us
if the parents had mentioned
a boyfriend.
Well, maybe she didn't want to tell
her parents about it
until it got more serious.
Or she knew they wouldn't
approve. I just found out
that Ted has a sealed juvie
record and a ton of debt.
Everything from credit cards
to high-interest student loans.
If that's why she took out the
money, she may be helping him.
Or he's extorting her.
I just got my ass chewed
by the Undersecretary of the Navy.
I don't like getting my ass chewed.
Makes it uncomfortable to sit.
So tell me we have made some progress
in finding Lieutenant Mahmad.
Well, we figured out why no
one's been able to locate her car.
It's 'cause it's been at a
mechanic's shop since last weekend.
How's she getting around?
The shop gave her a loaner.
We ran the plates.
The car pulled into a
parking structure downtown
about three hours after
she left the bank yesterday.
And where is it now?
Still there. Callen and Sam
are on their way to check it out.
All right. What about this boyfriend?
Have we talked to him?
Kensi and Deeks
just pulled up to his house.
All right,
we have got less than eight hours
to find Lieutenant Mahmad,
and there's still
too much we don't know.
Now, you get me some answers
before I have nothing left to sit on.
Yes, sir.
You haven't said anything
since we left the restaurant.
Still thinking about Afghan food?
No. I mean, yes, but that's
not what's bothering me.
Okay, what is it?
I just keep thinking
about what Fatima said,
about her parents not
trusting law enforcement.
They lived in one of the
wealthiest zip codes in America.
And that's how they felt.
Think about what Rosa's
gonna have to deal with.
Yeah, but Rosa has us to help her.
Yeah, but we're not
always gonna be around.
No, I know, but
all we can do is
prepare her as best we can,
and then it's up to her.
- Kens?
- Yep, I see it.
Door's busted.
That's not good.
Kens?
He's got a pulse.
Rountree, we need an ambulance now.
Building manager said no one reported
seeing or hearing anything
suspicious yesterday.
He's gonna try and get us
a copy of the security footage.
- What do you got?
- Car's clean.
Except for this.
Found this under the seat.
"Roger. 8 Broad"?
Roger could be a name.
Someone she came here to meet.
"8 Broad" could be 8th and Broadway.
That's only a couple blocks from here.
Well, let's see what's near there.
Here we go, currency exchange
near 8th and Broadway.
So she brought $20,000
in cash to a business
that is known for being exploited
by criminals to launder money?
If someone named Roger is working there,
he's got some explaining to do.
And here I thought
getting you back in the saddle
was gonna be a good thing.
I think I clean up pretty well, Admiral.
No, I wasn't talking
about the jacket and tie.
Ooh.
They call it kombucha.
God bless you.
It's supposed to clear up
the bad bacteria in the gut.
Isn't that what prune juice is for?
At least prune juice tastes
like something edible.
This stuff tastes
like flavored battery acid.
So how are things at the Space Force?
No one's shooting lasers at Martians,
if that's what you're asking.
I got no complaints.
Except for a shorter title.
Director of Warfare Integration
at the Space Systems Command
doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.
Yeah, just have 'em call you "boss."
Feels good to be alive again.
They don't see this or this.
They see this.
And this.
Make sure they don't see that.
So what's this all about?
Did you get your security
clearance reinstated yet?
As of last month.
So why do I get the feeling this visit
wasn't to see if I'm still sober?
Well, um,
because it isn't.
I am running into roadblocks
with the Navy
trying to get information about a
top secret mission.
And because I now have access
to sensitive compartmented
information across
all branches of the military
I know that you don't owe me
or your country any debt
You gonna keep blabbering
or are you gonna tell me
what the hell you need me to do?
Thanks.
Hey, what'd the hospital say?
Ted is in a coma. It's touch and go.
But they'll call us if he wakes up.
- Is that his cell phone?
- I think so.
Found it under the couch, smashed.
Obviously somebody didn't
want him using it.
Well, hopefully
the SIM card is not destroyed
and we can get a clue off of it.
Um, any witnesses?
Um, just a crazy woman walking
around the neighborhood
with a Howdy Doody puppet on her hand,
asking if she could braid my hair.
- Okay, that is a lot to unpack.
- That's what I said.
On a positive note, though,
she did say there was
an SUV blocking her driveway yesterday.
She reported it, so I'm having
Rountree track it down.
Okay.
So
tortured and left for dead.
Yeah, this definitely feels personal.
Ted owed a lot of money.
Maybe someone called in that debt.
That would explain
Zahra's cash withdrawal.
Right? They hold Ted hostage.
She pays for his release.
Or he was tortured to get to her.
I mean, if somebody
wanted to find Zahra,
what better way than to go
through her boyfriend?
And for that, he gets tied up and beaten
to within an inch of his life.
I mean, look,
it's obvious how much he loved her.
He would do anything to protect her.
Even risk his own life.
So I guess the question is,
did they get what they came for?
Fatima has the parking
garage security footage.
She's going through that now.
What can I do you for, fellas?
- Roger?
- Yeah.
We're investigating
the disappearance of a naval lieutenant
by the name of Zahra Mahmad?
She may have come in here yesterday.
Uh, never seen her before.
You mind if we see the security cameras?
Oh, I don't got any.
- You know, Big Brother and everything?
- Ah.
Mm-hmm.
So that, uh
fake plant here
that's not a camera?
I read that plants reduce stress.
Even the fake ones.
Mm-hmm, let me guess.
This just tells time?
Well, punctuality is
the politeness of kings.
Wow.
And that owl that's just watching me?
Got a mind of its own.
I think there's something
on these cameras
he doesn't want us to see.
And I'm still wondering why
Zahra passed by a dozen
currency exchanges on her way here.
What's so special about this place?
Customer service?
No, I think it has something
to do with the note
that we found in her car.
You mean the one with Roger's
name on it?
That's the one.
And the fact that her car is still here,
that would mean that Roger
was the last person to see her
before she disappeared.
All right, hold on a second, fellas.
That makes him a potential accessory
to the kidnapping of a Navy officer.
Okay, okay. I met with her.
She came in about a week ago. So what?
What did she want?
I have what you might call
a side hustle.
For people who want
to send money overseas
but don't want
Uncle Sam knowing about it.
You're a hawala broker?
You say that as if it's illegal.
It is if you're not
licensed and registered.
Or if you're not reporting the income.
Can we get back
to your line of questioning?
Who'd she send it to?
Well, that's the beauty
of hawala I don't get names.
I only know it's someone in Pakistan.
How much did she give you?
Nothing. She was supposed to
show up here yesterday with the money
but never made it.
Hey, anything on the SUV
parked outside of Ted's house?
Yes. Do you want the good news first?
I hate this game. Sure.
I found the SUV. It's a rental.
Okay. Bad news?
Can't trace the guy who rented it.
He used cash and a fake ID.
What? What kind of car rental
agency accepts cash?
The kind that rents SUVs to criminals.
Okay, so it's not really
good news, only bad news.
Yeah, but these guys aren't really
giving us much to go off of.
I mean, all we know is
where they picked up the SUV.
But they probably didn't drive
themselves to pick it up, right?
They may have been dropped off?
I'm gonna check with taxi companies,
and rideshare services
and see if they dropped any
passengers there.
Okay.
Zahra has family in Pakistan.
Maybe that's who she was
sending the money to.
Except the kidnappers got to her first.
- Must have followed her here.
- Or knew she was coming.
Hey, Callen, Sam?
Looks like Zahra's kidnappers are
the same guys who got to Ted.
They grabbed her right after she parked,
threw her into the SUV, and sped off.
Did you get a look at 'em?
Two guys and a driver all wearing masks.
These guys were fast,
efficient, and organized.
Zahra didn't stand a chance.
Sound like professionals.
Whoever they are,
they were well-armed
when they took Zahra.
So it looks like whoever beat up
Ted also kidnapped Zahra.
Rountree's still working
on getting an ID.
Damn it!
Careful, you don't want
to Pretty Woman that thing.
"Slippery little suckers."
- You want to give it a shot?
- No, I don't.
- Okay, what a gentleman.
- Hey.
Hey.
Oh, you know what movie scene
this totally reminds me of?
- "Slippery little suckers."
- Yes. I'm all about the classics.
- Hmm.
- Didn't realize I was performing
for Siskel and Ebert.
Don't hate the players, hate the game.
That doesn't even make any sense.
Sweetheart, here, why don't you try?
- Okay, fine, I will.
- Good luck.
Okay. What do you have?
So, I was finally able to get in
touch with Zahra's brother Omar.
Who is in London at university?
Not anymore. The school says
he dropped out last year.
He's been living
in San Francisco ever since.
Well, that is weird. You'd think
his parents would've mentioned
that little nugget.
Yeah, I don't think they know.
Omar says he hasn't talked
to them in years.
Okay, but his dad said
that they are very close. What happened?
He wouldn't get into specifics,
but it's clear
it all stems from their
different views on Islam.
Now, the parents believe in
a strict adherence
to the Koran, and any deviation
from it is a violation of Islamic law.
Omar says he used to be beaten as a kid
for being "too Westernized."
Okay,
I think we need to go back
to the restaurant
and talk to the parents.
I'm gonna take Fatima with me
in case just the mother's there
and she decides not
to speak English again.
Do you mind staying behind
and digging into the parents?
Copy that.
Let me just get this, uh,
- SIM card out.
- Yeah, no.
How's that working out for you?
Yeah, that's not how you do it.
- I'm doing great.
- Oh, no.
- I'm so sorry.
- You guys, I'm doing great. I'm fine.
I don't need your yeah.
I got! No, I don't have it.
Yo! Weren't you the last one to use
that tiny flathead screwdriver?
Huh? Wait, what?
Who's that?
Meet your SUV renter.
Muhammad Hasan.
He's from Texas. How'd you find him?
Well, it's kind of a long story.
- Oh.
- The rental agency
didn't require a credit card.
But I was able to find
the rideshare vehicle
he was dropped off in, and
they did require a credit card.
Oh, that's good So guess what I did.
- No. TMI.
- I went ahead and
Way TMI.
Just what's the connection
between this guy, and Ted and Zahra?
Uh, I haven't found one yet.
- Hmm.
- Except religion.
- Tell me more.
- All right, so
Zahra's Muslim, and Hasan has been
a member of an ultra-conservative
Islamic sect.
I was able to trace his email back
to a series of online
message board posts.
All of these were made
within the last year.
So he broke off to form
an Islamist militia group
with other members of the sect.
You think they're after
Zahra for the Navy intel?
I think we have to assume
so until we learn otherwise.
But, regardless, we need
to ID the other two men
that are with him, so you
know what we should do?
Put in a call
to the FBI office in Dallas
and see if they can tell us
anything about these two guys
and/or the militia group.
- We need to hurry.
- Why?
Hasan's credit card
was used to book a round trip
flight from Houston to L.A.
He landed three days ago
and he's leaving tonight.
So whatever they came to do,
they're finishing it today.
Copy that.
Looks like Zahra's kidnappers
may have ties
to an Islamist militia group in Texas.
Well, it makes sense. They're trained.
Still not seeing the connection
to her work with the Navy.
I'm not sure that it is or that it has
any connection to the recon mission.
Your instincts are spot-on, gentlemen.
The mission is to obtain intel
on Russian military activity
in the Arctic.
The Navy believes that Russia may be
trying to stage nuclear weapons
across the region,
and for obvious reasons
they need to know if that is true.
And what was Zahra's involvement?
It was limited to discussions
of the capabilities
of the anti-detection technology
that her team came up with.
She was never made aware
of the details of the mission.
So the militia group is after
her for some other reason.
How did you find this out?
How do I find anything out,
Agent Callen?
Now, our case
may not be the Navy's mission,
but our mission remains:
get Lieutenant Mahmad back alive.
Clock is ticking.
Godspeed.
Tell me you're having
better luck than we are.
Well, I don't know about that,
but I just found out
that Zahra's father booked a hotel suite
in Islamabad, Pakistan
for later this year.
Evidently he's going
to some sort of wedding.
- Who's getting married?
- I don't know.
I'm looking into that now.
But it's somebody close
to a man named Bashir Khan.
Because he is paying for everything.
- Never heard of him.
- Yeah, well, neither had I.
I looked him up. He owns the biggest
farm equipment manufacturer in Pakistan.
Wait a minute, this can't be right.
The wedding invite has
Khan's son marrying Zahra.
Well, I think when Ted wakes up,
he may have a little something
to say about that.
You think that's why
they tried to kill him?
That he was in the way?
You think that Khan is behind all this?
No.
So what are you thinking?
Zahra's Muslim.
Ted's not.
Under traditional Islamic law,
she can't marry him. It's not allowed.
But arranged marriages are.
This could be the
parents' way of ensuring
she marries a Muslim.
They may have hired the kidnappers
to take her back to Pakistan.
Except she wasn't on board
with that plan for some strange reason.
I bet that's what the money was for.
Khan's a businessman.
Zahra was trying to buy her freedom.
If she refused the marriage,
it could be seen
as dishonoring her family.
They'd be shunned
by the whole community.
Unless they restored their honor.
What, are you kidding me?
You, you think this is an honor killing?
As far as we know, Zahra's still alive.
But that could change if
we don't find her fast.
Where are Fatima and Kensi?
They should be at the restaurant.
Whoa.
- Oh, my gosh.
- What?
Give them the heads up
the parents may be
in on this, tell 'em
we're on our way there.
Absolutely, I'm coming with you.
No, you are not, Mr. Deeks.
I need you there until I return.
- No, no, Admiral
- It's not a request.
Hello?
Rountree, we need an ambulance now.
-
- DEEKS: Kensi, Fatima, be on alert.
The parents may be involved.
There might be someone else here.
Federal agents.
Drop your weapon now.
You first.
Uh, Callen, Sam?
What do you got, Rountree?
The FBI sent over a list
of those militia group members.
You know the guy who flew over
to kidnap Zahra,
Muhammad Hasan? It's her cousin.
- You sure about that?
- Yeah.
And she's got two more cousins
in the same militia group.
Were they on that flight?
Trust me.
You won't even get one round off.
Yes.
I won't need to.
Muhammad?
It doesn't have to be like this.
Kensi, Fatima, we're ten minutes out.
Damn it, they don't have ten minutes!
I won't ask again.
- Drop your weapons!
- All right!
Okay.
Okay.
- What happened?
- Kensi, Fatima, do you copy?
Son of a bitch.
Kensi!
Go ahead, Rountree.
So, I'm showing that the Audi
is still parked at
the restaurant, but Kensi
and Fatima's trackers went
offline about a mile from there.
They're on the move.
Zahra's cousins must have found
the trackers and dumped them.
Yo, this shouldn't have happened.
Hey, you're right, okay?
But if we lose our heads
we're not gonna find them.
Rountree, which direction did they go?
Uh, south, towards the 10.
And the 110 also technically the 5.
There's no way of knowing
where these guys are going.
They're headed to wherever
they've been keeping Zahra.
But we don't know where that is.
I got something the cousins'
father, Zahra's uncle.
He owns a junkyard business in Pakistan.
But he just bought two
locations in the U.S.,
one in Wilmington, near Long Beach.
That's got to be it.
Send us the address.
Done.
Hold on.
Come on, Kensi, wake up!
Wake up!
They got to be in that car.
Then they don't have much time.
Okay, okay.
Guys, we're gonna get you out of there.
Callen!
Damn it.
No, Deeks!
- Mr. Deeks.
- Not this time, Admiral.
You'll never make it.
But if Agents Callen and Hanna
are able to reach them,
they will still need to find
a way to put that fire out.
I only see two of 'em.
The other one's got to be with Zahra.
There's got to be a fire
extinguisher around here somewhere.
Okay, the main building
has a back entrance.
There's a fire extinguisher
right inside that door.
That's around this corner.
We got to go now.
Cover me. Cover me.
Jammed!
Damn it!
No, no!
Fatima, Kensi,
you got to get out of there!
Kensi?
Kensi, wake up.
This car's about to blow.
Come on.
Oh, my God.
It's at the gas tank.
I see 'em! They're okay!
Thank God.
Don't thank him yet.
That's Zahra.
We can't let them get to the SUV.
As soon as he sees us, he'll shoot us.
Well, then we won't let him see us.
Get up!
Hey!
You're about to get
your ass kicked by a woman.
Bitch.
Zahra, you're okay. We got you.
You're okay, we got you.
Come on, come on.
You're safe now.
It's okay.
And they freakin' sent
a search party looking for me.
Ridiculous.
After all that time,
where'd they find you?
Walking out of the latrine.
- And what'd you tell 'em?
- The truth.
It was the kombucha.
I should get out of here.
Otherwise
we'll end up in a bar.
Those days are behind me.
Listen, Colonel.
I know what a risk you took
getting that information, for me.
It's not something I take for granted.
I only have something to risk
because of you, Admiral.
I got your back.
Always.
What do we know?
Long Beach PD found texts
between Lieutenant Mahmad's cousins
and her uncle in Pakistan.
Looks like he was the one
pulling the strings.
- Her parents had nothing to do with it.
- Wow.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Can we never do that again?
Just shut up and hold me, please.
How is Zahra?
A little shaken up,
but, uh, she'll be all right.
She's at the hospital with Ted.
He's awake now and expected to make
- a full recovery.
- Good, good.
- I'm glad to hear that.
- Yeah.
Finally news that's only good.
What?
Never mind. I'm just gonna go finish up.
Where is Fatima?
What a day, huh?
Yeah, it's definitely one
of those that'll stick with you.
I just still can't get over
the fact that Zahra's own family
tried to have her killed, and for what?
Because she wanted to be
with someone she loved
instead of a complete
and total stranger?
Yeah, and all in the name of honor.
No, that's not honor. That's fear.
Thought you might like to know,
the recon mission went off
without a hitch.
All indications are
that it was a success.
So now that it's all over,
you want to tell us
how you found out about it?
I turned to an old friend.
Hetty?
I said friend.
You want to, want to unpack that?
What is that?
Oh, what, this? This is the,
the bane of my existence.
The thorn in my flesh.
The proverbial
You didn't get the SIM card out either.
I got the SIM card out.
It was so badly damaged,
I could only read
the last text that Ted sent.
Yeah, what'd it say?
He told Zahra he loved her.
- Hmm.
- Well
I don't mean to burst
the, uh, love bubble,
but, uh, I'm really hungry.
You want some Afghan food?
I would love some kebabs.
In.
Kebabs, and then can we go down
the whole list of all
the things I can't describe
but my belly wants them?
I've spent
a lot of time staring out at this water,
searching for answers.
Any tips?
I'm coming up empty.
You doing okay?
Physically? Yeah.
Emotionally, mentally and spiritually?
I don't know how to answer that.
Well, you don't need
to have the answers.
Not right now.
I just
I keep thinking about
all the women out there
not allowed to make
their own life choices.
What to wear.
Who to marry.
What they can and can't do
with their own bodies.
Freedom of thought, freedom of choice.
It's terrifying to some people.
It's not fair.
The world will never be fair.
But it could be better.
Good things are happening.
Even though it doesn't
always feel like it.
I just wish they would happen faster.
Progress is neither swift
nor easy.
I can come back.
No, no, no, stay.
I got an early flight. I need to pack.
Give it time.
The answers will come.
Rough day?
You could say that.
There's always tomorrow.
Yeah.
I know.
Do you still feel like dinner?
Yeah, yeah.
Just, um
- will you just give me a minute?
- Yeah.
Take as long as you need.
Agent Namazi,
I'm ONI Inspector General Akhil Ali.
ONI! Stop!
Thought maybe you could use some help.
This is how you help?
By letting him crash into you?
Does it look okay?
It's almost sundown.
Do you want to break fast together?
Yeah. I'd love that.
Come on, I know a place.
You're a soldier.
You always have been,
you always will be.
What are you saying?
I'm saying, when you're
ready to put that drink down,
I will find you a job, soldier,
one befitting who you really are.
Kensi?
Kensi, you got to wake up.
Kensi.
Kensi, you got to get up!
Kensi, come on!
Come on!
Kensi, you got to get up now!
Come on.
Kensi, wake up!
This feels so very wrong.
You know what to do, Fatima.
Establish your base.
Are you sure I'm not hurting her?
It's not personal.
Good. Now drop your hips.
Fire.
- Do what?
- It's not personal.
Beautiful.
Yes. Beautiful.
Okay, that's good for today.
Great job, Fatima.
Thanks, Jeremy. It was an awesome class.
Uh, by the way, congrats on
opening up the second location.
I heard you guys are
blowing up over there.
It's been crazy.
We hired seven new instructors.
Herbie's a man on a mission
right now to grow this company.
Just don't forget to come back
and see us, okay?
We love working with you guys.
Your agency's the first
to give us a chance,
so we won't forget that.
Uh, what about me, Coach?
How'd I do?
You, uh
stopped making
those weird squeaking sounds
whenever you were grabbed.
So, how do you feel?
I can't yet.
My entire body is still numb,
even my teeth.
Well, I'd say for
your first self-defense class,
you did better than expected.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah. Keep it up and, uh,
soon you'll be
taking down a fleeing suspect
without breaking your nose.
I deserve that.
It was a nice morning,
all things considered.
Yeah, it was.
We should do it again.
- I'd love to.
- Cool.
But maybe next time, uh,
we can just go for a walk.
I think I can do that.
I have to go, uh
- I guess I'll
- We should get dinner tonight.
Unless your teeth aren't up for it?
Huh.
Look at that, feeling better already.
I'll pick you up later.
Great.
Can't do anything about it, G.
It's genetics.
Still doesn't give you
the right to be a bully.
How am I being a bully?
I'm just using the seat
the way it was designed.
Oh.
So, now you're blaming your
bullying on a design flaw?
That-That's interesting.
Three seats, four armrests.
One passenger is supposed
to get two armrests.
Simple math.
Is finding things to complain about
also part of your genetics?
Come on. What's going on?
It's my first time leaving my dad alone.
He's not gonna be alone.
He's gonna be with his caretaker.
Constance.
Right. You told me
that since she got there
things have never been better.
It's true.
But I'm also close enough to
come home if anything happens.
I can't do that
when I'm across the country.
So take him with you.
I'm sure he'd like to see Aiden.
That's out of the question.
Okay, then you just need to trust
that everything is gonna be okay.
'Cause if you don't,
it's gonna drive you crazy,
and then you're gonna drive
everyone else crazy.
And then you're gonna become your dad.
Don't even joke about that.
I don't joke about the truth.
It's not true.
I'm not turning into my father.
All right, looks like we have a case.
Uh, follow me, Mr. Hanna.
Hey, guys, what do we got?
Well, we received a call from ONI
about a missing Navy nuclear submariner.
Lieutenant Zahra Mahmad
is assigned to a fleet
anti-submarine warfare
training center in Point Loma,
but she spent the last two years
at a defense contractor in El Segundo.
What's she been working on?
Her team's been developing
a new anti-detection technology
for the Navy's nuclear subs.
Access to technology like that
can make you a target.
When was the last time someone saw her?
According to her CO,
she left early yesterday afternoon
for personal reasons.
He realized last night
she wasn't returning any phone calls
or texts, she didn't
check in the next day.
Her phone was offline,
so he figured there was a problem.
It's been less than 24 hours.
There may be a legitimate reason
why she's not responding.
How do we know she's actually missing?
Well, we don't.
But given her position
and access to classified intel,
ONI is not taking any chances.
Has anybody been over there
to check on her?
LAPD did a welfare check
this morning at her home.
She wasn't there.
She does have family nearby.
Her parents live in Northridge,
where she grew up.
They own a restaurant
that serves Afghan cuisine,
and the entire menu is in Dari.
Has anyone notified the family?
Not that I can tell.
All right, Sam and I will go
speak to her CO, see if we can
Actually, uh,
Admiral Kilbride is on his way
to the boatshed to talk to them now.
Okay, then we'll, uh,
head over to her house.
See if LAPD missed something.
And, Fatima, since you speak Dari,
why don't you go with Kensi
and Deeks to talk to the family?
Even if they don't know where she is,
they may know something
that could lead us to her.
Yeah. Copy that.
Thank you, Agent Castor.
I'll take it from here.
You got it, Admiral.
Captain Alonso.
As you were.
Vice Admiral Hunt speaks
very highly of you.
The vice admiral is being kind.
Vice Admiral Hunt is many things.
Kind is not one of them.
I trust that the compliment is
as genuine as it is well-deserved.
You don't seem to agree.
I've never been good
with compliments, Admiral.
Hmm.
Well, those with childhoods
like yours often aren't.
They never feel quite deserving enough.
You read my file.
The thing about compliments is,
the more you embrace them,
the more you start to believe them.
I've carried an edge with me
my whole life.
It's what got me here.
I won't allow it to be dulled.
NCIS could use a leader of your caliber.
My understanding is, OMS is gonna be
looking for a new CO soon.
Love to have you aboard.
Thank you, Admiral.
I'll consider that.
Now tell me about Lieutenant Mahmad.
From what I read in her file,
she's everything you'd want
in a subordinate.
It's true.
I've never seen someone perform
at a level like Lieutenant Mahmad.
She's one of the hardest
workers I've ever been around.
And yet suddenly she has gone missing.
Now,
why do I get the feeling
that there is more to this
than the Navy has let on?
I now see why you and
Vice Admiral Hunt are so close.
You two think alike.
Last week Lieutenant Mahmad
was involved in a briefing
on a top secret recon mission.
And this is where you tell me
that you are not authorized
to divulge the details
of that mission.
My hands are tied, Admiral.
And this is where I tell you
to untie them.
I will not have
my team out there flying blind.
That's how mistakes get made.
All I can say
is that the Navy is prepared
to do whatever it takes
to see this mission through
one way or another.
I can read between lines, Captain,
but I cannot read minds.
If the mission has been compromised,
instead of sending in stealth
submarines to obtain the intel,
it'll be SEAL Team TWO
sent into hostile territory.
Just how hostile are we talking about?
Suicide mission.
Your team has 12 hours
to find Lieutenant Mahmad,
or that SEAL Team is going in.
Garage is clear.
No cameras either.
No sign of forced entry or any struggle.
- Yeah.
- Well, if something happened to Zahra,
it doesn't look like it happened here.
We don't even know
if she came home yesterday.
Aha.
What is it?
A safe.
Warrant doesn't cover that.
Yeah.
Uhp.
Rountree found
a Suspicious Activity Report
filed in Zahra's bank account yesterday.
She cashed out over $20,000.
When was the last time you made
a large transaction in cash?
I haven't.
Check, wire, credit card.
Secure,
easier to carry,
easier to trace.
So maybe she wanted to disappear.
$20,000 isn't gonna last forever.
She'd have to figure out
a way to find more money.
Well, maybe she's selling
military secrets?
I think it's time
for Rountree to make a call
and get that warrant expanded.
What is that?
Something smells amazing.
Oh, I love Afghan food.
- Have you ever had it?
- Evidently not like this.
I am missing out.
Oh, my gosh. Look at that.
Mm. Start with the aushak,
and then you got to get
the Kabuli pulao.
Ooh, and the kebabs.
You have to try the kebabs.
all the above.
There's Zahra's mom.
Hi. I am Special Agent Kensi Blye.
This is Investigator Deeks.
This is Special Agent Namazi.
We're with NCIS.
I'm wondering if we could
ask you a few questions.
My apologies.
My wife's cooking is amazing.
Her English, not so good.
Huh. I got the exact opposite problem.
My wife's English
Cooking?
I'm joking. He knows I'm joking.
My name is Ahmad.
How can I help you?
Uh, as I said, uh, we are from NCIS.
Uh, your daughter Zahra
was reported missing this morning.
We were wondering if you had any idea
where she might be.
When is the last time either
one of you had contact with her?
Uh, Saturday.
Uh, Zahra came over
to our house for dinner.
Did you notice anything unusual
about her behavior?
No. She was her normal self.
Did she say anything that may suggest
she might be in trouble?
No, no, nothing like that.
She was happy.
I'm sorry, just a,
just a few more questions.
Zahra has a, has a brother, yeah?
Yes. He's, uh, studying in London
for his master's degree.
Are they close?
Yes, of course.
We are all very close.
Family is everything to us.
I'm sorry, is there anyone else
who could have information about Zahra?
Yeah.
About 30 years ago,
before the war in Afghanistan,
we were forced
from our homes by the Taliban.
Our families fled to Pakistan,
but my wife and I decided to come here
to chase our dream
of having a restaurant in America
and raising our children
where they would be safe from violence.
Yeah, I'm so sorry.
I know this is difficult. I really do.
Zahra is our only daughter.
Please find her
and bring her back home to us.
Mina.
There's something about Zahra's
brother they're not telling us.
It was the way the mother
reacted when we asked about him.
We didn't even say his name.
Does that mean she can speak English?
She definitely knew what we were saying.
Then why act like she didn't?
Like, her daughter is missing.
We're just trying to find her.
I mean, it might have
nothing to do with Zahra.
It's possible she just doesn't trust us.
And I get it.
My parents were immigrants.
They probably would've
done the same thing.
It took me joining NCIS for them
to finally trust law enforcement.
And they live in Beverly Hills.
It's Kilbride. He wants me back in Ops.
Doesn't seem like he's
in a good mood either.
Oh, that's just baseline Kilbride.
Like "resting Kilbride mood."
You see what I, see
what I did right there?
No, but unfortunately I heard it.
We should definitely head back to Ops
and dig into Zahra's brother.
See if what you're saying
is true for them, too.
How's it going over there?
Fine.
Need any help?
I'm good.
Okay.
I'll just be over here.
Hmm?
You don't think I can crack
this safe, do you?
I'm just hoping you have it open
by, you know, Christmas.
That's something your dad would say.
I don't even know why I try.
I don't either, but it's fun.
Hmm.
Insurance card, vehicle registration,
toll road transponder.
All things that should be in her car.
Well, maybe she sold it
to free up more cash.
Or maybe a friend borrowed it
or it's in the shop. You know what?
I'll have Rountree run a Kaleidoscope.
Check out all the mechanics
and body shops,
in case she took it in.
Who knows?
By the time he gets back to us,
maybe you'll even have the
You were saying?
You want a trophy?
Looks like a bunch of jewelry.
There's no cash.
There's an old watch,
a bunch of family heirlooms.
All portable and sentimental.
If she was trying to disappear,
those are things she
would have taken with her.
She definitely would've taken this.
Maybe she was kidnapped.
Or she wants us to think she was.
Hey, guys.
I just went through
Zahra's phone records.
Mostly calls from her family, but
she's been talking to someone else.
A guy named Ted Brown.
I'm seeing daily calls
over the past seven months,
including yesterday morning.
Boyfriend?
Kens and Deeks would have told us
if the parents had mentioned
a boyfriend.
Well, maybe she didn't want to tell
her parents about it
until it got more serious.
Or she knew they wouldn't
approve. I just found out
that Ted has a sealed juvie
record and a ton of debt.
Everything from credit cards
to high-interest student loans.
If that's why she took out the
money, she may be helping him.
Or he's extorting her.
I just got my ass chewed
by the Undersecretary of the Navy.
I don't like getting my ass chewed.
Makes it uncomfortable to sit.
So tell me we have made some progress
in finding Lieutenant Mahmad.
Well, we figured out why no
one's been able to locate her car.
It's 'cause it's been at a
mechanic's shop since last weekend.
How's she getting around?
The shop gave her a loaner.
We ran the plates.
The car pulled into a
parking structure downtown
about three hours after
she left the bank yesterday.
And where is it now?
Still there. Callen and Sam
are on their way to check it out.
All right. What about this boyfriend?
Have we talked to him?
Kensi and Deeks
just pulled up to his house.
All right,
we have got less than eight hours
to find Lieutenant Mahmad,
and there's still
too much we don't know.
Now, you get me some answers
before I have nothing left to sit on.
Yes, sir.
You haven't said anything
since we left the restaurant.
Still thinking about Afghan food?
No. I mean, yes, but that's
not what's bothering me.
Okay, what is it?
I just keep thinking
about what Fatima said,
about her parents not
trusting law enforcement.
They lived in one of the
wealthiest zip codes in America.
And that's how they felt.
Think about what Rosa's
gonna have to deal with.
Yeah, but Rosa has us to help her.
Yeah, but we're not
always gonna be around.
No, I know, but
all we can do is
prepare her as best we can,
and then it's up to her.
- Kens?
- Yep, I see it.
Door's busted.
That's not good.
Kens?
He's got a pulse.
Rountree, we need an ambulance now.
Building manager said no one reported
seeing or hearing anything
suspicious yesterday.
He's gonna try and get us
a copy of the security footage.
- What do you got?
- Car's clean.
Except for this.
Found this under the seat.
"Roger. 8 Broad"?
Roger could be a name.
Someone she came here to meet.
"8 Broad" could be 8th and Broadway.
That's only a couple blocks from here.
Well, let's see what's near there.
Here we go, currency exchange
near 8th and Broadway.
So she brought $20,000
in cash to a business
that is known for being exploited
by criminals to launder money?
If someone named Roger is working there,
he's got some explaining to do.
And here I thought
getting you back in the saddle
was gonna be a good thing.
I think I clean up pretty well, Admiral.
No, I wasn't talking
about the jacket and tie.
Ooh.
They call it kombucha.
God bless you.
It's supposed to clear up
the bad bacteria in the gut.
Isn't that what prune juice is for?
At least prune juice tastes
like something edible.
This stuff tastes
like flavored battery acid.
So how are things at the Space Force?
No one's shooting lasers at Martians,
if that's what you're asking.
I got no complaints.
Except for a shorter title.
Director of Warfare Integration
at the Space Systems Command
doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.
Yeah, just have 'em call you "boss."
Feels good to be alive again.
They don't see this or this.
They see this.
And this.
Make sure they don't see that.
So what's this all about?
Did you get your security
clearance reinstated yet?
As of last month.
So why do I get the feeling this visit
wasn't to see if I'm still sober?
Well, um,
because it isn't.
I am running into roadblocks
with the Navy
trying to get information about a
top secret mission.
And because I now have access
to sensitive compartmented
information across
all branches of the military
I know that you don't owe me
or your country any debt
You gonna keep blabbering
or are you gonna tell me
what the hell you need me to do?
Thanks.
Hey, what'd the hospital say?
Ted is in a coma. It's touch and go.
But they'll call us if he wakes up.
- Is that his cell phone?
- I think so.
Found it under the couch, smashed.
Obviously somebody didn't
want him using it.
Well, hopefully
the SIM card is not destroyed
and we can get a clue off of it.
Um, any witnesses?
Um, just a crazy woman walking
around the neighborhood
with a Howdy Doody puppet on her hand,
asking if she could braid my hair.
- Okay, that is a lot to unpack.
- That's what I said.
On a positive note, though,
she did say there was
an SUV blocking her driveway yesterday.
She reported it, so I'm having
Rountree track it down.
Okay.
So
tortured and left for dead.
Yeah, this definitely feels personal.
Ted owed a lot of money.
Maybe someone called in that debt.
That would explain
Zahra's cash withdrawal.
Right? They hold Ted hostage.
She pays for his release.
Or he was tortured to get to her.
I mean, if somebody
wanted to find Zahra,
what better way than to go
through her boyfriend?
And for that, he gets tied up and beaten
to within an inch of his life.
I mean, look,
it's obvious how much he loved her.
He would do anything to protect her.
Even risk his own life.
So I guess the question is,
did they get what they came for?
Fatima has the parking
garage security footage.
She's going through that now.
What can I do you for, fellas?
- Roger?
- Yeah.
We're investigating
the disappearance of a naval lieutenant
by the name of Zahra Mahmad?
She may have come in here yesterday.
Uh, never seen her before.
You mind if we see the security cameras?
Oh, I don't got any.
- You know, Big Brother and everything?
- Ah.
Mm-hmm.
So that, uh
fake plant here
that's not a camera?
I read that plants reduce stress.
Even the fake ones.
Mm-hmm, let me guess.
This just tells time?
Well, punctuality is
the politeness of kings.
Wow.
And that owl that's just watching me?
Got a mind of its own.
I think there's something
on these cameras
he doesn't want us to see.
And I'm still wondering why
Zahra passed by a dozen
currency exchanges on her way here.
What's so special about this place?
Customer service?
No, I think it has something
to do with the note
that we found in her car.
You mean the one with Roger's
name on it?
That's the one.
And the fact that her car is still here,
that would mean that Roger
was the last person to see her
before she disappeared.
All right, hold on a second, fellas.
That makes him a potential accessory
to the kidnapping of a Navy officer.
Okay, okay. I met with her.
She came in about a week ago. So what?
What did she want?
I have what you might call
a side hustle.
For people who want
to send money overseas
but don't want
Uncle Sam knowing about it.
You're a hawala broker?
You say that as if it's illegal.
It is if you're not
licensed and registered.
Or if you're not reporting the income.
Can we get back
to your line of questioning?
Who'd she send it to?
Well, that's the beauty
of hawala I don't get names.
I only know it's someone in Pakistan.
How much did she give you?
Nothing. She was supposed to
show up here yesterday with the money
but never made it.
Hey, anything on the SUV
parked outside of Ted's house?
Yes. Do you want the good news first?
I hate this game. Sure.
I found the SUV. It's a rental.
Okay. Bad news?
Can't trace the guy who rented it.
He used cash and a fake ID.
What? What kind of car rental
agency accepts cash?
The kind that rents SUVs to criminals.
Okay, so it's not really
good news, only bad news.
Yeah, but these guys aren't really
giving us much to go off of.
I mean, all we know is
where they picked up the SUV.
But they probably didn't drive
themselves to pick it up, right?
They may have been dropped off?
I'm gonna check with taxi companies,
and rideshare services
and see if they dropped any
passengers there.
Okay.
Zahra has family in Pakistan.
Maybe that's who she was
sending the money to.
Except the kidnappers got to her first.
- Must have followed her here.
- Or knew she was coming.
Hey, Callen, Sam?
Looks like Zahra's kidnappers are
the same guys who got to Ted.
They grabbed her right after she parked,
threw her into the SUV, and sped off.
Did you get a look at 'em?
Two guys and a driver all wearing masks.
These guys were fast,
efficient, and organized.
Zahra didn't stand a chance.
Sound like professionals.
Whoever they are,
they were well-armed
when they took Zahra.
So it looks like whoever beat up
Ted also kidnapped Zahra.
Rountree's still working
on getting an ID.
Damn it!
Careful, you don't want
to Pretty Woman that thing.
"Slippery little suckers."
- You want to give it a shot?
- No, I don't.
- Okay, what a gentleman.
- Hey.
Hey.
Oh, you know what movie scene
this totally reminds me of?
- "Slippery little suckers."
- Yes. I'm all about the classics.
- Hmm.
- Didn't realize I was performing
for Siskel and Ebert.
Don't hate the players, hate the game.
That doesn't even make any sense.
Sweetheart, here, why don't you try?
- Okay, fine, I will.
- Good luck.
Okay. What do you have?
So, I was finally able to get in
touch with Zahra's brother Omar.
Who is in London at university?
Not anymore. The school says
he dropped out last year.
He's been living
in San Francisco ever since.
Well, that is weird. You'd think
his parents would've mentioned
that little nugget.
Yeah, I don't think they know.
Omar says he hasn't talked
to them in years.
Okay, but his dad said
that they are very close. What happened?
He wouldn't get into specifics,
but it's clear
it all stems from their
different views on Islam.
Now, the parents believe in
a strict adherence
to the Koran, and any deviation
from it is a violation of Islamic law.
Omar says he used to be beaten as a kid
for being "too Westernized."
Okay,
I think we need to go back
to the restaurant
and talk to the parents.
I'm gonna take Fatima with me
in case just the mother's there
and she decides not
to speak English again.
Do you mind staying behind
and digging into the parents?
Copy that.
Let me just get this, uh,
- SIM card out.
- Yeah, no.
How's that working out for you?
Yeah, that's not how you do it.
- I'm doing great.
- Oh, no.
- I'm so sorry.
- You guys, I'm doing great. I'm fine.
I don't need your yeah.
I got! No, I don't have it.
Yo! Weren't you the last one to use
that tiny flathead screwdriver?
Huh? Wait, what?
Who's that?
Meet your SUV renter.
Muhammad Hasan.
He's from Texas. How'd you find him?
Well, it's kind of a long story.
- Oh.
- The rental agency
didn't require a credit card.
But I was able to find
the rideshare vehicle
he was dropped off in, and
they did require a credit card.
Oh, that's good So guess what I did.
- No. TMI.
- I went ahead and
Way TMI.
Just what's the connection
between this guy, and Ted and Zahra?
Uh, I haven't found one yet.
- Hmm.
- Except religion.
- Tell me more.
- All right, so
Zahra's Muslim, and Hasan has been
a member of an ultra-conservative
Islamic sect.
I was able to trace his email back
to a series of online
message board posts.
All of these were made
within the last year.
So he broke off to form
an Islamist militia group
with other members of the sect.
You think they're after
Zahra for the Navy intel?
I think we have to assume
so until we learn otherwise.
But, regardless, we need
to ID the other two men
that are with him, so you
know what we should do?
Put in a call
to the FBI office in Dallas
and see if they can tell us
anything about these two guys
and/or the militia group.
- We need to hurry.
- Why?
Hasan's credit card
was used to book a round trip
flight from Houston to L.A.
He landed three days ago
and he's leaving tonight.
So whatever they came to do,
they're finishing it today.
Copy that.
Looks like Zahra's kidnappers
may have ties
to an Islamist militia group in Texas.
Well, it makes sense. They're trained.
Still not seeing the connection
to her work with the Navy.
I'm not sure that it is or that it has
any connection to the recon mission.
Your instincts are spot-on, gentlemen.
The mission is to obtain intel
on Russian military activity
in the Arctic.
The Navy believes that Russia may be
trying to stage nuclear weapons
across the region,
and for obvious reasons
they need to know if that is true.
And what was Zahra's involvement?
It was limited to discussions
of the capabilities
of the anti-detection technology
that her team came up with.
She was never made aware
of the details of the mission.
So the militia group is after
her for some other reason.
How did you find this out?
How do I find anything out,
Agent Callen?
Now, our case
may not be the Navy's mission,
but our mission remains:
get Lieutenant Mahmad back alive.
Clock is ticking.
Godspeed.
Tell me you're having
better luck than we are.
Well, I don't know about that,
but I just found out
that Zahra's father booked a hotel suite
in Islamabad, Pakistan
for later this year.
Evidently he's going
to some sort of wedding.
- Who's getting married?
- I don't know.
I'm looking into that now.
But it's somebody close
to a man named Bashir Khan.
Because he is paying for everything.
- Never heard of him.
- Yeah, well, neither had I.
I looked him up. He owns the biggest
farm equipment manufacturer in Pakistan.
Wait a minute, this can't be right.
The wedding invite has
Khan's son marrying Zahra.
Well, I think when Ted wakes up,
he may have a little something
to say about that.
You think that's why
they tried to kill him?
That he was in the way?
You think that Khan is behind all this?
No.
So what are you thinking?
Zahra's Muslim.
Ted's not.
Under traditional Islamic law,
she can't marry him. It's not allowed.
But arranged marriages are.
This could be the
parents' way of ensuring
she marries a Muslim.
They may have hired the kidnappers
to take her back to Pakistan.
Except she wasn't on board
with that plan for some strange reason.
I bet that's what the money was for.
Khan's a businessman.
Zahra was trying to buy her freedom.
If she refused the marriage,
it could be seen
as dishonoring her family.
They'd be shunned
by the whole community.
Unless they restored their honor.
What, are you kidding me?
You, you think this is an honor killing?
As far as we know, Zahra's still alive.
But that could change if
we don't find her fast.
Where are Fatima and Kensi?
They should be at the restaurant.
Whoa.
- Oh, my gosh.
- What?
Give them the heads up
the parents may be
in on this, tell 'em
we're on our way there.
Absolutely, I'm coming with you.
No, you are not, Mr. Deeks.
I need you there until I return.
- No, no, Admiral
- It's not a request.
Hello?
Rountree, we need an ambulance now.
-
- DEEKS: Kensi, Fatima, be on alert.
The parents may be involved.
There might be someone else here.
Federal agents.
Drop your weapon now.
You first.
Uh, Callen, Sam?
What do you got, Rountree?
The FBI sent over a list
of those militia group members.
You know the guy who flew over
to kidnap Zahra,
Muhammad Hasan? It's her cousin.
- You sure about that?
- Yeah.
And she's got two more cousins
in the same militia group.
Were they on that flight?
Trust me.
You won't even get one round off.
Yes.
I won't need to.
Muhammad?
It doesn't have to be like this.
Kensi, Fatima, we're ten minutes out.
Damn it, they don't have ten minutes!
I won't ask again.
- Drop your weapons!
- All right!
Okay.
Okay.
- What happened?
- Kensi, Fatima, do you copy?
Son of a bitch.
Kensi!
Go ahead, Rountree.
So, I'm showing that the Audi
is still parked at
the restaurant, but Kensi
and Fatima's trackers went
offline about a mile from there.
They're on the move.
Zahra's cousins must have found
the trackers and dumped them.
Yo, this shouldn't have happened.
Hey, you're right, okay?
But if we lose our heads
we're not gonna find them.
Rountree, which direction did they go?
Uh, south, towards the 10.
And the 110 also technically the 5.
There's no way of knowing
where these guys are going.
They're headed to wherever
they've been keeping Zahra.
But we don't know where that is.
I got something the cousins'
father, Zahra's uncle.
He owns a junkyard business in Pakistan.
But he just bought two
locations in the U.S.,
one in Wilmington, near Long Beach.
That's got to be it.
Send us the address.
Done.
Hold on.
Come on, Kensi, wake up!
Wake up!
They got to be in that car.
Then they don't have much time.
Okay, okay.
Guys, we're gonna get you out of there.
Callen!
Damn it.
No, Deeks!
- Mr. Deeks.
- Not this time, Admiral.
You'll never make it.
But if Agents Callen and Hanna
are able to reach them,
they will still need to find
a way to put that fire out.
I only see two of 'em.
The other one's got to be with Zahra.
There's got to be a fire
extinguisher around here somewhere.
Okay, the main building
has a back entrance.
There's a fire extinguisher
right inside that door.
That's around this corner.
We got to go now.
Cover me. Cover me.
Jammed!
Damn it!
No, no!
Fatima, Kensi,
you got to get out of there!
Kensi?
Kensi, wake up.
This car's about to blow.
Come on.
Oh, my God.
It's at the gas tank.
I see 'em! They're okay!
Thank God.
Don't thank him yet.
That's Zahra.
We can't let them get to the SUV.
As soon as he sees us, he'll shoot us.
Well, then we won't let him see us.
Get up!
Hey!
You're about to get
your ass kicked by a woman.
Bitch.
Zahra, you're okay. We got you.
You're okay, we got you.
Come on, come on.
You're safe now.
It's okay.
And they freakin' sent
a search party looking for me.
Ridiculous.
After all that time,
where'd they find you?
Walking out of the latrine.
- And what'd you tell 'em?
- The truth.
It was the kombucha.
I should get out of here.
Otherwise
we'll end up in a bar.
Those days are behind me.
Listen, Colonel.
I know what a risk you took
getting that information, for me.
It's not something I take for granted.
I only have something to risk
because of you, Admiral.
I got your back.
Always.
What do we know?
Long Beach PD found texts
between Lieutenant Mahmad's cousins
and her uncle in Pakistan.
Looks like he was the one
pulling the strings.
- Her parents had nothing to do with it.
- Wow.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Can we never do that again?
Just shut up and hold me, please.
How is Zahra?
A little shaken up,
but, uh, she'll be all right.
She's at the hospital with Ted.
He's awake now and expected to make
- a full recovery.
- Good, good.
- I'm glad to hear that.
- Yeah.
Finally news that's only good.
What?
Never mind. I'm just gonna go finish up.
Where is Fatima?
What a day, huh?
Yeah, it's definitely one
of those that'll stick with you.
I just still can't get over
the fact that Zahra's own family
tried to have her killed, and for what?
Because she wanted to be
with someone she loved
instead of a complete
and total stranger?
Yeah, and all in the name of honor.
No, that's not honor. That's fear.
Thought you might like to know,
the recon mission went off
without a hitch.
All indications are
that it was a success.
So now that it's all over,
you want to tell us
how you found out about it?
I turned to an old friend.
Hetty?
I said friend.
You want to, want to unpack that?
What is that?
Oh, what, this? This is the,
the bane of my existence.
The thorn in my flesh.
The proverbial
You didn't get the SIM card out either.
I got the SIM card out.
It was so badly damaged,
I could only read
the last text that Ted sent.
Yeah, what'd it say?
He told Zahra he loved her.
- Hmm.
- Well
I don't mean to burst
the, uh, love bubble,
but, uh, I'm really hungry.
You want some Afghan food?
I would love some kebabs.
In.
Kebabs, and then can we go down
the whole list of all
the things I can't describe
but my belly wants them?
I've spent
a lot of time staring out at this water,
searching for answers.
Any tips?
I'm coming up empty.
You doing okay?
Physically? Yeah.
Emotionally, mentally and spiritually?
I don't know how to answer that.
Well, you don't need
to have the answers.
Not right now.
I just
I keep thinking about
all the women out there
not allowed to make
their own life choices.
What to wear.
Who to marry.
What they can and can't do
with their own bodies.
Freedom of thought, freedom of choice.
It's terrifying to some people.
It's not fair.
The world will never be fair.
But it could be better.
Good things are happening.
Even though it doesn't
always feel like it.
I just wish they would happen faster.
Progress is neither swift
nor easy.
I can come back.
No, no, no, stay.
I got an early flight. I need to pack.
Give it time.
The answers will come.
Rough day?
You could say that.
There's always tomorrow.
Yeah.
I know.
Do you still feel like dinner?
Yeah, yeah.
Just, um
- will you just give me a minute?
- Yeah.
Take as long as you need.