NCIS s23e04 Episode Script

1
- (BIRDS CHIRPING)
- (PANTING)
♪
(PANTING)
Hey! Don't get
(GRUNTING)
(GRUNTS)
- Wrong woman, jackass.
- (GROANING)
(TIRES SQUEALING)
Stop. Stop!
Stop! There's someone
in the back of your car!
♪
♪
- (LOW CHATTER)
- (PHONE RINGING)
Jimmy, hey.
Why the, uh, fancy clothes?
- Don't tell me it's picture day.
- JIMMY: Oh, I wish.
I-I still think
you can see a little piece
of kale stuck in my teeth in this one.
Nah. Barely.
Ah. Well, I was wondering
if there's still
a stash of shoe polish in, uh,
- Tony's secret desk compartment?
- No.
HR cleared that out years ago.
All I got in here is, uh,
some allergy medication
and nasal spray.
I'm not sure Tony would approve.
Oh, the tuxedo's out.
Finally awarded you Dad of the Year.
(LAUGHING) Come on.
You guys know why I brought the tux.
(LAUGHS)
Tonight is the night.
Barbara from accounting,
it's her community theater gala.
KNIGHT: Oh, that's right.
She's on the board or something.
Yeah.
"An Evening of Gilbert and Sullivan."
And we all bought tickets
and we said we'd go support her.
We sure did.
But I guess I didn't think
that we'd actually
- you know, like
- Go?
That's, like, the main part
of supporting her.
Sure, and I would love to support her,
but Delilah's teaching tonight,
so I am on kid duty.
TORRES: Yeah, and I'd love
to support her, too,
uh, but Tuesdays are, like,
super packed for me, so
I just don't like musicals.
Really? Like, any musicals?
Why do they got to sing?
Why can't they just talk?
(SIGHS) This is such a bummer,
and not just,
not just for Barbara, but for you guys.
I mean, Gilbert and Sullivan
are hilarious.
And they are the forefathers
of musical theater.
I'm feeling so good
about my choice right now.
PARKER: I love a little G&S.
In high school, I was in
The Pirates of Penzance.
Didn't peg you as a musical theater guy.
Guidance counselor gave me an ultimatum,
either a semester of Saturday detention
or a semester
in a tricorn hat and pantaloons.
Well, all right. It looks like
I have found my plus-one.
Definitely not.
I'm, uh, also in a new era
of detention called "paperwork."
- (PHONES CHIMING)
- (MCGEE GRUNTS)
Possible abduction of a Marine.
Got an eyewitness in a parking lot.
And MPD found the Marine's abandoned car
- off of Route 29.
- PARKER: All right, go ahead.
Okay, well, uh, you guys break a leg.
They say in the theater, right?
There's no civility
in the world anymore.
- Not like there used to be.
- KNIGHT: Yeah,
as you keep mentioning.
Uh, so what happened
with Sergeant Delgado?
What happened was I tried to be
a Good Samaritan
and got my clock cleaned.
Look at my face.
You'll heal. Uh, but can we
circle back to Sergeant Delgado?
I pulled into the parking lot
to meet with the board of directors.
That's a euphemism for
Yes, I know what it's a euphemism for.
But when I got out of the van
to head to the bathroom,
I noticed some creep in the back
of her car, hunched over.
Can you be more specific?
I guess you could
describe it as crouching
or maybe kneeling.
Uh, I meant height, age, race, tattoos.
I didn't get a good look.
The moment I saw him,
I went to grab Old Babe.
That's what I call my
Your baseball bat. Yes, I got that.
Then the lady was coming
out of the woods,
and I walked up behind her.
So you crept up on a woman
in a secluded parking lot
wielding a baseball bat?
I mean, when you put it like that
MCGEE: Clump of hair.
Signs of struggle.
Looks like Sergeant Delgado
put up a fight.
Well, I expected nothing less
from a Marine.
It looks like, uh, she tried
to make a run for it,
the suspect grabbed her
and put her in a different car.
Ooh, hello.
- MCGEE: Got something here.
- You got something good?
MCGEE: Yeah, something strange.
- Whoa.
- Yeah.
Come on, that's got to be from,
like, an old Halloween costume.
I don't think that's an old toy.
No, that's a dueling pistol.
Thing's got to be from the 1800s.
Our Marine got held up by Yosemite Sam?
Doubtful.
Well, it looks like there's
fresh blood on the barrel.
Yosemite Sam is more Wild West.
This thing's got to be older than that.
- Yeah.
- (CLICKS)
What, are you sending a picture
to Looney Tunes?
No, it's an app
used to identify antiques.
Wow, that's like the saddest
thing I've ever heard you say.
- It's for Delilah.
- Oh.
- She collects porcelain figurines.
- Okay.
We use the app to find out
how much they're worth.
That's cool.
- It's a good investment.
- Mm.
(PHONE CHIMES)
MCGEE: Ooh.
This isn't any old dueling pistol.
- This thing is priceless.
- Why, because it's so rare?
Because it's the pistol
that Aaron Burr used
to kill Alexander Hamilton.
What?
Like the actual one?
The actual pistol.
KNIGHT: Sergeant Molly Delgado,
originally from
Houston, Texas, enlisted in 2015.
Joined the Marine Raiders
three years later.
Oh, the Raiders are no joke.
Very elite unit.
Yeah, not many women, which makes
Sergeant Delgado extra-elite.
She just returned from
a counterinsurgency deployment
in Syria.
Maybe she pissed off
the wrong insurgents,
and they came looking for revenge.
ISIS doesn't tend to use, uh,
famous Revolutionary War pistols
in their operations.
Guess they don't want
to sacrifice their shot.
Hello? Hamilton, the musical.
Let's dig into Molly's personal life.
See if she's got any enemies
closer to home.
I'll head over to her apartment
and poke around.
I'll check with her C.O.,
talk to the other Raiders in her unit.
All right, Nick,
see if you can get an update
on your, uh, Hamilton pistol from Kasie.
Cool. Maybe I'll be
in the room where it happens
when she gets a hit.
(LAUGHING): Guys, come on,
it's-it's, like,
the most successful musical of all time.
- Yeah, we all know Hamilton, Nick.
- Actually, I don't.
MCGEE: If you like musicals so much,
how come you're not going
to Barbara's gala?
Oh, because I don't like
musicals so much.
- I like Hamilton.
- MCGEE: Oh.
Gilbert and Sullivan
were the Lin-Manuel Mirandas
- of the Gilded Age.
- Look,
I would love to go, okay?
But Tuesday night is cold plunge night.
- (SCOFFS)
- And, you know
Seriously?
That's why you're not gonna go?
Cold plunge night is sacred.
I'll explain it to Barbara.
She'll understand.
Hey, uh, lucky for you,
you won't have to wait.
- (KNIGHT GASPS)
- PARKER: Whoa.
Barbara, you look so beautiful.
Thank you, Agent Knight.
I wanted to bring
your paystubs personally
on my way out for the big show.
PARKER: Glad you stopped by, Barbara.
Nick has something he wants to tell you.
BARBARA: Please, let me go first.
I want to say how touched I am
that you are all attending the gala.
Yeah, so, uh, about that, uh
Knowing the team will be there
for my first solo performance
Oh, wow. I didn't realize
you were singing.
it's just confirmation
of what I already believed:
NCIS isn't just a workplace.
It's a family. (CHUCKLES)
Yeah. Uh, yeah.
Well, we all cannot wait to be there.
Okay.
Okay. (CHUCKLES)
Well done.
I'm just saying, you didn't
have to commit all of us
to an evening of musical selections
from the Rutherford B. Hayes era
because you felt guilty.
Oh, come on, Kase,
it's Barbara's first big solo.
I can appreciate that. I love Barbara.
She's the one who leaves the
little mints in the ladies' room.
Wait, you guys have mints
in the bathroom?
Yes, right next to the fresh flowers.
Listen, I have
a ping-pong match tonight.
It is club finals.
I'm playing my archrival.
It is like Federer versus Nadal.
- Of ping-pong?
- Yes.
And speaking of famous matchups
I didn't find any fingerprints
on the pistol,
but I can confirm that
it was used by Aaron Burr.
- Sir.
- (LAUGHS)
However, that was 200 years ago,
and the last official record
has it being sold at auction
in the early 20th century.
Could've landed in any number
of private collections since then.
(BEEPING)
But if it was stolen,
would've been flagged
by law enforcement or, uh,
auction houses.
KASIE: Didn't get any hits like that,
but I did just get a hit
on the blood on the pistol,
and it's a doozy.
Whoa. Deputy Attorney General
Brett Gaines.
That's a lot of important words.
It is all of the important words.
He's, like, one of the most
powerful men at the DOJ.
And you think he's involved
in your Marine's abduction?
His blood was found on evidence
from Sergeant Delgado's car.
Well, I imagine there's an explanation.
Which is what I'm going to get
when I question Gaines.
And exactly how do you plan
to go about this questioning?
The traditional way
by visiting him and, you know,
asking questions.
You'll keep it low-key?
What do we mean by "low-key"?
Maybe I should reach out
to Gaines myself.
The Director of NCIS reaching out
to the Deputy Attorney General
is the opposite of low-key.
I need you to color
inside the lines on this one.
I always color inside the lines.
Not recently.
You want to talk
about the Carla Marino takedown?
- Speak your piece.
- Alternatively,
we don't talk about it
and you just take the note,
Special Agent Parker.
Note taken.
(DOOR OPENS)
MCGEE: So you ever meet the Deputy A.G.
when you were with FBI?
PARKER: No. But I'm perfectly
qualified to question him.
Despite what some people say.
Uh, yeah.
Yeah, no, I, uh, I agree.
I think you're perfectly qualified.
Let me ask you something.
Would you say
that I color outside the lines?
Well, that depends.
Are we talking, like,
markers or crayons?
(CHUCKLES)
Oh, uh, you're serious.
Well, to be honest with you, uh,
my answer would be
whatever ends this uncomfortable
moment the soonest.
Fair enough.
Gentlemen.
FBI's got this covered.
You can go.
Sorry, who are you?
Senior Special Agent Beth Rollins.
We're NCIS Agents Parker and McGee.
And I could give a crap.
This is an FBI matter.
You can show yourselves back
to your car.
MCGEE: How do you even know
- about our kidnapping?
- Actually,
it's our kidnapping.
But if you feel you have information,
you can, um
always call the tip line.
I have a few tips
where you could put that card,
- Special Agent
- BRETT: Rollins.
These men are from NCIS.
I just spoke with their boss.
Please, let them in.
We need all the help we can get here.
Suspect got $50,000 in cash
and a priceless antique pistol.
And my wife, Rollins.
Sorry?
Are you married to Molly Delgado?
No.
Molly was the one who did this.
She broke in this morning
and forced Mrs. Gaines to open the safe.
Look, I went to the club,
but I came back early.
- She hit me in the head and
- Wait,
are you telling us that
Molly Delgado was not kidnapped?
No! She was the kidnapper.
PARKER: The Sergeant
Delgado abduction case
is now the Claire Gaines abduction case.
Based on the evidence,
Sergeant Delgado
is our number one suspect.
We'll be working side by side
with the FBI moving forward.
All right, the clock is ticking.
You all know the drill: after 48 hours,
this trail could go cold.
KNIGHT: So what's the motive?
There hasn't been a ransom demand.
Gaines says that they have
a crypto account
with a quarter million dollars in it.
Well, nothing in Delgado's records
indicate that she's a criminal.
- But her finances are a mess.
- (COMPUTER BEEPS)
Credit card debt. Unpaid bills.
How did these women know each other?
Well, according to the husband,
they met at a yoga class a
few weeks ago and hit it off.
PARKER: Claire's a bit of a loner,
so he was pleased she has a new friend.
Until this morning, when our
missing Marine emptied out his safe
and abducted his wife.
A Marine Raider would have ways
to get that password
- out of Claire.
- Then the wife becomes a liability.
Let's find her before that happens.
Well, that's gonna be hard.
Delgado is an expert at evasion
and reconnaissance.
- So what are we missing?
- We thought
that Sergeant Delgado
had come back from a trail run
and was taken
by someone hiding in her car.
But in reality,
she had her victim tied up
- in the back seat.
- TORRES: Middle of a kidnapping
is a weird time to get your cardio.
Yeah.
So what was Sergeant Delgado
actually doing in those woods?
Yeah, baby.
That's what I'm talking about.
What you got going on there, Kase?
KASIE: Oh, ah.
- (BEEPING)
- Pond scum.
- Literal pond scum.
- Oh.
Cyanobacteria, to be precise.
It was on the evidence that your
agents brought back from the woods.
Yeah. That sounds like it
shouldn't be this close to my face.
You know what, you look at this
and you see microbial bloom.
- (GROANS)
- Yeah. I look at it
and I see an entire ecosystem.
Self-contained and brimming
with possibilities.
Yeah. I feel like you need
to get out of this basement
a little more often.
You know, funny you should say that.
Yeah, because I've been thinking
of branching out.
You know? I mean, why should Kasie Hines
be confined to her lab?
When can she get out into the field?
Maybe when Kasie Hines
stops referring to herself
in the third person
and starts telling Knight
- about the actual evidence.
- Okay.
Our Marine's phone was found in a stream
about 30 yards from the parking lot.
She probably dumped
it so we couldn't track her.
Please tell me there's a treasure
trove of evidence on there.
Like motives,
escape routes,
- secret bank accounts.
- None of the above.
But once I dried it out,
I did find
a suspicious group text thread.
Take a look at the members.
Agatha Christie,
Emily Brontë, Jane Austen?
- Bunch of lady authors.
- And
there's references to book titles
and page numbers.
There's even a reference
to chapter assignments for next week.
- Mm.
- Sounds shady, right?
Yeah, that sounds like a book club.
What are you gonna tell me next,
she does Pilates at the Y?
Okay, then riddle me this.
Would you text your book club members
in the middle of committing
felony abduction?
- 'Cause our suspect did.
- Hmm.
Yeah. I think they're coded messages,
and the authors are aliases.
- They could be accomplices.
- Take a look at the last text
Delgado sent
before she dumped her phone.
KNIGHT: "Running late.
Having trouble with the book."
"The book" could be code
for "Claire Gaines."
Have you been able to decipher
any of the other messages?
Not yet.
But I did track three of the members
to the same location in Bethesda.
Well, that could be
where Sergeant Delgado
took Claire Gaines.
Thanks, Kase.
- Oh. Uh
- (SNAPS FINGERS)
for what it's worth
I'd love to have you out
in the field.
Hmm.
- (DISTANT SIREN WAILING)
- (MAN SHOUTING IN DISTANCE)
(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)
Our book club cabal
should be right down this alley.
I have a bad feeling, McGee.
Stay positive.
Claire could be safe and sound
behind that door.
No, about Barbara. The accountant.
Her musical gala's
gonna be in 20 minutes,
and I promised her
we would all be there.
We're working a kidnapping.
I'm sure she'll understand.
Well, at least Jimmy will show up.
Ooh. Um
Yeah, I didn't want
to have to tell you this.
Uh, Jimmy's not gonna be able
to go either.
- No.
- Yeah.
Victoria came down
with strep throat, so
(TORRES GROANS SOFTLY)
- (GLASS SHATTERING)
- (WOMAN SCREAMS IN DISTANCE)
♪
- NCIS!
- (WOMAN YELPS)
Put down the scones, Doris.
- (THUDS)
- (SHRIEKS)
(JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING IN BACKGROUND)
MCGEE: All right.
Got it. Thank you so much.
Appreciate it.
Yeah, no, it's a book club. For real.
No, they call themselves
Prose Before Bros
and they meet every other week.
Assuming the code names
on the text chain
- are just their favorite authors?
- That's right.
I, uh, ran background checks.
Not so much as a parking ticket
between 'em.
Yeah, but they know our Marine,
so they might know something
to help us find her.
All right, I'm on it.
I'm sorry,
you're him, aren't you?
Thom E. Gemcity?
Wait, you, uh you know his books?
Oh, I-I never forget an author's photo.
I'd be happy to sign a copy if you want.
Oh. No. I've never read one.
Those kinds of, uh, pulp thrillers
aren't really my cup of tea.
Um (CLEARS THROAT)
Can you help us understand
how someone like Molly Delgado,
uh, became a member of your book club?
She loves books. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
- What's hard to understand about that?
- TORRES: Well, she's
a 30-year-old Special Operations
Marine and you're
- Not.
- (CHUCKLES)
To be honest,
- we were surprised a bit.
- (CHUCKLES)
Uh, she doesn't quite fit
the shelf queen aesthetic.
The what now?
You know.
(CHUCKLES) #ItsABookThang.
It's a tag, social media
All right, okay.
Let's move on. Let's move on.
MARGARET: It has been
refreshing to have some young blood
around here.
Molly is so impressive.
Do you know that
she speaks several languages?
We do. It's in her service record.
Or that she can survive
in the wilderness
with nothing but a knife and
her wits for months at a time.
You think she does that on the regular?
MARGARET: Or that she once sailed solo
to the Caribbean in an 18-foot boat
with only the stars to guide her.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Molly Delgado
is like a real-life character
from a spy thriller.
Wait, I thought
you didn't read thrillers.
Oh. (CHUCKLES)
I didn't read your thrillers.
(TORRES STIFLING LAUGHTER)
- MCGEE: Oh.
- (GRUNTS)
- (ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
- According to Prose Before Bros,
she's a mix between, uh
Jason Bourne and Grizzly Adams.
- I know, I know.
- (ELEVATOR BUZZES)
Quite a combo.
- (BARBARA CLEARING THROAT)
- Um
I'll-I'll see you in the squad room.
(PHONE BEEPS)
Barbara, about last night
You don't have to explain.
Look, it's just, like, the
working of the kidnapping case.
And work comes first.
I understand completely.
E-Either way, I know how
important this gala was for you,
and, um
I'd like to apologize.
(ELEVATOR STOPS)
Apology not accepted.
Barbara
Because family
doesn't need to apologize.
I don't know what family you grew up in.
The fact that you were planning
on coming is all that matters.
And I definitely will be
at the next one.
Oh. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
I don't think
there will be a next one for me.
(SIGHS) My theater is going
in a scary new direction.
Pop musicals.
Oh, that is bad.
(ELEVATOR RESUMES MOVING)
Nick, I can see
that you're disappointed.
I brought you something that's
better than a performance.
- Cake?
- From last night.
It's coconut.
I know that's your favorite.
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS, DOORS OPENING)
(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
- (LOW CHATTER)
- (PHONE RINGING)
What is that, cake?
Yeah. It's from Barbara.
It's coconut.
Oh, that's your favorite.
She remembered.
Yeah. I feel terrible.
Not as terrible
as the Deputy A.G. is feeling.
Especially since his wife
has been abducted by some sort
of hybrid woodsman-superspy.
Yet the last thing she did
before she disappeared
- was contact her book club.
- TORRES: Got to be a reason
- beyond good manners.
- KNIGHT: Well, it doesn't matter.
If she doesn't want to be found,
we're not gonna find her.
She's an expert at evasion.
She could sneak Claire across the border
and stow her away in a boat.
- (ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
- Or simply hide her in any
of the 300,000 acres
of wilderness around here.
Unless, of course, she walks
right into the squad room.
(SCOFFS)
Yeah.
She can do that, too.
She seems calm for someone
facing a laundry list
of felony charges.
Yeah, or she wants us
to think she's calm.
She's a Marine Raider.
Knows what she's doing.
I have no idea what she's doing.
Kidnapped the wife of a DOJ bigwig?
Yeah, and somehow manages
to sneak onto the Navy Yard
and stroll into NCIS
like she's delivering a pizza?
Then she sits there and says nothing.
- It's just so
- Weird.
Sergeant Delgado,
I'm Special Agent Knight.
Can I call you Molly?
I will take that as a soft yes.
Can you tell me your address?
Date of birth? Serial number?
You know, these are the easy ones.
You shouldn't put a hot beverage
in front of someone
suspected of a violent crime.
Have you committed a violent crime?
(CLEARS THROAT)
You know, when I graduated college,
I ran into some tough times.
Wasn't really getting along with my dad.
Lost my job waiting tables.
I thought about doing
some pretty stupid stuff
to pay the rent.
Is that why you took Claire Gaines?
Schroder.
Come again?
Self-disclosure, trust-building.
You're even mimicking my body language.
Classic Schroder technique.
You're right.
That is that is exactly
what I'm doing.
Well, I see you clearly
passed your SERE training.
You're a good student.
I was the instructor.
- But you knew that.
- Right.
Pretty perceptive.
Kind of makes me wonder how
you got yourself into this mess.
Did you plan to kidnap Claire Gaines,
or was it a spur-of-the-moment
kind of thing?
So disappointing, Agent Knight.
You got me talking, and you squander it
with that leading
and manipulative question.
Let's cut the crap, Molly.
You are looking at
a New York Times
Best Seller list of felonies.
Assault, robbery, kidnapping.
Not to mention attempted murder,
if that DNA underneath your fingernails
matches Claire Gaines.
So, I suggest you start talking
and tell me where the hell Claire is.
Reid technique.
(SCOFFS)
Leads to false confessions.
(GRUNTS SOFTLY)
It's like watching a tiger shark versus
a saltwater crocodile.
It's anyone's guess who's gonna survive.
Doesn't make any sense.
Why would you turn yourself in
but not say anything?
(PHONES CHIMING)
TORRES: It's Parker.
Looks like Molly didn't
just wander into NCIS.
She drove here.
Parked in Director Vance's spot?
Oh, I know how this movie ends.
With a head in a box.
Yes, I tried parking in the guest space,
but those are all filled, too.
Look, someone needs
to come and address this.
- All right? I c
- TORRE: Director, stay back.
Uh, guys, I mean,
it's not that big a deal. I
Passenger side is clear.
MCGEE: Clear here, too.
I got keys inside.
Gentlemen, you want to fill me in?
TORRES: Sergeant Delgado
used this car and fake credentials
to get in the Navy Yard.
And parked in my space. That's ballsy.
- I got blood.
- What, you think she brought a guest?
You want to open it?
You got the keys.
Well, I'm not gonna open it.
- All right, fine, fine, fine.
- (BEEPING)
- Ready?
- Yep.
Please tell me that's not Claire Gaines.
Molly brought us a surprise.
Worst surprise ever.
JIMMY: Neil Oken.
45 years old, from Arlington.
- Cause of death was
- Let me guess, the knife
they found sticking out of his neck?
I guess that one
was pretty obvious, huh?
Well, looks like he put up
a fight before he was killed.
Yeah, multiple lacerations and bruising
across his face and arms,
and some scratch marks.
Plus, his DNA matched
the skin samples I pulled
from underneath
Molly Delgado's fingernails.
So, the two of them got into it
and Molly ends up
- on the right side of the dirt.
- Which is wild,
'cause Oken's got her by five inches
- and a hundred pounds.
- Molly's a Marine,
- trained in hand-to-hand combat.
- Oken was trained, too,
- by the FBI.
- (ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
- He's a fed?
- Well, former fed, technically.
BRETT: Oh, thank God.
They told me Molly Delgado
turned herself in.
That she brought a body.
- I was so concerned it
- We still don't know
where Claire is,
but we're gonna find out.
- I know this man.
- JIMMY: This is Neil Oken.
Former FBI. He left the Bureau
about a year ago
under mysterious circumstances.
Nothing mysterious about it.
I had him fired for embezzlement.
He was stealing government funds.
So, he's not your biggest fan.
You think he's involved
with my wife's kidnapping?
I'm saying this might not be
about crypto passwords and cash.
It might be about revenge.
A couple weeks after I fired Oken,
I started receiving anonymous threats.
It had to have been him.
I'm the reason that Claire's in trouble.
No, sir.
Neil Oken and Molly Delgado
are the reason,
and we're gonna do
everything in our power
to get your wife back safely.
We got the body that you left
for us in the trunk.
Thanks for that.
(SCOFFS) Cool. You know what?
You play the quiet game.
- I'll just think out loud.
- (SNAPS FINGERS)
You know, it makes perfect sense
that the ex-FBI agent
would want to get revenge
on the guy who got him fired
from his job.
But the ex-FBI agent
didn't kidnap anybody.
You did.
Problem is, I can't find anything
that connects the two of you.
So, why would a decorated Marine
kidnap a woman, murder some dude
and then surrender herself
without uttering a word?
I think that underneath
that tough-girl exterior
there is fear and there is sadness.
I can feel it.
So, why won't you talk?
You're stalling.
This is a distraction?
What are you stalling for?
Molly, not one single move
that you have made so far
has made any sense.
We're missing something big here.
Tell me I'm right.
This interview is over.
Agent Rollins,
you can't just barge in here.
Of course I can. This case has
escalated from kidnapping to the murder
of a former FBI agent.
Sergeant Delgado's coming with us.
I just need a few more minutes.
Rollins!
TORRES: It's not like we
didn't try everything we could.
FBI never wanted us on this kidnapping.
The moment we got close,
they snatched it away.
You doing okay there, killer?
I was so close.
Molly was about to talk,
make sense of this whole thing.
Or make it more complicated.
You don't know.
(LAUGHS MIRTHLESSLY)
Okay, you know what? We're
gonna move this little baby
to the time-out corner.
- Molly had defensive wounds.
- TORRES: Okay.
If Molly was somehow a victim,
she had plenty of time to tell you.
There is a piece of this puzzle missing.
- I know it.
- PARKER: Maybe,
- but it's the FBI's puzzle now.
- Okay,
and our kidnap victim is gonna
be the one to pay the price,
because there is no way
that Agent Rollins
is gonna get Molly to talk anytime soon.
TORRES: There's also
no way that Agent Rollins
is gonna give us another crack at her.
Not with Gaines breathing down her neck.
The FBI will want the win there.
The only way you're gonna
talk to Molly is if you
sneak into the FBI
and find her on your own.
Uh, that's not an option.
Thank you, McGee.
But it could be an option.
If I had a distraction.
Like a living legend at the FBI.
As much as I would like
to add breaking and entering
into FBI headquarters to my bucket list,
I am on very thin ice
with Vance as it is.
I can break through to Molly
if I get another shot.
And if we find Claire,
who cares which agency breaks the case?
KASIE: I know we're not on
the Molly Delgado case anymore,
but I also know we still are, too.
- No, we're not, Kasie.
- Either way,
hot off the presses.
Turns out, the car Molly drove to NCIS
- belonged to Neil Oken.
- That's not a surprise.
No, but what I found
on the front bumper may be.
I can get you five minutes.
That's all I need.
I know we don't say this often enough,
but NCIS couldn't be more grateful
for our continuing partnership
with the FBI.
You complete us.
PARKER: Right. So, in return
for all your ongoing hard work,
we'd like to, uh, present you with this
small token of our gratitude, okay?
- (EXCITED MURMURING)
- Dig in, everybody.
Don't be shy.
Oh the house. Come on, everybody. Enjoy.
KNIGHT: Thank you. Thank you, thank you.
Agent Rollins, there is
a cruller with your name on it.
I'm vegan.
Oh, you know what?
We've got vegan options, too.
Eh, Claire Gaines is still missing.
I'm not sure we should be celebrating.
Well, this isn't celebration.
It's, uh, appreciation.
And, you know, a chance to recharge.
If you say so.
You know, this-this whole
Claire Gaines case
reminds me of when I was chasing
the Philly Phantom.
- (LAUGHS): Remember?
- Yeah.
Wait. You worked the Philly Phantom?
- (CHUCKLES)
- Um, if by "work it,"
you mean "broke the case."
I'm the one who realized
he was hiding inside
the diamond exchange wall.
- Hello?
- So, how'd you think to check
inside the wall in the first place?
KNIGHT: This is such a good story.
Um, I'm gonna use the restroom.
Ah. Well, I'm gonna let you
all in on a little secret.
The details were actually in a donut.
- AGENT: Really?
- Picture this:
at the base of the
diamond exchange wall,
(FADES): we find a half-eaten
old-fashioned glazed
(CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
Well, look at that.
I managed to surprise you this time.
- (DOOR CLOSES IN DISTANCE)
- Why are you here?
Well, last time, we were having
a conversation, we got
interrupted by the FBI.
You were doing most of the talking.
Now it's your turn.
Here's your shot.
What the hell is going on?
Come on.
I just snuck into the FBI for you.
It's not gonna take them long
to figure out that I'm here,
so please work with me.
I have nothing to say.
You have a lot to say.
You've just been waiting
the right person to trust,
and that person is me.
(PHONE BEEPING)
This is Neil Oken's car.
His front fender is dented
and the paint on the car
matches the paint from yours.
He rammed you off the road, didn't he?
(PHONE BEEPS)
You killed him,
you're not denying that,
but my gut is telling me
that this is self-defense.
Am I warm?
Just let it go.
So, if this is self-defense,
that means that you weren't
helping Oken to kidnap Claire.
You were trying to protect her.
- That's right.
- But Oken is dead,
and you're still not
telling me where Claire is.
Why not?
- She isn't safe yet.
- Safe from what?
Someone worse.
(INHALE SHARPLY)
Listen to me, Molly.
You do not have to do this alone.
I swear, I will protect you and Claire.
You just have to tell me.
Where is Claire?
Your wife is on the other side
of that door.
This is all a misunderstanding.
I'm gonna need some time alone
with my wife to sort this out.
I had Parker and Knight
held at the field office.
- You've got time.
- You're a good agent.
And your loyalty won't be forgotten.
Claire? It's Brett.
Claire, I know you're in there.
And I know you're scared,
but you don't have to be.
Not anymore.
How did you find me?
Darling, there is nowhere
you can go I won't find you.
You almost killed me.
I'm sorry for losing my temper.
For hurting you.
Just go. Please.
I could never leave you, Claire.
And you will never leave me.
Not again.
So just open the door.
Come back home.
I'm not coming back with you.
Ever.
Damn it, Claire!
- (SCREAMS)
- Open the door!
(SIGHS)
I'm sorry.
Really.
It's just
if that's how you feel,
I'll let you go.
Just open the door.
Tell me face-to-face.
(GRUNTS)
Look at what you're
making me do, Claire.
- Drop the weapon.
- Do it now.
- Rollins?
- Turns out,
you're a son of a bitch.
Deputy Attorney General Gaines?
You're under arrest.
(INDISTINCT RADIO TRANSMISSIONS)
Claire? Claire!
Stop moving, sir.
- Claire!
- I'm not gonna warn you again.
Get your hands off of me!
Claire! This is your fault!
(GRUNTS)
(CLAIRE WHIMPERING)
Now look what you made me do.
PARKER: Kasie was right.
The book club wasn't just a book club.
It was an Underground Railroad
for abused women.
Explains why they hadn't read
any of my books.
Does it though, McGee?
Each member helps women
who can't or won't
go to law enforcement
to start a new life.
An accountant, a lawyer.
TORRES: Yeah,
Margaret's a real estate agent.
She finds safe houses.
And Molly is in charge of extractions.
She was trying to get Claire to Canada.
But Gaines, uh,
sent someone to stop them.
Yeah, Oken. Gaines fired him,
then he realized he had the perfect guy
- to do his dirty work.
- Mm-hmm.
And once Molly realized
that Gaines was onto her,
she knew that there was no way
that she could get her
across the border.
- She didn't know who to trust.
- Yeah, she turned herself in
to buy time for the book club
to try to move Claire.
PARKER: Impressive operation,
this book club.
Real unsung heroes.
Any idea how many women they've helped?
MOLLY: Some things
are better left unknown.
Agent Knight, do you have a moment?
I hear they dropped all the charges?
(GRUNTS SOFTLY)
Thank you for believing in me.
If you hadn't, Gaines would have turned
this whole situation against me.
Well, if it were up to me,
I'd give you a medal.
The last thing I need
is any more attention.
It's called "underground" for a reason.
Right.
Just remember, though,
there are people that you can trust.
Same goes for you, Agent Knight.
If you ever meet someone
who needs our help
Is that a referral system?
And how Claire got in touch with you?
When times are bad,
look for the helpers.
They're everywhere.
Mister Rogers.
- Wise man.
- (ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
Special Agent Rollins.
Something I can help you with?
Just here to take Molly home.
What a helper.
Hmm. Who is a helper?
Mm, you know, some things
are just best left unknown.
But what matters is that Gaines
is gonna go to jail
and Claire has found
a new family in the book club.
Well, speaking of family
I never seen Barbara so down.
She didn't even stop to tell you
how nice your hair looks.
I know, right?
I think it's time for me to be a helper.
(CLICKS TONGUE)
JIMMY: I am so sorry, Barbara.
I can't believe I misplaced
an entire year's worth
of purchase orders.
Unfortunately, Dr. Palmer, I can.
But we'll get to the bottom of it.
(LIGHTS CLICK ON)
(CHEERING, APPLAUSE)
PARKER: There she is.
BARBARA: What is all this?
TORRES: For your encore performance.
We feel bad we missed your show.
KNIGHT: You always do so much for us
that we thought
we'd do something for you.
- So, we built you a stage.
- KASIE: Uh,
- technically, I built it.
- And I called
some of your theater group to help out.
- KNIGHT: Come on out, boys.
- JIMMY: Whoo!
What is happening?
You made all this fuss for me?
Well, you know, that's what family does.
(WHISPERS): I don't know about this.
Hey. It's your moment. Okay?
("MAJOR-GENERAL'S SONG" PLAYING)
I am the very model
of a modern Major-General ♪
I've information vegetable,
animal and mineral ♪
I know the kings of England ♪
And I quote
the fights historical ♪
From Marathon to Waterloo ♪
In order categorical ♪
- (CHEERING, APPLAUSE)
- Yeah!
I am very good at integral
and differential calculus ♪
I know the scientific names
of beings animalculous ♪
In short, in matters
vegetable, animal and mineral ♪
I am the very model
of a modern Major-General ♪
In short, in matters
vegetable, animal and mineral ♪
She is the very model ♪
Of a modern Major-General. ♪
Thank you.