NCIS New Orleans (2014) s04e09 Episode Script
Hard Knock Life
1 (spectators cheer) Yeah.
Thank you.
How adorable! Can we take a photo? Be my guest, ma'am.
Come on.
Get together.
YOUNG MAN: There.
Can you take another one? Good girl.
(barks) (cheering) Not bad for a Monday.
Check out the fish.
Give you a hand? You look a little lost.
Actually, uh, I'm looking for the Hyatt.
Oh, sure.
You're not too far away.
You want to make a left at the corner and just keep going down What the hell? (cheering) Tita! (shouts) KC! Yo! Let go of that kid! Give me my bags first! This isn't a negotiation.
BOY: Come on, man.
BOY 2: You heard him, man.
GIRL: Give him.
Yeah, that's right.
This isn't over, kid.
I seen your face, and I will find you.
I hope you do.
Captain.
(sighs) (birds chirping) Hey, buddy.
It's time to wake up.
Hey.
Sleeping Beauty.
Hey (gasps) Oh NCIS:New Orleans 4x09 Hard Knock Life Boom, boom, boom, boom Bang, bang, bang, bang Boom, boom, boom, boom How, how, how, how Hey, hey You gotta come on.
Sorry I'm late.
Oh, no worries.
Knew you would be.
Tuesday 8:00 a.
m.
's a regular thing with the Therapist.
- It's nothing to be ashamed of.
- I know.
Hey! How's the headshrinker? You, too? I mean, I think it's great.
You're a lot less stressed lately.
We've all been talking about it.
You have? Yeah! You know, your mental health is in direct correlation with our job health.
Well, I'm touched.
What she means is, with everything on your plate, you know, Hamilton and Wade's son being kidnapped, you know, we were worried about you.
You don't have to be.
Not anymore, since you've been seeing The therapist.
Right.
And, you know, the great thing about this Mm.
is if you have some feelings that you want to talk about, you got someone.
Actually, there is something that I would like to talk about.
Okay.
We're-we're all ears.
Why don't you tell me about our murder victim? Right.
Petty Officer Michael Thompson, mass communications specialist, just in from Dubai.
What's he doing in New Orleans? Navy assigned him to photograph the tricentennial kickoff for the Navy Times.
Landed yesterday at Belle Chasse on a military transport.
Cab dropped him in the Quarter in the afternoon.
Never made it to the hotel.
Morning, Loretta.
Dwayne.
Any sign of luggage? No watch or wallet, either.
So he got caught on the wrong end of a stickup? Well, armed robbers tend to shoot their victims face-to-face, out of fear.
Petty Officer Thompson was shot twice to the back of the head.
Execution-style.
He has contusions on his hands, bruising on his body.
He was beaten, too.
So this was more than a robbery.
Lasalle's canvassing the area for witnesses.
Sebastian's pulling surveillance.
I want to know what they found.
Pulled this from an NOPD security camera.
Got our victim, suspect, and murder weapon all wrapped up in a bow.
Yeah.
There's no mistaking what this is.
Gutter punks.
Gutter what now? Gutter punks.
Come on, Gregorio.
How long have you lived in New Orleans? Clearly not long enough to know what a gutter punk is.
Gutter punks are kids who slip through the cracks of Child Services, end up on the street to avoid group homes or shelters.
Oh, yeah, you're talking about the street kids.
We call them "crusties" in New York.
Well, here they generally cause mayhem wherever they go.
Kind of like the minor leagues of crime.
A little more complicated than that, but LASALLE: I'm with Percy, King.
They're a menace.
I mean, picking pockets, running scams, pulling snatch and grabs.
All petty crime.
Nothing like murder.
Well, I mean, aren't we looking at the evidence right now? Scary looking kid pointing a gun at our dead sailor.
PRIDE: Yeah, but not pulling the trigger.
And this was yesterday.
Thompson's body was found early this morning.
What happened in between? Well, Thompson continued the chase, caught up with the suspect, and took a beating and a bullet for his trouble.
Body got dumped.
Bull's-eye.
Let's put out a BOLO.
But what about the weapon? The gun in the video is small caliber.
.
22, maybe .
25.
But we recovered 9mm casings at the crime scene.
Yeah, so suspect had another gun.
Maybe.
Okay.
We're not 100% that they killed Thompson, but it's looking good.
LASALLE: Plus, we do know they robbed him.
Let's follow protocol.
I'll call NOPD, and we can sort it all out once we have the kids in custody.
PRIDE: Not just yet.
I mean, you did hear the part where Lasalle said it's protocol, right? We got the kid on tape committing a felony.
I know.
But I also know we got thousands of tourists in town for the tricentennial kickoff.
City officials are cracking down.
They get word that it's possible that some gutter punk shot Thompson, it'll be war on all of 'em.
What are you saying here, King? (sighs) Guys, we're not off the rails here.
We're just crossing Ts and dotting Is, okay? If you say so.
I do.
You and Lasalle hit the streets, try and find these kids.
Sebastian, head to the pawn shops.
See if somebody tried to sell Thompson's property.
What are we gonna do? We're gonna go to DCFS.
I got a friend who works there.
Maybe he can help.
MAN: You know, Dwayne, used to be a time when you'd just visit to say hello without needing something.
I remember an invitation to play at the bar, and I haven't seen you there yet.
This guy plays a mean trombone.
Oh, yeah? You known each other a long time? 20 years.
Dwayne used to work juvie crime when he was a deputy.
Helped a lot of these kids.
Not as many as I wanted.
Someday, you'll have to let that go, Dwayne.
What happened to Angel wasn't your fault.
Who's Angel? Ancient history.
Look, all the time I've put in here, I know what I'm talking about.
Some kids can't be helped.
Like the one you're asking about now.
KC Vaughn.
Crossed my desk more times than I can count.
What can you tell us about him? Lost his family in Katrina.
In and out of foster care, on and off the streets, gangs, juvie.
Any idea where we can find him? He's aged out of the system.
Somebody else's problem now.
That's a little callous, Dan.
See this pile? I save my compassion for the kids who want help.
Whether they want it or not, they all need it.
I don't have the luxury or the resources to think like that anymore.
Lost a quarter of my staff when that whole Hamilton debacle went down.
There was funding for us in that shipyard deal.
That was the last, best chance for those kids.
Yeah.
If you don't know where he is, you got a line on someone who does? Yeah.
My liaison at NOPD.
Just as soon not bring the cops in.
You said this kid and his crew committed robbery.
I'm obligated to report that.
Sure.
Just maybe not for a day or so.
As a favor from one sideman to another? You got the day.
(phone chimes) Thanks, bud.
Good seeing you.
Sonja.
Said they almost caught one of the gutter punks.
What? PRIDE: Sonja, what do you mean, "almost"? Well, I had to break the chase 'cause Evel Knievel here almost slipped off a fire escape.
Hey, those kids are slippery.
- And fast.
- And you are not a ninja.
Which is why you don't jump on and off buildings like one.
You all right, Chris? Yeah.
Just bruised my ego.
And his head.
(hisses) But I say it's time to bring in the professionals.
Let NOPD swing from the rooftops.
I don't think anyone's gonna have to swing around.
We want to catch one of these gutter punks, we need to think like 'em.
Why you eyeballing me like that? SEBASTIAN: Testing.
One, two, three.
Can you hear me? Yes, and I want it on the official record that I feel ridiculous.
Duly noted, but you look mah-velous.
Still don't even know how I got picked for this plum assignment.
Well, Lasalle and I were up and down these streets all day.
Kids know we're feds.
Yeah, and I can't pull off a high-heeled boot, apparently.
Oh, gutter punk.
My 12 o'clock.
Hi! He's so cute.
May I? Yeah, lady.
Knock yourself out.
Oh, so cute.
So sweet.
(chuckles): Hi.
Wait, she took my bag.
Wait! What are you doing?! They took the bait.
Way to go, Meryl Streep! Bite me.
Please tell me you got a trace on them.
We got it.
All we got to do now is follow the signal.
All I got to do is get these boots off.
They're killing me.
(engine revving) (rock music playing) It's like a Ninja Turtles movie in here.
Federal agents! - Everyone stay where you are! - Raid! (shouting indistinctly) Come on, Lil Man! Let's go! Headed your way, Pride.
PRIDE: Hold on.
We just want to talk.
Not this way! Pickup! Go, go! Over here! Nope! No, you don't! Wait! You got to be kidding me! Hey! You better stop! Come on, hurry up! Come on.
GREGORIO: Come here! Come on, get up.
Give me your hand, give me your hand! (grunts) Damn Gotcha.
Get off me! Get off! Be still.
I'm not gonna hurt you.
What, is this all you got? They're all we need.
(siren wailing) Neighbors must've called the cops.
Let's get these two out of here before they arrive.
We're gonna run? We're gonna walk quickly.
Come on.
Never thought I'd see the day when we flee from NOPD.
Here we go.
- What's this? -Shrimp creole.
It's one of our boss's specialties.
Yeah, he figured you guys probably hadn't a home-cooked meal in a while, so (clicks tongue) Mm-hmm.
Dig in.
I'm not hungry.
Yeah, not hungry.
Oh, that's a shame, because this will probably be your last decent meal for a while since you're in so much trouble.
What's your name? Tita Palmer.
There's, like, thousands of dollars' worth of stolen goods here.
That's grand theft.
A felony.
So the only thing standing between you and jail right now are the two of us.
I'm 15.
He's ten.
We're minors.
You can't even talk to us without an advocate present.
You're right.
Probably for Lil Man.
But we found the switchblade in your pocket.
That's weapons possession, baby girl.
Add that to the murder of a navy sailor, and you're being tried as an adult.
Do your worst.
Hey, listen, we don't think you killed anyone, but we do need to talk to your friend KC.
We know he had our victim's camera bag and a gun.
Who? (scoffs) This guy.
The one you're standing next to.
The one with the gun pointed at our murder victim.
KC ain't no killer.
Then tell us where he is so we can straighten this all out.
Give us some shrimp and a big smile, suddenly we're best friends? Hey, we're not trying to jam you up, girl.
There's no NOPD here.
No DCFS.
It's just us.
DCFS, NOPD, NCIS-- it's all different letters that spell the same thing.
C-O-P-S.
PRIDE: No reason to trust cops.
Of course, she could actually be involved in the murder.
It's possible.
I think it's a little more than possible, King.
I mean, she runs with KC, and his record speaks for itself.
Assault, weapons possession I mean, it's not a stretch to think that he pulled the trigger.
Maybe.
But execution-style murder? Just doesn't sit right with me.
Doesn't really matter how it sits.
I mean, we need to loop in NOPD, King.
Well, it's official.
I've been to every pawn shop in New Orleans.
No sign of Thompson's camera.
Although I did notice a really disturbing trend of people giving up their Franklin Mint collectible plates? I'm not surprised.
I am.
I thought those things were forever.
I mean, Thompson's camera.
Our pawn shops know to stay clear of gutter punks.
KC probably had to go to a fence.
Guessing I can't just Google "fence," huh? Not feeling optimistic about getting a statement from these kids.
Maybe you could call your buddy at DCFS, get them a place to sleep for the night.
We'll try again in the morning.
No, I don't want to turn them over.
Not yet.
So you don't want us to call the cops, and you don't want us to call social services.
I know firsthand what happens to kids like these when they get accused of high-profile crime.
They don't just get lost in the system; they get swept away by it.
Doesn't matter if they're innocent.
Damage is already done.
Oh, is this about that kid from your sheriff days, or? It's about these kids.
Okay.
But, eventually, we're gonna follow protocol, right? Turn the kids over.
I mean, because it's the law.
You're worried I'm crossing the line.
Going off book.
But I promise, no grand gestures.
Just want to keep Tita and Lil Man out of the system for 24 hours until we know what really happened, okay? Yeah.
LASALLE: Okay.
All right.
Yeah.
Now how do we get Tita and Lil Man to talk? Tita is very loyal to KC.
We're gonna have to gain her trust, and it's not gonna happen anywhere near interrogation rooms or handcuffs.
Okay.
I'm open to suggestions.
Okay.
Worst idea ever.
Worse than bringing a Russian prisoner home? Oh, it's up there.
Mm-mm.
Mm-mm.
Sir.
Don't touch that.
Drop it.
Thank you.
Back up.
Mm-hmm.
We gonna have to have a conversation about boundaries.
Okay.
Oh, my God.
Sorry.
(sighs) Two women living together, and there's nothing but hot sauce and assorted mustards.
Yeah, we like our condiments.
But I ordered a pizza.
Should be coming.
You should, uh, go get washed up.
I'm fine.
Lil Man could use a bath.
Yeah, or three.
But I'm on it.
(grunts) Get off me.
Come on, boy.
And he's using your bathroom.
LIL MAN: I don't need a bath.
You missed the best feature in our kitchen.
Mm-hmm.
Have at it.
Trying to bribe me with ice cream? That might work with Lil Man.
Suit yourself.
You think playing house for a few hours is gonna get us to rat on KC? Oh, no, not with you.
You're hard, right? Grew up with kids like you from New York.
You're like stone on the outside.
Street certified.
But deep down you just want to be cared for.
Might have been how it was in the olden days.
That's why you're so loyal to KC.
You stuck around for Lil Man when we raided that flop house.
You look out for each other because you know no one else will.
You done with the compassion monologue yet? Almost.
You know, you're here for a reason tonight.
'Cause you got my back, right? That's what you're gonna say.
How many times have I heard that? Cops, social workers, psychologists Everybody's got my back until they don't.
Then it's back to a group home or juvie.
Where I come from your word is your bond, so if I say I'm gonna protect you, then I'm gonna protect you.
You just need to open up.
(doorbell rings) That's the pizza.
What do you know, Christopher? Sebastian and I paid a visit to Big Pete.
Clearwater fence I know from back in the day.
He had Thompson's camera? No, but he saw it, though.
Gutter punk kid tried to sell it to him this morning.
Pete heard about the shooting.
Turned him down.
KC? Different kid.
Came in with a dog.
One who helped rob Gregorio.
Few hours later, someone else came looking for the camera.
Guy in a suit.
European accent.
He offered him big bucks.
Get more of a description? No, but Pete's got a security camera.
Sebastian's pulling the footage now.
Okay.
So, why are we here? Pete's warehouse is down the block.
Says he's seen the gutter punk kids hanging around the neighborhood recently.
Abandoned church.
Clearwater Baptist.
Same place you took Hamilton a few months ago when Yeah, I know.
Nothing's changed at all, huh? Stopped the shipyard deal and everything just ground to a halt.
Hey, that's not on you, King.
All right? If you didn't stop Hamilton, he would have hurt a lot of people around here.
Yeah.
Let's go find this kid.
Got to find that camera if we're gonna catch the killer.
Christopher.
KC? No.
No, the kid with the dog.
(dog growling) Shh Shh, it's okay.
It's okay.
KC wouldn't kill one of his own.
Guessing it's the guy in the suit.
Got to be after that camera.
Which means KC's got a target on his back.
(water running, clattering) Hey.
What are you guys doing? Mexican scrambled eggs.
Oh, yeah? What makes it so Mexican? Salsa, sour cream and canned beans.
My recipe.
TITA: But trust me, they taste better than they look.
I don't doubt it.
Could have slept in your bed, you know.
You didn't have to block the door.
It's to keep you safe.
You wanted to make sure we didn't bolt.
Sure.
And to keep you safe.
Gregorio, we need to talk.
Pride called.
One of our gutter punks got killed last night.
He thinks KC may be next.
Maybe even Tita and Lil Man.
He wants us back at NCIS.
All right, let's go.
Okay.
Guys, we got to take this breakfast to go, all right? I know what this means.
You're about to march us to DCFS.
What'd I say? I said I wasn't gonna turn you in, right? Now pack up the breakfast to go and come with us to NCIS and help us find KC.
Now.
WADE: It's Joey Simpson, shot twice execution-style to the back of the head.
Just like Petty Officer Thompson.
Yeah.
And ballistics came back with a match with nine millimeter Parrabellum rounds.
Sebastian sent this image from our fence's security camera.
That the man who was looking for Thompson's camera yesterday? And it's likely he shot two people over a camera that can't be worth more than a couple of grand.
Something must be on that camera worth killing for.
Thompson worked for the Navy Times.
Shot photos of special events.
Not exactly cloak-and-dagger.
Well, there's only one way to know for sure.
Have Sebastian try to access Thompson's camera and his cloud account.
Let's see what he shot.
If KC still has that camera, then he's gone from being suspect number one to our next possible victim.
But not if we find him first.
How are you gonna do that? I'm gonna convince Tita and Lil Man it's the only way to save him.
Should we be expecting next of kin? Joey was an orphan, according to his records.
Kids like him and KC don't have anyone.
That's not true, they have each other.
(Dakota whimpers) I was able to access Thompson's photo library in the cloud.
Thousands of pictures, mostly portraits, cityscapes, nothing valuable.
Is it possible that there's photos on the camera that haven't uploaded? Oh, totally, yeah.
This model of camera uploads as soon as it's turned on.
So when that happens You can track its GPS.
That's good work, Sebastian.
Oh, not just me.
It's my trusty sidekick here, too.
She's not as fast as Patton on the keyboard, but she's nowhere near as loud either, so (barks) Except for just then.
LIL MAN and TITA: Dakota! (whining) (laughing) Hi.
Is Joey here? I'm afraid not.
Good girl.
Good girl.
Something bad happened.
We should go in the other room.
I don't want to go in the other room.
I want to know what happened.
And we're gonna tell you, just not in front of Lil Man.
Pride.
I had to hear from NOPD that Joey Simpson was killed last night, and you found the body.
Joey's dead? YOUNG: I'm assuming that KC's responsible for this murder, too? Don't know the answers yet, Dan.
There's no evidence that says KC did it.
Because he didn't.
I know you.
Tita, right? And this kid, too, part of KC's crew.
What are they doing here? They're helping us with our investigation.
You're hiding KC, too? We haven't found him yet, but he's in serious danger and so are they.
You said "wait a day," Dwayne.
And I did, 'cause we're friends.
What you did not say is that you'd be willfully violating procedure in that day.
I'm trying to save kids.
You did a hell of a job with Joey.
That's not fair.
I could have contacted NOPD.
I could have swept up this whole crew and put them someplace safe.
He means a group home.
No, Tita.
I promise you we're not putting you back in a home.
You're not authorized to make that kind of promise.
These are minor dependents of the court.
- Take them into custody.
- Now, now, now, just wait a minute.
- Run! - Hey! Tita, stop! (Dakota barking) GREGORIO: Tita, stop! Tita! Come on.
Dan.
Dan, I'm sorry.
I should have told you sooner, but there's a killer out there, and these kids need protection.
And I'll take care of them.
Every gutter punk that the NOPD finds will be put in a secure facility.
Youth Detention.
It's like treating them like they're criminals.
I'm working with the resources I have available to me.
And I'm following the rules.
You might try that sometime.
You haven't changed in 20 years, Dwayne.
It didn't help the kid back then, and you're not helping them now.
Let's go.
Nah.
Dog stays.
(growls) Suit yourself.
Tita's gone.
We'll find her.
We'll get Lil Man back, too.
Thompson's camera just got switched on.
I was able to track the GPS signal and I'm not the only one.
Somebody else is tracking it, too.
Okay, call Lasalle, tell him to meet me and Sonja there.
Gregorio, keep looking for Tita.
KC: Yo, Tita.
How'd you find me? You told me about this place the first day we met on the street.
Your mom used to work here, right? Yeah.
It's a dump now.
It used to be real pretty back in the day, though.
(both laugh) Smile.
Camera's jammed.
We got to go.
The cops are after us, DCFS got Lil Man, and I think someone killed Joey.
Yeah, I know.
I I saw him.
I think it's got something to do with this camera.
Forget about the camera.
No, if there's something special about it, maybe it's worth something big.
TITA: What are you talking about? Holy crap.
(thud nearby) Shh.
(clatters) Sebastian says the camera's inside.
Any idea who else is tracking it? (gunshots) Whoever it is got here first.
NCIS! Drop your weapon! (tires screeching) King? You all right? Yeah, I'm good.
Is he the one from the photograph? No, but he's dressed the same.
SONJA: Well, I saw a bunch more of them driving away in a car.
I got a partial plate.
Any sign of KC or Tita? SONJA: No, nothing.
Hey, King.
Come check it out.
All this killing and they left the damn camera.
Well, I don't think the camera's what the killing was about.
This is one of the diamonds you found in Petty Officer Thompson's camera.
And the reason he and Joey Simpson were murdered.
You think you can trace it back to them? Well, luckily, diamonds are as unique as fingerprints.
I was able to find its point of origin.
It's from a $30 million haul heisted in Dubai last week.
- What do we know about the thieves? - Not much.
Just that they're Eastern European, former military.
- We got I.
D.
s? - Not yet.
But they're wanted for half a dozen similar heists throughout Europe and the Middle East.
They're-they're good at what they do.
They're also ruthless.
They've killed cops, witnesses, even some of their own members.
How's Petty Officer Thompson connected? SEBASTIAN: Well, the Dubai heist went sideways.
Private plane that they were using to escape, it got compromised by police.
The heat was on, the cops were searching for them, they couldn't just pack the diamonds in their luggage and hope to get through security.
So maybe they found someone who could smuggle the diamonds out for them.
Yeah, so Thompson flew out on a military transport.
Didn't have to go through airport security.
Think he was in on it? Doubt it.
Our sailor was squeaky clean.
Bad guys probably snuck the diamonds in his camera without him even knowing.
Figured they'd find him back in New Orleans, grab their haul and move on? But KC and his crew got in the way.
And Thompson got killed after he no longer had his camera.
They've already killed twice.
They tried to take out KC and Tita at the theater.
We need to track them down now.
All right, I'll call Loretta, see if she got anything on that dead gunman.
I'll call NOPD and make sure they get these photos.
Sonja, Gregorio, get the word out to the other gutter punks.
Do what it takes to find KC and Tita.
Yeah, well, this would have been a lot easier if we took them to DCFS like we should have in the first place.
It would have, Sonja.
We can absolutely debate that after we get them to safety.
If that's all right with you.
Keep me updated.
(sighs) Hey, Percy, the car's out on the street.
No, I need a minute.
Okay.
(sighs) Well, you know, there's plenty of blame to go around for Tita being in danger.
I was the one that said I didn't want to bring her in.
Yes.
Mm, no, that was Pride's choice.
You were just following his lead and me, too.
- Like always.
- Okay, but it always works out.
We've been in worse spots than this.
It's a pattern.
Pride gets tunnel vision and we get lucky pulling out a win, but you know what? Luck runs out.
Okay, well, I, for one, won't let our luck run out today.
I promised Tita I'd keep her safe, but I need your help.
Let's go find some gutter punks.
Prints came back to one Aco Sandar, a former Serbian commando.
Arrived in New Orleans earlier this week with three companions.
I relayed this to Lasalle and Sebastian on the phone about 15 minutes ago.
I know.
They're running down his cell phone, credit cards and accomplices, as we speak.
And yet you're still here? My team's losing faith in me.
I find that hard to believe.
I'm working hard to change how I operate, Loretta.
Been seeing a therapist.
Mm-hmm.
Coordinating with HQ.
Made assurances that I'll go by the book, follow protocol.
But But when the chips are down, when I see a kid that's vulnerable, or a friend in danger, I can't help but go my own way.
I'm hardwired like that.
Maybe the consequences are too much.
Nobody's perfect.
Not even you, Dwayne Pride.
You can be stubborn, single-minded, borderline obsessive.
This is the part where you're supposed to make me feel better.
I'm getting there.
Because you're aware of your bad habits, you're trying to adjust.
As a matter of fact, your track record speaks for itself.
You get the job done.
You save lives.
And that means more to your team than any single error.
How was that for a pep talk? Pretty good.
Hey, sorry to interrupt.
Talk to me, Sebastian.
Meet Aleksander Boro, Milos Ranko, and their leader Simon Natali.
That's the guys we saw on the Fence's security camera.
Yeah, they've been in New Orleans for three days, and won't leave without their $30 million in diamonds.
Where are they now? NOPD found their getaway car dumped off Tchoupitoulas.
Yeah, probably skulking around gutter punk hangouts looking for KC and Tita.
That's a lot of ground to cover.
GREGORIO: Maybe not.
We picked up one of KC's crew in Clearwater.
He was beat pretty bad.
Said a couple guys in sharp suits worked him over.
A few of his friends, too.
Our diamond thieves.
They wanted to get a message to KC.
Meet at City Park at 4:00 p.
m.
behind the bandstand.
Bring the merchandise and no one else'll get hurt.
Did the kid contact KC? Yeah, KC'll be there.
Probably Tita, too.
And why City Park? Tricentennial Festival starts today.
Probably want to give KC the idea that he'll be safe in a crowd.
Well, crowds never stopped these thieves from killing people.
No.
So we're gonna have to.
SAM: New Orleans, what's up? Welcome to the tricentennial.
We are X Ambassadors.
You guys ready to have a good time or what? (cheering, whooping) All right.
I thought I was ready Ready for someone else But every time I get ahead of myself Every time I get ahead of myself Thought I was rock steady That I didn't need no help But every time I get ahead of myself Every time I get ahead of my I get ahead of myself All right, comms open.
Let's keep this simple.
If you spot the gunmen, do not engage until we are clear of the crowd.
Can't risk a shoot-out.
All right, you got it, King.
Track and follow until you give the order.
Yeah.
Moved my things to your apartment Down on second street What if we see KC or Tita? Then we get them the hell out of here.
Got eyes on Natali and Ranko, heading south of the stage.
Copy, Percy.
On my way.
And I thought I was ready Ready for someone else SONJA: Damn it.
You got eyes on the other gunman? GREGORIO: No, it's Tita.
KC must have sent her to make the deal in his place.
What a coward.
And I didn't need no help Every time I get ahead of myself Every time SONJA: Natali just spotted her, too.
Wait.
Guys, I lost the visual.
Near the concession stand.
Yeah, baby Get ahead of myself Yeah, baby I get ahead of myself Where's your boyfriend? Close by.
NATALI: And my diamonds? With KC.
You give me the money and I'll tell you where they are.
I got Boro.
He's behind Tita.
I'm engaging, Pride.
Hang on, I'm almost there.
That's not how this works.
Call KC now and have him come here.
GREGORIO: Pride, he's got a knife.
All right, hold tight.
I'm on my way! Or what? Or we're going to hurt you.
NCIS! Hands where (gunshots) Run, Tita, run! Gregorio, what the hell?! (gunshots) Whoo, hoo, hoo, hoo Whoo, hoo, hoo, hoo Whoo, hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo The devil you know Whoo, hoo, hoo, hoo We're pinned down.
We need backup.
All right, hold tight, King.
We're on our way.
The devil you know (gunshots) Come on Natali's going after Tita.
I'm going after her.
I have to.
No, it's not safe.
Hold on.
No, I can't.
I have to.
Gregorio! Damn it! Whoo, hoo, hoo, hoo Whoo, hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo, hoo The devil you know PRIDE: Don't move.
Where's Gregorio? She went after Natali and Tita.
What can we do? Call this in.
I'm going after Gregorio.
(ducks quacking) KC? Yo.
You get the money? No.
They tried to kill me.
We have to get out of here.
Let me get the diamonds.
There's no time, KC.
He's right behind us.
Yeah, I'm not leaving without 'em.
You see this? This is gonna change (gunshots) KC! Why did you have to make this so hard? (gunshot) (crying) (sirens wailing in distance) All clear.
Tita's safe.
Natali's dead.
KC's dead, too.
Can't believe he's gone.
I should've tried harder to get him away.
None of this is on you.
It's gonna take some time to understand, but KC made some bad choices.
You don't have to.
What's that mean? It means you need to take some responsibility for yourself.
Focus on the future.
I don't have one of those.
Sure you do.
So this is the part where you hand me off to DCFS.
(sighs) Yeah.
This is the part.
But it's also the part where you realize it's the right thing to do.
I'll just get lost in the shuffle, end up in some group home.
No, you won't.
Because I'm gonna be by your side every step of the way to make sure you stay on course.
Like I said, I got your back.
For real? You can bank on it.
How'd she take it? Better than I expected.
I just hope she doesn't run away again.
Oh.
To find her way back to our place, no doubt.
But that's where you will be staying until we find you a good home.
What? Right, good girl? When did we agree on that? Oh, so you're the only one who can bring in strays off the street? Don't start.
This is a dog.
Really? Please.
Oh, Percy, I just hope DCFS does right by her.
PRIDE: They will.
I made sure of it.
How'd you manage that? By eating a lot of crow with Dan Young.
I promised to stay out of his business from now on.
And he promised to place Tita and Lil Man in foster care together.
They'll be together no matter what happens.
What about the other gutter punks? Got some ideas about them, too.
The acting mayor and I are currently on good terms.
Thought she might work out some transitional housing.
Loretta's gonna broach the subject.
I try to clean up my messes.
Yeah? Maybe next time, double up on the therapy.
I'll take it under advisement.
I'd like a word with you.
Upstairs.
Need to talk about what happened today.
We stopped the bad guys and got Tita to safety.
What's to say? Well, let's start with you disobeying orders and jeopardizing lives.
I made a judgment call based on my reading of the situation, like you always do.
You acted impulsively, Gregorio.
Opening fire when I told you not to.
Chasing after Natali when it wasn't safe.
Let me ask you a question.
You're the only one that gets to work on instinct? Call an audible? It's my team.
It's my call.
Wow, that's some real Washington-level BS right there, Pride.
Chain of command.
Not about chain of command.
It's about consequences.
When I take a risk, I'm willing to take the hit.
Not just for me.
For all of us.
You're giving me grief for a trigger you would've pulled without a second thought.
It's not that simple, Tammy.
You want us to trust you? Back your plays, follow your instincts, no matter what it costs? You got to trust us back.
Maybe so.
Nonetheless I'm the boss.
And I make the calls, right or wrong.
Don't you ever pull a stunt like that again.
You got it? Yeah.
I got it.
(door opens, slams)
Thank you.
How adorable! Can we take a photo? Be my guest, ma'am.
Come on.
Get together.
YOUNG MAN: There.
Can you take another one? Good girl.
(barks) (cheering) Not bad for a Monday.
Check out the fish.
Give you a hand? You look a little lost.
Actually, uh, I'm looking for the Hyatt.
Oh, sure.
You're not too far away.
You want to make a left at the corner and just keep going down What the hell? (cheering) Tita! (shouts) KC! Yo! Let go of that kid! Give me my bags first! This isn't a negotiation.
BOY: Come on, man.
BOY 2: You heard him, man.
GIRL: Give him.
Yeah, that's right.
This isn't over, kid.
I seen your face, and I will find you.
I hope you do.
Captain.
(sighs) (birds chirping) Hey, buddy.
It's time to wake up.
Hey.
Sleeping Beauty.
Hey (gasps) Oh NCIS:New Orleans 4x09 Hard Knock Life Boom, boom, boom, boom Bang, bang, bang, bang Boom, boom, boom, boom How, how, how, how Hey, hey You gotta come on.
Sorry I'm late.
Oh, no worries.
Knew you would be.
Tuesday 8:00 a.
m.
's a regular thing with the Therapist.
- It's nothing to be ashamed of.
- I know.
Hey! How's the headshrinker? You, too? I mean, I think it's great.
You're a lot less stressed lately.
We've all been talking about it.
You have? Yeah! You know, your mental health is in direct correlation with our job health.
Well, I'm touched.
What she means is, with everything on your plate, you know, Hamilton and Wade's son being kidnapped, you know, we were worried about you.
You don't have to be.
Not anymore, since you've been seeing The therapist.
Right.
And, you know, the great thing about this Mm.
is if you have some feelings that you want to talk about, you got someone.
Actually, there is something that I would like to talk about.
Okay.
We're-we're all ears.
Why don't you tell me about our murder victim? Right.
Petty Officer Michael Thompson, mass communications specialist, just in from Dubai.
What's he doing in New Orleans? Navy assigned him to photograph the tricentennial kickoff for the Navy Times.
Landed yesterday at Belle Chasse on a military transport.
Cab dropped him in the Quarter in the afternoon.
Never made it to the hotel.
Morning, Loretta.
Dwayne.
Any sign of luggage? No watch or wallet, either.
So he got caught on the wrong end of a stickup? Well, armed robbers tend to shoot their victims face-to-face, out of fear.
Petty Officer Thompson was shot twice to the back of the head.
Execution-style.
He has contusions on his hands, bruising on his body.
He was beaten, too.
So this was more than a robbery.
Lasalle's canvassing the area for witnesses.
Sebastian's pulling surveillance.
I want to know what they found.
Pulled this from an NOPD security camera.
Got our victim, suspect, and murder weapon all wrapped up in a bow.
Yeah.
There's no mistaking what this is.
Gutter punks.
Gutter what now? Gutter punks.
Come on, Gregorio.
How long have you lived in New Orleans? Clearly not long enough to know what a gutter punk is.
Gutter punks are kids who slip through the cracks of Child Services, end up on the street to avoid group homes or shelters.
Oh, yeah, you're talking about the street kids.
We call them "crusties" in New York.
Well, here they generally cause mayhem wherever they go.
Kind of like the minor leagues of crime.
A little more complicated than that, but LASALLE: I'm with Percy, King.
They're a menace.
I mean, picking pockets, running scams, pulling snatch and grabs.
All petty crime.
Nothing like murder.
Well, I mean, aren't we looking at the evidence right now? Scary looking kid pointing a gun at our dead sailor.
PRIDE: Yeah, but not pulling the trigger.
And this was yesterday.
Thompson's body was found early this morning.
What happened in between? Well, Thompson continued the chase, caught up with the suspect, and took a beating and a bullet for his trouble.
Body got dumped.
Bull's-eye.
Let's put out a BOLO.
But what about the weapon? The gun in the video is small caliber.
.
22, maybe .
25.
But we recovered 9mm casings at the crime scene.
Yeah, so suspect had another gun.
Maybe.
Okay.
We're not 100% that they killed Thompson, but it's looking good.
LASALLE: Plus, we do know they robbed him.
Let's follow protocol.
I'll call NOPD, and we can sort it all out once we have the kids in custody.
PRIDE: Not just yet.
I mean, you did hear the part where Lasalle said it's protocol, right? We got the kid on tape committing a felony.
I know.
But I also know we got thousands of tourists in town for the tricentennial kickoff.
City officials are cracking down.
They get word that it's possible that some gutter punk shot Thompson, it'll be war on all of 'em.
What are you saying here, King? (sighs) Guys, we're not off the rails here.
We're just crossing Ts and dotting Is, okay? If you say so.
I do.
You and Lasalle hit the streets, try and find these kids.
Sebastian, head to the pawn shops.
See if somebody tried to sell Thompson's property.
What are we gonna do? We're gonna go to DCFS.
I got a friend who works there.
Maybe he can help.
MAN: You know, Dwayne, used to be a time when you'd just visit to say hello without needing something.
I remember an invitation to play at the bar, and I haven't seen you there yet.
This guy plays a mean trombone.
Oh, yeah? You known each other a long time? 20 years.
Dwayne used to work juvie crime when he was a deputy.
Helped a lot of these kids.
Not as many as I wanted.
Someday, you'll have to let that go, Dwayne.
What happened to Angel wasn't your fault.
Who's Angel? Ancient history.
Look, all the time I've put in here, I know what I'm talking about.
Some kids can't be helped.
Like the one you're asking about now.
KC Vaughn.
Crossed my desk more times than I can count.
What can you tell us about him? Lost his family in Katrina.
In and out of foster care, on and off the streets, gangs, juvie.
Any idea where we can find him? He's aged out of the system.
Somebody else's problem now.
That's a little callous, Dan.
See this pile? I save my compassion for the kids who want help.
Whether they want it or not, they all need it.
I don't have the luxury or the resources to think like that anymore.
Lost a quarter of my staff when that whole Hamilton debacle went down.
There was funding for us in that shipyard deal.
That was the last, best chance for those kids.
Yeah.
If you don't know where he is, you got a line on someone who does? Yeah.
My liaison at NOPD.
Just as soon not bring the cops in.
You said this kid and his crew committed robbery.
I'm obligated to report that.
Sure.
Just maybe not for a day or so.
As a favor from one sideman to another? You got the day.
(phone chimes) Thanks, bud.
Good seeing you.
Sonja.
Said they almost caught one of the gutter punks.
What? PRIDE: Sonja, what do you mean, "almost"? Well, I had to break the chase 'cause Evel Knievel here almost slipped off a fire escape.
Hey, those kids are slippery.
- And fast.
- And you are not a ninja.
Which is why you don't jump on and off buildings like one.
You all right, Chris? Yeah.
Just bruised my ego.
And his head.
(hisses) But I say it's time to bring in the professionals.
Let NOPD swing from the rooftops.
I don't think anyone's gonna have to swing around.
We want to catch one of these gutter punks, we need to think like 'em.
Why you eyeballing me like that? SEBASTIAN: Testing.
One, two, three.
Can you hear me? Yes, and I want it on the official record that I feel ridiculous.
Duly noted, but you look mah-velous.
Still don't even know how I got picked for this plum assignment.
Well, Lasalle and I were up and down these streets all day.
Kids know we're feds.
Yeah, and I can't pull off a high-heeled boot, apparently.
Oh, gutter punk.
My 12 o'clock.
Hi! He's so cute.
May I? Yeah, lady.
Knock yourself out.
Oh, so cute.
So sweet.
(chuckles): Hi.
Wait, she took my bag.
Wait! What are you doing?! They took the bait.
Way to go, Meryl Streep! Bite me.
Please tell me you got a trace on them.
We got it.
All we got to do now is follow the signal.
All I got to do is get these boots off.
They're killing me.
(engine revving) (rock music playing) It's like a Ninja Turtles movie in here.
Federal agents! - Everyone stay where you are! - Raid! (shouting indistinctly) Come on, Lil Man! Let's go! Headed your way, Pride.
PRIDE: Hold on.
We just want to talk.
Not this way! Pickup! Go, go! Over here! Nope! No, you don't! Wait! You got to be kidding me! Hey! You better stop! Come on, hurry up! Come on.
GREGORIO: Come here! Come on, get up.
Give me your hand, give me your hand! (grunts) Damn Gotcha.
Get off me! Get off! Be still.
I'm not gonna hurt you.
What, is this all you got? They're all we need.
(siren wailing) Neighbors must've called the cops.
Let's get these two out of here before they arrive.
We're gonna run? We're gonna walk quickly.
Come on.
Never thought I'd see the day when we flee from NOPD.
Here we go.
- What's this? -Shrimp creole.
It's one of our boss's specialties.
Yeah, he figured you guys probably hadn't a home-cooked meal in a while, so (clicks tongue) Mm-hmm.
Dig in.
I'm not hungry.
Yeah, not hungry.
Oh, that's a shame, because this will probably be your last decent meal for a while since you're in so much trouble.
What's your name? Tita Palmer.
There's, like, thousands of dollars' worth of stolen goods here.
That's grand theft.
A felony.
So the only thing standing between you and jail right now are the two of us.
I'm 15.
He's ten.
We're minors.
You can't even talk to us without an advocate present.
You're right.
Probably for Lil Man.
But we found the switchblade in your pocket.
That's weapons possession, baby girl.
Add that to the murder of a navy sailor, and you're being tried as an adult.
Do your worst.
Hey, listen, we don't think you killed anyone, but we do need to talk to your friend KC.
We know he had our victim's camera bag and a gun.
Who? (scoffs) This guy.
The one you're standing next to.
The one with the gun pointed at our murder victim.
KC ain't no killer.
Then tell us where he is so we can straighten this all out.
Give us some shrimp and a big smile, suddenly we're best friends? Hey, we're not trying to jam you up, girl.
There's no NOPD here.
No DCFS.
It's just us.
DCFS, NOPD, NCIS-- it's all different letters that spell the same thing.
C-O-P-S.
PRIDE: No reason to trust cops.
Of course, she could actually be involved in the murder.
It's possible.
I think it's a little more than possible, King.
I mean, she runs with KC, and his record speaks for itself.
Assault, weapons possession I mean, it's not a stretch to think that he pulled the trigger.
Maybe.
But execution-style murder? Just doesn't sit right with me.
Doesn't really matter how it sits.
I mean, we need to loop in NOPD, King.
Well, it's official.
I've been to every pawn shop in New Orleans.
No sign of Thompson's camera.
Although I did notice a really disturbing trend of people giving up their Franklin Mint collectible plates? I'm not surprised.
I am.
I thought those things were forever.
I mean, Thompson's camera.
Our pawn shops know to stay clear of gutter punks.
KC probably had to go to a fence.
Guessing I can't just Google "fence," huh? Not feeling optimistic about getting a statement from these kids.
Maybe you could call your buddy at DCFS, get them a place to sleep for the night.
We'll try again in the morning.
No, I don't want to turn them over.
Not yet.
So you don't want us to call the cops, and you don't want us to call social services.
I know firsthand what happens to kids like these when they get accused of high-profile crime.
They don't just get lost in the system; they get swept away by it.
Doesn't matter if they're innocent.
Damage is already done.
Oh, is this about that kid from your sheriff days, or? It's about these kids.
Okay.
But, eventually, we're gonna follow protocol, right? Turn the kids over.
I mean, because it's the law.
You're worried I'm crossing the line.
Going off book.
But I promise, no grand gestures.
Just want to keep Tita and Lil Man out of the system for 24 hours until we know what really happened, okay? Yeah.
LASALLE: Okay.
All right.
Yeah.
Now how do we get Tita and Lil Man to talk? Tita is very loyal to KC.
We're gonna have to gain her trust, and it's not gonna happen anywhere near interrogation rooms or handcuffs.
Okay.
I'm open to suggestions.
Okay.
Worst idea ever.
Worse than bringing a Russian prisoner home? Oh, it's up there.
Mm-mm.
Mm-mm.
Sir.
Don't touch that.
Drop it.
Thank you.
Back up.
Mm-hmm.
We gonna have to have a conversation about boundaries.
Okay.
Oh, my God.
Sorry.
(sighs) Two women living together, and there's nothing but hot sauce and assorted mustards.
Yeah, we like our condiments.
But I ordered a pizza.
Should be coming.
You should, uh, go get washed up.
I'm fine.
Lil Man could use a bath.
Yeah, or three.
But I'm on it.
(grunts) Get off me.
Come on, boy.
And he's using your bathroom.
LIL MAN: I don't need a bath.
You missed the best feature in our kitchen.
Mm-hmm.
Have at it.
Trying to bribe me with ice cream? That might work with Lil Man.
Suit yourself.
You think playing house for a few hours is gonna get us to rat on KC? Oh, no, not with you.
You're hard, right? Grew up with kids like you from New York.
You're like stone on the outside.
Street certified.
But deep down you just want to be cared for.
Might have been how it was in the olden days.
That's why you're so loyal to KC.
You stuck around for Lil Man when we raided that flop house.
You look out for each other because you know no one else will.
You done with the compassion monologue yet? Almost.
You know, you're here for a reason tonight.
'Cause you got my back, right? That's what you're gonna say.
How many times have I heard that? Cops, social workers, psychologists Everybody's got my back until they don't.
Then it's back to a group home or juvie.
Where I come from your word is your bond, so if I say I'm gonna protect you, then I'm gonna protect you.
You just need to open up.
(doorbell rings) That's the pizza.
What do you know, Christopher? Sebastian and I paid a visit to Big Pete.
Clearwater fence I know from back in the day.
He had Thompson's camera? No, but he saw it, though.
Gutter punk kid tried to sell it to him this morning.
Pete heard about the shooting.
Turned him down.
KC? Different kid.
Came in with a dog.
One who helped rob Gregorio.
Few hours later, someone else came looking for the camera.
Guy in a suit.
European accent.
He offered him big bucks.
Get more of a description? No, but Pete's got a security camera.
Sebastian's pulling the footage now.
Okay.
So, why are we here? Pete's warehouse is down the block.
Says he's seen the gutter punk kids hanging around the neighborhood recently.
Abandoned church.
Clearwater Baptist.
Same place you took Hamilton a few months ago when Yeah, I know.
Nothing's changed at all, huh? Stopped the shipyard deal and everything just ground to a halt.
Hey, that's not on you, King.
All right? If you didn't stop Hamilton, he would have hurt a lot of people around here.
Yeah.
Let's go find this kid.
Got to find that camera if we're gonna catch the killer.
Christopher.
KC? No.
No, the kid with the dog.
(dog growling) Shh Shh, it's okay.
It's okay.
KC wouldn't kill one of his own.
Guessing it's the guy in the suit.
Got to be after that camera.
Which means KC's got a target on his back.
(water running, clattering) Hey.
What are you guys doing? Mexican scrambled eggs.
Oh, yeah? What makes it so Mexican? Salsa, sour cream and canned beans.
My recipe.
TITA: But trust me, they taste better than they look.
I don't doubt it.
Could have slept in your bed, you know.
You didn't have to block the door.
It's to keep you safe.
You wanted to make sure we didn't bolt.
Sure.
And to keep you safe.
Gregorio, we need to talk.
Pride called.
One of our gutter punks got killed last night.
He thinks KC may be next.
Maybe even Tita and Lil Man.
He wants us back at NCIS.
All right, let's go.
Okay.
Guys, we got to take this breakfast to go, all right? I know what this means.
You're about to march us to DCFS.
What'd I say? I said I wasn't gonna turn you in, right? Now pack up the breakfast to go and come with us to NCIS and help us find KC.
Now.
WADE: It's Joey Simpson, shot twice execution-style to the back of the head.
Just like Petty Officer Thompson.
Yeah.
And ballistics came back with a match with nine millimeter Parrabellum rounds.
Sebastian sent this image from our fence's security camera.
That the man who was looking for Thompson's camera yesterday? And it's likely he shot two people over a camera that can't be worth more than a couple of grand.
Something must be on that camera worth killing for.
Thompson worked for the Navy Times.
Shot photos of special events.
Not exactly cloak-and-dagger.
Well, there's only one way to know for sure.
Have Sebastian try to access Thompson's camera and his cloud account.
Let's see what he shot.
If KC still has that camera, then he's gone from being suspect number one to our next possible victim.
But not if we find him first.
How are you gonna do that? I'm gonna convince Tita and Lil Man it's the only way to save him.
Should we be expecting next of kin? Joey was an orphan, according to his records.
Kids like him and KC don't have anyone.
That's not true, they have each other.
(Dakota whimpers) I was able to access Thompson's photo library in the cloud.
Thousands of pictures, mostly portraits, cityscapes, nothing valuable.
Is it possible that there's photos on the camera that haven't uploaded? Oh, totally, yeah.
This model of camera uploads as soon as it's turned on.
So when that happens You can track its GPS.
That's good work, Sebastian.
Oh, not just me.
It's my trusty sidekick here, too.
She's not as fast as Patton on the keyboard, but she's nowhere near as loud either, so (barks) Except for just then.
LIL MAN and TITA: Dakota! (whining) (laughing) Hi.
Is Joey here? I'm afraid not.
Good girl.
Good girl.
Something bad happened.
We should go in the other room.
I don't want to go in the other room.
I want to know what happened.
And we're gonna tell you, just not in front of Lil Man.
Pride.
I had to hear from NOPD that Joey Simpson was killed last night, and you found the body.
Joey's dead? YOUNG: I'm assuming that KC's responsible for this murder, too? Don't know the answers yet, Dan.
There's no evidence that says KC did it.
Because he didn't.
I know you.
Tita, right? And this kid, too, part of KC's crew.
What are they doing here? They're helping us with our investigation.
You're hiding KC, too? We haven't found him yet, but he's in serious danger and so are they.
You said "wait a day," Dwayne.
And I did, 'cause we're friends.
What you did not say is that you'd be willfully violating procedure in that day.
I'm trying to save kids.
You did a hell of a job with Joey.
That's not fair.
I could have contacted NOPD.
I could have swept up this whole crew and put them someplace safe.
He means a group home.
No, Tita.
I promise you we're not putting you back in a home.
You're not authorized to make that kind of promise.
These are minor dependents of the court.
- Take them into custody.
- Now, now, now, just wait a minute.
- Run! - Hey! Tita, stop! (Dakota barking) GREGORIO: Tita, stop! Tita! Come on.
Dan.
Dan, I'm sorry.
I should have told you sooner, but there's a killer out there, and these kids need protection.
And I'll take care of them.
Every gutter punk that the NOPD finds will be put in a secure facility.
Youth Detention.
It's like treating them like they're criminals.
I'm working with the resources I have available to me.
And I'm following the rules.
You might try that sometime.
You haven't changed in 20 years, Dwayne.
It didn't help the kid back then, and you're not helping them now.
Let's go.
Nah.
Dog stays.
(growls) Suit yourself.
Tita's gone.
We'll find her.
We'll get Lil Man back, too.
Thompson's camera just got switched on.
I was able to track the GPS signal and I'm not the only one.
Somebody else is tracking it, too.
Okay, call Lasalle, tell him to meet me and Sonja there.
Gregorio, keep looking for Tita.
KC: Yo, Tita.
How'd you find me? You told me about this place the first day we met on the street.
Your mom used to work here, right? Yeah.
It's a dump now.
It used to be real pretty back in the day, though.
(both laugh) Smile.
Camera's jammed.
We got to go.
The cops are after us, DCFS got Lil Man, and I think someone killed Joey.
Yeah, I know.
I I saw him.
I think it's got something to do with this camera.
Forget about the camera.
No, if there's something special about it, maybe it's worth something big.
TITA: What are you talking about? Holy crap.
(thud nearby) Shh.
(clatters) Sebastian says the camera's inside.
Any idea who else is tracking it? (gunshots) Whoever it is got here first.
NCIS! Drop your weapon! (tires screeching) King? You all right? Yeah, I'm good.
Is he the one from the photograph? No, but he's dressed the same.
SONJA: Well, I saw a bunch more of them driving away in a car.
I got a partial plate.
Any sign of KC or Tita? SONJA: No, nothing.
Hey, King.
Come check it out.
All this killing and they left the damn camera.
Well, I don't think the camera's what the killing was about.
This is one of the diamonds you found in Petty Officer Thompson's camera.
And the reason he and Joey Simpson were murdered.
You think you can trace it back to them? Well, luckily, diamonds are as unique as fingerprints.
I was able to find its point of origin.
It's from a $30 million haul heisted in Dubai last week.
- What do we know about the thieves? - Not much.
Just that they're Eastern European, former military.
- We got I.
D.
s? - Not yet.
But they're wanted for half a dozen similar heists throughout Europe and the Middle East.
They're-they're good at what they do.
They're also ruthless.
They've killed cops, witnesses, even some of their own members.
How's Petty Officer Thompson connected? SEBASTIAN: Well, the Dubai heist went sideways.
Private plane that they were using to escape, it got compromised by police.
The heat was on, the cops were searching for them, they couldn't just pack the diamonds in their luggage and hope to get through security.
So maybe they found someone who could smuggle the diamonds out for them.
Yeah, so Thompson flew out on a military transport.
Didn't have to go through airport security.
Think he was in on it? Doubt it.
Our sailor was squeaky clean.
Bad guys probably snuck the diamonds in his camera without him even knowing.
Figured they'd find him back in New Orleans, grab their haul and move on? But KC and his crew got in the way.
And Thompson got killed after he no longer had his camera.
They've already killed twice.
They tried to take out KC and Tita at the theater.
We need to track them down now.
All right, I'll call Loretta, see if she got anything on that dead gunman.
I'll call NOPD and make sure they get these photos.
Sonja, Gregorio, get the word out to the other gutter punks.
Do what it takes to find KC and Tita.
Yeah, well, this would have been a lot easier if we took them to DCFS like we should have in the first place.
It would have, Sonja.
We can absolutely debate that after we get them to safety.
If that's all right with you.
Keep me updated.
(sighs) Hey, Percy, the car's out on the street.
No, I need a minute.
Okay.
(sighs) Well, you know, there's plenty of blame to go around for Tita being in danger.
I was the one that said I didn't want to bring her in.
Yes.
Mm, no, that was Pride's choice.
You were just following his lead and me, too.
- Like always.
- Okay, but it always works out.
We've been in worse spots than this.
It's a pattern.
Pride gets tunnel vision and we get lucky pulling out a win, but you know what? Luck runs out.
Okay, well, I, for one, won't let our luck run out today.
I promised Tita I'd keep her safe, but I need your help.
Let's go find some gutter punks.
Prints came back to one Aco Sandar, a former Serbian commando.
Arrived in New Orleans earlier this week with three companions.
I relayed this to Lasalle and Sebastian on the phone about 15 minutes ago.
I know.
They're running down his cell phone, credit cards and accomplices, as we speak.
And yet you're still here? My team's losing faith in me.
I find that hard to believe.
I'm working hard to change how I operate, Loretta.
Been seeing a therapist.
Mm-hmm.
Coordinating with HQ.
Made assurances that I'll go by the book, follow protocol.
But But when the chips are down, when I see a kid that's vulnerable, or a friend in danger, I can't help but go my own way.
I'm hardwired like that.
Maybe the consequences are too much.
Nobody's perfect.
Not even you, Dwayne Pride.
You can be stubborn, single-minded, borderline obsessive.
This is the part where you're supposed to make me feel better.
I'm getting there.
Because you're aware of your bad habits, you're trying to adjust.
As a matter of fact, your track record speaks for itself.
You get the job done.
You save lives.
And that means more to your team than any single error.
How was that for a pep talk? Pretty good.
Hey, sorry to interrupt.
Talk to me, Sebastian.
Meet Aleksander Boro, Milos Ranko, and their leader Simon Natali.
That's the guys we saw on the Fence's security camera.
Yeah, they've been in New Orleans for three days, and won't leave without their $30 million in diamonds.
Where are they now? NOPD found their getaway car dumped off Tchoupitoulas.
Yeah, probably skulking around gutter punk hangouts looking for KC and Tita.
That's a lot of ground to cover.
GREGORIO: Maybe not.
We picked up one of KC's crew in Clearwater.
He was beat pretty bad.
Said a couple guys in sharp suits worked him over.
A few of his friends, too.
Our diamond thieves.
They wanted to get a message to KC.
Meet at City Park at 4:00 p.
m.
behind the bandstand.
Bring the merchandise and no one else'll get hurt.
Did the kid contact KC? Yeah, KC'll be there.
Probably Tita, too.
And why City Park? Tricentennial Festival starts today.
Probably want to give KC the idea that he'll be safe in a crowd.
Well, crowds never stopped these thieves from killing people.
No.
So we're gonna have to.
SAM: New Orleans, what's up? Welcome to the tricentennial.
We are X Ambassadors.
You guys ready to have a good time or what? (cheering, whooping) All right.
I thought I was ready Ready for someone else But every time I get ahead of myself Every time I get ahead of myself Thought I was rock steady That I didn't need no help But every time I get ahead of myself Every time I get ahead of my I get ahead of myself All right, comms open.
Let's keep this simple.
If you spot the gunmen, do not engage until we are clear of the crowd.
Can't risk a shoot-out.
All right, you got it, King.
Track and follow until you give the order.
Yeah.
Moved my things to your apartment Down on second street What if we see KC or Tita? Then we get them the hell out of here.
Got eyes on Natali and Ranko, heading south of the stage.
Copy, Percy.
On my way.
And I thought I was ready Ready for someone else SONJA: Damn it.
You got eyes on the other gunman? GREGORIO: No, it's Tita.
KC must have sent her to make the deal in his place.
What a coward.
And I didn't need no help Every time I get ahead of myself Every time SONJA: Natali just spotted her, too.
Wait.
Guys, I lost the visual.
Near the concession stand.
Yeah, baby Get ahead of myself Yeah, baby I get ahead of myself Where's your boyfriend? Close by.
NATALI: And my diamonds? With KC.
You give me the money and I'll tell you where they are.
I got Boro.
He's behind Tita.
I'm engaging, Pride.
Hang on, I'm almost there.
That's not how this works.
Call KC now and have him come here.
GREGORIO: Pride, he's got a knife.
All right, hold tight.
I'm on my way! Or what? Or we're going to hurt you.
NCIS! Hands where (gunshots) Run, Tita, run! Gregorio, what the hell?! (gunshots) Whoo, hoo, hoo, hoo Whoo, hoo, hoo, hoo Whoo, hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo The devil you know Whoo, hoo, hoo, hoo We're pinned down.
We need backup.
All right, hold tight, King.
We're on our way.
The devil you know (gunshots) Come on Natali's going after Tita.
I'm going after her.
I have to.
No, it's not safe.
Hold on.
No, I can't.
I have to.
Gregorio! Damn it! Whoo, hoo, hoo, hoo Whoo, hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo, hoo The devil you know PRIDE: Don't move.
Where's Gregorio? She went after Natali and Tita.
What can we do? Call this in.
I'm going after Gregorio.
(ducks quacking) KC? Yo.
You get the money? No.
They tried to kill me.
We have to get out of here.
Let me get the diamonds.
There's no time, KC.
He's right behind us.
Yeah, I'm not leaving without 'em.
You see this? This is gonna change (gunshots) KC! Why did you have to make this so hard? (gunshot) (crying) (sirens wailing in distance) All clear.
Tita's safe.
Natali's dead.
KC's dead, too.
Can't believe he's gone.
I should've tried harder to get him away.
None of this is on you.
It's gonna take some time to understand, but KC made some bad choices.
You don't have to.
What's that mean? It means you need to take some responsibility for yourself.
Focus on the future.
I don't have one of those.
Sure you do.
So this is the part where you hand me off to DCFS.
(sighs) Yeah.
This is the part.
But it's also the part where you realize it's the right thing to do.
I'll just get lost in the shuffle, end up in some group home.
No, you won't.
Because I'm gonna be by your side every step of the way to make sure you stay on course.
Like I said, I got your back.
For real? You can bank on it.
How'd she take it? Better than I expected.
I just hope she doesn't run away again.
Oh.
To find her way back to our place, no doubt.
But that's where you will be staying until we find you a good home.
What? Right, good girl? When did we agree on that? Oh, so you're the only one who can bring in strays off the street? Don't start.
This is a dog.
Really? Please.
Oh, Percy, I just hope DCFS does right by her.
PRIDE: They will.
I made sure of it.
How'd you manage that? By eating a lot of crow with Dan Young.
I promised to stay out of his business from now on.
And he promised to place Tita and Lil Man in foster care together.
They'll be together no matter what happens.
What about the other gutter punks? Got some ideas about them, too.
The acting mayor and I are currently on good terms.
Thought she might work out some transitional housing.
Loretta's gonna broach the subject.
I try to clean up my messes.
Yeah? Maybe next time, double up on the therapy.
I'll take it under advisement.
I'd like a word with you.
Upstairs.
Need to talk about what happened today.
We stopped the bad guys and got Tita to safety.
What's to say? Well, let's start with you disobeying orders and jeopardizing lives.
I made a judgment call based on my reading of the situation, like you always do.
You acted impulsively, Gregorio.
Opening fire when I told you not to.
Chasing after Natali when it wasn't safe.
Let me ask you a question.
You're the only one that gets to work on instinct? Call an audible? It's my team.
It's my call.
Wow, that's some real Washington-level BS right there, Pride.
Chain of command.
Not about chain of command.
It's about consequences.
When I take a risk, I'm willing to take the hit.
Not just for me.
For all of us.
You're giving me grief for a trigger you would've pulled without a second thought.
It's not that simple, Tammy.
You want us to trust you? Back your plays, follow your instincts, no matter what it costs? You got to trust us back.
Maybe so.
Nonetheless I'm the boss.
And I make the calls, right or wrong.
Don't you ever pull a stunt like that again.
You got it? Yeah.
I got it.
(door opens, slams)