1
00:00:13,883 --> 00:00:16,580
EVAN: "'But you were always
a good man of business, Jacob,'
2
00:00:16,581 --> 00:00:19,235
"faltered Scrooge.
3
00:00:19,236 --> 00:00:21,238
'Business,' cried the ghost..."
4
00:00:22,065 --> 00:00:23,935
"...wringing its hands again.
5
00:00:23,936 --> 00:00:26,068
"'Mankind
was my business.
6
00:00:26,069 --> 00:00:29,115
"'The common welfare
was my business.
7
00:00:29,116 --> 00:00:32,466
[speaks indistinctly]"'Charity, mercy, forbearance
8
00:00:32,467 --> 00:00:34,729
and benevolence
were all my business.'"
9
00:00:34,730 --> 00:00:36,252
Man, what is this crap?
10
00:00:36,253 --> 00:00:38,080
Cut it out, Zanella.
11
00:00:38,081 --> 00:00:39,734
Give it back.
12
00:00:39,735 --> 00:00:41,779
It's bad enough we inherited
this hellhole from the Brits.
13
00:00:41,780 --> 00:00:43,651
Now we got to listen
to their boring books, too?
14
00:00:43,652 --> 00:00:46,610
- Respect the classics, Marine.
- Yes, Lieutenant.
15
00:00:46,611 --> 00:00:49,049
Let's see this.
16
00:00:50,876 --> 00:00:52,748
Ah.
17
00:00:54,054 --> 00:00:55,664
Stay alert.
18
00:00:56,534 --> 00:00:58,709
We're moving out
in about 20 minutes.
19
00:00:58,710 --> 00:00:59,971
It's almost dawn.
20
00:00:59,972 --> 00:01:01,147
Never understood ghost stories
21
00:01:01,148 --> 00:01:02,931
at Christmas anyway.
[chuckles]
22
00:01:02,932 --> 00:01:05,064
Pay attention.
23
00:01:05,065 --> 00:01:06,543
It's a reminder.
24
00:01:06,544 --> 00:01:08,632
That mankind is
our business?
25
00:01:08,633 --> 00:01:10,373
Damn straight.
26
00:01:10,374 --> 00:01:12,636
Especially the man to our left
27
00:01:12,637 --> 00:01:14,335
and the man to our right.
28
00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:18,251
Understood?
29
00:01:18,252 --> 00:01:20,428
ALL:
Oorah.
30
00:01:21,298 --> 00:01:23,212
[bullets whiz past]
Contact!
31
00:01:23,213 --> 00:01:24,648
- Enemy fire!
- Down! Down! Down!
32
00:01:24,649 --> 00:01:26,476
[overlapping shouting]
33
00:01:26,477 --> 00:01:28,523
Watch your six! Guard your six!
34
00:01:29,306 --> 00:01:32,353
Left side, left side!
Left side, left side!
35
00:01:33,180 --> 00:01:35,443
[overlapping shouting]
36
00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:40,708
Changing positions!
Changing positions!
37
00:01:40,709 --> 00:01:41,883
[screams]
38
00:01:41,884 --> 00:01:43,364
HASTINGS:
Evan, get down!
39
00:01:44,278 --> 00:01:46,149
Grenade! Grenade!
40
00:01:46,976 --> 00:01:49,196
♪
41
00:02:19,356 --> 00:02:20,704
[elevator bell dings]
42
00:02:20,705 --> 00:02:21,879
[Parker exhales sharply]
43
00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:23,794
Morning, McGee.
44
00:02:23,795 --> 00:02:25,144
Reflecting
45
00:02:25,145 --> 00:02:26,754
- on this special season?
- No, actually,
46
00:02:26,755 --> 00:02:29,713
I was thinking about how if this
was real snow, it wouldn't melt.
47
00:02:29,714 --> 00:02:32,063
It's been three days, we still
have no heat on in here.
48
00:02:32,064 --> 00:02:34,544
Yeah. Maintenance
says it's coming.
49
00:02:34,545 --> 00:02:38,069
In the meantime, might as
well get warm by the fire.
50
00:02:38,070 --> 00:02:39,201
God bless paperwork.
51
00:02:39,202 --> 00:02:41,943
And warm kringla,
52
00:02:41,944 --> 00:02:44,163
the heart of Norwegian "hygge,"
53
00:02:44,164 --> 00:02:45,816
otherwise known
as "coziness."
54
00:02:45,817 --> 00:02:46,774
KNIGHT:
Mmm.
55
00:02:46,775 --> 00:02:48,210
Good food, good people,
56
00:02:48,211 --> 00:02:50,386
- warm fire.
- Just in time, too.
57
00:02:50,387 --> 00:02:51,431
- I'm all right.
- Because our fire
58
00:02:51,432 --> 00:02:52,432
is about to run out of paper.
59
00:02:52,433 --> 00:02:53,476
TORRES:
And the peoples
60
00:02:53,477 --> 00:02:55,391
are going to get frostbite.
61
00:02:55,392 --> 00:02:56,740
Holidays are all about
making the best of things.
62
00:02:56,741 --> 00:02:57,828
Everybody got plans?
63
00:02:57,829 --> 00:02:59,003
McGEE:
We got kids,
64
00:02:59,004 --> 00:03:00,091
Santa and Delilah.
65
00:03:00,092 --> 00:03:01,441
Doesn't get cozier than that.
66
00:03:01,442 --> 00:03:03,225
I got board games
and listening to my dad
67
00:03:03,226 --> 00:03:04,792
complain about retirement.
68
00:03:04,793 --> 00:03:06,924
How about you, Torres?
Family time with your sister?
69
00:03:06,925 --> 00:03:08,317
She's out of town.
70
00:03:08,318 --> 00:03:09,405
You want to come over
to my place or...?
71
00:03:09,406 --> 00:03:10,711
Oh, thank you, man, but, uh,
72
00:03:10,712 --> 00:03:11,842
Jimmy already booked me.
73
00:03:11,843 --> 00:03:13,322
KNIGHT:
Christmas with the Palmers.
74
00:03:13,323 --> 00:03:15,759
I hope you're ready
for some caroling.
75
00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:18,109
- Lots and lots of caroling.
- Brutal.
76
00:03:18,110 --> 00:03:20,111
[ringtone plays]
77
00:03:20,112 --> 00:03:21,243
Well, speaking of
78
00:03:21,244 --> 00:03:22,462
unexpected guests,
79
00:03:22,463 --> 00:03:24,899
looks like
Deputy Director Laroche
80
00:03:24,900 --> 00:03:26,336
is back in the building.
81
00:03:26,989 --> 00:03:28,990
He's been overseas.
82
00:03:28,991 --> 00:03:30,861
Are you stalking him?
83
00:03:30,862 --> 00:03:32,298
No, I'm just keeping tabs.
84
00:03:32,299 --> 00:03:34,561
Because he got
the job over you?
85
00:03:34,562 --> 00:03:35,866
PARKER:
I thought you had moved on.
86
00:03:35,867 --> 00:03:37,346
I did.
87
00:03:37,347 --> 00:03:38,782
There-there is something off
about this guy.
88
00:03:38,783 --> 00:03:41,220
Okay, Laroche just spent
the last two months
89
00:03:41,221 --> 00:03:44,353
doing a "friendly" tour of
every NCIS office in the world.
90
00:03:44,354 --> 00:03:46,268
- Friendly? That guy?
- Exactly.
91
00:03:46,269 --> 00:03:47,748
I mean, the guy's
had the job five minutes,
92
00:03:47,749 --> 00:03:49,924
he's using it
as a political stepping stone?
93
00:03:49,925 --> 00:03:52,274
Or maybe he's just
spreading Christmas cheer?
94
00:03:52,275 --> 00:03:53,754
LAROCHE:
Happy holidays,
95
00:03:53,755 --> 00:03:54,711
everyone.
96
00:03:54,712 --> 00:03:57,018
Ah, same to you,
Deputy Director.
97
00:03:57,019 --> 00:03:59,674
Oh, please call me Gabe.
98
00:04:01,763 --> 00:04:02,980
Interesting place
99
00:04:02,981 --> 00:04:04,155
for a copier.
100
00:04:04,156 --> 00:04:06,332
Uh... [laughs]
Lot of paperwork.
101
00:04:06,333 --> 00:04:08,464
KNIGHT: It's just, uh,
end-of-year reports.
102
00:04:08,465 --> 00:04:10,640
And makeshift handwarmers?
103
00:04:10,641 --> 00:04:12,860
[chuckles]
Relax. I am not here
104
00:04:12,861 --> 00:04:16,342
for a lecture
on wasting office supplies.
105
00:04:16,343 --> 00:04:19,780
My job is simply
to help you do yours.
106
00:04:19,781 --> 00:04:23,480
[copier beeping]
107
00:04:25,352 --> 00:04:26,787
All set.
108
00:04:26,788 --> 00:04:28,354
Although I should
mention that each ream
109
00:04:28,355 --> 00:04:30,792
costs this agency $7.29.
110
00:04:31,706 --> 00:04:32,532
Mm, there it is.
111
00:04:32,533 --> 00:04:34,665
[phones vibrating, ringing]
112
00:04:36,014 --> 00:04:37,493
Deputy Director Laroche.
113
00:04:37,494 --> 00:04:39,495
Media blackout order
from the DoD?
114
00:04:39,496 --> 00:04:41,280
Wonder why they don't want us
talking to the press.
115
00:04:41,281 --> 00:04:42,585
Yes, sir. On our way.
116
00:04:42,586 --> 00:04:43,673
The, uh,
117
00:04:43,674 --> 00:04:45,981
director wants to talk to us.
118
00:04:50,072 --> 00:04:51,202
Good morning, sir.
119
00:04:51,203 --> 00:04:52,421
We got a problem.
120
00:04:52,422 --> 00:04:54,031
Yeah, you're hogging
all the heat.
121
00:04:54,032 --> 00:04:55,598
Must be pushing 90 in here.
122
00:04:55,599 --> 00:04:57,339
It's being worked on.
123
00:04:57,340 --> 00:04:59,863
Right now
this is the real issue.
124
00:04:59,864 --> 00:05:02,823
Excerpts from an
upcoming tell-all book
125
00:05:02,824 --> 00:05:05,695
- have just been leaked.
- That explains the
media blackout.
126
00:05:05,696 --> 00:05:07,654
PARKER:
Darkness at Dawn? I take it
127
00:05:07,655 --> 00:05:10,004
this, uh,
tell-all isn't flattering?
128
00:05:10,005 --> 00:05:11,353
No, they never are.
129
00:05:11,354 --> 00:05:13,399
The book accuses a Marine
of gross negligence
130
00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:15,618
during a Taliban ambush in 2010.
131
00:05:15,619 --> 00:05:17,316
- That was a long time ago, sir.
- Maybe,
132
00:05:17,317 --> 00:05:20,231
but the ambush resulted
in the deaths of three Marines.
133
00:05:20,232 --> 00:05:22,364
Also, the Marine in question
134
00:05:22,365 --> 00:05:23,887
is Lieutenant
Merritt Hastings.
135
00:05:23,888 --> 00:05:24,888
PARKER:
Hastings?
136
00:05:24,889 --> 00:05:26,673
- That rings a bell.
- Well, should.
137
00:05:26,674 --> 00:05:30,503
He famously threw back a Taliban
grenade during that same ambush.
138
00:05:30,504 --> 00:05:33,375
Lost the use of his arm
when the shell exploded midair.
139
00:05:33,376 --> 00:05:36,160
Attacking a wounded vet
at Christmas?
140
00:05:36,161 --> 00:05:38,554
Who wrote this book, the Grinch?
141
00:05:38,555 --> 00:05:39,947
Since his medical retirement,
142
00:05:39,948 --> 00:05:41,905
Hastings has become
a veterans' advocate.
143
00:05:41,906 --> 00:05:44,430
He's also the face
of a veterans' bill
144
00:05:44,431 --> 00:05:46,475
which is up for vote
in the New Year.
145
00:05:46,476 --> 00:05:47,737
A bill with SECNAV's backing.
146
00:05:47,738 --> 00:05:49,304
And if these allegations
are true,
147
00:05:49,305 --> 00:05:50,566
that bill collapses.
148
00:05:50,567 --> 00:05:51,741
Yeah, along with
Hastings' reputation.
149
00:05:51,742 --> 00:05:53,569
SECNAV wants
these claims investigated
150
00:05:53,570 --> 00:05:56,267
before the book hits shelves
after the holidays.
151
00:05:56,268 --> 00:05:57,268
All right.
152
00:05:57,269 --> 00:05:58,531
On it, Director.
153
00:05:58,532 --> 00:05:59,706
I wasn't finished.
154
00:05:59,707 --> 00:06:01,098
DoD is afraid
155
00:06:01,099 --> 00:06:03,405
that this could land us
on some political thin ice.
156
00:06:03,406 --> 00:06:04,711
Oh, well, we'll watch our step.
157
00:06:04,712 --> 00:06:06,453
SECNAV is offering
a little extra help.
158
00:06:07,105 --> 00:06:09,106
Deputy Director Laroche
has been assigned
159
00:06:09,107 --> 00:06:10,412
to oversee the case.
160
00:06:10,413 --> 00:06:13,415
He'll be working
with you directly.
161
00:06:13,416 --> 00:06:14,938
LAROCHE:
I appreciate your trust,
162
00:06:14,939 --> 00:06:16,463
Director.
163
00:06:17,420 --> 00:06:20,335
Observing your team up close
164
00:06:20,336 --> 00:06:23,294
will be a gift.
165
00:06:23,295 --> 00:06:24,774
[crunches]
166
00:06:24,775 --> 00:06:26,386
Can't wait.
167
00:06:36,787 --> 00:06:39,485
These excerpts
are kind of vague.
168
00:06:39,486 --> 00:06:41,095
Yeah, but the prose is tight.
169
00:06:41,096 --> 00:06:43,184
They accuse Lieutenant Hastings
of dereliction of duty
170
00:06:43,185 --> 00:06:45,186
- without a shred of evidence.
- Yeah, they're baiting
the readers.
171
00:06:45,187 --> 00:06:47,362
The big reveal's
probably in the full book.
172
00:06:47,363 --> 00:06:48,711
Or it's smoke and mirrors.
173
00:06:48,712 --> 00:06:49,930
Have you ever heard
of this author?
174
00:06:49,931 --> 00:06:51,366
Marley Jaggers?
175
00:06:51,367 --> 00:06:53,020
No, there's no record of 'em.
Probably a pen name.
176
00:06:53,021 --> 00:06:55,022
Yeah, what kind of coward
hides behind a fake name?
177
00:06:55,023 --> 00:06:56,284
[coughs]
What?
178
00:06:56,285 --> 00:06:57,851
I use a pen name for my books.
179
00:06:57,852 --> 00:06:59,374
TORRES:
Yeah, but you're
not attacking anyone.
180
00:06:59,375 --> 00:07:01,768
- This feels like a PR stunt.
- KNIGHT: If it is,
181
00:07:01,769 --> 00:07:04,335
the publisher could use
the investigation to build buzz.
182
00:07:04,336 --> 00:07:06,163
So we might be doing
their job for them.
183
00:07:06,164 --> 00:07:08,123
Reminds me of someone else
we know.
184
00:07:08,776 --> 00:07:10,733
Laroche? Getting assigned
to our case?
185
00:07:10,734 --> 00:07:12,518
You think he planned this?
186
00:07:12,519 --> 00:07:14,389
Well, he's been in and out
of SECNAV's office for weeks.
187
00:07:14,390 --> 00:07:16,696
That dude is definitely looking
to score some points.
188
00:07:16,697 --> 00:07:18,045
Maybe he'll be too busy
189
00:07:18,046 --> 00:07:20,048
brownnosing to bug us.[elevator bell dings]
190
00:07:21,049 --> 00:07:22,050
There you are.
191
00:07:22,746 --> 00:07:24,922
Thought you were avoiding me.
192
00:07:26,141 --> 00:07:27,707
Why are we meeting
down here again?
193
00:07:27,708 --> 00:07:29,230
It's where
the bodies are, right?
194
00:07:29,231 --> 00:07:30,710
Also, it's warmer.
195
00:07:30,711 --> 00:07:32,190
Yeah, barely.
196
00:07:33,017 --> 00:07:35,192
Do me a favor and stop that.
197
00:07:35,193 --> 00:07:36,498
Excuse me?
198
00:07:36,499 --> 00:07:38,109
No eating or drinking
down here.
199
00:07:42,462 --> 00:07:44,506
Right. Down to business.
200
00:07:44,507 --> 00:07:45,768
How does this work?
201
00:07:45,769 --> 00:07:48,031
Do I ask questions or...?
202
00:07:48,032 --> 00:07:49,598
We usually start with an update.
203
00:07:49,599 --> 00:07:52,993
Do your thing.
Pretend I'm not here.
204
00:07:52,994 --> 00:07:55,561
Like, uh, Jane Goodall
with gorillas.
205
00:07:55,562 --> 00:07:58,259
[laughs]
206
00:07:58,260 --> 00:07:59,521
Mm.
207
00:07:59,522 --> 00:08:01,131
Go.
208
00:08:01,132 --> 00:08:03,830
Book excerpts
focus on an ambush
209
00:08:03,831 --> 00:08:06,310
in the early hours
of December 19, 2010.
210
00:08:06,311 --> 00:08:09,444
KNIGHT:
Lieutenant Merritt Hastings,
uh, led a squad
211
00:08:09,445 --> 00:08:10,793
outside of Sangin.
212
00:08:10,794 --> 00:08:12,229
It's a Taliban stronghold
213
00:08:12,230 --> 00:08:13,448
and one of the deadliest zones
in the war.
214
00:08:13,449 --> 00:08:14,884
KNIGHT:
The squad was staged
215
00:08:14,885 --> 00:08:16,582
and awaiting predawn orders
to move out.
216
00:08:16,583 --> 00:08:17,931
Until they were hit
from the northwest.
217
00:08:17,932 --> 00:08:19,106
With rifle fire and RPGs.
218
00:08:19,107 --> 00:08:20,629
KNIGHT:
Uh, including a grenade
219
00:08:20,630 --> 00:08:22,631
that Hastings managed
to throw back.
220
00:08:22,632 --> 00:08:23,763
Saving lives.
221
00:08:23,764 --> 00:08:25,329
But by the time it was over,
222
00:08:25,330 --> 00:08:26,896
there were still six Marines
wounded, three killed:
223
00:08:26,897 --> 00:08:28,942
Privates Howard Rane
and Yancy Bickell
224
00:08:28,943 --> 00:08:30,291
and Lance Corporal Evan Cross.
225
00:08:30,292 --> 00:08:32,946
In each case, cause of death
was bullet wounds.
226
00:08:32,947 --> 00:08:36,340
7.62-millimeter
Soviet rounds.
227
00:08:36,341 --> 00:08:37,994
AK-47. Taliban standard issue.
228
00:08:37,995 --> 00:08:40,127
JIMMY:
Entry wounds all match.
No signs of friendly fire.
229
00:08:40,128 --> 00:08:42,346
Despite having shrapnel
in his arms,
230
00:08:42,347 --> 00:08:45,393
Hastings still managed
to drag a man to safety.
231
00:08:45,394 --> 00:08:46,786
He's a hero.
232
00:08:46,787 --> 00:08:49,484
- So... there's no case?
- PARKER: Sure there is.
233
00:08:49,485 --> 00:08:50,964
Straight-up slander.
234
00:08:50,965 --> 00:08:52,443
Attacking the face
of a veterans' bill
235
00:08:52,444 --> 00:08:54,402
right before the vote?
It's not a coincidence.
236
00:08:54,403 --> 00:08:56,578
But who would vote against
the veterans?
237
00:08:56,579 --> 00:08:57,927
Nobody. That's the thing.
238
00:08:57,928 --> 00:08:59,015
Right, but discredit Hastings
239
00:08:59,016 --> 00:09:00,495
and the whole bill falls apart.
240
00:09:00,496 --> 00:09:01,845
It's smart.
241
00:09:02,672 --> 00:09:04,499
Politically speaking.
242
00:09:04,500 --> 00:09:07,023
So we're looking for
lobbyists, political rivals...
243
00:09:07,024 --> 00:09:08,590
Anyone on the Hill
with something to gain.
244
00:09:08,591 --> 00:09:09,939
I'll put out some feelers.
245
00:09:09,940 --> 00:09:11,462
In the meantime,
we should talk to Hastings.
246
00:09:11,463 --> 00:09:13,856
I've got a call into his
motorcycle shop in Falls Church.
247
00:09:13,857 --> 00:09:16,294
Ooh, custom bikes. I'm in.
248
00:09:17,121 --> 00:09:19,820
Actually, uh,
maybe I should go instead.
249
00:09:21,125 --> 00:09:24,171
Yeah. A political operative
might be more useful.
250
00:09:24,172 --> 00:09:27,654
Wouldn't want Hastings to say
something to make things worse.
251
00:09:32,354 --> 00:09:34,007
[grinder whirring] HASTINGS:
It's looking good, Paul.
252
00:09:34,008 --> 00:09:35,878
Billy, double-check
the valve timing
253
00:09:35,879 --> 00:09:37,271
on Ms. Caskey's Sportster.
254
00:09:37,272 --> 00:09:38,838
It's running too lean.
255
00:09:38,839 --> 00:09:40,013
And, Zanella, pay attention.
256
00:09:40,014 --> 00:09:41,710
There's oil
all over the place.
257
00:09:41,711 --> 00:09:43,364
Yes, Lieutenant, on it.
258
00:09:43,365 --> 00:09:46,019
Whoa-ho-ho, watch
your step, buddy.
259
00:09:46,020 --> 00:09:50,241
Wouldn't want to ruin
your fancy loafers. [laughs]
260
00:09:51,460 --> 00:09:55,550
Oh. I'm guessing you're
here to talk to the LT?
261
00:09:55,551 --> 00:09:59,424
Good luck. He's in a mood.
262
00:10:00,251 --> 00:10:01,643
HASTINGS:
Can I help you?
If you're here for a bike,
263
00:10:01,644 --> 00:10:02,862
we're booked through April.
264
00:10:02,863 --> 00:10:05,821
Actually, sir, we're with NCIS.
265
00:10:05,822 --> 00:10:08,476
Deputy Director Laroche,
Special Agent Parker.
266
00:10:08,477 --> 00:10:09,869
We'd like
to talk to you
267
00:10:09,870 --> 00:10:12,219
about some recently released
book excerpts.
268
00:10:12,220 --> 00:10:13,351
Have you heard?
269
00:10:14,657 --> 00:10:16,615
- I think he's heard.
- HASTINGS:
I'm done hearing.
270
00:10:16,616 --> 00:10:19,400
Got so many reporters calling,
I had to unplug the phone.
271
00:10:19,401 --> 00:10:21,837
We'd like to discuss
what happened that day.
272
00:10:21,838 --> 00:10:23,012
During the ambush.
273
00:10:23,013 --> 00:10:25,841
No need. You've got the reports.
274
00:10:25,842 --> 00:10:31,108
So your official statement is
that you did everything right?
275
00:10:35,896 --> 00:10:38,071
I lost three Marines.
276
00:10:38,072 --> 00:10:40,421
There's nothing right
- about that.
- Sure.
277
00:10:40,422 --> 00:10:42,118
But we're gonna need
more.
278
00:10:42,119 --> 00:10:44,468
You are the face of
a high-profile veterans' bill.
279
00:10:44,469 --> 00:10:45,600
That's not about me.
280
00:10:45,601 --> 00:10:46,819
Someone thinks it is.
281
00:10:46,820 --> 00:10:47,776
They want to drag you
through the mud.
282
00:10:47,777 --> 00:10:48,864
You have
283
00:10:48,865 --> 00:10:50,780
any idea who that might be?
284
00:10:51,607 --> 00:10:53,216
Even if I did,
285
00:10:53,217 --> 00:10:55,959
I don't need NCIS
to fight my battles.
286
00:10:58,658 --> 00:11:00,747
Excuse me.
287
00:11:02,662 --> 00:11:03,880
ZANELLA:
Hey.
288
00:11:05,621 --> 00:11:06,621
Want to know
289
00:11:06,622 --> 00:11:08,363
what really happened that day?
290
00:11:10,017 --> 00:11:13,673
This happened.
291
00:11:14,804 --> 00:11:18,025
And it would've been a lot worse
if it wasn't for the lieutenant.
292
00:11:18,895 --> 00:11:20,635
He saved me out there.
293
00:11:20,636 --> 00:11:22,420
And back here, too.
294
00:11:23,378 --> 00:11:24,987
And not just me.
295
00:11:24,988 --> 00:11:26,815
I mean, look around.
296
00:11:26,816 --> 00:11:28,556
He only hires
wounded vets.
297
00:11:28,557 --> 00:11:29,949
Pays fair.
298
00:11:29,950 --> 00:11:32,342
Don't let the giant stick
up his butt fool you.
299
00:11:32,343 --> 00:11:33,648
Zanella?
300
00:11:33,649 --> 00:11:35,346
Back to work.
301
00:11:37,522 --> 00:11:39,698
That man would
do anything
302
00:11:39,699 --> 00:11:42,049
to protect
his people.
303
00:11:47,489 --> 00:11:49,577
[humming
"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"]
304
00:11:49,578 --> 00:11:52,406
♪ Fold the corner,
nice and tight ♪
305
00:11:52,407 --> 00:11:53,668
♪ Wrap it snug
306
00:11:53,669 --> 00:11:55,452
♪ That's just right.
307
00:11:55,453 --> 00:11:56,758
Where did you learn that?
308
00:11:56,759 --> 00:11:58,151
Daddy desperation.
309
00:11:58,152 --> 00:11:59,326
It's the only way
that Victoria would go
310
00:11:59,327 --> 00:12:01,023
to sleep for the
first six months.
311
00:12:01,024 --> 00:12:02,808
Now I'm forbidden in her room.
312
00:12:02,809 --> 00:12:04,374
[laughs]
Ooh.
313
00:12:04,375 --> 00:12:06,246
Double tuck and tug,
very impressive.
314
00:12:06,247 --> 00:12:08,509
The cold is killing
my equipment.
315
00:12:08,510 --> 00:12:10,990
Oh, well, why won't you
use that thing?
316
00:12:10,991 --> 00:12:12,992
KASIE:
Oh, Torres brought it
down for me,
317
00:12:12,993 --> 00:12:14,776
but Laroche made me unplug it
318
00:12:14,777 --> 00:12:17,126
after he recited
the fire code violations.
319
00:12:17,127 --> 00:12:18,693
- Yeah, of course he did.
- Speaking of Torres,
320
00:12:18,694 --> 00:12:21,043
I heard he's spending Christmas
with you guys, Tim?
321
00:12:21,044 --> 00:12:24,177
- That's so nice.
- What? Wait, no, he said
he was spending it with you.
322
00:12:24,178 --> 00:12:25,570
No.
323
00:12:26,310 --> 00:12:27,702
Why would he lie about that?
324
00:12:27,703 --> 00:12:29,486
Ooh, mystery.
325
00:12:29,487 --> 00:12:31,532
Maybe Torres is going
somewhere super nice,
326
00:12:31,533 --> 00:12:32,838
didn't want to make you jealous.
327
00:12:32,839 --> 00:12:34,013
While we're
on the topic of Christmas
328
00:12:34,014 --> 00:12:35,536
mysteries, any luck IDing
329
00:12:35,537 --> 00:12:37,016
our author Marley Jaggers?
330
00:12:37,017 --> 00:12:38,844
Well, I was kind of hoping
it was an anagram
331
00:12:38,845 --> 00:12:40,367
of the author's real name.
332
00:12:40,368 --> 00:12:43,544
Kind of like our very own
Thom E. Gemcity.
333
00:12:43,545 --> 00:12:44,588
Hmm, I tried all the combos.
334
00:12:44,589 --> 00:12:46,025
Dead ends, all of 'em.
335
00:12:46,026 --> 00:12:48,157
Well, I've been tracking
the online discussion forums
336
00:12:48,158 --> 00:12:50,551
that reference the ambush
in the book.
337
00:12:50,552 --> 00:12:52,379
Found a few
IP addresses.
338
00:12:52,380 --> 00:12:53,989
Oh, that's
more than a few, Kasie.
339
00:12:53,990 --> 00:12:55,425
Not sure
we can run all those.
340
00:12:55,426 --> 00:12:58,341
We don't have to.
I cross-referenced these IPs
341
00:12:58,342 --> 00:13:01,475
with ones that filed Freedom
of Information Act requests
342
00:13:01,476 --> 00:13:04,043
- for the after action reports.
- JIMMY: Have no idea
what any of that means.
343
00:13:04,044 --> 00:13:06,045
- Sounds promising, though.
- McGEE:
I doubt it.
344
00:13:06,046 --> 00:13:08,047
Most people use VPNs
to mask their IPs.
345
00:13:08,048 --> 00:13:09,178
One person didn't.
346
00:13:09,179 --> 00:13:10,571
Seriously, in 2024?
347
00:13:10,572 --> 00:13:13,313
Yep, just waiting
on the tracking results.
348
00:13:13,314 --> 00:13:14,749
Ooh, okay.
349
00:13:14,750 --> 00:13:16,795
The IP address belongs to...
350
00:13:16,796 --> 00:13:19,188
a Samuel Cross
of Herndon.
351
00:13:19,189 --> 00:13:21,234
Running the name now
to see if there's--
352
00:13:21,235 --> 00:13:23,758
- Oh.
- That was fast.
353
00:13:23,759 --> 00:13:26,108
Because Samuel Cross is
a former corporal.
354
00:13:26,109 --> 00:13:28,458
JIMMY:
- A fellow Marine?
- He's from the same platoon.
355
00:13:28,459 --> 00:13:29,590
Yeah, not just that.
356
00:13:29,591 --> 00:13:31,722
His younger brother is
one of the Marines
357
00:13:31,723 --> 00:13:34,421
that died in the ambush-- Evan.
358
00:13:34,422 --> 00:13:36,771
Well, if Samuel Cross
is the author,
359
00:13:36,772 --> 00:13:38,991
this is not a smear campaign.
360
00:13:38,992 --> 00:13:40,775
No, it's personal.
361
00:13:40,776 --> 00:13:42,908
[knocking]
362
00:13:42,909 --> 00:13:45,172
Samuel Cross? NCIS.
363
00:13:46,129 --> 00:13:47,826
SAMUEL:
Yeah, door's open.
364
00:13:47,827 --> 00:13:49,959
Did he just invite us in?
365
00:13:54,137 --> 00:13:56,052
SAMUEL:
Be right out.
366
00:14:04,974 --> 00:14:07,802
[toilet flushing]
367
00:14:07,803 --> 00:14:10,283
I think we found our writer.
368
00:14:10,284 --> 00:14:13,330
Sorry, I forgot to leave
a tip on the app.
369
00:14:18,422 --> 00:14:20,467
And you didn't bring pad thai.
370
00:14:20,468 --> 00:14:22,164
NCIS.
371
00:14:22,165 --> 00:14:24,689
Special Agents
Parker and Torres.
372
00:14:26,866 --> 00:14:28,779
I know why you're here.
373
00:14:28,780 --> 00:14:30,521
And I've got nothing to say.
374
00:14:31,392 --> 00:14:33,437
Well, it looks like
you got plenty to say here.
375
00:14:38,878 --> 00:14:40,922
It's all in the book.
376
00:14:40,923 --> 00:14:42,489
And I am not retracting a word.
377
00:14:42,490 --> 00:14:43,969
Hastings got my brother killed.
378
00:14:43,970 --> 00:14:46,319
You served with Hastings.
379
00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:48,582
You know what kind of man he is.
380
00:14:48,583 --> 00:14:49,626
He threw a grenade back.
381
00:14:49,627 --> 00:14:51,759
- He tried to save lives.
- Yeah.
382
00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:53,761
Great story.
383
00:14:53,762 --> 00:14:55,937
But I've got a different one.
384
00:14:55,938 --> 00:14:57,460
And the world
is about to read it.
385
00:14:57,461 --> 00:14:58,244
Samuel,
386
00:14:58,245 --> 00:14:59,332
if you've got proof,
387
00:14:59,333 --> 00:15:00,942
why not come to us?
388
00:15:00,943 --> 00:15:02,378
So you can bury the truth?
389
00:15:02,379 --> 00:15:04,598
Like they did 14 years ago?
390
00:15:04,599 --> 00:15:05,904
No.
391
00:15:05,905 --> 00:15:07,862
This was a government cover-up.
392
00:15:07,863 --> 00:15:09,081
Whoa, whoa, what cover-up?
393
00:15:09,082 --> 00:15:10,473
You'll see.
394
00:15:10,474 --> 00:15:12,214
And everyone will know
what Hastings did,
395
00:15:12,215 --> 00:15:13,737
and my brother
will finally get some justice.
396
00:15:13,738 --> 00:15:15,870
And nobody is stopping that!
397
00:15:15,871 --> 00:15:17,002
Hey. Easy, Sam.
398
00:15:17,003 --> 00:15:18,612
Just here to talk, okay?
399
00:15:18,613 --> 00:15:19,743
I'm not. Get out.
400
00:15:19,744 --> 00:15:21,398
Samuel... Get out!
401
00:15:23,357 --> 00:15:25,141
Now.
402
00:15:33,628 --> 00:15:35,281
[elevator bell dings]
403
00:15:35,282 --> 00:15:37,065
You shouldn't have met
with Cross without me.
404
00:15:37,066 --> 00:15:38,632
The last thing we need is
for him to run to the press
405
00:15:38,633 --> 00:15:39,894
and scream harassment.
406
00:15:39,895 --> 00:15:41,417
We got out
before it escalated.
407
00:15:41,418 --> 00:15:42,766
That's not the point.
408
00:15:42,767 --> 00:15:44,072
He said the magic
words: "cover-up."
409
00:15:44,073 --> 00:15:45,595
Exactly what SECNAV
wants to avoid.
410
00:15:45,596 --> 00:15:46,945
All right, where are we?
411
00:15:46,946 --> 00:15:49,295
Stuck. If Cross has
proof of wrongdoing,
412
00:15:49,296 --> 00:15:50,470
we haven't found it.
413
00:15:50,471 --> 00:15:51,993
McGEE: And we're
pulling every report
414
00:15:51,994 --> 00:15:53,864
from the two weeks before
and after the ambush.
415
00:15:53,865 --> 00:15:55,605
We have patrol logs,
comms, mission briefs.
416
00:15:55,606 --> 00:15:57,129
And so far, nothing.
417
00:15:57,130 --> 00:15:58,782
KNIGHT:Either Cross is sitting
on something big
418
00:15:58,783 --> 00:16:00,436
or this is some kind
of personal vendetta.
419
00:16:00,437 --> 00:16:01,742
It felt pretty personal.
420
00:16:01,743 --> 00:16:03,178
The guy's in a bad place.
421
00:16:03,179 --> 00:16:04,963
- That's not our business.
- Well, maybe it should be.
422
00:16:04,964 --> 00:16:07,530
Our job is to find out
what's in that book.
423
00:16:07,531 --> 00:16:09,010
How do we get our hands
on the full version?
424
00:16:09,011 --> 00:16:10,969
McGEE: Well, with
all the media buzz,
425
00:16:10,970 --> 00:16:12,448
publisher has it
on lockdown.
426
00:16:12,449 --> 00:16:14,581
Ooh, maybe
Thom E. Gemcity
427
00:16:14,582 --> 00:16:16,713
could get an advance copy.[scoffs]
428
00:16:16,714 --> 00:16:17,976
- Who?
- McGEE:
It's my pen name.
429
00:16:17,977 --> 00:16:19,281
I'm a published author.
430
00:16:19,282 --> 00:16:20,761
At least I was.
431
00:16:20,762 --> 00:16:22,023
It's been years. I don't
know, I doubt my influence
432
00:16:22,024 --> 00:16:23,807
- is what it was, you know?
- Mm.
433
00:16:23,808 --> 00:16:25,635
Then it's
a waste of time.
434
00:16:25,636 --> 00:16:27,898
We need real leads,
not gimmicks.
435
00:16:27,899 --> 00:16:29,509
PARKER:
Leads aren't always
black and white.
436
00:16:29,510 --> 00:16:31,076
Sometimes you have
to think in color.
437
00:16:31,077 --> 00:16:33,295
- This isn't an art class.
- Well, maybe it should be.
438
00:16:33,296 --> 00:16:36,604
Uh, excuse me,
this a bad time?
439
00:16:37,692 --> 00:16:40,999
Uh, Brian Zanella
from the shop?
440
00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:43,001
Of course.
441
00:16:43,002 --> 00:16:45,307
What can we do for you?
442
00:16:45,308 --> 00:16:46,656
[scoffs]
443
00:16:46,657 --> 00:16:48,049
Well, I came to drop off
letters of support
444
00:16:48,050 --> 00:16:50,183
for the lieutenant,
but seeing that?
445
00:16:51,401 --> 00:16:54,317
Yeah, I'm thinking
we talk about him instead.
446
00:16:57,016 --> 00:16:58,886
Thanks.
447
00:16:58,887 --> 00:17:01,149
- Here you go.
- Thanks.
448
00:17:01,150 --> 00:17:03,151
Yeah, you were right.
449
00:17:03,152 --> 00:17:04,761
Warmer out here.
450
00:17:04,762 --> 00:17:07,460
So, you know Samuel Cross?
451
00:17:07,461 --> 00:17:09,027
[speaking indistinctly]
Uh...
452
00:17:09,028 --> 00:17:11,116
shouldn't we waitfor him?
453
00:17:11,117 --> 00:17:13,032
He won't mind.
454
00:17:14,772 --> 00:17:17,644
I never thought it'd be
Sam writing that book.
455
00:17:17,645 --> 00:17:19,559
We didn't fight
for ourselves out there.
456
00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:20,951
We fought
for each other.
457
00:17:20,952 --> 00:17:23,780
- Oorah?
- Oo-right.
458
00:17:23,781 --> 00:17:25,869
That's what the lieutenant
drilled into us.
459
00:17:25,870 --> 00:17:28,350
We followed his lead,
even Sam.
460
00:17:28,351 --> 00:17:29,395
What changed?
461
00:17:29,396 --> 00:17:30,570
When his brother died,
462
00:17:30,571 --> 00:17:33,964
Sam just... broke.
463
00:17:33,965 --> 00:17:35,357
Finished the tour
in silence.
464
00:17:35,358 --> 00:17:37,055
And that's the last any
of us ever saw him.
465
00:17:37,056 --> 00:17:39,753
He claims that Hastings got
his brother killed.
466
00:17:39,754 --> 00:17:41,059
Says he has proof.
467
00:17:41,060 --> 00:17:42,886
[smacks lips]
Nah, I don't buy it.
468
00:17:42,887 --> 00:17:45,063
That's grief talking.
469
00:17:45,064 --> 00:17:46,716
Sam's got a chip
on his shoulder,
470
00:17:46,717 --> 00:17:48,762
and some publisher saw
a chance to milk it.
471
00:17:48,763 --> 00:17:50,851
A book tearing down
one of his own.
472
00:17:50,852 --> 00:17:52,374
It sells copies.
473
00:17:52,375 --> 00:17:54,115
Never mind that it's not true.
474
00:17:54,116 --> 00:17:56,117
Or that Sam wasn't
even there that day.
475
00:17:56,118 --> 00:17:58,380
He was in a med tent
ten miles away.
476
00:17:58,381 --> 00:17:59,729
Yeah, knee injury.
477
00:17:59,730 --> 00:18:01,383
We pulled his record.
478
00:18:01,384 --> 00:18:02,819
It's spotless.
479
00:18:02,820 --> 00:18:04,734
Sam was a good Marine.
480
00:18:04,735 --> 00:18:06,562
Still is.
481
00:18:06,563 --> 00:18:08,564
He's just...
482
00:18:08,565 --> 00:18:10,698
lost his way.
483
00:18:13,396 --> 00:18:15,311
Here, I brought this.
484
00:18:16,182 --> 00:18:17,747
Video from
a combat cameraman
485
00:18:17,748 --> 00:18:19,575
taken two days
before the ambush.
486
00:18:19,576 --> 00:18:21,186
You'll see how
tight we were.
487
00:18:21,187 --> 00:18:22,318
Like brothers?
488
00:18:23,493 --> 00:18:24,798
HASTINGS:
Hey, Lance Corporal Cross,
489
00:18:24,799 --> 00:18:25,755
you got something
you want to say
490
00:18:25,756 --> 00:18:27,453
to the wife back home?
491
00:18:27,454 --> 00:18:30,238
Uh... maybe later, sir.
492
00:18:30,239 --> 00:18:31,500
Oh.
493
00:18:31,501 --> 00:18:33,198
My little brother
494
00:18:33,199 --> 00:18:35,330
likes to keep
those messages private.
495
00:18:35,331 --> 00:18:36,940
Newlyweds.
496
00:18:36,941 --> 00:18:38,942
Here, that's Hastings
497
00:18:38,943 --> 00:18:40,988
with the two Cross boys.
498
00:18:40,989 --> 00:18:42,598
[laughing]:
Okay.
499
00:18:42,599 --> 00:18:45,775
So you're keeping those
home fires burning bright, huh?
500
00:18:45,776 --> 00:18:47,342
Wow, Hastings really
cared for his guys.
501
00:18:47,343 --> 00:18:48,996
What are we missing?
502
00:18:48,997 --> 00:18:50,867
You know it, you know it, sir.
503
00:18:50,868 --> 00:18:53,261
[garbled conversation]
504
00:18:53,262 --> 00:18:54,610
What happened?
505
00:18:54,611 --> 00:18:56,612
Harsh weather is
rough on electronics.
506
00:18:56,613 --> 00:18:58,875
Uh, scorching desert
or frozen lab.
507
00:18:58,876 --> 00:19:00,964
Been meaning to ask.
508
00:19:00,965 --> 00:19:03,053
What's the deal
with your Christmas plans?
509
00:19:03,054 --> 00:19:04,054
What?
510
00:19:04,055 --> 00:19:06,318
Come on,
Jimmy, McGee?
511
00:19:06,319 --> 00:19:08,885
It's not exactly
your best cover story.
512
00:19:08,886 --> 00:19:10,626
Why you lying?
513
00:19:10,627 --> 00:19:11,932
Ooh, let me guess.
514
00:19:11,933 --> 00:19:14,152
You dress up
like Santa
515
00:19:14,153 --> 00:19:16,154
and hand out presents, right?
516
00:19:16,155 --> 00:19:17,372
[laughs]
517
00:19:17,373 --> 00:19:18,721
Seriously.
518
00:19:18,722 --> 00:19:21,072
Who you spending
Christmas with?
519
00:19:23,336 --> 00:19:25,206
Nobody, nobody.
520
00:19:25,207 --> 00:19:27,861
I just, uh,
I just want to be alone.
521
00:19:27,862 --> 00:19:29,036
You know, recharge.
522
00:19:29,037 --> 00:19:30,994
[elevator bell dinging]
523
00:19:30,995 --> 00:19:33,171
I didn't want anybody
to worry about me.
524
00:19:33,172 --> 00:19:35,173
Hmm.
Hmm.
525
00:19:35,174 --> 00:19:37,175
Hey, I might have a way
to get that book.
526
00:19:37,176 --> 00:19:39,655
- The full version.
- Oh, ask Santa?
527
00:19:39,656 --> 00:19:40,874
Publisher won't hand it over,
528
00:19:40,875 --> 00:19:42,702
but Cross's literary agent
might.
529
00:19:42,703 --> 00:19:43,964
Out of the goodness
in his heart?
530
00:19:43,965 --> 00:19:45,226
No, out of greed.
531
00:19:45,227 --> 00:19:46,662
Put out the word
that Thom E. Gemcity's
532
00:19:46,663 --> 00:19:48,490
looking for new representation,
533
00:19:48,491 --> 00:19:50,363
and Cross's agent wants to meet.
534
00:19:51,538 --> 00:19:52,712
We just need to convince him
535
00:19:52,713 --> 00:19:54,235
to hand over
the full manuscript.
536
00:19:54,236 --> 00:19:56,847
And who's "we"?
537
00:19:58,197 --> 00:20:00,373
[country version
of "Jingle Bells" playing]
538
00:20:04,551 --> 00:20:06,204
What are you doing?
539
00:20:06,205 --> 00:20:08,510
Getting into character.
540
00:20:08,511 --> 00:20:12,079
Gemcity is very worldly,
he drinks like a European.
541
00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:13,036
Hmm.
542
00:20:13,037 --> 00:20:14,342
And what about his manager?
543
00:20:14,343 --> 00:20:15,213
Is she European?
544
00:20:15,214 --> 00:20:17,127
No, she's all business.
545
00:20:17,128 --> 00:20:19,218
Oh, good.
546
00:20:24,310 --> 00:20:26,920
Thom E. Gemcity.
547
00:20:26,921 --> 00:20:28,878
Martin Gates, big fan.
548
00:20:28,879 --> 00:20:30,924
Deep Six is brilliant.
549
00:20:30,925 --> 00:20:34,145
The words, they come to me.
550
00:20:34,929 --> 00:20:37,147
[clears throat]
551
00:20:37,148 --> 00:20:38,148
Hi.
552
00:20:38,149 --> 00:20:39,759
Jessica. Thom's manager.
553
00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:41,326
Thank you for meeting.
554
00:20:41,327 --> 00:20:43,242
Are you sure you want
to do this here?
555
00:20:44,417 --> 00:20:46,766
I know the maître d'
at Renata's.
556
00:20:46,767 --> 00:20:48,071
KNIGHT:
Yeah, let's just cut to it.
557
00:20:48,072 --> 00:20:49,072
So, with the subject
558
00:20:49,073 --> 00:20:50,422
of Thom's next novel,
559
00:20:50,423 --> 00:20:52,511
we're looking for
somebody who can handle
560
00:20:52,512 --> 00:20:53,903
sensitive material.
561
00:20:53,904 --> 00:20:55,165
Well, that's my specialty.
562
00:20:55,166 --> 00:20:56,776
I'm not afraid
to push boundaries.
563
00:20:56,777 --> 00:20:58,865
Mm, right, like your work
with, uh...
564
00:20:58,866 --> 00:21:00,388
Marley Jaggers.
565
00:21:00,389 --> 00:21:01,911
You heard?
566
00:21:01,912 --> 00:21:03,913
Those leaked excerpts?
567
00:21:03,914 --> 00:21:06,089
- They're my idea.
- Hmm.
568
00:21:06,090 --> 00:21:07,743
Wanted to build buzz
without spoiling the surprise.
569
00:21:07,744 --> 00:21:08,831
And just in time
570
00:21:08,832 --> 00:21:09,919
for people to spend
571
00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:11,094
all those holiday gift cards.
572
00:21:11,095 --> 00:21:12,400
Hmm. Nothing says
"Merry Christmas"
573
00:21:12,401 --> 00:21:14,272
like profiting
from other people's pain.
574
00:21:14,273 --> 00:21:16,709
God bless us, every one.
[chuckles]
575
00:21:16,710 --> 00:21:18,363
Hmm.
576
00:21:18,364 --> 00:21:19,668
McGEE:
Uh,
577
00:21:19,669 --> 00:21:21,627
Jess, remember why we're here.
578
00:21:21,628 --> 00:21:23,411
The money's not the point.
579
00:21:23,412 --> 00:21:24,978
Right.
580
00:21:24,979 --> 00:21:27,589
Thom is looking
for a true partner.
581
00:21:27,590 --> 00:21:30,288
Someone to elevate his work.
582
00:21:30,289 --> 00:21:32,594
We'd love to take a look
at Jaggers' full manuscript,
583
00:21:32,595 --> 00:21:34,422
see how you shepherd talent.
584
00:21:34,423 --> 00:21:36,032
That's tricky.
585
00:21:36,033 --> 00:21:38,470
- Security issues.
- Ah.
586
00:21:38,471 --> 00:21:42,301
That is, unless you've got
something to sweeten the pot?
587
00:21:45,347 --> 00:21:47,914
How about an exclusive preview
588
00:21:47,915 --> 00:21:50,961
of Thom E. Gemcity's
next thriller?
589
00:21:51,745 --> 00:21:52,832
Excuse me?
590
00:21:52,833 --> 00:21:54,312
Full book for full book.
591
00:21:54,313 --> 00:21:56,879
Well, no, that's not happening.
592
00:21:56,880 --> 00:21:59,360
- So it's not written?
- It's written, but...
593
00:21:59,361 --> 00:22:02,058
- Then we have a deal?
- Thom,
594
00:22:02,059 --> 00:22:03,931
remember why we're here.
595
00:22:05,715 --> 00:22:07,107
Deal.
596
00:22:07,108 --> 00:22:09,414
Excellent.
[sighs] Martini?
597
00:22:09,415 --> 00:22:11,112
Martini?
598
00:22:13,462 --> 00:22:14,723
Ugh!
599
00:22:14,724 --> 00:22:16,812
I've read encyclopedias
shorter than this book.
600
00:22:16,813 --> 00:22:18,814
Stop whining.
It's why we split it up.
601
00:22:18,815 --> 00:22:21,164
- Has anybody finished their part?
- McGEE:
Yeah, I have.
602
00:22:21,165 --> 00:22:24,080
I'm onto, uh, Laroche's
and Parker's section now.
603
00:22:24,081 --> 00:22:25,300
No bombshells yet.
604
00:22:26,083 --> 00:22:27,519
Oh. Wait a second.
605
00:22:27,520 --> 00:22:28,868
You got something?
606
00:22:28,869 --> 00:22:30,870
Yeah. Page 312.
607
00:22:30,871 --> 00:22:33,089
There's a mention
of a radio transmission.
608
00:22:33,090 --> 00:22:35,178
A transmission about what?
609
00:22:35,179 --> 00:22:37,224
"There's a radio call warning
610
00:22:37,225 --> 00:22:39,531
of enemy advancement
toward the squad."
611
00:22:39,532 --> 00:22:41,315
It says the warning came
from company headquarters
612
00:22:41,316 --> 00:22:42,664
ten minutes before the ambush.
613
00:22:42,665 --> 00:22:44,362
TORRES:
That was plenty of time
to get out.
614
00:22:44,363 --> 00:22:46,625
- But why didn't they?
- McGEE:
According to this,
615
00:22:46,626 --> 00:22:49,018
Hastings blatantly
ignored the warning
616
00:22:49,019 --> 00:22:50,716
and sent his men to danger.
617
00:22:50,717 --> 00:22:53,458
There's no record of this
warning in any of these reports.
618
00:22:53,459 --> 00:22:55,198
- Could be fake.
- PARKER:
I wish it was.
619
00:22:55,199 --> 00:22:57,287
But that transmission
is legit.
620
00:22:57,288 --> 00:22:58,985
LAROCHE:I just talked
to my contact at DoD.
621
00:22:58,986 --> 00:23:00,769
Turns out, the original record
622
00:23:00,770 --> 00:23:04,382
of that transmission was lost
due to a data corruption issue.
623
00:23:04,383 --> 00:23:06,035
No wonder Cross thinks
it's a cover-up.
624
00:23:06,036 --> 00:23:07,515
How did he even find out?
625
00:23:07,516 --> 00:23:10,866
Special Ops team in the
same area also got that warning.
626
00:23:10,867 --> 00:23:12,520
And their logs were intact,
627
00:23:12,521 --> 00:23:15,436
but the op was classified
till recently.
628
00:23:15,437 --> 00:23:18,570
Cross dug through
the declassified records.
629
00:23:18,571 --> 00:23:19,919
His obsession paid off.
630
00:23:19,920 --> 00:23:21,442
Kind of how
631
00:23:21,443 --> 00:23:24,053
your coloring outside the lines
has also paid off.
632
00:23:24,054 --> 00:23:25,054
Nice work
633
00:23:25,055 --> 00:23:26,883
getting the full book.
634
00:23:27,623 --> 00:23:31,234
There has to be a reason
Hastings ignored the warning.
635
00:23:31,235 --> 00:23:32,497
Yeah, maybe he never got it.
636
00:23:32,498 --> 00:23:35,196
That's the million-dollar
question.
637
00:23:36,763 --> 00:23:39,026
This is all in the book?
638
00:23:39,940 --> 00:23:41,462
And Sam Cross is the author?
639
00:23:41,463 --> 00:23:43,073
That's right.
640
00:23:43,857 --> 00:23:45,248
How's he doing?
641
00:23:45,249 --> 00:23:46,902
That's not the issue here.
642
00:23:46,903 --> 00:23:48,469
This warning came
643
00:23:48,470 --> 00:23:50,210
via forward intelligence units,
644
00:23:50,211 --> 00:23:51,951
but we don't have confirmation
645
00:23:51,952 --> 00:23:54,040
that your squad
ever received it.
646
00:23:54,041 --> 00:23:55,737
The radio operator died
647
00:23:55,738 --> 00:23:59,699
in the ambush, and he was
the only one who could verify.
648
00:24:00,700 --> 00:24:02,135
Except you.
649
00:24:02,136 --> 00:24:04,398
LAROCHE:
Mr. Hastings,
650
00:24:04,399 --> 00:24:06,008
this is your chance
to set the record straight
651
00:24:06,009 --> 00:24:07,532
and clear your name.
652
00:24:07,533 --> 00:24:10,273
It's not about me.
653
00:24:10,274 --> 00:24:12,101
PARKER:
Then think about the bill.
654
00:24:12,102 --> 00:24:14,452
The DoD can push back
on this whole thing.
655
00:24:14,453 --> 00:24:17,324
LAROCHE:All you have to do is
say you never received
656
00:24:17,325 --> 00:24:18,761
that transmission.
657
00:24:22,591 --> 00:24:24,158
I can't do that.
658
00:24:25,638 --> 00:24:27,856
LAROCHE:Why not?
659
00:24:27,857 --> 00:24:29,380
The book's right.
660
00:24:30,730 --> 00:24:33,296
The warning came in,
and I ignored it.
661
00:24:33,297 --> 00:24:36,997
- Lieutenant, what are you doing?
- Stay out of it, Zanella.
662
00:24:39,782 --> 00:24:43,089
Sir, if there's more
you're not telling us, then...
663
00:24:43,090 --> 00:24:46,745
It was my squad, my call.
664
00:24:46,746 --> 00:24:48,530
I got those men killed.
665
00:25:03,545 --> 00:25:05,415
Yes, I...
666
00:25:05,416 --> 00:25:07,417
I understand you are upset.
667
00:25:07,418 --> 00:25:11,379
No, we don't comment
on ongoing investigations.
668
00:25:12,685 --> 00:25:14,599
Hello? Hung up.
669
00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:16,688
- Same here.
- More calls from the shop?
670
00:25:16,689 --> 00:25:18,124
Yeah. Angry ones.
671
00:25:18,125 --> 00:25:19,604
The employees are convinced
that Hastings confessed
672
00:25:19,605 --> 00:25:21,170
to something that he didn't do.
673
00:25:21,171 --> 00:25:22,563
They think
he's protecting someone.
674
00:25:22,564 --> 00:25:24,086
- So what do we think?
- I think it's a job well done.
675
00:25:24,087 --> 00:25:25,653
We might not
have got the outcome
676
00:25:25,654 --> 00:25:27,525
that we wanted, but we have
enough to move forward.
677
00:25:27,526 --> 00:25:28,569
With what?
678
00:25:28,570 --> 00:25:30,005
Hastings' confession
gives SECNAV
679
00:25:30,006 --> 00:25:31,093
and the DoD exactly
what they needed.
680
00:25:31,094 --> 00:25:32,530
A chance to distance
themselves
681
00:25:32,531 --> 00:25:34,575
and keep
the veterans' bill alive.
682
00:25:34,576 --> 00:25:36,490
And let Hastings
take the fall?
683
00:25:36,491 --> 00:25:38,361
He made his choice
loud and clear.
684
00:25:38,362 --> 00:25:39,798
That wouldn't be
the first time
685
00:25:39,799 --> 00:25:41,408
that he sacrificed himself
to protect his men.
686
00:25:41,409 --> 00:25:42,975
You know, I'm checking
the unit radio logs,
687
00:25:42,976 --> 00:25:44,280
and something's off here.
688
00:25:44,281 --> 00:25:45,673
There's a history
689
00:25:45,674 --> 00:25:47,588
of missed transmissions
and incomplete data.
690
00:25:47,589 --> 00:25:49,198
That's not unusual
for desert operations.
691
00:25:49,199 --> 00:25:51,461
That's true,
but these gaps are due
692
00:25:51,462 --> 00:25:53,202
to failed handoffs,
delayed relays.
693
00:25:53,203 --> 00:25:55,465
No, this suggests
a human element.
694
00:25:55,466 --> 00:25:57,555
- Operator error?
- Possible.
695
00:25:57,556 --> 00:25:58,860
Maybe the warning got lost.
696
00:25:58,861 --> 00:25:59,992
And Hastings is covering
697
00:25:59,993 --> 00:26:01,036
for his radio operator.
698
00:26:01,037 --> 00:26:02,603
That doesn't make any sense.
699
00:26:02,604 --> 00:26:05,171
The operator died during
the ambush. Why protect him now?
700
00:26:05,172 --> 00:26:06,694
VANCE:
The author's
701
00:26:06,695 --> 00:26:08,914
- brother was the radio operator.
- PARKER: Evan Cross.
702
00:26:08,915 --> 00:26:12,570
Turns out, Hastings recently
assigned him to the job.
703
00:26:12,571 --> 00:26:14,397
You think inexperience explains
704
00:26:14,398 --> 00:26:15,921
why that warning transmission
didn't get through?
705
00:26:15,922 --> 00:26:18,576
I think it explains
Hastings' confession.
706
00:26:18,577 --> 00:26:20,403
Protecting Evan's name
could be his way
707
00:26:20,404 --> 00:26:24,233
of making amends for assigning
somebody unqualified.
708
00:26:24,234 --> 00:26:26,584
At the cost of a veterans' bill
that could help thousands?
709
00:26:26,585 --> 00:26:30,239
[grunts] Marines don't usually
worry about politics.
710
00:26:30,240 --> 00:26:32,285
Just my experience and
711
00:26:32,286 --> 00:26:34,069
what I gleaned
712
00:26:34,070 --> 00:26:35,941
from working round here.
713
00:26:35,942 --> 00:26:37,377
Should I step out, Director?
714
00:26:37,378 --> 00:26:39,466
I'd rather you fix the heat,
Mr. Kincaid.
715
00:26:39,467 --> 00:26:40,946
Okay.
LAROCHE:Look, if
716
00:26:40,947 --> 00:26:43,383
Hastings is going to accept
responsibility publicly,
717
00:26:43,384 --> 00:26:44,645
then our options are limited.
718
00:26:44,646 --> 00:26:46,125
We need to accept
the facts.
719
00:26:46,126 --> 00:26:47,387
We don't have
all the facts.
720
00:26:47,388 --> 00:26:49,084
That's why
we need to keep digging.
721
00:26:49,085 --> 00:26:51,478
Blaming a dead Marine for
an ambush that killed three men?
722
00:26:51,479 --> 00:26:53,132
This will look
like scapegoating.
723
00:26:53,133 --> 00:26:54,481
The last thing SECNAV wants.
724
00:26:54,482 --> 00:26:55,613
- I agree.
- Thank you.
725
00:26:55,614 --> 00:26:57,223
- With both of you.
- Sir?
726
00:26:57,224 --> 00:26:58,441
Our job
727
00:26:58,442 --> 00:27:00,052
is to find the truth.
728
00:27:00,053 --> 00:27:01,575
And if Evan was
responsible
729
00:27:01,576 --> 00:27:02,968
for that communication
breakdown,
730
00:27:02,969 --> 00:27:05,057
then we need to prove it
- without a doubt.
- How?
731
00:27:05,058 --> 00:27:07,102
Hastings won't talk,
and Evan Cross is dead.
732
00:27:07,103 --> 00:27:08,495
They're the only two
733
00:27:08,496 --> 00:27:10,105
who could have known
about those radio issues.
734
00:27:10,106 --> 00:27:13,282
Maybe not. We know that Evan
sent messages to his wife.
735
00:27:13,283 --> 00:27:14,980
If he was struggling
with the new assignment,
736
00:27:14,981 --> 00:27:16,155
he could've confided in her.
737
00:27:16,156 --> 00:27:18,157
You expect a Marine widow
738
00:27:18,158 --> 00:27:20,289
to tarnish her husband's memory?
739
00:27:20,290 --> 00:27:22,770
Marine's family wouldn't
see it as tarnishing.
740
00:27:22,771 --> 00:27:26,993
More like telling the truth
to protect the unit.
741
00:27:27,994 --> 00:27:30,343
I was gonna say talking
to the widow is all we got,
742
00:27:30,344 --> 00:27:31,997
but I like his answer better.
743
00:27:31,998 --> 00:27:33,259
It's political suicide.
744
00:27:33,260 --> 00:27:36,566
Talk to her. Carefully.
745
00:27:36,567 --> 00:27:38,657
[sighs]
746
00:27:41,398 --> 00:27:45,140
EMILY:
Evan will always hold a place
in my heart.
747
00:27:45,141 --> 00:27:47,708
That's what makes this
so surreal.
748
00:27:47,709 --> 00:27:51,016
I became a grief counselor
to help others move on,
749
00:27:51,017 --> 00:27:53,583
but with Sam's book,
the reporters,
750
00:27:53,584 --> 00:27:55,673
I'm the one
that needs therapy.
751
00:27:55,674 --> 00:27:58,284
We'd just like
to clear up a few things
752
00:27:58,285 --> 00:28:00,242
about Evan's time
as a radio operator.
753
00:28:00,243 --> 00:28:01,330
Such as?
754
00:28:01,331 --> 00:28:02,375
Did he ever mention challenges
755
00:28:02,376 --> 00:28:03,681
with the assignment?
756
00:28:03,682 --> 00:28:04,594
No.
757
00:28:04,595 --> 00:28:06,205
Evan was proud of it.
758
00:28:06,206 --> 00:28:07,685
He loved anything
tech-related.
759
00:28:07,686 --> 00:28:11,471
He was always tinkering
with gadgets,
760
00:28:11,472 --> 00:28:13,908
learning everything he could
about that radio.
761
00:28:13,909 --> 00:28:15,170
But it was new for him.
762
00:28:15,171 --> 00:28:16,869
He wasn't some rookie.
763
00:28:17,957 --> 00:28:19,784
Evan wasn't careless.
764
00:28:19,785 --> 00:28:22,788
He knew exactly
what was at stake.
765
00:28:23,614 --> 00:28:26,225
I-I don't normally share this.
766
00:28:26,226 --> 00:28:27,879
[beeping]
767
00:28:27,880 --> 00:28:31,318
It's one of the few things
I've held onto all these years.
768
00:28:32,972 --> 00:28:34,363
Hey, babe.
769
00:28:34,364 --> 00:28:36,409
Can't talk long.
We're moving out soon.
770
00:28:36,410 --> 00:28:37,932
Everything's good.
771
00:28:37,933 --> 00:28:39,717
I miss you,
772
00:28:39,718 --> 00:28:41,676
and I can't wait to see you.
773
00:28:42,590 --> 00:28:44,199
The team's leaning on me,
and I'm making sure
774
00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:46,246
we all are safe, coming home.
775
00:28:47,029 --> 00:28:48,770
Love you.
776
00:28:52,252 --> 00:28:54,557
Evan wanted
to protect his team.
777
00:28:54,558 --> 00:28:57,169
- Now I want to protect him.
- TORRES:
We understand.
778
00:28:57,170 --> 00:28:58,561
KNIGHT:
Sounds like Samuel
779
00:28:58,562 --> 00:29:00,999
is trying to protect Evan
in his own way, too.
780
00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:04,089
He's not writing this book
for his brother.
781
00:29:04,090 --> 00:29:05,612
It's for him.
782
00:29:05,613 --> 00:29:08,354
Another way
to bury all the grief.
783
00:29:08,355 --> 00:29:13,228
After Evan died,
Sam pushed everyone away,
784
00:29:13,229 --> 00:29:14,752
shut himself off.
785
00:29:14,753 --> 00:29:16,579
Some people need isolation
to sort things out?
786
00:29:16,580 --> 00:29:19,321
Not if they already feel alone.
787
00:29:19,322 --> 00:29:23,108
Then isolation can lead
to anger, obsession,
788
00:29:23,109 --> 00:29:25,197
and the bottle.
789
00:29:25,198 --> 00:29:26,894
Is Sam an alcoholic?
790
00:29:26,895 --> 00:29:28,722
Whatever he is,
791
00:29:28,723 --> 00:29:31,987
this book isn't going
to change anything.
792
00:29:33,249 --> 00:29:35,730
Sam needs help.
793
00:29:37,776 --> 00:29:38,732
[elevator bell dings]
794
00:29:38,733 --> 00:29:40,473
[elevator doors open]
795
00:29:40,474 --> 00:29:42,780
[sighs]
796
00:29:42,781 --> 00:29:44,652
Something on your mind?
797
00:29:46,872 --> 00:29:48,220
Old ghosts.
798
00:29:48,221 --> 00:29:51,790
Hmm. Maybe you and Parker
should compare notes.
799
00:29:52,616 --> 00:29:55,009
Bad joke.
You want to talk about it?
800
00:29:55,010 --> 00:29:57,533
I want to talk
about the radio operator.
801
00:29:57,534 --> 00:29:59,144
Sounds like
he didn't make a mistake.
802
00:29:59,145 --> 00:30:01,929
Then why would Hastings feel
compelled to cover for him?
803
00:30:01,930 --> 00:30:03,278
He wouldn't.
804
00:30:03,279 --> 00:30:04,976
Unless they never got
that warning
805
00:30:04,977 --> 00:30:06,368
in the first place.
806
00:30:06,369 --> 00:30:08,197
[elevator bell dings]
807
00:30:09,024 --> 00:30:10,677
- Better turn around.
- Hey, what's going on?
808
00:30:10,678 --> 00:30:13,245
Disturbance
at Samuel Cross's apartment.
809
00:30:13,246 --> 00:30:14,333
What kind of disturbance?
810
00:30:14,334 --> 00:30:15,464
The kind
that attracts attention.
811
00:30:15,465 --> 00:30:16,465
[knocking]
812
00:30:16,466 --> 00:30:17,771
You dishonor Hastings,
813
00:30:17,772 --> 00:30:19,339
you dishonor all of us!
814
00:30:20,383 --> 00:30:22,210
Hey, federal agent.
Stand down, guys.
815
00:30:22,211 --> 00:30:24,560
Open the door! Stop hiding
behind a damn book!
816
00:30:24,561 --> 00:30:26,084
TORRES:
All right, that's enough!
817
00:30:26,085 --> 00:30:27,520
Everybody, back up. Back up.
818
00:30:27,521 --> 00:30:28,913
[overlapping chatter]
819
00:30:28,914 --> 00:30:30,436
Back up, back up. There's
nothing to see here.
820
00:30:30,437 --> 00:30:31,872
I've got nothing to say.
821
00:30:31,873 --> 00:30:33,395
- Get out here!
- That's enough!
822
00:30:33,396 --> 00:30:34,875
- Show your face!
- Hey, hey, hey, hey!
823
00:30:34,876 --> 00:30:36,398
McGEE:
- No, no, come on, come on.
- Whoa, whoa!
824
00:30:36,399 --> 00:30:37,660
Get back.[grunts]
825
00:30:37,661 --> 00:30:39,967
[overlapping chatter]
826
00:30:39,968 --> 00:30:41,926
You hear me, Zanella?
I'm pressing charges!
827
00:30:41,927 --> 00:30:43,710
- Stand down!
- Look at me.
828
00:30:43,711 --> 00:30:45,844
SAMUEL:Get your hands off me!
Hands off me!
829
00:30:46,845 --> 00:30:48,976
[sighs]
830
00:30:48,977 --> 00:30:51,152
Is it just me,
or is it really hot in here?
831
00:30:51,153 --> 00:30:52,893
- Not just you.
- Of course.
832
00:30:52,894 --> 00:30:54,416
I understand.
833
00:30:54,417 --> 00:30:57,115
I warned you, Agent Parker.
This could've been prevented.
834
00:30:57,116 --> 00:30:59,073
Yes, ma'am. Will do.
835
00:30:59,074 --> 00:31:00,988
That was SECNAV.
836
00:31:00,989 --> 00:31:03,121
She isn't thrilled
to see NCIS on the front page.
837
00:31:03,122 --> 00:31:05,514
Of Hill Hype, not the Post. Doesn't matter.
838
00:31:05,515 --> 00:31:08,126
She's worried about the optics
and where this case is heading.
839
00:31:08,127 --> 00:31:09,301
[laughs]
840
00:31:09,302 --> 00:31:10,650
- You briefed her on the case?
- No.
841
00:31:10,651 --> 00:31:13,001
- I didn't.
- I did.
842
00:31:14,437 --> 00:31:16,525
- You went behind our backs.
- Right after you and your team
843
00:31:16,526 --> 00:31:18,179
decided to press your luck.
844
00:31:18,180 --> 00:31:20,225
- We were just doing our job.
- And look where that got us.
845
00:31:20,226 --> 00:31:21,879
That's got nothing
to do with it!
846
00:31:21,880 --> 00:31:24,751
All right, that's enough. DoD
wants to contain the situation.
847
00:31:24,752 --> 00:31:26,840
So they're accepting
Hastings' confession
848
00:31:26,841 --> 00:31:28,450
and handing over the case
to JAG.
849
00:31:28,451 --> 00:31:29,712
- Leon!
- NCIS
850
00:31:29,713 --> 00:31:32,325
has been ordered
to stand down. It's over.
851
00:31:33,456 --> 00:31:35,893
I suggest your team
start their holiday break.
852
00:31:35,894 --> 00:31:39,898
And be thankful
you still have one.
853
00:31:58,438 --> 00:31:59,918
[sighs]
854
00:32:01,354 --> 00:32:04,573
[sighs] Laroche is still
hovering around upstairs.
855
00:32:04,574 --> 00:32:06,140
Like the Ghost
of Christmas Future?
856
00:32:06,141 --> 00:32:07,750
He finds out
we're still working,
857
00:32:07,751 --> 00:32:09,230
we might not have a future.
858
00:32:09,231 --> 00:32:10,579
Where's Torres?
859
00:32:10,580 --> 00:32:12,016
Digging into
Samuel Cross's background.
860
00:32:12,017 --> 00:32:13,582
Said something about the guy
"needing help."
861
00:32:13,583 --> 00:32:14,975
Yeah, that's what
his sister-in-law said.
862
00:32:14,976 --> 00:32:16,542
Right now we're the ones
that need help. [sighs]
863
00:32:16,543 --> 00:32:18,718
Hastings confessed
to ignoring the warning,
864
00:32:18,719 --> 00:32:20,720
but there's no proof
he ever got it.
865
00:32:20,721 --> 00:32:21,982
Radio operator
knew what he was doing,
866
00:32:21,983 --> 00:32:24,463
so, most likely
wasn't human error.
867
00:32:24,464 --> 00:32:25,855
So, that leaves
a technical malfunction.
868
00:32:25,856 --> 00:32:27,422
A malfunction that
we still can't prove.
869
00:32:27,423 --> 00:32:29,556
[knock on door]
870
00:32:30,383 --> 00:32:32,602
Um...
871
00:32:34,604 --> 00:32:36,170
Password?
872
00:32:36,171 --> 00:32:37,868
JIMMY:
"Santa sent me."
873
00:32:41,350 --> 00:32:43,786
Hey. I thought I'd help
heat things up.
874
00:32:43,787 --> 00:32:45,745
Trying to keep
a low profile here, Jimmy, okay?
875
00:32:45,746 --> 00:32:47,703
Yeah, don't worry,
I-I made sure I wasn't followed.
876
00:32:47,704 --> 00:32:49,705
Figured as long
as we're ignoring
877
00:32:49,706 --> 00:32:51,185
SECNAV's orders to go home,
878
00:32:51,186 --> 00:32:54,624
we might as well ignore
Laroche's fire code warning.
879
00:32:56,844 --> 00:32:58,323
Oh.
880
00:32:58,324 --> 00:32:59,498
Maybe he was right.
881
00:32:59,499 --> 00:33:00,803
This thing
is malfunctioning.
882
00:33:00,804 --> 00:33:01,804
Must be putting out
883
00:33:01,805 --> 00:33:03,197
some kind of interference.
884
00:33:03,198 --> 00:33:05,808
Hold on, hold on. You might be
onto something, Jimmy.
885
00:33:05,809 --> 00:33:08,768
McGee, pull up the footage
from Afghanistan,
886
00:33:08,769 --> 00:33:09,943
of Hastings' squad.
887
00:33:09,944 --> 00:33:11,553
Yeah. Uh, which part?
888
00:33:11,554 --> 00:33:13,295
The interference.
889
00:33:14,775 --> 00:33:16,254
You know it, sir.
890
00:33:16,255 --> 00:33:20,127
[garbled conversation]
891
00:33:20,128 --> 00:33:21,259
Okay, roll it back.
892
00:33:21,260 --> 00:33:23,001
[types on keyboard]
893
00:33:24,698 --> 00:33:26,481
[laughs]
You know it, you know it, sir.
894
00:33:26,482 --> 00:33:27,656
[indistinct chatter]
895
00:33:27,657 --> 00:33:31,182
[garbled conversation]
896
00:33:31,183 --> 00:33:32,271
Look at that.
897
00:33:34,316 --> 00:33:36,448
[laughs]
You know it, you know it, sir.
898
00:33:36,449 --> 00:33:37,449
[indistinct chatter]
899
00:33:37,450 --> 00:33:39,059
[garbled conversation]
900
00:33:39,060 --> 00:33:42,149
The static only happens when
the radio equipment is nearby.
901
00:33:42,150 --> 00:33:45,022
The message Evan sent to
his wife has that same static.
902
00:33:45,023 --> 00:33:46,849
Com radios are not supposed
to mess with other equipment.
903
00:33:46,850 --> 00:33:48,678
So why did this one?
904
00:33:51,203 --> 00:33:53,682
KASIE [shouting]:
This is definitely
the wrong frequency.
905
00:33:53,683 --> 00:33:54,901
Look.[shouting]: Okay.
906
00:33:54,902 --> 00:33:56,033
What does that mean?
907
00:33:56,034 --> 00:33:58,339
What?
What does that mean?
908
00:33:58,340 --> 00:34:00,037
[normal volume]:
- I-I can't hear you.
- Yeah, turn...
909
00:34:00,038 --> 00:34:01,995
- I can't hear you.
- Okay. Thank you.
910
00:34:01,996 --> 00:34:05,085
All right, you've duplicated
the faulty frequency in a lab.
911
00:34:05,086 --> 00:34:07,653
What does that tell us
about the radio in Afghanistan?
912
00:34:07,654 --> 00:34:09,959
That radio had
an internal flaw,
913
00:34:09,960 --> 00:34:11,874
one that would not
have been obvious.
914
00:34:11,875 --> 00:34:13,528
And the warning transmission?
915
00:34:13,529 --> 00:34:15,922
A radio stuck on the
wrong frequency drains power,
916
00:34:15,923 --> 00:34:17,706
making it nearly impossible
917
00:34:17,707 --> 00:34:19,926
to receive a warning
on the correct frequency.
918
00:34:19,927 --> 00:34:22,059
- So it was a technical failure?
- Exactly.
919
00:34:22,060 --> 00:34:24,975
And there is no way
Evan could have known that.
920
00:34:26,368 --> 00:34:27,586
No one's to blame.
921
00:34:27,587 --> 00:34:29,762
That's the truth,
and we can prove it.
922
00:34:29,763 --> 00:34:31,329
[sighs]
923
00:34:31,330 --> 00:34:34,288
Ooh.
Isn't this good news?
924
00:34:34,289 --> 00:34:37,552
I'm not sure the truth matters
to Hastings or the author.
925
00:34:37,553 --> 00:34:39,815
[elevator bell dinging]
Once that book hits the shelves,
926
00:34:39,816 --> 00:34:41,382
the public damage is done.
927
00:34:41,383 --> 00:34:44,037
You really think Cross
won't retract? Even after this?
928
00:34:44,038 --> 00:34:45,821
[sighs]
I think he's hurting.
929
00:34:45,822 --> 00:34:48,563
And I might know why.
930
00:34:48,564 --> 00:34:50,913
Been digging
through his record.
931
00:34:50,914 --> 00:34:52,001
Think I found something.
932
00:34:52,002 --> 00:34:53,525
- Something we can use?
- Maybe,
933
00:34:53,526 --> 00:34:56,137
but I'd like to take the lead
on this, if that's okay.
934
00:34:57,269 --> 00:34:58,313
Alone?
935
00:34:59,314 --> 00:35:00,793
Not exactly.
936
00:35:00,794 --> 00:35:03,405
[country version of "O Come,
All Ye Faithful" playing]
937
00:35:17,071 --> 00:35:19,291
SAMUEL:
I don't believe this.
938
00:35:22,990 --> 00:35:24,861
I'm disappointed, Em.
939
00:35:25,949 --> 00:35:27,776
Didn't realize this was a setup.
940
00:35:27,777 --> 00:35:30,998
Hear him out. Sam, please.
941
00:35:32,826 --> 00:35:34,741
TORRES:
Have a seat, Marine.
942
00:35:43,489 --> 00:35:45,272
I know about
the faulty radio.
943
00:35:45,273 --> 00:35:48,449
My agent told me, and I told him
it doesn't change anything.
944
00:35:48,450 --> 00:35:50,321
TORRES:
This is not about the radio
945
00:35:50,322 --> 00:35:51,931
or the book or Hastings.
946
00:35:51,932 --> 00:35:53,847
What's left?
947
00:35:57,242 --> 00:35:58,243
You.
948
00:36:01,855 --> 00:36:03,290
What are you doing
with my service record?
949
00:36:03,291 --> 00:36:04,770
We know about
the knee injury.
950
00:36:04,771 --> 00:36:06,729
The deeper I went in...
951
00:36:07,600 --> 00:36:09,731
...the more it all
started making sense.
952
00:36:09,732 --> 00:36:11,211
You don't know
anything about me.
953
00:36:11,212 --> 00:36:12,908
I know you were
a radio operator
954
00:36:12,909 --> 00:36:14,737
like your brother.
955
00:36:19,307 --> 00:36:20,612
So what?
956
00:36:20,613 --> 00:36:24,224
That knee injury kept you
off patrol, didn't it?
957
00:36:24,225 --> 00:36:26,226
Hastings promoted your brother
to take your place,
958
00:36:26,227 --> 00:36:27,271
and that's...
959
00:36:27,272 --> 00:36:29,142
well, that's
what's eating you up.
960
00:36:29,143 --> 00:36:31,318
Hastings tell you that?
961
00:36:31,319 --> 00:36:32,319
No.
962
00:36:32,320 --> 00:36:33,974
You just did.
963
00:36:34,931 --> 00:36:36,193
I know what
it's like,
964
00:36:36,194 --> 00:36:37,672
carrying guilt,
pushing people away,
965
00:36:37,673 --> 00:36:39,371
thinking they can
never understand.
966
00:36:40,546 --> 00:36:41,807
They can't.
967
00:36:41,808 --> 00:36:43,070
Why?
968
00:36:44,071 --> 00:36:45,507
What really happened?
969
00:36:47,292 --> 00:36:48,380
EMILY:
Sam.
970
00:36:49,163 --> 00:36:51,773
You've been blaming yourself
971
00:36:51,774 --> 00:36:53,906
for something
you couldn't control.
972
00:36:53,907 --> 00:36:55,909
You're wrong.
973
00:36:58,999 --> 00:37:01,001
The knee injury...
974
00:37:02,394 --> 00:37:03,917
...wasn't new.
975
00:37:05,179 --> 00:37:08,356
I hid it before
I volunteered for deployment.
976
00:37:10,271 --> 00:37:12,968
Thought I could
just push through.
977
00:37:12,969 --> 00:37:14,884
Like a Marine.
978
00:37:17,713 --> 00:37:19,237
But it got worse.
979
00:37:22,718 --> 00:37:24,503
If I hadn't lied...
980
00:37:30,596 --> 00:37:33,032
...I would have been out there.
981
00:37:33,033 --> 00:37:35,427
I should have been out there.
982
00:37:36,645 --> 00:37:39,126
And Evan should still be alive.
983
00:37:42,477 --> 00:37:44,086
I am so sorry.
984
00:37:44,087 --> 00:37:47,655
S... Sam, it's not
your burden to carry.
985
00:37:47,656 --> 00:37:49,528
You're not alone, Sam.
986
00:37:53,314 --> 00:37:56,274
It s... sure feels that way.
987
00:37:58,319 --> 00:38:01,017
Well, then I think
you should check your six.
988
00:38:04,630 --> 00:38:06,284
Why are they here?
989
00:38:07,981 --> 00:38:09,591
They understand.
990
00:38:28,436 --> 00:38:30,785
["Christmas Where I Come From"
by Ron Pope playing]
991
00:38:30,786 --> 00:38:33,310
♪ I know that it's Christmas
992
00:38:33,311 --> 00:38:36,314
♪ Where I come from
993
00:38:37,750 --> 00:38:40,142
♪ It don't feel like Christmas
994
00:38:40,143 --> 00:38:43,016
♪ Where I am
995
00:38:44,365 --> 00:38:47,062
♪ All the love I've known
996
00:38:47,063 --> 00:38:50,631
♪ People made that
house a home ♪
997
00:38:50,632 --> 00:38:52,329
♪ They're so far away
998
00:38:52,330 --> 00:38:53,504
♪ From this place...
999
00:38:53,505 --> 00:38:54,722
- Hey.
- Hey.
1000
00:38:54,723 --> 00:38:56,421
- It's not a sauna in here.
- No.
1001
00:38:57,291 --> 00:38:59,379
Just as cold as everywhere else
- in the building.
- Oh, here.
1002
00:38:59,380 --> 00:39:03,165
This should warm you up. Cross
decided to retract the book.
1003
00:39:03,166 --> 00:39:07,300
Pending a rewrite, I hear.
One that sticks to the facts.
1004
00:39:07,301 --> 00:39:09,824
Plus, a chapter
on veteran support.
1005
00:39:09,825 --> 00:39:12,000
The publisher's not thrilled,
but SECNAV should be happy.
1006
00:39:12,001 --> 00:39:14,873
She is. About that.
1007
00:39:14,874 --> 00:39:17,484
Not so much about
you ignoring orders.
1008
00:39:17,485 --> 00:39:18,616
Laroche?
1009
00:39:18,617 --> 00:39:20,357
Mm-hmm.
But he also took the blame.
1010
00:39:20,358 --> 00:39:23,098
Covered for your team
by claiming
1011
00:39:23,099 --> 00:39:24,839
that it was all his idea.
1012
00:39:24,840 --> 00:39:26,711
A Christmas miracle.
1013
00:39:26,712 --> 00:39:30,758
My goal has always been
to uphold the integrity
1014
00:39:30,759 --> 00:39:32,934
of the United States military,
1015
00:39:32,935 --> 00:39:35,676
and I will do everything
in my power
1016
00:39:35,677 --> 00:39:37,199
to bring truth to light.
1017
00:39:37,200 --> 00:39:40,333
Wow. He really is the ghost
of Christmas future.
1018
00:39:40,334 --> 00:39:42,683
Yeah, his future.
He's taking all the credit.
1019
00:39:42,684 --> 00:39:45,294
As we face new challenges,
1020
00:39:45,295 --> 00:39:47,471
bold, decisive leadership
1021
00:39:47,472 --> 00:39:50,038
will define
the next chapter of NCIS.
1022
00:39:50,039 --> 00:39:52,345
Next chapter?
1023
00:39:52,346 --> 00:39:53,999
- What's he mean by that?
- I'm telling you,
1024
00:39:54,000 --> 00:39:55,130
this guys is using us.
1025
00:39:55,131 --> 00:39:57,176
Okay. For what?
1026
00:39:57,177 --> 00:39:59,134
[mechanical clanging]
1027
00:39:59,135 --> 00:40:00,919
Was that...
1028
00:40:00,920 --> 00:40:02,268
Can't be.
1029
00:40:02,269 --> 00:40:03,878
♪ It don't feel like Christmas
1030
00:40:03,879 --> 00:40:05,750
♪ Where I am...
1031
00:40:05,751 --> 00:40:08,056
It's warm!
1032
00:40:08,057 --> 00:40:10,102
Guess Santa
came early this year.
1033
00:40:10,103 --> 00:40:12,060
Merry Christmas.
1034
00:40:12,061 --> 00:40:14,976
♪ They're so far away
1035
00:40:14,977 --> 00:40:18,111
♪ From this place
that I've run ♪
1036
00:40:19,199 --> 00:40:21,983
♪ I know that it's Christmas
1037
00:40:21,984 --> 00:40:24,856
♪ Where I come from
1038
00:40:24,857 --> 00:40:27,902
♪ It's not gonna snow here
1039
00:40:27,903 --> 00:40:31,471
♪ Wish I had some reindeer
and a sleigh... ♪
1040
00:40:31,472 --> 00:40:32,951
Lieutenant.
1041
00:40:32,952 --> 00:40:35,910
♪ By Christmas day...
1042
00:40:35,911 --> 00:40:37,565
Marine.
1043
00:40:40,655 --> 00:40:44,223
♪ So, I know that
it's Christmas ♪
1044
00:40:44,224 --> 00:40:47,619
♪ Where I come from...
1045
00:40:48,402 --> 00:40:50,925
Sir, I just wanted to apologize.
1046
00:40:50,926 --> 00:40:53,014
♪ Where I am...
1047
00:40:53,015 --> 00:40:54,451
You deserve... Stop.
1048
00:40:54,452 --> 00:40:55,974
♪ All the love...
1049
00:40:55,975 --> 00:40:57,976
It's not about me.
1050
00:40:57,977 --> 00:40:59,717
♪ Made that house a home...
1051
00:40:59,718 --> 00:41:01,283
How are you?
1052
00:41:01,284 --> 00:41:05,288
♪ Far away from this place
that I've run ♪
1053
00:41:06,420 --> 00:41:09,161
♪ But I know
that it's Christmas ♪
1054
00:41:09,162 --> 00:41:13,427
♪ Yes, I know
that it's Christmas... ♪
1055
00:41:14,210 --> 00:41:16,124
I miss my brother, sir.
1056
00:41:16,125 --> 00:41:19,302
♪ Where I come from.
1057
00:41:33,795 --> 00:41:36,015
[phone vibrates]
1058
00:41:50,551 --> 00:41:56,295
Captioning sponsored by
CBS
1059
00:41:56,296 --> 00:41:57,340
Captioned by
Media Access Group at WGBH
access.wgbh.org