NCIS (2003–…): Season 11, Episode 4 - Anonymous Was a Woman - full transcript
Gibbs and company, including Susan, the agent from the polygraph room, investigate the death of a woman with an ID card showing her as a sergeant in the US Marine Corps; however, McGee quickly finds that the real sergeant died in Afghanistan almost three years ago. The Duck comments on the disfiguring of the face by an acid. Abby says that the victim's necklace appears to have come from Afghanistan; Gibbs and Tony learn that the impostor was an Afghan, and that Mike Franks and his daughter-in-law had a connection with her; Abby gets a lead on the killer. Gibbs experiences heavy-duty flashbacks, and he gains insight into the motive. Susan questions the suspect in the chat room. Acting on a lead, Gibbs and McGee investigate in Kabul; at a women's shelter Gibbs calls the bluff of five bullies until the cavalry arrives (with help from Tony). Gibbs returns to Andrews AFB, Maryland, with eight new friends. Mademoiselle Tavier tells Gibbs that Mike would feel proud of him.
Bobby, Bobby, Bobby.
How many times I gotta tell you?
I don't do water-filled.
Well, because...
at best, they leak,
and at worst,
you get black mold, that's why.
Yeah.
Yeah, you got some, uh,
buckwheat-fill you
want to unload,
I could trade a case
of corduroy pillows.
They're great
for making headlines.
Get it? Head lines?
Pillow humor.
Hmm.
Let me call you back, all right?
Not smart.
Tony catches you
snooping, he'll...
You know what?
I don't even want to get
inside his head to guess.
I wasn't snooping.
I-I-I wasn't.
I wasn't snooping.
I just came up, uh,
for a signature
from Agent DiNozzo and something
on his desk caught my eye.
Yeah? Something on my desk
ever catch your eye?
I'm sorry,
is this a trick question?
Jimmy, we need to respect
each other's privacy.
I'm surprised at you.
I know, it's just
I couldn't help myself.
Tony's not the kind of guy
that writes a handwritten note.
And who's Jessica?
Tony says that she's
a wonderful person
and she deserves...
"Nothing but happiness.
"I'm incredibly sorry
for..." For what?
He doesn't say.
That's because it's not done.
And it's none of your business.
Jim. Tim.
I'm a little surprised,
snooping at my desk.
Particularly you, James Palmer.
I'm very angry with you,
and I will get more angry
in five, four, three...
What?
Jessica is that
dancer you dated.
Like, four years ago.
No comment.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What are you, in some kind of
12-step program for
recovering misogynists?
These past few
weeks have been...
interesting, haven't they?
It's just got me thinking about
the choices that we make
and the people, you know,
that we let in
or don't let in and...
just trying to make it better.
Any more questions?
Yeah, what'd you do
with the real Tony?
Maybe this is the real Tony.
Grab your gear.
Excuse me?
Who let you out of
the polygraph room?
Agent Gibbs.
He called and asked
me to help you two
collect evidence
at your crime scene.
We don't have a crime scene.
You do now.
But you don't collect evidence.
Well, the times they are
a-changing, boys.
That's the third person
in the last week
Gibbs has had tag
along with us.
Almost makes me think he
doesn't trust us by ourselves.
The store owner who
leased out the apartment
says her name
is Patricia Moreno.
Officers responding
to the 911 found
this and called us.
Thanks.
It's worse than we thought.
She's applying for
a full-time position.
Criminal Investigator.
Gibbs is conducting
the preliminary review.
What's the plan?
She's not going to be as easy
to chase away as the others.
Listen, we can't
let Gibbs know
that she annoys us.
He'll think we feel threatened.
Which he'll like.
The owner see anything?
No, he leased her the apartment
two-and-a-half years ago,
sold Sergeant Moreno a pillow...
Then barely saw her again.
Says she kept
mostly to herself.
We overheard your interview.
It was very well done.
Really? How so?
Well, um...
See, it had
all of the, uh...
Oop, look, there's Ducky.
Yeah, the first recorded
use of a pillow
was in 7,000 B.C.
Of course, back then,
only the wealthy could
afford such luxury.
And now look at what
30 bucks can get you.
Oh, I've always
wanted a body pillow.
You done shopping, Palmer?
Well, actually, I have
a buckwheat knee pillow on hold.
Yeah, you see,
the interesting thing
about buckwheat is that...
Well, never mind.
Oh, hello. Hello.
What have we here?
A mess.
Oh, dear God.
This is clearly the result
of some kind of acid.
And since I doubt she
would have sat still for it,
probably dispensed post-mortem.
Could make the cause of
death difficult to determine,
- especially if it was head trauma.
- Yeah.
Perhaps the point.
Well, let's get
this young lady back
before we speculate further
on how she died.
We can speculate on why, Duck.
Nothing appears
to be missing...
which suggests
this wasn't a robbery.
McGee, where was she assigned?
Nowhere.
Sergeant Moreno
died in Afghanistan
almost three years ago.
Well...
then who the hell is she?
The real Sergeant Moreno
was killed by an I.E.D.
in Afghanistan three years ago.
Her body was sent
back through Dover
and buried in her
Kansas hometown.
Best we can tell,
somewhere along the ride home,
her military I.D. was stolen
and then used by whoever this is
to create a new identity.
The imposter used the I.D.
to get her credit card,
driver's license,
even an Amazon Prime account.
Same height, same build.
How'd the imposter
get the I.D.?
We confirmed
that it was sent home
with Sergeant Moreno's
possessions
after she was killed.
But Susan spoke to the family,
and they said it never arrived.
She's asking around,
but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Wouldn't hold my breath? Why?
He means that Susan's
a polygraph lady,
not really a people person.
But we love her.
We think she's great, so...
we're cool with it.
You're cool with what?
It's obvious you're looking
to hire a replacement.
Motive?
I don't know, maybe you
think we need the help.
Three's a magic number?
Who knows?
But we don't need
anyone else, boss.
And we don't want
anyone, either.
I was talking about the murder.
But if you two
feel threatened...
No! Not threatened.
No. No, no, no, no, no.
What's the motive?!
Right.
One of the neighbors
said the victim
was working as a maid
at a nearby motel.
A lot of drug deals
going on around there.
At least a few
homicides a year.
We're thinking maybe she saw
something that got her killed.
DiNozzo, motel.
McGee, find out if Ducky
has decontaminated the body.
Who is she? Find out!
Hey, Abby.
Ducky said you pulled some
prints on our Jane Doe.
Any luck?
Luck.
Is that what you think
happens in here?
No, I just meant...
It's Tuesday,
so no backtracking.
Our victim's fingers were too
badly burned for a positive I.D.
However, I did identify
what chemical was used.
Hydrofluoric acid is its name,
and dissolving skin is its game.
Too bad it's readily available
as a wheel cleaner in pretty
much every auto-parts store.
However, I did have some "luck"
with the victim's necklace.
There is DNA on here,
which could belong
to the killer, so stay tuned.
But I learned
something interesting
about the stone itself.
It's a lapis lazuli,
mined almost exclusively
in Afghanistan.
And on the back
there's an inscription.
"To Nadira."
What language is that?
It's Pashto.
Also out of Afghanistan.
So now we have
a country of origin.
Yeah, and we might have more,
because Tony just emailed me
a job application from
a motel where she worked.
She filled this out last year.
She used her Sergeant
Moreno identity.
Yeah.
Whoa!
Look who she has listed
as her "In Case of Emergency."
Leyla Shakarji. Isn't that...
Mike Franks' daughter-in-law.
Motel manager didn't have much
to say about the victim
except she showed up
on time and worked hard.
It was a dead end.
Gibbsy!
Hey, hey.
Come on, I got you.
Getting big.
Are you coming over?
Can we play Twister again?
Oh, we'll see.
Let me talk to your
mom for a minute.
Go and play on
the swings, Amira.
I'll be with you in a moment.
Why do I have a feeling
this is not a social call?
I want to ask you about a case.
Of course.
Anything.
You know her?
No.
Leyla, she put you down
as her emergency contact
on a job application.
Has there been an emergency?
Yeah, she was murdered.
How?
I only met her a few times.
Mike introduced us.
He asked me to look out for her
when he was gone.
Who is she?
I don't know.
How did Mike know her?
He wouldn't say.
And I never saw her again
after he died.
He must have told you
something about her.
He didn't tell me anything.
And I didn't push it.
You know as well as I do, when
Mike asks you to do something,
it's better not to ask
too many questions.
I'm sorry, I wish
I could tell you more.
Come for dinner soon?
What was Mike Franks into, boss?
How's it coming?
Slow.
I could stop smoking
and buy you some more time,
but don't know if my lungs
could take the shock.
What is that?
German Renaissance?
Just give me something flowery.
I like flowers.
Anything else?
Actually, I...
need another favor.
Hey. Come on.
It's okay.
Come on.
Gibbs, this is Elina.
I need to leave her with you
for a few days.
Excuse me?!
Oh, I bet you heard it
just fine.
Don't worry,
she speaks less English
than you do Pashto.
Mike... this is not a hotel.
I'm right in the
middle of a case.
I know.
There's no one else I can trust.
It's... it's like that.
Oh...
All right... all right...
but I... but I got...
No questions!
I can't just take in
a teenage girl,
no questions asked.
You come to me
all the time for help, probie.
Now I'm coming to you.
I need help.
Is it me, or did it seem like.
Leyla was holding out on us?
I know
she's almost family but...
wouldn't be the first time.
Plus, anytime you add
Mike Franks to the mix,
anything's possible.
She could be Mike Franks'
daughter... girlfriend, maybe.
Although,
that's kind of creepy.
Almost as creepy as you
playing Twister.
Something on your mind, boss?
Yeah.
I got it.
McGee.
You're on speaker.
No bad-mouthing the boss.
What?! I've never...
What do you got, McGee?
Um, we got a hit on the DNA
from our victims' necklace.
His name is Farshad Sarabi.
He emigrated from Afghanistan
ten years ago.
He have a record?
Just a history
of domestic violence.
"Just"?
He just happens to work
at an auto parts store,
which just happens to sell
hydrofluoric acid.
Put out a BOLO; Get a warrant
to search his place.
You got it, boss.
Bye.
Sure you don't want
to talk about it?
Guess that means you don't want
any fries, either.
Hmm?
No. No.
Mm.
Mike should be here soon.
He told me to meet him here.
Mike...
good.
Mike good.
Depends on the day.
Hm.
But he does have his moments.
Where are your parents?
Your mother? Your father?
Sold me.
To man.
What man?
Hu-Hu-Husband.
Old.
L-Like you.
It's okay.
It is all right.
Hm.
Acid attacks were all
the rage in 19th century Europe.
It wasn't until acid shortages
in World War II
that they started to decline.
See? There's a bright
side to everything.
Even global war.
What do you got, Duck?
Well, contrary to Mr. Palmer's
crime-scene speculation,
acid was not used to cover up
the cause of death.
No, it was the cause of death.
In high enough doses,
hydrofluoric acid
can cause cardiac arrest.
You're saying her death
was an accident?
The goal was to maim
this woman, Jethro.
And if she died, she died.
We may have stumbled
on an honor killing.
I'm sorry... a what?
An honor killing, Mr. Palmer,
is when a relative is murdered
for bringing dishonor
on the family.
It's a brutal custom.
Women can be killed for
refusing an arranged marriage;
For infidelity...
or just for being
a lovesick teenager.
Being caught kissing a boy.
It's a misnomer,
if I ever heard one.
I mean,
there is no honor involved.
Whoever did this is
a stone-cold killer.
Who's about to feel the pain.
BOLO came back
on our suspect, boss.
Rockville PD's got him.
Okay.
So what are you doing here?
Leaving.
I sincerely hope you put the
screws to this one, Jethro.
Will do.
Well, this may help you
with your interrogation.
Our victim has scars from
a lifetime of beatings.
She was persecuted simply
for being a woman.
You, too, kid.
Thank you very much.
See you soon.
What's going on?
Why the fake I.D.?
About a year ago, some former...
come up to me because they had
a 12-year-old Afghan girl
who they were helping
smuggle into the U.S.
Okay, stop.
I can't hear any more of that.
You need to.
This girl had been
raped repeatedly
by her uncle.
When she finally
went to the police,
they arrested her.
For what?
For being outside
without a male escort.
Without her uncle,
for Pete's sake.
I was just supposed
to help with the one.
But when I met the kid...
this sweet, innocent child...
it ain't something you let go.
So I hooked up with this group
that runs women's
shelters in Kabul.
I kind of run
their underground rail road.
You know, helping them
relocate their hard cases.
Mike, I can hear the "but"
that's coming a mile away.
But with all
this border fence talk,
it's getting to be
harder and harder
to get the girls in.
Even harder to get them
set up with the fake I.D.'s.
What do you want?
I need you to put a space "A"
travel request in the system.
Authorizing military transport
from Kabul to El Salvador.
This is for six people.
Six refugees.
I'll take care
of everything else.
That's all you need to know.
I can't wait for Gibbs
to give this guy hell.
Same here.
You'll...
have to settle for me.
You?
Why you?
Gibbs wants me to talk
to the suspect.
Look...
this isn't taking pictures
at a crime scene,
this is an interrogation.
Yeah.
If only I had experience
asking people questions
and trying to figure out
if they were lying.
And the investigator job
I want is in San Diego.
We are gonna miss you.
I'm sure.
Now, let's get started.
We found a list of names
in the suspect's apartment.
All Afghan, all women.
Each name is linked the name
of a deceased servicewoman.
We think the Afghan girls
are using them
as fake identities,
just like our victim did.
She's on the list too...
crossed off.
So are two others.
This is a hit list.
She's pissing him off, Tony.
How do I look?
You look stupid.
Like a painted clown.
Prefer something more...
like... this?
She was living in the U.S.,
hiding under a stolen identity
when you somehow
found out what it was,
tracked her down
and killed her.
That about right?
I assume...
that's the plan for
everyone on your list.
List?
I don't know what
you're talking about, list?
Okay, cut the bull...
We have hydrofluoric acid
in your trunk,
your handwriting on a hit list,
and your DNA at the crime scene.
I've not only got
you dead to rights
on this one, I'm gonna make it
my life's mission
to pin these other two on you.
You're here 'cause I just
need to know one thing.
I need to know why.
Can't stand that
women are smarter
than men, yeah?
Or maybe
it's 'cause we see you
at your weakest
and most vulnerable.
Don't talk to me that way.
They brought shame and dishonor
to their families.
They were punished
in accordance to God's law.
Is that who you work for?
I provide a service
to those who need it.
Where did you get this list?
It does not matter where.
What matters is
we have the names they're using
to hide in this country.
We will find them.
You may have been able
to stop me,
but someone else
will come for them.
All these women were smuggled
into the US
and given fake identities?
By whom?
It's not our priority
right now.
Who has been leaking
these new identities
to those hit men?
You think it's someone
here in Afghanistan?
It's why I'm calling you.
You are the liaison to the only.
UN women's rights group
in the country.
If these are honor killings,
the girls' families
probably got together
to hire your hit man,
which means any
of a thousand people
could be the source.
The targets are all
on this same list.
They've got
to have something in common.
They do.
My records show that
at one time or another,
they all stayed at the same
women's shelter outside Kabul.
I know it well.
Okay, let's start there.
Prepare a rack.
I'll be there in 18 hours.
You going to Afghanistan, boss?
You just got back
from the Middle East.
I'm sure they can handle this.
Here we are.
Noor Women's Shelter.
Oh, it looks more
like a bomb shelter.
They're lucky to have this.
They get zero support
from the community.
That's putting it mildly, Tom.
The locals think
women's shelters
are fronts for brothels,
which is why they're all run
by foreign NGOs.
You must be Agent Gibbs.
Catherine Tavier.
I manage this shelter.
Well, let's talk inside
before someone thinks
you're customers
and shoot at you.
The girls don't know
about Nadira.
They don't speak English.
Are you sure it was her?
You tell us.
How did her family find her?
You really think one of Nadira's
family members had her killed?
They're the only ones
who'd care enough.
If you can forgive
my choice of words.
But even if you find out
who it was,
you'll never get a conviction.
Not here.
There are women in danger.
Women that you know.
Were you aware
that after Nadira left here,
she was smuggled into the US
and living
under a false identity?
On the record, no.
Off the record,
I may have heard a thing or two.
Though, sadly,
that conduit
to the US has closed.
Nadira was found
because someone leaked
her real identity.
We're bringing those women
into protective custody,
but to really protect them,
we're gonna need to find out
who's leaking their cover names.
I'm the only one
who knew them all,
aside from the girls here.
We were the only ones
who could be trusted.
Gonna need to talk to them.
There is simple no way
they would have shared
that information.
They know what it could mean.
Still gonna need
to talk to them.
Lieutenant Gorman and I
can translate.
Yeah.
McGee, go with the lieutenant.
It's nice to finally meet.
Mike Franks spoke
very highly of you.
I need you
to put a travel request
in the system.
It's for six people.
Six refugees.
She says she doesn't know
who would leak any names
and she would die
before doing so herself.
Please tell her thank you.
You get anything?
Yeah, some of
the most horrible stories
I've ever heard.
I tell you, though,
I got my eye
on that girl
in the bottom right bunk.
She's been squirrely
ever since we got here.
Oh, there's Tony.
Maybe he's had better luck.
Ah, finally.
Ladies, please,
can you keep it down.
This is long-distance.
What do you got, DiNozzo?
I have a headache, boss.
Susan and I
got all the women
from the hit list.
She's looking into safe houses,
and, uh,
I got a call into immigration.
Why?
Well, because all these women
are here illegally, boss.
We're not sending them home,
DiNozzo.
They're not safe here, Tony.
You call DHS and you request
temporary asylum.
That'll keep them busy
for a while.
Okay, that's why
we call you the boss.
Mor means mother.
Her daughter was sent
to America first.
The mother was to follow.
Unfortunately,
that never happened
when Mike Franks died.
It's the first time they've
seen each other in two years.
Tony, I'll call you back.
Wait, McGee...
Boss, you see anything?
No.
Everybody's okay.
It's been a rough week.
This is nothing.
Though, this late probably means
it's going to be a rough night.
Have you lost all shred
of human decency?
This is not a game.
This is life or death
to these women!
You don't know that.
The hell I don't!
These girls are in danger.
Even in the shelters.
And when the US finished
its military pull-out,
it's game over for them.
Look at them.
Look at their faces.
I'm a federal agent,
and I cannot lend
material support
to a human smuggling operation.
When did you start
caring about the rules?
My rules.
Yeah? Which ones?
Rule ten.
Never get personally involved
on a case.
Rule 14, bend the line,
don't break it.
Human smuggling breaks it.
You already got involved once.
Or don't you remember how
Leyla and Amira got here?
How do you choose, Mike?
Huh? Who do you pick?
You can start it,
but how do you stop it?
You're not God.
He's sitting this one out.
I can't do it.
Can't do it.
Easy, easy.
You'll break the frame.
That's all of them, boss.
You find the leak?
No.
Think maybe Catherine was right.
These women would never
sell each other out.
Girl I was talking to was
almost beaten to death
by her father for kissing a boy.
The one in the back right
ran away
from an arranged marriage
when she was 13.
13, boss. Yeah.
Yeah, I get it.
On the other hand,
if they're the only ones
that had the info,
the leak has to be here.
Yes, sir.
We have to leave.
Now.
What's going on?
My office just got intel
that a group of locals
is planning something
after sundown tonight.
That's almost now.
Planning what?
It sounds like another bonfire.
They're usually a little
too close for comfort.
Well, we need to
call the police.
Not a good idea.
They usually bring the gasoline.
My office
has already dispatched
an urgent request
to any UN forces in the area,
but we've been ordered
back to base.
Maybe your girls
can find someplace else
to go as a precaution.
Well, you know as well as I do,
they don't have
any place else to go.
We wait for backup.
Agent Gibbs, we're prohibited
by our rules of engagement
from lending any support
in these situations.
It's very tricky
geopolitically.
We have our orders.
We need to leave.
I'm staying.
Look, this isn't the first time
we've gotten intel like this.
The girls will be fine.
But if we stay, it is
guaranteed to turn violent.
We need to leave now.
Come on, McGee.
Get out of here.
Boss...
Now.
Go.
Thank you
for flying NCIS Airlines.
We know you have a choice
when it comes
to government agencies,
and we hope you can discover
the joys of a U.S. passport.
Or green card.
Don't worry.
Everything's going to be okay.
You're welcome.
Tony DiNozzo,
friend of the ladies.
Tony, we've got a problem.
We've got intel that there might
be an attack on the shelter
and orders to bug out, but...
Let me guess.
Actually, I don't even need to.
Agent McGee,
we have our orders.
We need to leave now.
Then go.
I'm staying.
What is it with
these guys from NCIS?
- What do you need?
- Well, supposedly,
there's reinforcements
on the way, but...
I'll see what we have
in the area.
All right, when you're done,
go by MTAC,
check satellite coverage
on our location.
Maybe you can see something
that we can't.
Okay. On it.
Be careful, Tim.
Yeah.
Wet some blankets.
We can stuff them
under the doors
if we need to get
the smoke out.
Rear is secure.
Anything else
I can help with, boss?
I.D. all lines of sight.
Cover all approaches, McGee.
You know, I don't see
why we all just don't
take a walk around the block
till the cavalry arrives.
It's too risky.
This could all be
just a gambit to get us
to leave the shelter.
We're safer inside.
McGee, ammo.
Got a full mag in my SIG.
Two extra in my pack.
You have access to any weapons?
I'm not so fond of guns,
but I've been keeping
one around.
Don't shoot yourself.
Everybody down.
McGee.
I got nothing.
Tony, it's a bad time
right now.
Just got off the horn
with a U.N. commander.
They're sending a team your way.
Well, they better be quick.
We just got fired on.
Satellite's coming online.
Okay, there we go.
We got five bogeys
inbound, McGee.
On foot, moving slow.
I don't see 'em.
I got 'em.
Are you still there, McGee?
We're here, Tony.
They've got Molotov cocktails.
They're not planning a bonfire.
Well, you're not going to talk
your way out of this,
and if you start shooting,
you're going to have
a mob on your hands.
The locals aren't big fans
of Americans.
This just in:
Outside Kabul, there has been
yet another car bombing.
The target this time
was a women's shelter
run by a French group
called Les Femmes Déterminée.
Six Afghan women were reportedly
killed during the blast.
The only survivor
was a French national,
Catherine Tavier,
who ran the shelter.
I could've got
them out, probie.
Some of them were just kids.
We can't run.
We can't negotiate.
We can't fight.
So what are we going to do?
All right,
they're coming, McGee.
We stand.
Which means what exactly?
These guys are bullies.
You stand up to bullies,
right McGee?
Cover me. What?
Boss, you're going out there?
McGee, what is he doing?
He's doing what he does, Tony.
Where's our backup?
Working on it.
Well, work faster.
He's going to get
himself killed.
I think I may die
of a heart attack first.
Grid 097...
Where's our air and ground support?
We need it now.
We're out of time.
There's too many of them.
If I shoot one of them,
Gibbs is dead.
He's already dead.
What's going on? Sitrep, McGee.
You've been on the other side
of that look, Tony.
Take a guess.
Hey, gunny... got a call
you needed some backup?
Thank you.
I can't believe it.
That was incredible.
Boss, you saved the shelter.
For now, McGee.
What about tomorrow?
Agent Gibbs took quite a risk
with what he did.
That's how he rolls.
I heard they found the leak.
Yeah.
One of the girls who moved out
of the shelter was threatened.
She had no choice.
You all really care.
About the job, but...
also about other.
Well, sometimes it's
a pain in the ass.
Why do you think Gibbs did it?
I don't know.
Because he likes
breaking rules, maybe.
I hope he has a better
answer for Immigration.
'Cause he's going to have some
explaining to do after this.
Mor?
Mor!
Mike would be so proud of you.
How many times I gotta tell you?
I don't do water-filled.
Well, because...
at best, they leak,
and at worst,
you get black mold, that's why.
Yeah.
Yeah, you got some, uh,
buckwheat-fill you
want to unload,
I could trade a case
of corduroy pillows.
They're great
for making headlines.
Get it? Head lines?
Pillow humor.
Hmm.
Let me call you back, all right?
Not smart.
Tony catches you
snooping, he'll...
You know what?
I don't even want to get
inside his head to guess.
I wasn't snooping.
I-I-I wasn't.
I wasn't snooping.
I just came up, uh,
for a signature
from Agent DiNozzo and something
on his desk caught my eye.
Yeah? Something on my desk
ever catch your eye?
I'm sorry,
is this a trick question?
Jimmy, we need to respect
each other's privacy.
I'm surprised at you.
I know, it's just
I couldn't help myself.
Tony's not the kind of guy
that writes a handwritten note.
And who's Jessica?
Tony says that she's
a wonderful person
and she deserves...
"Nothing but happiness.
"I'm incredibly sorry
for..." For what?
He doesn't say.
That's because it's not done.
And it's none of your business.
Jim. Tim.
I'm a little surprised,
snooping at my desk.
Particularly you, James Palmer.
I'm very angry with you,
and I will get more angry
in five, four, three...
What?
Jessica is that
dancer you dated.
Like, four years ago.
No comment.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What are you, in some kind of
12-step program for
recovering misogynists?
These past few
weeks have been...
interesting, haven't they?
It's just got me thinking about
the choices that we make
and the people, you know,
that we let in
or don't let in and...
just trying to make it better.
Any more questions?
Yeah, what'd you do
with the real Tony?
Maybe this is the real Tony.
Grab your gear.
Excuse me?
Who let you out of
the polygraph room?
Agent Gibbs.
He called and asked
me to help you two
collect evidence
at your crime scene.
We don't have a crime scene.
You do now.
But you don't collect evidence.
Well, the times they are
a-changing, boys.
That's the third person
in the last week
Gibbs has had tag
along with us.
Almost makes me think he
doesn't trust us by ourselves.
The store owner who
leased out the apartment
says her name
is Patricia Moreno.
Officers responding
to the 911 found
this and called us.
Thanks.
It's worse than we thought.
She's applying for
a full-time position.
Criminal Investigator.
Gibbs is conducting
the preliminary review.
What's the plan?
She's not going to be as easy
to chase away as the others.
Listen, we can't
let Gibbs know
that she annoys us.
He'll think we feel threatened.
Which he'll like.
The owner see anything?
No, he leased her the apartment
two-and-a-half years ago,
sold Sergeant Moreno a pillow...
Then barely saw her again.
Says she kept
mostly to herself.
We overheard your interview.
It was very well done.
Really? How so?
Well, um...
See, it had
all of the, uh...
Oop, look, there's Ducky.
Yeah, the first recorded
use of a pillow
was in 7,000 B.C.
Of course, back then,
only the wealthy could
afford such luxury.
And now look at what
30 bucks can get you.
Oh, I've always
wanted a body pillow.
You done shopping, Palmer?
Well, actually, I have
a buckwheat knee pillow on hold.
Yeah, you see,
the interesting thing
about buckwheat is that...
Well, never mind.
Oh, hello. Hello.
What have we here?
A mess.
Oh, dear God.
This is clearly the result
of some kind of acid.
And since I doubt she
would have sat still for it,
probably dispensed post-mortem.
Could make the cause of
death difficult to determine,
- especially if it was head trauma.
- Yeah.
Perhaps the point.
Well, let's get
this young lady back
before we speculate further
on how she died.
We can speculate on why, Duck.
Nothing appears
to be missing...
which suggests
this wasn't a robbery.
McGee, where was she assigned?
Nowhere.
Sergeant Moreno
died in Afghanistan
almost three years ago.
Well...
then who the hell is she?
The real Sergeant Moreno
was killed by an I.E.D.
in Afghanistan three years ago.
Her body was sent
back through Dover
and buried in her
Kansas hometown.
Best we can tell,
somewhere along the ride home,
her military I.D. was stolen
and then used by whoever this is
to create a new identity.
The imposter used the I.D.
to get her credit card,
driver's license,
even an Amazon Prime account.
Same height, same build.
How'd the imposter
get the I.D.?
We confirmed
that it was sent home
with Sergeant Moreno's
possessions
after she was killed.
But Susan spoke to the family,
and they said it never arrived.
She's asking around,
but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Wouldn't hold my breath? Why?
He means that Susan's
a polygraph lady,
not really a people person.
But we love her.
We think she's great, so...
we're cool with it.
You're cool with what?
It's obvious you're looking
to hire a replacement.
Motive?
I don't know, maybe you
think we need the help.
Three's a magic number?
Who knows?
But we don't need
anyone else, boss.
And we don't want
anyone, either.
I was talking about the murder.
But if you two
feel threatened...
No! Not threatened.
No. No, no, no, no, no.
What's the motive?!
Right.
One of the neighbors
said the victim
was working as a maid
at a nearby motel.
A lot of drug deals
going on around there.
At least a few
homicides a year.
We're thinking maybe she saw
something that got her killed.
DiNozzo, motel.
McGee, find out if Ducky
has decontaminated the body.
Who is she? Find out!
Hey, Abby.
Ducky said you pulled some
prints on our Jane Doe.
Any luck?
Luck.
Is that what you think
happens in here?
No, I just meant...
It's Tuesday,
so no backtracking.
Our victim's fingers were too
badly burned for a positive I.D.
However, I did identify
what chemical was used.
Hydrofluoric acid is its name,
and dissolving skin is its game.
Too bad it's readily available
as a wheel cleaner in pretty
much every auto-parts store.
However, I did have some "luck"
with the victim's necklace.
There is DNA on here,
which could belong
to the killer, so stay tuned.
But I learned
something interesting
about the stone itself.
It's a lapis lazuli,
mined almost exclusively
in Afghanistan.
And on the back
there's an inscription.
"To Nadira."
What language is that?
It's Pashto.
Also out of Afghanistan.
So now we have
a country of origin.
Yeah, and we might have more,
because Tony just emailed me
a job application from
a motel where she worked.
She filled this out last year.
She used her Sergeant
Moreno identity.
Yeah.
Whoa!
Look who she has listed
as her "In Case of Emergency."
Leyla Shakarji. Isn't that...
Mike Franks' daughter-in-law.
Motel manager didn't have much
to say about the victim
except she showed up
on time and worked hard.
It was a dead end.
Gibbsy!
Hey, hey.
Come on, I got you.
Getting big.
Are you coming over?
Can we play Twister again?
Oh, we'll see.
Let me talk to your
mom for a minute.
Go and play on
the swings, Amira.
I'll be with you in a moment.
Why do I have a feeling
this is not a social call?
I want to ask you about a case.
Of course.
Anything.
You know her?
No.
Leyla, she put you down
as her emergency contact
on a job application.
Has there been an emergency?
Yeah, she was murdered.
How?
I only met her a few times.
Mike introduced us.
He asked me to look out for her
when he was gone.
Who is she?
I don't know.
How did Mike know her?
He wouldn't say.
And I never saw her again
after he died.
He must have told you
something about her.
He didn't tell me anything.
And I didn't push it.
You know as well as I do, when
Mike asks you to do something,
it's better not to ask
too many questions.
I'm sorry, I wish
I could tell you more.
Come for dinner soon?
What was Mike Franks into, boss?
How's it coming?
Slow.
I could stop smoking
and buy you some more time,
but don't know if my lungs
could take the shock.
What is that?
German Renaissance?
Just give me something flowery.
I like flowers.
Anything else?
Actually, I...
need another favor.
Hey. Come on.
It's okay.
Come on.
Gibbs, this is Elina.
I need to leave her with you
for a few days.
Excuse me?!
Oh, I bet you heard it
just fine.
Don't worry,
she speaks less English
than you do Pashto.
Mike... this is not a hotel.
I'm right in the
middle of a case.
I know.
There's no one else I can trust.
It's... it's like that.
Oh...
All right... all right...
but I... but I got...
No questions!
I can't just take in
a teenage girl,
no questions asked.
You come to me
all the time for help, probie.
Now I'm coming to you.
I need help.
Is it me, or did it seem like.
Leyla was holding out on us?
I know
she's almost family but...
wouldn't be the first time.
Plus, anytime you add
Mike Franks to the mix,
anything's possible.
She could be Mike Franks'
daughter... girlfriend, maybe.
Although,
that's kind of creepy.
Almost as creepy as you
playing Twister.
Something on your mind, boss?
Yeah.
I got it.
McGee.
You're on speaker.
No bad-mouthing the boss.
What?! I've never...
What do you got, McGee?
Um, we got a hit on the DNA
from our victims' necklace.
His name is Farshad Sarabi.
He emigrated from Afghanistan
ten years ago.
He have a record?
Just a history
of domestic violence.
"Just"?
He just happens to work
at an auto parts store,
which just happens to sell
hydrofluoric acid.
Put out a BOLO; Get a warrant
to search his place.
You got it, boss.
Bye.
Sure you don't want
to talk about it?
Guess that means you don't want
any fries, either.
Hmm?
No. No.
Mm.
Mike should be here soon.
He told me to meet him here.
Mike...
good.
Mike good.
Depends on the day.
Hm.
But he does have his moments.
Where are your parents?
Your mother? Your father?
Sold me.
To man.
What man?
Hu-Hu-Husband.
Old.
L-Like you.
It's okay.
It is all right.
Hm.
Acid attacks were all
the rage in 19th century Europe.
It wasn't until acid shortages
in World War II
that they started to decline.
See? There's a bright
side to everything.
Even global war.
What do you got, Duck?
Well, contrary to Mr. Palmer's
crime-scene speculation,
acid was not used to cover up
the cause of death.
No, it was the cause of death.
In high enough doses,
hydrofluoric acid
can cause cardiac arrest.
You're saying her death
was an accident?
The goal was to maim
this woman, Jethro.
And if she died, she died.
We may have stumbled
on an honor killing.
I'm sorry... a what?
An honor killing, Mr. Palmer,
is when a relative is murdered
for bringing dishonor
on the family.
It's a brutal custom.
Women can be killed for
refusing an arranged marriage;
For infidelity...
or just for being
a lovesick teenager.
Being caught kissing a boy.
It's a misnomer,
if I ever heard one.
I mean,
there is no honor involved.
Whoever did this is
a stone-cold killer.
Who's about to feel the pain.
BOLO came back
on our suspect, boss.
Rockville PD's got him.
Okay.
So what are you doing here?
Leaving.
I sincerely hope you put the
screws to this one, Jethro.
Will do.
Well, this may help you
with your interrogation.
Our victim has scars from
a lifetime of beatings.
She was persecuted simply
for being a woman.
You, too, kid.
Thank you very much.
See you soon.
What's going on?
Why the fake I.D.?
About a year ago, some former...
come up to me because they had
a 12-year-old Afghan girl
who they were helping
smuggle into the U.S.
Okay, stop.
I can't hear any more of that.
You need to.
This girl had been
raped repeatedly
by her uncle.
When she finally
went to the police,
they arrested her.
For what?
For being outside
without a male escort.
Without her uncle,
for Pete's sake.
I was just supposed
to help with the one.
But when I met the kid...
this sweet, innocent child...
it ain't something you let go.
So I hooked up with this group
that runs women's
shelters in Kabul.
I kind of run
their underground rail road.
You know, helping them
relocate their hard cases.
Mike, I can hear the "but"
that's coming a mile away.
But with all
this border fence talk,
it's getting to be
harder and harder
to get the girls in.
Even harder to get them
set up with the fake I.D.'s.
What do you want?
I need you to put a space "A"
travel request in the system.
Authorizing military transport
from Kabul to El Salvador.
This is for six people.
Six refugees.
I'll take care
of everything else.
That's all you need to know.
I can't wait for Gibbs
to give this guy hell.
Same here.
You'll...
have to settle for me.
You?
Why you?
Gibbs wants me to talk
to the suspect.
Look...
this isn't taking pictures
at a crime scene,
this is an interrogation.
Yeah.
If only I had experience
asking people questions
and trying to figure out
if they were lying.
And the investigator job
I want is in San Diego.
We are gonna miss you.
I'm sure.
Now, let's get started.
We found a list of names
in the suspect's apartment.
All Afghan, all women.
Each name is linked the name
of a deceased servicewoman.
We think the Afghan girls
are using them
as fake identities,
just like our victim did.
She's on the list too...
crossed off.
So are two others.
This is a hit list.
She's pissing him off, Tony.
How do I look?
You look stupid.
Like a painted clown.
Prefer something more...
like... this?
She was living in the U.S.,
hiding under a stolen identity
when you somehow
found out what it was,
tracked her down
and killed her.
That about right?
I assume...
that's the plan for
everyone on your list.
List?
I don't know what
you're talking about, list?
Okay, cut the bull...
We have hydrofluoric acid
in your trunk,
your handwriting on a hit list,
and your DNA at the crime scene.
I've not only got
you dead to rights
on this one, I'm gonna make it
my life's mission
to pin these other two on you.
You're here 'cause I just
need to know one thing.
I need to know why.
Can't stand that
women are smarter
than men, yeah?
Or maybe
it's 'cause we see you
at your weakest
and most vulnerable.
Don't talk to me that way.
They brought shame and dishonor
to their families.
They were punished
in accordance to God's law.
Is that who you work for?
I provide a service
to those who need it.
Where did you get this list?
It does not matter where.
What matters is
we have the names they're using
to hide in this country.
We will find them.
You may have been able
to stop me,
but someone else
will come for them.
All these women were smuggled
into the US
and given fake identities?
By whom?
It's not our priority
right now.
Who has been leaking
these new identities
to those hit men?
You think it's someone
here in Afghanistan?
It's why I'm calling you.
You are the liaison to the only.
UN women's rights group
in the country.
If these are honor killings,
the girls' families
probably got together
to hire your hit man,
which means any
of a thousand people
could be the source.
The targets are all
on this same list.
They've got
to have something in common.
They do.
My records show that
at one time or another,
they all stayed at the same
women's shelter outside Kabul.
I know it well.
Okay, let's start there.
Prepare a rack.
I'll be there in 18 hours.
You going to Afghanistan, boss?
You just got back
from the Middle East.
I'm sure they can handle this.
Here we are.
Noor Women's Shelter.
Oh, it looks more
like a bomb shelter.
They're lucky to have this.
They get zero support
from the community.
That's putting it mildly, Tom.
The locals think
women's shelters
are fronts for brothels,
which is why they're all run
by foreign NGOs.
You must be Agent Gibbs.
Catherine Tavier.
I manage this shelter.
Well, let's talk inside
before someone thinks
you're customers
and shoot at you.
The girls don't know
about Nadira.
They don't speak English.
Are you sure it was her?
You tell us.
How did her family find her?
You really think one of Nadira's
family members had her killed?
They're the only ones
who'd care enough.
If you can forgive
my choice of words.
But even if you find out
who it was,
you'll never get a conviction.
Not here.
There are women in danger.
Women that you know.
Were you aware
that after Nadira left here,
she was smuggled into the US
and living
under a false identity?
On the record, no.
Off the record,
I may have heard a thing or two.
Though, sadly,
that conduit
to the US has closed.
Nadira was found
because someone leaked
her real identity.
We're bringing those women
into protective custody,
but to really protect them,
we're gonna need to find out
who's leaking their cover names.
I'm the only one
who knew them all,
aside from the girls here.
We were the only ones
who could be trusted.
Gonna need to talk to them.
There is simple no way
they would have shared
that information.
They know what it could mean.
Still gonna need
to talk to them.
Lieutenant Gorman and I
can translate.
Yeah.
McGee, go with the lieutenant.
It's nice to finally meet.
Mike Franks spoke
very highly of you.
I need you
to put a travel request
in the system.
It's for six people.
Six refugees.
She says she doesn't know
who would leak any names
and she would die
before doing so herself.
Please tell her thank you.
You get anything?
Yeah, some of
the most horrible stories
I've ever heard.
I tell you, though,
I got my eye
on that girl
in the bottom right bunk.
She's been squirrely
ever since we got here.
Oh, there's Tony.
Maybe he's had better luck.
Ah, finally.
Ladies, please,
can you keep it down.
This is long-distance.
What do you got, DiNozzo?
I have a headache, boss.
Susan and I
got all the women
from the hit list.
She's looking into safe houses,
and, uh,
I got a call into immigration.
Why?
Well, because all these women
are here illegally, boss.
We're not sending them home,
DiNozzo.
They're not safe here, Tony.
You call DHS and you request
temporary asylum.
That'll keep them busy
for a while.
Okay, that's why
we call you the boss.
Mor means mother.
Her daughter was sent
to America first.
The mother was to follow.
Unfortunately,
that never happened
when Mike Franks died.
It's the first time they've
seen each other in two years.
Tony, I'll call you back.
Wait, McGee...
Boss, you see anything?
No.
Everybody's okay.
It's been a rough week.
This is nothing.
Though, this late probably means
it's going to be a rough night.
Have you lost all shred
of human decency?
This is not a game.
This is life or death
to these women!
You don't know that.
The hell I don't!
These girls are in danger.
Even in the shelters.
And when the US finished
its military pull-out,
it's game over for them.
Look at them.
Look at their faces.
I'm a federal agent,
and I cannot lend
material support
to a human smuggling operation.
When did you start
caring about the rules?
My rules.
Yeah? Which ones?
Rule ten.
Never get personally involved
on a case.
Rule 14, bend the line,
don't break it.
Human smuggling breaks it.
You already got involved once.
Or don't you remember how
Leyla and Amira got here?
How do you choose, Mike?
Huh? Who do you pick?
You can start it,
but how do you stop it?
You're not God.
He's sitting this one out.
I can't do it.
Can't do it.
Easy, easy.
You'll break the frame.
That's all of them, boss.
You find the leak?
No.
Think maybe Catherine was right.
These women would never
sell each other out.
Girl I was talking to was
almost beaten to death
by her father for kissing a boy.
The one in the back right
ran away
from an arranged marriage
when she was 13.
13, boss. Yeah.
Yeah, I get it.
On the other hand,
if they're the only ones
that had the info,
the leak has to be here.
Yes, sir.
We have to leave.
Now.
What's going on?
My office just got intel
that a group of locals
is planning something
after sundown tonight.
That's almost now.
Planning what?
It sounds like another bonfire.
They're usually a little
too close for comfort.
Well, we need to
call the police.
Not a good idea.
They usually bring the gasoline.
My office
has already dispatched
an urgent request
to any UN forces in the area,
but we've been ordered
back to base.
Maybe your girls
can find someplace else
to go as a precaution.
Well, you know as well as I do,
they don't have
any place else to go.
We wait for backup.
Agent Gibbs, we're prohibited
by our rules of engagement
from lending any support
in these situations.
It's very tricky
geopolitically.
We have our orders.
We need to leave.
I'm staying.
Look, this isn't the first time
we've gotten intel like this.
The girls will be fine.
But if we stay, it is
guaranteed to turn violent.
We need to leave now.
Come on, McGee.
Get out of here.
Boss...
Now.
Go.
Thank you
for flying NCIS Airlines.
We know you have a choice
when it comes
to government agencies,
and we hope you can discover
the joys of a U.S. passport.
Or green card.
Don't worry.
Everything's going to be okay.
You're welcome.
Tony DiNozzo,
friend of the ladies.
Tony, we've got a problem.
We've got intel that there might
be an attack on the shelter
and orders to bug out, but...
Let me guess.
Actually, I don't even need to.
Agent McGee,
we have our orders.
We need to leave now.
Then go.
I'm staying.
What is it with
these guys from NCIS?
- What do you need?
- Well, supposedly,
there's reinforcements
on the way, but...
I'll see what we have
in the area.
All right, when you're done,
go by MTAC,
check satellite coverage
on our location.
Maybe you can see something
that we can't.
Okay. On it.
Be careful, Tim.
Yeah.
Wet some blankets.
We can stuff them
under the doors
if we need to get
the smoke out.
Rear is secure.
Anything else
I can help with, boss?
I.D. all lines of sight.
Cover all approaches, McGee.
You know, I don't see
why we all just don't
take a walk around the block
till the cavalry arrives.
It's too risky.
This could all be
just a gambit to get us
to leave the shelter.
We're safer inside.
McGee, ammo.
Got a full mag in my SIG.
Two extra in my pack.
You have access to any weapons?
I'm not so fond of guns,
but I've been keeping
one around.
Don't shoot yourself.
Everybody down.
McGee.
I got nothing.
Tony, it's a bad time
right now.
Just got off the horn
with a U.N. commander.
They're sending a team your way.
Well, they better be quick.
We just got fired on.
Satellite's coming online.
Okay, there we go.
We got five bogeys
inbound, McGee.
On foot, moving slow.
I don't see 'em.
I got 'em.
Are you still there, McGee?
We're here, Tony.
They've got Molotov cocktails.
They're not planning a bonfire.
Well, you're not going to talk
your way out of this,
and if you start shooting,
you're going to have
a mob on your hands.
The locals aren't big fans
of Americans.
This just in:
Outside Kabul, there has been
yet another car bombing.
The target this time
was a women's shelter
run by a French group
called Les Femmes Déterminée.
Six Afghan women were reportedly
killed during the blast.
The only survivor
was a French national,
Catherine Tavier,
who ran the shelter.
I could've got
them out, probie.
Some of them were just kids.
We can't run.
We can't negotiate.
We can't fight.
So what are we going to do?
All right,
they're coming, McGee.
We stand.
Which means what exactly?
These guys are bullies.
You stand up to bullies,
right McGee?
Cover me. What?
Boss, you're going out there?
McGee, what is he doing?
He's doing what he does, Tony.
Where's our backup?
Working on it.
Well, work faster.
He's going to get
himself killed.
I think I may die
of a heart attack first.
Grid 097...
Where's our air and ground support?
We need it now.
We're out of time.
There's too many of them.
If I shoot one of them,
Gibbs is dead.
He's already dead.
What's going on? Sitrep, McGee.
You've been on the other side
of that look, Tony.
Take a guess.
Hey, gunny... got a call
you needed some backup?
Thank you.
I can't believe it.
That was incredible.
Boss, you saved the shelter.
For now, McGee.
What about tomorrow?
Agent Gibbs took quite a risk
with what he did.
That's how he rolls.
I heard they found the leak.
Yeah.
One of the girls who moved out
of the shelter was threatened.
She had no choice.
You all really care.
About the job, but...
also about other.
Well, sometimes it's
a pain in the ass.
Why do you think Gibbs did it?
I don't know.
Because he likes
breaking rules, maybe.
I hope he has a better
answer for Immigration.
'Cause he's going to have some
explaining to do after this.
Mor?
Mor!
Mike would be so proud of you.