Épisode Good morning Bahgdad S05E15

5x15 – In the Zone

Badgad: I.Z. - Court

Marines: Cut around! Cut around! Back, back, back! Pick him up!

Jim Gilroy: Good shot, Captain, let's go...

Allan Hayes: Ball out, ball out.

Jim Gilroy: What you got, Captain?

John Rankin: Hey!

Jim Gilroy: When you gonna go?

John Rankin: Out of my way, Jimmy boy. This is what I call the halfcourt martial.

Jim Gilroy: No, no way!

John Rankin: Our ball, come on. Let's go guys!

Boom

Jim Gilroy: Damn Green Zone.

Allan Hayes: You okay?

Jim Gilroy: Yeah. They should rename it the free-fire zone... Where's the captain? Captain! Captain. No.

Allan Hayes: Get a corpsman! Corpsman! Damn.

----------

NCIS: Squad room

Ziva David: For the one you got me last week.

Timothy McGee: Thank you.

Ziva David: That is quite a kiss, McGee.

Timothy McGee: Not bad for a wallpaper?

Ziva David: Well, you seem to be enjoying yourself. I have never seen a tongue quite so...Long.

Anthony DiNozzo: McGee has a long tongue?

Ziva David: No, but the cutie-pie he's kissing does.

Anthony DiNozzo: McGee's kissing a girl?

Timothy McGee: You can't see it, Tony.

Anthony DiNozzo: Why not?

Ziva David: This is McGee's private photograph, and if he does not want you to see it here, then you have to respect his wishes, or... See it elsewhere.

Anthony DiNozzo: Hey! McRomeo. You should save that stuff for the bedroom.

Timothy McGee: You're just jealous.

Anthony DiNozzo: Jealous? I don't think so. What you're doing there could be illegal in some states.

Nikki Jardine: Or should be... I think I need to wash.

Anthony DiNozzo: Boss, you gotta check this out.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: No, I don't... Yeah? Gibbs... Be right down... At least you don't have to pay alimony, McGee.

----------

NCIS: Autopsy room

Donald Mallard: Meet Marine Corps Captain John Rankin. Poor fellow traveled further than most of our guests to be here.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: From?

Donald Mallard: Baghdad... The captain was caught in a mortar attack.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Dangerous place.

Donald Mallard: You know, I was almost killed by a mortar once. I was attending the demonstration of a new type of 4.2 shell to senior military officials. Lots of medals and fancy caps. Damn thing misfired. Fortunately, my services were not required, but I digress. SecNav's office called. It seems strings were pulled to get Captain Rankin to me rather than to one of the Armed Forces medical examiners.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Because...?

Donald Mallard: Because, Jethro, even in war, death can be deceptive. What do you see there?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Multiple shrapnel wounds.

Donald Mallard: Yes, but in this case, all of these wounds were made by a single projectile. The captain was likely bent over, perhaps ducking for cover as the round landed. It pierced his left side, nicked his small intestine, tore through his abdomen and lodged in his right thigh.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Didn't call me for that.

Donald Mallard: No, not that, Jethro... For this. Captain Rankin didn't die from the mortar attack. The poor fellow was shot.

----------

NCIS: Squad room

Anthony DiNozzo: What happened, McGee, no pictures of your girlfriend?

Timothy McGee: My dog's name is Jethro, Tony. Jethro, it's a boy, not a girl.

Anthony DiNozzo: Hey, whatever your preference. Pictures of your boyfriend then... That's very funny. Fix it.

Timothy McGee: You're barking up the wrong tree.

Anthony DiNozzo: Is that how you want to play this? 'Cause I can play it that way.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: DiNozzo!

Anthony DiNozzo: Boss, it's a new computer, top secret, super spy software called Guard Dog.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Come on, McGee, tell me you got something better for me than that.

Timothy McGee: Absolutely, I do, Boss: Baghdad. Area inside the green lines is the International Zone, or I.Z. Used to be called the Green Zone.

Ziva David: Central Baghdad. Many of Saddam's palaces are there.

Anthony DiNozzo: I stayed in one of those palaces after Baghdad was liberated.

Ziva David: Me too... Before Baghdad was liberated.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Got a murdered Marine downstairs.

Timothy McGee: Considered the safest place in Baghdad. But you all know that because you have already been to Baghdad. This is where Captain Rankin was killed playing basketball.

Anthony DiNozzo: It's deep inside the I.Z.

Timothy McGee: Mortar rounds, fired just before Rankin was shot, came from around here.

Ziva David: Shot during a mortar attack.

Timothy McGee: Coincidence?

Anthony DiNozzo: No such thing.

Timothy McGee: Someone went to a lot of trouble to set that up.

Ziva David: Made it look like a terrorist attack.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Okay, motive.

Timothy McGee: Rankin was a real estate investor, worth millions by the time he was 30 had it all, fancy car, house on the Vineyard.

Anthony DiNozzo: Trophy wife?

Timothy McGee: It was the wife who pulled strings to get Ducky to do the autopsy.

Anthony DiNozzo: How's a guy like that end up in Iraq?

Timothy McGee: Reserve officer. He was called up.

Anthony DiNozzo: Those guys can make enemies fast. Start throwing their weight around, trying to get respect from enlisted men.

Dina Rankin: He wasn't like that.

Anthony DiNozzo: And you are?

Dina Rankin: The trophy wife.

----------

NCIS: Conference room

Dina Rankin: You don't have to say it. I know he was murdered. I've known all along. Get too rich too fast, you make enemies.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Anyone in particular?

Dina Rankin: Maybe.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: You got a name?

Dina Rankin: Kelvin Ridgeway.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: How'd your husband know him?

Dina Rankin: Through friends... We ended up buying a piece of land together. Cloverfield. We put in half the down payment, got half the equity.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: That's a good deal.

Dina Rankin: Not if it cost John his life... Agreement was being finalized when John got sent to Iraq. The paperwork followed him. He signed the contract, but then, the last second, decided not to send it back.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Something change his mind?

Dina Rankin: My husband used to get these... Gut feelings. You ever have one of those?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Yeah, once or twice.

Dina Rankin: The last time we spoke... He told me he had one.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: About?

Dina Rankin: Kelvin Ridgeway.

----------

NCIS: MTAC

Leon Vance: How well did you know Captain Rankin, Major Varnai?

Ike Varnai: As well as I know any man in my unit, sir.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: What kind of officer was he?

Ike Varnai: A good one.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: That your opinion or somebody else?

Ike Varnai: Everybody liked him, he was popular with his men. That kind of guy.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: "That kind of guy" had a bullet in his back.

Ike Varnai: You know how hard it is to get into the Zone these days? Ids, photos, fingerprints, biometrics.

Leon Vance: What you're saying is you've got a shooter with a security clearance. You have an insurgency problem in the Zone, Major Varnai?

Ike Varnai: If that sniper picks off more of our men, I guess we do. If not, it sounds like Captain Rankin is the only one with the problem.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: A Marine was murdered on your watch.

Ike Varnai: And I've lost two more since then. Blown away by roadside bombs. That's part of our reality out here, sir. Doesn't mean I like it.

Leon Vance: Thank you for your time, Major.

----------

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: You want me to brief the in-country RAC?

Leon Vance: No.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Marine gets murdered serving his country, he deserves a thorough investigation.

Leon Vance: And he'll get one, but the SecNav wants us handling this case. Who do you think I should send?

----------

NCIS: Abby's lab

Timothy McGee: I think they're going to send one of us to Iraq.

Abigael Scuito: Why would you want to go to Baghdad? You're gonna get bombed and shot at.

Timothy McGee: Everyone has gone except for me.

Abigael Scuito: I've never been.

Timothy McGee: By everyone, I mean Tony and Ziva and Gibbs. Gibbs must have gone to Iraq dozens of times I just want to go once.

Abigael Scuito: To earn your stripes?

Timothy McGee: Yeah, to prove myself.

Abigael Scuito: To die?

Timothy McGee: I'm not gonna die in Baghdad. Thing is, though, before I go, they have to choose me.

Abigael Scuito: So why don't you just go talk to the director? Or, our acting director.

Timothy McGee: Assistant director.

Abigael Scuito: Right Leon.

Timothy McGee: I can't. Tony says if I really want to go then I shouldn't volunteer. But if he says I shouldn't volunteer, then he thinks I will volunteer, which means that if I really want to go, I shouldn't volunteer.

Abigael Scuito: That's... Good, Timmy. It sounds like you're... Not doing exactly what you shouldn't.

----------

NCIS: bathroom

Ziva David: Nikki.

Nikki Jardine: Ziva.

Ziva David: What do you have there?

Nikki Jardine: It's nothing.

Ziva David: "Five reasons why I should be picked to go to Iraq." You've heard the rumors, too. You do not know that Iraq is a war zone? Nikki, it is dirty there. Sanitation is very poor. And diseases. Have you ever heard of leishmaniasis? It begins with a large oozing sore, often in the face. And then it just... I have photos I can show you.

Nikki Jardine: No! Thank you for your concern, but I still... Really want to go.

Ziva David: In that case, I hope you can handle competition a lot better... Than you can handle... Handles.

----------

Kelvin Ridgeway's office

Kelvin Ridgeway: What can I tell you that you don't already know? I had the inside scoop, Rankin had the money. We were all gonna be rich.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Rankin was already rich.

Kelvin Ridgeway: Can never be too rich or thin. It's a cliché, but I'm right. Am I right? Thank you, sweetie pants.

P.A.: You're welcome, Mr. Ridgeway.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: I heard he wasn't very happy at the end.

Kelvin Ridgeway: He's just one of those glass half-empty kind of guys, you know what I mean? He questioned every little stupid detail.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: You sound pissed.

Ziva David: Men have been murdered for less.

Kelvin Ridgeway: Yes, men have, but I'm not an ordinary man. At least that's what I've been told, you know what I'm sayin'?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: His wife said that he didn't like you very much.

Kelvin Ridgeway: So what, who cares? I care much more what she thinks of me than my business partner.

Ziva David: I hope you don't care too much.

Kelvin Ridgeway: I mean, you know how we talk to women, right, Agent... What is it?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Gibbs.

Kelvin Ridgeway: Right, I mean, we just didn't see eye to eye. You know, he'd always complain to his wife about me, and I complain to my girlfriend about him. Like I would assume you complain to your wife about this one.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Her? No, I wouldn't mess with her.

Kelvin Ridgeway: Yeah? Why would he say that?

----------

NCIS: Squad room

Anthony DiNozzo: McGee. You're looking very guilty over there. You didn't do that thing I told you not to do, did you?

Timothy McGee: Why would I do that? Did you do that?

Leon Vance: Gibbs back yet?

Timothy McGee: Well, just arrived, sir.

Nikki Jardine: Assistant Director, I was wondering if I could talk to you.

Leon Vance: About?

Nikki Jardine: Iraq.

Ziva David: If anyone is going to go to Iraq, I really believe it should be me.

Nikki Jardine: It is my area of expertise. I have a lot of contacts there.

Ziva David: As do I.

Nikki Jardine: My contacts are still breathing.

Ziva David: As are... Most of mine. Plus, I speak Arabic fluently.

Nikki Jardine: I speak Arabic and Kurdish.

Ziva David: I am not afraid to get my hands dirty.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: I told you.

Leon Vance: I'm glad you both are so eager to take on what will no doubt be a very difficult mission. I want a thorough investigation and a quick resolution... McGee?

Timothy McGee: Yes, sir.

Leon Vance: Disappointed you're the only one who didn't volunteer. Missions like this give an agent an opportunity to prove themselves.

Timothy McGee: But, Tony, he didn't volunteer either.

Leon Vance: He spoke to me earlier. DiNozzo, pack your bags.

Anthony DiNozzo: Thank you, sir.

Leon Vance: David. Sending an Israeli to Baghdad... I don't think so. DiNozzo, make sure Agent Jardine gets back in one piece.

Anthony DiNozzo: You got it, sir.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: The plane to Baghdad takes off in less than two hours. Get moving.

----------

Later

Timothy McGee: World clocks... Wouldn't be checking the time in Iraq, would you?

Ziva David: Don't know what you're talking about.

Timothy McGee: Iraq's not so great... I mean, the whole... Trip is probably a big waste of time. The murder's probably here.

Ziva David: Awfully long gun barrel if that is true.

Timothy McGee: Captain Rankin's wife thinks it has something to do with that land deal.

Ziva David: So she says.

Timothy McGee: Think she did it? She is the one that called us.

Ziva David: Well, it would not be the first time a murder tried to throw us up that way.

Timothy McGee: Off, throw us off.

Ziva David: Exactly. However, Kelvin Ridgeway is guilty of more than just being a pig. Of that, I am sure.

Timothy McGee: You know what? I checked Captain Rankin's phone records from Iraq. In the two days before he was killed, he called three people: his wife Dina, his partner Kelvin Ridgeway, and this guy... George Stenner. He owns a small company called Land Test Labs. They do soil testing.

Ziva David: Rankin called Stenner three times the day he was killed.

Timothy McGee: Gibbs is definitely going to want to talk to him. By the way, it's been 45 minutes.

Ziva David: Excuse me?

Timothy McGee: Since Nikki and Tony arrived in Baghdad. Which would place them at...

Ziva David: Their hotel.

----------

Badgad: base

Ike Varnai: This is it.

Anthony DiNozzo: Well, welcome to the Baghdad Hilton.

Ike Varnai: Overflow accommodations. Best we can offer. Unpack. Get comfortable.

Anthony DiNozzo: Wouldn't get too comfortable.

----------

Badgad: warehouse

Anthony DiNozzo: Ah, yeah. It's just like home. If you live in an airport... You got a problem, Jardine?

Nikki Jardine: I just thought I'd have a little more privacy.

Anthony DiNozzo: Where do you think you're going?

Nikki Jardine: Just got off a transatlantic flight. Need a shower.

Anthony DiNozzo: Yeah, well, crime scenes don't wait. Showers do. Besides... Not even I would shower in that. It's going to be a long week.

Ike Varnai: Squared away?

Anthony DiNozzo: Yeah. Ready to roll. You're not gonna need all that stuff, Jardine, this is the I.Z.

Nikki Jardine: 35 mortars were fired into the International Zone on a single day last July. Dozens more in the year since. You do what you want... I'll wear the helmet.

Anthony DiNozzo: Why the hell are you here? Really.

Nikki Jardine: Because it's going to look really good on my resume.

Anthony DiNozzo: That's not why she's here.

----------

Badgad: I.Z. - Street

Ike Varnai: Lock it up.

Driver: Roger that, major.

Ike Varnai: The court where it happened. Sergeant Jim Gilroy. Other guy's a contract worker, Allan Hayes. They were both with Captain Rankin when he got hit. Knock yourselves out.

Anthony DiNozzo: Charming. Knows how to make you feel welcome.

Nikki Jardine: Well, it's stressful out here. May be a coping mechanism, you know? Shutting off his emotions to get the job done.

Anthony DiNozzo: Good morning, Baghdad. Agent DiNozzo, NCIS. You two were playing basketball with Captain Rankin when he was killed.

Jim Gilroy: Major says he was shot, sir. That true?

Anthony DiNozzo: That depends. Did you hear a shot?

Jim Gilroy: All I heard were the mortars, sir.

Anthony DiNozzo: Good officer?

Jim Gilroy: Yes, sir. Proud to serve with him.

Anthony DiNozzo: You two notice anything out of the ordinary that day?

Jim Gilroy: No, sir. We were just playing ball, heard the incoming, and hit the ground. I was right next to him.

Anthony DiNozzo: Anyone have a grudge against Captain Rankin?

Jim Gilroy: No, sir. Very well liked. Good Marine officer.

Anthony DiNozzo: Yeah, you keep saying that. How about you?

Allan Hayes: I didn't know him so well. Not enlisted. We've been playing a pickup game here for a couple weeks. Guy seemed cool. He was a pretty good shooter.

Anthony DiNozzo: Where was he when he was killed?

Allan Hayes: Free throw line.

Anthony DiNozzo: Which way was he facing?

Allan Hayes: The hoop.

Anthony DiNozzo: That would make sense. All right... Hit in the lower back on the left side. Right out in the open. Bullet was fired from a height. Could be any one of those. What's that over there, Major?

Ike Varnai: Believe that's a hotel.

Anthony DiNozzo: And next to it?

Ike Varnai: Family residence, maybe.

Anthony DiNozzo: All right, thank you guys very much.

Jim Gilroy: Sir, no problem.

Anthony DiNozzo: So tell me about the mortar attack?

Ike Varnai: Found the launcher. Plastic tubes, welded frame. 16 millimeters. Small stuff. Not as deadly as some.

Anthony DiNozzo: And the guy behind it?

Ike Varnai: Local Haji. Insurgent.

Anthony DiNozzo: You caught him?

Ike Varnai: Not quick enough. Tribal militia got to him first.

Anthony DiNozzo: Are they on our side?

Ike Varnai: Controlled by a local sheikh. Think neighborhood watch with AK-47s.

Anthony DiNozzo: I need to talk to him.

Ike Varnai: Know any good mediums?

Anthony DiNozzo: Convenient. The one guy who can tell us who killed Rankin is six feet under.

Ike Varnai: Four feet around here.

Nikki Jardine: [Speaking Arabic]

----------

NCIS: Conference room

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: No need Mr. Stenner, sit down.

George Stenner: I don't understand. I mean, can you tell me why I'm...?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Are you nervous?

George Stenner: No... Yeah. I mean, yeah, a little. Can I go to the bathroom?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: In a minute... So... Why did John Rankin call you last Monday, day before he was killed?

George Stenner: He's dead? I know that already, I just can't believe...

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Answer?

George Stenner: He had this piece of land...

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Cloverfield.

George Stenner: Yeah. That, that... Yeah. So, a few weeks ago he called me to do some soil testing on it, and he didn't want anyone to know about it.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: What'd you find?

George Stenner: That the land was contaminated. Heavy metals, mostly, lead, other things that are harmful to people. Children especially.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: What'd Rankin say?

George Stenner: He said that he was gonna tear up the contract. You know, he seemed really, really angry with his business partner.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Who else saw the report?

George Stenner: No one. It was secret. I only made one copy, and I sent it to him in Iraq.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: I need a copy.

George Stenner: No problem. I'll e-mail it right over... Now, can I just please go to the bathroom really...?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: No... Okay. I'm kidding. You can go.

George Stenner: Thanks.

----------

Bagdad: Hotel room

Anthony DiNozzo: Bang! The shot came from here... Jardine, up here... Shell casing... Yeah. 7.62, it's not one of ours. I need to know who had access to this room.

Ike Varnai: I don't have a terp here.

Anthony DiNozzo: Terp? Is that Varnai speak for "interpreter"? In which case, Jardine, would you ask our friend here who had access to this room?

Nikki Jardine: [Speaking Arabic]

Hamida: [Speaking Arabic]

Nikki Jardine: She says the man who lived here died, his brother Ali Mahmoud is the only other person with a key.

Anthony DiNozzo: Can she get him for us?

Nikki Jardine: [Speaking Arabic]

Hamida: [Speaking Arabic]

Nikki Jardine: She says Ali hasn't show up here since the mortar attack.

Anthony DiNozzo: Big surprise.

Hamida: [Speaking Arabic]

Nikki Jardine: But she does know where he lives.

----------

NCIS: Squad room

Timothy McGee: It's all here, Boss, just like Stenner said. Heavy contaminations of lead, cadmium and zinc in the soil.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Reason enough for Rankin to want out of the deal?

Timothy McGee: Think Ridgeway knew and was trying to get Rankin to sign the deal before he found out? I'll, check on Ridgeway's phone records, see who he's been calling.

----------

Bagdad: Street

Ike Varnai: First squad, forward security. Second squad, rear security.

Anthony DiNozzo: You stay close, do as I say.

Nikki Jardine: Don't worry, I will.

----------

House

Ike Varnai: Open door left! Open door right!

Mother: [Speaking Arabic]

Anthony DiNozzo: What is she saying? Where is he?

Ike Varnai: She keeps saying we're too late.

Anthony DiNozzo: Too late for what?

Nikki Jardine: [Speaking Arabic]

Mother: [Speaking Arabic]

Nikki Jardine: Several hooded men beat Ali, they took him away in handcuffs last night.

Anthony DiNozzo: Who was it the police?

Mother: [Speaking Arabic]

Nikki Jardine: No, she doesn't think so.

Mother: [Speaking Arabic]

Nikki Jardine: [Speaking Arabic]

Anthony DiNozzo: Let me guess more good news?

Nikki Jardine: She thinks they're going to execute him.

Anthony DiNozzo: Great.

----------

Badgad: warehouse

Anthony DiNozzo: That's it.

Nikki Jardine: Yes, yes.

Anthony DiNozzo: Come on, that's it.

Nikki Jardine: Yes.

Anthony DiNozzo: That's it. Amazing. That's amazing. Nice. Off goes my little e-mail chickadee to Abby.

Nikki Jardine: Three bars.

Anthony DiNozzo: That's pretty good. Eh, five? I only almost touched you. There was no... You know, for someone who hates germs so much, you're really quite a slob.

Nikki Jardine: One has nothing to do with the other.

Anthony DiNozzo: Right. Since we're on the subject of things that make absolutely no sense at all, you want to tell me the truth? Maybe we could, find out... Why you're here.

Nikki Jardine: I told you. The Middle East is my area of expertise. I'm here because it's professionally advantageous.

Anthony DiNozzo: Is that why you were making a phone call in Arabic on the basketball court? Because it was professionally advantageous? Never thought it was possible to hurt yourself with a wet wipe.

Nikki Jardine: I have a brother... He's a Marine... He was here in Baghdad two years ago. He was wounded... I just wanted to see where it happened. We're very close, and I just need to experience what he...

Anthony DiNozzo: All right, here we go.

----------

NCIS: Abbyl's lab / Badgad: warehouse

Abigael Scuito: Tony, is that really you? Move back so we can see your face... Hi.

Anthony DiNozzo: Hi, good-looking.

Abigael Scuito: I missed you. Is Neat Nut Nikki driving you crazy?

Anthony DiNozzo: Actually, she's right here, and she's... Not as neat as you think.

Abigael Scuito: Sorry, Nikki. I don't really think that you're a nut, just, you know, that you're neat. Not neat like cool, but neat like, you know, neat. Not that you're not cool. You're just...

Nikki Jardine: It's okay.

Abigael Scuito: I didn't know you guys were sharing a room.

Ziva David: They're sharing a room?

Anthony DiNozzo: We're not exactly sharing a room.

Ziva David: Either they're sharing a room or they're not sharing a room. I don't see what is so exact or not exact about it.

Anthony DiNozzo: Abs, did you get my scan of the bullet casing?

Abigael Scuito: Done and done. I just ran it through the Central Command database. You know that they fingerprint pretty much everybody that works or lives at the I.Z.

Anthony DiNozzo: Let me guess... It's a fingerprint that belongs to Ali Mahmoud.

Abigael Scuito: That's him!

Anthony DiNozzo: He's an Iraqi national and he is working in the I.Z. as a maintenance guy.

Timothy McGee: He's 25 years old. Part of the Al Shammar tribe.

Nikki Jardine: That's one of the most prominent tribes in Iraq.

Ziva David: No criminal convictions, but his brother was killed in crossfire about a month ago. Rankin's squad was involved...

Timothy McGee: Ali may have snapped and killed Rankin.

Anthony DiNozzo: So... You got any leads on Ali's whereabouts?

Timothy McGee: Tony, you're in the same city as him. We're ten time zones away. Why were you sent to Iraq again?

Ike Varnai: Good question.

Anthony DiNozzo: Well, let us know. And put my Kill Bill mug back on my desk, McGee.

----------

Badgad: warehouse

Anthony DiNozzo: Major, a man in your unit was murdered. Is there a reason you don't want to find out who did it?

Ike Varnai: Sure I do. I'd like the war to end, the electricity to work and for all the tribes to get along.

Nikki Jardine: One of my contacts his family is part of the Al Shammar tribe. Same tribe as Ali. It's a long shot, but...

Ike Varnai: The Iraqi are so close, one of them stubs a toe in the shower, by the time he's dry five of his cousins are at his front door to ask if he's okay.

Nikki Jardine: [Speaking Arabic]

Ike Varnai: She's messy.

Anthony DiNozzo: Obsessively.

Nikki Jardine: Found him. My contact knows one of the men who abducted him. He said it's the talk of the neighborhood.

Ike Varnai: Need an address.

Nikki Jardine: [Speaking Arabic] He said he can take us there.

Ike Varnai: Hold up. No one's driving into the party zone at this time of night.

Anthony DiNozzo: Trail's gonna go cold.

Ike Varnai: The trail, Agent DiNozzo. Is filled with roadside bombs and snipers who just love to pick off vacationing warriors like yourself in the dark of the night. And while I wouldn't mind sacrificing you to them, I have a family I'd like to return to... Eventually. Pick you up at first light.

----------

NCIS: Squad room

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Anything yet?

Timothy McGee: Yeah, I got Kelvin Ridgeway's phone records.

Ziva David: Like anyone would wanna talk to that man.

Timothy McGee: Apparently Captain Rankin did. He called Ridgeway twice the day before he died. If Rankin told him he was pulling out, of the deal...

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Gives Ridgeway time to organize the hit.

Timothy McGee: Now if Tony and Nikki could just find our trigger man in Iraq...

Ziva David: All we will have to do is confirm who hired him.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Get me Ridgeway.

----------

Badgad: Hummer

Ike Varnai: Marines call this "Fool's Crossing". Insurgents like to stop our troops with an IDF or an IED, finish the job off with SAF. They set off a roadside bomb, when you stop your convoy, they shoot at you. Finish the job. What the hell...

Anthony DiNozzo: Where are you going?

Ike Varnai: Dismount and secure the area. Go, go, go!

----------

Badgad: street

Ike Varnai: Agent Jardine!

Anthony DiNozzo: Jardine! Jardine!

Ike Varnai: Jardine! Jardine, get down! He's hit!

Anthony DiNozzo: Nikki? What are you doing?

Nikki Jardine: Wait... Jameel... [Speaking Arabic]

Jameel: It is good to meet you finally.

Nikki Jardine: Come, meet my friends... Major Varnai, this is my contact, Jameel Al-Farhad.

Jameel: Peace to you.

Anthony DiNozzo: And to you.

----------

Anthony DiNozzo: A word... You do not break protocol. You put everyone in danger. What's going on here? What is really going on?

Nikki Jardine: I told you...

Anthony DiNozzo: No, the truth.

Nikki Jardine: This is where it happened, okay? This is where my brother was shot.

Anthony DiNozzo: And your contact here?

Nikki Jardine: He and his family saw it happen.

Anthony DiNozzo: And that's it?

Nikki Jardine: No.

Anthony DiNozzo: We're here because he's going to help us find Ali.

----------

Nikki Jardine: Jameel, your English is very good.

Jameel: I learn in school. I also teach my sister.

Nikki Jardine: Hi... They don't teach English to the girls?

Jameel: She doesn't go to school anymore. Not since my father dies. I help her a little bit, I can.

Ike Varnai: Let's go. We're Oscar Mike.

Nikki Jardine: Come on.

----------

NCIS: Interrogation room

Kelvin Ridgeway: Does anybody want to tell me what I'm doing here?

Timothy McGee: Sure... We know about the soil tests Captain Rankin had done on Cloverfield. Heavy metals. Cadmium, lead, trace elements of zinc...

Kelvin Ridgeway: What are you talking about?

Timothy McGee: You knew Cloverfield was contaminated, Mr. Ridgeway.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: You knew that Rankin wouldn't be part of your deal if he found out.

Timothy McGee: Must've really irked you to hear that he had done his own soil tests.

Kelvin Ridgeway: So what? What do you think that I did?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Had Captain Rankin killed.

Kelvin Ridgeway: Yes, nice speculation.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Got a motive. He was about to mess up your deal.

Kelvin Ridgeway: When you find the guy in Iraq who pulled the trigger, he's going to tell you the same thing. I had nothing to do with it.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Got agents on their way there right now to talk to the shooter as we speak... You don't mind waiting, uh?

----------

Baghdad: street

Guard: [Speaking Arabic]

Ike Varnai: Come to Baghdad 'cause you wanna see a show. You're about to get one.

Guard: [Speaking Arabic]

Anthony DiNozzo: I'm guessing he's not complimenting my vest.

Nikki Jardine: He seems to know your mother very intimately.

Jameel: [Speaking Arabic]

Guard: Ali? [Speaking Arabic]

Nikki Jardine: He says we can go in.

----------

House

Anthony DiNozzo: Wakey, wakey, sunshine.

----------

NCIS: Interrogation room / House

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Yeah. Gibbs.

Anthony DiNozzo: We got a problem, boss. Our suspect's not about to talk... His tongue's been cut out.

----------

Baghdad: street

Nikki Jardine: The guard said he hasn't checked on Ali since last night.

Anthony DiNozzo: You believe him?

Nikki Jardine: Jameel does.

Anthony DiNozzo: You don't know him very well, do you?

Nikki Jardine: I know he's a good kid.

Anthony DiNozzo: You think he's a good kid.

Nikki Jardine: I think the guard has told the truth. He says he brought Ali dinner, then later heard him yelling and crying but didn't come in to check.

Anthony DiNozzo: I'd be yelling and crying too if my tongue was being cut out. These tribal guys don't mess around.

Nikki Jardine: Tribal? I don't think so.

Anthony DiNozzo: Tongue cut out. They didn't want him to talk. It's a sign.

Nikki Jardine: But not one that this tribe uses. The tongue thing tells me that the person who killed Ali doesn't know much about tribal culture... Didn't think we would either.

Anthony DiNozzo: You mean someone like the major? He knew where Ali was being held.

Nikki Jardine: Heard you say it on the phone last night.

Anthony DiNozzo: You really think he might have... If we could establish time of death, it might help us find out.

----------

NCIS: Autopsy room / House

Donald Mallard: Right, Tony. You take two temperatures: the room where the body lies and the body itself. Comparing the two will give you the time you want. First should be easy, the second only slightly more complicated.

Anthony DiNozzo: What are my choices?

Donald Mallard: You're going to need a thermometer.

Anthony DiNozzo: Got one.

Donald Mallard: Good. And you'll need a sharp knife of some sort.

Anthony DiNozzo: Got one of those, too. What do I need a sharp knife for?

Donald Mallard: So you can cut into the body, dear boy.

Ike Varnai: Ready to go?

Anthony DiNozzo: Excuse me. Major Varnai, this is a crime scene.

Ike Varnai: This is Baghdad, Agent DiNozzo. The whole place is a crime scene.

Anthony DiNozzo: A Few Good Men.

Nikki Jardine: What?

Anthony DiNozzo: Jack Nicholson. I knew he reminded me of somebody. I'm going to have to call you back. There's someone I need to talk to.

Nikki Jardine: Ducky, wait. Tony, I can do it.

Anthony DiNozzo: Germs.

Nikki Jardine: Gloves.

Anthony DiNozzo: Good luck with that.

Donald Mallard: Are you there?

Nikki Jardine: I'm ready, Ducky.

----------

Baghdad: street

Anthony DiNozzo: You never liked Captain Rankin, did you, Major? You prefer tough guys. He was a reserve officer, too soft. They don't know what they're doing out here, guys like that. Put the rest of you in danger, huh?

Ike Varnai: Like you've been doing, Agent DiNozzo?

Anthony DiNozzo: You didn't want us to come here today. You tried to keep us from finding Ali, and you certainly didn't seem surprised to find him dead.

Ike Varnai: Told you it's a violent culture.

Anthony DiNozzo: Yeah, maybe it is. Or maybe, last night, when you heard where he was being held, you came out here... You acted like you don't understand Arabic, but you do. You had the time, Major, and the access.

Ike Varnai: Semper fi, Agent DiNozzo. Words to live and die by out here... I wouldn't kill a fellow Marine.

Anthony DiNozzo: Even if you didn't think he was a "real" Marine?

Ike Varnai: Your feelings, not mine. Some of my best men are reservists.

Nikki Jardine: Tony?

Anthony DiNozzo: Is this something I need to hear now?

Nikki Jardine: The body, Ali, was killed four hours ago.

Anthony DiNozzo: Yeah?

Nikki Jardine: Major Varnai has been with us all morning.

Anthony DiNozzo: This four hour thing, you're sure about that?

Nikki Jardine: Yeah.

Anthony DiNozzo: Really sure?

Nikki Jardine: Yeah.

Anthony DiNozzo: Sorry about that, just doing my job... I hate it when that happens. Awkward moments... You, you all right?

Nikki Jardine: It's just... So oppressive in there.

Anthony DiNozzo: The smell of death.

Nikki Jardine: It's that awful chemical smell.

Anthony DiNozzo: Chemicals?

Nikki Jardine: Turpentine... I'm hypersensitive. I usually only have this problem in new buildings. Construction workers use it all the time.

Anthony DiNozzo: Construction? Have you reacted since we've been here?

Nikki Jardine: Happened yesterday on the basketball court when you were talking to those witnesses... Wasn't one of them a construction worker?

----------

NCIS: Squad room / Baghdad: street

Timothy McGee: McGee.

Anthony DiNozzo: I need to talk to the big man.

Timothy McGee: Hold on. Let me put you on speaker.

Anthony DiNozzo: I need a background check: U.S. Citizen... Allan Hayes He works here in Baghdad.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: What do you got on him?

Anthony DiNozzo: Bad smell, boss. Nikki picked up his scent at the crime scene.

Timothy McGee: Allan Michael Hayes, 27 years old, has a police record: petty thefts, one aggravated assault. Working for a construction company in Baghdad.

Anthony DiNozzo: He was with Rankin when he was killed.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Come on, DiNozzo, you gotta give me more than that.

Anthony DiNozzo: Not done yet here.

Timothy McGee: Got a link to the Iraqi database. Allan Hayes under investigation. Suspected of paying bribes to a number of Iraqi nationals in the IZ, including none other than Ali Mahmoud.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: It wasn't a bribe. It was a hit fee. DiNozzo. Get me Hayes.

Anthony DiNozzo: Got it.

Timothy McGee: It's too late, boss. He got on a flight out of Iraq two hours ago. Arrives in DC at 18:00.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: You and Jardine are on the first flight back. Move it.

Anthony DiNozzo: On our way. Let's get the hell out of here.

----------

NCIS: Squad room

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Need to find out if Hayes acted alone.

Timothy McGee: Ridgeway's phone records. In the weeks prior to Rankin's death, Ridgeway called George Stenner six times. Now, Ridgeway said that he didn't know about Stenner or the soil tests.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Captain Rankin's personal effects. Get me the Cloverfield phone.

----------

Badgad: warehouse

Ike Varnai: Ready?

Anthony DiNozzo: Yeah, just about. So, Major, when are you heading home?

Ike Varnai: Five months, 16 days, two hours.

Nikki Jardine: Ready.

Ike Varnai: Good.

Nikki Jardine: Except for a small favor, just a little detour.

----------

Badgad: hummer

Anthony DiNozzo: You do remember Major Varnai telling us this is one of the most dangerous areas in Baghdad? 'Cause I remember it as if it was this morning. Wait a second. It was this morning. Which makes me wonder... Why are we here now? You don't get out of the vehicle. These guys freak when you do that.

Nikki Jardine: When Eric was shot, he almost died. A local man ran out, started giving him CPR. More Marines arrived, they saw Eric down, saw an Iraqi standing over him. They thought he was an insurgent and...

Anthony DiNozzo: That was Jameel's father.

Nikki Jardine: There is no way I can repay the family. But I can at least make it a little easier for one of them to communicate with the outside world.

Anthony DiNozzo: Perimeter.

----------

Badgad: Street

Ike Varnai: Dismount and secure the area!

Nikki Jardine: Jameel.

Jameel: [Speaking Arabic]

Nikki Jardine: [Speaking Arabic]

Jameel: Tabina! [Speaking Arabic]

Tabina: [Speaking Arabic]

Nikki Jardine: [Speaking Arabic]

----------

NCIS: Squad room

Timothy McGee: Got the Cloverfield file from Rankin's effects. The contract he signed is missing.

Ziva David: Ridgeway was desperate to get a signed contract back. He must have paid Hayes to kill Rankin then steal it.

Timothy McGee: Hayes probably has it.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: McGee.

Timothy McGee: Stenner's report on the soil test.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Ziva.

Timothy McGee: Same report Stenner gave us. Heavy metal contaminations.

Ziva David: It appears Rankin did his own research.

Timothy McGee: Title searches from the 1920s. Looks like there used to be a ceramics factory on the site.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Ceramics means lead.

Ziva David: So why would Rankin do his own research after he got Stenner's report?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Gut feeling.

Timothy McGee: You got a gut feeling, Boss?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Yeah, but Captain Rankin did, too. Ziva, find Stenner... Let's go.

----------

Airport

Timothy McGee: Thanks. Hayes just cleared Customs. Think Ridgeway will meet him here to pick up the contract?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: What makes you think that Ridgeway did it, McGee?

Timothy McGee: There he is.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Hold on... Let's go... Hello, Mr. Stenner.

George Stenner: This is not what you think.

Allan Hayes: Who are these guys?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: I'm guessing you two have met before?

George Stenner: Years ago. We worked for the same construction company. Is that a crime?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: No. Murder is.

Timothy McGee: There's different results here in your report. No mention of the Cloverfield contamination.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: You switched it after you killed Captain Rankin.

Allan Hayes: I didn't kill Rankin.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: You paid Ali Mahmoud to do it. Then you killed him.

Allan Hayes: This was all his idea.

George Stenner: I needed the money, okay? I showed Ridgeway my findings, he wanted Rankin to sign the contract, so he paid me to doctor the report.

Timothy McGee: Rankin did his own research. When he challenged your findings, you contacted your old buddy Hayes here in Iraq, who arranged the mortar attack as cover. Hayes paid Ali to shoot Rankin, then you silenced Ali and swapped the reports.

George Stenner: Rankin was gonna investigate me. I would have lost my business, ruined my life.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: You just did that yourself.

----------

Hospital: Eric's room

Nurse: Welcome back.

Nikki Jardine: Thank you. How's he been? Hey, Eric. I met Jameel. He has a sister. She is so sweet. They were so proud when I told them that you were doing okay... I've got this amazing CD. You're gonna love it... Reminds me of the time... That weekend that Mom and Dad took us camping... Remember?