I'm Gage Jensen, and this is On The Line. Today we're with the ATF agents as they prepare to infiltrate a group of suspected gun runners.
Going after criminals is one thing, but going after those who deal on weapons practically guarantees a violent confrontation.
These agents have no idea just how much firepower they're going to have to go up against.
Everything from machine guns to grenades to even rocket launchers have been used against them.
Aides have reached the door and are storming inside.
I'm not hearing any shots fired, so that means they're going from room to room right now looking for guns and perps.
All clear!
Alright, that's us. Let's go.
Alpha Team all clear. Building secure.
Watch that, Alpha Team.
We're going to need a forensic unit in here.
Copy.
They're already dead.
My god, they're already dead.
Cut it.
I said cut it!
What the hell happened here?
Oh, morning, Headie. Where's everybody?
Upstairs, waiting to be briefed on a case.
Waiting for whom?
For you.
Oh, okay.
But first, you owe me some paperwork.
Oh, I already dropped that report off.
Everyone received a list of potential new recruits.
And everyone has returned his recommendation but you.
We don't need a new recruit.
Dahmer's missing, not dead.
I'm not trying to replace Agent Vale.
I'm trying to give the team the support it needs until his return.
This isn't an office job, Headie.
We don't need a temper.
You're right. This isn't an office job.
I get to when I have a chance.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Have a good day.
I will.
Now you want me to go upstairs or not.
I'm sorry I had to bother you with this.
You're not bothering me.
My mistake.
My experience has been that your need to get in the last word is a sign of annoyance.
Ah, she found you.
She always does.
Yeah. Good, Eric.
Night before last, the reality TV show On the Line was following ATF agents on a rate of suspected gun runners when they found this.
Five dead, no obvious signs of death, two in marine uniforms.
Uniforms are authentic.
The men are not.
They're not Marines?
Not even close.
Both guys are career criminals.
I know that guy.
Ian Albers, Small Time Con.
We bust him before.
Nope, not according to his record.
Maybe one of those militia guys we rounded up in the bush a few months back.
No, I remember the guys I bust.
But I've met him somewhere.
Then if these guys aren't real Marines, it isn't our problem. LAPD should be handling them.
They are, but Director Vance wants to know why these two criminals were impersonating Marines with some very authentic looking military IDs and what the hell they were up to.
He wants assurances that the security of our bases has not been compromised.
This is place.
Eric said it was registered to a Lagrange Enterprises.
Turns out it was a bogus company.
Well, it's a lab.
But they weren't making meth.
Not with what they have here.
So what were they cooking?
I don't know. Maybe something that killed them?
Well, the drug overdose would show up on an autopsy.
So would a communicable disease.
Fumes of some sort?
Which brings me back to my first question.
What were they making?
Where is it?
Someone cleaned this place out.
Someone who didn't get killed.
What was with the Marine uniforms?
You know, feel free to chime in here anytime.
Looks like those men weren't the only ones who died here.
Yeah.
Hey, Callen, it's Kenzie.
Eric and I have been sifting through the electronic records of the dead men.
We found a vector between a recurring phone number and GPS activity of one of their vehicles.
You have an address?
Yeah, it's 299 North Sierra Bonita.
Owner's name is Balmore.
All right, great. Have a hazmat team come out here and sweep this place.
Hazmat? Callen, what did you guys find?
I don't know.
Something the medical officer has to take a look at you. Your health could be at risk.
You know what? So could yours if you keep eating the breakfast burritos.
How did you, um...
The cheese. Makes your voice fly me. Not good.
Goodbye.
Got 13 birds, two squirrels.
What are the chances these guys were cooking up some sort of biochemical weapon?
I'm not sure as hell hoping not, because if they were, then we'd been exposed to them.
It's a nice neighborhood. I hate to see small-time cons hanging out around here.
Yeah, small-time cons aren't running this operation. Whatever it is.
Long could use a rake.
What a mess.
Mrs. Balmore?
I'm just all butterfingers today.
I just have to clean this up.
I'm Special Agent Sam Hanna, Special Agent G. Callen, NCIS.
Can we ask you a few questions?
Well, of course, dear, but I need to clean this up.
It was full of sugar water for the hummingbirds, so if I don't hose it off right,
now it's going to be lineage and versus the ounce back here.
Let me help you with that, Mrs. Balmore.
Thank you very much.
Do you recognize these men?
I know Corporal Ames.
Oh, and that's Corporal Bishop. They're my Marine Corps drivers.
Where did they drive?
The research facility.
I wasn't supposed to say that.
It's classified national security.
You can tell us where Fran says.
Oh, oh, you are.
Yeah.
How's your research going?
Very well.
I thought I would be rusty after all of these years,
but I was able to isolate several grams
of Clostridium botulidum last week.
Botulism?
Most dangerous toxin on the planet.
Well, either of you gentlemen likes to lemonade.
I never wanted to be on the line.
What about CDC?
It has nothing to do with me.
Husband.
There you go.
Oh, you're so kind.
Thank you, Steve.
What's saying, ma'am?
You're welcome.
Sam, I'm so sorry.
Sometimes I think I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached.
It's fine. It's okay.
So you enlisted and wound up working in the Army's Medical Unit?
Yes. Now that was an old boy's network back there.
It was so nice of Steve to bring tea.
Are you married?
No, no. Let's talk about...
A handsome young man like yourself.
I work a lot.
It was Kenzie.
Coroner has confirmed it was botulinum poisoning.
Director of Ants Homeland Security and CDC have all been alerted
along with the local medical services
when hazmat's doing a sweep of Esther's place.
Who knows what else Granny was cooking up there.
Shouldn't they be wearing a mask?
No, you're safe.
You don't catch botulism from other people.
But we might have been exposed because we were in the lab.
You feeling okay?
I've been in the lab for a couple weeks.
Vacation can't cure.
Can you hear that?
You're very tall.
My husband Marty was tall.
He died of a heart attack at Santa Anita several years ago.
We loved the ponies.
Let's talk about your work at Fort Detrick in the late 60s.
Bacterial purification.
The work we did revolutionized the production of antibiotics
and other drugs.
And what about your most recent work?
Oh, well, I'm long retired.
And your research at the lab?
Lab.
Where your two drivers took you?
Yes. I forgot about that.
I helped them isolate proteins.
A neurotoxic protein produced by the Bacterium C botulinum.
Yes. Of course, that's it.
Thank you for reminding me.
Why did they need the botulinum toxin?
And it owed research.
So our boys are beautiful but we're safe.
She seems like just a sweet old lady.
She is a sweet old lady.
Someone tricked her into creating biochemical weapons.
Excuse me a moment.
Well?
I think she's delightful and extremely dangerous.
She's suffering from Alzheimer's.
She remembers the 60s and 70s vivid detail
but has memory lapses about more recent events.
All right. Well, it is one thing to forget to feed your dog.
It's another one you forget security protocols
and you're dealing with bio weapons.
She may be responsible for those men's deaths.
Or the person behind this
used what she created to tie up the loose ends.
And if that's the case, she could be in danger.
Botulinum is a neurotoxin protein
very popular in Hollywood where it is known as Botox.
Kills the muscles that cause wrinkles for that
don't even look 20 even though I'm 50 at look.
It can also paralyze your breathing muscles
and you suffocate to death.
In fact, it is the deadliest substance known to man.
So the housewives of Beverly Hills
should be classified as biochemical weapons.
Do you guys know what LD50 is?
It's the median lethal dose.
The amount of toxin needed to kill half the people exposed.
Lower your LD50, more dangerous the substance.
Exactly.
Now the botulinum toxin has the lowest LD50 there is.
So a sample only this small
could kill up to a quarter million people.
And if what Esther told us is accurate,
then she isolated enough to kill ten times that.
She's like the evil Martha Stewart.
Only she's not evil.
She's vulnerable because of her out-timers
and whoever's behind this knew that.
They must have sorted her out and tricked her
into thinking that her expertise was needed for national security.
Yeah, she's an easy mark, but an unreliable witness.
Fair thing.
She must have enjoyed the company and attention.
The real question is who's behind this
and where the hell's the toxin?
Remember this guy, Ian Albers?
I've been trying to.
Well, he used to be a bouncer at Club Halo
for our old pal, Dallas.
I knew I recognized him.
Maybe he's moved on from blackmail to dealing in bio weapons.
You think Dallas is behind this?
If he is, he's gonna wish he wasn't.
Dallas closed the Halo Club after the Safari incident.
He's been keeping a low profile since.
Apparently not low enough.
We'll do a door ready proving he has friends in high places.
In low places.
But he's just shut us down, just like last time.
He's not gonna cooperate.
He's not willingly.
And get this, supposedly he replaced the security
with a bunch of retired East German secret police.
Related Hollywood accessory.
Special law security team.
Hedy, any suggestions on getting Dallas?
Yes, I suggest we don't have this conversation.
Forget diamonds.
In this business, plausible deniability
is a girl's best friend.
Now, sit down
and say ah.
Hedy, honestly.
I'm fine.
Asset protection is part of my responsibility
and you are an asset
when you're not being a pain in the asset.
Now, open wide.
Ah.
What is that for?
It's a healthy gag reflex.
It's the first thing to go in botulinum poison.
Stop laughing, you're next.
Dallas hit his electronic footprint pretty well.
He was hard to find.
For the record, I walked away 30 seconds ago.
Well, he always was careful.
Last time we had to go to his club just to look at his computer.
Yeah, but he didn't hide his credit cards.
At least not well enough to hide them from Eric.
No, apparently the cramps indicate his recession proof.
Five days a week, Dallas has been getting massages
at a place called the Ahimsa Retreat.
What is that?
A wonderful day spa.
They have the best foot rescue packages.
It's like sending your toes to heaven.
I'm not through with either of your evaluations.
Hedy, we're both fine. We really need to move on this.
Well then, you'll just have to make it quick.
You look good in a robe.
I look good in anything.
Ready?
Yeah.
What the hell?
Relax.
Don't be so tense.
You have no idea who you're dealing with.
What are you coming with?
What are you, stupid?
Relax.
Easy cumbag.
What, are you stupid, Dallas?
You think this is a random robbery?
You're butt naked.
I have friends.
Lots and lots of friends.
Right now all you have is a gun pointer at your head.
What do you want?
I want information on biochemical weapons,
specifically botulinum toxin.
Well, come on. I'm not involved.
I didn't ask you if you were involved.
I said I want information.
Now you got two seconds to come clean
or I guarantee this massage won't have a happy ending.
with that crap, but there's a guy called the Dutchman supposedly he's made some
now he's selling that's all I know I swear to God God doesn't like when you
swear to him and I don't like to be lied to if I have to come back here if I
find out you played me I'm gonna shiat through your ass in the dog food
you hear me mm-hmm make sure you drink plenty of water
stay facing down
ladies and gentlemen I give you the Dutchman aka Jacobus Troeger aka
Sebastian Boone aka Jurgen van der Veer aka yada yada yada this guy's got more
aliases than Callan somehow I doubt that European terrorist technically he's an
arms dealer he sells weapons to radicals and insurgents if so fact though he's a
terrorist and he's in Los Angeles I haven't been able to find any record of
him entering the country they probably use an alias that wasn't on our watch
list and then entered through a port which doesn't have a facial
recognition system in place if he's staying to sell his bioweapon there's a
good chance people are coming to buy I'll check with Homeland Security and Border
Control I'll contact Interpol see if they picked up any chatter attracting any
movement overseas Eric check the flight manifest port surveillance we might just
get lucky mr. Callan a moment she puts on a rubber gloves run
heady I appreciate the concern but I draw the line at turning my head in
coffee I'm going to pretend you didn't say that now first how is our elderly
bioweapon ear Esther Balmore getting her medical evaluation oh good that was
first what second oh your partner Sam has been reluctant to weigh in on the
selections for a temporary agent Sam doesn't play well with others and he
doesn't like to share his toys but times like these only emphasize the void left
by the absence of agent Vale however temporary Sam is eternally hopeful that
Dom is going to return to his post Sam sees the glasses half full I see this
half empty so I would make a good team Kenzie on the other hand just drinks
right out of the bottle Nate wonders why it has to be glass and Eric usually
breaks the glass by putting his feet up on the table nevertheless I want his
input if only to begin to move him forward maybe you could give him a little
nudge big guy does not like to be nudged I'll be gentle tell me something good
Sam was right interpol has various persons of interest who were stopped
boarding planes bound for LA in Berlin London and Madrid we put LAX on full
alert and we got a hit Simon ampute one he's a Filipino militant with ties to
Abu Sayyaf also known as al-harakat al-Islamia or Islamic movement they've
been waging a bloody campaign of kidnappings bombings and assassinations
and they fight for an independent Muslim state in the Philippines call ice
hold ampute one for questioning have Nate do me just in the boathouse I don't
know any Dutchman okay you realize you're on the terrace watch list mr.
Apatowan there are many ampute ones in the Philippines you must be mistaking me
for someone else I've heard there are well over a million people on those
watch lists it must be easy to make mistakes what about your involvement
with the militant group Abu Sayyaf again I'm afraid you have the wrong
information I run a business call center oh great he's not just a terrorist he's
a telemarketer it's almost worse I don't appreciate your racial profiling this
isn't about race mr. Apatowan it's about terrorism like your involvement with
the 2004 super ferry bombing killing 116 people that was a tragedy that had
nothing whatsoever to do with me clocks ticking Nate I'm gonna turn up the
please okay here's the deal Simon the Dutchman was arrested this morning and
started naming names but I told you I don't know him right because if you
didn't know that the guy then you at least been curious to see who I was
talking about and sorry too late so you're gonna cooperate and work with us
or you're gonna get fingered by Jacobus or whatever name you know my
I would feel better if I was provided with legal counsel from here on it just so
as to ensure there are no misunderstandings fortunately for us you're an
unlawful combat unfortunately the boys at Guantanamo Bay have no vacancy so I
went for that sunny Caribbean getaway we do know some Assad agents that would
gladly buy you an all-expense paid trip to Tel Aviv can you say Shalom okay
there's a rumor that the Dutchman is auctioning off the budget line on toxin
where I don't know you've gone long way and I know where you're going I didn't
say I was here for the auction I said I heard rumors of it I also heard of a
rendezvous point I imagine it could be some place where I would be better
could be picked up and taken to the proceedings you ever meet the Dutchman
no I told you yeah you know what we got it we want an address we want code words
and we want everything else you've heard rumors about what if the Dutchman see
pictures of Ombudsman he must have screamed these guys I'll go in as his
muscle I'm gonna review the files learn the history his associates know it
cold I don't like this I don't need them but the auctions today we don't have
time to plan anything else besides I'm the only one who's been vaccinated for
botulism seals are inoculated for everything except suicidal tendencies and
he knows I'm right or else he'd argue to go instead of me I don't want either one
of you to go Nate relax Sam's the best man for this job besides what's the
worst thing that could happen oh I don't know let's see Sam gets made they
kill him then you can see in the other storm the place and the Dutchman
releases the toxin killing all of you and half of Los Angeles which half
I'm gonna go brief the director
you have had your shots right yeah I had a shot annual boosters I'm gonna go
suit up best is tight it's rubber well better shape than dead I say the camera is
right here they'll probably sweep you so the electronics are providing you with
can be remotely activated and deactivated so as not to be detected all
right Eric let's give it a try turning Sam on now
whoa scary they'll take your phone and any gun so I'm providing you with this it's
a ballistics briefcase that will stop most bullets inside our three million
dollars in marked barrel bombs and twist pole and voila a ceramic blade that's it
no uh you know parachute or shark repellent I put that in your shoes
watch your line in protocols and just don't inhale it you die get it in an
open wound you die let's hope the vaccine works I almost forgot in here is an
ampoule of an experimental antidote click for the needle if you're exposed use it
just for good measure Callan and the rest of us will be running a box around you
the entire time keep it loose no helicopters these guys have you paranoid
you're not ready take longer to get dressed in Kenzie I have been ready
for five minutes let's do it Sam looks like he's getting impatient he is and in
about ten seconds he's gonna complain about it they're late you guys know
each other pretty well huh no we should we've been together longer than most
married couples in this town you worried about him right now I'm worried about all
of us yeah what if I'm put to un-lie'd
I'm sorry I'm not from Iran oh where you from lots of places what's your name none
of your business he was grabbed at the airport I beg your pardon
amperage one I got through a multiple routes and negotiate on this behalf so I
don't know what you're talking about I have three million dollars in barrel bonds
that says your boss does
excuse me
think you bought it we'll find out soon
follow me please
you
I
Am so sorry for the wood mr. Cook Felix cook that's him
That's the seller Jacobus Troigret the Dutchman just one more little security protocol
Blondie patting me down pretty good back there
What do they say during those American football broadcasts any recording of this game without the NFL's consent is prohibited
Same courtesy applies here
Okay
Cuddy's equipment
Let's hope we can get him back again
He's good
Thank you, please
LAPD SWAT and has matter in route rendezvous at 7th and Santa Fe Nolan you coordinate with SWAT
I want them in position, but stay out of sight until they see us go in
Morris you got hazmat. They got to be right on our heels. I don't want anyone else dying from this
Okay, starting the rear perimeter move forward. All right, let's go
Eric what you looking like in there without Sam's feet. We're blind turn him back on
Troeger must be in playing a jamming device. I can't enhance this later, but the live op
You look familiar
You're gonna have to try a little more Sam
That's it
My my Beno Dragovich
Supplies Serbian mercenaries worldwide. There are a lot of people in Washington who will want to see what we've stumbled upon here
When I see any more cars come in Sam you think the game's all here
Looks like this party's starting
What kind of firepower we talking about
You ever see the dirty does a dozen ready
Tracking
All teams moving into position
Welcome
In 1969 when the US Army stopped making biochemical weapons
They were far more advanced than they admit it publicly. I have recruited an army scientist that remembers the recipes on offer today
I bought your line him that is highly flexible
It can be vaporized against troops on the battlefield or you can spread it on bullets and even a flesh wound becomes lethal
I
Will not see him the old war horse. He's not a Troeger's list of known associates. Oh sure. He is
I will not see him isn't the name
It's an honorific from a culture where older people are revered with marks of respect
His name is Sadiki Hassan
He's on there your honor Lady Lang
This party favor is a vaccine to the bocce line
Uncle Sam would never let you have this. I hope we don't need it
Now you should all know the value of what you are buying and
And as many of you will resell in your various markets, I thought a demonstration would add value
kind of demonstration
The kind that makes international news
The
Mall is there a more iconic place of American consumerism
Within the hour an associate of mine
Will deploy just a few micrograms of the bocce lineup cut with the vaporizing powder that will carry it throughout the mall
I
Can't tell what we're looking at
Where is that?
Here in Los Angeles, but don't worry mr. Cook. You're safe here
Yeah, what if I want to do a little shopping before I go home?
Is that the Hollywood town center or is it the Sunset Avenue mall?
Let's just concentrate on the shopping in here first shall we
Assault teams back to covert positions Eric Kenzie and I'll take the Hollywood town center send agents over to Sunset and hazmat teams in both places
I'm already on it
I don't want to spook trigger nobody makes a move in the warehouse till we find this guy at the mall
Big guy. I've got some bad news. You're gonna have to stall for a while
Now as you all know the bidding will begin at one million dollars
Excuse me
I'm sorry, but I'm concerned about your demonstration
We still have to get this stuff out of the country
If a whole bunch of people get killed in a biochemical attack, they're gonna lock the whole city down
You would rather pay seven million dollars for something that as far as you know could be crushed as per
Does anyone else share mr. Cook's concerns?
Apparently you are the only one who seems to be bothered by this mr. Cook and why is that?
I
Just want to do this smart
Seriously Jacob is so we here to buy weapons up for you to purve on me because if these pants come off I want a discount a
Big discount, you know what I'm saying all I know is that you were a very stupid man. I'm stupid
At least I don't have these two in the same room together
Drago, they killed a Hassan's boy. Don't listen to him. Chechnya
2002
Hassan's boy is over there. You know paying his jihadi dudes. No Drago was running black ops for a Putin
code name crusader
I
You still haven't done me the courtesy, I'm a ghost.
Put your hands behind your back and shut up.
I'm not seeing anyone from the file of known associates at either place.
Nobody acting like they're about to kill hundreds of people.
Any luck there, Headie?
Working on it.
I can't do this.
Oh.
I mean, all those people, and it's my fault.
Esther, try not to think about why.
Let's, let's pretend that we are looking for old friends.
Our friend that we're looking for would be right there.
Now, who do you know?
Listen to you using the objective case properly.
Oh, oh look, the Hedge Captain Hogue.
There, there with the backpack.
Callan.
Hollywood Town Center.
Eric, could you go back to the last street?
Callan, level six.
12 Caucasian males, 30s, old, yellow backpack.
Can't see him.
Guys, he's forcing himself to walk casually,
but he's clearly trying to hide in adrenaline search.
This guy's moments away from deploying.
I got him.
He's heading for the food court.
Come on.
Hey, can I just take this for a second?
Thank you.
Oh, oh my gosh, I am so sorry.
Everybody down!
Run, run, run!
Run!
Get out of here!
Come on, no!
Take it out of the way!
Keep the file in the water!
Keep it out of the air!
We stay right here until a half-match scrubs us!
Ah!
No, I hate needles!
It's an antidote, gee. It just saved your life.
How do you even get a warning?
Oh, now I got a warning you to save your life.
Let's keep the file in the water.
I'm not going to get a warning.
Let's keep the file in the water.
Understood, Director.
That's why I like my job.
Okay. Got it.
The FBI is doing the press conference
announcing the arrest of Troeger and the others.
I'm stealing our credit.
That was all us, Sam, and you, and me.
Right.
But we don't exist.
That's why you like your job.
Because we don't exist.
We never have to do press conferences.
Oh.
Well, it's true. You do have a better face for radio.
Ms. Lai, if you touch that thermostat,
it will be to turn it down.
But I'm cold,
and Calvin is pushed in a fountain today, so...
Which is exactly
why we need coarse cutting.
The koi fish in that fountain
went belly up from the botulina.
Oh, dear.
One so rarely uses that phrase,
literally poor things.
Anyway, the mall has
billed us $72,000.
For fish?
Yes. Do you know what I could buy with that?
I have a pretty good idea.
Apparently, they're a prize lineage
of Taishou Sankai from Japan.
The dead fish will be here in the morning,
so I can see them myself.
What?
I know the difference between koi
and carp and crap.
All done.
My psychological evaluation
of Esther Balmore
and my strong recommendation
that she not be charged.
She thought she was serving her country.
She won't be charged.
That's not all she needs, though.
It's only to adjust her medications,
consistent home nursing.
Yeah.
Let's take care of it.
You're gonna have to...
You've come
to offer to call the ADA
for Esther Balmore
because you think
watching an old lady go batty
has set off a nerve in me.
I came for a cup of tea
because I'm cold.
You know, in nursing homes,
they only have tea and bags,
so it just tastes like paper.
When the time comes,
I'll bring you the good stuff.
Smuggle it in if I have to.
Go undercover
as an orderly.
Whatever you need.
You know,
it's not the loneliness I fear.
But you are scared of something.
Yes.
Spilling everything I know.
All my secrets being
blathered out into a world
that should never hear them.
So, when the time comes,
as you put it,
there's something you can do.
You can smother me
with a pillow.
Make sure it's synthetic.
I'm allergic to feathers.
Okay.
Oh, the birds will be so happy.
The delivery man
just left them out front.
And I just couldn't move them.
You are so kind, Steve.
That's not it.
What is it, dear?
I'm Sam.
Sam.
Right.
Sam.
Uh, say, Sam.
Yes.
This stone fountain.
Mm-hmm.
Don't you think it would look better
if it was over there?
Sure.
Piece of cake, Esther.
Okay.
Oh, careful, Steve.
Whoo-wee!