Torres has to defend his close relationship with a confidential informant who’s a walking red flag.

When in the history of this show has a death been this open and shut?

And yes, we do eventually learn that the angle of the bullet rules out a self-inflicted gunshot.

NCIS “Hardboiled”

Gary Cole in ‘NCIS’.Michael Yarish/CBS

A handsome,familiaryounger man: Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), to be precise.

And indeed, a search of the Carnahan house reveals stolen hard drives from ONR.

“You cultivate orchids,” he says.

NCIS “Hardboiled”

Wilmer Valderrama and Katrina Law in ‘NCIS’.Michael Yarish/CBS

“I cultivate CIs.”

She’s also quite concerned about Amber’s wellbeing and urges them to get her back safely.

When Parker mentions Rule 39 (happy dance for channeling Gibbs!

NCIS “Hardboiled”

Katrina Law in ‘NCIS’.Michael Yarish/CBS

In questioning, he’s cynical and bitter as he points out that Amber is manipulating Torres.

He also also scoffs at the Bronze Star that Kasie uncovers among his surveillance materials.

So was Amber’s kidnapping actually an extraction?

Lamb finally admits to putting a tracker on Amber’s car.

“I said those words a thousand times on TV.”

Still, she insists that she didn’t kill him or her friend Dr. Lythcott.

So the murderer is still on the loose.

“Kids were crying, parents were yelling,” McGee explains.

He then morphs back into our easygoing Jimmy and chirps, “Never done that before.

Quite the power move!”

as he restarts the elevator.

Okay, back to the crime.

Kasie mentions that the radio in the van where they found Amber was tuned to the Waverly University station.

And who do we know from Waverly U?