The NCIS team investigates the crash of an armored transport bus carrying Naval brig detainees after four prisoners escape, including a black market broker who is one of the country's biggest national security threats. Meanwhile, Pride turns to Gibbs for assistance when a case file needed for the investigation is full of redactions.

The NCIS team is given a 22-hour deadline after the murder investigation of a Chief Warrant Officer who specialized in counterintelligence reveals his wife had been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. Meanwhile, Senior FBI Agent Fornell travels to the Big Easy to assist with the case.