Title: Lie to Me – Truth Comes At A Cost

Author: D M Harper

Summary: The Lightman Group is brought in to investigate the murder of a United States Army soldier when the main suspect refuses to cooperate with Military Investigators.

Pairing: Gillian Foster & OFC

Rating: M for Mature Readers.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction created to entertain. No profit is made and no copyright infringement is intended. All characters except original (I claim those) are owned by creator Samuel Baum, Imagine Television, Middkidd Productions & Samuel Baum Productions.

Chapter 1

Doctor Cal Lightman, forty five years of age with light brown hair, turned away from the computer flat screen when FBI Special Agent Ben Reynolds entered the Tech Lab. The Englishman patted curly dark haired lead researcher Eli Loker on the shoulder, "Well done son, I'll buy you a beer later. Give us two hard copies and hand one over to Mister Grumpy Bum here."

Reynolds showed no emotion at the light hearted insult and passed Lightman a dossier, "We've got a new case to look into."

The genius Psychologist opened the folder and noted the Department of Defence seal on the cover sheet, "What's this all about then?"

"We've been asked to interview ten soldiers who were involved in a raid in Takhteh Pol, Afghanistan twelve days ago."

Lightman made a rolling motion with his right hand, "Get on with it Reynolds. Tell me the interesting bit that explains why CID isn't investigating."

"They are. This request to look into the matter is from one of the soldier's father."

"So what's this geezer accused of then?"

"They've been apprehended for murdering a fellow soldier."

"Blimey, that got my attention. So who's the dad?"

"Texas Senator Jackson Stevens."

Lightman's brows arched in surprise, "I gather the dear Senator doesn't want the scandal of a killer son appearing in the Washington Times."

"Actually it's his daughter and there are plenty of holes in the recollections of the other soldiers' statements."

"Well then, care to join me in my office while I read the statements?"

"Sure why not, it's been a slow day."

"It's Friday and you better hope it bloody well stays that way."

Reynolds followed Lightman down the hallway to his office and the older man sat behind his desk. Cal observed the mid-thirties African-American gingerly ease his five foot ten and a half inch frame onto an armchair.

"You sure you're all right to back in the field? It's only been five weeks."

"I'm fine, just a little tender."

"Right you are. Do we have anything from CID in this file?"

"Not as of this moment. A Lieutenant Colonel Mann and his team are currently interviewing the last of the soldiers then transporting Captain Stevens to our Lab."

"It says here Master Sergeant Fulton was shot October third, any reason for the delay?"

"The Brigade Combat Team returned to Fort Bragg North Carolina on the tenth and Captain Stevens was immediately taken into custody."

Lightman nodded, "It also says the Captain refused to make a statement."

"That's the reason why the Senator has employed the Lightman Group to get to the truth."

Flipping through pages, Lightman tossed the folder onto the desk, "Well that's bloody helpful. The Medical Examiner's report is missing. Any suggestion it was a case of friendly fire?"

"No. During the meeting the Senator stated Fulton received a single gunshot to the base of his neck at close range."

Lightman stood and headed for the door, "I better have Loker do a little digging into the DoD's database and find the full service records on all ten soldiers."

Looking at his watch, Reynolds noted, "Military Police will be bringing Captain Stevens here any moment. I'll let you know when they arrive."

"Rightio," replied Lightman while taking off out of his office.

-0-

Lightman was exiting the Lab when he spotted his business partner and close friend Doctor Gillian Foster walking by reception. "Hey Foster, you got a minute?"

The attractive thirty-eight year old with shoulder length brunette hair turned around, "Sure Cal, what is it?"

"We've been employed to look into the murder of an Army Master Sergeant on behalf of Senator Stevens from Texas."

"Anything suspicious I should know about?"

"Yes. Nine statements that don't have a single common link and a captain in custody that refuses to talk." Handing Foster the file, Lightman added, "The accused is the Senator's daughter."

"Oh, obviously he doesn't have faith in the military justice system."

"More like he doesn't want his family name bandied around by the media."

"So when do we start?"

"Torres is in with one of the two soldiers who have just turned up."

"You want me to interview the other one?"

"Yes please love. I want to give CID a call and wrangle for more information; it's a bit light on at the moment."

"All right Cal, leave it with me."

"Corporal First Class Scott is in interview room two. I'll join you as soon as I've made that call."

-0-

Four hours later Lightman was in the Lab analysing the recordings of the nine soldiers' interviews with Loker, Torres, Reynolds and Foster.

"Well," he began. "It's plain to see they're all a mob of fibbers. Half of them are angry and the rest are shit scared." Cal pointed to the still frame of a stone faced soldier in his early forties, "All except this smug bastard, he is neither of those."

Foster viewed the file she was holding, "Commanding Officer Major Travis Hollis. He was definitely deceptive and his forced smile indicated he was being dishonest with the majority of his answers."

Loker drew attention to the voice patterns on the monitor in front of him, "His pitch rose considerably when explaining his version of events."

Foster continued with her perusal, "The Major displayed anger every time Sergeant Fulton's name was mentioned and his eyebrows lowered and knotted together in response to direct questions."

"He's our man," declared Lightman while pointing to the screen. "He's the shooter, although it still doesn't explain the good Captain's reluctance to speak."

Foster turned to an image of a soldier in his early twenties, "Corporal Francis is the weak link amongst the unit. He displayed anger, resentment and disgust and was undeniably hiding details."

"Well then," said Lightman. "Send the others home. Torres you're up again, Francis was very receptive to you earlier."

-0-

The team regrouped in the Lab forty minutes later and Torres explained Corporal Francis wasn't going to divulge anything other than the fact his hostility was directed at Major Hollis because he was untrustworthy."

Reynolds' cell phone rang and he announced, "That will be the escort. I'll show them to the cage."

Lightman nodded, "The CID investigating officers agree with our assessment and initial autopsy report and ballistics confirm the killer is right handed. All the men we've interviewed showed signs of being right handed and the MPs are bringing us the ME's final findings."

Loker typed away on his keyboard and brought up the service record of Captain Stevens, "She certainly doesn't fit the profile of a cold blooded killer."

The foursome's attention was drawn to the double glazed bullet proofed glass interview room as two male Military Police Officers escorted a shackled uniformed woman inside. Reynolds glanced towards the Lab window and dipped his head.

"Come on Foster," instructed Lightman. "Let's go get the truth and maybe we'll still get out of here in time for happy hour."

The two world renowned doctors entered the room and Lightman started, "Right, let's get on with this shall we. Gentlemen, can you kindly uncuff the Captain and wait outside."

Foster studied the five foot eight, lean, black haired woman in her late thirties for any responses and was confronted with a blank stare. There were no body, or facial movements as bright blue eyes held the Psychologist's gaze.

"Thank you chaps," remarked Lightman once the MPs were done.

Captain Stevens crossed her hands behind her back and stood with shoulders pulled back.

Lightman took one look and proceeded, "Captain Stevens, my name is Doctor Cal Lightman and this is my learned colleague Doctor Gillian Foster. Now do you want to tell us what happened to Sergeant Fulton because we've had a chat with the rest of your unit and quite frankly, they're a bunch of liars?"

"No Sir," answered an emotionless captain.

Lightman paced around the room, "Let's not waste time here Captain. I won't insult your intelligence and I expect you to do the same in return."

There was no reaction from Stevens except to make eye contact with Lightman.

Stepping right into the captain's personal space, Lightman asked, "What's your game then?"

"I have no game Sir."

"What I don't get is why a decorated soldier like you refuses to speak about what happened. Nine of your mates are covering for your Major, who let's be honest, is a bleeding arrogant bully. By the way, he is our main suspect in this little charade."

"No comment."

Lightman's cell phone sounded with a message alert. Reading the text, he turned to Foster, "We have company."

The two doctors left the room and found Torres and Reynolds waiting at the outer door.

"Senator Stevens and a General Wilson from the Pentagon are waiting at reception," explained the dark haired twenty-four year old of Latino descent.

"That didn't take them long. This could prove interesting. Did you get anything Foster?"

"No, the Captain didn't express any emotion."

Lightman gave a sly smile, "She's definitely hard to read, but is a bit of all right to look at. Let's find out what daddy wants."

Foster glanced towards Reynolds and he shrugged his shoulders, "I suppose you agree?"

"There's no doubting she is good looking," replied a grinning Agent.

The trio turned the corner and saw two men in their early sixties talking to Anna, the dark haired, slim receptionist.

Lightman extended his hand to the black haired General, "Good to see you again Sir."

"Doctor Lightman, this is Senator Stevens."

Shaking the other man's hand, Lightman introduced Foster and Reynolds.

"I gather Captain Stevens isn't saying anything," submitted Wilson.

Lightman read the General's face, "No she isn't, but I believe that is about to change."

A smirk preceded the reply, "Can I have a few minutes in private with the Captain?"

"By all means, I'll take you through."

-0-

"Definite open hostility towards the father," declared Lightman as the team observed the greeting between the Senator, General and Captain.

Captain Steven's saluted her superior officer then returned her hands to behind her back.

Jackson Steven's shook his head while talking for a brief moment then left the room.

"Torres, go collect dear old dad and work your magic," directed Lightman. "That is if you can take your eyes off his daughter.

Ria lowered her eyes and headed for the door, "At least I'm not drooling."

"She must be talking about you Loker," quipped Lightman.

Foster cracked, "Can we leave the school boy antics out of this?"

Lightman was ready to deliver a snappy retort when General Wilson left the glass panelled room.

He and the two MPs were met in the hallway by Lightman and Foster.

"So have you given the Captain permission to speak?" inquired Lightman.

"You'll have full cooperation in due course and I expect your team to handle this situation confidently. The department would like you to get to the truth."

"As always Sir."

The three officers left and Torres appeared, "The Senator gave me his card and wants you to call him Cal."

"Is that all you got?"

"No, he is disappointed in his daughter and is only concerned about the possible affect this could have on his career."

Giving her a sly grin, he asked, "He hit on you, didn't he?"

"He's a pig and is old enough to be my grandfather," affirmed Torres while returning to the Lab.

Turning to Forster, Lightman stated the obvious, "I guess that's our cue to go ask more questions of the captain."

-0-

Jordan quelled the rage that had been provoked by her father's appearance. Squaring her shoulders again, she patiently waited for the return of the two Psychologists.

After a succinct conversation with General Wilson and being informed she was no longer apprehended, she was ready to answer some questions, but not disclose all.

When the dark blue door opened, Gillian Forster entered first, followed by Lightman. Jordan looked directly at Foster and the file she was carrying.

Lightman got straight to the point, "Now that you've lost your entourage, did you kill Master Sergeant Matthew Fulton?"

"No I did not Sir."

Pointing a finger at the soldier, Lightman said, "See there, that's the truth. Actually I didn't expect you to lie. Do you know who did?"

"Yes Sir, but am not at liberty to discuss the matter at this time."

"General Wilson assured us we'd have your assistance."

Jordan glanced at the aviator's watch on her right wrist, "You will in due course."

"I see you're left handed."

"Yes Sir and that fact alone should exclude me as being the killer. The only evidence against me is my service pistol was used as the murder weapon."

"I was about to ask you that very same thing."

"My handgun was taken from me when I was rendered unconscious before the raid was due to commence."

"That fact seems to have been conveniently omitted from everyone's statements and interviews. Kind of explains why the blighters lied."

"Sir, if you don't mind, I need to attend Fort McNair and collect my property? I am expected elsewhere at 1730 hours and I believe you have fulfilled your obligations to the Senator."

"Yes Captain, but now I intend on getting to the full truth on behalf of the Department of Defence."

"I'm afraid your questions will have to wait."

"Right, bugger off then and good luck with your covert operation."

Jordan allowed herself the tiniest of grins, "Very good Sir. I'll be staying at the Embassy Suites, Alexandria if you need to speak to me. Otherwise, I will be back here Monday morning to debrief you."

"I look forward to it. I'll walk you to the door."

Ten minutes passed before Lightman walked into Foster's office, "So watcha make of the Captain?"

"She obviously knows a lot more than she is telling us."

"Exactly and I'd like you to go to her hotel room later and invite her out for dinner."

"Why choose me for you fishing expedition?"

"You are the only one in this motley group who isn't attracted to the yummy captain and therefore least likely to sleep with her. I'd rather it was you who plied her with alcohol then ask the questions."

Foster shook her head, "Won't that scheme make it more obvious what my motives are?"

"Probably, but it's worth a try. Quite frankly I can't wait until Monday, besides it's been months since you've been out after Captain America was relocated. Have a bit of fun and charge it to my business account love."

"That's generous of you Cal."

"Of course it is and give us a call when you find out the truth. I'm off to the pub and wear something sexy."

"Sexy? I'm not planning on seducing the woman," protested Gillian defensively.

"Nah of course you're not, but it would help with my fantasy."

"Get out of my office you disgusting pervert."

-0-

Torres rapped on Foster's doorjamb a short time later, "Hey Gillian."

"What's up Ria?"

"Eli mentioned you were asking Captain Stevens to dinner."

"News travels fast."

Smirking, Ria volunteered, "I'll take your place it you like."

Gillian chuckled, "Thanks for the offer, but your interest in her is not what is required. It is purely a fact finding manoeuvre."

"Oh, I get your point."

With a cocked left brow, the doctor noted, "I never knew you had an attraction for women."

"I've dated several and even had a three year relationship with a professor back in College. I was nineteen and Denise Watson was twice my age and very experienced."

"Well there's my lesson for the day. I'll see you Monday, bye Ria."

-0-

Onwards to Chapter 2