Here, finally is the second chapter of this fic, sorry for the delay but real life got hectic for a while. Thank you everyone for your reviews. Just a few responses to points made:-

McRose – yes,I'm trying to keep it as topical as possible but hopefully without just copying from the latest headlines. Ironically though, I wrote the bit about campaign finance, then opened USA Today to find the Supreme Court had only just made a ruling on that very subject. Scary!

Alix33 - sorry, I'm British so I didn't know what the correct way to address a female officer in the U.S. Navy is. I've since learned this and I will make the necessary amendments to Chapter 1. The Encarta dictionary defines a paralegal as somebody with specialist legal training who assists a fully qualified lawyer. Hope that helps.

Now on to the story, hope you enjoy.

Chapter 2

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

21:41 ZULU

The bullpen was in semi-darkness and only a handful of the lawyers' private offices showed a light as the cleaners emptied trash bins and gave the desks a desultory swipe with their cloths.

Apart from the tapping of their keyboards, the only noise to be heard was came from the cleaners and the distant hum of a vacuum cleaner. Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie paused to stretch her arms. Although neither she nor her partner would have dreamed of disobeying a direct order from their superior officer, they had both concluded that researching information already in the public record did not constitute an 'investigation'. After all, they reasoned, the Congressional Record was published precisely so citizens could read debates and discover the positions taken by their elected representatives, they were citizens and therefore had every right to consult it, even if they were concentrating on one particular Senator and three specific issues.

"I've always known that politics and money were inseparable," Mac remarked, "but reading these financial disclosure reports has really brought it home to me. Do you want to know how much Sheffield received in his last year as a Senator? $5.5 million and it wasn't even an election year! The bulk of it came from corporations and special interest groups. That certainly puts these allegations in context."

Harm looked up from his screen, "I was once on a course with a British Royal Naval officer during a Presidential election. He couldn't understand how we could spend so much money on elections. Over there, candidates are only allowed to spend $10 thousand plus $1 for every voter. He told me that allowed candidates whose views were unlikely to attract support from business or special interests the opportunity to explain their positions to voters. He thought such people were drowned out by those with big war chests here in the U.S."

Mac nodded, "I hate to say it but after going through various campaign finance reports I think the Brits may be on to something. These big contributors must expect something back for their money; the likes of the NRA and the ACLU aren't doling out money on this scale out of the kindness of their hearts!"

"The Supreme Court has ruled it's a Freedom of Speech issue," Harm reminded her, "and anyway, who's to say these groups aren't just financially assisting candidates who are already sympathetic to their position? Did you pick up anything from Sheffield's financials?"

Mac shook her head, "Yes and no. Sensa-Tech did donate the amounts mentioned in the indictments and they're fully recorded in the reports. In terms of timing, two of the donations were given in the weeks before the vote, the remaining one, about a month after he added the amendment to the Bill allowing them to buy Federal land at a discount. Sensa-Tech also donated other amounts to his campaign fund but there's no connection between them and any action on Sheffield's part that I can see. I've also benchmarked his financial statements against a number of other Senators from both parties and they appear standard. What about the debates?"

"Nothing there either, in fact he makes a persuasive case for his position on each issue."

"He would. He could sell coal to Pennsylvania if he wanted, he's a politician. That means nothing. We need to dig deeper, pardon the pun!" Mac replied.

Harm gave her a quizzical look, "Granted," he said, "All we need now is the Admiral's OK." He looked at his watch, "He should be with Sheffield now."

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Loudoun County, Virginia

21:23 ZULU

The Admiral drove slowly along the road. SecNav Sheffield's home was located in an area of the county that still retained its rural feel. He had never been there before and didn't want to miss the turning. He had debated with himself whether to call ahead and say he was coming but had decided against it. Sheffield would have asked too many questions. Beside, he was more likely to get a truthful reaction if the SecNav hadn't had time to prepare for the meeting. He had left it late, after the events of the day he doubted whether anyone in the Sheffield household would be thinking about turning in early and he hoped that most, at least, of the media pack that had been camped outside Sheffield's home since the indictments were made public would have given up and slithered back under whatever stone they occupied for the night. Not that he was trying to hide his visit; he just didn't want to draw attention to it either. Although there was nothing illegal or unethical in him seeing Sheffield, the appearance of the Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy at his home would only fuel the media's feeding frenzy. For the same reason, he had gone home and changed into civilian clothes before setting out.

He found the turning and was pleased to note that only a couple of cars and T.V. vans remained outside the entrance to the driveway, their occupants looking sleepy and bored. He was past them before they had a chance to catch his license plate. The house loomed ahead; it was a pleasant looking Tudor style building, spacious but far from luxurious. A.J. knew that Sheffield had lived there since shortly after being elected to the Senate for the first time, nearly twenty years ago. As he'd expected the downstairs lights were still on.

If Sheffield's been taking pay offs, its' certainly not affected his lifestyle, he thought.

A.J. pulled up, got out of the car, walked to the front door, pressed the bell and waited. There was a short pause, then the sound of footsteps approaching.

"Please go away." a woman's voice called through the door. "We'll be issuing a statement through our lawyers in the morning."

A.J. recognized the voice from various Receptions and parties he'd attended. "Mrs. Sheffield," he called, "Its' Admiral Chegwidden. I'd like to speak to your husband if I may."

Silence followed, then there was the sound of the key turning in the lock and the door opened a crack. A woman studied him through it. Satisfied, she opened the door wider, allowing him to enter.

Standing in the reception area, Chegwidden had his first clear view of Mrs. Sheffield since the indictment of her husband had been announced. She was a kind looking, pleasant faced woman in her mid fifties. Although not traditionally beautiful, she had always had a presence and dignity about her. Tonight she was holding on to them by only the barest finger-touch. Her eyes were glassy, as if she were in shock and the lines on her face had deepened.

"What do you want with my husband Admiral?" she asked. "I'm sure you already know he's taken a leave of absence and the reasons for it."

A.J. heard anger and betrayal in her voice but couldn't work out who they were directed at. The U.S. Attorney's office for prosecuting her husband when she believed him to be innocent, or Sheffield himself because she knew he'd betrayed everything he appeared to stand for by accepting bribes. Only time will tell, he decided. He was about to speak, when Sheffield himself emerged from one of the rooms leading off the reception area, accompanied by a woman in her twenties. Her resemblance to both Sheffield and his wife identified her as their daughter.

"Is everything OK Beth?" Sheffield began, then stopped dead as he recognized Chegwidden. "Admiral," he said, after a beat, "how can I help you?" The question was phrased courteously enough but his manner was guarded.

A.J. had given a lot of thought about how to broach the delicate subject that was his reason for coming here and eventually decided that the truth, or at least a partial version of it, was the best tack. He smiled, "Sir, I know that we haven't always seen eye to eye but I wanted you to know that I have the greatest respect for what you've done over the past months as SecNav. I just wanted to tell you that and say if there's anything I can do personally to help and support you or your family during this difficult time; you only have to ask."

Sheffield's eyes bored into his own and A.J. saw suspicion hardening within them.

"That's very kind of you Admiral," he replied slowly, "but you could have said that over the phone. There was no reason for you to come here and run the risk of being recognized by the media circus outside and dragged into this mess."

"They know their case is a load of crap! He's here to try to trick you into saying something they can make out is incriminating!" Sheffield's daughter burst out. She moved forward to stand between her father and Chegwidden in an instinctively protective gesture. "He's one of them, a government prosecutor!"

Well there's no question she believes her father's innocent. A.J. thought.He kept the smile on his face, "Actually, Ms Sheffield, JAG lawyers act as both prosecutors and defense attorneys, we don't specialize and nobody ordered me to come here, you have my word as a naval officer."

She continued to glare at him, clearly not believing a word he said. Sheffield gently moved her out of the way. "It's OK Amy," he said. "Well, as you're here, you might as well have a drink. Come to my study." He led the way. As he passed his wife she reached out and grasped his shoulders, seeking reassurance. Sheffield held her close and kissed her lightly on the forehead, then let her go. "Amy, why don't you and your mother go back to the lounge and try to get hold of your uncle again? He may have returned from his fishing trip by now."

A.J. noted the warmth and mutual support between Mrs. Sheffield and her husband, she thinks he's innocent too, he concluded.

As soon as the study door closed behind them, Sheffield turned to him with all his accustomed decisiveness and authority, "My question still stands A.J., why did you come here?"

Chegwidden responded with a question of his own, "Did you know Nelson is on Sensa-Tech's Board of Directors?"

Sheffield nodded, "Yes, of course. I've been wondering whether he had anything to do with setting me up but I can't see how he can. He had no connection with them during the time I allegedly took these bribes."

A.J. took a deep breath; this was the moment of truth. He asked the question, "Did you sell your vote for campaign contributions?"

He studied Sheffield's reaction to the question, the eyes behind his glasses flashed with anger and his face displayed frustration. He drew himself up to his full 5' 6'' height, "No," he said with quiet dignity, "I did not."

The Admiral held Sheffield's eyes with his own for a long moment, then nodded in satisfaction, "I believe you." he said, "Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie had a feeling that something wasn't quite right about this entire scenario and I trust their instincts, especially when they confirm my own. I just had to be sure. If you don't think Nelson's behind this, do you have any other ideas about what is going on?"

Sheffield sighed and motioned A.J. to take a seat. He moved over to a decanter and glasses set on a side table and poured both of them a very weak whisky and water. His smile as he handed A.J. his glass was devoid of humor. "Sorry it's not stronger but you're driving and the way I feel at present, its' best I limit my intake. No, I've been racking my brains ever since the U.S. Attorney's office called my lawyers to say I was going to be named in the indictments but I can't think of anything. I've known about the investigation into Sensa-Tech for some time but I never paid it much attention. Then, out of the blue about ten days ago the U.S. Attorney's office called me to say they had evidence that I'd taken pay offs. They wanted to question me in front of the Grand Jury. I refused on the advice of my lawyers so I can't even guess what this so called evidence is. Then, last night they phoned Tony Bernstein, my attorney, to say I was going to be indicted. They offered me a deal if I'd turn state's evidence but I don't know anything!"

"Sensa-Tech did make contributions to your campaign funds?" Chegwidden asked.

"Yes, but they were all totally legal and fully declared." Sheffield replied.

A.J. nodded. "Rabb and Mackenzie have volunteered to nose around a little and see what they can dig up." he said, "When's the Arraignment?"

Sheffield's face took on a haunted look, "Next Tuesday. I don't know how Beth and Amy will react, especially if Beth's brother continues AWOL. Nothing in their experience has prepared them for anything like this. I'm really worried about them. A lot of our so-called friends are already heading for the hills."

"You're certain to get bail," Chegwidden assured him, "and I'll go to the hearing and sit with them if you like."

Sheffield looked relieved and confused at the same time. "Thank you." he said, "But why are you, Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie getting involved in all this? If the press picks up on it, it could get very ugly for you all."

A.J. shrugged, "Good SecNav's are hard to come by." was all he said.

TBC