Ch. 3 TRUST YOUR LAWYER

The day before the court martial would start his visitor returned. Since AJ had dismissed his appointed attorney he didn't have anyone representing his interest anymore and he knew that defending himself would likely result in a less then favorable outcome. He needed a lawyer he could trust. There was only one lawyer he ever trusted explicitly which is why he didn't want him to go chasing dreams. Harmon Rabb would be his first choice and since they had cleared the air between them on the last visit AJ hoped he would accept it.

"Commander, are you still a lawyer?"

Harm looked pensive for a moment, wondering why he was being asked that.

"You know I am not with JAG anymore but I am still a member of the bar if that is what you are asking."

"Are you willing to represent me during the trial?"

AJ had asked before he even knew what new information had been found, it surprised Harm but revealed the amount of trust AJ seemed to have in him.

Harm accepted and then elaborated his findings.

"I haven't found Clare yet but someone is still looking for her now. The toxicology report revealed that beside the drug there was a substance causing drowsiness and memory lapses. They were probably both mixed in the wine and the reason for your failure to remember what happened that evening. I also found some faint traces of it in the soil of a plant in your living room. It doesn't prove anything but I think she mixed it in the bottle before she arrived and disposing of her glass of wine while you were gone for a minute. Can you remember she opened the bottle?"

AJ's thoughts were going a mile a minute at hearing that and needed a moment to gather his thoughts.

"It seemed to be an expensive bottle of wine but it had a screw cap, I found it a bit odd but didn't think any of it then. Now I think she made have just replaced the label of a cheaper one and it having a screw cap I didn't notice if it had been open or not since it was still full."

Harm just nodded his head writing something down on his notepad and continued on his findings.

"I haven't found any traces of the wine to be able to confirm that but it is a possibility. I haven't found much more, the call that lead to your arrest was made from a phone booth so that is a dead end. However the files you were looking at were incomplete when I got them, do you think she may have removed some of the pages and given them to someone else?"

"I don't know why she would, but it is clear she isn't who I thought she was so that is certainly possible. Do you have any idea what kind of group was involved in this?"

That was what Harm would have liked to know himself but hadn't been able to find out yet.

"I don't know but someone with more experience in intelligence gathering is looking at that now."

"Not that I don't appreciate the effort but how many people have you told about this?"

Harm had to smile at that. "Just one and I have known him all his live and he is SEAL so you have nothing to worry about."

AJ seemed slightly astonished at hearing this. "You asked a SEAL to help you defending me?"

"He is very good at finding out the fact and has some experience with naval intelligence. Plus he would do almost anything I ask him."

"Because he has known you all his life, what are you his hero?" AJ had to smile at that thought.

"Something like that." Harm smiled secretively.

The next day was the day the court martial would start. It would be held at JAG HQ, there was no possible way to find a prosecution, judge and jury who didn't know the defendant but that wasn't necessarily a disadvantage. Harm was a bit nervous when he found out Admiral Morris would be the judge since nobody seemed to forget his stunt of firing a weapon in the courtroom ceiling to prove the weapon didn't jam.

Admiral Morris hadn't resided over any cases Harm had defended or prosecuted since. When AJ had asked for his help Harm had taken leave to have plenty of time to look into it. So he hadn't been wearing his uniform, in fact he hadn't even told AJ what he was doing now.

AJ had assumed he was still in the navy probably as aviator but Harm hadn't revealed anything and he hadn't asked. For the courtroom Harm decided he should wear his uniform so there AJ found out that Harm was indeed still in the navy and had since been promoted to full commander. They didn't have time for chit-chat because the judge entered at that time.

Admiral Morris wasn't yet aware of the last chance of defense council since it had only happened yesterday and hadn't been notified.

"Admiral Chegwidden, why haven't I been notified in your change of defense council?" AJ stood up to address the judge.

"The change happened only recently, your honor. I'm well aware the Commander isn't a member of JAG anymore but he is a member of the Virginia Barr and I have the right to choose my own council. Therefore I hope you permit Commander Rabb to act as my defense council."

"Very well, Commander you have been a member of JAG and I expect you to behave accordingly, if you ever pull a stunt again like you did last time you will be immediately removed as defense council, am I making myself clear?"

"Chrystal, your honor" Harm said, standing and making a slight bow to show his respect.

"All right. Let's get started." The charges were read and AJ plead not guilty and the prosecution started opening statement.