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I mean no insults to the citizens of Washington Highlands, especially Park Southern Apartments
JAG Headquarters
The same time
"Sir, I found something!" Lieutenant Bud Roberts called out just as Harm exited his office.
"Bud, information about cases don't need to be called out," Harm replied, but this was also a signal not to announce this informal investigation in the open to the whole office.
"I was thinking about the last name 'Laramie' and well I guessed it could have spelt differently, like the lady could have misspelt the name for whatever reason. Anyway, I found three names with 'Laramy', 'Laramee' and 'Laramey'. The three reveal exactly three different names: one an old veteran living in the outskirts of Virginia, the second an elderly man with his wife having served as nursing officer in Vietnam and the third, a Commander posted to a classified unit in the Pentagon. Here are the addresses."
"Well, that's most definitely the one. Thanks Bud, Coates," Harm acknowledged their work.
"Sir you're going out? You've got some cases to prepare," Legalman Second Class Coates protested.
"I know, I'll be back," Harm gave a terrible imitation of the Terminator's voice as he place on his coat.
Kuwait International Airport
Sometime later
I can't believe it, Skates thought as she walked with the mini entourage towards Marine One. I can't believe I'm heading back home to my 'home'—the carrier, where the family is, where the laughter and noise is and where the great smell of jet fuel is. It's where the fun is—being on alert, planning missions, enjoying banter with the guys and gals and still getting all messed up during any Crossing the Line ceremony. Home...
"Here, let me take your hand," Skates turned to see Special Agent Coppinger. "Oh, heh thanks," Skates replied as he helped her onboard. "Where do I sit?" she enquired.
"You have the front," Skates heard the familiar Texan voice of the President and quickly moved forward through the cabin towards POTUS. "Afternoon Mister President," Skates quickly greeted him, sitting down with the Football nestled between her legs. "Thank you very much for this."
"It's me who should thank for this Commander," POTUS replied as the last marine stepped onboard. Marine One lifted off and after the 'shell game', all three identical helicopters headed out to sea. Within minutes, Skates' heart leaped as she spotted her old carrier and strike group. "Folks ensure you're buckled up; we're about to land." With a slight bump, Marine one was safely on board the carrier, with blueshirts and yellowshirts securing the helicopters of HMX-1. The Marines in full dress uniform exited first and then with a signal, POTUS did, with Agent Coppinger trailing closely behind. Skates could hear Rear Admiral Lawrence, the Ship's CO Captain Steve Galindez and the CAG, Captain Louis Brennan. Let me out, let me out, Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth Hawkes pleaded silently, unable to bear the tension further. Finally, the signal was given and as she stepped back on the flight deck, Skates nearly fell, not used to wearing dress whites on the noisy and smelly deck.
"Careful, ma'am," a brownshirt helped her then they both recognised each other. "Welcome back Commander!" Skates' plane captain Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) First Class Robert Brickley exclaimed.
"Heya Brick," Skates said, nearly bending forward to hug him had it not been for her cover and the Football. "Great to be back."
"Yeah ma'am, you plane is waiting for you. We've got to catch up..."
"Uh, I better join the detail. But hope I can catch up," Skates as walked briskly towards POTUS and his delegation. "...Great job you are doing here, Admiral," she heard POTUS drawl. "Great contribution to the War on Terror."
"Thank you Mr. President," Admiral Lawrence quickly replied. "And thank you for taking time off your schedule to visit us."
"Oh no problem at all, you know how I love to acknowledge troops contributing to security and safety," POTUS continued, then suddenly turned towards Skates. "I've got one example here. Understand that Commander Hawkes here used to be with ya guys. But she's a great Football keeper."
Oh shit, he's praising me! Skates thought. All I've done so far is to lug this thing around. Well, also to kind of find out out—unsuccessfully so far—who murdered my predecessor.
"Uh, thanks, Mister President," Skates muttered.
"No, thank you," both POTUS and the Admiral said in unison and Skates nearly stumbled again, shocked by the praise of her senior commander and her Commander-in-chief.
Somewhere in Washington Highlands, Washington D.C
Sometime later, East Coast time
Man, and I thought I lived in a run-down area, Harmon Rabb thought to himself as he studied the surroundings. He knew that Washington Highlands was a low-income area, but didn't expect this sort of surroundings. "Hey watcha sailor boy!" Harm shifted and gladed he did as some hooligan threw a basket full of trash in his direction.
"Hugo, stop that! I told you to stop that!" Harm saw a short lady drag her son into her house. "I'm so sorry, my son has never been courteous since his father was abused. By the military they said."
"I'm sorry to hear," Harm quickly said. "Uh, Commander Harm Rabb. Do you know where this apartment block is?"
"Park Southern? Just around that corner young man. But really a person of your kind shouldn't be here. My son's action are just one of the many."
"Thank you anyway," Harm said with a nod and headed there.
Park Southern Apartments
The same time
"Dinozzo, you took twenty minutes to get us here," Gibbs grumbled.
"Sorry boss, didn't know you knew the time from the Navy Yard to this...area," Dinozzo replied, sniffing the odour of the area.
"Done drug busting cases here as a probie," Gibbs said as an elder lady approached. "NCIS," they flashed their badges. "You said some lady was lurking around a room?"
"Yeah," the land lady said. "Actually went to check again, but she's gone. Sorry if I'm wasting your time. Used to have a relative in the NIS, and the guy I know living there is some Navy person, so thought I call you people."
"Ok," Gibbs replied and asked if there was any other way in. With a negative reply, both Special Agents took the lift up and surveyed the area. Seeing no soul in sight, Dinozzo announcing their presence. No answer, they drew their Sig Sauers and with a click, the door opened to reveal a dead male body on the ground, and Commander Harmon Rabb.
To Be Continued.