CHAPTER 11:

Petty Officer Second Class Michael Chambers was playing solitaire when Weiss entered the Mess Hall with Gibbs and Edison.

"Officer Chambers," Weiss addressed the man.

Chambers stood and approached them. "Yes, sir."

"This is Agent Gibbs and Edison Carter," Weiss said.

"I understand this must be difficult for you, since Petty Officer Jansen was a friend," Gibbs said. "But I need to ask you some questions about the night he died."

Chambers nodded. "It is very difficult," he told them. "And I wish people would stop asking me about it."

"Someone else asked you about him?" Gibbs asked.

"A young boy called me just a moment ago," Chambers explained. "Didn't give a name. He said he wanted to know if Mark and I were watching television together that night. I couldn't make any sense of his question, so I told him to mind his own business and disconnected the call. I don't know how he got my private cell number. It's unlisted."

"Your little pal, Mr. Carter," Gibbs said, firmly.

Edison nodded. "Most likely."

"Tell him to stay out of this unless he's told otherwise." Weiss commanded, glancing briefly at Gibbs as if to ask him to make sure the little pal in question did so.

Edison wondered if he should point out that he wasn't under anyone's orders except those of Network 23. Then decided it would not be a good idea.

"I will," he said simply.

Gibbs in the meantime had turned to Chambers.

"Oddly enough, we're here to ask you pretty much the same thing." he told the younger man.

"As a matter of fact, no," Chambers shook his head. "We were engaged in other activities for a few hours. Then we said good night and he headed to his room. The TV was on, of course. However I don't know if he was watching it or not."

"Thank you," Edison said gratefully.

"Just one question," Weiss added. "What activities were you engaged in? Was there anything going on between you two that might have displeased other officers?"

"If you're asking if Mark and I were lovers," Chambers countered, "I would normally remind you that it's none of your business. However, under the circumstances I can say that we kept our relationship well under wraps."

"So you don't believe he became the target of a disgruntled or jealous officer for that reason?" Edison asked.

Chambers turned to face the reporter.

"No, I do not," he said in a firm but quiet voice.

"That will be all, Officer Chambers," Weiss told him, "You are dismissed."

Chambers gave a brief nod then returned to his table where he resumed his game of solitaire.

Weiss turned to Gibbs and Edison.

"We'd like to talk to some of the other men," Gibbs told him.

"I'm not sure that will be possible," Weiss told them. "We're setting sail tomorrow for an exercise in a classified location. I'd advise you to tell your pal not to go snooping around about it."

"I'm sure he just wanted to find out if he was right in his hypothesis," Edison assured the man. "But I will tell him just the same."

"See to it that you do," Weiss said.