PART 13
1340 Local
Lukas LaRosa's House
Virginia
Mac, Sturgis and AJ sat outside in AJ's SUV. They watched as Lukas LaRosa, watered his lawn, cleaned his car and finally, left for work. Mac was tempted, so tempted to run across the street, pummel the guy to the ground and search for that one piece of evidence that she knew would link him to her; the tattoo. But, she sat in the front seat, next to AJ, calmly looking out. Silently watching and waiting for him to leave. In her lap sat Luke's information that she got from New York and Co complete with his full name, birth date, social security and address.
They were on their own, according to DC police, who, since Harm's car was also missing, decided that maybe he had taken a joyride and forgotten to tell someone. AJ argued that point. People on active duty in the military, do not just simply walk away. Charges would be brought up if they were caught and punishment could sometimes be severe. Harm had a life; a job he loved, a girl he swore to care for and a woman he would die to protect. Something was amiss.
Though it was normally cool in DC around spring time, the hell hole that Harm was locked in was stifling. His work shirt clung to him like a second skin. Harm was pissed off and not of the situation, but, because, in his attempt to keep Mac safe, had probably given her straight to Luke. He'd gotten nabbed outside of JAG ops as he was making his way to the Vette at around 2am. Simply put, he was too tired to notice anything wrong. All he could think of was getting home to Mac and the few hours of sleep he would have to live on to face the next day. He opened his car, tossed his things in and as he was about to get in, boom, everything went dark.
Harm's head was still pounding from the blow Luke had given him at JAG ops. The sound of "Moonlight Sonata" echoing over and over again was not helping his situation, only aggravating it more. He tried again to get lose and just when he was about to give up, one of the ropes gave way. His wrists were now a mess, blood was seeping through his shirt from the burn marks, but he didn't care. Finally able to get one hand loose, Harm started working on the rest of the knots. Before long he was free, but not quite. Walking over to the door, he found it locked from the outside. Angrily, he walked over to the radio and punched it hard, sending Beethoven into oblivion. He looked around the space, there as nothing, nothing at all except the easel, chair and two tables, one of which the radio sat atop of. He banged on the door and yelled as loud as he could. He was trapped.
"Okay, coast is clear." AJ said, looking over at Mac who nodded. Jumping out of the car with Sturgis, the two of them made their way across the street and were soon joined by Luke, who had returned back home.
Luke watched the three officers try to peak into his home. "May I help you?"
AJ looked at him and smiled. "Hello, we are looking for Lukas LaRosa."
"And you are?" Luke said, trying not to make too much eye contact with Mac.
"Admiral AJ Chegwidden, Commander Turner and Colonel MacKenzie, Judge Advocate General Corps." AJ said, introducing everyone. "One of my Commanders assaulted you yesterday, we wanted to talk to you about it, so that we can bring up formal charges."
Luke sighed, and decided to let them inside so that things would not be to conspicuous. "I really can't take too long, but please have a seat." He pointed at a sofa, which Sturgis, AJ and Mac sat uncomfortably. They all stared at Lukas who sat on a chair opposite them, waiting for whatever they had to say.
It was AJ that began. "We won't take up too much of your time Mr. LaRosa, just tell us what happened."
As Luke told his account of Harm's attack on him, Mac watched him intently, noticing that he made no eye contact with her whatsoever, but, that he did with AJ and Sturgis. Something was up and she knew it. Sighing softly, she glanced around the house, knowing that there was something in there for her to find, but not knowing where to look. Harm. The name came to her the moment she looked towards the hallway that led to the kitchen. "May I use your rest room?" She interrupted Luke who seemed to blanch at her request. Mac looked directly at him.
Luke smiled, hesitantly meeting Mac's stare for the first time since they'd walked into his home. "Yes, Colonel. . . just head down that hall way, last door to the right, just before you get to the kitchen."
Mac excused herself and made it down the hall. She walked into the bedroom and turned the faucet on. Once she was sure the conversation was carrying on, she sneaked out of the bathroom and walked into the kitchen, pleased to find a spiral staircase that headed to the upstairs. She took it and looked around, finding nothing that would indicate Luke was the attacker. With a frown, Mac headed down the kitchen steps and past the door that led down a set of stairs to the basement.
Harm banged on the door again, yelling at the top of his lungs. His head hurt even more and he was dizzy, so dizzy. Exhaustion was taking him over and he noticed that door was sealed airtight and there was nothing around to let in any type of oxygen. Grabbing the chair he was bound to, Harm hurled it at the door, causing it to slam to the ground with a loud crashing noise. But the door didn't budge and he figured the room was completely sealed. Sliding down the side of the wall, he sat down, bringing his knees to his chest. He'd thought about Luke, and the murders that he had committed on the outside. But he knew, from conversations with Commander Manetti and books that he had read on profiling that, psychos like Luke, would eventually get bored. Sometimes, their crimes would be even more heinous than the first set he would commit. What other reason would he have to make, what Harm believed to be a sound proof room.
As Mac passed the door that lead to the basement, she heard a faint sound coming from within. She stopped, tried the knob, but found the door locked. Sighing, she headed back to the bathroom, doused some water on her face and headed out. "Sorry I took so long."
AJ nodded and stood.
"Thank you for your time, Mr. LaRosa." Sturgis said, shaking Luke's hand. "We'll be in touch."
Luke, noticing that Mac had left her cover on the sofa, took it. "Colonel." He waited for her to turn around and look him in the eyes, before giving her the cap. "You left this." His hand brushed hers and he noticed Mac tremble slightly. He wondered if she knew and even if she did, it wouldn't matter. He had plans for her, somehow he would find a way to bring her back here and have Harm watch. If he was still alive that is. Luke had forgotten to turn on the A/C to Harm's cell.
"T-T-Thanks." Mac stammered, nearly tugging the cap away from Luke and heading out with AJ and Sturgis. She wanted to run across the street, jump in AJ's car and just cry. But, she didn't. Stoically, she walked across the street and hoped in the car only when AJ opened it up. Once they were away from the house, she broke down. "It's him. . I know it is."
PART 14
1500 Local
Police Station
Washington, DC
"Damnit, it's him." Mac said, slamming her fist into Detective Peter Kain's desk. Since their little talk with Luke, she had convinced the Admiral to head over to DC police. So he called in, cleared the three of them for the day and headed off. For safe measure, he asked Bud to take Mattie out of school and keep her at JAG ops with him and Harriet.
'And I thought the Commander was bad.' Peter thought as he glared at Mac. "Colonel, I don't know what the hell you guys do at JAG, but we handle things here with a bit more calm."
"Calm? While women are getting beaten to death? While my partner is probably dead!" She yelled at Peter and was about to slug him, when Detective Liz VanEdee made her way to her partner.
"Pete!" She said, giving him a paper. "We found Commander Rabb's Vette, it was ditched near the same place where the Colonel was attacked."
"That doesn't make sense!" Peter yelled.
Mac shook her head. "Who cares! Look, screw your profiling!" Softening a bit, she touched Peter's arm and pleaded. "Please. . . I have a feeling Harm is in that house. . . Please." If she had to, Mac wasn't below getting down on her knees and really begging.
Peter glanced at Mac and then at Liz who was giving Mac a sympathetic look. "Liz, get forensics to run prints off of the Commander's car, get Judge Green on the horn, tell him we need a warrant and ASAP."
Mac breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
Peter half smiled. "I am going to go pay Mr. LaRosa a little visit, care to tag along?"
1610 Local
New York and Co Store
Washington, DC
Mac and Peter sat in his unmarked car, parked across the street from the store. Things looked normal. Liz still hadn't been able to get in touch with the Judge and was trying to find an alternate way to get a warrant, but was coming up short. Mac sighed, for the hundredth time that day, and looked out, waiting for something to happen, praying for Harm to be safe.
"So how long have you and your Commander been involved?" Peter asked, smiling at Mac who registered a complete look of shock. Before she had a chance to deny anything, he continued. "It's obvious you two have a bit more than a working relationship."
Mac sighed, she'd been caught and there was really no reason to hide much from the Detective. "This January it made nine years since we've known each other." She said with a half smile, bringing to mind the awkwardness of their first meeting. "We. . W-we recently got involved."
Peter nodded. "You know, Liz and I have been partnered up for about four years. . . I like her, but not just as a friend." Sighing, he looked out of his window and then drew his attention back to Mac. "It's hard, you know. . . I have to sit and watch and smile and pretend I don't care. . .when she goes out with other guys."
Mac wondered how many other working partners their were with feelings that were chosen to kept hidden and never meet the light of day. How many people just drifted day to day never knowing what it was like to finally put an end to the dance. She was lucky, very lucky. "Harm and I still haven't had a real chance to explore our. . . relationship." She smiled a far away smile and then turned to face Peter completely. "Do yourself a favor, make a move. . .a smart move." Sighing, she added. "Harm and I have done so much damage to ourselves that we almost didn't have a friendship left. . .It was my fault and it was his fault. . .we barely made it out intact. Detective, if you care for her or if you love her, don't sit on the sidelines. . . make a move. . .before it's too late." She noticed the catch in her voice, but she didn't care. How ironic that the person keeping her safe was probably in danger.
1614 Local
Lukas LaRosa's House
Virginia
"Please don't let him hurt her. . ." Harm said, leaning against the wall. He was breathing in short intervals. His lungs were aching to take a nice deep breath of fresh air. Sweat was now dripping off of him as if he'd been splashed with a bucket of water. He only found relief in the cool floor below him that would turn warm after a few minutes of his touch. It was like being buried alive. Harm never thought himself to be claustrophobic, but now, it was much different. His head was still pounding and an aching feeling was felt from every fiber of his body. "God, please. . . trade me for her. . . don't let him hurt her. . . please." He begged to the invisible force that seemed to fail him over and over.
Sighing, Harm closed his eyes and laid down on the floor. His hands were bruised from hitting the door, one fist broken and bloodied from punching the radio. His spirit which was usually full of life, was non-existent. His brain was telling his body to shut down and go to sleep. Harm complied.
1940 Local
New York and Co Store
Washington, DC
Mac yawned. She was exhausted, so exhausted that she could barely keep her eyes opened. The more she thought about Harm, the more tired she felt. He was at Luke's home and she knew that. "There he is." She said, sitting up straight as she and Peter watched Luke walked outside and lit a cigarette.
Luke took a puff and his eyes came on Mac and Peter. "Shit!" He said, tossing the cigarette to the side and quickly enter the store. Two minutes later, he walked back out, got into his car and drove off. As Mac and Peter were about to follow him, a call came in over the radio that the warrant was finally issued and that Peter needed to get down there before the Feds wanted in on the case.
When they arrived to Luke's house, several squad cars were lined up outside, and Liz was waiting for Peter. They walked in with Mac following close behind. Moving past them, she lead the way to the door in the kitchen. "Here."
Peter gave her an incredulous look and shook his head. "You think your partner is in there?"
Mac shook her head. "No, detective, I know he is." She gave him a pleading look and Peter brought in the two men who went to work on the door.
"The rest of you, search the house. . . anything that you find, tag and bag." He yelled and got the standard reply of "Yes boss!"
After a few minutes, the two working on the door, had it open, Mac tried to head in first, but Peter got in the way, bringing his gun up as he made it downward. Once they arrived at the bottom, Mac found a light and flicked it on. Everything, was very much the same as in many other homes with basements. Washer, dryer, cleaning supplies. There was another door and Mac walked to that one. She didn't have to say anything, as Peter already had the men working on opening it. That one was much more difficult to work on, but, soon it was open.
Peter walked in with Mac close behind. The walls were black. Not too far away was a metal chair leaning on its side. A metal table sat at one end of the room and an easel with a painting that neither of them could really get a good look at. On the floor, lay an unconscious Harmon Rabb Jr.
