Disclaimer: I do not own, nor did I create, any of the A-team characters (main or support) nor do I own, nor did I create, any of the episodes. That credit is due to Stephen J. Cannell and his associates. Any familiar catch phrases also belong to the Cannell team.

Abels 1,2,3,4 etc is Cannell's method for referring to the body guard agents Stockwell would assign to watch the A-team and enforce his control.

Possibly References characters and/or plot lines from

Seasons 1&2 Episodes 1-14 - Amy Amanda Allen

Season 2 Episode 16 - "Pure Dee Poison"- Reverend and Stephanie Taylor

Season 2 Episodes 14-22, Season 3 Episodes 1-2 - Tawnia Baker Lefcourt

Season 3 Episode 2 "A Bend in the River" - Brian Lefcourt.

Season 3 Episode 21 "Bounty"- Dr. Kelly Stevens

Season 4 Episode 1 "Judgement Day" - Judge Leonard Mordente.

Season 5 Episode 13 "Without Reservations" - Attorney General Liebster

Season 5 Episode 2 "Trial by Fire" - Colonel Chun Van Quyet.

Season 5 Episodes 1-3 - Captain Josh Curtis.

All aforementioned characters and plot lines belonging to Stephen J. Cannell and associates.

Chapter Spoiler Alert:. None required for this chapter.

Chapter Author's Notes: I really appreciate all the support you readers have given to this story.

Chapter Summary: The Team reacts to Morrison's journal.

Chronicles of a Colonel: by LAGC

Chapter Fourteen- Everyone Knows.

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"You see this is a reason I want to be a journalist! You truly can make a difference." declared Rachel with a fire in her dark eyes. Maggie patted her leg lovingly and discretely wiped away the tears in her own eyes, this part of our exoneration story always upset her the most.

"Now Rachel, not all journalism is this cloak and dagger stuff. Nor should it be. Reporting on simple local events is noble and necessary too." I said. The images of my granddaughter super sleuthing through the shadows suddenly chilled me to the bone.

"Oh, Papa, I know that." Rachel laughed, "but hey, the drive to help the helpless and catch thugs in the park is in my DNA after all. It's exactly what you, my uncles, and my Dad did, before and after you were free men."

"That doesn't mean we want our babies to run headfirst into the fray. 9-5 desk jobs for our next generation would make us all very happy you know." I replied. "You kids could take after your moms or your grandmothers."

"Oh I think Grandma here has surely inspired us. My baby brother is all into the science and medicine stuff. I know he's bringing his latest biology project here Sunday for Gran to critique. And my cousin, John David, is going to Science Camp this summer."

I smiled at this. My grandsons certainly were showing the influence of Grandma Maggie.

"Are you ready to tell the rest of the story now?" Rachel asked kindly.

"Sure, Sweetie, let's keep rolling."

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I quietly emerged from my room and found everyone in the kitchen. Everyone had a coffee, well of course BA had his milk. The ladies were seated at the large dining table along with BA and Brian. Murdock was leaning against the window watching birds fly past. Face was still pacing. He was the first to spot me. When he stopped dead in his tracks the others looked up and found me.

"Well?" my Lieutenant growled. His eyes were stormy and his jaw was clenched.

"We have the evidence to exonerate us right here." I confirmed. "And I now know a lot about the rest of the story."

"Let me have the book, Hannibal." Face demanded stepping toward me with an outstretched hand.

I was reluctant to do so, but Face had every right to read it with his own eyes too. Somehow as Face opened the journal, the spine and cover loosened a bit. Out of that gap slid a slip of paper which landed on the floor near the table. It was old and yellowed and folded tightly. At first none of us moved. BA was the first to regain his senses so he reached down and carefully picked it up. With amazing gentility for such large hands, BA gingerly unfolded the brittle sheet. We all sort of gasped or gawked. It was the actual original copy of the orders to hit the Bank of Hanoi signed by Morrison and myself. True blue undeniable evidence of our innocence.

Tawnia handed me something saying, "Here, Hannibal, you best put that sheet into this."

I looked at my palm, she had passed me a ziplock plastic bag. I thanked her and secured the order sheet.

Murdock spoke up, "So, Colonel, were your suspicions about Morrison, Stockwell, and the mission correct?"

"Yes. The journal confirms that Stockwell and Morrison were in cahoots. Quyet and Curtis too. We were used as tools to further their illegal endeavors." I replied with loathing and seething anger.

Face had been scanning the journal. Now he dejectedly handed it back to me, "Ya know Colonel, I thought I needed to read this myself, but I've changed my mind. I don't want to waste my energy on his filth and sins. You've told us all we actually need to know."

"Hannibal, I need to hit something or someone. Soon! And I don't want to have to apologize to Brian and Tawnia again for smashing anymore of their stuff." BA grumbled.

"Secure that Sergeant." I ordered.

"That's ok, BA." Brian said, "There is a punching bag set up in the attic. I put it in for just such a situation. Come on I'll steady the bag for you."

"I'll take you up on that in a bit, Man. But first I need to hear everything Hannibal and Amy have to say about that lousy book." BA stood up and started his own pacing.

Face took over the Big Guy's vacated seat, since his pent up anxiety was momentarily spent. Murdock handed me a mug of coffee and sat down next to Face. I took the remaining chair.

"Thank you, Amy. I don't think I've said that yet." I said looking at our old friend. She simply nodded.

"Amy, where did you find that journal?" asked Murdock.

Amy took another sip of her drink and leaned back against her seat. "Well, as I investigated Morrison under the guise of research for my book about wartime field officers I learned that he had no relatives or next of kin. Yet, he was regularly mailing letters and packages stateside. After some digging I learned that a small regional savings bank in Georgia was receiving the packages. Long story short, Morrison had an arrangement with the bank president that all his mail would be placed directly into a large safe deposit box. No questions asked."

"Smooth, why have I've never thought of that one?" commented Face. Murdock shushed him and gestured to Amy to keep going with her tale.

"I shot over to the bank in Dahlonega, Georgia. I knew I needed access to that safe deposit box. Chad had uncovered the name of the bank president back in '69 and learned that he was still living in town." Amy told us.

"Chad?" I asked wondering who this helpful stranger was.

Amy smiled and replied, "He's my husband, Chad Yeager. He was able to utilize his corporate law network to track down Jacob Bannick, retired president of Dahlonega Savings and Loan. He also unearthed records that implicated Bannick in an old scheme to cash survivor benefits checks from soldiers lost overseas who had no living beneficiaries in the States. This gave me all the information and leverage I needed to gain access to Morrison's safe deposit box."

"Corruption at every level, eh, Colonel." snarked Face.

"Let Amy tell it Face! We've waited long enough for the whole truth!" stated BA

"Well once, I cornered Bannick with all my 'leverage' he forked over the key to Morrison's box. We went to the bank to access it. The only things left in it were a few commendation letters and the journal. Seems Bannick had helped himself to everything else over the years. I didn't give a hoot about that. I wanted that journal, I knew the second I saw it that it was the master key to freedom for the A-team."

"Well Miss Allen, or should I say Mrs. Yeager, you have done a mighty fine job. One we will never be able to repay you for. That goes for you two as well." I said looking at Brian and Tawnia. The guys all quickly jumped in with their agreement and gratitude too.

Brian simply said, "There is no debt. Not one of us would have the families and success we do now if it hadn't been for the A-team entering into our lives."

"Well it looks like we are as ready and prepared for tomorrow as we ever will be." Face declared. I even detected a note of optimism in his tone.

"Yes, Lieutenant, you're right. I can't wait for this plan to come together." I smiled and lit up my cigar.