"JAG on deck." Someone called as Harm walked onto the bridge of the USS Kincaid.

"Skipper." Harm and the captain of the Kincaid Commander Miller saluted each other.

"Captain. Thank you for coming."

"The Admiral orders me out here, I come." Harm smiled.

"Yes sir." The Skipper said.

"Is there someone who can fill me in on the details?"

"XO." The Skipper said.

"Yes sir." The XO came over.

"Captain Rabb of the JAG corps, Lieutenant Commander Ventura my XO."

"Captain." The XO said.

"XO." Harm replied.

"XO, help the Captain with any thing he wants to find out what happened to Lieutenant Gilchurch?"

"Yes sir. Captain if you'll follow me."

"Lead the way XO."

"So what's your opinion of Lieutenant Gilchurch?" Harm asked as he sipped his coffee.

"He's a good Marine sir. Well respected, does his job, doesn't complain."

"What exactly does Gilchurch do here?"

"He was a replacement been here about six weeks."

"Who did he replace?"

"Lt Tentle USN. He was all that was available to replace the Comms officer at short notice."

"What happened to Tentle?"

"Heart attack sir."

"Does Gilchurch have any reason to disappear that you know of?"

"No sir. He's got a wife and kid at home. He talks about them a lot."

"He missed them?" Harm questioned.

"Yes sir. But everyone misses their families when they are deployed. You were an aviator I'm sure you understand sir."

"Yes. But I only fly now to do my carrier quals every six months and if requested."

"Yes sir."

"Do you think Gilchurch could have deserted because he missed his family, jumped overboard?"

"I don't think so sir, he wasn't the type, he was a consummate jarhead. Lived for the corps."

"I know a few people like that, including my wife."

"Sir?" the XO questioned.

"My wife is a Marine Corps Colonel." Harm explained. "And she's probably only just about found out I've left."

"She didn't know you were coming out here sir?" The XO asked.

"No. She was in court so I left her a note."

"Is she a lawyer too sir?"

"No, a judge. She's also almost six months pregnant with twins and our eleven month old daughter is teething. But back to the Lieutenant, I'm going to need to talk to everyone who has had contact with the Lieutenant the last few days."

"I'll take you to Lieutenant Pattern, his bunkmate then send the Master Chief to assist you if that is okay with you sir. I need to get back to the bridge."

"That's fine."

"This way sir."

TBC