"Master Chief." Harm said when he entered the Master Chief's office the next morning.

"Captain Rabb." The Master Chief got to his feet. "Is there something I can do for you sir?"

"NCIS has checked all of Gilchurch's family and friend at home and no one has seen him. No bodies have been reported so we're going to work on the assumption that he is still on board for at least the next twenty four hours."

"Yes sir. How can I be of assistance?"

"I need to know where has been searched." Harm said.

"All the main areas of the ship sir, all the spaces that someone could possibly hide." The Master Chief replied.

"What about the places where someone could stuff a body?" Harm asked.

"You think he's dead sir?"

"It's a distinct possibility, yes."

"There are some areas which you hide a body sir, but the smell would be noticed at some point."

"Not if someone decides to depose of the body after they think the investigation is over." Harm replied. "We can only spend a limited number of hours searching for a missing Marine, if there is a killer aboard we need to find the body quickly."

"Sir, I would hate to think there would be a murderer aboard I know everyone personally."

"I'm presuming the ship has a full compliment."

"Yes sir, including you, there are 30 Officers and 352 enlisted." The Master Chief replied. "Lieutenant Gilchurch's replacement will brought in as soon as you conclude your investigation."

"I'm going to co-ordinate the search myself. I'm going to need some flash lights and some bodies."

"I should be able to get you at least three sir." The Master Chief informed him.

"That will be a start. I'm also going to need to see some plans."

"I'll get right on it; I should have everything rounded up in half an hour."

"I'll be in the officer's wardroom getting some coffee."

"Aye aye sir."

"We'll recess there until tomorrow." Mac said. "We'll pick up again at 0900 tomorrow morning."

The prosecution and the defence council glanced at each other considering it was only 1530. Mac banged her gavel.

"All rise." The bailiff called.

"Is everything okay ma'am?" Jen asked following her out.

"My back hurts and my ankles are swelling up." Mac replied. "I couldn't sit in that chair for another couple of hours."

"Why don't you go and lie down on your couch ma'am?" Jen suggested. "I'll bring the paperwork that needs to be completed before the end of the day."

"Thank you Jen."

"Colonel Mackenzie's office." Jen answered the phone ninety minutes later.

"Jen, its Harm. Is Mac around?" Harm asked.

"Hey sir, she's asleep on the couch at the moment. Do you want me to wake her up?"

"No let her sleep." Harm replied. "How is she doing today?"

"She recessed the court early because her back aches and her ankles are swelling." Jen told him. "She was up for most of the night with Abi, who now has a new tooth."

"Thank you for watching her last night." Harm thanked her.

"My pleasure sir."

"Thank you all the same."

"How's your investigation going sir?" Jen inquired. "Have you located Lieutenant Gilchurch yet?"

"He's dead." Harm replied.

"Dead sir? Did someone throw him overboard?"

"No stabbed him, cut him into pieces and stuffed him in the back of the freezer."

"Ouch." Jen said.

"So I'm looking for a murderer, NCIS are on their way out here to help out. I just finished a call to the Admiral to inform him."

"So you'll be gone a few more days."

"Looks that way." Harm replied. "Can you tell Mac that I'll call her tonight?"

"Of course sir. Good luck with your case."

"Keep an eye on her for me."

"As always sir."

"Thanks Jen."

TBC