Timing Is Everything
Chapter 35
0845 Local Time
NCIS Headquarters
Washington Navy Yard
John saw Sarah's number on his caller ID screen. He was immediately concerned. "Honey, what's the matter?"
Sarah told him, "Chris Ragle is in town. He left several messages at my office. I have no idea what he wants, but it can't be any good. I don't know how he found out where I work."
"Remember when you and Harm were in Yuma on the Blackhorse case and you stopped into your old parish to get copies of your Baptism, Communion and Confirmation certificates so we could get married in the church? Well I bet the church secretary spoke of you to someone and the word got around to Ragle. Also Mom and Dad posted our wedding announcement in the Washington Post. The Yuma papers probably picked it up on the Internet and printed it out there. Besides it's not like he's got a claim on you or anything. You only lived together in Eddie's house when you were, what 19 years old and for what, 6 months?" John asked.
"How do you want to handle him?" Sarah asked
John answered, "Well we don't want to bring him home for supper. Why don't I call him back and ask him to meet us at the Willard Bar. That way he won't have any preconceived notions and he can see that it's not worth his while to hang around."
"Yeah that sounds like a plan. Let's do it around 1900. That will give me time to go home and change. I don't want to confront him in uniform or anything," Sarah said. John agreed then she gave him Ragle's current number.
John then asked, "Do you want to tell him what we discussed with Jordan?"
"I know I want to. I'm very nervous about that, but as long as you're there with me I think I'll be able to do it." Sarah answered nervously.
"Don't worry honey I'll be there beside you all the way." John reassured his wife.
They finalized their plans for the evening before they said goodbye.
1900 Local Time
Willard Hotel Bar
After she got home Sarah changed into a gray executive suit. She sat with John sipping a soda with a twist while John had a ginger ale. Sarah never gave him a hard time about drinking when they were out and told him so on more than one occasion. John just wanted her to be comfortable so he stuck with ginger ale when they were out together. Besides, John was still armed. He was required to carry his weapon when he was away from the office.
They were chatting about how everyone at the office was when they came back. John was very happy and excited for her promotion to Chief of Staff.
"See your stint running Administration and Legal Assistance was beneficial after all," John said.
Sarah was about to respond but she was cut short. She caught her breath as she turned to the bar entrance and saw Ragle walk in.
He was about 6 feet tall with brown close-cropped hair. Sarah remembered him with long hair. He saw Sarah immediately and went over to her smiling. His smile disappeared when he saw Sarah raise her left hand in a wave. That's when he saw the diamond engagement and wedding rings.
Sarah shook his hand instead of kissing him and then made the introductions. "John this Chris Ragle. Chris, this is my husband Captain John Marshall."
The two men shook hands. John noticed that Ragle tried to out grip him. John immediately saw him for what he was, a user who was totally insecure and trying to go through life the easy way by trying to scam or lie. John noticed that his sport jacket and trousers was not in the greatest shape and his shoes were scuffed. He wore a three-button polo shirt without a tie. Even the collar was starting to fray.
They moved to an empty bar table to converse in privacy. Ragle began, "Sarah it's good to see you again. You look good. The Marine life seems to agree with you."
"Yes it has. I'd like to say it's good to see you Chris but I can't seem to get up the enthusiasm. When I knew you, I was more drunk than not. So I was very surprised to hear from you. Besides how did you know where I was working? I know I didn't tell anyone where I was living the last time I was out in Yuma to get my church documents. I didn't even send any wedding notices out to Yuma. Only my family who still lived there knew about my wedding."
"Well after I came out of prison after I served six years for that robbery I was caught up in, I heard you were in the Marines. I didn't know where you were stationed. I knocked around Yuma and the rest of Arizona working different jobs for a few years. Then last week I read your wedding announcement. I heard about the announcement from Charlie Burton. His wife Wilma was working at the rectory of the church when you picked up your church papers. She saw your wedding announcement on the Washington Post Internet page and sent it to the local paper," Ragle explained.
John rolled his eyes at Ragle's description of his participation in the robbery. He and Sarah exchanged nods confirming with each other what John had said earlier that day.
"I'm driving trucks now and I was in town and I thought I'd look you up. See how you were doing, go over some good times, etc," Ragle said.
"Like I told you Chris, when I knew you I was drunk. Right now I'm a recovering alcoholic. I've been sober for over 10 years. Even though I didn't go through a twelve-step program to get that far, I did go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. I learned there that one of the processes one like me needs to go through is reconciling with my past and the people I knew while I was drunk. I'm sorry you think I led you on. At the time we were living together I was very dependent back then and I wanted to hang on to someone to live with because I didn't want to live with my father. He used to nag me and verbally abuse me. Living with you and Eddie was just my way out of that."
Sarah paused as she gathered up her courage to say what came next, "What really disappointed me then was that you took advantage of me, of my situation, of my being drunk."
Ragle looked at her in confusion.
Sarah gritted her teeth and lowered her voice so only John and Ragle could hear as she angrily and firmly said, "You stole my virginity, you date-raped me!"
Ragle was about to protest until he saw John reach and move his coat so that he could see John's weapon.
He sputtered his denial, "How do you know it was me if you were drunk?"
"I only knew it was you because Eddie told me it was. And no it wasn't Eddie. He was as drunk as me. You were the only one who was sober. Now that I think of it, you were just living with us because you knew we were in no shape to deny you. You were very satisfied to use me any way you could."
Sarah paused to sip her drink. She continued as Ragle took a breath to protest. She held up her hand and continued, "That night when you took advantage of me I don't even remember consenting to sleeping with you or that it even happened. I just remember the next morning I was achy there and there was a lot of blood on my sheet and on me. I would have reported you if I had the mental wherewithal to pursue anything or to even know how I could prove it. It's amazing that I didn't get pregnant or sick with something. Who knows what I would have got. You were sleeping around with any girl who wanted you, stranger or otherwise"
Ragle didn't know what to say so Sarah continued, "After that when you left I didn't know you were arrested and I didn't even care. I just knew you were gone. I just knew that I was glad you were gone. It took Eddie being killed in the accident to make me realize I needed help. It happened the night after graduation after the prom. That's when my uncle stepped in. It took him a month of drying me out to get me off alcohol.
When we left Red Rock Mesa I only went back to Yuma to collect my things, what little there were from Eddie's house. Then I went to live in Tucson. It was from there I went into the Marines. I became a Marine because of my uncle. The Marines have given me a good life and a law degree. Then I found John to fulfill the rest. We're planning to start a family very soon."
Sarah was visibly shaking and a tear ran down her cheek when she finished her narrative. John reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. She turned to him and gave him a smile to tell him that she was all right.
Sarah sighed and said, "I'm going to the ladies room to fix my face. I'll say goodbye when I come back. So you boys be nice." She gave John a kiss as she left.
Ragle couldn't help but notice this. He turned to John and said, "How long have you known Sarah?"
"Long enough to respect and fall in love with and marry her. Look Chris I help direct a federal law enforcement agency. I have access to criminals' records. When Sarah called me and told me you were asking after her I pulled your record. That line about you being caught up in the event was a load of bull and we both know it. You were driving the getaway car. The only reason you received such a light sentence was because no one was hurt or killed. So don't come here saying you wanted to relive the good times. You want something or some things from Sarah. You can't have the one because that's mine. So what else were you looking for?"
John finished his questions looking at Ragle dangerously. Ragle was properly intimidated and John knew it because he could see it on his face.
Ragle stammered, "I just thought that we could pick up and begin a new life together. I see now that I was wasting my time pursuing that. She's obviously in love with you. What I really need is some seed money to start my own trucking company."
"What do we look like a bank?" John said softly, but with a lot of anger. "You know I don't know which has me angrier, the fact that you raped her and got away with it or the fact that after you did that to her, you have the gall come here and ask her for money and expected her to just give it to you."
John paused and took a breath to better control his anger before he continued.
"I can't touch you for the rape because of the statute of limitations. But I can make your life miserable. I suggest you go back to Yuma and talk to your parole officer."
John saw the surprised look on Ragle's face.
"And don't look so surprised. Remember I'm a federal cop and all. I read your file. I called your parole officer. You only had a 72-hour pass to be out of Arizona. Those 72 hours expired 48 hours ago. You're in violation of parole. I suggest when Sarah gets back you take her advice and tell her goodbye, good luck and leave."
John took a sip of his drink as he studied Ragle's reaction to what he told him.
Ragle was still at a loss for a reply so John continued, "And there is another thing you need to know. When you are a convicted felon, especially one on parole, and you go inquiring after Federal officials and their families, we are authorized to put you under surveillance. Since I became aware of your inquiries, you've had an agent on your tail. So if you're not out of DC and on your way back to Yuma by the morning, I'll know about it. I won't call your parole officer again. I'll just have you arrested and shipped back there myself. All it takes is one phone call." John said with menace.
Ragle had become very pale as John explained the facts to him.
John then asked Ragle "Am I getting through to you?"
Ragle swallowed hard as he answered, "Yeah you are, there's no need to be harsh."
John was about to reply to that but he held his tongue as Sarah returned from the Ladies' Room.
Realizing that he wanted nothing more than to get away from John's intimidating presence Ragle said, "Sarah it was good to see you. I just remembered I have to see someone else tonight. So this is goodbye. I hope you are happy and you stay that way." He kissed her cheek, shook John's hand and walked out.
She watched Ragle walk out of the bar, and then she turned to John, "What did you do? He was pale as a ghost."
John smiled as he sipped his drink then answered, "I just explained the realities of his situation to him. I don't think he'll be bothering us again."
"I'll bet. You probably threatened him in that nice way you have." Sarah said to him with a smirk.
John replied, "What can I say, I can't help it that I'm so persuasive."
"Either way I'm glad you were here. I know if you weren't here, I wouldn't have had the courage to tell him what I told him and to leave us alone," Sarah said.
John kissed her temple as he replied, "You are the most courageous woman I know. To go through the things you went through and come out the way you have is extraordinary. I could tell that you were very scared to remind him what he did to you and then tell him in no uncertain terms that he couldn't get what he was looking for, but you did. I'm glad I was there for you." He sealed that affirmation with a kiss. Then they paid their tab and left the bar.
As they were walking through the lobby hand in hand, they met their wedding planner, Audrey Wilson on her way out of her office to go home. They chatted as they walked across the lobby. Sarah and John thanked her for the good job she did for their wedding. As they approached the front entrance they heard a car screech to a halt and then they heard gunfire. John pushed Sarah and Audrey down to the floor and crouched over them with his weapon drawn. They didn't get up again until they heard more tires screeching as they were peeling out.
"Stay here!" John ordered Sarah.
"You're kidding right," she said as she reached into her purse for her own weapon as her Marine training took over. She followed John out.
John sighed in resignation but still made sure she stayed behind him.
When they came out the front entrance they saw Kate Larkin bending over a body. There was blood pooling out from under it. When they got closer they saw that it was Ragle. "Kate what happened?" John asked.
"I was across the street in my car watching Ragle. He was walking along when a black Town car with darkened windows pulled up. They stuck guns out the windows and pumped some rounds into him and then peeled out. I wasn't in position to return fire. But I did get the license plate number. We'll have the police run it.
Sarah looked on Ragle's body in resignation. "You were right he won't be bothering us anymore."
1950 Local Time
Outside the Willard Hotel
Washington, DC
When the detective who caught the case arrived he had a chip on his shoulder and he made no effort to hide his disdain for federal law enforcement. His name was Lt. Trask and he asked John, "How is it that a person under federal observation is gunned down in downtown DC and no one is in a position to do anything about it?"
John answered him "First of all Lieutenant watch your tongue. Save the sarcasm for the criminals. Secondly the key word to your question is 'observation' not protection. He was a paroled felon and he was making inquiries into my and my wife's lives. We put him under observation. We were unaware of his dealings as we only became aware of him this morning. When you run the plate, I guess you'll find out who killed him."
"How well did you know him?" Trask asked John and Sarah.
"He is a person from my past. I hadn't seen him in over 10 years," Sarah answered. "My husband only met him this evening. He was in town looking to catch up on some old times. We were speaking in the bar for a short time. When we finished, he walked out a few minutes ahead of us. We were still in the hotel when we heard the shots. When we came out, we saw our agent checking Chris." Sarah answered.
"What did you talk about?" Trask asked again.
"He wanted to borrow seed money from us to start a trucking firm. I told him that that wasn't going to happen. At that point he felt there was no need to stick around and he left. Maybe he owed someone money and was trying to borrow from Peter to pay Paul. Also he said that he was driving trucks. Check and see if he was transporting illegal cargo," John suggested.
"I'll do that. Is there anything else you can think of?" Trask asked.
"Nothing at the moment," John answered.
"Where can I reach you if anything else comes up?" Trask asked.
John and Sarah handed him their business cards. Sarah's card still said Mackenzie.
When they walked away Sarah asked John, "You didn't tell me he was asking for money. I mean it sounds like something he would have done."
"I was just about to tell you when we met Audrey," John said. "I'll have my office keep tabs on the investigation to make sure that his friends didn't get the same idea of hitting us up for their vig."
John then said to Sarah, "I don't want you to worry about this anymore. I know you Sarah you'll feel guilty about him. None of this is your fault or mine. He was over 21 and he made his own choices. Unfortunately, they were all bad."
'Don't worry sweetie. Those days are over. I have you with me so I don't ever have to worry or feel guilty about anything ever again," she said as she gave him a kiss and wrapped both her arms around his left arm. She could feel the muscles ripple under his jacket.
"That's good. What do you say we skip dinner and head straight for dessert? You still have that negligee you wore in Russia? John asked seductively putting his arm across her shoulders.
"Why yes I do. You really want to make that baby don't you?" Sarah said as she leaned into his embrace.
"Well I do like the practice," he said mischievously.
Sarah just smiled as they walked to get their car.
Tuesday, November 10, 1998
1000 Local Time
JAG Headquarters
Harm came into Sarah's office to say hello. "Diane told me that you and John were involved in a shooting at the Willard. What happened?" Harm asked concerned.
"It was nothing John and I did. An old acquaintance of mine from Yuma blew into town. He was a paroled felon and someone did a drive by on him. He just happened to be with us just before he was shot. John and I hadn't even left the hotel when it happened."
"Anymore acquaintances out there like that we need to worry about?" Harm asked facetiously.
Sarah looked at him with a half amused half annoyed look saying, "Not that I know of Commander."
"By the way how's Diane, any weird cravings?" Sarah asked.
"No more than the last time. I mean it's not like I'm ordering any weird ice cream flavors," Harm answered.
'How's it working with Congresswoman Latham?"
"Okay I guess she's very thorough as you know. We're looking for a key witness. His name is Sgt. Morrison. He was actually on the mission in question in the Gulf, but he's been missing ever since. I'm going to have Bud do an Internet search on him. That's why I'm here," Harm answered.
At that moment her phone rang. "Lt. Colonel Marshall," Sarah said.
"I love hearing you say that," said her husband.
Sarah saw by her Caller I.D. screen that it was John, "How can I help you my love," Sarah asked brightly.
"I have some information about last night's incident," John informed her.
While John said why he was calling, Harm excused himself. Sarah motioned for him to stay. Harm sat down as Sarah put John on the speakerphone.
"John, Harm is sitting here with me and I have you on speaker."
"Good morning Harm," John acknowledged.
"Hey John, what's up,' Harm answered.
John began his brief. "Lt. Trask called to inform me that they have a lead on Chris' killers. They found a card in Chris' wallet belonging to a loan shark named Benny Turpin or as Benny says a 'financial assistance agent'. The police are questioning him now. So far all he is admitting to is lending Chris money. He says that he doesn't make any money from killing the people who owe him money and he doesn't know whom else Chris was involved with.
The black car that the killers shot from was registered to a holding company that is owned by a suspected drug dealer named Luis Salazar. The police say he is a very bad dude. Also Lt. Trask did a search for Chris' vehicle based on a parking garage ticket they found in his jacket. They found it in a garage two blocks from the Willard. It was a panel van. They found traces of cocaine on the floor of the van. It seems that he may have transported illegal substances, maybe for Salazar. Trask is following up on that. Either Chris lost his shipment or they suspected he was talking to L.E.O.s. i.e., you and I," John ended.
"What does that mean for us?" Sarah asked pensively.
John answered, "Maybe nothing but we can't be sure. Trask did find JAG's phone number in Chris' wallet but not our home or cell numbers or my office number. Trask is guessing that Salazar was following Chris and saw him go into the hotel. I don't remember seeing anyone unusual coming into the bar after Chris. So I don't believe that anyone knows that he spoke with us. We can't be sure what Chris told anyone. So Admiral Magnum is assigning escorts to us.
Thomas is already calling Admiral Chegwidden. Kate has been assigned to you. She's walking over there now. Tony will be my escort. They will pick us up at home, take us to and be with us at work and then take us back home at the end of the day. Once we get home, we won't need anyone to watch the house as we have our alarm set up to alert NCIS anyway because of my position. Also we are not to spend our weekends apart until this thing is resolved.
"How long will this go on?" Sarah asked as she was starting to get upset.
"Maybe a week, it's something we need to tolerate for the time being, so be nice. Admiral Chegwidden will authorize Kate to share case information so you can take her out with you for investigations and interviews etc. so she won't cramp your space," John finished.
"I guess I can deal with that. At least it's Kate and not some new agent," Sarah agreed but with a sigh. At that point Kate knocked on the office door. "As we speak here's Kate now,' Sarah said waving her in.
"Hi John," Kate called out toward the phone.
"Hi Kate, you two play nice now. I'll see you later Sarah. I love you," John said.
"I love you to sweetie," Sarah said as they broke the connection.
Kate was touched that they weren't embarrassed to openly express their love over the speaker.
Harm shook Kate's hand and excused himself to go find Bud.
"So what now?" Kate asked.
"Since we're going to be working cases together, let's get you a desk. Harriet!" Sarah called out as she saw the Ensign walk past the door.
"Yes ma'am, hi Kate" Harriet said as she came into the door.
"Good morning Harriet," Kate acknowledged as they shook hands.
"Please find a desk for Agent Larkin to use in the bullpen. We're going to be working together," Sarah ordered.
"Aye, aye ma'am," Harriet acknowledged.
"Come on we'll say hello to the Admiral," Sarah added as she got up.
After the usual amenity chitchat AJ got down to it. "Admiral Magnum called to inform me that you two would be working together for a while and why. I know I don't need to go into detail about confidentiality of cases with you, do I Agent Larkin?" AJ said.
"No sir." Kate answered.
"Good I'm sure we'll put you to good use then. Carry on" AJ said officially.
When they came out of AJ's office, Harriet set up a desk for Kate right outside Sarah's office. Sarah and Kate got right into the first case Sarah was working on when John called. They spent the rest of the day working. They both found that they shared a camaraderie that enabled them to work very well together. They left JAG at about 1730. Kate followed Sarah home from the Navy Yard so she was able to go right home without any inconvenience.
Tuesday, November 17, 1998
0900 Local Time
JAG Headquarters
John was right about the protection detail lasting a short time. On Monday the 16th Trask called John to inform him that they caught up with Salazar; or that his people caught up with him. Trask had received a report from an informant that the gang Salazar was heading was making a change in leadership. They had effected the change in a very gruesome way. Salazar was found dead Saturday night in an apartment in an abandoned building. He was tied to a chair. There were obvious signs of torture. His tongue was cut out of his mouth and was lying on the floor at his feet. He was shot through the back of the head execution style. A note was found. It said, 'this is what happens to those who talk to the wrong people'. The protection detail was pulled and John and Sarah went back to living a normal life.
Also during the previous week, Harm helped debunk Norman Delaporte's ZNN story of Sarin Gas being used by Marines in Iraq during the Persian Gulf War. Harm had found Sgt. Morrison in a bar in Virginia. He was drinking to forget his role in that war.
Morrison was filming the raid and had the original unedited filmed version of the incident. Delaporte only used a portion of the tape that was given to him by the widow of another Marine that was killed. Delaporte edited out the part where the film showed that the gas canisters used were actually labeled as tear gas, not Sarin. Congresswoman Latham was not happy and she promised the fullest prosecution of Delaporte's fraud that the law allowed. Harm returned to JAG a hero for having proven that the Marines were not cold- blooded violators of international law.
Now he, Bud and Sarah were sitting AJ's office receiving orders for their next assignment.
"You three are going to Iran to represent a Navy flier who is being held there. It seems that the Stealth jet he was flying in reconnaissance off the Seahawk went down in Iran due to a mechanical failure. You two will be his counsel at the trial the Iranians will hold. It's possible that you may be able to affect his release."
"Sir, what is the pilot's name?" Harm asked.
"You know him Commander, Lt. Commander Jack Keeter," AJ said.
Harm couldn't hide his dismay. "When do I leave sir," Harm asked with a lump in his throat.
"You and Colonel Marshall and Lt. Roberts leave tonight. The Colonel speaks Farsi and you're going to need her to translate the proceedings. Colonel, I briefed John just before you came in. I told him that I would be briefing you so he didn't have to call you right away. We're doing a full court press here. He sent Webb over there to act as CIA liaison. I also sent Brumby over there to act as liaison to the Australians. Since we no longer have an embassy in Tehran, we will be working out of their embassy. He and Webb took the same flight and they should be over the Atlantic by now. I know your husband almost as well as you do, he does not like to waste time. Too bad he's not still working here," AJ commented.
"Thank you sir, he always appreciates hearing that," Sarah said appreciatively.
"Also John and Thomas are tasking Diane in ATAC to monitor the situation by satellite. So you'll have lots of support. Ok you two know what you need to know. Do what you need to do to get our pilot back, dismissed," AJ said.
"Aye, aye sir," Harm, Bud and Sarah said as they got up and walked out of the office. They left that night after making their personal arrangements with Diane and John. Their mission would not go exactly as they planned.