A/N: I never intended to take more than two or three months to finish. Can't believe it's been almost a year since I started it. The storyline took a slightly different direction than I originally planned. Not quite to the end, but I'll wrap it up soon. I thought we'd seen the last of Brumby, but the muse told me otherwise.
Lies
McMurphy's Tavern
June 18, 2001
2000 Local
Things were not going as Rick Hughes had hoped. His friend in Norfolk had called back with the news that Rabb and Mackenzie didn't stay at the VOQ and that he hadn't been able to determine where they were.
"I assume they checked into a hotel, but with the Patrick Henry in port and a couple of conventions in town, overnight accommodations are limited. I have a friend who works at the Marriott. I'll see if he can help. Why is this so important to you?"
"Never mind the reasons. Just do what you can," Hughes said.
"If they are at the Marriot, do you want to leave a message?"
"No. If they're in the hotel, get their room numbers, and I'll take it from there."
"Okay. I figure you're up to something devious. Remember, you owe me, and I intend to collect."
"Never had a doubt you wouldn't, Erica."
Hughes ended the call, then took a sip of his beer. He sat the glass on the counter with a little more force than he intended, drawing the attention of a couple of nearby patrons. Smiling an apology, he willed himself to act calmly.
He was so engrossed in his thoughts, he failed to notice the person who slipped into the stool beside him. But when he heard the accent, there was no doubt who the voice belonged to.
"Give me a lager," Mic Brumby told the bartender. He turned to Hughes. "I see you're here again, Mate."
Hughes was tempted to tell the SOB he wasn't his mate when an idea struck him. "Yeah, just killing a little time after a long day at headquarters. Wasn't sure you'd be here tonight."
"This is my last time. I've closed my office. Packing up and going back to Australia."
Hughes frowned. "So soon?"
"Long overdue. Sarah made it clear she doesn't want me."
"You don't strike me as a man who gives up easily."
Mic shrugged. "I fought for her well over a year. One way or another, Rabb has always come between us. The bastard always comes out on top. Both with Sarah and at JAG. Gets by with things others wouldn't."
"I can't do anything about the first, but what would you say if I could do something about JAG?"
"You're pullin' my leg, Mate. You're a lesser rank than he is with no authority. You can't do anything."
Hughes bristled at the comment about his rank. He'd been in the Navy as long as Rabb but had been passed over by the review board twice for promotion. Okay, so maybe his fitreps weren't perfect, but whose were? But he needed to set aside his anger. He couldn't care less if Sarah Mackenzie was with Brumby, but he wanted to become a senior attorney at JAG. And he couldn't do that as long as Rabb was there. "I can't do anything personally, but I do have connections."
"So, what's in it for me?"
"At the least, the satisfaction of seeing Rabb get what he deserves. At best, you could get the girl back."
Mic snorted. "Doubt that. She made her decision."
"She could change her mind. Especially if Rabb is out of the picture." He rose from his seat, then threw some bills on the counter to cover his tab. "Just don't be too quick to leave town," he said over his shoulder as he left the bar.
JAG Headquarters
June 19, 2001
0900 Hours
Lt. Cdr. Rick Hughes entered the bullpen and looked toward the large office now occupied by Rabb before going to his own space.
He opened the door, then sat his cover and briefcase on his desk. The room wasn't even large enough for a credenza. Small and cramped, it had steam pipes on the ceiling and along one wall. This was not the place for a commissioned officer and lawyer in the US Navy.
But he needn't worry. He didn't plan to be here long. He'd spent most of the night coming up with a plan after hearing back from his friend in Norfolk. Call it luck that Rabb and Mackenzie stayed at the Marriott. In one room. While on assignment. Certainly not the kind of conduct expected of military officers. Chegwidden may not do anything about it, but he knew someone who could.
Sitting at his desk, he picked up the phone. He drummed his fingers while waiting for someone to answer.
"Good morning, Secretary Nelson's office. How may I help you?"
"This is Lt. Cdr. Rick Hughes with the JAG Corps. I need to speak to Secretary Nelson."
"Are you calling on behalf of Admiral Chegwidden?"
"No, I'm not."
"Then, I'm sorry. I cannot put your call through. All calls to the Secretary from JAG come from the admiral or acting JAG. Now, if you're calling in that capacity."
"This is not business. It's personal. I'm a family friend of Secretary Nelson."
The woman sounded perturbed, but said, "Hold a moment. I'll see if he can speak with you."
A minute later, a familiar voice came over the line. "Rick, good to hear from you. I heard you were at headquarters. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Sir. I've worked long and hard for this."
Nelson cleared his throat. "Yes, well. To what do I owe this call?"
"It's about an issue at JAG."
"JAG? Shouldn't you be talking your CO?"
"That's the problem, sir. He refuses to talk with me about it."
"Doesn't sound like A. J. We may not always agree on things, but he's a straight shooter. If something is going on, he'll deal with it."
"Not if it involves his favorite officers, Rabb and Mackenzie."
"Oh? And just what have they done?"
"Well, Sir, I believe their conduct is interfering with good order and discipline at the office."
"How so?"
"They're involved, Sir."
"And you know this how?"
"I'd rather not say, but I can tell you the news came from a reliable source."
"I've always suspected there was something between the two of them, but they're of equal rank. It's not fraternization. Neither one is in command over the other. Unless they're carrying on in the office, I really don't care. Hell, they vacationed together in Russia a few years ago."
"What if I told you they stayed in the same hotel room while on an investigation in Norfolk?"
"It's none of my business. Let Chegwidden deal with it if there is any sign of impropriety."
Hughes's face reddened. "But word's around you don't even like Rabb. If I'm not mistaken, you once called him 'Harmful Rabb.'"
"That's of no consequence. The man earned my respect when he defended my son. If Bryan hadn't been so stubborn, he would still be in the Navy today. Now, I'm a busy man. I suggest you get back to work and quit worrying about Rabb and Mackenzie." The line clicked dead.
Hughes slammed the receiver back into its cradle. "Damn!" He was sure his father's friendship with the SECNAV would for something. Harmon Rabb, Jr. had even managed to charm the seasoned politician. Well, it didn't matter. He would just have to find another way.
Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez didn't intend to listen in on Cdr. Hughes's phone call. He'd learned a long time ago with the incident involving Tiner's brother that it was best not to get involved in things that didn't pertain to him.
But as he passed the office and heard Hughes mention the Colonel and the Commander, it caught his attention. He was fond of both officers. Not only that, but he also didn't trust Hughes. When the call ended, he walked back to his desk.
Gunny couldn't go to the admiral with just a hunch, but he had to do something. He looked toward Lt. Roberts's office. The lieutenant would understand. He would know what to do.
His decision made, Gunny walked across the bullpen, then knocked on the office door. "Lt. Roberts, may I have a word with you?"
