LCDR Richard Rodgers, JAGC, USNR
Chapter 1 - Recalled to Active Duty
Rick Castle was at his desk in the loft sitting in front of his laptop. He had finished weeks back his final book closing out his successful Derrick Storm series. Gina Cowell, his publisher, had been bugging him to start a new series, his contract calling for a new book upon closing of the Storm novels. He also could be picked up on options for additional books to a new series if this new character was a success. Rick was having writer's block and could not get inspired to start a new character. There had been no stipulated time frame for his new book, so Gina, pushing him on a new character had no legal urgency, other than Gina losing her finder's bonus on his new book. No new novel meant no bonus for his ex second wife who also was his publisher.
As he sits at his desk trying to get motivated to write, his phone rings.
"Rick Castle."
"Rick when are you going to get busy and submit to me a draft of the first chapters of your new book?"
"It doesn't work that way Gina. You know how I work. I need to get inspired."
"I used to inspire you Rick. Should I come over and do that?"
As much as he and his ex had been great together sexually, there was a reason they divorced that went beyond being great in bed. He was not about to repeat what could lead to a failed second round with his ex.
"As much as I appreciate your help with my writers block, that would not be a good idea. We've been over for some time now Gina and what we have professionally works too well to spoil it with a round two of a fail physical relationship."
"I miss it sometimes Rick, do you ever get that feeling?"
"That part was incredible and I would be lying to say I don't miss it. What I do not miss are the arguments, the fights, the yelling, and verbal abuse. It almost ruined our professional partnership as publisher and writer, so let's not put that in danger. We work too well that way to have it ruined."
"I know Rick, we are just bad together in that other way. Let's keep it professional, but Rick, what are you going to do until you get your mojo back?"
"I'll find something, and when I do, you will see those chapters Gina. Don't lose faith, it just takes time, which I have a lot of, now that there are no deadlines."
"Rick keep in mind you are not free to write anywhere else until you finish your contract with this one book. I know you have offers from other publishing houses but you have contract obligations here. Besides, if this new book is good, we can pick you up on options. I know you could possibly contest legally, but that would be bad for both of us. I just don't want you moping and frustrated."
"Bear with me Gina, I am going thru a rough patch here. Nothing new to it. You've seen me there before. It will end and I will write again. You know how productive I get when I get motivated."
"I do, but you get so gloomy when you can't write. Do me a favor, find something to do, keep busy and just let it come back naturally, like before. Don't force it, and don't get frustrated about it. Please, for old times sake. For what we used to have."
"I will Gina and you will be the first to know."
Finishing his phone call, he decides to check his mail. Alexis, his daughter, as usual had placed his new mail in his in-box on his desk for him to peruse. He goes thru them, mostly bills, junk mail, ads, etc. Then he sees an official looking letter with a return address of Department of the Navy, sent Certified Mail and addressed to Lieutenant Commander Richard Rogers, JAGC, USNR. He opens it and reads it. He is being called back to active duty, orders forth coming.
He checks his clock and sees that BuPers, Naval Reserve Section, should be open. He calls his detailer in D. find out what his recall is about.
"Lt. Bill Olson, JAG Reserve Detailer", Rick hears over the phone.
"Bill, Rick Rogers."
"Yes sir Commander, I assume this is on your recall letter which you probably just received."
"That's affirmative. What's the scuttlebutt on this one Bill? And why me? I have been an inactive reserve for some time now, just doing my correspondence courses to maintain my good standing."
"Yes sir, but needs of the fleet and all that. You have credentials and skill sets needed for a case that just came up."
"Really, care to enlighten me Lieutenant?"
" Aye Sir, I was just getting there. An active duty Naval Aviator, in NYC for Fleet Week, was found unconscious next to a body at a murder scene. He does not recall how he got there and his prints were all over the crime scene, including the murder weapon, a Navy issued ka-bar combat blade. The NYPD is claiming jurisdiction here and the Pilot is being held for homicide."
"Interesting, how did I get the short straw here for the case?"
"First of all, they needed a JAG to look out for Navy interests during the homicide investigation and if it comes to it, a defense attorney for the young Naval Aviator. Secondly, you are a resident of NYC and you hold your legal license from the State of New York. And even though your main job now a days is writing as the acclaimed Novelist Rick Castle, your nom de plume, you have a registered law office in NYC, even if it is just your home office. Third, you have done pro bono cases related to the military and their personnel in the NYC courts. That gives you familiarity with NYC court procedures. You are known to their judges, like Judge Markaway, and Judge Valente, to name a few. Lastly, your name came up on a computer search."
"How long is my active duty stint Bill?"
"Indefinite, Commander, to last the duration of the investigation and if needed for the court trial. You being a NYC resident is an advantage here, no living out of a suitcase, and you know the lay of the land as if were. If this case should go to trial, again, being a local and known in NYC court world, gives you that advantage. Your orders will be issued for 6 months, subject to an extension, as circumstance requires."
"When can I expect orders?"
"Just forwarded them with my endorsement to the active duty branch. Should be express mailed to you today and you should get them no later than 24 hours."
"Great, drop by the loft next time you're in town. I will treat you to a drink at The Haunt."
"Might be sooner than you think Commander. I have orders for a special assignment as your second chair on both the investigation and possible court trial."
"In that case, as your senior officer, I will expect you to report bright and early. Got a place to stay?"
"Aye, Aye to your first statement and to answer your other query, already booked at the Edison Hotel just off Times Square."
"Well if this case goes the distance, hotel living is going to bust your per diem, which might be just right only for hotel and maybe some meager meals. You might qualify for a family separation allowance, but if you fly back to and from D.C. during our down times, that's on your nickel. You'll be counting pennies. You can stay with me. If we go on extended duty, it will be better for you. We can work out the technicalities with the JAG comptroller."
"Affirmative on that sir and thank you. So see you in 24 hours, till then, Fair Winds to you."
"And likewise, Following Seas to you Bill."
Recollections
Rick Castle nee Rick Rogers, recalls how he had joined the Navy to become a Judge Advocate General lawyer. Back when he applied for NYU, he was accepted, and was thrilled he got in. But as he checked out tuition and expenses for college, he realized he did not have the financial means to attend NYU. That is when one of the University Counselors advised him of scholarships to pay for tuition. His entrance scores to NYU were high enough he could qualify for an academic scholarship, but his competition for such a scholarship was high. That is when he looked into non-academic scholarships and found out about NROTC scholarships. Not only would he have his tuition paid, but as a Midshipmen in an NROTC program, he got midshipmen pay. He would be paid to study. It was a win-win.
When he talked to the navy recruiters on what programs were available within the Navy, he realized he did not want to go to the surface navy to drive ships, or to the aviation program to pilot navy planes, and the thought of being couped up in a submarine for weeks on end without a glimpse of natural daylight, did not appeal to him.
That is when he discovered the Navy has staff corps. These were people who did not drive ships, or planes, or subs, but were in a support role to these elements. There was a Medical Corps for doctors, Nurse Corps, Medical Service Corps, for EMT's and the like, a Dental Corps, a Supply Corps, a Combat Engineer Corps (those officers commanded the Naval Construction Battalions, the famous Navy 'SEABEES'), a Chaplain Corps, and then lastly a Judge Advocate General Corps. The JAGC supplied navy lawyers who did JAG investigations, presided in court-maritials and the like and there was also a role for a combat JAG who advised combat commands in legal consultations on combat operations concerns, ie, rules of engagement, legal matters of operating in host foreign countries and their surrounding waters, and other legal combat matters.
Rick had always considered a Law Degree, which required 8 years of study. He opted for Criminology degree at NYU. His passion even lead him to dabbled in writing crime short stories, some of which were published in short story anthologies. Still the thrill of being a court lawyer, particularly a criminal lawyer, attracted him the most. But he had put aside that dream. He realized that after a Bachelor's Degree, he would still have to go for a law degree, another 4 years of tuition.
That is when the recruiter told him to finish his undergrad degree in Criminology on the NROTC scholarship. He would then be commissioned as an Ensign, USNR and entitled to full officer pay at that rank. Then as a officer, he could apply for law school. If accepted, the Navy would again pay his tuition for law school and give him full ensign pay while he studied.
Rick went for the program and when he graduated from the NYU law school, he was already promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade , passed the bar exam, and then was assigned for his first tour of duty at JAG headquarters in the D.C. area. There he came to the attention of the Navy JAG himself, Rear Admiral Harmon Rabb Jr, who for Rick's next tour of duty sent him to the middle east conflict as a Combat JAG. By then Rick had been promoted to full Lieutenant.
He distinguished himself on that tour. He got good evals on his legal consultations to the combat officers in the field and to central command. What distinguished him the most, however, was his successful execution of a JAG investigation as to the appearance of lost and stolen U.S. military weapons on the black market. Most of the weapons were from the war zone in the middle east. He discovered during his JAG investigation that a ring of Russian and Chinese arms dealers were in cahoots with enemy forces. These forces would stage raids on U.S. outposts, capture them, and the weapons in their field armories. When he took down the ring it had ended in a fire fight. Enemy soldiers holding the weapons had defended their ill gotten arms. Rick was shot in his left arm on a thru and thru, and two members of his Master of Arms team were injured and one killed. For that action Rick was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal with a Combat 'V', since it happened in a war zone against enemy forces, and a Purple Heart for his combat wounds.
Consequently, having distinguished himself as a combat JAG, Rick was given his choice of next duty station. He opted to leave active duty and become an active reserve, doing his weekend drills and annual two week Active Duty tours. This choice let him fulfill his remaining two years of obligated service to the United States Navy. By this time, Rick had managed to marry and divorce his first wife, Meredith (who had cheated on him), gain full custody of his daughter Alexis, and publish his first successful novels that got on the NY Times best seller lists for 6 weeks and 8 weeks respectively. All this while doing his day job as a Navy JAG.
The royalties from his first two novels had left him with a healthy bank account. He had purchased the loft in NYC as residence for his mother and daughter. When he was overseas, his mother, Martha, had been the legal guardian to her granddaughter. Rick was thankful he had his mother to care of his daughter in his absence when on active duty.
Upon returning to NYC, he established his law office, and then commenced to write his successful Derrick Storm series which made him a multi- millionaire. When he completed his obligated service to the Navy, he then went inactive reserves just doing his correspondence courses to remain in good status as a Naval Reservist. He could have ended it altogether, but his sense of loyalty to the Navy for having paid for his education made him stay in the Navy, if only as an inactive reservist.
It had been years since he had been in active status, but now being recalled, he would be back in uniform, and on Active Duty 24\7. The upside was that he would still be in NYC for his Active Duty tour heading up a JAG investigation and potential court room trial. He was anxious to get back to active duty. It would help him occupy his time and hopefully get his motivation back to write once again. He wondered how this assignment would turn out. It would be a change from his normal routine and one he looked forward to doing.