Title: 'People vs. Chegwidden' - Part Sixteen
Author: Daenar
Disclaimer: See Part One
From part fifteen:
'Thank you, God, he trusts me to this,' she sent another silent prayer heavenward. Softly caressing his cheeks, his forehead, his closed eyes, his lips, she went on. "Then let me help you, Harm. Let me prove to you that you are all you could ever be to me."
"How do you think you can do that?" he asked, his eyes still closed.
"Trust me," she only said as she quickly removed her nightgown. He started when he felt her tug at his t-shirt. His eyelids flew open and she could read fear in his eyes as he understood what she was planning to do, fear to fail and disappoint her.
"Mac, I can't..."
She only smiled reassuringly, disposing of his clothes and moving close to him. She cupped his face and felt him tremble as she slowly and deeply kissed him. Drawing back, she looked into his eyes, seeing that the fear had made way for hope and uneasiness that were fighting a battle inside his mind. "Trust me, Harm," she only repeated before kissing him afresh, giving a little jump of joy as she felt his trembling hands starting to shyly caress her back.
Part Sixteen:
Thu, March 4th 1103 ZULU The Sims' bedroom The Sims' mountain cabin Allegheny Mountains, WVA
Her inner clock told Mac that she should get up and get dressed, considering she had to cover quite a distance to arrive in court. Luckily, the trial had been set up for 1100 so she had at least been able to sleep until now. And she thanked Sturgis on her knees who had arranged for a helicopter to take her to D.C.
She really felt reluctant to get up right now. The remnants of the fire were still glowing in the fireplace, and she felt Harm's even breathing cause the hair at the back of her head to move slightly. His arms encircled her firmly and his warm skin felt very soft and velvety against her back. Mac kept her eyes closed, determined to steal a few more moments before giving in and getting up. All this was so perfect.
What had started out hesitantly and shyly the night before yesterday, had risen to emotional completion last night. Passion and loving fulfillment were back in full in their relationship and she and Harm had relished in the emotions they were once again able to share. Of course Harm was still enormously handicapped, his range of movements being limited to his arms mostly, but they had found ways to overcome the rift and had once again joined into a union that felt like their first time ever.
The psychological effects of Mac's gentle efforts to get Harm's self- confidence up again had already shown yesterday. He had been serene all day, had let her and Fred work out their defense strategy by themselves, busying himself with his physical training. When she helped him shower, he had actually started to whistle, giving her her full share of knee- weakening smiles. And last night had been wonderful. It had, in many ways, reminded her of their weekend at the Waldorf Astoria, back in June. Smiling, Mac remembered how Harm's warm glance had gotten all misty last night when she had been lying quietly in his arms, reveling in the afterglow of their lovemaking, smiling at him without holding back how happy she was.
Sighing inwardly, she tried carefully to wriggle out of her husband's embrace without waking him, but failed. He opened his eyes, smiled tenderly at her and pulled her close once again.
"Good morning, my favorite Marine," he softly whispered, kissing her on the lips.
"Good morning to you too, sailor," she answered with a smile, not objecting as he held on to her.
"Showtime, right?" he asked with an upraised eyebrow.
"Yeah." Her voice was soft, yet determined and optimistic. "I really feel like kicking Krennick's six today." She grinned.
"That's my ninja-girl," he smiled, pressing his lips to her temple. "And I'll love watching it on TV, although I despise the Secnav for allowing the court-martial to be broadcast. Let's go then, Colonel. I'll see you in court. Mac?" he added, sobering.
"Yeah?"
"You and Fred will do great. I know it. I have faith in you, and I'm sure the admiral does, too. You go, girl. I love you."
Mac smiled. "Thanks, flyboy. I feel calm and prepared but it feels good to know that you care. I love you, too." She quickly but tenderly kissed him once again, got up, took her uniform and vanished into the bathroom.
Thu, March 4th 1556 ZULU Courtroom JAG Headquarters Falls Church, VA
Captain Allison Krennick was feeling uneasy and hated herself for it. Or more so, she hated Mackenzie and Prumetti for getting her into this state of mind in the first place. Until two days ago, she had been confident that she had a firm case, based on facts. Her chain of evidence had seemed immune to any questioning and the prosecution's witnesses were all well prepared. She had actually looked forward to ripping Mackenzie apart in court. Until she had opened her mail yesterday morning. When she had first skimmed through the pages of the file defense had sent to her, she had immediately gotten an indistinct gut feeling that her case was going to blow. She wasn't really able to get to the bottom of why she felt this way, because all this Minton Greenwood/Branwick stuff still didn't prove that the admiral had nothing to do with Doctor Walden's death. But she knew that his friends wouldn't have bothered to go so far into detail if there weren't a point to it. Trouble was, Allison didn't really have an idea what point that might be.
Of course she saw the possible connection between Sydney's discoveries and her being murdered to silence her. And she had understood why Mackenzie dragged the Branwick case into the picture. There was a motive. But that still didn't offer any hints as to who actually killed the doctor. Mackenzie had to know that the prosecution would do everything in their power to dismiss the facts as irrelevant. So why would she introduce them in the first place? True, this wasn't the first time that Allison had to face evidence previously unknown to her in a trial, and usually she wasn't afraid of the situation, trusting her abilities as a tough lawyer. But - to her utter dismay - she had to admit to herself that if there was anyone that she couldn't be sure to beat in the courtroom, it was the Rabbs. And in this case, Harm was the wild card, which was even more dangerous.
Allison had choked on her coffee when she had come across his name on the defense's witness list that for some reason was to be kept confidential yet. She had no idea how they intended to question a comatose person. But she knew that Mackenzie was serious about it if she put him on the list. Krennick had immediately called the hospital but had only been told that the commander was no longer a patient. She had thought of objecting to Harm as a witness because she had been unable to question him beforehand. But, truth be told, she was clueless what she could have asked him anyway. He had been out of it for most of the time and he was listed only as investigator to the Branwick case. All information regarding the affair, including Harm's statement how he had discovered the evidence, was included in the file. What more was there to know? On that ground, objecting to Harm would have seemed as if she were frightened to face him, and that she would never have let happen. But still it bothered her that he would take the stand. Allison hated, hated, hated being at a loss, especially if Harm was involved. Damn.
She turned when she heard the courtroom doors open. Admiral Chegwidden was being led in by two guards, followed by his lawyers. Everyone on the defense's side wore a perfectly neutral expression on their faces. This fact caused the uneasiness Krennick was feeling to deepen even more. What were they hiding? Mackenzie looked damned good, though, she had to admit. Once again, Krennick's jealousy and hurt pride surfaced. When Mac nodded her a cool greeting, she only glared back coldly. She would bring this woman down, she swore to herself. 'Come on, Allison, you can do it.'
Mac was slightly taken aback at the open display of hostility in the blond captain's expression. But it produced the opposite effect of what had been the intention. 'So be it, Krennick,' Mac thought grimly. 'We're at war then. But let me just tell you three things: first, you never even had a chance with Harm, you know that and I know that and we're both aware that this is what your anger comes down to. Second, you're being highly unprofessional, letting your anger cloud your judgment, 'ma'am'. And third: frankly, you don't have a chance today. I'm sorry. That is - no, actually I'm not.'
AJ had witnessed the exchange between the two women, trying hard to hide his smile. He leaned over to Mac when they had sat down. "Would you do me a favor and not turn this into a sequel to 'Death becomes her', Colonel?" he whispered, not hiding the amusement in his voice.
Mac's mouth twitched as she replied very low. "That's Krennick's take on the affair, not mine, sir. And I intend to keep it that way, especially with Trial TV present." She slightly motioned her head in the direction of one of the cameras. "You know, we have an advantage here, sir. I'm sort of accustomed to this. And if the public liked me when I prosecuted they're gonna love me now that I defend."
AJ tried to maintain his composure, looking down to intently study his fingernails.
Same time The Sims' mountain cabin Allegheny Mountains, WVA
"You should really decide what you want to do, big brother," Sergei tried for the third time to reason with Harm. "Either you practice or you watch TV. Mac's going to kill me if you hurt yourself just because you're not paying attention to your exercises."
Harm just looked at Sergei, exasperated. "Sorry for being this rude, boy, but just shut up, okay?" He gave him a frowning half-grin that indicated that he knew his brother was only concerned for his well-being.
"Come over here, Sergeant," Jeannine said from the couch. "If he's half as stubborn as you - well, actually I know he beats you at that - you won't stand a chance trying to dissuade him from what he wants to do. So why don't you just sit down and enjoy watching Mac tear that Krennick bitch to pieces? Our transport to D.C. will be here in two hours anyway."
Sighing, Sergei flopped down beside his girlfriend. "You're right, Janutchka. Let him kill himself if he likes to. I have a medical insurance now so there won't be a problem when I meet with Mac." He shot his brother a quick grin and found it returned, accompanied by a slight chuckle.
Just then, Trial TV broadcasted its opening credits. They all turned their attention to the TV set, Jeannine and Sergei trying to ignore the suppressed panting that came from behind them as Harm continued to torture himself.
["Ladies and gentlemen, let me welcome you today to our live broadcast from Falls Church, Virginia. We're proud that, three years after our transmission of the Misty-James case, we're once again broadcasting a Navy court-martial to you, and not just an ordinary one. The accused who is charged with murder in the first degree is none other than the Navy's top lawyer himself, the Judge Advocate General, Rear Admiral AJ Chegwidden. We'll also meet with a familiar face that we still hold in the highest esteem after her exemplary performance last time. Having changed sides and taken the defense of her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie will guarantee for breathtaking courtroom action.
Since we last saw her, a lot has gone on in her private life, too. The colonel is now married to Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr., whom ZBS viewers remember from last year's outstanding government charity concert, and she has a daughter that is barely ten days old. Nevertheless, she refused to be replaced as defense counsel, wanting to represent her CO herself. But as many of you will have heard from the press, Col. Rabb is under additional emotional pressure right now, her husband having been shot two weeks ago. He is currently in a coma. Still,"]
images of Mac entering the building were shown,
["The colonel does not flinch and is ready and willing to do her duty."]
"This is disgusting!" Jeannine exclaimed.
"Last time was worse," Harm replied. "This time Mac at least hasn't yet been discussed on any talk shows."
The speaker went on, while pictures of Krennick were broadcast.
["And like last time, Col. Rabb will have to face a powerful opponent, a female Navy lawyer who is her superior in rank and known to be a tough prosecutor: Captain Allison Krennick, actually a former working partner of the colonel's husband. According to our source inside the JAG corps, we can even expect something like personal rivalry regarding the commander between the two first chairs."]
"It is worse now," Jeannine commented dryly, employing sarcasm in order to hold her fury in check.
"Next time Singer crosses my path she's a dead lawyer," Harm swore through gritted teeth.
Sergei just stared. Sometimes he still found it difficult to understand his fellow American citizens.
Same time Courtroom JAG Headquarters Falls Church, VA
On the bailiff's signal, all rose as Judge Amy Helfman and the jury members entered the room. Mac exchanged quick reassuring glances with a slightly pale but determined Fred and with a slightly frowning but calm admiral. When everyone had settled down again, Captain Helfman addressed the room.
"Good morning. The case that will be tried today in front of this board is People versus Rear Admiral AJ Chegwidden, Judge Advocate General of the Navy. I remind the staff of Trial TV to kindly stay within the areas designed for filming and to regard the rules of propriety while documenting this court-martial. Thank you. The charges brought forth against Admiral Chegwidden are assault and murder in the first degree." Helfman turned to the defense. "How does the accused plead?"
Chegwidden and his lawyers rose. "Not guilty, your honor," AJ stated clearly and calmly.
"The accused pleads 'not guilty'," Helfman repeated for protocol and then turned to the prosecution's desk. "Would the prosecution please begin with their opening argument? Captain Krennick?"
Krennick rose, squared her shoulders and self-confidently stepped in front of the jury, casting a quick glance in the direction of the nearest camera. "Good morning. The facts in this case are clear. Prosecution is going to prove that the accused, Rear Admiral AJ Chegwidden, on February 14th went to the victim's, Doctor Sydney Walden's, house, allowed himself be let in by the victim and stabbed her with a kitchen knife. We are also going to prove that Admiral Chegwidden had a motive to kill Doctor Walden, fully aware of the consequences of the crime. We will prove that Admiral Chegwidden is guilty of murder in the first degree. Thank you." Barely a hint of an icy smile tugged at the corners of Krennick's mouth as she rounded her table and sat down again, exchanging a quick look with an apparently confident Lt. Hobbes at her side.
"Thank you, Captain," Helfman went on. "Defense?"
Mac took a deep breath, let her Marine pride show in the way she raised her chin and calmly walked over to confront the jury. "Good morning." Subconsciously she was aware of the soft humming of a camera's zoom that focused on her face. But she didn't consider it disturbing. 'Use the sympathies you gain from this, Mackenzie,' she told herself as she let her expression soften a nuance without letting go of her determination. "A man receives a phone call from a friend he hasn't seen in a long time," she began, adding the slightest dose of warmth and sex appeal to her cool matter-of-fact voice. Fred suddenly envied her for being a woman and being able to play with male senses.
Mac went on in her near-to-gentle tone. "He is surprised when the caller, a woman, asks for his help, but as a gentleman, he offers it and agrees to meet her at her house as she wants him to. Upon his arrival, he finds the door open, goes in and finds the woman dying from stab wounds. He understands he can't do anything for her and decides not to leave her side while she dies. Her son comes in and arrives at the wrong conclusions. These," Mac paused, letting an intense glance wander from member to member, "Are the facts in this case, plain and clear. These facts should already suffice to fully dismiss the charges but," again she paused, straightening her body and sharpening her voice, letting out the tough Marine counselor, "Defense will not limit the case to this.
"We will produce evidence to show that Doctor Sydney Walden's life had been threatened before. We will prove that Doctor Walden acquired knowledge about an environmental crime that made her patients suffer from testicular germ cell cancer. We will prove that this knowledge made Doctor Walden a threat to other projects of the consortium the criminal firm belongs to. And we will prove that, for this knowledge and her obvious intent to seek help by disclosing it to the accused, Doctor Sydney Walden was killed in order to silence her the moment before Admiral Chegwidden reached her house." Once again Mac let a moment of silence pass, meeting the glance of each and every member of the board, hoping for the effect her huge dark eyes usually had on others. When she finally spoke, her voice was low, clear and professionally well-pronounced. "AJ Chegwidden is not guilty of the murder he is charged with. Thank you." Mac exercised a slow, elegant turn on her heel and walked over to her seat, noticing the barely visible expression of pride on AJ's features.
"Thank you, Colonel Rabb." Judge Helfman was glad that she always had excellent control over her face. Otherwise her inward relief about the colonel's by-the-book performance would have shown clearly. But she silently admitted to herself that - had she been allowed to - her smile would exactly mirror that of the TV director sitting opposite to her who was all but doing the happy dance about a one-in-a-million moment of courtroom TV.
To be continued... (Feedback highly appreciated!)
From part fifteen:
'Thank you, God, he trusts me to this,' she sent another silent prayer heavenward. Softly caressing his cheeks, his forehead, his closed eyes, his lips, she went on. "Then let me help you, Harm. Let me prove to you that you are all you could ever be to me."
"How do you think you can do that?" he asked, his eyes still closed.
"Trust me," she only said as she quickly removed her nightgown. He started when he felt her tug at his t-shirt. His eyelids flew open and she could read fear in his eyes as he understood what she was planning to do, fear to fail and disappoint her.
"Mac, I can't..."
She only smiled reassuringly, disposing of his clothes and moving close to him. She cupped his face and felt him tremble as she slowly and deeply kissed him. Drawing back, she looked into his eyes, seeing that the fear had made way for hope and uneasiness that were fighting a battle inside his mind. "Trust me, Harm," she only repeated before kissing him afresh, giving a little jump of joy as she felt his trembling hands starting to shyly caress her back.
Part Sixteen:
Thu, March 4th 1103 ZULU The Sims' bedroom The Sims' mountain cabin Allegheny Mountains, WVA
Her inner clock told Mac that she should get up and get dressed, considering she had to cover quite a distance to arrive in court. Luckily, the trial had been set up for 1100 so she had at least been able to sleep until now. And she thanked Sturgis on her knees who had arranged for a helicopter to take her to D.C.
She really felt reluctant to get up right now. The remnants of the fire were still glowing in the fireplace, and she felt Harm's even breathing cause the hair at the back of her head to move slightly. His arms encircled her firmly and his warm skin felt very soft and velvety against her back. Mac kept her eyes closed, determined to steal a few more moments before giving in and getting up. All this was so perfect.
What had started out hesitantly and shyly the night before yesterday, had risen to emotional completion last night. Passion and loving fulfillment were back in full in their relationship and she and Harm had relished in the emotions they were once again able to share. Of course Harm was still enormously handicapped, his range of movements being limited to his arms mostly, but they had found ways to overcome the rift and had once again joined into a union that felt like their first time ever.
The psychological effects of Mac's gentle efforts to get Harm's self- confidence up again had already shown yesterday. He had been serene all day, had let her and Fred work out their defense strategy by themselves, busying himself with his physical training. When she helped him shower, he had actually started to whistle, giving her her full share of knee- weakening smiles. And last night had been wonderful. It had, in many ways, reminded her of their weekend at the Waldorf Astoria, back in June. Smiling, Mac remembered how Harm's warm glance had gotten all misty last night when she had been lying quietly in his arms, reveling in the afterglow of their lovemaking, smiling at him without holding back how happy she was.
Sighing inwardly, she tried carefully to wriggle out of her husband's embrace without waking him, but failed. He opened his eyes, smiled tenderly at her and pulled her close once again.
"Good morning, my favorite Marine," he softly whispered, kissing her on the lips.
"Good morning to you too, sailor," she answered with a smile, not objecting as he held on to her.
"Showtime, right?" he asked with an upraised eyebrow.
"Yeah." Her voice was soft, yet determined and optimistic. "I really feel like kicking Krennick's six today." She grinned.
"That's my ninja-girl," he smiled, pressing his lips to her temple. "And I'll love watching it on TV, although I despise the Secnav for allowing the court-martial to be broadcast. Let's go then, Colonel. I'll see you in court. Mac?" he added, sobering.
"Yeah?"
"You and Fred will do great. I know it. I have faith in you, and I'm sure the admiral does, too. You go, girl. I love you."
Mac smiled. "Thanks, flyboy. I feel calm and prepared but it feels good to know that you care. I love you, too." She quickly but tenderly kissed him once again, got up, took her uniform and vanished into the bathroom.
Thu, March 4th 1556 ZULU Courtroom JAG Headquarters Falls Church, VA
Captain Allison Krennick was feeling uneasy and hated herself for it. Or more so, she hated Mackenzie and Prumetti for getting her into this state of mind in the first place. Until two days ago, she had been confident that she had a firm case, based on facts. Her chain of evidence had seemed immune to any questioning and the prosecution's witnesses were all well prepared. She had actually looked forward to ripping Mackenzie apart in court. Until she had opened her mail yesterday morning. When she had first skimmed through the pages of the file defense had sent to her, she had immediately gotten an indistinct gut feeling that her case was going to blow. She wasn't really able to get to the bottom of why she felt this way, because all this Minton Greenwood/Branwick stuff still didn't prove that the admiral had nothing to do with Doctor Walden's death. But she knew that his friends wouldn't have bothered to go so far into detail if there weren't a point to it. Trouble was, Allison didn't really have an idea what point that might be.
Of course she saw the possible connection between Sydney's discoveries and her being murdered to silence her. And she had understood why Mackenzie dragged the Branwick case into the picture. There was a motive. But that still didn't offer any hints as to who actually killed the doctor. Mackenzie had to know that the prosecution would do everything in their power to dismiss the facts as irrelevant. So why would she introduce them in the first place? True, this wasn't the first time that Allison had to face evidence previously unknown to her in a trial, and usually she wasn't afraid of the situation, trusting her abilities as a tough lawyer. But - to her utter dismay - she had to admit to herself that if there was anyone that she couldn't be sure to beat in the courtroom, it was the Rabbs. And in this case, Harm was the wild card, which was even more dangerous.
Allison had choked on her coffee when she had come across his name on the defense's witness list that for some reason was to be kept confidential yet. She had no idea how they intended to question a comatose person. But she knew that Mackenzie was serious about it if she put him on the list. Krennick had immediately called the hospital but had only been told that the commander was no longer a patient. She had thought of objecting to Harm as a witness because she had been unable to question him beforehand. But, truth be told, she was clueless what she could have asked him anyway. He had been out of it for most of the time and he was listed only as investigator to the Branwick case. All information regarding the affair, including Harm's statement how he had discovered the evidence, was included in the file. What more was there to know? On that ground, objecting to Harm would have seemed as if she were frightened to face him, and that she would never have let happen. But still it bothered her that he would take the stand. Allison hated, hated, hated being at a loss, especially if Harm was involved. Damn.
She turned when she heard the courtroom doors open. Admiral Chegwidden was being led in by two guards, followed by his lawyers. Everyone on the defense's side wore a perfectly neutral expression on their faces. This fact caused the uneasiness Krennick was feeling to deepen even more. What were they hiding? Mackenzie looked damned good, though, she had to admit. Once again, Krennick's jealousy and hurt pride surfaced. When Mac nodded her a cool greeting, she only glared back coldly. She would bring this woman down, she swore to herself. 'Come on, Allison, you can do it.'
Mac was slightly taken aback at the open display of hostility in the blond captain's expression. But it produced the opposite effect of what had been the intention. 'So be it, Krennick,' Mac thought grimly. 'We're at war then. But let me just tell you three things: first, you never even had a chance with Harm, you know that and I know that and we're both aware that this is what your anger comes down to. Second, you're being highly unprofessional, letting your anger cloud your judgment, 'ma'am'. And third: frankly, you don't have a chance today. I'm sorry. That is - no, actually I'm not.'
AJ had witnessed the exchange between the two women, trying hard to hide his smile. He leaned over to Mac when they had sat down. "Would you do me a favor and not turn this into a sequel to 'Death becomes her', Colonel?" he whispered, not hiding the amusement in his voice.
Mac's mouth twitched as she replied very low. "That's Krennick's take on the affair, not mine, sir. And I intend to keep it that way, especially with Trial TV present." She slightly motioned her head in the direction of one of the cameras. "You know, we have an advantage here, sir. I'm sort of accustomed to this. And if the public liked me when I prosecuted they're gonna love me now that I defend."
AJ tried to maintain his composure, looking down to intently study his fingernails.
Same time The Sims' mountain cabin Allegheny Mountains, WVA
"You should really decide what you want to do, big brother," Sergei tried for the third time to reason with Harm. "Either you practice or you watch TV. Mac's going to kill me if you hurt yourself just because you're not paying attention to your exercises."
Harm just looked at Sergei, exasperated. "Sorry for being this rude, boy, but just shut up, okay?" He gave him a frowning half-grin that indicated that he knew his brother was only concerned for his well-being.
"Come over here, Sergeant," Jeannine said from the couch. "If he's half as stubborn as you - well, actually I know he beats you at that - you won't stand a chance trying to dissuade him from what he wants to do. So why don't you just sit down and enjoy watching Mac tear that Krennick bitch to pieces? Our transport to D.C. will be here in two hours anyway."
Sighing, Sergei flopped down beside his girlfriend. "You're right, Janutchka. Let him kill himself if he likes to. I have a medical insurance now so there won't be a problem when I meet with Mac." He shot his brother a quick grin and found it returned, accompanied by a slight chuckle.
Just then, Trial TV broadcasted its opening credits. They all turned their attention to the TV set, Jeannine and Sergei trying to ignore the suppressed panting that came from behind them as Harm continued to torture himself.
["Ladies and gentlemen, let me welcome you today to our live broadcast from Falls Church, Virginia. We're proud that, three years after our transmission of the Misty-James case, we're once again broadcasting a Navy court-martial to you, and not just an ordinary one. The accused who is charged with murder in the first degree is none other than the Navy's top lawyer himself, the Judge Advocate General, Rear Admiral AJ Chegwidden. We'll also meet with a familiar face that we still hold in the highest esteem after her exemplary performance last time. Having changed sides and taken the defense of her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie will guarantee for breathtaking courtroom action.
Since we last saw her, a lot has gone on in her private life, too. The colonel is now married to Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr., whom ZBS viewers remember from last year's outstanding government charity concert, and she has a daughter that is barely ten days old. Nevertheless, she refused to be replaced as defense counsel, wanting to represent her CO herself. But as many of you will have heard from the press, Col. Rabb is under additional emotional pressure right now, her husband having been shot two weeks ago. He is currently in a coma. Still,"]
images of Mac entering the building were shown,
["The colonel does not flinch and is ready and willing to do her duty."]
"This is disgusting!" Jeannine exclaimed.
"Last time was worse," Harm replied. "This time Mac at least hasn't yet been discussed on any talk shows."
The speaker went on, while pictures of Krennick were broadcast.
["And like last time, Col. Rabb will have to face a powerful opponent, a female Navy lawyer who is her superior in rank and known to be a tough prosecutor: Captain Allison Krennick, actually a former working partner of the colonel's husband. According to our source inside the JAG corps, we can even expect something like personal rivalry regarding the commander between the two first chairs."]
"It is worse now," Jeannine commented dryly, employing sarcasm in order to hold her fury in check.
"Next time Singer crosses my path she's a dead lawyer," Harm swore through gritted teeth.
Sergei just stared. Sometimes he still found it difficult to understand his fellow American citizens.
Same time Courtroom JAG Headquarters Falls Church, VA
On the bailiff's signal, all rose as Judge Amy Helfman and the jury members entered the room. Mac exchanged quick reassuring glances with a slightly pale but determined Fred and with a slightly frowning but calm admiral. When everyone had settled down again, Captain Helfman addressed the room.
"Good morning. The case that will be tried today in front of this board is People versus Rear Admiral AJ Chegwidden, Judge Advocate General of the Navy. I remind the staff of Trial TV to kindly stay within the areas designed for filming and to regard the rules of propriety while documenting this court-martial. Thank you. The charges brought forth against Admiral Chegwidden are assault and murder in the first degree." Helfman turned to the defense. "How does the accused plead?"
Chegwidden and his lawyers rose. "Not guilty, your honor," AJ stated clearly and calmly.
"The accused pleads 'not guilty'," Helfman repeated for protocol and then turned to the prosecution's desk. "Would the prosecution please begin with their opening argument? Captain Krennick?"
Krennick rose, squared her shoulders and self-confidently stepped in front of the jury, casting a quick glance in the direction of the nearest camera. "Good morning. The facts in this case are clear. Prosecution is going to prove that the accused, Rear Admiral AJ Chegwidden, on February 14th went to the victim's, Doctor Sydney Walden's, house, allowed himself be let in by the victim and stabbed her with a kitchen knife. We are also going to prove that Admiral Chegwidden had a motive to kill Doctor Walden, fully aware of the consequences of the crime. We will prove that Admiral Chegwidden is guilty of murder in the first degree. Thank you." Barely a hint of an icy smile tugged at the corners of Krennick's mouth as she rounded her table and sat down again, exchanging a quick look with an apparently confident Lt. Hobbes at her side.
"Thank you, Captain," Helfman went on. "Defense?"
Mac took a deep breath, let her Marine pride show in the way she raised her chin and calmly walked over to confront the jury. "Good morning." Subconsciously she was aware of the soft humming of a camera's zoom that focused on her face. But she didn't consider it disturbing. 'Use the sympathies you gain from this, Mackenzie,' she told herself as she let her expression soften a nuance without letting go of her determination. "A man receives a phone call from a friend he hasn't seen in a long time," she began, adding the slightest dose of warmth and sex appeal to her cool matter-of-fact voice. Fred suddenly envied her for being a woman and being able to play with male senses.
Mac went on in her near-to-gentle tone. "He is surprised when the caller, a woman, asks for his help, but as a gentleman, he offers it and agrees to meet her at her house as she wants him to. Upon his arrival, he finds the door open, goes in and finds the woman dying from stab wounds. He understands he can't do anything for her and decides not to leave her side while she dies. Her son comes in and arrives at the wrong conclusions. These," Mac paused, letting an intense glance wander from member to member, "Are the facts in this case, plain and clear. These facts should already suffice to fully dismiss the charges but," again she paused, straightening her body and sharpening her voice, letting out the tough Marine counselor, "Defense will not limit the case to this.
"We will produce evidence to show that Doctor Sydney Walden's life had been threatened before. We will prove that Doctor Walden acquired knowledge about an environmental crime that made her patients suffer from testicular germ cell cancer. We will prove that this knowledge made Doctor Walden a threat to other projects of the consortium the criminal firm belongs to. And we will prove that, for this knowledge and her obvious intent to seek help by disclosing it to the accused, Doctor Sydney Walden was killed in order to silence her the moment before Admiral Chegwidden reached her house." Once again Mac let a moment of silence pass, meeting the glance of each and every member of the board, hoping for the effect her huge dark eyes usually had on others. When she finally spoke, her voice was low, clear and professionally well-pronounced. "AJ Chegwidden is not guilty of the murder he is charged with. Thank you." Mac exercised a slow, elegant turn on her heel and walked over to her seat, noticing the barely visible expression of pride on AJ's features.
"Thank you, Colonel Rabb." Judge Helfman was glad that she always had excellent control over her face. Otherwise her inward relief about the colonel's by-the-book performance would have shown clearly. But she silently admitted to herself that - had she been allowed to - her smile would exactly mirror that of the TV director sitting opposite to her who was all but doing the happy dance about a one-in-a-million moment of courtroom TV.
To be continued... (Feedback highly appreciated!)