BACK INTO THE FIRE
Disclaimers: I don't' own the JAG people, everyone else is from my twisted mind, with the help of Mario Puzo.
Please review.
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RESTON PD
Anna pulled into the parking lot of the Reston Police Department. Clay would have gone with her if she asked, which is why she didn't. He needed to get back to his job. Harm was meeting Anna there at 9am, it was 8:45 and Anna just sat in her car. She was a bit nervous and angry all at the same time. Nervous because a negative outcome would change the rest of her life, angry because she could not believe that the police could even think she would shoot someone.
She reached under the seat and felt around for a small box. The strain of bending made her wince a bit but she didn't care. Found it. She thought. Sitting upright she looked at the slightly dented pack of cigarettes. She only smoked when she was completely stressed out. By the looks of this pack it had been there for sometime. If Clay knew I smoked, he'd probably freak. She laughed as she opened the car door. She got out of her car and searched her bag for matches. She found a lighter but it would not work, just as well. Then a light appeared in front of her.
"Allow me, Miss Paparini." John Pierce said.
"Thank you, I believe you have me at a disadvantage." Anna replied.
"John Pierce, you look just like your father." Pierce said extending his hand.
"So I've been told. You knew my father?" Anna asked taking his hand.
"I met him once or twice. Some of our cases ran together." Pierce replied.
"So you're with the LCN or IOC." Anna stated.
"You know your divisions I see." Pierce said with a smile.
"Of course I do. La Cosa Nostra and Italian Organized Crime units used a lot of my evidence." Anna said. "I am surprised we never met."
"By the time you started working I was back in the office." Pierce said.
"So how is a desk jockey supposed to help me? And exactly why do I need help?" Anna asked. "The charges are gonna be dropped."
"Walk with me." Piece said extending his arm.
"I have to meet my lawyer in 10 minutes." Anna said glancing at her watch.
"Fair enough, then let's talk right here." Pierce said.
"Your dime, your time." Anna said exhaling smoke right at him.
"They have a case against you. Circumstantial as it is, they could still get a conviction." Pierce stated.
"I don't think so. Do you even know what happened?" Anna asked.
"Tell me." Pierce said.
"Michael Giordano told me he was hired by John Milano to torch the Olivetta Warehouse, he got caught and called me. Once he told me who had hired him I advised him that his best chance was to tell the DA everything he knew. ADA Robins was meeting us at my office. Everything was fine until Vito Camarelli walked into my office, one bullet to the head of Michael and then turned his gun to me. I shouted 'Vito it's Anna' he stopped. The next thing I knew we were on our way to Maryland, the next day Marco Benini, who I think is a cousin of Vito's came, he took me to Italy, from there I went with Anthony Corelli to Prizzi. Then luckily some friends found me and brought me home." Anna said.
"One of those friends being Clayton Webb." Pierce said with a smile.
"Does it matter?" Anna snapped. "I am back, I want to get Vito for killing Michael and I want the Corelli family for whatever I can get them on."
"I'm glad to hear you say that." Pierce said. "I have an offer for you."
"That's great, but I am not taking any offer unless it means that the charges are not only dropped but expunged. I don't want a deal showing up on a record I may or may not have." Anna stated firmly. "There's my lawyer now."
"Commander Harmon Rabb?" Pierce said as Harm walked towards them.
"Anna, are you okay?" Harm said walking over.
"Fine, good morning Harm. This is John Pierce…" Anna began.
"I knew Anna's father, I stopped her because of the resemblance and had to ask her if she was a Paparini." Pierce interrupted.
"Small world." Harm replied with some doubt, not sure why he had the doubt.
"Well, I don't want to keep you. Anna, give me a call we can have lunch and talk about your dad." Pierce said with a smile. "Nice to meet you Mr?"
"Rabb," Harm replied shaking his hand. After Pierce walked away, "Anna who is that?"
"An old friend of my fathers." Anna lied. "Come on let's get this over with."
"Let's go but Anna, can you keep that temper I have heard about in check?" Harm asked with a smile.
"Don't worry about it." Anna smiled.
They walked into the police station and advised the desk sergeant they were there to see Sergeant Osgood. After being told that he was promoted to Detective they were asked to wait a moment.
"Miss Paparini, Mr. Rabb right this way." Detective Osgood said.
"Thank you." Harm replied as they followed him.
"This is Mark Hadgis with the DA's office" Osgood said.
"Mark, good see you." Anna replied. "This is Harmon Rabb my attorney."
"We need to read you your rights. If that's okay." Osgood said sarcastically.
"I don't think there is a need for sarcasm." Anna snapped.
"Anna." Harm warned. "Go ahead Detective."
After Anna was read her rights, to which she rolled her eyes, the questioning began. Five minutes into the questioning there was a knock on the interrogation room door.
"You have a phone call. Sir." The officer said.
"Take a message, I'm a bit busy right now." Osgood replied.
"Sir, he said it has to do with the Giordano case." The office whispered.
"I'll be right back." Osgood said leaving the room and Hadgis followed.
"What was that all about?" Harm asked.
"Search me, I'm just a lowly murderer here." Anna said.
"Anna, do you know what's going on?" Harm asked.
"No, I'm here to tell my side of the story." Anna said throwing her hands in the air.
Ten minutes later Osgood and Hadgis returned. He sat down and shook his head. "Where were we?"
"I was telling you what happened the day Michael Giordano was killed and I was kidnapped." Anna replied.
"Detective, if that call was regarding this case, I believe we have a right to know. Disclosure and all." Harm said.
"You'll know in due time." Hadgis said.
"Then this interview is over." Harm said standing up.
"Mr. Rabb, we need whatever information Anna has." Hadgis said.
"To use against her? I don't think so." Harm said. "We're leaving."
"There will be no charges against her." Hadgis said.
"Charges are being dropped, just like that?" Harm said.
"Just like that." Osgood said.
"Then I guess she is free to go?" Harm asked. "What's going on?"
"She, her? I am right here." Anna snapped.
"Yes you are and with some rather interesting friends." Hadgis said.
"Well a girl can't have too many friends now can she?" Anna said.
"What's going on?" Harm asked again.
"That call was from the DA's office in New York. Apparently, Alberto Lucassi called to make arrangements to hand over Vito Camarelli. Camarelli admitted to the murder of Michael Giordano." Hadgis said. "We need to begin extradition to Virginia."
"Talk about a call coming in the nick of time." Osgood said.
"Well boys this has been fun." Anna said. "I have a practice to get back to."
With that Harm and Anna walked out of the police station.
"Anna what's going on?" Harm said. "That was too easy."
"Harm, you heard him, they got the right guy." Anna said.
"Who was that guy you were talking to before I got here?" Harm asked.
"His name is John Pierce, he knew my dad he also happens to work for the FBI." Anna said.
"I know that, it's just all a bit strange." Harm replied.
"Let's not question my good fortune." Anna said.
"Who is Alberto Luccesi?" Harm asked.
"A New York lawyer for the Corelli family." Anna said.
"Anna don't you think it's a bit strange that the people you were going to implicate just saved you from murder charges?" Harm asked.
"Harm, think about it this way. It is safer for them to sacrifice one of their own then to have me go on trial and things get out. As part of my defense wouldn't you try to admit the information I have?" Anna said.
"Of course but, it could be considered hearsay and thrown out." Harm said.
"Not before the jury first heard it." Anna said.
"Anna you really are something else." Harm said giving her a hug.
"Thank you." Anna said.
"You make Webb happy." Harm said.
"He makes me happy. I just hope it lasts." Anna said looking away.
"It will, I don't think he is going to let you get away." Harm replied.
"Thanks Harm. Maybe we can all celebrate my good fortune." Anna said.
"Anna first get healthy, you're still recovering." Harm said.
"Yes Sir," Anna said saluting him.
"I'll talk to you soon, go home and rest." Harm said.
He watched Anna drive away. He wasn't sure why, but this whole thing had him stumped. It was too easy. He decided against saying anything to Mac or Clay for that matter. Anna said not to question her good fortune so he wasn't. But something was still nagging at him.
ANNA'S HOME
"Ma, it's over." Anna announced over the phone.
"What happened?" Lucia asked.
"The Corelli's are handing over Vito. I guess it's better to lose one then everything." Anna said.
"Anna, I don't like this." Lucia replied.
"Mommy, it's fine." Anna said. "I want to call Clay. When are you going home?"
"When I know you are safe." Lucia said.
"Ma, stop it. I am safe." Anna said. "Don't worry, you know us Paparini's lead charmed lives. We're the good guys."
"Anna I am asking you, please don't get involved with this anymore than you have to." Lucia warned.
"Paranoid much Ma?" Anna laughed. "What makes you think I am getting involved in anything?"
"I can hear it in your voice. What are you planning Anna?" Lucia said.
"I am planning on calling Clay, telling him to come home early, making a great dinner and then attacking him." Anna laughed.
"Anna you're talking to your mother." Lucia said.
"Well you asked." Anna said. "I love you Ma."
Anna hung up and called Clay.
"Webb." Clay said.
"Don't you ever say hello?" Anna teased.
"What happened?" Clay asked.
"Charges were dropped. Vito Camarelli has admitted to the murder and will be extradited to Virginia." Anna said.
"Was this the work of Pierce?" Clay asked.
"No, it was the work of the Corelli family." Anna said.
"They are handing over one of their own?" Clay asked a bit shocked.
"Relax, it's SOP. I'm sure of it." Anna said.
"So what did Pierce want?" Clay asked.
"Nothing really. He asked me what happened. Exactly how do you know him?" Anna asked.
"Classified." Clay said.
"Hmm, well I am free to roam the streets. What time are you coming home?" Anna asked.
"Considering this is my first day here in a week and it's barely noon. I would have to say not anytime soon." Clay replied.
"Well come here tonight. I need you." Anna said.
"Already planned on it, I'll see you later." Clay said and hung up.
Anna walked around her apartment. She had yet to go down to her office and right now she didn't want to. She went to the kitchen and started opening the cabinets; she couldn't find anything so she decided to make a quick run across the street to the store. When she got back she started prepping the food. She let that simmer and went to the bedroom to make up the bed. When she walked in it had already been done. Clay, she smiled, he even made the bed.
Anna decided to take a long bath, as she started to take off her jacket John Pierce's business card fell out of the pocket. She picked it up, looked at it and then went down to her office.
"John Pierce, please." Anna said.
"Pierce." He said.
"This is Anna Paparini, what's on your mind?" Anna asked.
"For starters, everything you know." Pierce said flatly.
"Well that's an ice breaker." Anna replied.
"I want you to come work for me." Pierce said.
"Good way to get me killed." Anna said. "Why?"
"I want your knowledge, we were so close until the warehouse was destroyed." Pierce said.
"How am I supposed to help?" Anna asked.
"I want you to go back in." Pierce said.
"Are you crazy? The Corelli's know me." Anna yelled.
"Not with the Corelli's, they owned that warehouse but they weren't the ones using it." Pierce said.
"Then who was it?" Anna asked.
"Profaci." Pierce said.
"Oh man, I want in. What do I have to do?" Anna asked.
"You realize your entire life will be turned upside down." Pierce said.
"Wouldn't be the first time." Anna replied.
"Anna this means leaving everything, including Clay behind." Pierce said.
"Why? His clearance, I am sure, is higher than God's." Anna stated.
"Can you walk away from your family and Clay?" Pierce asked.
"How much time do I have to think about it?" Anna asked.
"I need to know by tomorrow, we need to move on this." Pierce said.
"Okay, let me think about it." Anna said. "You do realize I can't say no." Anna stated.
"I know." Pierce said.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow." Anna said.
"Anna, I know you are going to want to discuss this with Clay, but you can't. No one can know."
"I understand." Anna Paused. "John, I don't have to call you tomorrow. I'm in."
"Thank you, we'll finally get them." Pierce said and hung up.
Anna put down the phone, she thought about the decision she just made. She loved her family and she loved Clay but her destiny in life was to bring these men to justice, even if it meant leaving everything and everyone she loved behind. She told herself she would be safe and return to Clay again once it was all over, if he would still have her.