Author's Note: Things are really heating up now. For you H/M shippers, I give you all a little something… enjoy it, and don't worry; it won't turn out at all bad.
Episode 10 Violating Team Rules JAG Headquarters, Falls Church, VA- 0850 EST, October 4Harrington smiled slightly to his officemate as he slipped inside their office, and took a seat at his desk to prepare for the daily morning briefing. Trying not to even glance at the woman who was sitting at the desk directly across from him, he failed miserably, and discovered that she was looking at him with such intensity that she likely didn't realize he was looking at her.
"This isn't going to be easy, is it?" Harrington finally commented.
Singer nodded in agreement, "No, probably not…"
Harrington sighed. They had went over this last night, but it had been foolish of him to think that their discussion would settle what was obviously new territory for both of them.
It had been a nervous discussion at best, as Harrington had recalled, and it was doubtful that Singer had said everything that had been on her mind, and Harrington knew that he had made some promises that were quite possible he wouldn't be able to keep…
Flashback to the previous night…"So, what are we going to do about… well… us?" Harrington asked, "We obviously can't be involved while were in the same office and department."
"Absolutely not." Singer agreed. "How long until your guest stay at JAG terminates?"
"I was never given a set time to report back to High Command for new orders." Harrington replied with a shrug, "It could be anywhere from a couple of months to a year. Whenever they decide I could be useful somewhere else."
"I could handle a couple months." Singer replied, her voice not reflecting the confidence her words would normally imply. "Or a year… I think…" Groaning in dismay, she sighed, "Hell, I've held back for years… I think I can handle one more…"
"Years?" Harrington asked.
"Ironically, it started with the ice incident." Singer admitted, "You just wouldn't give up on getting me to like you. You joked with me, you partnered with me even when I absolutely refused to let you. I remember how you sat on the hood of my car until I agreed to be your partner in the final project for Legal Ethics in our Junior year."
Harrington chuckled, "Yeah… I seemed to recall you sprayed me with your wiper fluid four times, claiming there was a huge bug on your windshield."
"Regardless… I let you in… I trusted you like I hadn't trusted anyone before. You were the first person I ran to after what Crenshaw did to me. Then when you defended me the way you did… I realized just how strong I felt for you…"
"I just did what I felt was the right thing to do." Harrington replied modestly, "When your parents turned on you, saying it was your fault, and refused to let you press charges…"
Singer choked back a sob, and added, "Then you had your accident, and I was scared to death that you'd never wake up… I just sat next to you, waiting… hoping… then I learned you were leaving for Seattle, and I was able to convince myself that I'd never see you again… I had convinced myself that I didn't feel anything towards you, then you came to JAG… and it all began flooding back to me…"
Once again disregarding his good sense, Harrington embraced his oft-partner, and replied, "Well, I'm not going anywhere now. After my tour here is done, however long that is, I'll see what I can do to get stationed nearby. If push comes to shove, I'll go into private practice."
Singer paused. People in her profession didn't just joke about changing the scope of their careers like that. "You'd… do that for me…?"
"I'd be willing to do anything for you." Harrington replied, "You deserve nothing less."
JAG HeadquartersLooking back, Harrington realized just how hard it would be for him to keep his promise to her. His duties gave him little say just where he wound up, and leaving would be difficult at best considering what he did.
However, as he appraised his officemate, he knew that he was going to try his hardest… even if it meant sacrificing the career he had worked hard for the 2 years after he left college. Private practice wasn't terrible after all. 'Gee… what Ronnie would give to hear me thinking this right now…' He added to himself.
Singer was about to say something when she noticed the clock on her desk. "0900, Major… let's get to the briefing."
"Very well, Lt. Commander." Harrington replied, trying to keep a straight face at their blatantly professional attempts at exchange. If he could tell it was phony, then there was no way that anyone else in the bullpen would believe it, either.
Singer chuckled, "God, we're pathetic, aren't we?"
"Hopefully not for too much longer."
Admiral Chegwidden's Office- 0900 EST
"We have been given a Priority One assignment today, one that will require almost all of the resources we have." The Admiral stated to his assembled officers. "I will be leading a group of investigators to Taiwan."
"Why there, sir?" Mac asked.
"The Chinese government has accused several Marine Recon teams in Taipei of... instigating attacks on the Chinese mainland. Our job is to determine whether or not the accusations are true."
"Like the Chinese would believe our conclusions." Harm added wryly.
Admiral Chegwidden nodded, "Probably not... but the SecNav tells us to go, and therefore, we go. I guess it looks good for him in Washington. At any rate, Colonel MacKenzie, Commander Rabb, Lt. Commander Singer, and Major Harrington will join me. Commander Turner, you will be acting JAG in my absence."
When Sturgis nodded, the Admiral concluded, "As I said, people, this is a Priority One assignment. All current cases for the officers accompanying me are to be transferred down to the military court for reassignment. You have 8 hours to get ready... anybody 'stuck in traffic' will get left behind. Dismissed."
As the officers began to leave, Chegwidden said, "Major Harrington, one moment."
Something in Harrington's mind clicked as he gauged his commanding officer's expression. With a sigh, he said, "There's no instigation in Taiwan, is there?"
Chegwidden shook his head. "No, there's not. I got a call from Webb about 30 minutes ago. Central Intelligence has reason to believe that... Randall... is in Taiwan. JAG is to provide a cover for the manhunt."
"Why does the CIA need a cover?"
"Because they think that Randall is moving between Taiwan and the mainland. With Chinese attention being drawn to the JAG investigation, they might not be as likely to call Randall back."
Harrington nodded, "Throwing them off track by making them think we're searching in entirely the wrong place. So, what does this have to do with me?"
"Because Webb and I feel that you have a vested interest in the manhunt, and you will be assisting him and the CIA. I find it interesting, to be honest. Normally, Webb doesn't trust people like us with such sensitive ops."
"I've given up on understanding how Webb thinks. It's probably because he doesn't want me messing up his 'delicate plans' with obnoxious little things like 'the truth'. Thus, he wants me where he can keep a close eye on me."
"Well, regardless, you'll need to be ready just like everyone else." the Admiral ordered, "You are dismissed, Major."
Harrington slipped out the door, and replied, "I wouldn't miss this for the world, sir."
US Embassy, Taipei, Taiwan- 0835 Taipei Standard Time, October 5
"So... why is Major Harrington going with you, Mr. Webb?" Mac asked out of curiosity.
Webb glared at Harrington, and replied, "I want to be right there when he does something embarrassing so that I can tell it to everyone he knows."
"Not going to happen, Webb... but you're free to try." Harrington answered smugly. "Then again… got $500 I can blow on an undercover cop?"
Various chuckles filtered through the assembled teams, except for a certain Navy officer, who grunted in disapproval of Harrington's comment. Harrington noticed this, and the smile on his face disappeared in an instant.
"Not that I would ever do such a thing… mind you…" Harrington quickly amended, trying to erase the displeased scowl on Singer's features. "It was just a joke… seriously." Meanwhile Webb noted the actions between the pair, filing it for potential future use.
"I'd hope so." Singer glared. "Perhaps we should just cut short the idle chit-chat, and actually get on with the investigation?"
"Sounds good, Lt. Commander." Chegwidden answered, "We'll reconvene at 2200 for a short briefing. Let's move."
1130
"Sir, we, nor any of our other Recon teams were ever ordered to attack the Chinese mainland." The operating Lieutenant replied indignantly at the question Commander Rabb posed to him.
"I never said you were ordered, Lieutenant." Harm replied, "I just asked if you had."
"That would also be negative, sir." The Lieutenant replied again.
"Then do you have any information about the boat that has been leaving Taiwan for the mainland almost daily?" Mac asked. "Witness accounts suggest it is large enough for a small Recon unit to travel under radar detection."
"This is the first I've heard of this, ma'am." The Lieutenant replied.
"Colonel, Commander, that's enough." Admiral Chegwidden sighed. "You're dismissed, Lieutenant."
The Recon officer saluted, and left the interview room as fast as his legs could take him without breaking out running. Mac and Harm whirled to face their commanding officer ready to ask why he had cut off their questioning.
"I think we're barking up the wrong tree." The Admiral explained, "Even if any of the Recon teams are taking… vigilante missions against the Chinese, they aren't going to admit it to us."
Singer nodded, "Which is why we're going to take some harbor tours. I've already gone through the Taiwanese government for a list of registered vessels on this island that would be large enough to move a Recon team."
"That's assuming that the vessel is registered." Mac retorted.
"Well, it's a good place to start." Singer replied, "At this point, knowing what it isn't is just as important as knowing what it is."
US Embassy, 1135
"This is Agent Carlson of the CIA, and he has been our primary operative in Taiwan." Webb replied casually to Harrington in introduction.
"What's with the military, Clay?" Agent Carlson replied, gesturing with his head to Harrington.
"This is…" Webb began, correcting himself after seeing the ever so slight shaking of the Major's head, "…Major Steve Harrington of the Judge Advocate General. I'm dragging him along so that I can hopefully keep him from causing trouble."
"Steve… Harrington?" The CIA operative said in disbelief, "Any relation to…"
"Yes, Mr. Carlson." Harrington replied, "Which the primary reason I'm here. I offer the proper cover for the real investigation."
"I see… well then, let's get inside, and I can begin the briefing." Agent Carlson said, motioning Harrington and Webb inside the soundproof room that served as his office.
1750
"Well, that's every registered ship in this dock." Harm replied, sliding another file into his briefcase. "How many more docks do we have to check out?"
"Four." Singer replied with a tired sigh. "I hadn't expected there to be this many, sir."
"This is an island, Lt. Commander." Mac laughed, "What did you expect?"
"It's just that this is going to take us days to go through the ownership, and check out all these leads."
"It's a Priority One assignment, Lt. Commander." Harm replied with a laugh, "Which means we take as much time as we need. Besides, we should enjoy this little place while we have the chance."
"I'll admit, the weather is slightly more preferable to Washington…" Singer replied slyly. "Are you suggesting that we spend the next few hours before the briefing, 'enjoying this little place'?"
"Not at all, we do need to get dinner after all."
"Dinner shouldn't take us 4 hours, Commander."
Harm's eyes twinkled playfully, "Remember, Lt. Commander, we do have Colonel MacKenzie with us."
Singer caught the joke, and nodded, "That's right… we do… are you sure 4 hours will be enough time?"
"All right now…" Mac cut in, trying extremely hard to sound insulted. "That's enough of that."
It was effective enough to rattle Singer, who quickly began to stammer an apology. Insulting a superior officer was never a good idea, especially one that she was actually trying to establish a better rapport with than in the past.
It wasn't until she heard Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie laughing that she realized an apology wasn't at all necessary. "Actually, Lt. Commander, I think we can visit another dock or two, then have plenty of time to actually enjoy eating without having to rush to get to the briefing." Mac finally concluded.
"Sounds like a plan, ma'am." Singer answered back.
US Embassy, 2200
"Well, we aren't quite finished with collecting the relevant vessel information, Sir." Mac replied as representative for her team, "And it may take a couple days to analyze the information we gather."
"This is assuming the vessel sailing between the mainland and here is registered." Chegwidden replied.
"We actually figure it isn't sir. But if we know which ships are registered here, it might make it easier to spot one that isn't."
"What about your team, Webb?"
Webb exhaled, and replied, "We've just finished putting our operatives in place, and they'll be looking around for any behavior among the marines that seems… suspicious. If we can make a connection with a group of marines sailing around in an unregistered vessel… I think we would have a prime suspect."
"That would be a optimal scenario… but investigations rarely turn out optimally." Chegwidden commented, "We also have to consider the most likely possibility that members of Recon aren't running around China stirring up trouble."
While Chegiwidden and Webb were exchanging their ideas, Harm turned to Mac and whispered, "Something's up here. Webb is never this cooperative."
"Agreed. I get the feeling that there is a lot more going on here." Mac replied.
"Have you ever thought that maybe Mr. Webb is being straightforward with us?" Singer interrupted softly, "Why are you instantly assuming that Webb is hiding something from us?"
Mac and Harm looked towards their teammate, and whisper simultaneously, "This is Webb."
"Right… of course…"
Admiral Chegwidden's voice cut in, interrupting the three's discussion. "All right, I know this meeting was a little short, but let me assure you as more information starts coming in we'll be here sorting out for quite some time. We'll meet at 2200 again tomorrow. Hopefully, we'll all have more to show for it. Dismissed."
Just outside the Embassy, Harm, Mac, and Singer ran into Harrington. "Heading back to the hotel, Steve?" Harm asked.
With a sigh, Harrington replied, "No, unfortunately. Webb says he has some things he wants me to look over with him. I think he wants a lawyer's perspective on them."
"Does Webb's actions strike you as a little strange, Major?"
Harrington shrugged, "Everything Webb does strikes me as strange. I don't doubt he's running something on the side here. I'll keep my eyes open. I suggest you do the same."
Singer cut in and replied, "Well then, I suppose that I will be on my way back to the hotel. Never hurts to get an actual good night's sleep now and then."
"I'll drop you off there, Lt. Commander." Harm replied, "I think that I'm going to drive down the coast. It's supposedly stunning at night."
"I think I'll join you, Commander." Mac replied. "I could use a little relaxation before I call it a night."
The three filed into the rental car, and pulled out of the Embassy parking lot, and Harrington slipped back inside.
Moments later…
"All right, I'll keep an eye on Lt. Singer. Are you sure that you'll be able to follow Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie?" Webb asked.
"Earlier in the day, I had a homing device planted on their car. Unless they drive off into the Pacific, I'll be able to follow them." The visitor replied, the shadows in the darkened embassy cloaking his features.
"Are you sure about this?" Webb queried.
"My superiors are expecting some sort of report on my mission in three days. I'll finally be able to dismiss those two from any suspicion."
"Who do you think is responsible for the leak?"
"To be honest, I don't think there is one…" The cloaked figured replied, "But if it is by some off chance the Colonel and/or the Commander, then now would be a prime opportunity to catch them in the act."
2245
"You're right, Harm. The coast is absolutely breathtaking from here." Mac said in awe as the barely lit coastline rushed past them.
"I heard a lot of my fellow Navy officer talk about it." Harm replied, "It seemed like as good of a time as any to see what all the talk was about."
Slowly pulling to a stop along a parking strip along the coastline, Harm and Mac discovered the beach to be closed for the evening. So instead they stood outside the car, and just enjoyed the view. It was a clear night, and the dim lighting allowed for a nice contingent of stars to twinkle.
"So, why did you come here with me, Mac?" Harm asked flippantly. "And don't say that it was because you wanted a moment's relaxation. I've known you for a long time, and I know when you aren't being honest."
Mac paused. She should have figured that Harm would be able to read her. As it was, she wasn't ready. She had been hoping to have some more time to gather her courage. "Oh… it's nothing really. Just wanted to spend some time with my… friend."
"Come on, Mac. If you have something to say to me, just say it." Harm replied casually, although his mind was racing at a rate that could not be described as remotely casual. Mac only got this nervous about a few things, and he was fairly certain which one it was…
"It's just… when you had that… accident on the Truman, well… from what I heard, you nearly died. It made me realize all over again… the things that I've wanted to say to you… and have never been able to…"
"Mac…" Harm began, but the Colonel quickly silenced him with a raised hand.
"No, Harm, I have to say this now. What happens because of it we can deal with later, okay?" Mac suddenly sounded considerably more confident. "I just want you to know that… I … I … I lo…"
"Wait a minute." Harm suddenly interrupted, his attention drawn past her along the coastline. "Do you hear that?"
Displeased at the interruption, Mac wasn't particularly inclined to hear anything at that point. However, as she calmed down, she did indeed hear the sound of an airplane approaching. Looking above her, she saw a small biplane much like the one Harm occasionally fly pass overhead, heading the wrong direction for Taiwan's main airport.
"Now… why would a biplane be flying in from the mainland with all lights at 2300?" Harm asked.
Her emotional admissions were temporarily forgotten by her inquisitive nature. "I really can't say. Why don't we check it out?"
Quickly climbing back into their car, they took off in the hope of tailing the biplane as well as they could in the dark skies of Taiwan.
0016
Fortunately, the biplane took a route parallel to one of Taiwan's major roadways, heading off into the center of the island. Harm watched it slowly descend from his vision faster than the horizon could compensate for, suggesting it had landed. Making a quick spatial note in his mind, he turned off the roadway at his nearest opportunity, and started to proceed to the best of his ability towards the landing site of the aircraft.
"Where are we going, Harm? I don't see the plane anywhere…" Mac asked.
"I saw it… and I saw it land." Harm assured her.
Eventually, the road led to a one-way dirt road that led to a secluded landing strip, the fresh tire tracks imprinted into the road suggesting that someone had been there recently. Harm pulled over to the shoulder, and he and Mac waited to see if whoever had landed had already left.
One lone light shone on the landing strip, and from there, Harm saw an SUV, it's lights off, pulling away from the strip, heading back out the single lane dirt road, and towards their position.
Thinking quickly, Harm grabbed Mac by the shoulders, and turned her to him. "Harm… what are you… mmmph!" Mac protested, then was silenced by Harm's lips sealing over hers. It wasn't exactly how she expected Harm to make his move, and especially at a time like this, but… in the end… why complain?
She was starting to actually enjoy the exchange when she saw a black SUV pull out of the dirt road, and then drive down the road that Harm and Mac had just come from, finally turning on his headlights about a half-mile down the road. That's when she realize just what Harm was doing; if they had been seen, they could simply masquerade as a pair of military people sneaking out for some secluded make-out time. Once she realized that, the moment died, and she pushed herself away.
"Next time you do that… think you can warn me?" Mac replied tersely, wiping her lips with her forearm.
"Sorry… didn't have much time." Harm replied, "It sure didn't seem like you disagreed with the idea."
"Dream on, flyboy." Mac shot back, then pointed down the dirt road. "Are we going to investigate just what that plane is doing here or not?"
"Yes, ma'am." Harm replied, slipping out of the car, and motioning for Mac to do the same. The airstrip was completely accessible to anyone, not even a wire fence standing to dissuade visitors.
"I'd wager a handful of people even know this is here." Mac replied when Harm brought it up. "If not less."
The plane itself was painted a solid dark gray. Upon seeing it up close, Mac asked, "How could you follow that thing, Harm? I can barely see it 10 feet in front of me."
Harm pointed to the back of the plane, and explained "On most biplanes, there is a rear guide light that cannot be turned off, and it's to help avoid mid-air collisions. Most pilots don't even know it's there, much less the means necessary to disable it."
"I see." She tested the door, and discovered it to be unlocked. "Okay… I'm really starting to not like this at all."
"Agreed. It's almost like someone is inviting us to investigate." Harm said, "But at the same time, we have to find out as much as we can about this."
Outside the Airstrip
A shadowed figure watched the pair as they entered the plane with ease. Suddenly, the little pieces he had been gathering were starting to add up, and he didn't like what they were adding up to.
Maybe there was a legitimate reason that Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie were inside an airplane that had tried to sneak into Taiwan from the mainland… but he couldn't think of what. They had waited at the beach, appearing as if to confirm the plane's arrival, then followed it directly to the airstrip. Considering past instances… it painted a pretty damning picture.
The man's cel-phone vibrated, and he answered it, not saying anything into the phone.
"Agent Carlson has been found dead. Someone shot him once, cleanly through the head. I think we have a pretty good idea who is responsible." Webb said.
The figure didn't answer, nor did Webb expect him to. Flipping closed his cel-phone he slid back into his car, and slowly pulled away with the lights off to keep from drawing the Colonel and Commander's attention.
Things had just gotten real messy.
0120
Singer flipped restlessly in her bed, realizing that sleep was defying her tonight. Something didn't feel right. Finally, giving up the hope for slumber, Singer dressed into some casual clothes, and stepped outside her hotel room.
She decided to visit Harrington to see if he had come back yet. She figured she would have heard him enter his room next door, but she figured he had to be back from wherever he had gone with Webb by now.
Stepping in front of Harrington's room, she knocked twice, but received no answer. Shaking her head, she turned to return to her room… then saw… him…
She had only seen pictures of the man in question, but she had very little doubt of his identity nonetheless. Small patches of red, which Singer quickly identified as blood, were splattered lightly on the right sleeve of the middle-aged man's black cargo pants and black hooded sweatshirt.
"You!" Singer suddenly shouted, and the man in question whirled around, bolting at top speed for the stairs. Singer tried to follow pursuit, but she was no match for a person who had spent 28 years ducking and dodging the law. By the time she reached the hotel lobby, he was gone, but he apparently dropped a small folded note.
Singer opened the note, and read its contents.
Steven, meet me at the old US embassy at 0300. – Randall
Singer blanched. There was no way she could allow Harrington to see this…
0220
Harm and Mac gasped at the sight of the murder. CIA agent Christopher Carlson, slumped over his desk, a bullet hole planted directly over his right ear, and a smashed window, suggesting that the assassin had fired from across the street.
Webb pushed them away from the murder scene. "Listen, I know that we're working together here, but this is an internal CIA affair, okay?"
"Then why is Major Harrington allowed inside?" Mac asked in protest.
"He has a vested interest in this case, okay? That's all I'm allowed to say." Webb replied, and continued pushing on the pair until they got the hint. Turning away in mild disgust, they didn't get far until Lieutenant Singer and Admiral Chegwidden met them.
"Come with us." Chegwidden ordered, "I think it's time I explained the true nature of our presence here."
0235
Knowing better than to demand anything of their commanding officer, Mac and Harm waited patiently for the Admiral to explain himself.
"You all know that I was a former Navy SEAL, correct?" Chegwidden asked, and once receiving nods from his two officers continued, "Well… there's a little more to my history after the SEALs that I technically am not allowed to disclose. However, considering the direction this case has taken, it might be wise to explain."
"Marine Recon hasn't been moving in on China, has it?" Harm guessed.
"No, it hasn't." Chegwidden admitted, "This entire case has been about finding a man named Randall Harrington."
"Randall… Harrington?" Mac asked, "As in…"
"Major Harrington's father, yes. Randall was a former operative for the CIA, specializing in counter-espionage investigation. However, at some point, he decided he'd become an espionage agent for the Chinese."
"What does this have to do with you, sir?"
"After I left the SEALS, I spent some time as a soldier for a secret Government SWAT team of sorts, trained in apprehending and eliminating double agents." Chegwidden sighed, "One of our missions was after Randall."
"I take it that the mission didn't go as planned?" Harm asked.
"No… we prepared to make our move… but… we got the wrong person. Randall escaped after his wife interfered with our pursuit."
"Steve's mother… he said she died while he was very young…" Mac gasped.
"She came at one of the members of my team with a knife from her kitchen." Chegwidden inhaled. He obviously didn't like remembering this, "I had no choice… I… fired the shot that killed her…"
Mac covered her gaping mouth with her hand, and Harm shifted nervously in his seat before asking, "Does Major Harrington know about this?"
"He does." The Admiral replied, "He really hated me for a long time, though. I'd been keeping tabs on him for some time while he grew up. I guess I felt somewhat guilty for destroying his family."
Mac decided to spare the Admiral further recollections. "So, we believe Randall Harrington to be involved in the death of Agent Carlson?"
"He's also probably responsible for the plane pursued coming from the mainland." Harm stated.
"Lt. Commander Singer encountered Randall outside of Major Harrington's hotel room earlier tonight. He left what appears to me a note for Harrington to meet him at the old US embassy in Taipei."
Singer handed the pair the note, and said, "Knowing how Steve feels about his father… I don't want him to see this."
"Neither do I." Chegwidden replied, his face contorted into an angry grimace, "Nor do I want Webb finding out about this. The CIA will likely kill Randall on the spot. I want answers." Calming, he added to Harm and Mac, "Now I can't order you to do anything here… it's out of my jurisdiction. However, if you just happen to be around the old embassy at 0300… I'd like to see you apprehend Randall Harrington."
"Aye, aye, sir." Harm nodded. Mac seconded the motion readily.
"Just be careful. Randall's very wily, and has proven his ability to elude capture in the past. I would also consider him to be extremely dangerous." The Admiral warned.
Harm agreed. "He wouldn't have lasted this long if he wasn't, sir. We'll be ready."
0300
The old US Embassy looked like a product of the 1950's… and also looked like it hadn't been touched in 20 years. The brick in many places was disintegrating rapidly, and on the front door Harm saw a bright yellow sign in Chinese.
"Probably means this place is due to be demolished." Harm guessed as he opened the door to step inside.
"Perfect place for one of the CIA's most wanted men to hold a meeting." Mac mused as she followed Harm inside.
The interior of the embassy was covered with the dust of misuse. Cobwebs hung from just about every corner, and the tiles beneath their feet were stained gray from the dust and mildew.
"I think we're the only ones here, Mac." Harm commented as he looked down at the tiled floor.
"Why do you say that?" His partner queried.
"The only footprints in the dust are ours."
"That's what I'd like visitors to believe." A tenor voice hissed. Before Harm and Mac could turn to face the source of the voice, the sound of a pistol clicking off safety interrupted them. "The first one of you that moves will be responsible for both of your deaths. Understand?"
"Perfectly." Harm replied, "So you're Randall Harrington?"
"I'll ask the questions here, pretty boy." Randall snapped, apparently keeping his distance judging from the sound of his footsteps. "Where is my son?"
"He won't be meeting you tonight." Mac retorted.
"Why not?"
"He doesn't know about the little note you sent."
Randall cursed, "Damn stupid girl… I should have guessed she wouldn't deliver my message. You two are idiots, you know that?"
"What do you mean?" Mac replied.
"If you two know about this little meeting, then I can guarantee you the CIA does too." The sound of several cars screeching to a halt drew his attention slightly. "Speak of the devil. Well, I'm sorry, but I need to be going. If I were you two, I'd think up a damn good excuse for being here."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Mac demanded, but by then, Randall Harrington had disappeared as suddenly as he had arrived. Soon after, several armed and armored CIA agents burst into the embassy.
"Randall was just here…" Harm began, but was interrupted when one of the agents pushed his sub-machine gun into Harm's face.
From behind the armed agents, Harm saw Clayton Webb appear with two pairs of handcuffs. "You don't know how much this hurts me to say this… but you two are under arrest for conspiracy to commit espionage against the United States."
End Episode 10