1715 Zulu
Home of Lauren Stratus
Harm entered the home and was aghast to see the amount of blood on the wall near where the body was found. Whoever did this had a lot of anger in them, or at least wanted to make it appear to be a crime of anger, hatred and disgust. Harm began searching the rooms looking for some sort of diary or any indication that the couple was or was not having problems that would have fueled this tragedy. Unable to find anything useful Harm continued to walk around and saw a dozen or so pictures of the couple at various events and outings. They looked happy. He picks up the laptop computer sitting on Lauren's desk when he sees another picture of them at a park somewhere that looked warm and sunny. He remembers his conversation from this morning with the Lieutenant. He was distraught and holding tears back. Harm concluded that he was either guilty or sorry for his crime or more than likely innocent and overwhelmed by his loss. Harm concluded that it was probably the latter, but how on earth would he prove it? Harm continued to look around the study and found some paperwork and file folders that he assumed belonged to the victim. Without looking inside them he gathered them up with the laptop and left the house. Turning back and looking inside before he closed the door, he made himself a silent promise to see this one through the fullest.
2200 Zulu JAG Headquarters
Harms Office
Once again Harm is swarmed over his desk this time working on the victim's laptop searching her file database. Admiral Chegwidden walks into Harms office and enters without knocking. Before the Admiral can say anything Harm stands and snaps to attention.
Sir
How the hell do you do that without looking?
Force of habit.
At ease. It's getting to be quitting time Commander.
Not for me sir. I have a long night ahead of me.
Did your trip to the crime scene bring anything about?
Not yet sir. I was able to get her computer and some files that I found in the study. NCIS didn't take anything more than the obvious murder weapon and whatever surrounded the scene in the room where the body and the Lieutenant were found. I'm waiting on the forensics, probably won't get them until late tomorrow, so I figure I would learn more about the victim to see who else could have done this.
Any luck yet? (Asked the Admiral with interest)
So far the only files I've come across are various spreadsheets with quantity quotes and prices affixed to them, but no product or company listings. I've only gotten through a few of them and haven't even touched the hard files yet so we'll see in due time. I couldn't find a diary or any letters, notes in the house. No indication that they were having problems with each other, at least that was documented. The funny thing is that everywhere I looked, aside from about a dozen or so pictures of the couple, there were no real personal affiliations with the place. Sure it had a women's touch to the décor and belongings, but no pictures of friends, family. Nothing to disclose anything about her personal life. It's like she wanted to be clouded in mystery.
I would think then you have some other questions for the Lieutenant then.
First thing in the morning sir. I'm waiting for the blood work results to come back before drawing any conclusions or suggestions of what could have happened. If Lieutenant Sheffield was drugged, then that will help with his claims of waking up without knowing what happened. For the life of me I can't understand that if he did kill her why would he wait around drenched in blood with the murder weapon right beside him. He's too smart for that.
What are you thinking Commander?
Something doesn't fit with this. The victim's background is clouded in some mystery so far. The Lieutenant said he met the victim at a conference in California over six months ago. Her place was filled with pictures of them, but nothing to suggest who she worked for, what she liked to do for fun, who her friends where. It just seems like she was trying to hide some areas of her life.
Well I think you established that, but do you have suspicions?
Just a gut feeling that this has less to do with the Lieutenant and more to do with his father or his work at Naval Intelligence. It's too strange of a situation not to at least look into.
Agreed that the situation is strange, but the SecNav barely knew the victim, in fact he mentioned that he only met her twice and the rest of his knowledge came from conversations with his son. If the secretary is somehow involved then our worse nightmare is going to come to come true. Although if this involves the Lieutenants work at Naval Intel...truth be told I'm not too sure which is worse. What leads you to believe that it has anything to do with him?
Instinct sir. But in truth I'm leaning toward Intelligence involvement.
The court marshal is set for one week from tomorrow. So I have a limited timetable to get my defense together.
Want me to call Webb and see what he can dig up?
NO! (catching himself). I'm sorry sir that was totally out of line.
Don't worry about it. In retrospect that probably wasn't the best suggestion.
If it gets down to me finding nothing then I'll make the call. He does still owe me one.
Glad to see your personal feelings aren't clouding your judgment Harm (he says sarcastically)
I told you I would do my best to keep the personal out of the office sir. I meant what I said. However a slip every now and then is bound to occur (smiles).
Glad to hear it.
Hear what sir?
That you're still human...What do you want me to tell the SecNav as you know he is very concerned and calling every hour for an update.
Tell him I'm just getting warmed up, but I need to know any and every person that he himself has pissed off lately and any issues that could compromise his office, the Navy or himself.
That could be one hell of a long list. Not too mention the National Security conflicts.
Being that the Lieutenant worked for Naval Intelligence, I think that is cause enough for National Security concerns. Please just relay the message sir. If he wants me to get to the bottom of this, I need as much information as there is. National Security issues or not, this is his sons life we're talking about.
I take it the Lieutenant didn't go for Mac's deal.
Not a chance, although you can be assured I informed him of the uphill battle we are against.
Ok, Commander I trust your instincts on this. In fact the more I think about it the more I think you might be on to something. I'll call the SecNav tonight and I would expect a call from him yourself tonight as well.
Yes sir
I won't mention this to the Colonel yet since there is nothing concrete. Do you want co-council for your investigation Harm?
No sir, I think I need to do this on my own.
Are you sure, I mean you know what you're up against? Yes sir, but if I am to prove I deserve to be here, then I need to set some minds straight.
Including your own?
Yes sir.
Ok then I'll make Lieutenant Roberts available to the Colonel. Are you sure about this Harm; there is nothing wrong with taking help.
Yes sir I'm sure.
Alright, for now Commander. Carry on.
Yes sir.
2400 Zulu North of Union Station. Harm's Loft
Yes Mattie, I'll be their Saturday I promised.
Harm if you can't make it you can't I uh, will understand, I mean two weeks in a row is a lot to ask.
Look, I'm not coping out on a promise. Besides after the way this week is going to go flying will give me some perspective on this case.
Ok, I'm looking forward to it. I really had fun last Saturday.
Me too. Hey, kiddo it's late. Get some sleep and I'll see you in the morning at the airfield.
Ok night Harm.
Good night sweetheart.
Harms Phone rings as soon as he sets it on the cradle.
Rabb...
Commander it's Secretary Sheffield.
Sir.
I just got off of the phone with Admiral Chegwidden. I want you to know that you will have every resource I can make available to you.
Thank you sir...we can start with some questions I have for you at your earliest convenience.
I'll be at JAG tomorrow afternoon and hopefully I'll have some information you need.
Good, then we can start putting the pieces of this puzzle together.
Do you have suspicions Commander?
Some things don't make sense sir, but we'll get to that in the morning. You may very well be able to shed some light on some darker areas.
Commander, do what you have to do to get my son out of this mess.
I will do my best sir.
You are the best that's why I requested you and I have full confidence that you will find the truth.
Aye sir.
Oh and Commander, some of this information I'm sure I will be providing you with is very sensitive so I need to stress the confidentiality...
I understand completely sir.
Good then. Good night.
Good night sir.
2430 Zulu Macs Apartment
Mac is sitting on the couch looking through her case file. This trial was going to be a media frenzy and she needed to make sure that she was well prepared. She couldn't however concentrate due to a couple of arguments with a certain Navy Commander.
How could he think I don't respect him after all we have been through? It just doesn't make sense.
She really regretted the way she came off at him earlier. She had hoped they could adjust to their old selves and get back to the playful banter of how they used to be. How could she hope that, she was realizing if she continued to belittle her former partner and what he was trying to do? Seriously she thought, he has a duty to his client and I shouldn't be making this personal. It was always personal. They were competitive and she was mad at him for accusing her of being scared to face him.
Am I scared? She thought.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Harm entered the home and was aghast to see the amount of blood on the wall near where the body was found. Whoever did this had a lot of anger in them, or at least wanted to make it appear to be a crime of anger, hatred and disgust. Harm began searching the rooms looking for some sort of diary or any indication that the couple was or was not having problems that would have fueled this tragedy. Unable to find anything useful Harm continued to walk around and saw a dozen or so pictures of the couple at various events and outings. They looked happy. He picks up the laptop computer sitting on Lauren's desk when he sees another picture of them at a park somewhere that looked warm and sunny. He remembers his conversation from this morning with the Lieutenant. He was distraught and holding tears back. Harm concluded that he was either guilty or sorry for his crime or more than likely innocent and overwhelmed by his loss. Harm concluded that it was probably the latter, but how on earth would he prove it? Harm continued to look around the study and found some paperwork and file folders that he assumed belonged to the victim. Without looking inside them he gathered them up with the laptop and left the house. Turning back and looking inside before he closed the door, he made himself a silent promise to see this one through the fullest.
2200 Zulu JAG Headquarters
Harms Office
Once again Harm is swarmed over his desk this time working on the victim's laptop searching her file database. Admiral Chegwidden walks into Harms office and enters without knocking. Before the Admiral can say anything Harm stands and snaps to attention.
Sir
How the hell do you do that without looking?
Force of habit.
At ease. It's getting to be quitting time Commander.
Not for me sir. I have a long night ahead of me.
Did your trip to the crime scene bring anything about?
Not yet sir. I was able to get her computer and some files that I found in the study. NCIS didn't take anything more than the obvious murder weapon and whatever surrounded the scene in the room where the body and the Lieutenant were found. I'm waiting on the forensics, probably won't get them until late tomorrow, so I figure I would learn more about the victim to see who else could have done this.
Any luck yet? (Asked the Admiral with interest)
So far the only files I've come across are various spreadsheets with quantity quotes and prices affixed to them, but no product or company listings. I've only gotten through a few of them and haven't even touched the hard files yet so we'll see in due time. I couldn't find a diary or any letters, notes in the house. No indication that they were having problems with each other, at least that was documented. The funny thing is that everywhere I looked, aside from about a dozen or so pictures of the couple, there were no real personal affiliations with the place. Sure it had a women's touch to the décor and belongings, but no pictures of friends, family. Nothing to disclose anything about her personal life. It's like she wanted to be clouded in mystery.
I would think then you have some other questions for the Lieutenant then.
First thing in the morning sir. I'm waiting for the blood work results to come back before drawing any conclusions or suggestions of what could have happened. If Lieutenant Sheffield was drugged, then that will help with his claims of waking up without knowing what happened. For the life of me I can't understand that if he did kill her why would he wait around drenched in blood with the murder weapon right beside him. He's too smart for that.
What are you thinking Commander?
Something doesn't fit with this. The victim's background is clouded in some mystery so far. The Lieutenant said he met the victim at a conference in California over six months ago. Her place was filled with pictures of them, but nothing to suggest who she worked for, what she liked to do for fun, who her friends where. It just seems like she was trying to hide some areas of her life.
Well I think you established that, but do you have suspicions?
Just a gut feeling that this has less to do with the Lieutenant and more to do with his father or his work at Naval Intelligence. It's too strange of a situation not to at least look into.
Agreed that the situation is strange, but the SecNav barely knew the victim, in fact he mentioned that he only met her twice and the rest of his knowledge came from conversations with his son. If the secretary is somehow involved then our worse nightmare is going to come to come true. Although if this involves the Lieutenants work at Naval Intel...truth be told I'm not too sure which is worse. What leads you to believe that it has anything to do with him?
Instinct sir. But in truth I'm leaning toward Intelligence involvement.
The court marshal is set for one week from tomorrow. So I have a limited timetable to get my defense together.
Want me to call Webb and see what he can dig up?
NO! (catching himself). I'm sorry sir that was totally out of line.
Don't worry about it. In retrospect that probably wasn't the best suggestion.
If it gets down to me finding nothing then I'll make the call. He does still owe me one.
Glad to see your personal feelings aren't clouding your judgment Harm (he says sarcastically)
I told you I would do my best to keep the personal out of the office sir. I meant what I said. However a slip every now and then is bound to occur (smiles).
Glad to hear it.
Hear what sir?
That you're still human...What do you want me to tell the SecNav as you know he is very concerned and calling every hour for an update.
Tell him I'm just getting warmed up, but I need to know any and every person that he himself has pissed off lately and any issues that could compromise his office, the Navy or himself.
That could be one hell of a long list. Not too mention the National Security conflicts.
Being that the Lieutenant worked for Naval Intelligence, I think that is cause enough for National Security concerns. Please just relay the message sir. If he wants me to get to the bottom of this, I need as much information as there is. National Security issues or not, this is his sons life we're talking about.
I take it the Lieutenant didn't go for Mac's deal.
Not a chance, although you can be assured I informed him of the uphill battle we are against.
Ok, Commander I trust your instincts on this. In fact the more I think about it the more I think you might be on to something. I'll call the SecNav tonight and I would expect a call from him yourself tonight as well.
Yes sir
I won't mention this to the Colonel yet since there is nothing concrete. Do you want co-council for your investigation Harm?
No sir, I think I need to do this on my own.
Are you sure, I mean you know what you're up against? Yes sir, but if I am to prove I deserve to be here, then I need to set some minds straight.
Including your own?
Yes sir.
Ok then I'll make Lieutenant Roberts available to the Colonel. Are you sure about this Harm; there is nothing wrong with taking help.
Yes sir I'm sure.
Alright, for now Commander. Carry on.
Yes sir.
2400 Zulu North of Union Station. Harm's Loft
Yes Mattie, I'll be their Saturday I promised.
Harm if you can't make it you can't I uh, will understand, I mean two weeks in a row is a lot to ask.
Look, I'm not coping out on a promise. Besides after the way this week is going to go flying will give me some perspective on this case.
Ok, I'm looking forward to it. I really had fun last Saturday.
Me too. Hey, kiddo it's late. Get some sleep and I'll see you in the morning at the airfield.
Ok night Harm.
Good night sweetheart.
Harms Phone rings as soon as he sets it on the cradle.
Rabb...
Commander it's Secretary Sheffield.
Sir.
I just got off of the phone with Admiral Chegwidden. I want you to know that you will have every resource I can make available to you.
Thank you sir...we can start with some questions I have for you at your earliest convenience.
I'll be at JAG tomorrow afternoon and hopefully I'll have some information you need.
Good, then we can start putting the pieces of this puzzle together.
Do you have suspicions Commander?
Some things don't make sense sir, but we'll get to that in the morning. You may very well be able to shed some light on some darker areas.
Commander, do what you have to do to get my son out of this mess.
I will do my best sir.
You are the best that's why I requested you and I have full confidence that you will find the truth.
Aye sir.
Oh and Commander, some of this information I'm sure I will be providing you with is very sensitive so I need to stress the confidentiality...
I understand completely sir.
Good then. Good night.
Good night sir.
2430 Zulu Macs Apartment
Mac is sitting on the couch looking through her case file. This trial was going to be a media frenzy and she needed to make sure that she was well prepared. She couldn't however concentrate due to a couple of arguments with a certain Navy Commander.
How could he think I don't respect him after all we have been through? It just doesn't make sense.
She really regretted the way she came off at him earlier. She had hoped they could adjust to their old selves and get back to the playful banter of how they used to be. How could she hope that, she was realizing if she continued to belittle her former partner and what he was trying to do? Seriously she thought, he has a duty to his client and I shouldn't be making this personal. It was always personal. They were competitive and she was mad at him for accusing her of being scared to face him.
Am I scared? She thought.
TO BE CONTINUED...