Later that evening they all sat in the briefing room, joined by two members of the military police who Hammond had called in after he found out officially what was going on. This was now official, on the record, that Samantha Carter, had accused her husband of abuse. Why she felt so awful about it would probably keep psychologists occupied for quite awhile.
"So what evidence do you have that isn't classified," One of the military police said irritably, after the conversation had got into another area they were unable to discuss."
"The medical record of injuries is extensive"
"Inconclusive I'm afraid, especially with all the other injuries from classified missions. I'm sorry, Major, but you are going to need to take the stand against him. I need to know now if you are willing to do that?"
"I'll do it; but he might still get off?" Carter asked is a calm voice,
"I'm afraid so, ma'am"
"He'll expose this Base if he does. Sir, we can't allow that to happen"
"I'm sure your testimony and the doc's will be enough Carter" O'Neill said forcefully.
"If we had more than just your word, ma'am. Maybe someone else has seen something?" The other police officer asked, trying desperately to acquire the evidence they needed without running into the line 'that's classified'
"No. You need to catch him doing it. Right, to get more than my word against his, and, no Sir, what you saw the other night won't work because he'd just incriminate you"
"Excuse me, what 'the other night?'" asked one of the military police aggressively.
"Nothing which requires recording" Tlea'c said with a stare. No one questioned further, suddenly the topic was closed.
Daniel had told Tlea'c what had happen the previous night, and after a few untranslatable insults in Gou'ald, he had understood. Daniel had been surprised, he had been dreaded the conversation and the explanations of earth culture, but the Jaffa had surprised him again by not questioning Sam's decision even as much as he had.
"We need to reach a decision Gentlemen, I cannot keep Hanson detained another day for no reason." Hammond tried to stop the glares and move forward.
"If Major Carter was willing we will put her house under surveillance?"
"No she's not" O'Neill said adamantly
"Sir, with all due respect that's my decision. If you saw him hit me, would you get a conviction" her voice was detached from the emotion of the question.
"Nothing is with out any doubt, Major but yes, if his abuse was caught on tape, he'll get prison time."
"I'll do it!" she said adamantly.
"Carter, he'll kill you! He'll know you reported him,"
"Sir, I can manage" She said firmly.
"Sam, I'm sure we have enough," Daniel said gently.
"No, we need to be sure, I'll be fine, honestly"
"OK, your objection is noted Colonel, but it's Major Carter's decision. I can't say I'm happy with it but I think I understand. Now how long to set up the surveillance?"
"A few hours I'm afraid Sir,"
"OK. We will wait 'till morning to release him"
The arrangements were made. General Hammond would officially apologize to Hanson on Tlea'c's behalf. He would then be released to go home with Carter or meet her there, his choice - he was a free man after all.
Sam refused a wire to wear in the car because she was sure he would want to get her home and all they needed was his physical violence, they didn't need to hear how he talked to her when they were alone. The house was set up so every room could be viewed and a team was positioned outside ready to move in as soon as they had enough evidence or on Carter's signal.
The car would be tailed but only to ensure they headed home. Both O'Neill and Carter had been worried he would spot any tail but had been assured it would stay well back and was just to ensure they went home. It was set! What they all hoped would be the final trap. The plan was set into motion.
(More coming soon!)
"So what evidence do you have that isn't classified," One of the military police said irritably, after the conversation had got into another area they were unable to discuss."
"The medical record of injuries is extensive"
"Inconclusive I'm afraid, especially with all the other injuries from classified missions. I'm sorry, Major, but you are going to need to take the stand against him. I need to know now if you are willing to do that?"
"I'll do it; but he might still get off?" Carter asked is a calm voice,
"I'm afraid so, ma'am"
"He'll expose this Base if he does. Sir, we can't allow that to happen"
"I'm sure your testimony and the doc's will be enough Carter" O'Neill said forcefully.
"If we had more than just your word, ma'am. Maybe someone else has seen something?" The other police officer asked, trying desperately to acquire the evidence they needed without running into the line 'that's classified'
"No. You need to catch him doing it. Right, to get more than my word against his, and, no Sir, what you saw the other night won't work because he'd just incriminate you"
"Excuse me, what 'the other night?'" asked one of the military police aggressively.
"Nothing which requires recording" Tlea'c said with a stare. No one questioned further, suddenly the topic was closed.
Daniel had told Tlea'c what had happen the previous night, and after a few untranslatable insults in Gou'ald, he had understood. Daniel had been surprised, he had been dreaded the conversation and the explanations of earth culture, but the Jaffa had surprised him again by not questioning Sam's decision even as much as he had.
"We need to reach a decision Gentlemen, I cannot keep Hanson detained another day for no reason." Hammond tried to stop the glares and move forward.
"If Major Carter was willing we will put her house under surveillance?"
"No she's not" O'Neill said adamantly
"Sir, with all due respect that's my decision. If you saw him hit me, would you get a conviction" her voice was detached from the emotion of the question.
"Nothing is with out any doubt, Major but yes, if his abuse was caught on tape, he'll get prison time."
"I'll do it!" she said adamantly.
"Carter, he'll kill you! He'll know you reported him,"
"Sir, I can manage" She said firmly.
"Sam, I'm sure we have enough," Daniel said gently.
"No, we need to be sure, I'll be fine, honestly"
"OK, your objection is noted Colonel, but it's Major Carter's decision. I can't say I'm happy with it but I think I understand. Now how long to set up the surveillance?"
"A few hours I'm afraid Sir,"
"OK. We will wait 'till morning to release him"
The arrangements were made. General Hammond would officially apologize to Hanson on Tlea'c's behalf. He would then be released to go home with Carter or meet her there, his choice - he was a free man after all.
Sam refused a wire to wear in the car because she was sure he would want to get her home and all they needed was his physical violence, they didn't need to hear how he talked to her when they were alone. The house was set up so every room could be viewed and a team was positioned outside ready to move in as soon as they had enough evidence or on Carter's signal.
The car would be tailed but only to ensure they headed home. Both O'Neill and Carter had been worried he would spot any tail but had been assured it would stay well back and was just to ensure they went home. It was set! What they all hoped would be the final trap. The plan was set into motion.
(More coming soon!)