Chapter 2: Under The Surface
United States Naval Base – Outside
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
1900 EST
"How long have you two been here?" Bobbi Latham asked. The three were walking out through the base towards their respective quarters. They were all staying in the same building. Harm only dreaded that idea, knowing that being around Bobbi Latham right now would not be a good thing. It was hard enough to force himself away from Mac for the entire trip, and to have a former love around during such a situation would only hinder his current relationship. All he wanted to do was take Mac, kiss her passionately, and end any possible flirting that Bobbi may have in store.
Mac responded, "Just a few hours." The response came off much nicer than she intended, and she knew allowing herself to become jealous wasn't right to either herself or Harm. Bobbi had no clue of her relationship with Harm; in fact, no one did. Mac had to remember this and realize that Bobbi, if she knew of it, might not act flirtatious towards Harm, as she has always done in the past.
Bobbi nodded. "I'm glad you're on this case, Colonel. We need a strong, female military officer to be apart of this. And a Marine on top of that. You fit the profile."
Harm glanced to Bobbi, obviously confused. "The profile for what?" What Bobbi Latham might be thinking here made Harm slightly nervous. Though he didn't want to show how nervous, because doing so might indicate some feelings that he might have for Mac. Putting her in danger was not high on his list, and if he could prevent such a plan, he would. He could only think of the countless times he had risked his life for Mac, then not admitting how much he cared for her. Now, knowing this and Mac knowing this made his determination to ensure her safety that much more important.
Bobbi looked at him with an innocent smile. "A successful Marine, military woman investigating the injustices towards women in the military." Bobbi had no idea what she had said; not realizing that such a statement would anger Mac to no end. Mac had no intentions of exploiting her gender for the sake of destroying the one institution that had been her life and always would be.
Mac stopped them quickly and stepped up to the Congresswoman. "I'm a Marine officer above everything else. The fact that I happen to be a woman doesn't play in my commitment to the Corp, my country, and JAG. Don't expect me to set an example for something that doesn't exist." She always had a problem dealing with politicians, especially ones who put their own agendas above the justice of military law. She looked to Harm briefly. "I'll be in my quarters going over the case." Mac then left without another word, leaving Harm and Bobbi Latham to stare after her.
Harm smiled to himself, knowing this was going to be some case. No matter how long he knew Mac, she continued to surprise him. It was a characteristic that he loved about Mac, one of many that separated her, broke her away from the rest of the crowd. It was one that made her special. Being tough was a label that Mac would forever carry, and only made her more irresistible to Harm. Bobbi Latham broke his train of thought, asking with annoyance, "What's her problem, Rabb?"
Harm looked to Bobbi, knowing that a Congresswoman would probably never understand, unless they were in the military themselves. "Well, ma'am, she lives by the code of a military officer." Harm stared after the walking Mac. "In fact," he continued, smiling widely, "she lives by the code of a Marine." His dark blue eyes turned to Bobbi, unable to hide his happiness with the confrontation in the hope that the Congresswoman was put in her place. Being in the military was not easy, yet it was an honor to all who served.
Bobbi nodded knowingly, seeing his features turn to more than just respect. Actually, it was the same look he had given Mac the entire time Bobbi had been here, which was no longer than a few hours. It was a look of passion. "Strictly? By the look in your eye, I'd say there's something going on there."
Harm glanced away, noticeably choosing to avoid her. He knew then he had been letting on too much, and he only hoped that Bobbi hadn't noticed. Though, Bobbi was much more intelligent about such things than someone like Bud, who didn't seem to notice such changes. It was time to change the subject and quickly. "Let's stick with the case."
Bobbi turned to him with a smile. Ever since she knew him, the passion in the sea of those eyes had been for one woman; Mac. Despite his other relationships, it was hard to miss his devotion for his partner. Devotion, yes, Bobbi thought carefully, and love. Protection. Safety. Never wanting to leave her side. From the stories she had heard of these two, and there were many, they stuck together well. "Why didn't we ever work out, Harm?" Bobbi asked, choosing to play the devil's advocate.
Harm's gaze inadvertently followed to Mac, now just a shadow in the distance. If he could sit here and watch her for his entire life, he would be a happy man. He would have given his life for Mac a dozen times, did give up his career, the life he knew, for her, for her safety, for her love, for her to return that love. It was all he had ever wanted for quite some time. "Because I was waiting for my soul mate." Harm glanced quickly to her, giving a shy smile. "Investigation starts tomorrow." He then shifted away from her and walked away.
United States Naval Base
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
0900 EST
Next day
It was indeed hot in Cuba, and the calendar reading early August only made things worse. Luckily all of their interviews were taking place inside an air-conditioned office. The office would be Harm and Mac's until the case was fully investigated. After going over the case the night before, the next step was to begin to interview witnesses. The first was Corporal Barnes, one of the two Marines who found Sarah Knight. Mac found her eyes traveling to the Corporal, seeing him a bit nervous. Not knowing whether the nervousness had to do with just being interviewed by JAG officers, which was usually a dreadful experience for a soldier to look forward to, or because he might be more involved in the case than he initially indicated would be a difficult decision to make.
Harm walked around the table, Barnes was sitting at it, and Mac sat across from Barnes. Harm began, "You said you felt the night had a strange feeling?" Harm noticed the Corporal think to himself for a second, sitting up in his chair a bit, wanting to indicate a sense of pride and duty. In that moment the nervousness began to fade away a bit.
Barnes suddenly smirked a little and began laughing slightly at the way the Commander said the question. Indeed the idea sounded strange, but it was true. "Yes, sir. When you do night patrol you have a tendency to feel when bad things might happen. It's like someone saying they can smell snow before it actually snows, sir."
Mac smiled, happy that Barnes was relaxing a bit. It was important that he was so Harm and herself could gauge his emotions to certain questions correctly without having his nervousness of just being asked get in the way. "I can smell snow, too." She looked quickly to the file. "Do you remember seeing anyone that night; passed by anyone?"
Barnes eyes turned a bit to the ceiling, his mind running in many different directions. After a moment, he replied, "Yes, ma'am, but I don't remember the faces. We pass people all the time at night. I vaguely remember walking by another officer, but it was quite dark that night." He seemed to let out a long breath, happy with the way he answered. Pulling out a pack of cigarettes, Barnes took one out and quickly lit it. This would keep him calm, Barnes thought to himself.
Harm stepped forward, interest showing noticeably on his face. The smoke from the cigarette gave the room an eerie haze. It seemed to cover Barnes face enough, his features hidden behind a cloud that drifted up into the slow running fan above. He asked quietly, "You can't tell us anything about his features?"
Barnes sighed, irritated with his inability to help. All that flashed through his mind were images, quick movements, the darkness of that night. His mind was trying desperately to see pass through the fog of his own forgetfulness. The images ran across his mind constantly, wishing he could be of more help. "No, sir. But we pass people all night. Even if it wasn't dark out, sir, I still don't think I would remember." It was true, Barnes thought, hoping his words were making sense.
Harm looked into the Corporal's eyes, seeing a sense of truth. He tended to believe he had a sense of his own; when people were lying. The Corporal wasn't one of them. Though Barnes was becoming more comfortable, his nerves seemed to be related to all of the questions, not just one. From talking to other members of his unit, Barnes tended to be nervous a lot. It was part of his character.
"You said that Patterson was the first one to walk over to the dead body?" Mac asked, breaking Harm's thoughts quickly.
Barnes nodded with assurance, having no trouble remembering that aspect of the night. Taking a puff of the cigarette he had in his hand, he explained, "Yes, ma'am. We were walking along through the base. Our shift had just started. I lit myself a cigarette. Patterson suddenly stopped and said he thought he saw something strange over next to the one of the barracks. I told him it was nothing, but he went to check it out anyway. After some silence, I went after him, and he was standing over the dead body."
Patterson interview:
Same room, same positions of Harm and Mac.
1000 EST
Harm asked, "What did you see in the darkness?" Patterson had been an interesting interview so far, his features much more calm and settled. He had no trouble answering the questions, relaying his knowledge, explaining what he had seen. The confidence was there, in Patterson's eyes, yet sadness loomed much more heavily with Patterson than it had with Barnes. The death of Knight had hit him very hard.
Patterson replied softly, "Just movement, sir. I felt it was my place to check it out. When I got to the spot, all I saw was Sarah – Lance Corporal Knight, sir." He looked to the desk, ashamed of his slip. Mac saw the frustration in him, though Patterson had hid it well. Knight and Patterson had a special connection that much was clear. What type of connection would be the next question, and the answer might help or hinder Patterson's possible involvement in these deaths.
Mac chimed in then, "What did she look like?"
"There was a rope around her neck, burns from the rope, scratches on her arms. And she was ..." Patterson began, and then suddenly stopped. Mac leaned forward a bit more in her chair. Patterson looked away from both Harm and Mac, wishing that the interview would just magically end. Never did he think it would be this difficult, nor did he wish to talk about Sarah like this, in such a way. So many emotions were running through him, and Patterson found himself lost. It was too much.
Harm pressed, "What?" Something was hiding beneath Patterson's words, and Harm only hoped he could say it.
Patterson folded his hands on the table, now feeling the pressure of the situation, of the interview. Why did he have to find her? Of all people, why him? Why couldn't he save her? Get to her in time? "She was sitting against the wall, sir, eyes open, staring into the darkness. It was ..." he paused a second, choosing to finally to look at Harm, "weird, sir. Eerie."
Mac's eyes suddenly displayed confusion. Shifting carefully through the case files, she found what she was looking for quickly and placed it on the table in front of the Private. "She's described as still hanging by others who found her after you." In fact, all the reports had stated this. Knight was found and seen hanging before the authorities took her down. Any difference in such a report only supported a possible cover-up by either Patterson or someone else on the base that may have been in contact with the report. In any case, murder seemed evident.
Patterson squinted at it, shaking his head. "No, ma'am, when I found her, she was in the position I described."
Harm walked over to the table and leaned against it. "Are you sure?"
Patterson nodded adamantly. "I wouldn't forget that, sir."
Medical Examiner Interview
Same room
1030 EST
Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Johnson answered, "Yes, she had scrapes on her hands and arms, which could have been caused by anything. Marines train quite a bit. She also had the rope around her neck and the rope burns on her neck." Mac found herself interested in Johnson, not entirely able to tell why. The aura around him was one of confidence and security. However, it was apparent Johnson didn't want to be here at all, and the answers he gave had been short and simple.
Mac frowned. "Do you really believe this was a suicide?" Harm walked a little closer to the table, waiting to hear the answer.
Johnson looked to both Harm and Mac, seeing their sudden interest. JAG lawyers looked for anything, searching for any clues that might suggest foul play or injustice. They tended to make his skin crawl, and Johnson hated talking to them, though in his work with the Marines, he talked to them constantly. They tended, just as the Commander and the Colonel were doing, to make situations much harder and more difficult than they actually were. "Yes, the marks on her neck were rope burns, Colonel."
"What position was she in when you found her?" Harm asked, feeling it was time to get to the heart of the interview. Since Patterson's description of the crime scene, Harm suddenly saw a key to figuring or concluding the real cause of death. Maybe it wouldn't lead them to the killer, but it would certainly be an excellent start. Johnson's answer to this question, and how he answered it had become extremely important, probably more than Johnson realized.
Johnson hesitated at that moment, seemingly in response to what Harm was thinking. Mac's hands folded together, and Harm knew she had been waiting for the same indication as he had been. Though the hesitation took only seconds, it was long enough to convince Harm that there was reason to belief that the two women were murdered. Replying without any falters in his voice, Johnson answered, "She was found still hanging. Once I got there, they had her body laying on the ground, attempting to revive her, but to no avail. The overhead light that was over her comes out a bit from the building and would've been an excellent place for her to hang herself. No one would see her. And it would be easy for her to tie the rope on it."
Mac looked to Harm quickly, who's face was expressionless. Returning her eyes to the Medical Examiner, she saw his cheek twitch slightly. Mac wasn't entirely sure if it was caused by the knowledge he had of his own lie, or that he really felt he was telling the truth and he couldn't hide from the unbelief wavering in the two JAG lawyers before him. Mac never failed to believe her sense of people, her instincts telling her the secrets of those whom she defended and prosecuted. Her instincts with this man, honestly, were mixed. She needed a little more time. "Can you tell us anything else?"
Johnson shook his head. "Nothing more."
Harm sighed deeply. "You can go." Johnson nodded, stood up quickly and left. Harm and Mac were now alone, and their eyes met immediately. Both knew that this case had much to investigate.
United States Naval Base – Outside
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
1900 EST
"How long have you two been here?" Bobbi Latham asked. The three were walking out through the base towards their respective quarters. They were all staying in the same building. Harm only dreaded that idea, knowing that being around Bobbi Latham right now would not be a good thing. It was hard enough to force himself away from Mac for the entire trip, and to have a former love around during such a situation would only hinder his current relationship. All he wanted to do was take Mac, kiss her passionately, and end any possible flirting that Bobbi may have in store.
Mac responded, "Just a few hours." The response came off much nicer than she intended, and she knew allowing herself to become jealous wasn't right to either herself or Harm. Bobbi had no clue of her relationship with Harm; in fact, no one did. Mac had to remember this and realize that Bobbi, if she knew of it, might not act flirtatious towards Harm, as she has always done in the past.
Bobbi nodded. "I'm glad you're on this case, Colonel. We need a strong, female military officer to be apart of this. And a Marine on top of that. You fit the profile."
Harm glanced to Bobbi, obviously confused. "The profile for what?" What Bobbi Latham might be thinking here made Harm slightly nervous. Though he didn't want to show how nervous, because doing so might indicate some feelings that he might have for Mac. Putting her in danger was not high on his list, and if he could prevent such a plan, he would. He could only think of the countless times he had risked his life for Mac, then not admitting how much he cared for her. Now, knowing this and Mac knowing this made his determination to ensure her safety that much more important.
Bobbi looked at him with an innocent smile. "A successful Marine, military woman investigating the injustices towards women in the military." Bobbi had no idea what she had said; not realizing that such a statement would anger Mac to no end. Mac had no intentions of exploiting her gender for the sake of destroying the one institution that had been her life and always would be.
Mac stopped them quickly and stepped up to the Congresswoman. "I'm a Marine officer above everything else. The fact that I happen to be a woman doesn't play in my commitment to the Corp, my country, and JAG. Don't expect me to set an example for something that doesn't exist." She always had a problem dealing with politicians, especially ones who put their own agendas above the justice of military law. She looked to Harm briefly. "I'll be in my quarters going over the case." Mac then left without another word, leaving Harm and Bobbi Latham to stare after her.
Harm smiled to himself, knowing this was going to be some case. No matter how long he knew Mac, she continued to surprise him. It was a characteristic that he loved about Mac, one of many that separated her, broke her away from the rest of the crowd. It was one that made her special. Being tough was a label that Mac would forever carry, and only made her more irresistible to Harm. Bobbi Latham broke his train of thought, asking with annoyance, "What's her problem, Rabb?"
Harm looked to Bobbi, knowing that a Congresswoman would probably never understand, unless they were in the military themselves. "Well, ma'am, she lives by the code of a military officer." Harm stared after the walking Mac. "In fact," he continued, smiling widely, "she lives by the code of a Marine." His dark blue eyes turned to Bobbi, unable to hide his happiness with the confrontation in the hope that the Congresswoman was put in her place. Being in the military was not easy, yet it was an honor to all who served.
Bobbi nodded knowingly, seeing his features turn to more than just respect. Actually, it was the same look he had given Mac the entire time Bobbi had been here, which was no longer than a few hours. It was a look of passion. "Strictly? By the look in your eye, I'd say there's something going on there."
Harm glanced away, noticeably choosing to avoid her. He knew then he had been letting on too much, and he only hoped that Bobbi hadn't noticed. Though, Bobbi was much more intelligent about such things than someone like Bud, who didn't seem to notice such changes. It was time to change the subject and quickly. "Let's stick with the case."
Bobbi turned to him with a smile. Ever since she knew him, the passion in the sea of those eyes had been for one woman; Mac. Despite his other relationships, it was hard to miss his devotion for his partner. Devotion, yes, Bobbi thought carefully, and love. Protection. Safety. Never wanting to leave her side. From the stories she had heard of these two, and there were many, they stuck together well. "Why didn't we ever work out, Harm?" Bobbi asked, choosing to play the devil's advocate.
Harm's gaze inadvertently followed to Mac, now just a shadow in the distance. If he could sit here and watch her for his entire life, he would be a happy man. He would have given his life for Mac a dozen times, did give up his career, the life he knew, for her, for her safety, for her love, for her to return that love. It was all he had ever wanted for quite some time. "Because I was waiting for my soul mate." Harm glanced quickly to her, giving a shy smile. "Investigation starts tomorrow." He then shifted away from her and walked away.
United States Naval Base
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
0900 EST
Next day
It was indeed hot in Cuba, and the calendar reading early August only made things worse. Luckily all of their interviews were taking place inside an air-conditioned office. The office would be Harm and Mac's until the case was fully investigated. After going over the case the night before, the next step was to begin to interview witnesses. The first was Corporal Barnes, one of the two Marines who found Sarah Knight. Mac found her eyes traveling to the Corporal, seeing him a bit nervous. Not knowing whether the nervousness had to do with just being interviewed by JAG officers, which was usually a dreadful experience for a soldier to look forward to, or because he might be more involved in the case than he initially indicated would be a difficult decision to make.
Harm walked around the table, Barnes was sitting at it, and Mac sat across from Barnes. Harm began, "You said you felt the night had a strange feeling?" Harm noticed the Corporal think to himself for a second, sitting up in his chair a bit, wanting to indicate a sense of pride and duty. In that moment the nervousness began to fade away a bit.
Barnes suddenly smirked a little and began laughing slightly at the way the Commander said the question. Indeed the idea sounded strange, but it was true. "Yes, sir. When you do night patrol you have a tendency to feel when bad things might happen. It's like someone saying they can smell snow before it actually snows, sir."
Mac smiled, happy that Barnes was relaxing a bit. It was important that he was so Harm and herself could gauge his emotions to certain questions correctly without having his nervousness of just being asked get in the way. "I can smell snow, too." She looked quickly to the file. "Do you remember seeing anyone that night; passed by anyone?"
Barnes eyes turned a bit to the ceiling, his mind running in many different directions. After a moment, he replied, "Yes, ma'am, but I don't remember the faces. We pass people all the time at night. I vaguely remember walking by another officer, but it was quite dark that night." He seemed to let out a long breath, happy with the way he answered. Pulling out a pack of cigarettes, Barnes took one out and quickly lit it. This would keep him calm, Barnes thought to himself.
Harm stepped forward, interest showing noticeably on his face. The smoke from the cigarette gave the room an eerie haze. It seemed to cover Barnes face enough, his features hidden behind a cloud that drifted up into the slow running fan above. He asked quietly, "You can't tell us anything about his features?"
Barnes sighed, irritated with his inability to help. All that flashed through his mind were images, quick movements, the darkness of that night. His mind was trying desperately to see pass through the fog of his own forgetfulness. The images ran across his mind constantly, wishing he could be of more help. "No, sir. But we pass people all night. Even if it wasn't dark out, sir, I still don't think I would remember." It was true, Barnes thought, hoping his words were making sense.
Harm looked into the Corporal's eyes, seeing a sense of truth. He tended to believe he had a sense of his own; when people were lying. The Corporal wasn't one of them. Though Barnes was becoming more comfortable, his nerves seemed to be related to all of the questions, not just one. From talking to other members of his unit, Barnes tended to be nervous a lot. It was part of his character.
"You said that Patterson was the first one to walk over to the dead body?" Mac asked, breaking Harm's thoughts quickly.
Barnes nodded with assurance, having no trouble remembering that aspect of the night. Taking a puff of the cigarette he had in his hand, he explained, "Yes, ma'am. We were walking along through the base. Our shift had just started. I lit myself a cigarette. Patterson suddenly stopped and said he thought he saw something strange over next to the one of the barracks. I told him it was nothing, but he went to check it out anyway. After some silence, I went after him, and he was standing over the dead body."
Patterson interview:
Same room, same positions of Harm and Mac.
1000 EST
Harm asked, "What did you see in the darkness?" Patterson had been an interesting interview so far, his features much more calm and settled. He had no trouble answering the questions, relaying his knowledge, explaining what he had seen. The confidence was there, in Patterson's eyes, yet sadness loomed much more heavily with Patterson than it had with Barnes. The death of Knight had hit him very hard.
Patterson replied softly, "Just movement, sir. I felt it was my place to check it out. When I got to the spot, all I saw was Sarah – Lance Corporal Knight, sir." He looked to the desk, ashamed of his slip. Mac saw the frustration in him, though Patterson had hid it well. Knight and Patterson had a special connection that much was clear. What type of connection would be the next question, and the answer might help or hinder Patterson's possible involvement in these deaths.
Mac chimed in then, "What did she look like?"
"There was a rope around her neck, burns from the rope, scratches on her arms. And she was ..." Patterson began, and then suddenly stopped. Mac leaned forward a bit more in her chair. Patterson looked away from both Harm and Mac, wishing that the interview would just magically end. Never did he think it would be this difficult, nor did he wish to talk about Sarah like this, in such a way. So many emotions were running through him, and Patterson found himself lost. It was too much.
Harm pressed, "What?" Something was hiding beneath Patterson's words, and Harm only hoped he could say it.
Patterson folded his hands on the table, now feeling the pressure of the situation, of the interview. Why did he have to find her? Of all people, why him? Why couldn't he save her? Get to her in time? "She was sitting against the wall, sir, eyes open, staring into the darkness. It was ..." he paused a second, choosing to finally to look at Harm, "weird, sir. Eerie."
Mac's eyes suddenly displayed confusion. Shifting carefully through the case files, she found what she was looking for quickly and placed it on the table in front of the Private. "She's described as still hanging by others who found her after you." In fact, all the reports had stated this. Knight was found and seen hanging before the authorities took her down. Any difference in such a report only supported a possible cover-up by either Patterson or someone else on the base that may have been in contact with the report. In any case, murder seemed evident.
Patterson squinted at it, shaking his head. "No, ma'am, when I found her, she was in the position I described."
Harm walked over to the table and leaned against it. "Are you sure?"
Patterson nodded adamantly. "I wouldn't forget that, sir."
Medical Examiner Interview
Same room
1030 EST
Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Johnson answered, "Yes, she had scrapes on her hands and arms, which could have been caused by anything. Marines train quite a bit. She also had the rope around her neck and the rope burns on her neck." Mac found herself interested in Johnson, not entirely able to tell why. The aura around him was one of confidence and security. However, it was apparent Johnson didn't want to be here at all, and the answers he gave had been short and simple.
Mac frowned. "Do you really believe this was a suicide?" Harm walked a little closer to the table, waiting to hear the answer.
Johnson looked to both Harm and Mac, seeing their sudden interest. JAG lawyers looked for anything, searching for any clues that might suggest foul play or injustice. They tended to make his skin crawl, and Johnson hated talking to them, though in his work with the Marines, he talked to them constantly. They tended, just as the Commander and the Colonel were doing, to make situations much harder and more difficult than they actually were. "Yes, the marks on her neck were rope burns, Colonel."
"What position was she in when you found her?" Harm asked, feeling it was time to get to the heart of the interview. Since Patterson's description of the crime scene, Harm suddenly saw a key to figuring or concluding the real cause of death. Maybe it wouldn't lead them to the killer, but it would certainly be an excellent start. Johnson's answer to this question, and how he answered it had become extremely important, probably more than Johnson realized.
Johnson hesitated at that moment, seemingly in response to what Harm was thinking. Mac's hands folded together, and Harm knew she had been waiting for the same indication as he had been. Though the hesitation took only seconds, it was long enough to convince Harm that there was reason to belief that the two women were murdered. Replying without any falters in his voice, Johnson answered, "She was found still hanging. Once I got there, they had her body laying on the ground, attempting to revive her, but to no avail. The overhead light that was over her comes out a bit from the building and would've been an excellent place for her to hang herself. No one would see her. And it would be easy for her to tie the rope on it."
Mac looked to Harm quickly, who's face was expressionless. Returning her eyes to the Medical Examiner, she saw his cheek twitch slightly. Mac wasn't entirely sure if it was caused by the knowledge he had of his own lie, or that he really felt he was telling the truth and he couldn't hide from the unbelief wavering in the two JAG lawyers before him. Mac never failed to believe her sense of people, her instincts telling her the secrets of those whom she defended and prosecuted. Her instincts with this man, honestly, were mixed. She needed a little more time. "Can you tell us anything else?"
Johnson shook his head. "Nothing more."
Harm sighed deeply. "You can go." Johnson nodded, stood up quickly and left. Harm and Mac were now alone, and their eyes met immediately. Both knew that this case had much to investigate.