"Major, I need to talk to you in your office." Sturgis said when he caught up with Faith before court.
"Is something wrong Commander?" Faith asked noticing something in his tone.
"We'll discuss it in your office." Sturgis stated.
"Yes sir." Faith walked into her office. "What's going on sir?" Faith asked as he closed the door.
"Harm wants to testify, get Austin out here to testify and right now that is not a good idea. If he comes to you, tell him you'll think about it anything but don't let him get anywhere near that stand right now."
"Did something else happen that I'm not aware of?" Faith asked.
"They had a brick through their window with another death threat in the night. Mac and Abi came and stayed with me for the night, and now that are at an undisclosed location until this is cleared up for their safety."
"Are they okay?" Faith asked.
"Abi didn't appreciate being woken up, but I think they are okay for now. Webb is putting them somewhere safe. We need to keep Harm as far from this as possible."
"Even with the Colonel out of the picture I don't want him testify, nor Meg Austin." Faith said.
Harriet knocked on the door.
"Enter." Faith called.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Major there is an Mr Turnham on line 3 for you. He says it's urgent."
"Thank you Lieutenant." Faith said. "Can you close the door on your way out?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Why does that name sound familiar?" Sturgis asked.
"CIA Assistant Director." Faith supplied picking up the phone. "Major Williams. Yes sir... yes sir... no that would be a great help... I'll have to advise the defence, so after lunch recess around 1400.... I'll talk to the judge I'm sure we can arrange a closed court room. Yes sir... Thank you." Faith hung up.
"What was that about?"
"He heard about what happened obviously from the ever elusive Webb, he doesn't think women and children should be threatened even if the woman is a Marine in the name of nailing Allison Krennick. He's willing to testify as long as we can get Admiral Morris to agree to a closed court."
"I'll go and file the paperwork; we have to be in court at 0900 that gives us 45 minutes. Inform Commander McPhalin of the update to the witness list and if you see Harm."
"I'll tell him I don't need him to testify today at least that will give us twenty-four hours to come up with something. Hopefully Agent Gibbs will have come up with something in that time."
"Hopefully."
"Admiral, is there a reason for all these delays?" Blakemore asked.
"This information is to go no further than these four walls is that understood."
"Yes sir." Both Blakemore and Deeker replied.
"Colonel Mackenzie received a death threat yesterday and another last night against both her and her daughter. Due to her pregnancy and her for both their safety they have been put into protective custody at an undisclosed location while the source of these threats is found."
"How does that affect my client's case?" Deeker asked.
"I've reviewed the case notes, and the court transcript. Colonel Mackenzie made a note that you had almost reached a plea bargain which both sides were willing to accept, but there was one point of controversy."
"Yes sir." Deeker confirmed.
"With Colonel Mackenzie gone for an indefinite period, we have a lack of judges available to take over at the present time, so I would like to sit down for try and work through the problems with the plea bargain so this case can be dispensed without out the need to go back to court."
"Yes sir." Blakemore agreed.
"With both your permission, I'm going to have Petty Officer Coates join us. She has been in on all the court proceedings and knows the details of this case to a better degree than myself; she will be able to act as an intermediary."
"I have no problems with that sir." Blakemore said.
"I see problems sir." Deeker agreed.
"Good." He paused before bellowing. "Coates."
"Admiral." Jen entered the room and stood to attention.
"Come and join us please."
"Yes sir." Jen went and took a seat.
"Right, let's go over the points that you agree on and then we'll come to the area of difficulty." AJ suggested. "Commander Blakemore why don't you begin."
TBC
