CHAPTER 7

"I can't believe this," Harm said looking at the two pictures side by side. "This can't be real."

Sturgis just shook his head and looked at the name below the picture in the yearbook. Jack Stanton Keeter. They left Annapolis in shock. Neither said a word on the way back to Washington. They went directly to the hospital and were informed that Eddy had woken up.

"We found the picture," Harm said quietly.

"I'm right aren't I?" Eddy asked.

"There is a resemblance," Sturgis said. "But that doesn't mean anything."

"I know I saw him. Find out where he is." Eddy replied.

"Eddy, I've worked with him since we graduated. He's one of us." Harm said.

"Blood is thicker than water," Eddy replied. "How much did we really know about Jack in school? He never talked about his family. Hell, I talked about family more than he did and I didn't even have one."

"Are you alright?" Webb said dashing into the room. "I just heard."

"I'm fine," Eddy smiled, "Just another hole for my collection."

"Mother is beside herself, she wants to come see you." Webb advised.

"You cannot bring her here," Eddy warned. "It's too risky."

"What happened?" Webb asked sitting on the bed and pushing the hair from her face.

Eddy filled him in on what happened and what she saw. She also told him her theory. Webb looked at the picture again, "It could be, but Keeter's a good man."

"Coming from you that must mean something," Harm replied.

"Not now Rabb," Webb shot back.

"I wasn't being funny," Harm defended. "You worked with him too. You know the type a person he is."

"Clay is there any chance you can get Tom Stanton's file?" Eddy asked. "He must have one, if he held government contracts."

"I'll see what I can do." Webb replied and left.

"I'm going back to JAG," Harm announced. "I want to see where Keeter has been. Why don't you stay here?" Sturgis nodded and pulled up a chair next to Eddy's bed.

"Harm knows," Sturgis whispered after Harm left.

"How does he know?" Eddy asked.

"He asked and said he's known since graduation night." Sturgis smiled. "He just never said anything."

"Harmon Rabb keeping his mouth shut," Eddy smiled, "That's new."

"So, what's between you and Webb?" Sturgis asked.

"Nothing," Eddy said.

"The man looked panicked when he came in here." Sturgis replied.

"So did you," Eddy stated.

"But I have a history with you," Sturgis smiled.

"I'm protecting his mother," Eddy said. "Live bullets were flying around her. You think maybe he was worried?"

"Yes I do," Sturgis replied. "I think he was worried about you."

"I need to get out of here," Eddy said trying to sit up.

"Hold up there," Sturgis said. "You can't go anywhere just yet."

"Mrs. Webb needs me." Eddy said. "I promised I would protect her."

"They will get someone else to protect her," Sturgis responded. "You just had surgery, that's all you need to worry about right now." Sturgis rang for the nurse and after a consult with the doctor administered a sedative to Eddy. Within minutes she was asleep but as she dozed off she was protesting. Two hours later Webb returned with a file. He and Sturgis reviewed the pages and found little indication that Jack Keeter was the son of Tom Stanton. Webb just shook his head. If Eddy believed that this was the link, she was probably correct.

"I think I am going to see what Harm's come up with," Sturgis said getting up to leave.

"You're not staying with her?" Webb asked. "What happens when she wakes up?"

"You'll be here," Sturgis smiled. "She's a very special person." Sturgis left Webb sitting by Eddy. He wouldn't have been the ideal choice but it was obvious to Sturgis if no one else that Webb actually cared about Eddy. Maybe it would go somewhere maybe it wouldn't but who was he to interfere. He turned back to look in the room and noticed that Webb had moved closer to the bed and picked up Eddy's hand. He smiled to himself and went back to JAG.

During the wee hours of the morning Eddy woke up from her drug induced sleep. She was stiff and in pain. She moved her hand to reach the call button and noticed that someone was holding it. She looked over and Webb was asleep in the chair. She carefully removed her hand from his and pressed the call button.

"How are you?" A nurse whispered as she walked in the room.

"Achy," Eddy replied. "How long has he been here?"

"All night," the nurse said. "When they told him visiting hours were over he pulled out an ID and said it was a matter of national security and he wasn't leaving. We told him there was security outside your door, but he didn't care."

"Can you get him some coffee?" Eddy asked. "And can I get something non drowsy for the pain?"

"I'll see what I can do," The nurse replied and left.

"Clay," Eddy called softly. "Wake up."

"What time is it?" Webb asked waking up.

"It's 4 am, they're getting you some coffee." Eddy stated. "I can't believe you sat here all night."

"I feel responsible," Webb stated. "You are my cousin."

"You really should go home and get some rest, or at least change." Eddy smiled. "You look like hell."

"I am guessing you haven't seen a mirror lately," Webb replied.

"Hey, I was shot." Eddy said. "I have an excuse."

"You saved my mother," Webb stated.

"Yeah and without breaking any bones," Eddy laughed and then stopped because it hurt to laugh.

"Are you okay?" Webb asked.

"Just sore," Eddy replied. "So tell me, what did you find out?"

Webb reviewed the file with Eddy. They also came up with nothing. Eddy sighed and scratched her head. "This is... weird. I know what I saw. I know who I saw."

"Eddy, is it possible that being back here, seeing Harm and Sturgis and Mac for that matter, made you nostalgic for days gone by. Is it possible that you only thought you saw Keeter? Maybe it was just a man who resembled him." Webb offered.

"I know what I saw," Eddy replied. "If I hadn't noticed the resemblance to Tom Stanton, I might agree with you. But they look too much alike."

"Well all we have is that Stanton had four sons." Webb stated.

"What about their names, what are their names?" Eddy asked.

"Paul born in 1959, Peter born in 1961, John born in 1963 and Thomas born in 1965," Webb announced.

"And you didn't find that particular?" Eddy asked. "Aside from the fact that they were all named after disciples, did you happen to notice that Jack is a nickname for John?"

"Oh my god," Webb said. "How could we have missed that?"

"What about the father," Eddy asked. "What ever became of him?"

"Excuse me are you Mr. Webb," An aide asked walking into the room.

"Yes," Webb replied.

"We have a phone call for you at the nurse's station." The aide stated. Webb left and took the call, when he came back in he had a puzzled look on his face.

"What's wrong?" Eddy asked.

"There's another file on Tom Stanton, one that even my clearance couldn't get to." Webb announced. "It's been declassified and they're bringing it here." Webb and Eddy waited for the file to arrive. While they waited a beautiful arrangement arrive from Porter. The passing time also brought the arrival of Harm and Sturgis.

"Keeter has been overseas for the last six months," Harm stated.

"I know what I saw," Eddy replied. "He's in the States."

"Winkie, I think you're wrong on this one." Sturgis replied. "I think it was a strange coincidence."

"Then how can you explain that Tom Stanton has a son named John who is our age and that Keeter's middle name is Stanton?" Eddy asked.

"I can't explain it," Harm said. "But I refuse to believe that one of my best friends is a killer and the son of a spy."

"Do you think I want to believe it?" Eddy asked. "He's just as much my friend as he is yours."

"Before you both go off the deep end here," Sturgis said as the voice of reason. "I think we better take a look at the file that's coming over before we do anything or make any decisions that could affect us all."

"Sturgis is right," Webb concurred.

The file finally arrived and Webb passed out the pages to the group. It was some of the same that had been in the other file but there was one addition.

"Harm, what is this?" Eddy asked handing him the pages.

"This is a court transcript." Harm said showing it to Sturgis.

"Tom Stanton was tried for giving comfort to the enemy." Sturgis stated.

"Your mother never mentioned that he was tried on anything," Eddy said.

"She wouldn't have known about this," Harm said. "Look at the security clearance, this was even higher than your father's." They read more pages and were shocked at what they uncovered.

"He was cleared." Eddy said.

"He was also broke by the time it was over," Webb said looking at a report.

"He died in 1977," Sturgis said.

"If he was innocent, why didn't he return home?" Eddy asked. "He was cleared of any wrong doing. I don't get it."

"He had also been disgraced." Harm said. "He lost all his money, his name had been ruined and he probably figured that the best thing to do was stay away and let his family have a life."

"Well, if he died in 1977, he couldn't have been Keeter's father." Eddy said. "Mr. Keeter was at graduation."

"No he wasn't," Webb said looking up from another file. "Jack Keeter's father was not at your graduation."

"Webb, we were there, I think we would remember meeting his father." Harm said.

"No, you met Albert Keeter," Webb said.

"Yeah, Jack's father," Eddy replied.

"No you met Jack's step-father, who adopted him in 1969." Webb stated and showed them a paper.

"Where did you get that?" Sturgis asked.

"After the first time we worked together, the company created a file." Webb said. "It was sent over with the other stuff."

"I'm right." Eddy said sadly.

"So, Keeter was adopted. Hell, Frank wanted to adopt me." Harm said. "It doesn't mean anything."

"Harm, we have to find him." Eddy said. "And you need to get me out of here."

"You can't go anywhere," Sturgis said. "You need to rest."

"I can rest at Porter's," Eddy said. "Lord knows there is enough staff there to keep me from lifting a finger."

"Eddy you need to stay here," Webb added.

"Look, I am leaving. Either you guys can help me or get out of my way." Eddy stated. "It's up to you."

The three men looked at each other helplessly. From their dealings with Eddy past and present they knew that she was a stubborn person and would get her way with or without their help. Considering her current condition, their best bet was to help her.

"I'll go find the doctor," Harm said.

"I'll call Mother and let her know you're coming," Webb said, taking out his cell phone.

"I'll help you get dressed," Sturgis stated.

"I'll get a nurse to help her," Webb said and walked out of the room.

"I told you," Sturgis smiled at Eddy and sat down in a chair.

"Shut up or I'll tell your father about your tattoo." Eddy smiled.

"I don't have one," Sturgis replied.

"Who's he going to believe?" Eddy winked.

Thirty minutes later against doctor's advice Eddy left the hospital. For the sake of comfort she rode in Harm's SUV. Sturgis followed with Webb in his car.

"You and Eddy are pretty close," Webb said.

"We've had our moments," Sturgis replied.

"She's a good person," Webb stated. "I didn't think so at first, but I've come to realize that she knows what she's doing."

"It took her getting shot to make you realize that?" Sturgis asked.

"No, I realized it before that," Webb replied. "Do you love her?"

"Of course I do," Sturgis said. "She's an incredible person. She's intelligent, pretty, and comical when the time is right and serious when she has to be. She is the total package. You know, if it wasn't for her I wouldn't have made it through Advanced Calculus. She's a dear friend, nothing more."

Sturgis added that last comment in an attempt to make it clear that the door was open for Webb, should he choose to walk through. He wasn't sure why he was playing matchmaker. If he was smart, Sturgis would keep Eddy for himself. Things with Verese were good, but they didn't share the same will that he shared with Eddy. Eddy and Sturgis were kindred spirits no amount of time past or distance would ever remove that. In the end Sturgis knew that what he wanted for Eddy, what he wanted for himself, was happiness. It didn't matter who that happiness was with as long as they were both happy. Webb didn't say much for the remainder of the ride. He chewed on what Sturgis said, Eddy was the total package. He wondered if when all this was over, where Eddy would be. Would she stay in the States or would she go back to Europe? He then shook the thoughts from his head. It didn't matter to him where she ended up. She was his mother's bodyguard. As they pulled into the Webb estate, Porter was standing at the door waiting for their arrival.

"What is she doing?" Eddy groaned. The SUV barely came to a stop when Eddy struggled out of her seat. "Where the hell is the agent on duty?"

"Eddy, it wasn't wise to leave the hospital. It hasn't even been twenty four hours." Porter said.

"Please get back inside," Eddy said. "Are you crazy? Someone is trying to kill you."

"Mother, standing out in the open is not a smart idea," Webb said approaching.

"I'm fine," Porter said. "The agent said it was clear."

"Mrs. Webb, let's take this inside." Harm said.

"How are you?" Sturgis asked.

"Very well, Commander." Porter replied. "At least someone has remembered their manners."

"Sorry," the other three echoed. Once inside Sturgis helped Eddy to a chair and Porter began to fuss over her.

"She didn't react this way when I got shot," Webb commented to Harm.

"None of us did," Harm smiled.

Carlton came into the room carrying a try of refreshments and turned to Eddy. "Miss Edwina, we were worried about you." He then handed her a container of yogurt and a spoon.

"Thanks Carlton," Eddy winked. Once Carlton had left the room, they began to ask Porter questions.

"Mother, were you aware that Tom Stanton was tried and acquitted of any charges?" Webb asked.

"I had no idea," Porter said. "As I've told you before, he simply disappeared."

"What about his family?" Eddy asked.

"His wife remarried," Porter said. "However, things were never the same. After Tom left, she never returned to the group."

"Do you know what happened to her?" Harm asked.

"We lost touch," Porter said. "It was a hard time, David was killed, then Neville and then Markus. We all did our jobs but personally and emotionally we were all stunned. Things were never the same again."

"Your father was killed?" Harm asked. "I thought he..."

"Later," Both Eddy and Webb said in unison.

"Mrs. Webb, does this man look like Stanton?" Sturgis asked showing her a picture of Keeter.

"There are similarities," Porter said. "He's bigger than Tom was."

"Do you think it could be his son?" Eddy asked.

"He looks about the correct age," Porter said. "I couldn't be certain. The last time I saw his children the oldest was about ten and the youngest just a toddler."

"I think we are going the wrong way," Harm stated.

"You don't think that Tom had anything to do with the deaths?" Porter asked. "Ours is a dirty business at times, but the relationships we shared had nothing to do with business. That was just a coincidence."

"Then we remove it from business for a moment, was there anything that happened with the group that could have made him want to seek revenge?" Eddy asked, "Bad investment advice, an affair something?"

"Nothing," Porter replied. "We were friends, some of us just happened to work for the same boss."

"If Stanton was accused of giving comfort to the enemy and tried for it," Eddy began. "Someone had to have reported him, and why wouldn't he call upon his friends for support?"

"That's a good question," Sturgis commented.

"Think about it, he had friends in the highest areas of the government. You all could have rallied around him, helped him and his family." Eddy stated. "Clay, if you were in trouble what would you do?"

"I'd call Rabb," Webb said.

"Exactly and Stanton didn't call anyone." Eddy said. "Not to mention the file was so classified that it had to be declassified for even Clay to see it. It doesn't make sense. Something is missing. We aren't seeing something here."

"Mrs. Webb do you have any idea why this type of trial would be so secretive?" Harm asked.

"Back then everything was classified, more so than now." Porter replied. "The fact that we knew nothing of the trial is evidence of that."

"I just thought of something. If none of you knew what was happening, is it possible that Stanton didn't know." Eddy asked.

"What do you mean?" Webb asked.

"I mean, no one knew. Do you think he thought his friends abandoned him?" Eddy asked. "Did he know what you all did?"

"No, we never discussed work on social occasions." Porter said. "It would have been too risky."

"Then he wouldn't have known to ask for you help and he wouldn't have realized that none of you knew." Sturgis stated. "To him, you all walked away."

"If everything you are saying is correct," Harm began. "That still leaves one question unanswered."

"Keeter," Eddy said.

"Exactly," Harm replied. "What we have is a group of friends, one of which was tried for giving comfort to the enemy and the murders of all the friends."

"All except for one," Eddy said looking at Porter.

"He doesn't fit into this," Harm replied.

"I can't think anymore," Eddy said. "I have to lie down."

"Clayton, help Eddy upstairs," Porter instructed.

"It's okay, I can get up myself." Eddy said standing.

"He'll help you," Porter said.

Eddy leaned on Webb as they walked to the stairs. When they got to the base of the staircase, Eddy sighed. She was exhausted. Seeing this, Webb picked her up and carrying up.

"Which room are in you?" Webb asked.

"Third door," Eddy said. "You can put me down now."

"Sorry," Webb said putting her down. "The doctor gave me some pain killers do you want one?"

"No, I want to keep a clear head." Eddy said. "Flush them."

"Thank you for everything you did." Webb stated.

"I was just doing my job," Eddy smiled. "No thanks required."

"I'll let you get some rest," Webb said and left the room. He returned to the study were the others were still discussing the possibility that the deaths had something to do with the disgrace of Tom Stanton.

"I think we need to find out how the charges against him were brought about," Sturgis said.

"There's nothing in the file that says how it all started," Harm replied.

"Mother, what aren't you telling us?" Webb asked walking in.

"All I know is that Tom turned a high profit." Porter replied. "It must have raised some suspicion."

"He's accused of supplying the enemy." Harm said looking at the file. "Was he selling to both sides?"

"If he was acquitted, than obviously he wasn't." Webb stated.

"No, all that means is that they couldn't prove anything. An acquittal doesn't mean he was innocent." Sturgis said.

"Did he have a partner?" Harm asked.

"I'm sure he did," Porter replied. "But we never met him."

Several hours past and they continued to read and re-read the files. There was nothing there. There was nothing to explain why Stanton would have wanted to kill and what connection Keeter had with everything. It was about 2am when Eddy appeared in the study.

"I think I have it," She stated.