Part 19: A Journey of Separate Hearts – Something seems familiar
February 13th 2003, Thursday
0130 Zulu (02:30 hrs West EDT)
Hilton Paris Hotel
Harm's room, number 306
Paris, France
When Harm put the receiver back, he suddenly felt a deep emptiness inside of him.
Sure, in a way he should be relieved, now that the money issue was solved. Thanks to Frank. He thanked God for bringing Frank Burnett into his and his mother's lives so many years ago. He was the best father he could have asked for. Now he couldn't understand why he had denied that for so many years.
Nevertheless, paying the $500,000 didn't bring Sarah MacKenzie back. He needed to act, to do something.
But just now he felt numb – unable to think straight, unable to do anything more than look outside the window, just like Louis had suggested.
Really, the view over Paris and the Eiffel Tower was awesome, but Harm didn't recognize it, he didn't enjoy it. He just stared out of the window, searching for something and unable to clarify what it was.
Somewhere back in his mind something felt familiar. From somewhere he knew this guy, even though Harm wasn't able to recognize the kidnapper's face and the voice was altered. But the way the kidnapper talked to Harm, how he jeered him – it seemed…
"Damn, I don't know, how it seemed!" said Harm out loud.
Harm knew that he was on the right track. From somewhere deep in his heart he knew that finding out who the kidnapper was would also lead him to the place, where Mac was hidden.
The only hint he had was the tape.
So Harm pressed the power button of the VCR remote again.
The recording started again and Harm – a notepad and a pencil in his hand – focused on it. He would start his own investigation!
Harm didn't know how many times he had watched the tape – over and over again.
He had scribbled down the different expressions the stranger used to address him and how often he used them:
Commander/Commander Rabb: 2
Harmon/Harmon Rabb Jr.: 2
good little officer: 1
good boy: 1
'Shadow man' not only knew his rank and his last name, but also his first name and that he wasn't the first Harmon Rabb on earth. But more importantly, that the stranger addressed him with sarcastic sounding nicknames.
But even more than the way 'shadow man' addressed him Harm realized how much the kidnapper knew about him – especially, how much personal stuff:
He knew that Frank Burnett was a rich man and his stepfather. But more important he knew that Harm had had some problems with Frank in the past, and that Frank hadn't stopped loving him as if he was his own biological son. That wasn't something that Harm discussed in public, even during his teenage years Harm preferred a silent way of 'hating' Frank. And today, only his close family and Mac knew about the problems Frank and Harm had had.
Furthermore, the stranger knew that Sarah MacKenzie wasn't just his partner – she's his best friend and he was aware of the fact that he could force Harm to do anything he wanted by threatening Mac.
He seemed to know how Harm would react in similar kinds of situations: playing the hero or asking some of his friends from the Navy for help. And last but not least, it seemed that 'shadow man' knew or had witnessed some of Harm's missions, either private or work related, that had gone wrong, being messed up or screwed up by Harm himself.
That was not just 'some' stranger. And Mac hadn't been at the wrong place at the wrong time. It was not just a 'normal' case of kidnapping. It was much more. Harm could almost swear that the reason for kidnapping Mac wasn't just for money. No, 'shadow man' had too much background knowledge and information. It seemed that the kidnapper was taking his personal revenge on Harm for something.
"If only I could put my finger on it. There has to be something what would help me here," Harm thought out loud.
But nothing came to mind. He was lost and totally exhausted and tired. The lack of sleep finally demanded its tribute. He needed at least a bit sleep.
"I'll only close my eyes for a few minutes – just take a little nap – no more." he assured himself, when he relaxed on his bed.
But before he could drift away completely, a knock on his door awoke him immediately.
"Who is it?"
"Room service for Commander Rabb," answered a male voice outside the room.
"I didn't order anything. There must be a mistake." Harm declared when he opened the door.
"No, no, Commander, I was ordered to bring that to you. It's already been paid for."
"Ok then, bring it in." Harm stepped aside to give the man space to walk into the room. He placed all of the food on the table and left the room as fast as he had entered it.
Harm shook his head and closed the door. Who would send him some food, especially in a town where he didn't know anyone?
But he had to admit that he hadn't eaten anything for quite a while. So he shrugged his shoulders and lifted the plate covers looking to see what was under them. He found some toast with ham and eggs (he would definitely leave out the ham), some fruit salad and croissants with jam. He lifted the fourth one and stopped immediately when he saw a note on the fourth plate.
He took it and read out loud:
"Very well done, Harm.
You are a good boy. I guess you solved your problems with good old step daddy.
For now, you and this wonderful lady, Sarah 'Mac' MacKenzie, can take a breath.
Enjoy it as long as it lasts.
Bon appetite!"
Harm dropped on his bed, suddenly all hunger was gone. He had known that it wouldn't be over by paying $500,000, but to be honest, he had hoped for that to happen. That – by some miracle – Mac would be free. Of course, that had been stupid to believe.
February 13th 2003, Thursday
0500 Zulu (06:00 hrs West EDT)
Hilton Paris hotel
Harm's room, number 306
Paris, France
Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.
"What the…?" Harm woke up slowly from his restless slumber. He didn't know when he had fallen asleep and how long he had slept. I didn't matter, it hadn't helped anyway. He felt more down than before. Sleep hadn't brought him peace and recovery – only bad nightmares.
Ring. Ring.
When Harm recognized the familiar tone of his cell phone, he was suddenly fully awake and jumped from the bed to grab the phone.
Without looking at the ID, he answered the call hoping that it wasn't the kidnapper again.
"Rabb."
"Commander Rabb, sorry for the early, or in my case, late call."
Knowing the familiar voice of his CO, he sighed in relief hoping the admiral would be able to help him in some way.
"Not a problem, Sir."
"Ok, let's make this short. Pete called and told me everything and I don't need to tell you what a mess this is. Anyway, I know that every minute counts now. Fill me in, Harm. What's happened so far?"
"Well, when I arrived in Paris, there was an envelope with a tape in it for me. Through the tape, the kidnapper demanded $500,000 by 3 am local time. I called Frank and he helped me by transferring the required amount of money to a bank account the kidnapper had given me the account number for. At 3:30, room service brought me some food I hadn't ordered. Under one plate, I found a note from the kidnapper. He made clear that it isn't over, but he is satisfied for the moment."
"Damn! Harm, do you have any suggestion who could be doing this to you or the Colonel? Or is there anything on the tape or the note that could give us a clue about the person behind this?"
"No, not really, Sir. But I watched the tape several times and I know there is something familiar about this guy…the way he addresses me or all the personal stuff he knows about me. I know this guy from somewhere…Unfortunately the man's face on the tape is hidden in the dark, so I can't tell anything about his features."
"Maybe I can help with that. I have an old friend – a former SEAL – in Paris. He's also a media and graphic specialist for the Navy. If there's anyone who can shed some light on that 'shadow man' it's him. He's a genius. Take the note with you, too. If there're any fingerprints besides yours on it, then he'll find out.
His name is Captain Logan Simmons. He lives in…"
The admiral gave him the address and said his good bye with the order to call him immediately through the secure line in Simmons' house in case the captain should find anything.
"Thank you, Admiral. Good night."
"Oh, and, Harm…"
"Yes, Sir?"
"…Bring her home." ordered AJ Chegwidden in a softer tone.
"Aye, aye, Sir! I will – no matter what," Harm answered seriously.
"Very well, Commander. Carry on." replied AJ – now back to his normal command voice.