Part 17


Walking back into the dining room, we sat around the table and waited to be briefed.

Jack and Maybourne told of their wild goose chase with Harry's source. They realized that it was just a ploy to get them away from the house and when they tried to contact us by phone, someone had left a signal jammer in the bushes to prevent calls from going out or coming in.

Maybourne showed us the jammer and confirmed that there were no prints on it. Murphy said she had gone back to the SGC and started to lift the prints of the cup. She had "borrowed" a program from the FBI and was currently trying to match the print to their database. She also said that she had spoken to Agent Barnett. He wanted to apologize for not making the gathering at the Colonel's house, but was given an assignment that needed his immediate attention. He was going to Washington and would be returning today.

I told them of how Airman Kelly had informed me that Daniel had gotten a call from the Colonel, wanting to meet us at the side of the house. I then re-briefed them on what happened after that. I smiled when I told them of how Cassie had taken down Kelly and had given us the advantage to try and get away, thanks to Teal'c' teachings.

Teal'c turned to Cassie and nodded at her. "I'm glad your training came in to play, Cassandra. Hopefully it will be the last time you will need to use it."

Cassie put her arms around Teal'c and gave him a kiss on the cheek and thanked him for his training.

I said I didn't remember much after that since Peters had knocked me out and the next thing I remembered was being held by Peters as a shield.

The Colonel filled in the blanks. After arriving at the house, they were about to go inside to find us when they heard Cassie screaming in the backyard. He had Ferretti find someone to guard the doors, and not to let anyone in until he gave the all clear. He ran around back, followed by my dad, just in time to see Cassie being zatted from behind. Kelly was already on the ground, and Peters had picked up Kelly's zat gun and held it against me.

"There was a third shooter, but he got away, " I said.

Maybourne confirmed this when he said he saw someone jump into a waiting van and leave the scene.

We asked Maybourne and Murphy what had they found out about our attackers.

Airman Kelly and Airman Peters where assigned to the SGC at the same time. They had both gone through training together and their files seemed clean. But Murphy had managed to get their real files.

It had stated that they had both worked undercover for various agencies and had been working for the NID before being reassigned to the SGC. They had been roommates and Murphy and Maybourne had already paid a visit to their apartment.

Murphy stopped and looked at Maybourne. He nodded at her and she pulled out a folder with photo's and surveillance tapes.

She spread them on the table so we could all see. There were pictures of me, Daniel, Janet, Cassie and Jack doing various things around town. One picture was of Cassie outside of her school laughing with her girlfriends. Another photo was of me leaving the gym and walking towards my car, oblivious of any one watching me. Daniel picked up a picture of Janet outside of her house talking to Ms. Riley. I picked up the one with the Colonel playing field hockey with a bunch of kids. They had been following us and none of us had been aware.

"All of you have been under surveillance for some time now." Maybourne continued seeing he had their full attention. "They've been doing they're homework. These papers I retrieve from their files are profiles of each of your activities. It's amazing they didn't grab Cassie before all this started. I think these guys were our moles. But, I think there was one more person working with them at the SGC. I want to know how they found out that Major Carter and Daniel were the only ones here protecting Cassie. They had to have been told that we all had left the house and that was the best opportunity to take her. But why risk trying to grab her with all these people around? It just doesn't make sense. Unless they had someone in the house feeding them the information they needed. It was risky on their part, but they almost succeeded."

We read over all the information on the table and looked at the pictures, trying to figure out when most of them were taken.

Maybourne reported that after he and Murphy had left the airmen's apartment that they had headed back to the hotel were Kinsey was staying.

"Kinsey's scared. He keeps talking about an investigation that has been on going for the past 8 months. He didn't know who had initiated it, and if he's worried about it then you can bet it has something to do with him. From what I gather he just found out about it and he's trying to find out who's behind it. He is certain it's someone at the SGC trying to get dirt on him. Jack, your name was mentioned at least a half dozen times. He doesn't want anything to tarnish his name now that he's going to be Vice President. So he's tying up any loose ends, and the SGC is one of his biggest."

Jack said he would talk to Hammond, but as far as he knew, there was no report being compiled about the SGC at the moment. The only thing that had been authorized was the documentary and they had not been given much access to any classified information.

"So Harry, what's our next move? Do we go over to Kinsey's hotel room and threaten him that we will expose this report to the media if he doesn't back down?" Jack asked.

Harry nodded no. "Jack, he knows we don't have the report.

His assistant Mr. Smith confirmed that no one knows of any report being done about the SGC. But like Murphy, I believe there' s one more person out there that's been feeding them information. After I dropped off Murphy last night, I went in search of my source that led us on a wild goose chase. I found him dead in his home with a bullet wound to the back of the head, and this note."

Harry pulled the note out of his pocket with a handkerchief. He told us not to touch it, that he was going to have it dusted for prints. It simply addressed Maybourne, telling him that they knew he was helping out his friends at the SGC, and if you didn't want to end up like his source, he'd better back off.

After reading the note, I looked at Maybourne.

"They were bound to find out I was back. I just thought I'd have more time to work without being detected. I've been trying to contact some more of my sources, but I haven't had much luck. I did talk to one of them earlier and he told me in so many words that I was worth more dead then alive, so if I could disappear, he'd highly recommended it."

Murphy stood up. "Don't worry, Harry. We'll watch your six. I have to go use the phone. I should be getting the results of the prints I sent to the FBI on the elusive Mr. Smith. I hope to have his real name and file soon."

Ferretti said he was going to go over the surveillance tapes of the last couple of days to see if Smith, Kelly or Peters had spoken to anyone, hoping it would lead us to the other mole. He was also going to see if Peters had regained consciousness, and see if he could convince him to tell us what he knew. Maybourne said he needed to go to his storage unit to pull out some more equipment he needed and asked Jack to go along, since he needed his truck to haul all of it over to his house. I asked Harry if he had anymore leads that needed to be followed up. He said I should talk to Murphy since she had been the one following up on everything for him.

Cassie cleared her throat. "What about the burial? It was suppose to be today. The memorial service was yesterday and we were suppose to bury her today."

We all stopped what we were doing, and Jack got up and took her into his arms. "We didn't forget Cassie. We just moved it to a different time. If they know we were going to be at the cemetery at the time we specified, then they could try and grab you. Their desperate, and with what Harry just told us they're on a timeline. It will be today, so don't worry. And it will only be us so we can say our goodbyes in private. So why don't you go and get some rest.

We'll wake you when it's almost time to go."

"That goes for you too Murphy. You've been burning the candle at both ends and if you pass out from exhaustion, you're no good to us," Ferretti said.

"I'm fine. I had a couple of hours of sleep. I'm just waiting for these results. I'm dying to know who this Smith is," Murphy said.

"Murphy. Let Carter finish up for you. You need some rest.

We've got a lot of work still to do and you're the one with the magic fingers, so give yourself a break or I'll have Jack order you to sleep," Maybourne said, chiming in.

Throwing her hands in the air, Murphy finally agreed only to sleep for a few hours and went straight to the couch.

I walked Jack to the front and asked him to be careful. He said he would. He came close enough so that only I could hear him whisper. "You know I love you, right? When I act like a jerk, it's all an act. I need to be cool and collected and seem aloof to everyone else, but in here," he touched his heart, "you know I love you?"

I smiled and said yeah, and asked what time was the burial going to take place. He said that Hammond hadn't gotten back to him, but he would be calling him soon anyway to brief him on yesterdays events, so he'd find out then .

I walked back inside and said goodbye to Ferretti. He said to make sure that Murphy got some sleep. Teal'c was collecting the pictures and notes, and Murphy was asleep, and could be heard lightly snoring. Cassie and Daniel had started the dishes and I started to cross check the leads we already had to see if we had missed anything.

A knock on the door got my attention and I rose to answer it.

Teal'c came up behind me with a zat gun. I looked at him, and he simply looked back at me.

"We are not expecting anyone, so it's better to be safe Major Carter."

I agreed and went to see who it was. Opening the door, I saw that it was Agent Barrett.

I let him in and asked how he was. He said he had just gotten back from Washington and thought the information he had would be helpful to us. I told him to follow me to the dining room so we could talk without waking Murphy.

I told Barrett what had happen the night before and showed him the pictures and files that were being kept on all of us. He studied the photos and the files. He asked if there was anything else we had found out.

He saw the laptop with Smith's print being scanned using the FBI computer link. He closed his eyes. "That's not what I think it is, is it Major Carter? You guys are operating way outside the law on this. I also heard a rumor in Washington that one of my old cohorts is working with you again. Did you know aiding and abetting? an escaped criminal accused of treason is not a very wise thing to do. I understand now why you weren't so forth coming with giving me information."

Daniel and Cassie walked in and had heard what he had said.

Teal'c waited for me to answer.

"Malcolm, we know what we are doing is not exactly by the book, but they aren't playing by the rules either. If you want to walk away and pretend that your organization is faultless, then you're no better then Kinsey. We vowed to Janet that we would keep her daughter safe, and if playing outside the law is the way we have to do it, then so be it. So if you don't want to share your information, then we'll understand. But I need to ask you not to tell your superiors what we are doing. We still believe there is a mole at the SGC and if you go back and report what you've seen, you'll only be harming our investigation. I told you that we aren't the bad guys here. We're only trying to stop them from harming Cassie."

Agent Barrett looked at everyone and sat down. After a moment, he finally spoke. "What I'm about to tell you stays here. I was called to Washington to on the pretense of needing to finish an assignment. I had left before being asked to investigate the SGC. But the truth is the President wanted to speak to me regarding my investigation and who had initiated it. General Hammond had informed him of the events that have been going on at the SGC and with Cassandra Fraiser. He was alarmed that this was happening and informed the incoming President of these events. They know Kinsey is involved, but not to what extent. Needless to say, the new President is not happy, but I got the impression that they know something and one of his cabinet members mentioned a report that was due by the end of the week. Kinsey's hasn't gotten in office yet and he's already starting trouble. I've been instructed to get as much information as I can and try to brief the President of my findings. More information will be forwarded to me as it comes in. I'm willing to share this information if you're willing to help me get to the bottom of this.

The new President and the current one do not like what has been happening to Cassie. Nor do they like the scrutiny that has been put on the SGC. They want to put a stop to it immediately before it gets out of hand."

Murphy had walked into the room and had been listening to all that was being said. "How can we trust you? You work for them. I don't know who you are and you want us to give you all the information we have? I have a problem with that. I also think Major Ferretti and Colonel O'Neill should be made aware of your meeting with the President. Nothing personal Agent Barrett, but we don't know who we can trust and lives are at stake here.

We can't afford to make mistakes," Murphy said.

"Captain Murphy right? I appreciate you voicing your concern, but like the Major said, I'm not the bad guy here. I've worked with Major Carter on another situation and I've been nothing but honest with her. I understand you have to run this by the Colonel, but I need to start working on this quickly," Burnett said.

The front door opened and we could here the Colonel and Maybourne arguing about something. Before I had a chance to warn Maybourne of Agent Barrett's presence, they were face to face.

Harry pulled out his gun and pointed it at Burnett. "Hey Malcolm, long time no see. Let's get your hands up were I can see them. I don't want to shoot you, but I will if I have to. I'm not going back with you. Let' s just get that clear right now," Harry said.

I looked at Barrett. "The choice is yours. We can't let you leave now that you know that Maybourne is alive. You want us to help you and trust you? You've got to trust us as well. And that includes Maybourne. All we're asking is that you do the same and turn a blind eye on some of things we're doing."

The Colonel came and stood next to me. "Major, would you care to enlighten me on what's been going on here since we've been gone?

"I will Sir, as soon as Agent Barrett makes his decision. So Malcolm, do we have a deal?" I asked.

"We'll play it your way Harry. G et that gun out of my face and tell us what you two were arguing about when you came in. I heard you say lockdown and SGC. So what's happening?" Barrett asked.

I told Harry that it was okay and had Burnett tell them about his visit to the White House. I told them that he had been made aware of our operation and wanted help finding out information for the President.

After we were through explaining, Murphy asked what was happening at the SGC.

Harry looked at Jack and answered her. "Airman Peters was killed in his room before Ferretti or Hammond had a chance to question him. So there goes our best lead in trying to find out who's behind all of this. The base is on lockdown, so no one can go in or out until the investigation is concluded. There is definitely a mole working at the SGC, and it could still be more than one. We need to go through all the personnel files and see if we can find out who it is. Ferretti said whoever they are, they know their way around because they knocked out all cameras on that level. So were back to square one."

Barrett said he would try to get into the SGC with the investigation team, and would call the President if he was denied access to the base.

Jack and Maybourne wanted to go back to Peter's and Kelly's apartment to see if there wasn't anything they might have overlooked. Daniel asked to go along. Murphy said that she had caught up on her sleep and wanted to tackle the laptop. Maybourne said he had some equipment in Jack's truck that might make her job easier. I volunteered to help Murphy with anything she might need and I told Cassie that she should think about starting on some of the homework she had picked up at school.

Maybourne got Teal'c and Barrett to help him with the equipment and I asked if I could speak to Jack alone. We walked to the living room. I asked if he was okay with Burnett helping us out. He said he was a little shocked to see him at the house, but it would be fine. He said that he spoke to the General and the burial was going to take place today at 4:00 p.m. He asked me to tell Cassie and he would let everyone else know.

"This is getting more complicated by the minute. I think they wanted to put the SGC on lockdown so that we couldn't use the gate to get Cassie off world. It's something I would do to cut my enemies options. They will try one more time so be on your guard. I need you to be ready for anything," Jack said.

I nodded and walked him outside. Barrett was leaving and said if he had any information that he would contact me immediately. Maybourne and Teal'c had come back outside from dropping of the equipment to Murphy and Jack pulled Teal'c to the side and spoke to him. Daniel came out and said he would keep an eye on Jack for me. I smiled and told him to be careful and mentioned the burial. He said Jack had already told him and said he'd make sure they were back before then.

Watching them leave, I stood next to Teal'c and said, "Teal'c I don't know how much more we can take of this. I wish I had left with my father. They couldn't harm her if she was off world. But I insisted that we could protect her. I'm now doubting my decision. Maybe my feelings clouded my judgment."

Teal'c turned to me. "We have done all we can to protect her Major

Carter, and you should not doubt your decision. We will be victorious against those that wish to harm Cassandra or you. I have confidence in O'Neill that he will do all he can to insure those responsible will be found."

Walking back inside, I looked at him. " I hope your right, Teal'c. Let's get started. We don't have much time before we have to leave for the burial."

To Be Continued.