Naval Regional Medical Center ICU Camp Lejeune, NC 1540 Local
A change in the monitors woke Ducky. With a slight groan, he tried to work the kinks out of his back. 'Too bloody old for this,' he sighed to himself as he finally pushed himself upright. Pulling off his glasses, he rubbed his eyes, he hadn't meant to fall asleep. After checking on Jethro, he'd stopped by here and decided to sit for a few minutes. Mallard glanced at the monitors and it finally registered what his subconscious had figured out earlier. Kate was waking up. Levering himself out of the chair, he leaned over the railing and took the agent's hand, "Kate? Kate, can you hear me? It's all right now, you're safe."
He watched patiently as her head started to move from side to side and her eyelids fluttered. Ducky put a gentle hand on her forehead and frowned a little, still feverish but not nearly as bad as she'd been. The antibiotics must finally be kicking in. He glanced at the door. Jethro should really be here right now but there wasn't time to get him. When he looked back, he found Kate peering at him in confusion. Ducky smiled down at her, "Welcome back."
She stared at him, her brow furrowed, although he would be willing to bet that she wasn't fully aware of her surroundings just yet. Mallard continued to smile. He'd rather expected she'd be a bit disoriented when she woke up. Kate swallowed slowly and he leaned in closer when it seemed like she wanted to say something. "What is it, Kate?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper, "Am I dead?"
Ducky chuckled and patted her hand, "No, my dear. On the contrary, you've just taken a turn for the better. You're in the Naval hospital at Camp Lejeune. Do you remember anything? ...Kate? ... Kate?" Her eyes were closed once more. He sighed and patted her hand again, "Well, that was a start. I shall be expecting more from you." Putting her hand back down on the bed, he fussed with the blanket, "I'm going now, Kate. I need to let Jethro know that you were awake for a little while. I imagine he'll be the next one you see." He lowered his voice in a conspiratorial tone, "He's been rather worried but you know how he is. Don't let on that I told you." With a final pat, he left the ICU walking with a considerably lighter step than before. He needed to find Jethro and then put a call in to the office to let Abby, Tony and McGee know that Kate was finally on the mend.
He looked into Gibbs' room and was less than surprised to find the agent gone. Ducky turned around and headed for Sarah's room. All things being equal, if Jethro wasn't hovering around Kate, then he would be with the Marine Colonel and Commander Rabb. No doubt they were planning their strategy for removing that awful woman from society. It was a shame they couldn't just shoot the Congresswoman. It would spare Sarah any more trauma. He didn't know exactly what it was in her background that had caused such a reaction from her. It was apparent that there was more to this than the normal abhorrence to having one's life examined and then splashed across the evening news. Rabb and the Gunnery Sergeant had been equally upset on her behalf. Not that he blamed them, one would have to a blessed saint from the cradle on up to survive the intense scrutiny of the media these days - and he wasn't so sure about that.
The idea came to him so suddenly that he actually missed a step and stumbled slightly. Regaining his balance, Mallard stopped for a moment to ponder all the angles. It could work although it would have to be handled with a good deal of finesse and a certain amount of subterfuge. He glanced up and down the hallway. Before he did anything, he needed to talk to Abby and, possibly, McGee. He knew McGee had been helping with the case. That meant Abby would be up to speed as well which was all to the good. The quirky young woman was a bloody genius and that would certainly help. Ducky was also fairly sure that Abby knew more about Sarah than she'd been letting on. He'd seen the looks she'd directed at the Marine Colonel when she thought no one was paying attention. Would she tell him if he asked? No... never mind, it was none of his business. Mallard tapped his chin thoughtfully. The hardest part would be keeping this quiet until the right moment. Heaven knew what Jethro would say if he found out prematurely.
Ducky resumed his march towards Sarah's room. First priority would be letting Gibbs know about Kate and then he'd be free to pursue this particular idea. As he reached the hallway where Sarah was, his steps slowed. There was a rather large group assembled there and he was alarmed to see local police officers interpersed with several MPs. Had something happened to the Colonel? Picking up speed again, he reached the group just as Rabb's angry voice could be heard.
"This is ludicrous! What kind of idiot would issue a warrant on the word of a murder suspect?"
Ducky's eyebrows ascended to his hairline as he determinedly forced his way through the crowd. He wound up near Gunny Walters who was standing with his back to hospital room door looking like an immovable piece of granite. He acknowledged the Doctor's arrival with the slightest nod of his head. They both turned their attention back to the scenario unfolding in front of them.
Gibbs and Rabb were standing shoulder to shoulder facing off against the law enforcement officers. The civilian police were by far the most aggravated, to judge from their expressions. The MPs were stone-faced but Ducky thought he detected an air of reluctance in the way they held themselves amongst the civilian police officers. A Navy Captain and two civilians in a business suits rounded out the group. The Captain wasn't wearing medical or JAG insignia and Mallard decided that he must be representing the hospital administration. The others were probably detectives or inspectors of some sort. Their attitude screamed 'police'.
The older civilian stepped forward, "Sir, we don't have much choice. Congresswoman Elbert swore out a complaint alleging that Lt. Colonel Sarah MacKenzie forced her away from her home at gunpoint and then attempted to murder her and Special Agent Todd. The DA decided to have a warrant issued. We have to take the Colonel into custody."
"Do you always arrest people before investigating the charges? Your town must have money to burn." While Harm's tone was sarcastic, it was also heavy with an implied threat.
The detective shrugged, looking distinctly uncomfortable, "It's not how I would normally do business but the fact is there's a warrant for the arrest of Sarah MacKenzie. I don't get to question my orders any more than you do." He gave Harm a pointed look as he delivered that last statement.
"What if you left her in custody of NCIS?" Gibbs spoke up suddenly, earning a surprised look from the detectives and an outraged one from Harm. He kept his focus on the older detective.
The man frowned, "And then we never get her back? I don't think getting into a turf war when I didn't have to is going to make the DA happy. He wants this case."
Gibbs stepped closer, scowling, "If he's thinking to make political hay out this, you'd better tell him he picked the wrong side." He lowered his voice, "Colonel MacKenzie wasn't a suspect in this case but I'll give you three guesses on who is."
The younger detective moved forward suddenly, his anger apparent, "Now wait just one damn minute."
Gibbs barely spared him a glance, "Back off, junior." Ignoring how the young man bristled, he relaxed his stance slightly as he continued to concentrate on the senior detective, "NCIS has jurisdiction on this case. You want to argue about it, have your boss call mine and let them hash it out. In the meantime, Colonel MacKenzie stays here." He cocked an eyebrow, "And if you're more interested in the truth than some political hack, I can bring you up to speed on our investigation."
"Benton!" The young detective turned to his partner in exasperation, "This isn't about some dumb jarhead busting up a bar, this is about the attempted murder of a member of Congress..." he directed a glare at GIbbs, "... and a federal agent! We don't arrest her now and the damn military will ship her overseas where we'll never get hold of her." He didn't seem to notice the increase in tension from the Marines in the corridor.
Detective Benton did and sighed. God save him from excitable rookies. Being in the vicinity of as large an installation as Camp Lejeune meant that there was delicate balancing act between local and federal authority. He'd spent years working on a rapport with his military counterparts and while there were occasional disputes, by and large, everything worked out smoothly enough. He wasn't about to make his life more difficult because his partner hadn't learned when to pick his fights. He turned a calm eye towards the younger man, "It doesn't work like that, MacLeod, and you should know that by now."
He looked back at Gibbs and Harm thoughtfully. When he'd gotten the arrest warrant, he hadn't been particularly happy. Benton wasn't a fan of political maneuverings and this warrant had reeked of it. The few facts he had weren't adding up and that bothered the hell out of him. The older guy had offered him a legitimate out and a chance to sort out this mess. He thought it over a little more and came to a decision. Screw DA Harrison and his political bootlicking. "Okay, Colonel MacKenzie is all yours - for now." He pointed at the hospital room door, "But I want a MP stationed there."
Gibbs glanced at the sergeant in charge of the MPs and got a slight nod. He looked back at Benton, "Done. When you do want to go over the case notes?"
Benton waved a hand, "Later, first I need to talk to my chief and let him know there's a storm coming. The DA will not be a happy man." He turned around and headed back down the hallway with a sullen partner and several police officers in tow.
Harm stood there fuming silently as the group dispersed bit by bit. When the only one left was the MP, he turned to Gibbs, "I need to talk to you."
The NCIS agent nodded and walked further up the corridor. Once he felt they were far enough away, he turned around, "What?"
"She's in custody?" Harm bit off each word.
"Well, what the hell did you expect me to do? They had an arrest warrant!" Gibbs glared back at the Commander. "You'd have rather seen her hauled off to some holding tank to sit with the drunks and the hookers until we could post bail?"
"No, dammit, of course not!" Harm scrubbed a hand through his hair in exasperation, "You know Elbert's going to have a field day with this. You just put NCIS on her side of the story."
"She was going to have field day regardless, Rabb. Bottom line is that she managed to talk some jackass into issuing a warrant. I think it would have been worse to have had pictures of Mac in handcuffs on the evening news," Gibbs was equally frustrated. Damn these small towns. Who knew the local DA would be stupid enough or ambitious enough order an arrest without looking at the evidence? He glanced up and down the hallway and then stopped in puzzlement. Ducky had followed them up the corridor and was waiting patiently just out of earshot. What the hell? "Ducky?"
Mallard walked up to them, nodding a greeting, "Jethro, Commander." He glanced back towards the MP, "The Congresswoman strikes again, I see."
Gibbs resisted rolling his eyes, "Yeah, we know, Duck. What did you want?"
Ducky smiled slightly, "Actually, gentlemen, I think it's what you want. Kate woke up."
"What?!" Both men's eyes widened in surprise.
Gibbs started to take a step and then stopped when Ducky put out a hand. "She's asleep, Jethro." He offered a reassuring smile at the expression on Gibbs' face, "The difference is that she's asleep, not unconscious. Her fever's dropped and for the little while she was awake, she seemed coherent."
"What did she say?" Harm asked.
Mallard chuckled, "She wanted to know if she was dead." He saw the look the two men exchanged, "Oh come now, gentlemen. Considering the circumstances and that the first thing she saw was a medical examiner, it was a perfectly logical question."
Gibbs shot a glance at Harm, "Rabb... "
Harm nodded and waved a hand, "Yeah, go."
The NCIS agent started down the corridor and then looked over his shoulder, "Call Nevers and get him over here. I want Mac's statement as soon as she's awake."
"Okay," Harm looked at the Doctor, "Are you coming with me?"
Mallard shook his head, "No... no. I've got a few calls to make and a couple of things that need my attention. I'll join you in a little while." He paused for a moment, "Tell me, Commander, would the press be allowed onto the base?"
Harm frowned, "Not unless they got permission from the public relations office... damn, I'd better call them and make sure no one tries to make an end run." He smiled at Ducky, "Thanks for the heads-up. I wouldn't have thought about it."
Ducky waved a hand, looking preoccupied, "My pleasure, Commander. If you'll excuse me." He strode off. Harm watched him leave, feeling that he'd missed something and then shrugged. Whatever the Doctor was up to, it would be with the best interests of Mac and Kate in mind. He headed for Mac's room.
Michelle Elbert's residence Beaufort, NC 1600 Local
Mike rearranged the comforter over her legs and watched as the television techies continued to set things up. Jamie Stillman was in a corner, reviewing her notes, a cellphone in her ear. The reporter had leapt at the chance for another interview. Mike smirked to herself. The media were ridiculously easy to manipulate. They were always anxious for any kind of sensational story that would guarantee their ratings. Well, she'd give them an earful.
She glanced at her watch, DA Harrison had promised prompt action after taking her statement personally. She had turned in a masterful performance, she thought, mixing fear, regret and trepidation with a reluctant determination. Harrison was an ambitious slimeball that Mike had kept carefully at arm's length for a number of years. She had helped him just enough to keep him grateful... and hungry for more. It hadn't been hard to insinuate that making this case would jump-start his career into the national level.
Mike didn't think for one minute that Rabb or Gibbs would stand for having Mac arrested. Mostly, she wanted them on the defensive and playing catch-up. Her strategy was simple. Rather than leave it at one lie, make it a whole plethora of lies. Take her story to the public, make it loud and repeat it often and there was a good chance it would simply replace the truth. People were wonderfully gullible when you acted sincere.
Her biggest problem was that Todd woman. She'd finally, reluctantly, discarded the idea of killing the agent. In the final analysis, the odds had simply been too great. Since she hadn't had the decency to die out there, Mike was going to have to tackle the tricky problem of discrediting her. This interview would lay the groundwork.
Mike pasted on a small smile as Stillman came over to sit across from her. "Is it time?" She put on the appearance of nervous anticipation and watched with a certain smugness as the reporter responded with a hint of superior complacency. It was amazing to her that the woman would buy into her 'nervous about being on television' act when she led a very public life.
Stillman flashed a dazzling smile, "Don't worry, you'll do fine, Congresswoman. Just think of it as a conversation between friends." She glanced down at her notes again. This interview promised to be even more interesting than the last. Her source had let her know about the rescue of MacKenzie and Todd. Unfortunately, she had yet to manage to get into Lejeune to talk to either woman. Even so, the fact that they both were still alive and had been rescued together cast serious doubt on the Congresswoman's story. What had gone on out there? Maybe this wasn't about some alleged murder after all. Maybe this was a sorted love triangle gone sour. None of the three women were married. It was plausible. She felt a little shiver of anticipation. Going head to head with Elbert would show that she could handle the serious, confrontational stuff. No more fluff pieces about someone's collection of Barbie dolls or a dog that could sing on-key. This story could be her ticket out of the boondocks.
Naval Regional Medical Center Mac's room Camp Lejeune, NC 1610 Local
Harm checked his watch and glanced at Mac before turning his attention back to Walters. She was still dead asleep, not even that altercation in the hallway had roused her. Nevertheless, he kept his voice down, "What did you find out?"
The Gunny frowned, "About what I expected - anyone who's been down here for more than two generations is related to practically everyone else. One of the Coasties on the Block Island is dating the cousin of the sister-in-law of an associate editor for the affiliate up in New Bern. You know how it goes. He swore her to secrecy, she told the next person and swore them to secrecy... "
"And soon most of coastal North Carolina knows," Harm finished in disgust.
"Yeah," Walters stared at Mac for a moment, "This is going to turn into a smear campaign against the Colonel, isn't it?"
Harm scowled, "That seems to be Elbert's plan."
The Gunny shifted uncomfortably, "Sir, I have a confession to make." He took a deep breath, "I took the liberty of telling my wife what was going on. I told her to let Carlie know as well."
"You WHAT?" Harm flinched slightly and lowered his voice again after checking to see if he'd awakened Mac. "What the hell, Gunny?! You know better than to talk about an ongoing investigation. Gibbs is going to hand you your head."
"I didn't talk about the case, sir," Walters said stiffly. "I told her what Elbert was going to do to Sarah. I figured that it wouldn't hurt to put out opposing views."
Harm rubbed his forehead, "Look Dubby, that was a good thought but I don't think the family of a Marine Gunnery Sergeant is going to mean much against a Congresswoman. Hell, anyone in the military who sticks up for Mac is going to get accused of covering for one of their own. The Navy will throw her to the wolves rather than let things like 'Tailhook' get resurrected again."
"What about royalty, sir? And a DC police lieutenant?", Walters countered. "Carlie and Mo Dzurick are friends and Robyn's going to talk to Emma Fine, too."
Harm stared at him for a few seconds and then started to smile, "You know, for a dumb jarhead, you're actually pretty bright."
Gunny gave him a haughty look, "I don't spend all my time busting up bars, sir. I'm more than just a pretty face."
