1320 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Petty Officer First Class Jennifer Coates stands up as Major General Gordon M. Creswell enters her office.
"Good morning, General," she says.
"Good morning, Petty Officer," replies the general. "any messages?"
"No, but there is something I must inform you."
"My office, Coates."
Coates enters the general's office. It is a huge room covered ina carpet, its centerpiece a wooden desk. Creswell sits behind the desk. "What is it, Coates?"
"Sir, the DC police called me. They found Pia."
"Who?"
"Pia Bonfilio. A friend of mine from my past. She was wanted for murder. They're gonna want me to testify."
"So you'll need someone to fill in for you while you're in court."
"Yes, sir, I will. It's just that her attorneys might ask me about my past. There are things I've done that I haven't told any of you."
"Let's put it this way, Petty Officer. You can either tell the truth about stuff that you can no longer go to jail for, or you can lie and go to jail for that. A simple choice, really."
"Thanks for the advice, sir."
"I have work to do here alone. Dismissed."
Creswell hears the door close as he reads through reports.
oooooooooooo
1400 ZULU
NCIS HEADQUARTERS
WASHINGTON, DC
Commander Sturgis Turner , Commander Meg Austin, and Agent Anthony Dinozzo stare at the screen in the NCIS Headquarters Lab. A woman in her late twenties with black hair, black etyeshadpow, and black-painted fingernails explains everything.
"Are you sure you can't make a conclusive match?" asks Meg.
"There's just not enough fingerprint," says Abby Scuito, a forensics specialist foe the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. "Not enough points to determnine one way or another.
"Could it possibly come from Petty Officer Parker?" asks Sturgis.
"Yes, it could," replies Abby. "But it also matches at least twenty other people in the database."
"Maybe we can exclude the others, show that Parker is the only one who could have done it," says Dinozzo.
"Even if we could do that, there are still millions whose fingerprint could produce something like the sample."
"I guess this means the fingerprint's useless," says Meg. "I wonder where we go from here?"
ooooooooooo
1540 ZULU
BALTIMORE POLICE HEADQUARTERS
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
Sturgis, Meg, and Dinozzo meet inside a conference room in the building that is the headquarters for the Baltimore Police Department. Dinozzo notices the place looks much the same as it did when he served here in 1997, although a few rooms had been remodeled. He had greeted some of the police officers he had worked with. With them are some other people from the Baltimore Police Department and the Maryland Attorney General's office who are also investigating.
"So NCIS couldn't make a match," says Detective Lieutenant Aaron Lake.
"Unfortunately, no," says Tony Dinozzo.
"Why don't we take another look at the evidence?" asks Sturgis.
"I've been reading the evidence over since I was assigned to this investigation," says Deputy Attorney General Nick Perry. "All we got are statements from questionable witnesses. I'm not surprised the Navy relied on fingerprints."
"Which we now know are inconclusive," says Meg. She reads through the investigation notes. "There's this guy named James Scottson who ID'd Parker in a lineup. He saw him go into the club."
"He happened to be a drug addict living on the streets at the time," says Dinozzo. "He didn't testify in the trial, and for good reason."
"What about gunpowder residue?" asks Nick Perry.
"He handled munitions as part of his day job," says Dinozzo.
"These questionable witnesses are all we have now," says Lieutenant Lake.
"The police might still have the gun," says Nick Perry. "Maybe we can find something that was missed years ago."
"NCIS can keep tabs on Parker," says Dinozzo. "Parker's currently assigned to Washington Navy Yard."
"So he's not in the brig?" asks Lake.
"Chegwidden must have convinced the convening authority that Parker's not a flight risk," says Sturgis.
"It works to our advantage," says Tony. "He'll let his guard down. Maybe he'll have a slip of the tongue or lead us to where we can find evidence. I've had cases like that."
"We're not having much to go on," says Meg.
"I think it's a good idea," says Lake. "Let's follow on these leads, shall we?"
They all leave the conference room.
"Maybe you should let my office handle it," says Nick Perry, pushing the joystick on his motorized wheelchair with his left arm.
"Parker's a sailor in the Navy," says Meg. "If he murdered someone while he was in the Navy, then the Navy should punish him."
"You have until when to file charges? October? Don't forget, Commander. The state of Maryland has its own court system. We can charge him with murder anytime."
"I think we should find this Scottson fellow first," says Sturgis.
ooooooooooooooo
DAY 5
1404 ZULU
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SUPERIOR COURT
WASHINGTON, DC
Petty Officer Coates arrives in the small room inside the courthouse in Washington, DC to give her statement. She sits down at a long wooden table. She wears her white summer dress uniform, and the men and women inside are dressed in suits.
"Let's begin," says the judge. "Petty Officer Coates, I will remind that you are under oath."
"Yes, ma'am," replies the petty officer.
The prosecutor asks some questions. Jennifer answers each and every question about her acquaintance with Pia and the events last fall.
Then Pia's defense attorney, a bald man with black hair on his temples, eyeglasses on his face, a black coat over his torso, and a red necktie around his neck asks questions.
"Have you ever stolen anything?" asks the defense attorney. "May I remind you that you are under oath?"
"Yes, I have," replies Jennifer.
"Committed burglaries?"
"Yes."
"Assault?"
"A few times."
"You seem to have a colorful past," says the lawyer.
"Well, sir, I learned from these mistakes. I can give you plenty of references."
"That won't be necessary, ma'am."
oooooooooooo
2133 ZULU
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
"Nice place," says Meg, looking at thw apartment building with cracks in the outer walls.
"This is where James Scottson is living," says Agent Dinozzo. "Unless he's been evicted recently."
He, Meg, and Sturgis enter the apartment building. They were lucky that James Scottson still lives in Baltimore. Clibing up the stairs, they reac a door with the paint peeling from its surface.
"Mr. Scottson?" asks Dinozzo. "Federal agents. We want to ask a few question."
"What do you want?" asks a voice.
The three of them turn to see a man wearing a faded shirt. Tightly curled black hair covers his head.
"Agent Dinozzo, NCIS," says Tony, showing his badge. "These two are Commanders Turner and Austin from the Navy JAG."
"James Scottson," replies the man. "I just got back from work."
"Mr. Scottson, we'd like to ask you a few questions," says Sturgis.
"Why don't you three come inside?"
Scottson unlocks the door to his apartment and the two Navy officers and one NCIS agent enter. The living room is old- carpet, furniture, television set. Even the air smells old.
"Why not have a seat?" asks Scottson.
"No thanks, sir," replies Meg.
"We'd like to ask you about the 1997 Halloween massacre," asks Dinozzo.
"Oh that. I heard a couple of dealers got shot. It's a dangerous business. Two gangs were busted. The cops questioned me about it. I even had to pick some guy out of a lineup. I never testified in court though."
"Where were you?" asks Sturgis.
"I was out in the street, trying to take a nap. I saw a guy with a gun in his hand run past me. Then the cops came. I gave a statement, they had me pick someone out of a lineup. I was a homeless junkie at the time. They offered to help. But then they forgot about me."
"We could be willing to help if you'll cooperate," says Meg.
"You mean like get a job?"
"I still have friends in the Baltimore police," says Dinozzo. "They can set you up with social services. Do some job training or something. I'll give you my card as well as the card for Lieutenant Lake. If you know anything else."
"Okay then," says Scottson, turning on the Sony color television. "Is there anything else?"
"We'll call you," says Sturgis.
The three of them leave the building, heading to where the Ford Crown Victoria is parked. They arrive just as three kids run away.
Tony runs to the car. Inspecting the wheels, he sees that the hubcaps are gone. "We're gonna have to report this to the police."
They all get into the car. Dinozzo starts the engine, puts the Ford Crown Victoria in gear, and pulls from the curb.
"So, Commander Austin, I notice you speak with an accent," says Tony, holding the steering wheel. "Where're you from?"
"Texas," replies Meg.
"So you grew up in the open range?"
"Pretty much. Even though I've worked in cities for at least a decade, I still can't get used to the crowded spaces."
Dinozzo continues driving the car as Sturgis and Meg look around. After a few minutes, Dinozzo pulls up the the curb.
"Here it is," says Tony. "Or was."
Sturgis and Meg look to see a barbershop and a soul food restaurant.
"That used to be the Double Diamond Club," says Tony. "The owner was under investigation for drug trafficking. He was killed in the massacre." He continues driving. "Let's go back and review the evidence again."
oooooooooooo
2205 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts is working late, looking through some documents. He is currently assigned to two cases.
The telephone rings, and Bud answers it. "Hello?" he asks.
"Hey Bud," says a male voice. "How are you doing?"
"Hi Mike," says Bud. "What's going on?"
"Guess what," says U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman Michael Roberts, Bud's younger brother. "I'm going to be training the next plebe class as a drill instructor."
"Wow," says Bud. "Congratulations!"
"I was recommended for this. I guess it has something to do with the fact I served on active duty before coming to the Academy."
"This is going to be a huge responsibility, Mike."
"Well, being a Naval officer is a bigger responsibility. How are things going?"
"Well, I'm busy. I have to work on two cases. We have three lawyers out TAD."
"What about home life? How's Harriet and the kids?"
"Harriet took the twins to the doctor. The doctor said they're all right. they're feeling fine now. James and AJ are okay. And just last week, we all came to visit Sarah's grave."
"Oh," says Mike, remembering the niece who had died at birth. He recalls that the Navy doctor who delivered Sarah Roberts had been court-martialed for dereliction of duty and negligent homicide. The doctor was acquitted, but was stripped of his Naval Reserve commission for lying in a JAG investigation.
"Mike, I'm sure you'll make a fine drill instructor. You've grown up a lot these past few years. Take care."
"You too. Hope to see you later."
Bud hangs up the telephone. He reads through the files on his desk.
"Good evening, sir," says a man in a khaki Marine uniform. "Here's the file you wanted."
"Thanks, Captain," replies Bud, receiving the file.
"I'll be heading home now, Commander," says Captain Carlos Bullrider. "Take care."
ooooooooooo
2230 ZULU
AJ CHEGWIDDEN'S OFFICE
WASHINGTON, DC
AJ Chegwidden sits behind the desk inside his office, facing the television camera. FOX News had contacted him and asked do do an interview. A news crew set up a camera in his office, where he will speak with Bill O'Reilly of Fox News via telephone. AJ looks as technicians prepares the cameras and lighting equipment.
"So tell me about the case," asks Bill O'Reilly. "Will there be a retrial?"
"The Navy's still investigating," says Chegwidden. "They have a few months to bring charges. I am fully prepared to defend Petty Officer Parker should a general court-martial be convened again."
"You were the JAG, right?"
"I was the JAG when Parker was first convicted. A horrible injustice was done under my watch. I intend to make it right. I am also announcing that I've filed civil rights lawsuits against the Baltimore PD, the FBI, and the Department of the Navy. There muast be a deterrent against falsifying evidence. There must be a price to pay for undermining our trust in the criminal justice system."
"It is unfortunate that the people we trust to enforce the laws break them," says Bill O' Reilly. "Thank you, sir."
oooooooooooo
DAY 6
1425 ZULU
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
THE PENTAGON
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
"And that is my report, sir," says General Creswell, standing inside a huge office with a fireplace.
"Thanks, Gordon," replies Secretary of the Navy Edward Sheffield, his voice footsteps on deep gravel. "So tell me about the Parker case."
"I have Commanders Turner and Austin working on it now," replies the Judge Advocate General. "They're working with NCIS and the Baltimore police."
"AJ Chegwidden just did an interview on Fox News last night about the case," says the SecNav. "The press is giving this case much attention."
"There were other convictions overturned because of this FBI agent's perjury and evidence tampering."
"None of them were sailors in the Navy, Gordon."
"Is there anything else, Mr. Secretary?"
"Remember before you became the JAG, when I told you about how Chegwidden was a good communicator? He will try tyo get the public on the side of his client. There will be considerable pressure to simply drop the case and let Mr. Parker move on with his life."
"That may very well happen, sir. Our recommendation to you will be based on the evidence. I hope, Mr. Secretary, that your decision is based on the same."
"You may go now, General. I have a meeting with Admiral Clark in a few minutes."
ooooooooooo
1640 ZULU
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
"I've got to get to work in twenty minutes," says a man with tightly curled black hair on his head, a red T-shirt, gold chains around his neck, and blue Levi's jeans.
"According to your parole terms, you must cooperate with all law enforcement agencies," says Agent Tony Dinozzo. "That includes NCIS."
"What do you want to know?" asks Todd Coleman, stanbding in the living room in his apartment.
"What do you know of the Halloween massacre back in '97?" asks Sturgis.
"That was a long time ago," says Todd. "Some dealers and their thugs got shot up."
"Your associates were implicated," says Meg.
"I had nothing to do with it. It wasn;'t my idea; I wasn't even there; the cops know it. The DA couldn't pin it on me. I didn't make decisions for the crew. I was just a dealer."
Tony removes some photographs. "Any of them look familiar?" he asks.
"I seen this guy," says Coleman, pointing to one of the photographs. "He used to bring in the drugs."
"What do you know about him?"
"He called himself Davey. He didn't say anything else."
"Did you hear anything about him?"
"I heard he was in the Navy, and that some people in the Navy were smuggling the drugs here. I never met any of them except Davey. I remmber seeing Davey the afternoon before the massacre. He said he had a special job to do. I went to make a drop, you know, heroin."
"Did you have any idea they were planning a hit?" asks Sturgis.
"They said that this other gang was causing problems," says Todd. "I didn't ask no questions about it. I'm a salesman, not a hitman."
"And now what?" asks Tony.
"I saved up a lot of money. Put it into IRA's and stuff. I'm done with that career. It's dangerous you know, more dangerous than goin' to Iraq."
Later on, the three of them are riding in a car towards downtown Baltimore.
"I remember a case like this years ago," says Meg. "There was an operation involving Marines smuggling drugs in and selling them to drug gangs. I wonder if there was more to it than I saw."
"I wonder if it is widespread now," says Tony.
"We'll go review the evidence," says Sturgis. "A paroled drug dealer. I can imagine a million ways Chegwidden will eat him on the stand."
"I have plans this evening," says Dinozzo.
oooooooooooooo
2118 ZULU
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON, DC
Agent Dinozzo and some detectives from the Baltimore Police Department sit inside a black Honda Accord parked just outside the gate to the Washington Navy Yard.
Dinozzo receives a message via radio. He looks and sees a car pull out of the gates, its headlights on.
He puts the Accord in gear and follows the car.
oooooooooooo
2230 ZULU
Petty Officer Third Class David Bruce Parker looks around the ballroom. The place looks grand, with cloth-covered tables and waiters in white starched shirts and people in their finest clothes. The petty officer is wearing his formal Navy whites with all the medals and decorations.
"So how was it like in prison?" asks a woman wearing a sequined dress.
"Just take it one day at a time," replies Parker. "I was really mad at first. I couldn't believe I had been sent to prison for life. I didn't even know about that scandal until AJ Chegwidden came to speak to me."
"So you are David Parker," says this white-haired man wearing a suit. "Chris Walsh, senior partner for Dewey, Walsh, and Lambert."
"Petty Officer Third Class David Bruce Parker, United States Navy," says Parker, extending his hand. "How do you do?"
"Very well. AJ is such a brilliant lawyer. He knows how to deal with the press. Your case has gotten us a lot of publicity. We'll be able to charge higher rates."
"I'm just glad to be free, sir."
"And I want to thank you for allowing me to work this case pro bono," says AJ Chegwidden, dressed in his gray suit.
"What are your plans, Mr. Parker?" asks Chris Walsh. "Are you going to stay in the Navy?"
"No, I'll just let my enlistment expire. I should get my discharge in October. I'm already sending out resumes. Fourteen years in the Navy is enough."
"Perhaps I can offer you a position as an assistant," says Walsh.
"Mr. Chegwidden," says Parker. "Thanks for bringing me here. I enjoy talking to the beautiful people."
"You're welcome," replies his attorney.
"Our firm will spare no expense in representing you on this matter," says Walsh. "We will be your advocate. We will take your case to the people, and if necessary, the courts."
"Hor d'ouerves?" asks a waiter with a greasy moustache and thick glasses."
"I'll take some Swiss cheese," says David Parker, taking a cube of Swiss cheese impaled on a toothpick.
An hour later, David leaves the hotel. He gets into his car, which is followed by Agent Tony Dinozzo and Baltimore police detectives.