1708 ZULU
Commander Sturgis Turner, Commander Meg Austin, and Agent Anthony Dinozzo step inside the maximum security prison in rural Maryland, a guard leading them inside. They walk along the concrete floors of the hallway. They enter a small room lit by a single fluorescent light bulb. Inside the room is a chair and a desk. Two men sit inside. One of them is dressed in a suit. The other is dressed in a blue jumpsuit with a number stenciled on it. His head is shaved bald and he has a beard on his face.
"Agent Anthony Dinozzo," says Tony. "NCIS."
"What's this NCIS?" asks Taylor Biggs, the man in the jumpsuit.
"Naval Criminal Investigative Service."
"What do you want with me?"
"I want to know about the 1997 Halloween Massacre in Baltimore."
"I'm gonna be in here for life," says Biggs.
"We want to know David Parker's involvement in this matter?"
"You mean the sailor?"
"Yes."
"What will you be offering?" asks the man wearing the suit, who is apparently Taylor's attorney.
"We are willing to offer a commutation provided you tell us the truth," says Sturgis.
"I spoke with you guys," says Taylor Biggs. "You offered a deal, but then you decided not to have me testify."
"We might need your testimony this time," says Meg. "We might be trying David Parker."
"He's been a well-behaved prisoner behind bars," says the lawyer. "Can you at least give him a chance for parole?"
"Only if he testifies," says Sturgis. "What you tell us right now will stay between us. We'll talk to the attorney general's office, see if there is a way to reduce your sentence to allow for parole."
"I had a contact," says Taylor. "Parker was the one who brought the stuff. I know someone else was working with him. I only spoke with him over the phone. He said his name was Ed, but that's about it. We were discussing a hit with Ed, 'cause someone weas musclin' in our territory. Ed said that Parker will take care of it. I drove Parker to that club. He went in and did his job. He didn't do it perfectly, c'cause we weren't supposed to get caught."
"Was Ed in the Navy?" asks Meg.
"Never seen the guy, only spoke to him. I know he's not Parker, 'cause I spoke with him on the phone while standing next to Parker. I'll testify if you can get me parole."
"You will?" asks Tony.
"Davey Parker wasn't one of us; he just brought us the goods. My homies won't care if I testify against him."
"Thank you," says Meg. "We'll know where to find you."
The three of them leave the prison gates. "I can see Chegwidden ripping him a new one," says Sturgis.
"With the fingerprints bogus, we might have no other choice," replies Meg.
ooooooooooooooo
DAY 12
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
1541 ZULU
Agent Anthony Dinozzo reads through the files as he sits down in the squadroom. He and Detective Mark Travis, whom he had worked with years ago, loom over their notes.
"We've been tracking this guy 24/7 and we can't get anything," says Travis.
"Let's just wait," says Tony. "this does bring back memories. Remember when we kept staking this guy out for two months?"
"Tony, he didn't go to jail," says the Baltimore police detective.
"He did lead us to the killer though," replies the NCIS agent.
The two of them hear footsteps and they look. They see a man in a United States marshal's uniform.
"May I help you?" asks Travis.
"I'm here to deliver a complaint," says the marshal. "here."
Tony receives a piece of paper from the marshal. The letterhead indicates that the letter is from the United States District Court.
"David Parker has filed for an injunction against us," says Tony. "I'd better call JAG."
ooooooooooo
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND
2303 ZULU
Midshipman First Class Mike Roberts enters the small lounge after a grueling day of leading the plebes through their plebe summer. The mood in this room is serene, as if to offer refuge from the pressures of being a senior midshipman. A young man in his early twenties with short blond hair is also in the lounge, sitting down on a leather seat.
"How are you feeling, Roberts," asks Midshipman First Class Roy Grant.
"Exhausted," replies Mike. "I thought going through plebe training was hard."
"That's why I recommended you for this post, Mike," replies Roy. "You were one of the few who served active duty in the Navy, actually served on board a vessel. We need people like you to train future officers."
"Right now, Roy, I need a meal and some sleep."
"At least you now know how the instructors feel, Roberts."
ooooooooooo
DAY 13
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
The court hearing for David Bruce Parker vs. the United States Department of the Navy and the Baltimore Police Department is now in session. The judge, a white-haired man, sits behind the bench. United States marshals watch over, providing security.
"I will begin to hear arguments for this motion," says the judge.
"Your Honor," says AJ Chegwidden, standing up. "My client, U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third class David Bruce Parker was released from Leavenworth after his unjust conviction was overturned. The Baltimore PD and NCIS have since been following him around wherever he goes. Every move he makes is being watched. He feels as if he isn't really free. This is a violation of his privacy."
"Thank you, Mr. Chegwidden," says the judge. "Commander, if you will."
"Yes, your Honor," says Commander Meg Austin, rising up. "Petty Officer Parker is a prime suspect in the murder of seven people in October of '97. Courts have long recognized that there is no reasonable expectation to privacy in public places."
"Has the police or NCIS made any contact with Mr. Parker?" asks the judge.
"No, sir. They have yet to conduct a search of his quarters."
"I have heard enough," says the judge. "Mr. Chegwidden, your motion for an injucntion is denied. Commander Austin, tell the police that they had better limit themselves to observing Mr. Parker in public. If they want to go further they should get a warrant."
The judge then bangs the gavel.
ooooooooooooo
DAY 16
BALTIMORE POLICE HEADQUARTERS
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
"Our stakeouts are turning up nothing," says Detective Lieutenant Aaron Lake.
"Look out there," says Tony Dinozzo, looking at the crowd out there. "Free Davey Parker."
"His lawyer's trying to get the public on his side," says Mark Travis. "There's a whole bunch of celebrities speaking in favor of him. They're the same crowd that sticks up for Mumia Abu Jamal."
"Hopefully this Carey Mills person is gonna comne here and give us something," says Lake. The police station received a call from a Carey Mills. She claimed to have knowledge of the case."
"I hope she's not a junkie or a drug dealer," says Sturgis. "The last thing we need is a witness whom Chegwidden can tear apart."
The door opens and they all look. Thery see a woman in her early thrities with long, curly black hair. she is dressed in a blue blouse and blue Levi's jeans.
"Are you Carey Mills?" asks Tony Dinozzo.
"Yeah," replies the woman.
"What do you know about the Parker case?" asks Commander Meg Austin.
"He's innocent," says Carey.
"How do you know?" asks Aaron Lake.
"He was my boyfriend at the time. I was living in Baltimore. We were together on Halloween."
"you sure?' asks Sturgis.
"Of course. That was big news back then. I know where I was."
Sturgis faces Meg. "We're gonna have to tell Chegwidden."