PART 26 – All Types Of Agendas

1935 Local
Mac and Harm's Home
San Diego, California

"Jarvis?" The cup of coffee Mac had been holding slipped out of her hand and crashed to the floor. Thankfully there wasn't too much liquid left inside so the splattering was minimal. "Oh, damnit." Reaching over to the table, she cleaned the mess up as Harm hurried to grab a brush and dustpan to pick up the debris. "Ouch." One of the shards had cut, ironically the same area she'd cut herself years ago after she and Webb had a fight. "Damnit."

Harm took her hand gently in his. "Let's get this under some cold water." Still holding her hand, he ushered Mac upstairs and to the bathroom. Putting her hand in the basin, he turned on the tap, running the water as cold as it would go before placing her hand under it. She didn't wince and didn't make a sound. Despite their closeness, she was still tough when she needed to be and learning this new information was a reason to act tough. "Hopefully the bleeding will stop, you might not need stitches."

Sighing, she leaned against the counter, watching as the blood mixed with the water, thinned then rushed over her hand to the basin below. Biting her lower lip, she contemplated this new twist. "Jarvis?" She began softly. "What does he have to do with anything?. . .What the hell was he doing in my office?" Now, she was a bit animated.

"Calm down, Mac." He tried to hold her hand under the water a bit longer but anger was jolting her body.

"Calm down, Mac? You're kidding me right?"

Holding her wrist just a little tighter, he pulled her hand back under the stream of water. "I need you to keep your hand still. . .We need to see if you need stitches or not."

"Screw the stitches, Harm." She relaxed slightly, enough for him to keep pressure and water on the wound. Frowning, she stared at him for a moment. "Help me figure this out, would ya?"

He would have liked to have told her that there was an explanation for all of that, but he had none. "I don't know, alright? Maybe it has something to do with me?"

"He was in JLSS, what does that have to do with you?" It came out a tad more bitter than she wanted it to sound. "I'm sorry. . .I didn't mean to snap."

"Look, I'll see what I can find out, but it's going to be pretty tough. . .I'm not a JAG anymore. I don't have a valid reason to be poking around JLSS." Satisfied that the wound didn't need stitches, he sat Mac down on the head. "Hold it tight." Harm indicated, as he rummaged through the cabinet for the first aid kit, fishing out gauze, tape and ointment. "Alright, let's see." Taking a small bath towel, he patted the wound dry and took a good look at it. Thankfully, it was superficial. He slathered ointment over the jagged line, trying his best not to hurt her as he brushed over the wound. Then, he took the gauze and placed a patch right over the area.

As he tended to her, things were quiet. Not uncomfortably so, but it was noticeable. Both of them had the wheels in their heads turning at full speed. It was clear to her that if Jarvis was in JLSS, someone had to have given him access. It was no surprise to find that the first person that came to mind was Vuckovic. "I'll send Vic on the first case that takes him out of San Diego."

Harm's head shot up quickly. Had she been reading his mind? Funny that a little under an hour earlier, he was slightly defending the other man. "You read my mind, Marine." He said gently as he finished taping up the gauze. Once done, he took her hand and placed a soft kiss over the area. "There, all better." Sighing, he crossed his arms and leaned against the cabinet. "Why would Vic and Jarvis be involved? And no conspiracy theories."

Mac shrugged. "Well, let's start that Vic vouched for Jarvis. . .And it makes sense, who else would do such a thing?" She chewed her lower lip thoughtfully. "I just, can't figure out why Jarvis is involved. . .Or why Vic would involve Jarvis. . .And what are they involved in?"

"You said something about files, right? That's what Admiral Schilling was pissed about? The picture has Jarvis stealing files?"

She closed her eyes tightly, so much that a sudden head rush threatened to topple her over. "Oh Jesus. What have I done?" Mac pinched the bridge of her nose, willing the sudden vertigo to subside. "If there was evidence. . .God. . .Damnit. . ."

"Mac?"

"If there was evidence, I told Vic to investigate. . .He claimed, he swore he had nothing to do with Van Edee so I ordered him to find any anomalies in our file room." Angrily, she stood up, taking a whack at the wall with her good hand. "Damnit, how stupid could I be?"

Each of his hands came in touch with Mac's shoulders, holding her as she got back her sanity. "You're not stupid, Mac. . .You didn't know." Gently, he pulled her to him. "It'll be okay. We'll figure this out, I promise."

Sadly, she stopped believing that promise, that things would be alright and figured out. If he couldn't figure out the thing with Manda, how could he figure out this? "Stop saying that!" She yelled, pushing him away enough for her to step out of the bathroom. With a loud groan, she stalked down the hallway and into their bedroom. He was hot on her heels, she could feel him though he was trying to remain silence and impartial. "I don't want to hear that things will be okay or that they'll be figured out! I just want this to stop."

"You have a right to be angry." Harm tried to remain the voice of calm all the while feeling that rapid onset of guilt. He made no mistake about it; if Jarvis was involved, it had to do with him. That he was certain of.

"Damned right I do!" A hand scrubbed across her face and in a moment of defeat she plopped on the bed. She was calm now. . .Well, calmer than before. Rationality was coming back to Mac. "I just wish I knew what the agenda was. . Even if I can't do a damned thing about it, I just want to know."

"Mac, your gut feeling tells you Vic is involved. My gut feeling tells me Jarvis' involvement has to do with me."

"But, why JLSS?"

There was only one reason that he could think of. One reason that made perfect sense. "Records. . .Military computers. . .You can find information there. Information that is classified to civilians and non-military officials. . .Hell, we've barred access to government agencies before." Fact was that if you knew where to look, you could find information about any military personnel with the right computer and the right geek behind it. "Jarvis is good, I'll give him that. . .He knows how to pick and prod at people's heads. . .He can make you do things you don't want to do. . . And Vic. . .He's a prick. Somehow the thought of the two of them working together doesn't seem too far fetched."

Her head whipped around so fast she almost got a crick in her neck. "Oh, so now Vic isn't so saintly in your books anymore?"

"I never said he was a saint, I just said maybe he needed a chance."

"And now you're not so sure?" Mac asked, when he gave her a guilty expression, she had her answer. "You know, Mayfield came to talk to me about him. . . .Apparently Vic's had issues before. Harassment, displaced anger. . .He's not as officer and gentlemanly as he wants people to think."

Nothing was adding up at the moment, nothing at all. Vic had no reason to be involved. If Jarvis was, somehow, using Vic to get information, it was likely that he was working for someone else, maybe another PI company? Maybe even their enemies. "Let's get some sleep, Mac. . .We're going to need it."

0850 Local
Joint Legal Services Southwest (JLSS)
San Diego, California

Silence echoed through the walls of the JLSS conference room. All of the regular players were there for the daily morning meeting, waiting as their leader finished a call in her office. It was Vic that broke the silence with a long, strangled sigh. "I think she does this to us on purpose."

Bud glared at him. "Stow it, Vuckovic."

"You can't tell me what to do, Bud. . .We're the same rank." He stated with glee as he locked his hands behind his head.

"We may be the same rank, Vuckovic, but I was given my promotion long before you. . .I am the highest ranking officer and the chief of staff. As such, you are to treat me with the respect that I deserve. Am I clear?" The tone of Bud's voice had hardened to a point that no one had ever witnessed. He was as tired of Vic's antics as anyone else was. "I can't hear you, Lieutenant Commander Vuckovic."

Vic straightened in his chair, realizing that his actions weren't winning him any points with anyone in the room. "You are clear, sir. . .My apologies for the disrespect. It was a long weekend." He tried to sound as sincere as possible, but it failed, as usual. Thankfully, before any battle of wills ensued, Mac stepped into the room.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." To those that knew her best, the luminous look her eyes was a given – she was speaking with Harm. "Alright. . .Let's start off with the two cases that are outstanding before giving out new ones. . .Mayfield, how's the Major Perez case going?"

Mayfield pulled out a few copies of her files and slid them across the table. "Good, ma'am. . .Seems to be a slam dunk case for the defense." And she was the defense, thankfully the prosecution's witness had crumbled.

"Perfect. . .Next, Mr. Roberts – I understand you had some issues with Master Chief Athens?"

Bud nodded. "Yes, ma'am. . .I asked Judge Lyons to give me an extension and it was granted. . .We should wrap up by the end of the week."

Mac wrote down a few words in her notebook, then turned to Vuckovic. "Commander, are your seabags packed?"

"No, ma'am." He stammered, suddenly hit with worry. She was sending him away? "Should they b . ."

"A good officer always has a bag packed and ready to go. Especially if he's a JAG who could be sent away to investigate at a moments notice." Picking the file at the top of a relatively tiny stack, Mac handed it over to Vic. "You're being sent out to the Patrick Henry. . .Their onboard JAG has retired due to medical reasons and they need someone ASAP."

"The Henry, ma'am?" Vic croaked out. Slowly, he reached across the table, taking a drink of water that he nearly choked on. "Colonel. . .There's an issue or two." More than an issue or two! He didn't want to leave, he had things to do. Things he was planning! If Jarvis was taking his sweet time trying to screw with Rabb, he would just have to pick up the pace a bit. This would put a damper on things. "Ma'am. . .The Henry is doing maneuvers in the Atlantic. Wouldn't someone from HQ be better for this?" He raised the folder upwards, shaking slightly with an anger he was having trouble hiding. "They are on the East coast. . .We're on the West?"

The scowl on Mac's face was growing fierce. "Is there a problem with your following orders today?" She started on him. Right now, she didn't care that they weren't alone. Maybe undermining him bluntly in front of others was the ticket? "I don't think I could have made myself any clearer, but just in case." Standing up, she bent over the table, slamming her fists into the polished wood. "You are to head out to the Henry until I find it fit to have you back in this office. . .I am done playing games with you, Commander. If you so much as look at me or anyone else in this office in a fashion deemed inappropriate I will personally kick your ass out of this office and escort you to Leavenworth myself. Do you read me?"

To say that he could feel eyes on him was an understatement. Vic wasn't only feeling them, they were practically opening holes into him. In a word it felt as if he were being violated. He took one look at the group, the only friends he seemed to have were dwindling by the second if their expressions meant anything. The one hard nut he couldn't seem to crack was the sense of loyalty that everyone felt towards Mac. To him, it was pathetic. She was a woman and as such didn't deserve as much as she'd got. Then again, what did he expect? If rumors were true, she slept her way to the top. How wrong he was and how lucky that Mac couldn't read his thoughts. "Yes, ma'am. . .I read you." Tentatively, he took a hold of the file she had shoved towards him.

Mac requested for Coates to pick up Vic's paperwork and then turned back to him. "You're leaving from the base, there's an F-18 waiting."

It was actually rather comical how that arrogant, self-serving grin seemed to be no where in site. Actually, Mac was sure she'd never seen him so uncomfortable before. "F. . .F-18?" Vic gulped. He wasn't a big fan of planes and usually needed a drink or two under his belt to get somewhere. The fact that he would have to go supersonic. . .Well, it sucked. "As in a Hornet?"

"Yes, a Hornet. . . One of Captain Rabb's pilots was called up this morning. They needed an F-18 delivered and Death's number came up."

Death! Vic's brows shot up in an instant. "Death? Ma'am?"

"Lieutenant Marcus Ripley, call sign 'Death.'" It was a rather odd call sign for a pilot, but Harm assured her there was nothing macabre about it, only that it had to do with a favorite character from a graphic novel which he had tattooed on his right arm. "I hear he's a good stick. Stay safe, Commander. And I expect you to let us know when you arrive. I might find something else to keep you. . . occupied." Calmly she sat down. "Dismissed."

Vic came to attention, standing ramrod straight with steely eyes which were affixed to the windows before him. "Aye, aye, ma'am." He stepped away from his chair, pushed it in and then marched out of the conference room only to sink against one of the walls outside. "An F-18!" From his vantage point, he could see Jen hurrying towards him with the paper work. "Petty Officer, have you ever been on an F-18?"

Coates held back a grin. "No, sir. . .But, I hear it's fun."

"I'm going to puke my lungs out." He said, already feeling a bit green in the gills. Angrily he took the files from her, then rushed off. He still had to pack. In the process, he would make a few calls. MacKenzie was going to pay.

Back inside the conference room, Mac had given out the rest of the cases and then dismissed everyone but Bud and Harriet. "Ma'am, anything on the Van Edee issue?"

"Yes, Commander. Captain Rabb is looking into it for us. . .It's one of the reasons I needed Vukovic out of the office."

Harriet studied her friend for a moment, something seemed off. "Ma'am, if I may. . .You seem a bit, out of sorts?"

Mac took a deep breath then nodded towards the door. "Harriet, get Jen in here and then lock the door behind you. . .This is unofficial." She took that brief moment to pour a fresh cup of coffee for herself. Last night neither she nor Harm slept much. Most of the evening had been passed brainstorming over Vic's involvement with Jarvis, or lack there of. It may have been purely coincidental, but somehow it sounded too fishy for that to be true. If that bomb wasn't big enough, Harm dropped another one on her this morning. Manda Patterson was back in town and wanted to see him.

On one hand, this was a good thing – it would move the investigation further. On the other hand, she had one of her infamous gut feelings and it wasn't a pleasant one. They seldom were when she had them about Harm. "Everyone's present and accounted for, ma'am." Bud stated, making her jump enough to spill the coffee. "I'm so. . .so sorry, Colonel. I'll clean that up." He took a stack of napkins from the side table and began wiping down her sleeves.

"Bud, forget it." She sighed. "It's just my nerves, I guess. . .Look, sit down, guys." As her friends took their seats, Mac chose to take one on the side of the table, not right at the middle. "Right now I am not your CO. . .I'm just your friend needing some friendly help." She hated having to do this in the office, but there really was no choice. It couldn't wait. Rifling through her briefcase, she took out the photo of Staff Sergeant Van Edee – aka Ted Jarvis – and placed it on the table. "He wasn't who he said he was. . .This man is not Angel Van Edee, he is a man that used to work for Harm called Ted Jarvis."

"Harm?" The three of them said in confusion, what did his firm had to do with JLSS?

She nodded. "He was one of Harm's investigators. He was the one that is believed to have been involved with Gunny's attack. He was the one parading around our office which leaves a dilemma."

Bud cleared his throat. "Did we ever find what he was looking for? What was in those files?"

Mac shook her head. "No, we didn't. . .I'm hoping that with Vic gone we can figure it out."

"Are you in danger, Mac?" Harriet, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke, her voice taking an edge that she seldom voiced. "Are you? Is Harm?"

The answer was something that neither she nor Harm could really come up with. Were they in danger? As far as they could figure, no. At least, it wasn't an immediate danger. If Vic and Jarvis were plotting something it was obvious they still had a ways to go. "We don't think so. . .But, anything is plausible. . .Look, I don't want you guys losing sleep over this. Nor do I want you guys shirking your duties. I just need to see if we can find what Jarvis took and why."

"Pardon my saying, ma'am, but that's like finding a needle in a haystack." Jen said sadly. "I mean, I have a few ways to check. I am sure Commander Roberts can use his computer skills. . ."

"I know. I'm not asking for a miracle, just keep your eyes open. . . Jen, once Vic is out of the building, I want you in his office searching for anything you can find. . .Anything fishy, you bring to me, alright?"

Jen grinned, if there was one thing she loved was helping out. And if there was one thing she was good at, it was snooping. She'd formerly made a living off of snooping and stealing. "Yes, ma'am."

"Thanks guys." Mac said softly. "I know I don't say things like this much. . .But." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She wasn't a softy, never was and never would be. But, being with Harm, realizing that there was something to really being in love, it did something to her. It made her feel good and whole and cherished. It made her change. "You guys are my closest friends and I cherish that very much. . .Thank you for this, really. Thank you."

When the impromptu session came to a close, Jen and Harriet went their separate ways as Mac escorted Bud towards his office. "Remember to check the old fax files. . .I forget that they make a record of every outbound and inbound facsimiles."

"Will do, ma'am." Bud jotted down a few notes in a booklet and then took a breath. It was going to be hell having to do his work knowing that two of his friends may be in danger. He would prepare himself and do his duty and snoop around when able. "I think everything is set, Ma'am."

Mac placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "I appreciate this, Bud, I really do." With a smile, she turned towards her office, taking only a few steps before Bud called her back.

"I forgot to ask, how was your weekend?"

Now that was a loaded question. Despite all of the bad that came out of it, the good sure as hell won out. With an impish grin, she regarded him. "Sweet and sticky, Bud. . .Sweet and sticky."

1320 Local
Manda Patterson's Yacht
San Diego, California

"Ahoy there." Manda stood on the deck, shaded from the sun by a triangular shaped, retractable cloth. In her hand she held a piña colada, the alcoholic kind.

Harm forced himself to smile when all he wanted to do was run the other way. He stepped closer to the ship, placing a hand on the railing of the gangway ahs he worked up his courage. "Permission to come aboard?"

"Permission granted." She said in a sing song voice and for reasons unknown he thought of Mac. God, did he really hang out of a helo just to make sure she would be alright? "Jack? That usually means you could come aboard." Manda leaned over slightly and even from Harm's vantage point below he could get a clear look at a bathing suit that was classy and yet racy. It plugged deep in the front and he could only image how bad the rest of it was.

Putting a charming smile in place, he sped up the gang way pausing, as always, so that her goons could check that he didn't have a weapon. He didn't and long since gave up on carrying a piece on jobs like this. Nine out of ten times it would likely cause the death of someone other than the person the bullet was intended for. "Hey!" Harm protested, shielding himself when the goon went for a 'delicate' location on his anatomy. "Keep your hands to yourself there, buddy." Annoyed, he climbed up the side steps two by two until he wound up on the deck area, where Amanda was. True to form, a second goon was there to give him the old friendly treatment until he was allowed to step over to her. Without much effort on his part, their bodies came in very close proximity. Actually, he didn't do a damned thing, it was Manda who was kissing Harm as if it had been decades since their last meeting. "Wow, that's a fine hello."

He still liked her kisses, he concluded with a sickening feeling at the pit of his stomach. It was natural, he concurred. He was a man and she was an attractive woman. Thankfully, he did like them a little less than last time. "So, did you miss me?" A little too exuberantly, Manda tugged him along, allowing him a little more than just a glimpse at her backside. Harm was right about the bathing suit. It was a thong and he could clearly see the angel tattoo she bore on her six. 'Angel.' He almost snorted at the thought. 'There's nothing angelic about this one.'

Obediently he sat next to her, to an area where she had patted. "Of course I did. . .Very hard going through a holiday weekend without a pretty face." Images from his holiday weekend passed momentarily through his mind. Save for that part where Jarvis managed to ruin it all, everything was exquisite. They managed to talk through several issues and spent the rest of the time in bed – or the kitchen – or the shower – or the. . – making love. It had been impossible to fall asleep the night before, his mind was going at a hundred revolutions per minute. What if he had put Mac in danger? What then? His reverie was cut short when he felt a tug at his arm. Glancing upwards he found Manda giving him an aloof expression. "I'm sorry. . I ah."

"Daydreaming?" She said with a smirk. "I didn't know men did that sort of thing." Her teasing would be considered cute if he actually cared about her, which he didn't. Still he had to pretend to want her and that was driving him slightly insane. Especially when her hand was traveling up his thigh, which it was now.

The best he could do was to laugh it off nervously and retreat to the safety of the bar. Now, more than ever, he needed a drink. A stiff one – no pun intended. "Can I get you something?" Taking a bottle of bourbon, he poured himself almost a full glass and then set it on the bar.

"Rough day?" Manda pointed at the liquor, chuckling as she walked over to him. Her body swayed, snake like, almost as if she were trying to charm him. And she was, narcotics or not, Harmon Rabb Junior – err, Jack MacKenzie - was one hot man. "Know how to make a sex on the beach?" She wasn't subtle with her flirtation either. Being a rich bitch meant that Manda Patterson got what she wanted even if it was the stubborn man who was trying to investigate her.

Harm shook his head. "No I am more of the rum and coke, vodka and cranberry variety. . .I can make a martini." He smiled up at her noting that she was gingerly sucking on a little pink straw which belonged to her original drink. "I am sure one of your boys could bring you another piña colada."

"There's that." Stepping around the bar, she came to stand just behind him. "You know? It's a little hot for you to be so overdressed." Turning Harm around, she reached up and undid his shirt, exposing some of his midriff. "Better. . .But, you're still looking a little hot." Feeling her way behind him, she took an ice cube in her fingers then brought it around over his abdomen.

"Oh." As politely as possible, he pushed her away, nervously chuckling as he took his drink and made it back to the sofa. "That's not fair, Manda." He downed a quarter of the drink and prayed that the day would end. It was so much better to be the hunter instead of the prey. And Harm certainly didn't know or want to know how to play the prey. "So, you said you had a business proposition for me? Let's talk about it."

Slowly, with that same snake like stalk, she came back over to him, sitting in a fashion that would have one leg on his thigh. "Business is business and you aren't here for that. . .Not right now." Manda never gave him a chance to put another word in nor a chance for him to run for his life. A second later, she was straddling him, fusing her mouth to his in a kiss that would crumble any man. The kiss deepened as she teased his lips to part, finally savoring what she'd been wanting to taste since they met.

When he felt her tongue in his mouth, Harm finally came to his senses. Moving swiftly, he came to his feet, sending Manda downward, her six hitting the floor. "I can't do this, not yet."

From her position she glanced up at him, a mixture of hurt and anger in her eyes. "You're not a prude are you?"

Prude? She just had to use that word, didn't she? He would have helped her up, he should have helped her up, but Harm was trying to get his wits back on track. "No. . .But, I don't like things THIS fast."

Manda didn't even consider the dismissal and though she believed it to be a lie, she couldn't stop herself from answering. "Funny, that's not what Kendra told me."

"Kendra has loose lips."

Grinning, she helped herself up and went back on the prowl. "I like your lips."

Kissing was as far as he went with Kendra and it was always a sweet type of kiss. The ones from Manda were like life or death. Holding up his arms, he placed them on her shoulders. "Manda, I like you. . .I want you." He nearly threw up trying to get those words out. "But I need it to be right and perfect for you, baby. . .And right now I can't give you perfect."

"Maybe perfect is overrated?" She slid out of his grasp, shoved him onto the sofa and resumed her position on top of him.

But, Harm wasn't as foolish and as pliable as before. "GO with me on this. . .I'll make it worth your while." Somehow, he managed to hold her back long enough to find his cell phone. Hitting a button, the phone's shrill cut through the air, hopefully saving him from this situation. "Ah, damnit." Harm brought the phone up to his ear. "MacKeznie? WHAT! Yes. . .No. . .DAMNIT!" In mock anger, he shut the phone closed. The infamous Rabb 'puppy dog eyes' made their appearance, hopefully she'd buy it. "I have to go. . ."

Damnit. This wasn't in her agenda, the bastard was supposed to want her by now. If anything she was hoping that the strong approach would give him a taste of something. Maybe it would awaken the animal inside? Maybe everything Jarvis had told her was wrong? Maybe he was gay? "Will you be back later tonight?" She found herself asking as he tried to extricate himself from under her.

"Doesn't look like it, I might have to head to Seattle." At that she seemed. . .hopeful "I would ask you to come along, but I'm afraid it'll be all work and no play." Good save, Rabb. Now get the hell out of here. Leaning forwarded, he pressed his lips to hers. There were no fireworks there, no magic, in fact, he was starting to hate them. "I'll be thinking about you."

Manda rolled her eyes. "That's sweet." She bit back sarcastically. Never being one for romance or wining and dinning the fact that he was trying to use a sweet approach was seriously nauseating. Regretfully, she let him out of her lair and watched as he ran up the docks, but not before blowing her a kiss which she pretended to catch. "Bye, Harmon Rabb Junior." She said under her breath, waving as he reached the gate to the parking area. "Next time he's here, I want a chopper standing by."

Jarvis leaned up against the railing with her. He'd witnessed the whole interaction, the zillions of cameras planted all over the vessel had allowed him to. "You can't be the seductress with a hunter, Mandy. . .It never works."

"Umm. . .Maybe that's not the problem." She regarded. "Maybe that little woman of his has more of a hold on him than you thought." Without warning, she struck him, leaving a stinging red hand print on his face. "Maybe I need to find someone else to do my dirty work, Teddy. . .It's never taken us this long to get what we want."

From his vantage point, Harm saw a figure – a man – standing next to Patterson. "Damnit, the one time I don't bring the binoculars." He said with a groan, then slammed his fists into the steering wheel. This wasn't working to his liking. He should have known from the moment Manda stated her intentions on the Yacht that this was now out of his control. And when things were this far out of control, it was time to step back and reevaluate the situation. "This has to end. . .I can't do this anymore." But, how would one get out of a hole that was dug so deep?

It was then that it struck him, an idea he hadn't really thought of because he really didn't want to go there. It would burn the only leverage he had if things got too shady. And shady they were getting. With a sigh, he dialed a familiar number and waited for the other end to answer. "Yes, Warden Gurvitz please. . .Yes, this is Captain Rabb, he knows me. We talk at least once a week. . . Warden, this is Captain Rabb, sir. . .I think I'll take you up on that offer now."

It was a done deal and one that was better than gold. Rather than subject himself to dealings with Patterson, he would go straight to the lion's den and speak to Randy Quinn.