NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
Commader Meg Austin arrives at a waiting room in the hospital in the Jacksonville Naval Air Station. It is a typical waiting room, with glass-surfaced tables topped with various magazines.
"What happened?" she asks Special Agent Paula Cassidy.
"Two people broke into the Lindstrom home and one of them held a boxcutter to Mrs. Lindstrom's throat," replies the NCIS special agent. "They told Master Chief Lindstrom to where Alexandra Galvin was living so that they could kill her. The master chief managed to call my cell phone and drew the attention of the police. the chase ended here in the naval air station. The guy with thebox cutter stabbed Mrs. Lindstrom repeatedly bewfore he was shot down."
"Is she all right?"
"She's in critical condition, the last I heard. One of them is also in the hospital, while the other is in jail."
Commander Sturgis Turner arrives, and Special Agent Cassidy explains the situation.
ooooooooooo
DAY 19
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
Alexandra Galvin hears the telephone ring as she eats breakfast.
"It's for you," says her friend Tania. "It is a Commander Austin."
Alexandra picks up the phone. "Hello," she says.
"Is this Alexandra Galvin?" asks the voice.
"Yes," replies the girl.
"This is Commander Austin.Your...Barbara Lindstrom is in the hospital."
"What?" asks the girl, shocked.
"Two men took her hostage. Apparently they were going after you. When they were surrounded by police, one of them stabbed her repeatedly."
"Oh my God."
Alexandra drops the phone, stunned. She walks ionto the room where she had been staying for over a week. The woman who had raised her for most of her life, whom she called Mom, was fighting for her life. Her mind races about what could happen in the next few days.
Though she has finally reunited with the parents she had been taken away from, she harbors no ill will towards Henry and Barbara Lindstrom. If Mrs. Lindstrom were to die, that would almost be as if one of her parents had died.
The shadow of dread looms over her mind.
ooooooooooooooo
DAY 21
1415 ZULU
"Fourteen years ago, a three-year-old girl named Alexandra Galvin was taken from a shopping mall in Iowa," says Sturgis as he delivers his closing arguments in the courtroom in the Jacksonville Naval Air Station. "When her mother discovered that she was missing, she reported it to the police. The people searched for the girl. But as time went on, the trail grew cold, and there was an emptiness in the lives of her parents, David and Catherine Galvin. Eventaully the girl came to live with Henry Lindstrom. From the testimony, you know that Henry Lindstrom never notified the authorities of this girl. He even forged a birth certificate with a false name. It was his actions that led to Alexandra Galvin being missing ffrom her family or fourteen years. That is fourteen Thanksgivings, fourteen Christmases, fourteen Easters, and fourteen birthdays without her. That is qwhy you must find Master Chief Lindstrom guilty on all counts and specification."
"Your turn," the judge says to Meg. "Note that you can only refer to what was revealed in official terstimony."
"Master Chief Lindstrom had a daughter, Stephanie, who had run away from home when she was seventeen," says Meg. "Six years later she returned with a little girl that she claimed to be her daughter. From his testimony, we heard that his daughter had fallen in with this cult, and that she did not want the girl to grow up in the cult. Stephanie Lindstrom was found murdered not long after. Henry Lindstrom and his wife Barbara wanted to protect this girl, whom they believed was from their own flesh and blood, the only survivor of their murdered daughter. They raised her, provided her with food, clothing, shelter, and supported her education, including her application to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. Alexandra Galvin was a little girl that needed help and the Lindstroms provided for her. Master Chief Lindstrom did not kidnap her, nor did he conspire to kidnap her. That is why you must find him not guilty."
ooooooooooooooo
1458 ZULU
"I've had the panel sequestered in the barracks until they reach a verdict," says the judge, sitting behind his desk in the chambers. "I am aware of what happened to the defendant's wife. This case has been getting so much publicity already, and I do not want the panel to be influenced by that vigil over at the hospital."
"I assume that there is no television, radio, or Internet access in the barracks," says Sturgis.
"That is right, Commander."
Sturgis and Meg leave the judge's chambers.
oooooooooooooo
DAY 22
2250 ZULU
"I'm here right outside the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida," says Stuart Dunston, reporter for the Satellite News Network. "As you can see here, hundreds of people have gathered right next to the main gate in c candelight vigil for Barbara Lindstrom. She ius the wife of Master Chief Petty Officer Henry Lindstrom, the Navy musician accused of kidnapping Alexandra Galvin fourteen years ago. Mrs. Lindstrom was taken to the hospital after being repeatedly stabbed following a police chase that ended here in this base. the kidnapping case has already gone to the jury who is still deliberating."
ooooooooooooooo
DAY 23
1415 ZULU
Master Chief Petty Officer Henry Lindstrom, dressed in his Navy service uniform, sits down at the wooden defense table next to his attorney. A lot has gone through his mind lately since that police chase Friday. He wonders how the girl is doing.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" asks the judge.
"We have, your Honor," replies the Navy sailor who is the foreman.
"What are your findings?"
Lindstrom looks at the jury as they announce his fate. Time seems to slow down for the Navy musician.
"On the charge and specification of Article 78, accessory to the kidnapping of Alexandra Galvin," says the jury foreman, "we find the defendant, Master Chief Petty Officer Henry Lindstrom, not guilty. On the charge and specification of Article 97, unlawful detention of Alexandra Galvin, we find the defendant, Master Chief Petty Officer Henry Lindstrom, not guilty."
The master chief does not get much relief from the verdict; he still has his hospitalized wife to worry about.
"Defendant shall be returned to active duty," says the judge. "The court thanks the panel for its service."
"I guess it's over," says Sturgis.
"Not for me, Sturgis," replies Meg. "I have one more detail to take care of."
ooooooooooooo
DAY 24
1736 ZULU
DUVAL COUNTY COURTHOUSE
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
"Having heard your request, Commander Austin," says the judge, the same judge who presided over the hearing regarding custody issues over Alexandra Galvin. "The law is clear on the issue of who has legal custody. David and Catherine Galvin still have legal custody of their daughter Alexandra. As to the restraining order against Mr. and Mrs. Lindstrom, this court must take into consideration the verdict rendered by the general court-martial of Henry Lindstrom. This court hereby lifts the restraining orderprohibiting contact between Alexandra Galvin and Henry and Barbara Lindstrom. Miss Galvin may, under this court's supervision, reside with any willing family in the Jacksonville area until the end of the school year."
The judge bangs the gavel.
"I'm satisfied with the results," says Kelly Reed, who is the Galvins' attorney. "I presume, Master Chief, that the girl will be moving with you until the end of the school year?"
"Yes, she will," replies Master Chief Lindstrom.
"I did hear about your wife. I hope she recovers. I'm praying for her."
"Thank you, Miss Reed."
Alexandra then approahces her parents.
"We know whom you'll be staying with," says David Galvin.
"I suppose it's for the best," says Catherine Galvin. "Make sure to do well in school and continue studying."
"My,uh, the Lindstroms will make sure of that," says the girl.
Meg leaves the courtroom. This had been an unusual case.
She will have to go back to Virginia today to return to what passes for normalcy, she thinks.