Lucky number 13! Hope you doods are still digging it! The purpose to some of these parts is because, Mac has a job to do whether or not Harm is missing. Doesn't mean that she won't, eventually, wind up on the Henry too. ;)


Jackie

PART 13 – Man Overboard

December 27, 2010
1310 Local
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

"Objection, your honor, hearsay!" Civilian Attorney Charles Embry was rubbing on Mac's last nerve. It was a little more than obvious that the man wasn't capable handling Military Law. Fortunately for him, the judge didn't really seem to care. If ever there was a judge with bias, Admiral Marion Kilpatrick was it.

Kilpatrick glared over at Mac, his eyes seemingly trying to bore holes through her. "Sustained. . .Colonel, I am sure those tactics work with the laid back Judges in San Diego, but we are in Washington, things work a little differently on this coast."

Part of her was dying to point out that this was actually Virginia, but, somehow, that seemed like the wrong thing to tell a one star with a bug up his six. "Of course, your honor, my apologies." She turned away from the bench and rolled her eyes. This sucked. Forget rabbit hats. What she needed was a shot gun, a shovel and Charles Embry, preferably alive. Slowly, she turned on her heel, laying her gaze on one Second Lieutenant Mark Ayers, one of Kent Wolf's closer friends. "Would you, personally, say that Lieutenant Wolf is a good guy?"

Ayers smiled. "Oh yes, Ma'am. . .He's a straight arrow. . . Being a Marine is all he ever wanted. . .He wouldn't have done something stupid like that. . .especially to a senior officer."

Mac smiled. "Nothing further your honor."

"Redirect?" Embry stood up, practically running right into Mac as he made his way around the table. "Pardon me, Colonel." The look in his eyes screamed 'date rapist.' At least, it did to Mac who scowled the moment his hand came out to steady her. "Mark. . ." He began, then paused. "May I call you Mark?"

"No, sir. . .I prefer it if you call me Lieutenant." Ayers said. He was never the type to allow just anyone to get too chummy with him. This was the military and he had earned his stripes fair and square.

Embry wasn't amused. "You said in your statement that Mr. Wolf was acting, and I quote, 'out of sorts' that evening. Isn't that so?"

"Lieutenant Wolf was under a lot of stress that week, sir."

"That's not what I asked. . .Did you or did you not specifically say that he was acting out of sorts?"

Ayers glanced towards Mac who nodded at him.

"Look at me, not the pretty Colonel, Lieutenant."

This time, it was Sturgis who stood up. "Your honor!" He was exasperated with Embry's treatment of Mac. Out of the court, it had been at least twice in which he'd said a few derogatory comments about 'skirts in the military.' "Mr. Embry is not only starting to badger our witness, his comments towards the Colonel are disrespectful."

"Sustained." Kilpatrick leveled the civilian with a look that could kill. "Mr. Embry, whatever you like or dislike about the military, remember that these are the people that keep those like you alive. . .Please refrain from comments such as those or I will file a mistrial and make sure that ALL charges are dropped. . .Now, continue, I would like to wrap this up before the New Year."

Embry flushed bright red with anger. These military types he would never understand, he hated military cases and only took it because of the PR and the money. Oh boy, did Daddy Timms offer money. Grinning he turned towards Ayers. "Lieutenant, back to our questioning. . .In your opinion, why was Lieutenant Wolf 'out of sorts' as you put it?"

"Well. . .There are a lot of things going on back at the base. . .A few people don't like him because his mother is. . .well, you know who she is. . .He gets picked on a lot for that. People say that he got where he got because of his mother, but that isn't true. Kent got where he is fair and square. . .he worked for Marines, he worked his butt off."

"Fair enough. . .But, there's something you're leaving out, isn't there?" Walking towards the table, he pulled out a manila folder from his briefcase and opened it up. "You trained together, went to OCS together, is that right?"

Ayers nodded. "Yes, sir. . .And we're stationed together now."

"So, you're close?"

The younger man suddenly raised his hands up in surrender. "Not that close. . . Like, we aren't a twosome or anything." That comment brought out laughter from those sitting in the courtroom. The judge sounded the gavel twice and all was silent again. "I guess you can say we're like brothers."

"As a brother. . .He would tell you things. . .secrets?"

Mayfield stood up promptly. "Objection, your honor. . .What does this line of questioning have to do with the alleged attack on Major Timms?"

Embry turned towards the judge. "I'm getting there your honor, just allow me a couple of minutes."

"Get their quickly. . .This is like pulling teeth."

"Amen to that." Mac said under her breath, rolling her eyes in disgust.

The civilian slowly walked towards Ayers, hands still on the folder. "Did he tell you about a night, three years ago. . .I believe you were off that night, both of you. . .There was a bar – the Chinese Dragon and a fifteen year old girl? A dancer named Jin Lei Xu?"

Ayers shook his head. "I recall going to the bar, yes. . .But, not the dancer."

Embry raised the folder up in the air. "Here's a statement made by Jin Lei. She was fifteen the night this." He pointed at Kent Wolf, his voice condescending and spiteful. "so called 'perfect' Marine raped her."

"Objection your honor, we've never even heard about this incident. . ." Mac was astounded, talk about something she didn't see coming. It had to be bogus, she and Sturgis had done a thorough job of making sure Wolf's records were spotless.

Kilpatrick shook his head. So much for things moving along swiftly. "Side bar." He covered the microphone with one hand and waited patiently for Mac's team and Embry to assemble in front of the bench. "Mr. Embry, I am well aware of the tricks lawyers play on their opposing sides. . .I abhor them. This case has already stained the names of two Marines. . ."

"Sir, that information was to show that Mr. Wolf is of poor character and should. . ."

Apparently, all of Kilpatrick's bias was slipping rather quickly. "Second Lieutenant Wolf." He emphasized not being one to take away from a person's rank. He was fair that way. "Colonel, I suppose you want a recess to look over the information."

Wow, he was a mind reader too? "Yes, your honor, and we don't need a long one. . .I would just like to speak to the alleged victim." She was sure Embry's smug smile meant only one thing. "You can't find her, can you Mr. Embry?"

"Oh, I can. . .but, she's not talking to anyone but us. . .She won't speak to you."

"Be assured that I can and will subpoena that woman."

Embry shrugged. "You can, yes. . .But that will take some time and Judge Kilpatrick has made it abundantly clear that this case is to wrap up before the New Year. . .Your honor, I realize the Colonel has her client to protect, but I gave an oath to find the truth and protect my own clients. . ."

The judge seemed to be thinking things over. He was being severely pressured to wrap things up quickly and nicely. Some things never worked out that way. Sighing he glanced towards Mac. "Colonel, I am giving you until tomorrow. . .Do what you have to do." He slammed down the gavel. "Recess until tomorrow o-nine-hundred."

Sturgis shook his head, this wasn't good. Then again, he and Mac had a talent for making people talk. "I guess we're heading to China town, Colonel?"

"You guess right. . .Tali, as soon as we get a copy of the file from Embry, find someone in the bullpen to look for Jin Lei Xu. . .Sturgis, go talk to Wolf, see what his take on this is. . .I'll be in my office."

"Aye, ma'am." They said in unison, each heading off in separate directions.

Ironically, the 'office' Mac was issued is the same one Harm had been banished to after his stint in the CIA. She grinned sappily. He seemed so awkward in this place, almost as if his body was cramped up and forced inside. And that smell. . .God, the worst thing ever was the smell of something that happened to have died in the wall at some point. "Poor guy."

With a sigh she slid into the chair, picked up the phone and attempted a shore to ship call. Surprisingly, Mac was patched through almost immediately to Captain Loftness. "Skipper. . .Anything?"

(The connection was terrible, it sounded as if the ship was on another planet. "No, Colonel. . .I've been authorized to check again today but I am not sure we can continue sending the SAR crew out." )

Those were the words she didn't want to hear. Realistically she knew they could not search forever but. . .damnit, if she could only do something. "I was afraid you'd say something like that, Skipper."

("To be honest, it's not looking good.")

Mac sighed deeply as she willed herself not to cry. He's not dead. I know he's not. It really didn't matter what she thought if no one believed her. "Is it possible to be patched through to the CAG?"

("Yes, just give us a moment." She waited patiently for Keeter to pick up the line, her stomach seemingly tightening in knots. He was the one person she trusted the most on behalf of Harm. If something had happened, he would tell her, she knew it. He had to. "Mac?")

"Hey, Jack." Her greeting sounded just as tired and emotionless as his own. This was clearly a conversation he didn't want to have. "Shoot from the hip. . .What happened?"

(There were things he couldn't say for security reasons and Keeter knew she'd understand, but other things. . .Christ, how could he tell her his belief? That his friend was gone for good. "We have Skates, she's conscious and talking. . .I can't say too much but. . .They were shot at, the plane started going down. . .She went through all of the ejection procedures and her seat worked perfectly. . .When she was parachuting down she realized Harm hadn't ejected. . .The plane exploded. . .She never saw the chute." He swallowed down the lump at his throat. "We found the fuselage semi-intact. . .It showed that the seat HAD ejected, thing is. . .We can't find him. . .He could be out in the ocean or. . .")

"Don't say it. . .He's not dead." Mac was so sure of it she was willing to bet her life on it. "I can feel that he's not. . . It's hard to explain."

(Feelings weren't something that Keeter would rely on. He was a facts and guts type of guy and his gut told him that his friend was gone "Look, I know you. . .supposedly. . .uh, found him once. . .Can you find him now?")

Mac pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it for a moment as if it were an offending object. It was odd finding someone who actually believed her, especially Jack Keeter. "I've tried. . .It's. . .Maybe I have to try harder?" She thought about calling Chloe, but the girl was vacationing in Europe with her father and step mother.

("If that makes you feel better, then give it a try. . .Look, I loved the man like a brother. . .Sometimes it's better to let go. . .I mean, it may come to that.")

"I don't think I can, Jack." Letting go. It wasn't as easy as people wanted it to be. "Jack, I have to go. . .Huge case over here. . .If I can think of something, I'll contact you." She hung up the phone as Mayfield approached her. "Yes, Commander?"

Tali entered the office and placed the file on Mac's desk. "Petty Officer Delgado found her, ma'am. . .She's working in a strip club on K street called Little Pink Kitty Kat."

Mac raised a brow as she went over the information which was sprawled on a sheet of paper. "She's a stripper?"

"Yes, ma'am. . .Stage name Xu Mi (pronounced: Chew Me)."

She chuckled, her head shaking in amusement. "How appropriate. . .Embry is going to have a little trouble making this stick. . ."

Mayfield shrugged. "Well ma'am, unfortunately, it wouldn't be the first time that someone from the military got a little rough with a dancer."

She knew Mayfield was right. "And it won't be the last time either. . .We'll wait and see what Sturgis says. . .The Club, I suspect, won't open until later today. . .I want to pay her a visit."

"Are we going in uniforms, ma'am?"

It was probably better to go in uniform, but that tended to spook the wrong people and tip off the right ones. "No. . .civilian attire. .. I don't want her to see us coming."

1845 Zulu
USS Patrick Henry
Location Undisclosed

As Loftness was stepping out of the bridge, he nearly collided with one Lieutenant Commander Vukovic. Annoyed, he glared at the younger officer who seemed to be everywhere he wasn't needed as of late. "Vukovic, why is it that every time I open a hatch you seem to be right behind it?"

Out of habit, Vic snapped to attention. "My apologies, skipper. . .It's just that Colonel MacKenzie is a friend of mine. . I want to know if any progress has been made in respects to Captain Rabb."

"Friend of yours, huh?" Oh yeah, and the sky was green. "Not much has been reported, Commander. . .SAR crews have been busy out there." He turned to look out towards the bow. "It's not looking good."

Yes! Vic wanted to celebrate, to jump up and down, dance, something. Instead, he found himself biting the inside of his cheek in hopes that he would not smile. This was a victory. "You have no hopes in finding him, do you skipper?"

"It's not impossible. . .There have been some rather. .. heroic rescues." But, the terms were different. Hell, if Harm was out there, it may not even matter. There was only so far the SAR crews were allowed to fly "But, it's not looking favorable." Turning back to Vic, he automatically scowled. Something on the man's face made the Skipper aware that things just weren't as they would seem. "Why do I feel that you want this to happen?"

"Me, sir?. . .That's ludicrous. . .I mean, I know that the Captain, Colonel and I have had our difference, but they are my friends, sir. . .I worked with them. . .We share a bond." God, that sounded so good he almost puked. The last thing Vukovic wanted was to bond with Harm. Mac, on the other hand, the type of bonding he had in mind was probably illegal in a few states. "I just want to be prepared to speak to Colonel MacKenzie."

It was at that opportune time that Keeter decided to saunter in, catching the tail end of that conversation. "Speak to the Colonel? I assume about something pertaining to the law?"

Oooh, he was caught now between a rock and a hard place. He couldn't lie to either of them at the moment, not one bit. It really didn't help that Keeter was a true friend to Harm and Mac. Nor did it help that Loftness was doing that thing with his eyes – the laser beam stare. It was unsettling at best. "Yes and no, sir. . .The Colonel is a friend and. . .well, she should be apprised of the search and rescue operation."

"She is apprised." He assured Vic with a pat on the shoulder which was a little rougher than intended. "I can assure you that she doesn't need to hear from you on the matter, Commander. . .First off, you are not a pilot and know nothing about jets. Second, I'm ordering you to stay away from this unless it is law related."

Vic stared at a spot on one of the bulkheads, anger was flushing his face red. Sweat was dropping down the back of his neck. "Understood, sir." He was going to use the law to his advantage and state that it was an unlawful order, but the last thing he needed was more enemies. "However, if she requests to speak with me. . ."

"MAN OVERBOARD!" The 5MC announcement startled all those working on the bridge, bringing everything to a halt. Most of the personnel huddled towards the windows to try and find their fallen comrade. "There, skipper!" Keeter yelled, pointing to a speck just off the port side. A speck that was in the water and about to be passed by the massive vessel.

Intrigued, Vic weeded his way through to Vulture's Row, watching the scenes as the SAR helo was sent out to rescue the person. It took a good twenty minutes until the team made it back with the brown shirt which had fallen off the side. What he found most alarming was the fact that the medics were on the flight deck, one pressing a stethoscope onto the brown shirt's chest. As they neared the bridge Vic was able to get a good look. It was Airman Vincent Arjan, Harm's plane captain. "Shit!" This didn't bode well, especially if someone went snooping. Shoving past some of the enlisted personnel, Vic made his way through the bowels of the ship, hurrying to sick bay. When he finally arrived, a young officer, shoved him back. "I'll have your stripe for that, Ensign!"

Ensign Daniels stared up at Vic with bewilderment. "And I won't apologize, sir. . .You know better than to come in here. . .This is a sterile area. . .Now, get back."

"I need to see the Airman, it's urgent." It was as urgent as could be, the last thing he needed was for Arjan to start rambling things about a JAG officer and the plane that went down. "I hold his medical power of attorney."

Daniels' eyebrow rose in annoyance. "And I don't give a damn, sir. .." He held the hatch open for two nurses who stepped in, then tried to shut it, but Vic held it back. "Commander! This is serious."

Peaking inside Vic could see Arjan's body lying on the gurney, his clothing being shredded by the medical team. He somehow managed to make eye contact and quickly, the young man was frantically trying to get the nurses' attention. Fighting off the team, Arjan reached up and took down his oxygen mask. "JAG. . .JAG!" He yelled, the sound proceeded by a sharp sounding alarm.

"He's flat lining!" Someone from inside yelled and that was the last thing Vic heard as Ensign Daniels managed to push him away from the hatch and lock it solidly.

It was mean, evil and cold, but Vic didn't care. "Die, please, die." He said quietly, turning his back on the hatch and making his way back to the JAG office. It was best if he wasn't hovering around too much, someone would likely notice. Later that day, he was issued the case, a formal inquiring onto the Death of Airman Arjan. Was he pushed? Was it an accident or, God forbid, suicide?

Suicides didn't bode well on ships. Sometimes, in tense matters, it became an epidemic that would spread throughout. He was on his way down to the Airman's quarters when he ran into Captain Loftness. "Commander, I was just coming to see you."

Vic's eyes grew wide. There was something about that tone of voice that didn't settle well. "Yes, sir?"

"Airman Arjan had many friends onboard. . .A few of which had seen you and him arguing on the flight deck not too long ago." That was it, he was toast. "For now, you are taken off of his investigation. All of your duties are stripped and I am requesting that General Cresswell send someone out here to investigate you."

"Me, sir?"

Loftness actually seemed pleased. "Yes." He slapped Vic on the shoulder as he passed on by. "Oh, and don't go anywhere. . .No trips or anything."

Scoffing at the man's poor excuse for a joke, Vic tossed a pen against the bulkhead with all his might. "Shit! Shit! Shit!" This wasn't good. Not at all.

2255 Local
Club Little Pink Kitty Kat
Washington, DC

"Ma'am, are you sure this is alright?" Mayfield's outfit was borderline racy, something which she didn't mind wearing for a night out with a man she wanted to seduce, but not to walk into the place they were going. Mac's attire, wasn't any more modest and would certainly raise an eye or two. Sturgis was wearing a black suit with pinstripes.

Mac grinned. Between Sturgis and Tali, she didn't know which one was more freaked. "It's fine. . .And lighten up, Sturgis, you can't lead me to believe you've never been to a strip club." Her grin widened a bit more as his skin flushed. "I knew it."

"I have, but. .. this is different." He waved between Mac and Tali, shaking his head slightly. "If something happens to you, Harm'll. . ."

Annoyed, she linked an arm through his and told Mayfield to do the same. "Now, remember, act pimpish." The word sounded so stupid coming out of her mouth, but, honestly, what else could you say?

Sturgis stepped in with the swagger that she'd only seen him do once, when he'd beaten Harm on a particularly difficult case. He pulled out a wad of money, paid for himself and the girls, then headed towards a table right in the middle. Holding out a chair for each woman, he then situated himself right in the middle and leaned over to Mac. "They said her show starts at eleven."

Mac nodded. "We have three minutes then. . .Once she gets off stage, pay for a dance in the Champagne Room. . . I need to get her alone." She felt a hand on her shoulder, soft and gentle, unlike a man's skin. Turning, she came face to face with a blond woman looking unhealthily thin. Ugh.

"I'm CiCi, Wanna dance?"

Holding back any want to clobber the woman, she simply took CiCi's hand off. "No thanks, I'm trying to cut down."

CiCi blew a kiss at Sturgis, making a project out of getting herself known. "Later then."

Tali chuckled. "I guess she bats for both teams?"

"For money, I'd say she'd bat for any team." Mac replied, the thought making her cringe just a little.

The show was the normal, run of the mill, bump, grind and slide against this pole which Mac deduced must be more toxic than the plague. Xu Mi managed to slide off the pole and nearly wound up on their table when her heel broke. The whole thing was slightly comical though it wasn't quite the method Mac was looking for in order to get information. Just as the girl's set was wrapping up, Sturgis waved over the seating host and laid a hundred dollar bill on the table. "We want a private dance with her. . .all three of us."

Andre, the host , while wearing an expensive looking monkey suit, was clearly of the tattooed variety. His hands were nearly covered and a tattoo on his neck seemed to be trying to run away and out of his collar. "Add fifty and you got yourself a deal." He'd spied Mac when they had stepped in. She sure didn't look the type to head into strip clubs, but you never knew these days. "You can head back there now. . .Xu will be done soon. . .I'll send her right back."

Mac smiled and, for effect, let her hand linger a little longer than allowed on Andre's hand. "Thanks."

Sturgis took up his pimp act again, weaving the ladies through the crowded bar and into the Champagne Room. There were two men and two ladies back there already. No matter, because before he had a say so, Mac was already on them. "Get out." She pulled one stripper off one man and Mayfield took care of the other. "Come back when we're done."

The three were settled in around a round table when Jin Lie Xu stepped in. "All three?" She smiled at Sturgis as she settled herself atop the table.

"Not quite." Sturgis took out the papers and picture he had hidden in his breast pocket. "Do you know this man?"

Jin glanced at the picture of Kent Wolf, her eyes immediately widening. "Are you a cop?"

"We aren't the police, no."

"'cause, you know, you gotta tell me if you are. . .I mean, I asked you." She rambled off all the while trying to find a way to run out of this situation. Jin made to stand up, but a hand on her bicep stopped her. "Let me go or I'll scream."

Mac shrugged. "I sincerely doubt they'll hear you over the music. . .This will be quick, I just need to ask you a few questions." Sighing dramatically, she motioned for the picture. "Do you know him?"

The girl took a glance at the photo, merely to have something to do. She did know him. "He's a regular. Usually comes in with. . .another guy. . .They're Marines (instead of "Marine's") . . . I think."

Hmm. Somehow it wasn't quite the response Mac would have received from a woman that had been raped. "There's a rumor going around that he attacked you once."

That had Jin moving, quickly. In a flash, she stood up, toppling the table to its (instead of "it's") side. "I'm not answering any more questions, not until you tell me who the hell you are!"

"Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie, JAG Corps. . .That is Commander Sturgis Turner and Lieutenant Commander Tali Mayfield. . .We're lawyers." Mac stood up as well, moving around the downed table and stepping closer to Jin. "More importantly, we're Kent Wolf's attorneys (instead of "attorney"). . .A woman claimed he attacked her and that she then attacked him in self defense. . .Her lawyer says he attacked you."

"Kent would never do that. . . Never." The pressure from having these people in such close proximity was getting to her. "He and I. . .We dated for quite some time. . .I was a little young, that's his only crime. . .but he didn't attack me and he didn't rape me."

That was it, a lead that Mac needed. "She didn't say he raped you." Tali said, placing a comforting hand on Jin's shoulder. "We're not going to hurt you. . .But, he needs help."

Jin's shoulders rose up and down as she cried. "A man came to me. . .a lawyer. . .he said. . .he said he'd. .. that there would be money involved if I helped him. . .so, I lied. . .I said that Kent attacked me. . .But, he didn't, he didn't."

"Why are you telling the truth now?" Sturgis asked, ever one to be leery of random acts of altruism.

"Because I loved him." The woman said between sobs. "I loved him and knew his mother would never accept me. . .I didn't want to ruin his life."

"Then testify. . .Help Kent." Mac said. Apparently, the stars were aligned properly that night. Jin agreed.

They took the girl out of the club that night and set her up at a hotel near Falls Church with two corporals standing guard outside her room. She would be safe until the morning.