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From part 1…
They all watched for a little while longer, all expressing their sadness and horror at such an occurrence, when the Admiral exited his office. They all snapped to, as one, but their CO didn't even seem to notice that they were all standing around, not doing anything, mingling in the bullpen. They soon understood that he had other matters weighing on his mind.
Part 2
"As you all know, Commander Mattoni stepped out earlier toady to take care of a personal matter. Within the past five minutes he has been in touch by phone with an update on the matter, which I requested of him before he left. And the specifics of the matter have led him to request the help of his fellow officers and his friends in this office. I'm sure you're all familiar with the situation unfolding at Ranger's Creek Wilderness Retreat in Virginia…Well, the child involved is his four-year-old niece and Godchild. She's been missing since around 0400 hours this morning and no trace of her has been found since."
There were some softly mumbled exclamations as he spoke, but it never grew out of his control, so AJ didn't stop speaking.
"The rain that started shortly after 0600 hours has meant that both experienced trackers and tracking dogs have seemingly nothing to work with. The approach has now been turned from searching outside the resort, to searching within it. All guests, including the Mattonis are being detained and questioned. The Commander feels that this is a mistake. He knows, at the very least, that his family have nothing to hide, but he feels that detracting from the search going on outside the retreat is the wrong way to go. That is where we come in. Along with two special search and rescue teams being sent by the SECNAV, we are going to join in with the teams still searching the forest. There are a couple of officers who I would like to remain as a JAG presence at the resort compound. Lieutenant Roberts, Lieutenant Simms-Roberts, I'd like you two to remain with the Mattoni family and help the Commander take care of and safe guard the family's interests during this investigation. Roberts, I know how you have a knack for rooting out hidden information. If anything lies hidden within that compound, I want you to find it…"
And both Bud and Harriet knew without a doubt that the Admiral wasn't simply sidelining them, he had confidence in their unique talents, so was involving them in the most practical way possible.
"This internal search will commence as soon as we arrive and will continue as long as is needed, in tandem with the one beginning at first light tomorrow, outside the confines of the resort. This way, we will provide as much support and assistance as we can, to help bring the commander's niece in unharmed, before the predicted harsh weather moves in, this weekend. Take the next hour and a half to put any affairs you may have ongoing in order. We will reconvene here, once I have chartered a bus to take us there, in ninety minutes, people."
"Aye, Sir!"
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When four-year-old Hope Eleanor Mattoni had stepped out of the cabin rented by her parents that morning, the only thing on her mind was finding the cute squirrels in the trees that she had spent the previous morning watching, with her Mom, Dad and older brother and sister. It didn't even enter her mind that her parents might be upset with her for leaving the cabin without their permission…or that she could get lost after getting caught up in her search for wildlife…or that it would rain within two hours of her stepping beyond the cabin decking. Luckily, as her Dad had made such a big song and dance of getting the children all outfitted 'to go rambling' the day before, she made sure to do just the same thing to recreate the excitement and pulled on her pink insulated, hooded jacket and Wellington boots that had been bought especially for their holiday here. But she had been in such a rush to go and find the furry woodland creatures she had dreamt about all night that she hadn't even changed out of her fluffy purple pajamas before pulling on her coat and wellies. The air outside was slightly cool, not just because the sun was only just making an appearance, but also because of the approaching rainstorm. Hope didn't give this a thought, she simply took the path leading off towards the nearby forest as fast as her little legs would carry her.
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In the bus on the way to the wilderness retreat, the Admiral again went into the two-pronged approach they would be adopting. Mostly, he focused on relaying instructions to Bud and Harriet, who would be dealing with the investigation within the retreat, away from the rest of the team. The others already had their military training in survival and search and rescue tactics, so anything the Admiral had to say to them basically elaborated upon the details of the case. They arrived a little after 1750. Because there was limited daylight left, they concentrated on getting up to speed with the latest details in the search so far.
"How far could a four-year-old little girl go in the time she's been missing?" Harm asked the person in charge of the team of experts the SECNAV had assembled.
"In circumstances such as these, we really can't make the mistake of assuming how far she will have gone," he was told, "We will of course set a perimeter around the search area, but we won't be able to predict how far away she could be. With a child her age, the terrain and the stormy weather, she's unlikely to be walking in a straight line. There's no telling how far away she could be, so we're going to have our work cut out for us checking every inch of the forest within our perimeter. Pair that with the fact that there's severe bad weather moving in, it's imperative that we have everything planned and ready to go at first light tomorrow morning."
Harm, Mac and the other officers listened, their expressions growing similarly grave.
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"You did inform my brother and his wife of their right to have an attorney present, didn't you?" Alan Mattoni demanded of the leading investigator, his CO present and backing him up.
"We only asked them a couple of questions, Commander," he was told, dismissively.
"And we know exactly what those questions were implying," Alan spat, "What were you thinking? Their four-year-old child is missing!"
"We need to cover all of our bases, Commander. Surely you understand that…"
Here, the Admiral broke in barely able to suppress his rage. He was a formidable presence.
"If you were just trying to 'cover your bases,' detective," his demeanor was even more impressive than Mattoni's, "then you wouldn't jeopardize your investigation by violating the Mattonis civil rights. Had anything come of the interviews you and your colleagues conducted, you'd have to battle to keep the evidence from getting thrown out of court. Now, the Mattonis' new legal representative, Lieutenant Roberts, will be involved in the on-going investigation, as will Lieutenant Simms-Roberts, who will be acting as their family liaison officer. Any and all evidence will be shared with both of them, do I make myself understood?"
His tone left no room for argument and the detective nodded, slowly.
"Thank you, Sir," Alan thanked his CO, very visibly relieved that he now had some help in this uphill battle.
"No need," AJ assured him, "I understand how difficult this is for you and your family, without all of the interference. Commander, know this; your friends and fellow officers aren't going to let anything divert them from taking the right direction in finding your niece."
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