A/N: My muse hasn't just been AWOL; she's been missing in action. However, I'm determined to eventually finish both this story and "The Return." This short chapter is a filler but I'm getting there.
Collaboration
JAG Headquarters
1530 Local
To say Admiral A. J. Chegwidden was surprised when Tiner announced CIA lawyer Catherine Gale was in his outer office would be an understatement. Since Webb's last botched mission that left his top senior attorney dead, he'd adamantly refused to allow any of his officers to assist with any CIA operations.
At first, he'd drawn the ire of both the SECNAV and the Deputy Director, but after he'd given them the rundown on how many times Webb had put his officers in danger, they backed off. A J had briefly met Catherine Gale when she represented the CIA during the Angel Shark investigation. She'd acted in a professional (and ethical) manner, but she was still CIA.
Curious to know what she wanted, he instructed Tiner to send in her in. A J rose from his desk as she entered the room.
"Good afternoon, Admiral. I appreciate you taking time to see me."
"Have a seat, Ms. Gale." He waited until she took one of the chairs opposite his desk before sitting in his own. "What can I do for you?"
"Before I begin, I need your word that you'll treat this situation with confidence. You can't tell anyone just yet."
Chegwidden was a bit puzzled by her request. He was an officer in the United States Navy and the Judge Advocate General. Matters of national security were always kept confidential. Some things he didn't share with his trusted staff unless they needed to know. "You have my assurance, Ms. Gale."
She seemed to relax a bit. "I took a chance on coming here today, but frankly I'm not sure where else to turn."
That did surprise him. "Go on."
"A few days ago, I flew to Mexico with Clayton Webb."
A J winced in disgust. "The SNAFU king of Langley?"
Catherine managed a faint smile. "Yes, well. Until recently, I thought he could be trusted. Now, I'm not so sure. I'll be honest with you. Clay and I had become… close. He took me to a remote village where he said a CIA operative by the name of David Reed lived. Told me there was being kept there for his own protection because he was suffering from memory loss. The agency couldn't take a chance on him telling classified secrets. Clay is lying. I'm sure of it. I believe he's doing something to the man to prolong his memory loss. Turns out David Reed isn't even his real name."
"Ms. Gale, I understand you're in a dilemma, but I don't understand how this affects me and the US Navy."
"Because the man being held in Mexico is Commander Harmon Rabb."
A. J. stood up so abruptly, he nearly knocked his chair over. His face grew warm as his anger seethed. "What the hell? Rabb is alive? How long have you known?"
"Only a few days. Clay swore me to secrecy, but my conscience wouldn't allow me to remain silent. I believe Clayton Webb has gone rogue."
"Have you talked to his superiors?"
Catherine shook her head. "There have been rumors there's a mole at headquarters. Someone higher up. I can't even trust Kershaw. That's why I came to you."
"Go on."
"Clay is supposedly out of town on an assignment. His secretary said he wasn't in Mexico, but I'm afraid he might do something to the commander. Especially if he feels like his memory may be returning. I got the impression Clay took me there to test Harm's memory."
"Was there any indication he recognized you?"
"Not that I could tell."
"Damn. Classified or not, we have to get Rabb out of there."
"I agree. But just in case Clay is telling the truth, we need to involve as few people as possible. I wish there was some trustworthy person in the CIA, who could give us information."
"I know exactly who to contact. In the meantime, this stays between you and me. At the moment, I don't see the need to tell any of my staff."
"Including Colonel MacKenzie? I know she and the commander were close."
"Colonel MacKenzie is on leave. I'd rather not tell her anything until we have a plan."
"I understand." Catherine rose from the chair, then pulled a card with her contact information from her purse. "Call me anytime day or night. I think we should act sooner rather than later."
"Absolutely. I may piss off the SECNAV again, but I'm taking a few day's leave to deal with this personally. And once Rabb is safe, I'm going to finish what I started in Russia."
Catherine frowned. "I'm not following."
"That time I only broke Webb's nose. This time I won't go easy on him."
A. J. looked at his watch. 1600 hours. Naples was six hours ahead of Washington. It still wasn't too late to call. He didn't want to use the office phone, so he pulled his cell phone from his pocket, scrolled through his contacts until he found the number. The party answered on the third ring.
"Tim? A. J. Chegwidden. Give me the scoop on Clayton Webb."