Chapter 9

"Sounds like there's some interest there AJ! Are you involved with her?!" Clay demanded to know.

"I won't even dignify that Webb," AJ looked at the other man and with a shake of his head added, "You should know me better than that!" Then he turned to the intercom on his desk and after punching a button, said into it, "Tiner get Major Bell in here."

"Yes Sir," came Tiner' disembodied voice.

Both men stared at each other while waiting for Bell to arrive.

A few minutes later there was a knock on the door.

"Enter," AJ called. When Major Bell walked in and came to attention, he instructed her, "At ease Mayor, have a seat."

After Sam did as she was told the Admiral introduced the other man in the room, "This is Clayton Webb with the CIA. He brought in a tape that concerns you."

"A tape Sir?" Sam asked with a slight catch in her voice. Had her cover been blown?

"Yes," AJ said to her then turned to Webb, "Play it for her."

Once again the tape played. From the minute it began Sam could not take her eyes off of AJ. Clearly he felt the same way because their eyes stayed locked together. It seemed they were both trying to gauge the others reaction.

The tape ended and Clay said, "So you see that we need to get you into protective custody as soon as possible."

"We need to identify who that voice belongs to!" AJ stated.

"I know who it is Sir, but before I can say anything more I'll need to make a phone call Sir."

AJ lifted one eyebrow and indicated the phone on his desk.

"I'm sorry Sir," Sam said getting to her feet. "I'll need to make the call in private." Without waiting for his response she left the two shocked men behind her as she walked out and shut his office door.

"PO Tiner I need to make a call."

"Of course Major! You can use my phone," Jason told her quickly.

"I'll need privacy," Sam told him apologetically.

"Oh! Of course Major!" Jason got up and left his own office but just to the other side of the wall in the hopes of overhearing the Major's side of the call.

Dialing the number she knew by heart Sam waited for her call to be answered. When it was, she said, "Hello Gibbs."

Tiner's eyes widened and he had to keep himself from gasping when he heard the name. Everyone knew Special Agent Gibbs at NCIS. Why was Major Bell calling him?! Jason had been so surprised at who the Mayor was calling that he missed some of what she was saying, but Jason quickly 'tuned back in' to the side of the conversation that he could hear.

"The recording was clear Gibbs, I was supposed to be killed before the main target was 'taken care of' I need to bring the Admiral in on who I really am."

There was a pause as she listened to Gibbs, and then answered, "I don't have time to wait for Vance's approval. Just tell him that the Admiral should have been in the loop all along!"

Again there was a pause while Gibbs must have been talking. Then she said, "Yes I'll keep you updated Gibbs."

Inside AJ's office as soon as Major Bell had left the room Webb said, "Why do I get the feeling that she works for more than you AJ?"

"You can bet I will get to the bottom of this as soon as she gets back in here," AJ snapped.

As soon as Sam finished her call she hung up and went back into AJ's office without knocking and she closed the door behind her again as she walked to the front of AJ's desk and came to attention.

"Explain yourself Major!" AJ ordered.

"I will Sir, but what I have to say is for you only," she said letting her eyes drift to Webb.

Without even taking his eyes off of Sam, AJ said, "Webb get out."

With an affronted look, Webb protested, "Really?! I will have you know…"

"Out!" was all AJ stated harshly.

To be continued…