Chapter 21: Disappointments & Surprises (Bonus Chapter)
George thought briefly then called for Sergeant Harriman. "Yes sir," he answered. "Pull Major Rollins & Dr. Chase's records. Conduct a very discreet check into their activities since being posted to Star Gate Command. I want this information ASAP." he ordered his aide. "I'll start right away Sir." Walter said saluting, and then followed his orders.Sam was trying not to get angry with the major. Maybe she was innocent and it was just a coincidence. If Jennifer wasn't then she'd make sure the book was thrown at the major.
"Agent Barret, please continue with your report." George prompted the NID agent. Malcolm steeled himself once more because what he had to say wasn't going to be received well. Harry knew this as well but he did have a trump card yet to be played. "Colonel Maybourne and I were unable to search Detective Shanahan's apartment. The reason being is that an arsonist burnt the unit it was in early this morning. His name is Daryl Pike." He informed them then gauged everyone's reaction. "Mr. Pike also burnt down Jessie Bells house around 1300hrs were he was arrested by local police." Barrett paused letting the information sinks in then continued.
Sam was fuming inside. This can't be! It's just too convenient. There had to be something left she thought to herself. "I confirmed that Pete Shanahan arrested Daryl Pike when he was a cop in Denver. Mr. Pike confessed to both arsons as revenge. Mr. Pike told us that he received an anonymous phone call telling him were Pete Shanahan was living." Pausing briefly for a drink Malcolm thinking how this was all too convenient. "He left Denver, violating his parole in the process, and then plotted his revenge. Both sites were a total loss. If there was any evidence in either place it's been destroyed." He finished straight faced.
Sam was too angry to speak at the moment. Teal'c tried to calm his friend to no avail. Fearing an outburst that would get her into trouble he spoke first. "Detective Shanahan and Jessie Bell both had motorized transportation, what is their status?" he asked the agent. All eyes were on the two NID agents expecting good news but would not receive any. "Yes, tell ME that you had their cars impounded." Sam blurted out with frustration.
George knew that his goddaughter was on the verge of losing it. He could tell by her behavior. George didn't blame her one bit. This whole thing was well planned from the word GO! "Major, compose yourself or I'll have to ask you to leave this briefing...Understand!" There, he did it. The one thing that he never wanted to do was to reprimand his goddaughter.
Major Washburn despite her reputation as being an Amazon warrior feeling no emotion felt for Major Carter. This would tear her up if Wash was lying in the infirmary. Zoe made the determination to speak with Major Carter after the briefing.
Stunned momentary at her outburst then general's reprimand she composed herself. "Yes Sir, I'll keep my emotions in check." she answered ashamed of herself. George looked at the two NID agents folding his hands together waiting for the answer. Harry spoke this time "Detective Shanahan's Ford Explorer was parked in Miss Bell's garage. The only thing left of it was the metal frame. Jessie's Mustang was stolen from the airports short term parking. Two gang members stole it as a 'rite of passage'." He said pausing for effect. "The mustang was later used as a getaway vehicle in bank robbery." pausing for a drink he gauged everyone's reactions.
"The bank robbery went bad. The criminals fled the scene with police close behind them. The driver attempted to avoid an oncoming fire truck colliding with a parked propane truck." Harry paused once more looking at Major Carter trying to convey sympathy. "Fortunately it was not full and the only casualties were the gang members, both were DOA. The car was a total loss obviously." he finished relaxing slightly.
Janet had been observing her friend discreetly since arriving. Sam's mood was steadily getting worse despite her attempt to rein it in. Janet knew the sooner her friend returned to the colonels' bed side the better. Currently Cassie was finishing her high school drama story from earlier. Poor Jack she thought to herself. The general had just asked Colonel Maybourne something bringing her back to the briefing.
"….original personnel file. Pete Shanahan was given a dishonorable discharge for striking his commanding officer and busted down to PFC from Sergeant." Harry answered the general. "What was the stated reason for striking his superior?" George asked. Harry smiled then chuckled. "Pete's girlfriend left him for his superior while he was in the brig." everyone including Sam laughed at that. "It serves the prick right." Albert Reynolds of SG3 smirked. "I second that brother." Malcolm agreed (they are brothers in my verse, Malcolm's' older).
Janet seeing that no one had asked about why he was in the brig asked Harry. "He was suspected of being a ring leader selling military small arms on the black market." Maybourne answered her. Those that were in room were perplexed why he wasn't in Leavenworth. The general knew and so did Sam, rouge NID. "I'm going to make an assumption that rouge elements took interest in him or he was already working for them. They made the evidence disappear along with any witnesses. Am I correct?" George asked hitting the nail on the head.
"and the general wins the stuffed monkey!" Harry said smirking. Malcolm Barrett smiled shaking his head while Kerry stifled a laugh. Their short time around the deep cover agent was interesting to say the least. "There was one witness, Staff Sergeant James Rogers. He was Sergeant Sophia Rogers's older brother. The CID suspected but couldn't prove that SSgt. Rogers was murdered during a training exercise." He informed the group. "Having no other witnesses all they had left was documentation. The documented evidence vanished shortly after as well. Having nothing to hold Sergeant Shanahan on they released him." Harry paused for moment then continued.
"The CID recommended giving him a general discharge until he struck his CO. The powers that be didn't want any bad press so they swept the whole deal under the rug with a dishonorable discharge." Harry looked around once more and continued. "This happened at the tail end of the 1st Gulf War. Having small arms smuggled to our enemies by our own soldiers wouldn't be great press, proven or otherwise." he finished. Sam was unsure how this information would be helpful. The general had an idea of where Harry was going with this line of thought. . Everyone else was waiting for Harry to continue.
Teal'c thought it through quickly then spoke "O'Neill ordered you to investigate deeper into Shanahan's background, correct." he stated with eyes boring into the colonel. Harry felt an irrational need to run under the jaffa's stare. "He did, along with orders too…" Harry was cut off by Teal'C again. "O'Neill suspected that Pete Shanahan falsified his discharge papers. The purpose was to enter college, then the police academy. Shanahan would not have been able to become a detective otherwise, correct Colonel Maybourne." Teal'C asked.
Maybourne just nodded his head. Teal'c was just as scary if not more so than Jack he thought. "O'Neill then ordered you to discreetly transfer documents to the CSPD Internal Affairs. The result if proven would cause dismissal or jail time, correct!" Teal'c inferred. Harry confirmed the jaffa's statement making a mental note not to ever cross him.
George smiled; his 2IC was a master chess player never to be underestimated. He sent up a quick prayer to God for Jacks recovery. "Have you done this yet Colonel?" the general asked. Harry felt as if all eyes were on him, which they were. "I haven't had the chance because we had to hurry back to base Sir." he answered. "Just make sure that the file gets to the right people colonel." George ordered. "I will Sir." he replied then looked at Major Carter.
Sam knew what was coming next, the search of her house. She already knew it was bugged like Harry said. The proof was in the file she hadn't presented yet. Sam hoped to that she'd be able to do that in private with Janet at her side for support. All this was going through her mind as Agent Johnson began to speak.
"General Sir, our investigation results of the 'bugging' would best discussed in private. What we found is unsettling." she said hoping that the general got the message. Janet took in what Agent Johnson just said. She understood that whoever's place was bugged wouldn't want it to become known.
Janet looked at Sam who had dropped her head in apparent sha…..! Damn, that no good excuse of a man actually bugged Sam's house. That was the reason Colonel O'Neill didn't want Sam to return home. It's also why Sam was reluctant to discuss what was bothering her on base. Janet's blood was boiling now. The rouge NID could ruin her friend's career and life just by Sam's every day routines. Then there was Cassie...the nerve of some people. Janet focused in on the general once more still fuming as she was.
"We'll discuss that part after the briefing in my office." George told Kerry. "Did your FBI teams track down our two suspects?" he asked leaning forward folding his hands together again. "Yes Sir, they checked into The Las Vegas Suite at Palms Place(don't own just using for realism) room 2129. The two of them were married at Viva Las Vegas: Traditional & Themed Weddings(don't own either) about…" she paused looking at her wrist watch "1630hrs general. Agents will keep track of their movements until told otherwise." Kerry finished.
Sam was getting mad by the minute. She needed to get back to jack before losing control. The red flags she missed kept running through her head. Sam felt ashamed at falling for the same tricks twice. She knew the private meeting would be her undoing. Maybe the general would let her leave to recompose herself. The other thing that was angering her was both Pete and Jessie weren't in custody yet.
"Agent Johnson isn't there anything that you can detain Shanahan and Bell on. At least get them in for questioning, it'd be shiny to see them sweat." Col. Malcolm Reynolds inquired. "They can't do that brother. The evidence has all been conveniently destroyed. Pulling them in for questioning would tip the rouge NID off that were on to them." Albert told his brother. "Just saying, let Teal'c interrogate them. They'd talk just by his silencing stare." He replied back.
Teal'c nodded in approval at Malcolm's ideal. "Unfortunately your brother is right Colonel Reynolds, we need them to slip up and give us an opening." Kerry explained with a heavy heart. Major Carter might be her competition but she doesn't deserve this she thought. "Colonel, they're right. I wish that Teal'c could have a go at them. Their time to pay for this transgression will come; I'll assure you that..." George said scanning the room. "We can't afford to tip off the rouge NID if they don't already know. The rouge NID is arrogant but not careless. Let's hope that their arrogance comes into play, it'll be their undoing." George finished.
"Is there anything else before I dismiss you..?" seeing that no one had anything further to discuss George dismissed everyone. "SG3 & 25, once your both ready to leave notify Walter. He'll send you on your way. Gods speed and good luck with your mission." the general bid them well. A round of 'yes sirs' was given. "We shall endeavor to succeed General Hammond. I will not let my brother and sister down." Teal'C said standing behind Sam. He had placed his large hands on her shoulders in a rare show of emotion. Sam placed her small hand over his stifling a tear. "You haven't yet. I know you won't start now." be safe Teal'c George said extending his hand. Teal'c shock the generals hand then headed down to see O'Neill before leaving.
The only ones left were Major Carter, Major Frasier, Colonel Maybourne, Agents Barrett and Johnson. "Meet back here in 30mn; we'll finish the briefing in my office then." The general said knowing a break was needed.