Chapter Eight
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1545 ZULU or 1045 EST
JAG HEADQUARTERS, CONFERENCE ROOM
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
"Mommy look a little boy, can I go play," Karissa pleaded.
"No, Karissa this is not a place to play," Annie snapped.
"But please mommy they look like they're having fun," Karissa pouted.
Meanwhile in the bull pen, Connor was content in Harriet's arms until he suddenly realized that his father was not in his range of vision started squealing, "Dada Dada."
"Alright young man quit screaming and we will go find your daddy," Sarah promised.
Sarah took Connor from Harriet and followed Harm's path, ending up in the conference room, "Hi Annie, Josh I am sorry to interrupt. How are you?" she asked pleasantly.
"Hello Mac we are fine, and yourself?" Annie replied.
"Busy," Mac stated chuckling as Connor was practically throwing himself side to side trying to locate his dad in the room.
Harm reentered from the library shelves with a giggling AJ slung over his shoulder. Seeing Sarah he explained, "I caught him just as he was making his escape passed maritime law," he chuckled.
"Dada," squealed Connor reaching out for Harm to take him, "Dada!"
"Okay, okay relax Connor," he playfully snickered, as he grabbed his struggling son, as he was now almost out of Sarah's arms.
Annie's face blanched as she watched them.
"Mommy please they are having so much fun and I'm bored," Karissa pleaded again.
Harm glanced at his wife and with a small fake smile he quickly back peddled toward the door.
"Harm," Josh had risen from his seat and approached him. "I'm sorry to interrupt. I realize that I have caused you a lot of problems this week, but would you still be willing to give me a letter of recommendation for the naval academy."
"Josh it's already typed I told you that, I would be glad to give you a reference. I take it that you have talked this over with your mother?" Harm queried glancing over to Annie.
"Yes unfortunately he has Captain," Annie responded the look on her face told Harm that she definitely was not thrilled with the prospect.
Sarah sent him a knowing glance worried that Annie was going to cause more trouble for them.
"I will make sure it is sent as soon as possible," he smiled and back tracked the rest of the way to the door with two wiggling children in his arms.
Karissa had gotten down from her chair and had approached Harm and the two boys. "Can I play too? I don't have any little brothers to play with at home," she pleaded hoping that another adult might be able to persuade her mother.
"Ahhh, sweetheart I think you had better stay with your mom." Harm glanced at his wife for support and a rescue, "We have to get going anyway. Maybe some other time," he offered as he backed closer to the door.
"Karissa!," Annie bellowed as she flew from her chair.
"Sorry," Sarah intervened. "She really is beautiful, Annie I wish you all the best in life," with a polite smile.
"Mac," Harm warned as he gave her a knowing look and a slight flick of his head telling her to follow.
The general was entering with the complaint paperwork, he nodded at Harm, "I'll see you later tonight captain."
"Aye aye sir," Harm offered making a semblance of coming to attention with the two kids wiggling and giggling.
"Dismissed Captain," Cresswell ordered with a grin, then shook his head slightly, as watched Harm make it through the door with his load. As he turned his head to take in the Harrisons his grin dropped from his face. "Mr, and Mrs. Harrison here is the typed complaint with the results from the investigation and withdraw statement. If you can sign on the places I have indicated," he explained.
Annie and Paul both signed the complaint withdraw without hesitation. "I'm sorry that we have caused you so many problems general," Paul apologized. Annie had the decency to at least look embarrassed.
"Ma'am, Sir . . ." Cresswell bit back the rest of his reply, clenched his teeth and motioned toward the exit and he escorted them out to the elevator. After they had left Cresswell let out the breath he had been holding. He was not thrilled with the result of this bargain the SecNav gave the Harrisons, it seemed extremely unfair that Captain Rabb had to be the one who made all the sacrifices.
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2000 ZULU or 1500 EST
THE ROBERT'S RESIDENCE
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
The door bell chimes and Bud answers the front door to find Harm, Sarah, Mattie and Connor on the front porch. "Hey the Rabb's are here honey," he called out to Harriet who entered the foyer to greet them.
Harm carried the boxes of pizza into the dining room as Sarah, Connor and Mattie settled down in the living room.
"You do not have to go back to London right away do you?" Harriet asked Harm.
"No we are staying until Sunday morning, that way we can spend some time with Mattie. My mom and Frank are flying in tomorrow morning too. They have not seen Mattie or Connor since Christmas," Harm explained.
The door bell chimed again this time it was General Cresswell, his wife Dora and daughter, Cammie.
AJ came flying into the living room. "Mattie come into the den you can see my new game for my PlayStation."
"Sure AJ, maybe Connor would like to come too."
"I bet he does," Mike answered, "You want to be with all the big kids right?" he observed as he picked up Connor and followed AJ, Cammie and Mattie into the den.
Gordon and Dora Cresswell both chuckled as the entourage passed them in route to the den. They then made their way into the dining room with boxes of tacos. "Is there anything else you need?" Dora asked Harriet.
As she took a survey of the table, "Well Bud had mentioned drinks." She answered.
"And the drinks are here," stated Sturgis as he and Vereese entered with bags.
"And so is the cake," Jennifer Coates added on the heels of Sturgis.
"Looks like most of the gang's here. Let's help get this impromptu feast set up and started," Harriet instructed.
Quickly the table was set up and surrounded but a grateful group of friends.
Bud stood, "I want to give a quick prayer. Lord, Thank you for this food although it is not exactly a fancy feast, I am sure we will all enjoy it." He paused for everyone to chuckle, "But most of all thank you for the wonderful friends - let's change that, because those who have gathered here have become family. Through all the good times and we have had plenty of them and through the bad times, we have always been there for one another, and may we have many, many more of these gathering." Everyone clapped and cheered. "Way to go Bud," Harm added grinning, patting him on the back. Everyone at the table began to talk.
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After the meal everyone settled down either in the living room or the family room to enjoy each others company, with the usual banter and ribbing taking place. The door bell chimed Bud flashed a confused look at Harriet, who looked just as confused as she rose and went to the door. She found Joshua and Karissa Pendry standing on the porch.
"Mrs. Robert's we are sorry to intrude but may we come in?" Josh inquired.
Harriet hesitated briefly but invited them in. She threw a warning look toward the living room from behind them. "Have you two eaten we have a ton of food?" Harriet asked.
"Yes we have eaten, thank you ma'am. We are here to speak with Captain Rabb if we may?" Josh requested politely.
"Would you like to come into the dining room?" Harriet showed them the way and offered them some desserts.
Everyone in the living room watched as they sat down then turned their attention to Harm, who was already in a deep murmured conversation with General Cresswell.
The general rose to his feet, "Well, we cannot ignore that they are here. I will go with you and chaperone, so you do not stick your foot in your mouth."
"General I am sorry, honestly I did not do anything to encourage this, I swear," Harm pleaded.
The general nodded toward the dining room. Harm sighed and made his way from the room after exchanging a knowing glance with his wife.
"Joshua, Karissa what can I do for you?" Harm pondered standing across the table from them.
"I'm sorry Harm I did not really want to come here tonight but Karissa begged me to, she is asking questions that I think maybe you should answer. I apologize for showing up uninvited but I overheard your plans to spend the evening here at Commander Robert's house," Josh explained briefly.
Harm hesitated briefly, looked at General Cresswell as he asked, "Karissa is there something I can do for you?" he inquired.
She nervously wiped her sugar coated hands on a napkin, glanced at Josh with a pleading look.
"Karis you do not need to be scared, I have known Harm for a long time. I told you that I would only bring you here. You need to be the one to ask I cannot, Josh encouraged.
Harm slowly pulled out a chair and sat down across from Karissa. The general did the same and sat down beside Harm. After a brief period of silence Harm chuckled, "I see you like the cream puffs Karissa, you know they are my favorite too." He took one of the cream puffs from the center of the table and placed it on a small plate. "I always eat the pudding out of the middle with a spoon, then I eat the rest but I save the top with the confectioner's sugar for last." Harm demonstrated trying to put her at ease.
Karissa giggled, "That's how I eat them too!" She grinned at Harm then slowly she asked shyly, "Mr. Harm can I ask you something?"
"Sure and it's just Harm, okay?" he smiled back at her.
"Mommy said that you knew my daddy, that he was a pilot like you?" she asked in a quiet voice as she watched her fingers fidget with the napkin.
"Yes Karissa that is true. He was a good friend of mine," Harm replied quietly and added a small smile.
Karissa again looked over to Josh, he nodded his head. Karissa swung her eyes back to Harm, "But he wasn't really my daddy was he? Are you my real daddy?" she blurted out in one breath.
Harm struggled for an appropriate answer, he glanced over to Josh and then to the general beside him. "Karissa I . . ." The door bell chimed interrupting them, soon the sound of raised voices were heard approaching them.
Annie burst into the room with Paul at her heels. "Harm how dare you!" she screamed at Harm.
"Annie?" Harm began as he came to his feet.
"General I want him arrested, now!" she demanded practically screaming.
"Mrs. Harrison you are jumping to conclusions before you have the facts," General Cresswell observed.
"I do not want him anywhere near my daughter. He has no right," she ranted. "He lured her here."
"Mom, Karissa has the right to know the truth. She is the one requesting it. You cannot keep it from her any more," Josh rebutted trying to keep his voice calm.
Annie took one last step over to Josh and backhanded him across the face.
"Stop!" Karissa screamed as she shoved her mother out of the way and fell into Josh's arms sobbing.
Paul reacted by moving in between Josh and his mother in order to prevent further violence. "Annie you are way out of line. This is the second time this has happened. I know I am not the father of these children, but I will not allow you to act this way anymore." He then pulled his wife aside and they began a muffled discussion.
Harm had started to react to Annie's attack but a restraining hold on his arm from the general brought him to a sudden halt.
"Rabb think about what you are about to do, think it through thoroughly." He murmured a caution to the captain.
Josh stared at his mother as he asked, "General can something be done here, please?"
General Cresswell nodded, "Yes son, as the original convening authority I am required to do so. And I doubt that neither the Virginia, nor the Baltimore authorities will have a problem with you two staying with my family for a few days until this matter is rectified."
"Can't we stay with Captain Rabb?" Josh asked as he tried to calm a sobbing Karissa.
"No son, I think you should come and stay with us at least until this matter has been looked at more thoroughly." He clarified. He then motioned Harm closer, "So what was previously avoided has been thrust forward in the end," he surmised.
"General maybe we should have allowed this to go to a hearing, it may have been a mistake in trying to keep this out of the system. The solution may be that we need to trust navy justice." Harm admitted.
"Are you sure that bringing all this out into the open will be a benefit? Tread carefully Captain," he advised.
"I cannot see how letting this continue is the right thing to do either. I tried to step away from it . . . Because I thought it was the right thing as well as the best thing to do for the Karissa and for us. Now I do not know any more," Harm admitted.
"Captain you do realize that Mrs. Harrison wants your head served up on a platter. And although I grant it was forced, you did agreed to the terms," the general analyzed.
"You are right sir," Harm conceded. He was clenching his jaw so tightly it was probably a miracle he was not breaking a tooth.
"Have a seat Captain. I am going to speak with the Harrisons. You stay put until I tell you differently," He ordered.
"Aye aye sir," Rabb acknowledged reluctantly frowning as he sat down.
Harriet's motherly instincts kicked into full gear, she quickly removed the two kids from the room and threw a disgusted look toward Annie as she retreated.
General Cresswell approached and addressed the Harrisons, "Mr. and Mrs. Harrison I believed at the time that steps that were being taken were of the best interests to the child involved. Since that time I have personally witnessed an inquiry from this child, which raises the question if more thought should have taken place to consider all sides of this issue. You are also requesting that Captain Rabb be punished for an infraction. I therefore feel at this time as the convening authority in this matter that a closed board of inquiry should be held to look into all aspects of this situation. I will assign a staff advocate or legal officer to assist you with your case before the board. You are entitled to request a civilian attorney if you wish, but I would suggest that you keep the judge advocate to assist in military rules and procedures. All parties are expected to be present when the board convenes on Wednesday at 0900 sharp. The board will determine what is fair, appropriate, and of course, if further legal actions are required."
Paul Harrison warned Annie to keep quiet with his eyes, "General I think my wife spoke too quickly, we really do not wish Captain Rabb punished," as he attempted to smooth over the tension in the room.
"Mr. Harrison I believe this is the only way to rectify and or settle this situation," Cresswell assured. "I cannot condone anyone being struck, this needs to end now."
Paul realized that the general may have a way to deal with this overwhelming dilemma. Annie was being ruled by her emotions and in the process was hurting her children. Maybe this really was the answer. "How are you going to keep this out of the news?" he asked.
"That is exactly why I said a 'closed board' news media are not allowed to enter these proceedings and the final decisions are sealed so they cannot gain access to them," Cresswell explained. "As the convening authority, I can request the board of inquiry, however I will recuse myself from sitting on the board, as I am the Captain's higher authority and have been present during part in this incident. This will ensure an unbiased opinion will be obtained. I instead will act as Karissa's counsel to make sure she is protected.
"General I think an unbiased opinion is exactly what we need. Thank you for your continued assistance and patience," Paul Harrison admitted.
"Good I will arrange for you to meet your judge advocate Commander Mattoni on Monday morning at 0800 hours at JAG Headquarters. You can discuss your case with him a length and prepare for Wednesdays opening to the board members," the general explained. He then returned to the other room, "Captain Rabb, you will accompany me," as he started towards the front door.
"Aye aye sir," Harm acknowledged with a heavy sigh, as he came to his feet. He nodded to his wife, who was leaning in the doorway holding Connor, then he followed the general down the hallway toward the door. As they entered the foyer Harm snagged their jackets from the coat closet.
The general stepped into the living room and spoke briefly to his wife, explaining that he would return shortly, and that Karissa and Josh would be staying with them until the inquiry was concluded.
Sarah entered the foyer and leaned her head against Harm's chest. He wrapped his arms around his wife, and Connor and placed a kiss on top of her head. Connor was quiet, sensing the need for closeness by his parents. As she slowly straightened, Harm softly touched her face, and kissed the top of Connor's head. Harm looked over to see the general waiting. "Sorry sir, I am ready," he apologized as he watched Sarah and Connor retreat toward the kitchen.
Outside the house, the general threw Harm his keys, "You drive while I call the SecNav," the general ordered, as he strode toward the passenger side of his SUV.
Harm drove in silence as the general explained the situation to the SecNav on the phone. "I thought you should know what happened this evening. . . Yes sir we are currently heading over to JAG. I thought you might want to speak to us. I do not think the Harrisons will go to the media, but I thought you should be prepared just in case . . . No sir I really do not think that is necessary. . . Yes sir I understand. I will see you shortly," the general sighed as he closed his cell phone.
2225 ZULU or 1725 EST
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Arriving at JAG Headquarters the general motioned to a chair into front of his desk, "Have a seat captain."
"Thank you sir, I am sorry that I have caused you this much of a problem sir," Harm apologized.
"I think you are right we should have dealt with this in the first place," the general conceded rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"The SecNav wants me in the brig doesn't he?" Harm inquired quietly.
"You need to deal with the problem at hand, let me deal with the SecNav," Cresswell cautioned.
"Understood sir . . . Sir if I may, Mac can present my case. I would rather that Bud be assigned to represent Karissa in this matter," Harm requested.
"Do you think it is necessary for someone to represent her?" the general asked.
"Karissa should have her own counsel to ensure that her rights and views are presented. I realize she is only eight years old but she seems like a very intelligent little girl. We have been trying to make the best decisions for her maybe it's time someone presented her wishes," Harm acknowledged.
"I have already assigned Karissa representation," the general stated.
"You have?" Harm was stunned.
"I am going to represent Karissa's interests in this case or do you have a problem with that Captain?" the general inquired.
"No . . . No sir. I just was not aware. . ."
"Well now you are aware," the general interrupted. "Mr. Secretary," he greeted as the SecNav entered the office. Harm jumped to his feet at attention.
"General I thought over this incident a great deal during my ride over here and I agree with you. Mrs. Harrison is always going to feel threatened by Captain Rabb's connection to this little girl. This incident will never be allowed to disappear or be resolved as the child's paternity is in question. My wife has allowed me to see a different side to this situation, and my wife has never been wrong. A board of inquiry should decide what the next step should be," the SecNav agreed.
"Thank you sir, the arrangements will be made and I will notify you of the progress and results," the general advised.
"Hopefully, this will be a permanent solution. Captain Rabb, I pray everything works out for the best for everyone involved. And now good night gentlemen I promised my wife, I would not be too long."
After the SecNav departed the general sat down behind his desk, "At ease captain, have a seat."
Harm let out the breath he had been holding, "I thought he wanted me thrown in the brig tonight?"
"He did," the general confirmed. "I believe you have his wife to thank for his change of heart. Although the fact that Mrs. Harrison struck Joshua in front of us puts things in a different light. And as long as this stays out of the media the SecNav will have no reason to request any punishment unless the board deems it necessary. Now let's get back to the Robert's residence since we both have cases to prepare for the board."
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Wow another chapter up, I hope everyone is still hanging in there with me.
Enjoy,
Lyn