February 2010

Harm let out a sigh and opened a file. It was unusually quiet at the moment and he was getting some less pressing things out of the way to pass time until he could be officially on leave. His intercom buzzed.

"Yeah?"

"A Detective McQueen and Moore from the police is here to see you, sir."

"Send them in," Harm said and stood to meet them.

The door opened and a heavy guy with a big mustache and a blonde woman entered his office. "Admiral Harmon Rabb?"

Harm nodded and offered his hand. "What can I do for you?"

"I'm Detective McQueen," the big guy said and shook his hand. "This is Detective Moore. We're investigating an assault. You were at the Sunset Bar last night?"

"I was," Harm motioned for his visitor's chairs. "Please have a seat."

"Do you recognize this woman?" McQueen handed him a photo.

Harm noticed the woman right away. "Yeah, she talked to me."

"What did you talk about?" McQueen asked.

Harm handed back the photo and sat down. "She wanted to buy me a drink, I said it wasn't necessary. I excused myself and went back to my table."

"That's all?" Moore asked.

"She approached my friend too, but he turned her down as well," Harm said.

"Did you see her leave?" Moore asked.

"I didn't. I had a drink and was out of there by 2200. I don't recall seeing her after she approached my friend. She seemed to be looking for company, so I take it she found someone eventually," Harm said.

"Witnesses say that she left about the same time as you," Moore seemed more hostile now.

"I don't recall seeing her any more. "What's this about?" Harm wondered.

"She was found raped and strangled in an alley behind the bar," McQueen said. "Do you have an alibi for the rest of the night."

"I walked with Keeter back to the cars, then we drove off in separate directions," Harm scribbled down Keeter's information. "You can talk to Keeter. Captain Jack Keeter," he handed the note over to the Detective. "My wife can verify that I was home by 22.15. That's the time it takes to drive back to our house." He picked up the phone and dialed one. "Hey, do you have time? Can you come here? Great," he hung up. My wife is on her way here now. Just give her a minute."

"What about this Captain Jack Keeter. Where did he go?" McQueen asked.

"Back home probably," Harm said with a shrug. "Look, if you're thinking that he had something to do with this you better find a new angel. He's a good guy."

"We still haven't ruled you out," Moore said just as the office door opened and Mac walked inside.

"Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Rabb, this is Detective McQueen and Moore. I apparently need an alibi for last night," Harm said.

Mac looked confused. "Why? What's going on?"

"That woman who approached Keeter and me was found dead," Harm explained.

"The Admiral was home by 22.15. I was on the phone with our daughter and he talked to her too if you need more confirmation," Mac said.

"I think we're done here," McQueen said. "Thank you for the collaboration, Admiral."

"No problem," Harm said.

They watched the Detectives leave and Harm turned to Mac. "Sorry to drag you in here."

"No problem," she smiled.

Harm looked thoughtful. "I guess the guy she found wasn't that nice."

"I hate to sound like I think she had it coming, but picking up strangers in a bar isn't that smart. I hope they get who did this and get him off the streets," Mac said and touched his arm lightly. "Will you be okay?"

He smiled. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks."

Later that night

Harm closed the dishwasher and turned to his daughter who was busy with homework by the kitchen table. Claire was a bright student, always eager to learn new things. She had asked him to help her with homework, even though she hadn't asked him for help one time since she sat down. Harm knew that what she really wanted was time with her Dad.

"Almost done?" he wondered.

"Yes," she smiled sweetly. "Dad, will you come watch me ride tomorrow?"

"Of course, I will," he promised.

"Good," she jumped to her feet. "I'm done. May I watch a little TV before I go to bed?"

"Sure, but not too long. You need your rest, princess," he said and ruffled her hair as he walked past her on his way to the living room.

He smiled when his wife walked downstairs. "That went fast."

She smiled. "Matthew was out like a light before I could finish the story."

Harm was about to respond when his cellphone rang. "Sorry," he said and took it out from his pocket. "Hello? Keeter? What?! I'll be right there. Don't say a word."

"What's going on?" Mac wondered.

"Keeter has been arrested," Harm walked past her and towards the hallway. "I better go there and find out what's going on. I'm betting that he used his one phone call to call me, so why don't you call Cathy and let her know what's going on? I'll call you when I know more," he kissed her softly. "See you later."

The next morning Harm stepped into the kitchen yawning widely. He'd been with Keeter until past midnight while he was being interrogated by the police. When he came home Cathy was there waiting on him to hear what was going on and it was past two in the morning when she was finally calm enough to go home.

"Kids, go get ready," Mac said as she put her coffee cup in the sink. "Morning," she kissed him softly. "Ready for a new day?"

"Not at all," he said tiredly. "I have to stop by the office first, then I'll go to the station."

"Why won't Keeter say where he was after he left the bar? Cathy was really upset," Mac handed her husband coffee. "There's oatmeal for you, you need a good breakfast."

"Thanks," he sipped the coffee. "Keeter won't budge. He told me that I had to come up with another way to prove that he's not guilty. Like I can work miracles."

"I don't understand what's so top secret," Mac let out a sigh.

"That's just it. Keeter has been flying secret missions before, remember? After he was relieved from duty as the CAG on board the USS Roosevelt he got placed out here, and he never talks about what he's doing. I'm suspecting that not a lot of people know what his area of responsibility is," Harm looked thoughtful.

"You're thinking CIA?" Mac wondered.

"Maybe, or something else secret testing that the Navy does. Planes without pilots for example. Remember that case I worked in San Diego, with Graves?" he hesitated. "But maybe I should talk to Clay."

Mac nodded. "Maybe," she smiled and walked past him. "I better get going. Let me know if I can help with anything."

Harm nodded. "Don't I get a kiss goodbye?"

She turned back to him and kissed him. "Love you."

"Love you more," he held her back a little. "Did I detect an awkward vibe when I mentioned Clay?"

Mac hesitated. "I always get a chill whenever his name and top secret comes up."

"It's not like I'm going on a secret mission with him, I was just going to ask if Keeter has an alibi," Harm said with a slight smile.

"Yeah, just make sure you don't get involved with anything," she warned.

"I'm not even qualified to fly whatever it is they fly in the world of top secret," he said with a pout.

Mac smiled. "Hey, you were just as involved in making this family as me, and you chose to give up flying."

"I know," he kissed her. "You gave up your career, so giving up flying was the least I could do."

"I really have to go," she kissed him again. "Bye."

"Bye," he smiled and released her.

Later that night Mac was already in bed when Harm came home. She peaked over her book and saw that he was tired.

"Long day?" she asked.

He bent down and kissed her softly. "Yup. Keeter still won't tell where he was. The police don't have any evidence that he did it other than that he was seen going back into the bar after I left. Keeter says that it was because he had to pee before he left for where he left. The barkeeper said that he saw him go to the toilets, but he was busy so he didn't see him leave."

"It must be something really secret if Keeter won't tell," Mac put the book away and watched her husband undress. "Did you eat?"

"Yeah, I found the plate you left for me. Thank you," he hung up his uniform and went to the bathroom and emerged a little later while brushing his teeth. "Is there any way to get a hold of Clay when he's out of the country?"

Mac was amused. "Why do you think that I know?"

Harm disappeared into the bathroom and emerged without the toothbrush. "I just figured you knew," he said as he got into bed.

"The CIA isn't very forthcoming, so no I don't know how to get a hold of him, and I didn't when we were dating either," she hesitated. "Did you try leaving a message for him to call you back?"

"Did that ever work for you?" Harm wondered absentmindedly.

"Why are we talking about my relationship with Clay?" Mac wondered with slight annoyance.

Her tone made him snap out of his thoughts. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up anything."

She eased up. "No problem. When I was with Clay I never knew where he was until he showed up. He's a spook, they tend to appear or disappear, and sometimes they appear after they're supposed to be dead," she said with a little humor.

Harm laughed and turned to her. "Sometimes you have a wicked sense of humor," he reached out and cupped her face. "How was your day?"

"I had an interesting day in court with Graves versus Vukovic. That guys haven't changed at all," she hesitated. "How long is he here for anyway?"

"He's waiting on new orders," Harm shrugged and caressed her face. "I get a feeling that they have a history."

She leaned into his touch. "Probably a wild nasty weekend."

Harm looked questioningly at her.

"It was just something we talked about in a bathroom in San Diego five years ago. According to Mayfield he's only good for a wild, nasty weekend," she hesitated. "I'm not sure if Graves ever went for him, but there were certainly some sparks there."

"He wasn't shy around you either," Harm pointed out.

Mac rolled her eyes. "Men always want what they can't have."

"Yeah? All men?" he smiled cleverly as he leaned in and kissed her. "I'm kinda glad I was the one who finally got you."

"Kinda?" she questioned with amusement.

He laughed softly. "Okay, so I'm very happy about that."

She pulled him down on the bed. "I'm happy about that too," she ran her hands over his broad shoulders.

"Let's see if I can make you even more happy," he said and wiggled his eyebrows.

Two days later Harm was woken up by the doorbell. He checked his watch and found that it was a little past six in the morning. Mac got up, put on her robe and headed out the bedroom door before he could start to complain. He followed her downstairs after finding his robe and putting it on.

"Webb? Keeter?" Mac stepped aside to let them enter.

Harm stepped into the hallway. "Keeter?"

"I'm out," Keeter shook Harm's hand.

"What is going on?" Harm asked tiredly.

"Can't say," Webb smiled. "Good to see you Sarah. You look better than ever."

"Thanks," she moved closer to her husband. "I'm going to bed again," she tugged on his hand. "Don't be too long. We still get a few hours before the kids get up. Good to see you out, Jack. Bye Webb." She went upstairs.

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm checked out of the case," Keeter said.

"Keeter has a water tight alibi, of course we couldn't share that with the police, but they took my word for it. I have a plane to catch. Good seeing you again, Harm," Clay offered his hand.

Harm shook it. "It's always interesting when you're involved Webb."

"I better go home to Cathy," Keeter slapped Harm's shoulder. "Thanks buddy."

"Not sure I did much," Harm smiled. "Now get out of here both of you so I can get some sleep. It's the weekend."

Keeter laughed. "See you around, Harm."

Harm closed the door behind them, locked and went upstairs where he got comfortable in bed with his wife. "Thank God that's over," he mumbled as sleep got to him.