Chapter XI - Incident at Potomac Park
0700 Local_1200 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Commander Theodore Lindsey was a man on a mission. He sailed into the JAG Corps Headquarters bullpen, headed directly for Jason Tiner's desk.
The Admiral's Yeoman, a person Chegwidden had brought to JAG shortly after Harmon Rabb, Junior had been exonerated in the Diane Schonke investigation, was a symptom, at least in Teddy Lindsey's eyes, of everything that currently wrong with JAG Corps.
"Good morning Yeoman!" He snapped at Tiner as soon as he entered his line of vision.
Tiner, stunned that he had been caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the SECNAV's special assistant stood, dropping his law book and notes in an untidy heap on his desk. "Commander!" replied as he came to attention. Still Lindsey didn't notice that PO1 Tiner had also surreptitiously flicked his intercom on.
Commander Lindsey looked at the jumble of papers on his desk. "Just about ready for those exams, I take it?" he asked. Not that he really cared whether or not Admiral Chegwidden's nursemaid ever finished or even passed the bar, he just wanted to give the illusion that he cared.
"Aye Commander," Tiner replied crisply. Jason looked concerned as Commander Lindsey continued on course right to the Admiral's closed door. "Uh sir-"
Teddy Lindsey stopped just short of opening the door. He gave the Yeoman an aristocratic smile. "Oh yes, please go ahead and announce me, Yeoman," Lindsey said to Tiner, in his mind, Jason Tiner just wasn't assertive enough when it came to running interference for the Admiral.
Tiner knocked on Admiral's door.
"Enter,"
AJ was standing by his bookshelves trying to read a legal brief. He probably should have used his reading glasses but he thought if had just a little bit more light, he might be able to read it without those blasted granny glasses of his.
"Excuse me Admiral, you have a visitor, sir, from the SECNAV's office," Tiner reported.
"Send him in, Tiner," AJ replied not looking up from the brief he was reading.
Tiner looked back at his desk and then again at the Admiral. "Uh, yes sir, aye sir. Do you know who the SECNAV sent, sir?" He asked hopefully. If Jason Tiner had learned anything while working for AJ Chegwidden, there was more than one way to run interference. Still he wished he had been able to give his boss a little more warning.
"Just send him in, Tiner," AJ said with a hint of sternness.
Tiner nodded. Stalling time was over. "Aye sir,"
He opened the door wider to accommodate the visitor. "Come on in, sir,"
"Commander Lindsey," The former SEAL said in mild surprise.
"Admiral," Teddy Lindsey said as he walked in.
"Good to see you again." AJ said quickly recovering. He wasn't really happy to see him, but this was part of the game that he knew Theodore Lindsey was going to play. For him this was a matter of retribution and he wanted to show AJ who was in charge. "That will be all, Tiner,"
"I wish we were meeting under better circumstances, Admiral." Teddy said almost apologetically as Tiner closed the door.
AJ nodded. "I understand," he said stoically. In a pig's eye you do, you slug. "I wasn't told you'd be doing our audit,"
"Well, who better, sir? I mean, I have spent some time here at JAG Corps." Teddy Lindsey opened his satchel that he was carrying with him and pulled out a single sheet of paper.
"Well, let's get to it. What specifically are the complaints against our office?" AJ asked as he went over to his desk and put on his reading glasses.
Lindsey handed the Navy-Marine Corps JAG a single sheet of paper. "Secretary Sheffield has asked me to review your current personnel in light of the recent incidents and reported irregularities involving your command. Let me assure you, Admiral, that this is not a witch hunt. I do not hold any grudges regarding any perceived slights that were made in the past. I will fairly and impartially review the records of each of your staff and then present my findings and final report to you."
"Findings on what exactly?" AJ said as he scanned the sheet. He had the complaints right in front of him, but he wanted to hear the words from Lindsey himself.
The Commander looked as if he was trying to keep the glee out of his voice. "Oh misallocation of personnel, lawyers traveling as tour groups, sleight of hand with TAD requests, misappropriation of government property…."
AJ smiled charitably. "Thank you, Commander," he said cutting him off. "I know you'll do your best," To sink my Command, you weasel. "Do what you have to do. You can use conference room two. And if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. All I ask is that you just steer clear of all JAG business, Commander." AJ sat down and put on his reading glasses to indicate this little meeting was over with.
But Commander Theodore Lindsey wasn't done with Admiral A. J. Chegwidden yet.
"Aye sir. I appreciate that Admiral, and I will," Teddy Lindsey replied with mock sincerity as he nodded. "However in the interest of not casting a pall of undue Command influence on this audit, I will handle the investigation personally. Though I do thank you for your kind offer, sir." The Commander's false smile made the former SEAL want to punch the man right in the face.
Teddy Lindsey started to come to attention but then he stopped. "By the way, I'd like to interview you, if at all possible, this afternoon, sometime after lunch?"
AJ had fortunately cleared his calendar in anticipation of something like this. Meredith was disappointed the AJ wouldn't be able to sit in on her afternoon 'Shakespeare in the 21st Century' class this week. But he had explained that work right now, during the day, took precedence. Besides the class ran for the whole semester. Probably after Spring Break would be a better time to sit in on the class.
"This afternoon is fine, Commander. I'll see you then." AJ shot back with a hint of a smile.
Teddy Lindsey's cool demeanor only cracked slightly. "Yes, well, see you then." He came to attention did an about face and as about to leave the room when he stopped and turned back around to the Admiral "Uh sir, I don't want you to worry about that business with the promotion board you headed, passing me over for Captain," And with that he turned and left the room.
AJ chuckled and shook his head as the door closed. He waited a few moments and then hit the speaker button. "Tiner, would you come in here?"
"Aye sir, right away," the Yeoman responded immediately.
In a moment Tiner knocked, and then when invited, he entered carrying a cup of water and couple of aspirin.
AJ gratefully accepted the water and pills. "Thank you Tiner,"
"Aye sir," Tiner replied.
"And thank you for opening your intercom, which as you know is a breach of procedure, not to mention good manners." AJ said reminding his Yeoman.
"Yes sir, thank you, sir." Tiner replied a slight grin coming to his boyish face. "I'll try not to let it happen again. I'm just sorry I couldn't give you more warning, sir."
AJ nodded. At times Tiner was worth his weight in gold. "Don't worry about that, Tiner. Any word from the SECNAV's JAGMan team on their progress?"
Tiner nodded. "Yes sir. They are finishing their interviews with the senior attorneys today, Admiral. I believe Commander Rabb is the last person they need to interview," The Yeoman 1 replied.
0720 Local_1220 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
AJ had already decided that the award ceremony for Harm and Sturgis would have to be delayed until the joint JAG-NCIS investigation into Lieutenant Singer's assault was complete. Mac had finished with Psychoustics case and now would be TAD as a judge to fill in vacancies on Admiral Morris' staff until he could find replacements for those called up for active duty in Kuwait. With Mac serving as a judge, Harm had sort of temporarily replaced Mac as his chief of staff and confidant, despite the strain the JAG-NCIS investigation was putting on the him and the rest of the staff.
"How did your meeting with the SECNAV go, sir?" Harm asked after he came in and settled down for their morning briefing, he was somewhat anxious for the Admiral because his meeting with the SECNAV at the Pentagon had been a spur of a moment event, capping a whirlwind last two weeks since Lieutenant Singer's assault.
The Navy-Marine Corps JAG sighed as he sat down. "Well Commander, we're being audited and the investigator sent to do the job doesn't like me,"
"Well, I find that hard to believe, sir," Harm said, not knowing who had just left AJ's office.
AJ chuckled ruefully, knowing that Harm hadn't seen Lindsey. Otherwise he would be reacting differently. "It's Lindsey," he said simply.
"Commander Lindsey?!" he said in a shocked voice. Harm was thunderstruck. Could this get any worse?
AJ just nodded his head as he sat across from one of his best lawyers. He silently prayed to God that Harm would be cleared in this Singer mess before Lindsey got wind of it. "Uh hmmm," The former SEAL said noncommittally.
0723 Local_1223 Zulu
Conference Room Two
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Theodore Lindsey cleared his throat as Petty Officers Coates and Tiner came to attention as they entered the room. The Commander smiled at the JAGC noncommissioned officers and told them to be seated.
Not sure exactly why they were here or what they were going to be asked, Yeoman 1 Tiner and Legalman 2 Coates very carefully sat down across from Commander Lindsey.
The Commander had already asked permission, at least twice, to go into the JAG Corps Headquarters file room and request copies of files. Jason had gone with him each time. The Commander may have been assigned by the SECNAV to do an audit, but there were things in there even he wasn't allowed to see.
The Commander took off his glasses and cleaned them with a small cloth while he talked to them. "I apologize for having you in this early, but I'm pressed for time with so many people to interview and a tight deadline to get this done," he said with mock sincerity. He gave them both a fake smile as he put his glasses back on.
Jen picked up on the note of condescension in his voice. If Jason had noticed, he didn't indicate it. She just hoped her face was just as neutral as his.
"Not a problem, sir. We understand your time constraints with regard to your investigation," Tiner said dispassionately. Jen was impressed. Jason may seem a bit scattered at times in the office but maybe it was just a clever smokescreen.
"Good, good." He said absently. "Let's get started, shall we?" He made a few notations in his notebook and looked at both of them.
"Tell me, do either of you have problems with any of the officers in this office?"
"What kind of problems sir?" The Legalman asked innocently. She traded a confused glance with the Yeoman. Jason picked up on her cue and threw the same confused look at Commander Lindsey.
"You know, asking for personal favors, hostile attitude toward you, hostile work environment-"
"No sir, not that I can recall," Jason replied and then looked at Jennifer.
"No problems sir," she answered. "In fact, the attorneys and Admiral Chegwidden have been very helpful to me since I am fairly new to this office." She added.
Jason could tell that her comment had hit its target [or so he thought] when the Commander hastily scribbled a note.
"So Colonel MacKenzie hasn't had you do any special work for her, asked for favors-"
"No sir." Jennifer replied before he could finish his litany. "She has treated me with courtesy and respect."
Theodore Lindsey gave her a belittling smile. "Legalman 2 Coates, you'll forgive me if I have trouble believing you. During your time on USS Gainesville, you were not exactly a model sailor."
"That was in the past sir. I paid my debt to the Navy for my waywardness and have worked hard to prove myself as a Legalman." Jennifer replied albeit a tad defensively.
Teddy Lindsey was just getting started with her. "Why the sudden change from Electronics Technician to Legalman? Weren't you happy on board the Gainesville?"
Jennifer ducked her head, looking uncharacteristically shy. "Truthfully sir, that was a rough period of my life, and my home life not being any sort of model to follow, I resorted to behavior I had learned on the street to cope with stresses of being in an occupation I really wasn't suited for,"
Jason would have applauded her if the situation would have allowed it.
"Thanks to Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie," she continued, "I learned there was an occupation I was better suited for. They tutored me and acted as mentors when I decided on my change in designator."
But Commander Lindsey wasn't done with her yet. "And you did not make this change because of some misguided hero worship or unrequited love of the Commander?"
Jennifer's eyes flew wide open in shock. "No sir!" she snapped back. "I respect the Colonel and the Commander and what they did for me. I would never betray that trust by doing such a thing!"
The Commander ignored her wounded dignity act. "You served as Legalman aboard the Seahawk after that near nasty court martial after going UA from the Gainesville, correct?"
"As I said sir, I've had a change of heart since then about the Navy, sir,"
"Yes," Lindsey said dismissively about her rebirth. "And you were Legalman for both Lieutenant Roberts and Lieutenant Singer, correct? And I see that Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie also spent time on this vessel while Roberts and Singer were Force Judge Advocates for the Seahawk battle group."
"Yes sir. When Lieutenant Roberts was wounded they were both on board," she replied.
"And what about Lieutenant Singer, why was she investigated? Why did she leave her assignment early?"
"Because, sir, it was discovered she was pregnant and for refusing to name the father of her child. She had to take medical leave."
Teddy Lindsey's smug morally superior attitude vanished. "She was…pregnant? I wasn't aware that Lieutenant Singer had a child."
Both Jason and Jennifer noted the look of worry that momentarily crossed Teddy Lindsey's face.
"Yes sir, but she hasn't had the child yet. She's on a five month maternity leave."
"Did she ever reveal who the father was?" There seemed to a hint of worry in the Commander's voice.
Jennifer decided no reaction to his change in demeanor was best. "No sir, not to my knowledge."
That answer seemed to give Teddy Lindsey back some of his swagger. "Well now after Lieutenant Robert's injury, personnel regs allow for an equivalent replacement to then become acting Force Judge Advocate. Yet, not one, but two O-5 lawyers remained on that vessel. That's a lot of seniority to have on hand for one Lieutenant,"
Jennifer knew what he wanted her to do. He wanted her to lash out at him and ask how he could be so cold, but she was going to beat him as his own game.
"If you say so, sir," she said calmly.
Teddy Lindsey looked at her for a moment and then angrily scribbled down a note. He then turned to Jason.
"You're going to Naval Justice School in June, correct Yeoman?"
"Y-Yes sir," Jason said hesitantly wondering what salvo was going to be fired his way. He wanted to tell off the Commander for insulting Jennifer like that, but this was not the time for heroics. It might put them both in deeper hot water.
Theodore Lindsey pulled a sheet from his attaché case. "I see you're doing remarkably well in your studies…."
Jason was thrown off balance by his complements. "Thank you, sir."
But Teddy Lindsey wasn't done with him yet. "However, Yeoman, personal conflicts with senior officers can impact negatively on your chances of getting into Naval Justice School,"
"Personal conflicts, sir?"
"Oh come now Yeoman," Lindsey tutted. "It was no secret that you and Lieutenant Singer didn't get along." There it was. He was accusing Jason of fighting and sabotaging Lieutenant Singer.
Jennifer couldn't stand this witch hunt any longer. "Commander, in his defense, Lieutenant Singer had personality conflicts with just about everyone at JAG Corps Headquarters."
Lindsey gave her baleful look. "I expected you would rush to his defense, Legalman, you two have become quite chummy."
Jason now stood up for her. "Commander, as I said, Legalman Coates and I have a professional working relationship. She has been a big help to this office and to the attorneys. We have always been short of administrative staff sir, and she's been a godsend." He finished by pointing a finger back at the SECNAV for understaffing them.
Jennifer hoped she wasn't blushing at Jason's unintended compliment.
Commander Lindsey winked at her and then gave Jason a sly look. "I'm sure she has, Yeoman. So how long has the dating been going on? You two have a lot of fun together?"
Jennifer fought the urge to shoot out of her chair. "Sir! Yeoman Tiner just told you we have a professional-
"I heard him, Legalman!" he snapped. "You would do well to learn some manners or face charges of insubordination!" Having effectively silenced her, he shook his head. Jason was fighting the urge to leap across the table and throttle him, senior officer or not. He had never liked Teddy Lindsey and he liked him even less now.
Teddy took off his glasses and began to polish them again. "Look, you two can sit there and deny it all you want, but I know that you two work very closely with the IGO Liaison, in fact, it's too closely, if you ask me. And I also know from your past, Legalman that you have charmed men into getting them to do what needed done, just like you're doing with poor Yeoman Tiner here now. I figure both of you plotted with Lieutenant Sims to make sure that Lieutenant Singer was ostracized in this office."
Jason and Jennifer sat in stunned silence. Commander Lindsey was judge, jury and executioner on this audit. It was apparent that he had made up his mind already about JAGC and this meeting was merely a formality to confirm his suspicions.
"As far as I am concerned, this would not have happened if this command had gone through regular staff changes. Instead it has stagnated and personal relationships have been encouraged by the current JAG." He finished polishing his glasses and put them back on giving both of them a patronizing smile. "Now I'm not saying you two are bad apples, just a little misguided. Different postings from where you are now would solve that problem, wouldn't you agree?"
0745 Local_1245 Zulu
Conference Room Two
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Teddy Lindsey was pouring over statements from the noncommissioned officers when Harriet Sims walked in and came to attention.
"Lieutenant Sims reporting as ordered, Commander,"
Teddy Lindsey gave her a patrician smile. Harriet didn't like it one bit. It reminded her of her mother's condescending smile. "Please sit down, Lieutenant,"
Harriet took her seat in front of Commander Lindsey. He looked down at the papers in front of him, acting as if he had found something interesting.
Lindsey glanced up at the blond Lieutenant and gave her what he thought was a pleasant smile. "You served on the USS Seahawk as Public Information Officer, like your husband did before you? Correct?"
"Yes sir," Harriet replied. Verifying facts. That was fine with her.
"And then you got yourself transferred to a PIO office at Norfolk and then as an administrative assistant at JAG Corps Headquarters."
"Yes sir," Harriet wondered why the Commander was so interested in her previous positions and what this had to do with the audit.
"I'm sure you two didn't breach any protocols while you two were dating," He said off-handedly. "How did you end up getting assigned to this office after you and Lieutenant Roberts got married?"
Harriet was ready for this. Lots of people had asked her about her 'good fortune'. "I was reassigned to the Inspector General's Office but the Admiral requested that I be assigned as the liaison from the Inspector General's Office.
Lindsey nodded thoughtfully as he scribbled a note down on a pad next to the statements he had in front of him. "I see, I thought that was supposed to be temporary assigned duty,"
Yep, he was probing that. It figured that any auditor would be curious about that. "That would be something you would have to ask the Admiral about," she replied.
To her it seemed he relished that answer. "Indeed I shall, Lieutenant. Let me ask you a question. Do you think it's fair for you to be the liaison from the IGO's office as long as you have?"
What? "Sir?" Was he really insinuating what she thought he was insinuating?
"Well, you've been here at JAG since 1998. Don't you think it's time someone else took over as liaison?" Why that beady-eyed weasel! What is he trying to imply?
"Well sir," Harriet began calmly, "the Admiral did ask for me as the liaison-"
Which the Commander cheerfully interrupted. "-And I'm sure you've done an outstanding job, but now I believe it's time to move on, don't you?"
Oooo! Harriet felt her blood beginning to boil."Well sir, I-"
"Come now Lieutenant," Lindsey said interrupting her yet again, "you didn't think this position was going to be permanently assigned to you just because your husband worked here, did you?"
Instead of becoming focused like she had when Commander Coleman had made her mad, Commander Lindsey was making her flustered. "Well I-no sir, but the Admiral, he-"
"Trust me Lieutenant," he said patronizingly as he clicked his pen closed indicating the interview was over, "this is for the best,"
0821 Local_1321 Local
Headquarters Library
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Bud was trying unsuccessfully to pull a Virginia Codes Annotated volume from the upper shelf in the JAGC Library.
Teddy Lindsey watched for a moment before quickly walking over. "Lieutenant. Here Lieutenant, please. Let me help get that for you," he said easily reaching for the volume and handing it to him. "There you go," He said with self-satisfied smile.
"Thank you Commander," Bud replied
"Not a problem, Lieutenant, we're all just so glad to have you back."
Bud ignored the comment. "It's been a long time, sir,"
"Ah, Christmas last year, I believe. You've made a remarkable recovery,"
"Thank you sir." Bud said a little uneasily. The JAGC junior officer hated having attention drawn to himself.
But Commander Lindsey wasn't done. "I'm surprised you came back so soon, after all, you had your foot blown off and nearly died. Anyone else would have taken retirement…. By the way, how is Lieutenant Sims?"
Bud was taken aback by his comments but was also confused by this sudden change in topics. "Uh, well I wanted to continue my duties and I think I still have a lot to offer JAG Corps sir. And in answer to your question, she's great sir. How is your family?"
Lindsey seemed to wax poetic. "Lieutenant I have found that one's family can be of great comfort during times of, uh, career disappointment. I was very sorry to hear of your injury, but you look as fit for duty as ever."
"As fit as ever sir?" Bud was trying hard not to be aggravated with Commander Lindsey since he was the auditor but it was evident that backhanded compliment was intended to rile him.
Lindsey chuckled as if sharing a joke with him. "Oh I bet the Seahawk misses you, you've turned out to be quite a lawyer."
There it was again compliments mixed with barbs. "Thank you sir. The Seahawk has competent legal counsel, I can assure you-"
"I'm sure you can Lieutenant, but wouldn't it have been better to let an able bodied officer take your place here at JAG or on the Seahawk?"
The former Seahawk Public Information Officer (PIO) couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Able bodied sir?"
Commander Lindsey didn't pick up on his surprise. "Still, though, I can understand. After all, your wife is stationed here isn't she?
Again, another shift in conversation topics. What was he up to? "Yes sir, she is,"
Teddy Lindsey sighed. "Lieutenant Sims, nice lady. She's the liaison to the Inspector General's Office, correct?"
"Yes sir, she is, and I've always thought so, sir,"
Lindsey seemed to ponder the question. "Isn't that somewhat unusual for her to be stationed here as liaison for so long? I mean I just wonder how the Inspector General manages without her…"
"Well sir, I'm not sure I'm following…."
Teddy walked over, rifled through his satchel and pulled out a single sheet of paper. "Well, she was temporarily assigned this duty, wasn't she?"
"Well I-"
"Ah it says here that Admiral Chegwidden has permanently – temporarily – assigned her to this office indefinitely." He gave the JAGC junior officer a penetrating stare. "Do you think that is a good idea Lieutenant?"
Bud didn't like what the Commander was inferring. "Is there a problem with that, sir?"
Lindsey ignored his tone and continued right on with his thoughts. "I mean, aren't there others who could, and should, rotate through as IGO liaison?"
Bud wasn't sure what to say to that. "You might-"
Lindsey nodded his head absently. "Yes, I will talk to the Admiral about this. So tell me, who took your place as Force Judge Advocate for the Seahawk battle group?"
"As I said earlier, sir, the Seahawk has competent legal counsel."
Teddy looked at his sheet again. "Ah, Lieutenant Singer, isn't it?"
Bud shook his head. "Uh, no sir, not anymore, she, um, Lieutenant Singer, that is, became physically unable to serve aboard ship sir."
Teddy Lindsey chuckled. "Well, not another land mine, I hope," he said as if he were telling another joke.
Bud Roberts was annoyed and shocked by his comment. "No. Nothing like that, sir," He said flatly, his tone indicating his displeasure with him.
Teddy though, wasn't fazed. He was focused on another thought. "That doesn't leave many people in the office does it? Especially when…not one but two O-5 officers were assigned to an investigation into Lieutenant Singer, do you know why that was, Lieutenant?"
"Well sir, I-"
"That's all right Lieutenant. I figured you weren't privy to any of those conversations. That will be all,"
Bud came to attention and then left the library. Commander Lindsey's questions worried him.
xxxixx
Gibbs was making his way through the back part of NCIS bull pen when he saw Agent Jim Brookfield sitting at his desk, involved in a serious operation.
"Damn it," he muttered as the tiny screwdriver flipped out of his hands and onto the floor. On his desk blotter sat his disassembled glasses.
The screwdriver landed at Gibbs' feet. He picked it up. "Lose something Jim?" he quipped.
Jim Brookfield gave him a wry smile. "Thanks, man. Sorry, the lens popped out of these crappy glasses again."
"Why don't you just buy new ones?" Gibbs replied looking at the 'patient' on the desk. It looked like more trouble than it was worth.
"I just bought these three weeks ago," Jim groused as he began fumbling with the tiny screwdriver as he inserted the wayward lens and began to tighten the frame around it.
"If it were me, I'd just ask for a replacement." Gibbs replied.
"All glasses have their quirks," he said as tested the frame and then put the glasses back on. "Now then, what can I do for you, anyway?"
"You know a Marine Sergeant named James Garrel?" Gibbs asked.
Jim's brow furrowed in concentration. "James Garrel? Yeah, I do, we went to high school together. Still keep in touch."
"How well?" Gibbs said probing.
Jim knew Gibbs well enough to know this was more than idle banter. "What do you mean?"
"You know he rescued that JAG Lieutenant from the Potomac, right?"
"Yeah, Pacci told me about that." He chuckled. "Sounds like him."
"You knew he was coming, with the Lieutenant in tow, to see you?"
Jim was clearly surprised by that statement. "No, no one had mentioned that, till now."
"He told that to us the night he brought the Lieutenant here." Gibbs replied. "You know why he was coming to see you?"
Jim shrugged his shoulders. "Cause we're friends I guess. Look Gibbs, where are you going with this? You want to know about Garrel's character? Well I can tell you I never had a better friend. Want to know about his personality, any quirks? None that I ever saw. Could he murder or injure someone? Only after going in the Corps, before that he wouldn't hurt a fly. Now, he'd do it if he needed to, but he's not what I would consider as a person of interest in any assault case. It's just not like him."
"He's taken a personal interest in Lieutenant Singer," the Head of DC MCRT stated.
Jim shook his head again and sighed ruefully. "Humpf, not surprised. James always did go for the 'damsels in distress' and he's lonely."
"Lonely?" Gibbs knew from his earlier conversation with this Garrel that this was the case, but he wanted to hear more about this loneliness from his friend's point of view
Jim made a face. "The last girl I set him up with turned out to be a real psycho. Had to get a court order to get her to stay away from him. And it doesn't help that his twin sister is not recovering from a Christmas Eve hit and run accident. He felt like it was his fault for not being there to protect her."
Gibbs thought about that and how dealing with something like that could mess a person up. "So he's transferring that to the Lieutenant?" Gibbs didn't like assigning motives unless he was sure he knew what was going on, but based on what he'd seen so far, it sure looked that way.
Jim nodded. "Could be, but not without permission. James never did anything un-gentlemanlike. She had to have signaled him that she was interested."
Gibbs grimaced. "The problem is she's suffering from amnesia and doesn't know who she is. She's reaching out to anyone who acts as a friend…"
Jim nodded again, now understanding what was happening. "…and James just happens to be there." He sucked in his breath. "Did you explain to him what was wrong with that?"
Gibbs sighed. "I did, but I don't know if it took," Jim had a couple of years seniority on him even though he was younger than the gray haired NCIS agent, so Gibbs didn't mind being deferential in this case.
Jim appreciated that and realized that Gibbs was trying to help his friend. "Look, I'll talk with him, buddy to buddy about that, but you have to remember that he's probably also dealing with what happened to him and his unit in Afghanistan."
Gibbs nodded. "His unit was involved in Operation Anaconda," the NCIS Agent had read up on the Sergeant.
"Yeah, running operational security as a blocking unit, stopping any al Qaeda or Taliban that tried to escape from the battlefield. They got into close quarter combat with a Taliban unit during house to house fighting in a mountain village. Nasty and brutish – I'm surprised James didn't come back suffering from PTSD-"
Suddenly Jim's email dinged, drawing his attention away from the conversation. Gibbs decided if he had to talk to James Garrel again, he'd try a different approach.
Jim glanced at the computer screen. "Sorry, I thought I had that turned that down." He said apologetically. His glance went a little longer than it should have, and that intrigued Gibbs.
"What is it?"
Jim continued reading the email. "Heather's team in Nice is reporting in. Bin Atwa never arrived there from Cairo." He said grimly.
He knew Jim's team was working on the Gray Hull attacks while the MCRT finished the Singer investigation. "They lost him?" It was hard to believe that Heather ever got that sloppy.
This was not good. If Amad Bin Atwa had managed to evade Heather, he could be anywhere in France making a deal with any number of arms dealers for another one of Hassan Mohammed's Gray Hull strikes.
Jim confirmed Gibbs' concern. "Looks like it." But he was quick to try and put those concerns to rest. "But you know Heather, Gibbs. She'll bulldoze mountains into rubble and drain the seas till she finds him,"
He closed the email and turned back to the Head of the DC MCRT "Thanks for letting me know about James, I'll have a talk with him."
-TBC…