Chapter XII - Incident at Potomac Park
Donald Mallard tapped on Loren Singer's closed door.
"Come in," Loren called out.
Ducky nodded to the Lance Corporal standing by her door. "I shan't be long, I know she needs her rest."
The guard smiled. He was really starting to like this NCIS Medical Examiner – he didn't understand why he was so interested in this JAG Corps officer. But that was none of his concern. His job was to guard the Lieutenant and, in his mind, the doc was okay.
"No problem, sir, I know you won't be long," he replied.
Ducky smiled as he opened the door, "Well, Ms. Singer, how are you feeling today?" He had stopped calling her 'Lieutenant' at her request. He found it odd that she wanted this, but he respected her wishes.
"Better now that they letting me get up and walk around," she replied honestly.
"Enjoying being mobile again, I take it," he said with a chuckle.
Ducky was glad she was making such a rapid physical recovery. He was worried, though, about the long term damage to her memory. Her psychological progress was dicey at best. When he consulted with her neurosurgeon, he had admitted that her hippocampus appeared to have suffered trauma as well as other areas of the brain. Her loss of some procedural memories [her military training and some of her legal training as well] indicated this. But he also admitted to Dr. Mallard that they dealing with unexplored territory in terms of her injuries and only time would tell if the Retrograde amnesia was fade of its own accord. The spotty loss of procedural memories and whether or not she would recover them was a deeper mystery.
Laurie gave him a small smile. She really liked talking with him. He had been so pleasant and friendly with her from the beginning. Did she dare broach the idea of her name change with him? More importantly, how would he react?
"Yeah, it gives me chance to do something besides lie in bed. Dr. Mallard, there's something I want to ask you…."
"What is it, m'dear?" He hoped she wasn't going to ask how long it would be before they let her out of here. Jethro, Anthony and Vivian were working hard to find her assailant, but so far they had come up empty handed and both the Director and the JAG had made it clear that Loren wouldn't be released until this person was caught.
"What do you think about me changing my first name?" Changing her name? That was unexpected.
"Is this due to what has happened to you?" Ducky asked, "Because if so, I hardly think a first name change will protect you from harm."
"No, this is more personal, doctor," she replied.
That piqued his curiosity. "Oh?"
"Ever since I woke up here, I've felt like a stranger in my own body. I'm pregnant, there is no father anywhere to be found, I find myself learning not only am I an attorney but I'm also in the US Navy."
"Go on,"
"What do I know about my career in both the Navy and as a JAG Corps officer through my fragmented memory is that I wasn't the nicest person to know." At this point tears began to leak from her eyes. "I dread every time one of these 'memories' pops into my brain, if I am Loren Singer, I don't want to be her."
In the back of his mind the NCIS Medical Examiner wondered if this announcement resulted from her brain injury. "Why Loren?" he asked.
She grimaced at the name. "If I understand these memories, I pretty much fought with all of my coworkers and treated the noncommissioned officers like they were servants. I don't like that."
"Well you can change that without changing your name," Ducky began, "Lots of people-"
"No, that's not good enough, doctor. I want my child to grow up without the stigma of Loren Singer hanging over their head. And truthfully, I just can't live with being Loren anymore."
Ducky sat back and looked at her. She had obviously given this a great deal of thought. Whether she would ever come to regret it, only time would tell.
"So have you picked a name you like?"
"Laurie, it starts with an 'L.'
"How about Lauren?"
She made a face like she had eaten something that didn't agree with her. "Too close to the name I have now,"
"But Laurie is not that far from it either," he said trying to play devil's advocate.
She hadn't thought about that. She nodded. "True, but it's not Loren. I'm not doing this to run away from my problems, Dr. Mallard, I simply want to take this second chance and make the most of it."
"Second chance?"
"You know as well as I do I could have been easily killed when I was thrown into the Potomac. I have a second chance to fix things, make things right. And to do that, I have to let Loren go away, if for nothing else than for my peace of mind. I don't want to be that person. I don't want to be Loren Singer anymore. As far as I am concerned, Loren Singer died that evening in the Potomac."
Ducky could see that she really wanted this, and Jethro's investigation had shown that Lieutenant Loren Singer was never going to win any popularity contest. If this was a result of the brain injury, then delaying a legal name change was probably a good idea, but there was no harm in using another name until they could check on that. People did that all the time with names, as Donald 'Ducky' Mallard well knew.
"Very well, Laurie, how do you do? My name is Donald Mallard, but everyone calls me Ducky."
Laurie grinned, now she had at least one doctor on her side. "Pleased to meet you doctor, I'm Loren Singer, but everyone calls me Laurie."
0823 Local_1323 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac sighed as she got out of the Ford LTD staff car. Normally she would drive her Corvette, but it just didn't have the room she needed right now. She went around to the trunk and opened it – being a JAGC judge had its perks, but it also had its drawbacks. If she wasn't a judge, she wouldn't be lugging in this records box that felt like it weighed a freakin' ton.
"Colonel, here, let me carry that,"
Mac gave Theodore Lindsey a cold smile. She hadn't worked with him directly but what she had heard from Harm about him didn't give her the warm fuzzies. "Oh I can handle it," She replied curtly and then couldn't resist giving him a dig. "Why are you here? I know what the SECNAV said, but why you?"
Lindsey stepped back and nodded his temporary acquiescence to her request as she hefted the records box out of her car. "Apparently the SECNAV has more faith in me than some people do."
Mac gave him that cold smile again. "Ah, you mean the Admiral. Still sore about not making Captain?"
No, not at all. I find it odd how your career has endured despite the taint of scandal Colonel, you've had very interesting career here at JAG…" He said obliquely as she used her arm to lever the trunk of her car shut.
She turned and gave him a penetrating stare. "Meaning?" she replied.
"Well uh, there were the circumstances surrounding your leaving JAG Corps for a private law firm, and then you're coming back, the death of your husband, then lying under oath about what happened, the affair with your CO- I just wonder what it is the promotion board sees in you, that they didn't see in me? Unless it's a special friend that happens to be an Admiral,"
The Light Colonel's anger flared. "How dare you-"
Mac wasn't in the mood for his garbage right now. She knew she had to talk to him because of the audit, but that didn't mean she had to listen to his insinuations. "I don't like that implication, Lindsey. Are we done?" she said flatly, cutting him off.
He blinked and then looked thoughtfully at her. "No I don't suppose you do. Well, perhaps we could meet later for drink, Colonel. You know, talk more and work it all out over a
beer-"
"No, I think we are finished here," she snapped irritably, indicating this conversation was as over as it could get. The Commander's arm shot out and grabbed hers as she turned away. Mac stopped suddenly and fought the urge to break the lizard's arm. She glared daggers at him and then down at the offending hand. Lindsey looked down at her arm and then back at her.
"I'm sorry," Lindsey said semi-apologetically as he let go of her arm.
"You touch me like that again and you will be." Mac almost growled still glaring at him before trying her best not to stalk away from him as she turned away and headed inside.
0834 Local_1334 Zulu
Harmon Rabb Junior's Office
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm was going over with Coates a list of potential witnesses for an upcoming investigation into reports of a malfunction with the Heads-Up Display [HUD] on all F-14s.
AJ had given him this to help take his mind off the joint JAG-NCIS investigation and Teddy Lindsey prowling around JAG Headquarters. But the Admiral had also told him to let Coates do more of the legwork on this case, so he was helping her narrow down the list of good witnesses when Sturgis Turner knocked on his door jamb.
"I trust I'm not interrupting anything crucial," Sturgis said good-naturedly. Jennifer gave him a small smile to let him know his humor was not lost on her.
Harm gave him a friendly grin. "Not at all Sturg, I was just helping Coates narrow down a list of potential witnesses,"
"That case regarding the malfunctioning Heads-Up Display on Tomcats? I heard about the Admiral giving you that one,"
"The Admiral asked that Coates do more of the background work with all that was going on in the office right now," Harm added.
The former Dolphin nodded. "I'm not surprised," He held up sheet of paper from a message pad. "Can you tell me who this Commander Lindsey is? He's left three messages for me already this morning."
Jennifer made a face. Harm took his cue from that and the puzzled look on his old academy buddy's face.
"Ah Commander Theodore Lindsey, he was Admiral Brovo's aide when I first came here, then became acting JAG, TAD, then he, uh, moved into SECNAV Nelson's administration and seems to have wormed his way into the new one and now it seems he's out to get the Admiral."
The Preacher's son shook his head. "Well I can't wait to meet his acquaintance."
1002 Local_1502 Zulu
Commander Harmon Rabb Junior's Office
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
The interview session with Commander Rabb started icily enough and got worse from there.
The questioning of Harmon Rabb, Junior hit the usual brick walls, but the investigators could tell Commander was not telling all he knew for some reason. While his generally uncooperative attitude was not bothering Jack, Faith did not like his sarcasm and stonewalling one little bit. After all, she was trying to help prove his innocence in this investigation. The stunned SJA Major watched as Faith Coleman got right up in the Commander's face. Up to now, she had said little, letting Jack ask the lion's share of the questions.
"It's my turn to ask you some questions, Commander. What happened that night at Benzinger's bar?"
Harm sighed when he saw she wasn't going to be intimidated by his rank. "I met with Lieutenant Singer, we argued, she left, I followed her outside, we argued some more in her car." He said flatly while looking at her.
Faith glanced at her notes before renewing her assault. "And that was when you phoned your brother using your cell phone?" Truth be known, Faith Coleman didn't see it as an assault, she was trying to give him a chance to come clean before he had to answer these kinds of questions during a court martial. Which unfortunately was where this was headed.
How the heck did she find that out? Harm tried his best to appear aloof. "Yeah, I wanted to be there when she told him it wasn't his baby. I wanted to look into her eyes." He tried look defiant.
Faith gave him a thin smile. Finally, he was letting her help. "Because you didn't believe her."
Harm gave her a faint smile in return. "I rarely believed anything Lieutenant Singer said."
Faith flipped few sheets and looked back at him, her smile gone. "I've read your preliminary interview with Gibbs. Why didn't you tell him your story?"
Harm sighed again. She was good. There was no other choice but to tell her the truth. "I was protecting my brother." He said quietly.
Before Jack could say anything Faith began admonishing him. "There's enough evidence to tie you to this case, Commander. And a string of witnesses. Your colleagues will testify to angry words between you and Lieutenant Singer right up to the time of her near death. Why don't you come clean with us Commander? Who tried to kill her, Commander? Who tried to kill the Lieutenant?"
Harm looked at both investigators sitting in front of him. Impasse.
Jack McBurney had hoped that Rabb would make this easy, just admit to trying to kill her, that way it would all be over with and they could lead him into custody. Otherwise, Gibbs would have another crack at him.
"I have no idea," the Commander said regret filling his voice because he knew it looked bad for him.
1131 Local_ 1621 Zulu
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Bethesda, Maryland
It was Loren's first day walking around. Her doctors, consulting with Dr. Mallard, were reluctant to let get her up before now, due to her pregnancy. They wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong with the child. But now that her attending physician had okayed it, they wanted her to get up and moving as much as possible.
She had already walked with a nurse and her guard earlier in the morning. She wanted to walk with Jimmy, but he hadn't shown up today, which frankly had her worried. In fact she hadn't seen him since Special Agent Gibbs' last visit.
Tired of waiting for Jimmy or Dr. Mallard to show up, Loren decided to take a walk by herself around the floor. This afternoon they would be sending her to Occupational Therapy, so she wanted to get used to walking again. She waved off the guard who started to accompany her, telling him she was just going down the hall and back.
The Lance Corporal nodded his acceptance but then began to follow her at a distance making sure that he didn't notice her. His orders were clear. Protect the Lieutenant from harm. Someone had tried to kill her once. They might try to kill her again.
"Oof, kid, you have the makings of a sumo wrestler," she said to her belly as she tried not to waddle as she walked.
As she continued down the hall past several open doors she could hear a little girl talking animatedly at the far end. The sound of the girl's voice intrigued her.
"An we gots ta goh ice skatin'…."
"Anna! Don't talk so loudly honey, there are sick people here!" That was obviously the girl's exasperated mother.
"Sorry Mommie, I jus wan'ned Daddie ta hear me." The girl said apologetically. After a moment she spoke again. "He wooks wike he's asweep…"
"He can hear everything you say honey," the mother said to her, "so you don't have to shout."
As Loren neared the origin of the two voices, she could hear the beeping of the heart monitor coming from the room. It had been masked by other noises when she was further down the hall.
An image popped into her head as she drew closer. She could see a blond haired woman lying on a hospital bed. Her face was mottled with yellow, red and purple bruises and she had two black eyes.
'Buh I wanna talk wif Mommie!'
'Mommie's sleeping honey, we have to let her sleep and get better…'
Loren shook her head which caused her to become light-headed. As she passed the open doorway she could see a cute dark headed little four year old looking at her father who was obviously in a coma.
For a moment the image blurred and she could see a four year old version of herself, one arm in a cast, holding onto her mother's hand as she lay in the bed.
When Loren stopped to take a closer look, the scene reverted to the little girl and her Dad. The little girl was quietly telling her father all the things she had done yesterday.
The girl's mother sensed there was someone watching and looked up from her vigil. "Yes?"
"I'm sorry," Loren said contritely "I heard the little girl and-"
The woman shook her head. "No, I'm the one who should apologize. Anna sometimes has a hard time remembering to use her indoor voice." She gave Loren a pleasant smile. "You're about five months along, right?" She said indicating with her eyes that she was talking about Loren's unborn child.
"Yes," Loren found herself flattered that someone besides nurses, Dr. Mallard and Jimmy had noticed that she was pregnant. "The doctor says I'm in my 20th week."
"Oh, I remember those days," the woman said sympathetically as she stood. "I'm Claire, by the way, Claire Rason."
"Laurie, Laurie Singer." She reached out and shook hands with Claire as she walked over.
At that moment Anna looked up and saw Laurie. "Hel'lo"
"Hi Anna." Laurie replied with a bright smile
The child's eyes immediately went to her tummy bulge. "Is yoor babie sweepin?"
"Yes she is," Lauren replied not sure if that was the right thing to say, but if the girl was satisfied that was good enough for her.
"Can'nigh touch'er?"
Claire looked momentarily shocked, but Laurie signaled the mother with her expression that it was all right. "Sure, come on over here."
Anna hopped off her chair and walked over to Laurie, putting her hand on her nightgown covered belly. "Hi babie," Anna whispered to the unborn child as she patted her swollen stomach.
Laurie felt a lump form in her throat as tears filled her eyes. Claire's eyes were brimming with tears as well.
Laurie started to swipe at her tears, causing Claire to walk back the table by her husband's bed and grab a tissue box. "Anna honey, come back over here." She gave Laurie a tissue to wipe her eyes.
Anna turned and walked toward the bed but then stopped and turned back to Laurie. "Bye babie," she said softly and then sat down on the chair next to her father. "Daddie? Laurie wans ta say hel'lo."
She looked from her father to Laurie. Laurie wasn't sure what to do.
"His name is Andrew," Claire informed her. "He's a Corporal in the Marine Corps."
Laurie nodded and moved closer to the bed. "Hello Andrew," she said softly. "Corporal Rason, I'm Laurie, Laurie Singer."
"Shee's preg'nan Daddie," the little girl stage whispered to her father. "Her wittle gurl wans ta say hi too."
Laurie smiled at that, frankly she thought it was funny that the child thought her unborn child was a girl. She noticed a look of pain and anguish cross Claire's face as she looked at her husband.
Laurie regretted staying as long as she had. It was apparent this was not a good time for visitors. "I'm sorry, I should leave."
Claire shook her head. "No. Thank you, for stopping by…Andrew was in a car accident," she explained "They put him in a drug induced coma several days ago in hopes it would help him recover." She bit her lower lip to keep from weeping and turned back toward her husband.
Laurie put her hand on the woman's shoulder. "I wish there was something I could do-"
"Daddie!"
Laurie and Claire turned to see Andrew Rason's eyes flutter open, much to the delight of Anna.
1402 Local_1902 Zulu
Conference Room Two
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Sturgis Turner extended his hand as he stepped into the conference room. "Commander Lindsey? Sturgis Turner, I've been looking forward to meeting you,"
"Oh Commander, I'm sure you've heard a lot about me," Commander Lindsey said jovially as they shook hands. He just knew that Rabb and the others had told him the vile Teddy Lindsey.
"Oh only what a capable investigator you are," Sturgis replied in such a voice and tone that it could not be mistaken for sarcasm.
Teddy was genuinely surprised by this. "Thank you," he replied. Then he got right to the reason he had wanted to talk to him. After all, this man might be on his side and he didn't want to waste his time. "Commander you joined this office recently, what were your first impressions?"
Sturgis shook his head sadly. "To be honest Commander, I could not believe what I was seeing. Commander Rabb dumping aircraft, Colonel MacKenzie rerouting an entire air-sea rescue based on a hunch…"
Teddy couldn't believe what he was hearing. "It's outrageous," He emphatically agreed with the Preacher's son.
"Rabb and Lieutenant Roberts flying to Australia at the drop of a hat," Sturgis continued as if he was truly disappointed in his fellow officers.
Teddy couldn't believe his good fortune. "Uh excuse me, do you mind if I record this?"
"Oh I wish you would," Sturgis said trying to sound as grave as possible.
Teddy Lindsey was almost giddy with delight. At last someone else within JAGC that would willingly help him. He walked over to the table and picked up his recorder. Teddy nodded to Sturgis indicating the tape was rolling, "As you were saying,"
"I was saying that this group of people has one of the most unorthodox interpersonal dynamics of any group I've ever worked with, which can be the only explanation for its exemplary track record." Theodore Lindsey's grin faded like ice in the sun as he realized the former Dolphin had deliberately misled him.
This is not what he had expected at all from Commander Turner. He thought they were on the same side. "You like working here," Teddy Lindsey said without emotion.
Sturgis fought hard to keep from smiling. "I trust you are going to add that to your report,"
"Don't worry Commander, your voice will be heard," Teddy Lindsey said stoically as he clicked off the tape recorder.
-TBC…