Chapter 8

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

0730 EST

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

When AJ arrived at his usual early hour he was surprised to find Ensign Eloise Yancy already there. She had been brought in to take Harriett's place when she had left active service to stay at home and raise her family. There was coffee made in the break room and it was just the way he liked it. He greeted the Ensign and then thanked her for the coffee as he headed to his office. Once there it hit him that a couple of mornings last week he had noticed that she had been in the office when he arrived. It was unusual for anyone other that Mac to be there any before the dot of 0800.

At 0800 EST Petty Officer Jennifer Coates buzzed through on the intercom to announce that the SECNAV was there to see the Admiral. AJ was shocked and concerned as to what this could be about, he knew that they didn't have an appointment. Then he thought that it might have something to do with his meeting at the White House on Saturday. All this ran through his head as he walked to the door to open it and greet Edward Sheffield.

"Admiral, we need to talk privately," Sheffield said before AJ could get a word out.

"Yes, Sir, come into my office," AJ offered and stood aside to let Sheffield go in first. Then he said to Jen, "No calls, Petty Officer."

"Yes Sir!" she said.

Once the office door was closed, Sheffield turned to AJ and said, "I hate to be the one to do this AJ, but I wouldn't allow anyone else to do so. I'm afraid that I have to inform you that there has been a report of sexual harassment by someone under your command."

Sheffield had only paused for a moment to take a breath before going on, but AJ didn't know that and interjected, "Someone in this office? I don't believe it! We're a well oiled team here, almost like a family, I just can't believe that anyone here would do something like that!"

"Then this is going to come as even more of a shock than I thought it would. The charges have been drawn up and I'm afraid I am going to have to put you on leave status until this matter is settled. You see, AJ, the complaint is that you have been harassing someone in this office."

"This is some kind of joke, right?" AJ asked incredulously.

"No I'm afraid that it's not. I am going to have to ask you to leave the office now and Commander Rabb will be in charge until the matter is settled."

"Rabb? Why not Colonel Mackenzie? She's my Chief of Staff, she would be better suited to being left in charge!"

"She can't be AJ, she's involved in the case as well," Sheffield told him.

"Mac?! Are you trying to tell me that Mac…Colonel Mackenzie has accused me of sexual harassment?"

"No, I'm not trying to tell you that, I can't talk about the case any more than I already have with you. Suffice to say that she is involved and that you will be meeting with the prosecuting attorney as soon as I have briefed him on the case. I suggest that you contact your attorney."

"This is some kind of nightmare! There is no way that I would ever do something like that Mr. Secretary! I thought that you knew me better than that!"

"What I know has no bearing on the case. Someone has brought these charges and they have to be investigated, just like any other charges of this kind would be. You must understand that."

"Yes, I understand that and believe it to be true, but everyone has a right to face his accuser and I would like to know whom that is in this case," AJ stated trying to remain calm.

"All that will be revealed to you when the charges are presented, AJ. I'd like to tell you more, I know how you must be feeling, but I just can't."

"No Sir, with all due respect, I don't think that you can know how I am feeling, unless someone has brought these kinds of charges on you before!" he declared as he moved to his desk to gather up his things in preparation to leaving his office while these ridiculous charges were sorted out.

To Be Continued….