Chapter 9

AJ left the office with his briefcase in his hand and his cover tucked under his arm. He passed Coates without a word and almost cringed when she called the traditional, "Admiral on deck!" Everyone in the bullpen came to attention and stayed that way as AJ passed through the room without saying a word. He went directly to the elevator and left the building without speaking to anyone.

The SECNAV asked the Petty Officer in AJ's outer office to call in Lieutenant Commander Roberts to see him right away. Moments later Bud arrived, was announced, and admitted to the office. Standing at attention Bud waited to find out what was going on. Something was up and all the office was abuzz about it as soon as the SECNAV had arrived and then just a short time later the Admiral leaving the way he had. "Lieutenant, I am assigning you a case. I know that there isn't a lawyer in this office that would want to take this one, therefore, I'm making it an order."

"I'll do my best. What is the case Sir?"

"Admiral Chegwidden has been charged with sexual harassment of someone in this office. You will be prosecuting the case. Here is the file and I expect nothing less than your best work on this, Lieutenant!" Sheffield said as he handed over the file to Bud, and then added, "You will investigate the case and if the allegations are found to be true you will pursue justice in the matter to the fullest extent of your ability!"

"Admiral Chegwidden? I just can't believe that to be true Sir! There has to be some mistake!" Bud protested.

"There's no mistake, Lieutenant. I wouldn't have come here unless there was some credence to the charges. You will investigate without allowing your personal feelings to influence you in this matter! Am I understood?"

"Yes, Sir! And if the allegations are not founded, Sir?"

"Then the charges will be dropped and no more will be heard of the matter! Are there any further questions, Lieutenant?"

"No Sir, not at this time. I can refer any questions to Colonel Mackenzie, she'll be in charge while Admiral Chegwidden is out of the office, won't she?"

"No Lieutenant, I'm afraid that she won't. When you read the file, you will find that she is involved in the case. I am leaving Commander Rabb in charge."

"Oh, yes Sir!"

"Dismissed Lieutenant!" Bud left the office, surprised that his legs would carry him. He was so shocked that he didn't know quite what to do.

Going to his office he sat down and began to read the file that the SECNAV had given him. He was even more shocked when he finished than when he had started. His first stop would be to talk to Colonel Mackenzie and then he would have to face Admiral Chegwidden with the charges.

Bud got to his feet and headed to Mac's office, he needed to talk to her before he could do anything else. He just didn't know what he was going to say to her! Finding her sitting at her desk reading something on her computer monitor, he knocked on the door jam and waited to be acknowledged.

"Hi, Bud, come on in, what can I do for you?" Mac said cheerfully, she'd had her four cups of coffee already this morning and was ready to face the day.

Entering her office he closed the door, walking across the small room as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders, he took a seat.

Mac looked at him strangely, this was not normal behavior for Bud, "Bud what's wrong? You look like you just lost your best friend?…Oh god is something wrong with Harriett or one of the children? Is it the twins?" She got up from her seat and came around the desk to sit in the chair next to Bud's and put her arm around his shoulders.

"No, Ma'am, I got my next assignment from the SECNAV this morning, and I'm supposed to investigate to see if there are grounds to file charges against Admiral Chegwidden for sexual harassment…"

Rearing back and dropping her arm from his shoulders, Mac gasped and exclaimed, "Bud you have to be kidding! The Admiral? There is no way that he would ever do something like that! Who in the world would accuse him of such a thing?!"

To Be Continued….