Chapter 19

Putting those thoughts out of his head, AJ asked, "Mac would you like to pick your car up before lunch or after we've been to Harm's place?"

"With how emotional that trip will be, I think I could…might need…" she trailed off.

"I understand Mac," he offered gently. "I'll pick you up at 1130, alright?"

"Yes Sir, I'll see you then."

"It was AJ last night Mac, and under the circumstances, I think that could continue out of the office, don't you?"

"I think so, thank you AJ. I'll see you soon."

"Yes," he agreed and hung up. Making a light breakfast he read the paper then caught up on some household chores before leaving to pick up Mac. He arrived to find that they looked like they had coordinated their outfits. He was in black cords; she was in black dress pants. He had on a sweater in shades of gray with a stripe pattern; her sweater was also in grays with a diamond pattern. However considering the circumstances of the day, it wasn't odd they'd both chosen black and gray attire.

She just smiled sadly at him and said she was ready to go. AJ helped her into her coat and escorted her to the Escalade; he kept a hand under her elbow since it had started to snow. He didn't want her to slip and fall.

Once settled into the vehicle, Mac said, "I wonder how Mattie is doing today?"

"I don't imagine very well. Amazing as it was that Harm took on a ward, those two were really good for each other. I think he did a lot of growing up and it allowed her to go back to being a child instead of shouldering all the responsibilities she'd taken on."

"Yes, that was how I saw it too. I was so proud of him for what he did for her," Mac wiped away a quiet tear.

AJ, seeing her action, reached out and took her hand, giving it a quick squeeze, he said, "We all were Mac."

"AJ, with the way things turned out…there won't be any problem for Jen because of what she admitted yesterday…will there?"

"Do you think he knew how she felt?"

"I doubt it, I think if Harm thought of her as more than a co-worker, it might have been as an older sister to Mattie."

"But as you say, with how things turned out, there's no reason to compound her pain with anything more."

"Thank you AJ," Mac said, squeezing his hand that still held hers.

A few minutes later they arrived at the restaurant. Greetings were made and condolences were offered. Trish told them that the coroner had promised the autopsy results would be in by Monday. Harm would be buried in Arlington next to his father. Chaplain Turner would perform the service and Trish asked any of them that would like to, to say a few words at the service, which was scheduled for Tuesday morning.

Most of them were wondering why Mattie wasn't there. Jen explained that she hadn't wanted to tell Mattie that foul play was suspected in Harm's death, until they knew for sure. She wanted to ask everyone to refrain from mentioning it at the apartment after lunch. Everyone agreed, even though Mattie was mature beyond her years in some areas, there was no need to put more on her young shoulders until they knew for certain something was amiss. After that, talk around the table turned to shared memories of Harm as they ate.

Trish listened as her son's friends and co-workers talked and told stories about him. She marveled at the companionship and love these people felt for her son. Often during the meal she would find herself dabbing at her eyes. Frank's arm would come around her shoulders and he would give her a quick hug. Admiral Chegwidden who was sitting on her other side would give her hand a light squeeze.

By the time the meal was over and they were all ready to head over to Harm's apartment, everyone had shared at least one story about Harm with his mother. There were so many good ones that she'd never heard before. One of her favorites was how Harm had shot up the courtroom ceiling. Another was when Mac told about how he'd fought to get custody of Mattie. Trish had never met her son's ward, but they had talked on the phone a couple of times. She was looking forward to meeting Mattie at the apartment.

Even though everyone was meeting at the apartment, when AJ and Mac arrived, they found themselves alone in the hall facing Harm's door. AJ was slightly behind her when Mac stopped, even though the door was ajar, she didn't push it open to go inside. "He won't be in there," she said softly.

To be continued…..