A Heart Torn

A Charah Tale

By Lord Rapier

Edited and guided by CliffM

Chapter 4

He's going to kill me

Casey shakes his head and talks out loud to himself, "He's gonna kill me if I let her get near him," he shrugs his shoulders, "Oh well you only die once, it might as well be for love." Casey continues his conversation internally, if it hadn't been for him, I would never have had my time with Ilse. I owe him for that, and a whole lot more, but he's going to kill me, no doubt. Well sleep isn't going to happen, might as well search that asshole's quarters and get caught up on that guy I shot.

Casey sits at his desk and dials the bridge, "Bridge, Boatswain Mate of the Watch, how can I help you?"

"This is General Casey; do you have a 20 on the CO?"

"One moment Sir, OOD General Casey is asking for the location of the CO?"

The OOD takes the phone, "Hello General, this is the OOD, Lieutenant Calavicci, the skipper left word if you were looking for him, he's in his At Sea cabin with the MAA."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Please give him a call let him know I'm on my way."

"Aye, aye Sir. I'll alert him."

Casey looks in the mirror, it's been a while since he wore fatigues. He pulls his gun out of the holster, wipes it down, and reloads the magazine. Opening the door, he wonders to himself, do I really miss this shit…? oh hell yeah. Smiling he walks out into the passageway and heads towards the CO's cabin. His mind is running through the last twenty-four hours, trying to make sense of what he knows, shaking his head, frustrated.

Arriving at the Captain's cabin, Casey knocks three times, When he hears a voice say enter, he opens the door and walks in, "Welcome General, you remember our Chief Master at Arms, Pete Malloy?" The chief stands up. Casey walks over and shakes the chief's hand, "We met briefly but not formally. Sorry for all the paperwork Chief." Casey notices another man who also stood, he turns towards him and offers his hand, "And this is?"

The man answers, "Fire Control Technician Master Chief Disher, Master Chief of the Command, Senior enlisted on board."

Casey nods, turning back to the MAA, "Have you identified the crewman I shot?"

Malloy responds quickly, "That's affirmative General, Airman Apprentice Spakeman. Reported on board 3 months ago, his jacket is thin. What action do you want me to take? Protocol dictates notifying NCIS."

Casey nods his head, "I'd like to keep this in house as long as possible. Tell me Pete, can you buy me some time?"

The MAA smiles, a General just called him by his first name, "Well Sir I am a terrible typist. Could take me upwards of 24 hours to get the report together and send it off. That's assuming there's a COD available to carry the evidence to Rota."

Casey lightly punches his shoulder, "Good man, I'm going to delay you just a little longer. Have a team search Master Chief's locker and rack ASAP. I want all electronic devices and paperwork marked as evidence and feel free to tear his property apart. Then write him up for disobeying an order from a senior officer."

Disher listening as the exchange takes place, "What the hell do you think you're doing? I'm the Master Chief of the Command."

Casey turns to the CO, "Do you mind if I sit Captain? It's been a long day. Looks like it's going to get longer."

Kirk waves his hand at an armchair, "Please General, make yourself comfortable."

Casey settles in, "MAA please add disrespect to that report chit. Master Chief first let me say, I appreciate a direct person. I don't go for pussy footing around, so let me be direct with you. Are you an enlisted man?"

The Master Chief sputters, "Senior enlisted on board."

Casey leans back and taking a cigar out of his pocket places it in his mouth, "I don't know who's idea it was to put out the smoking lamp permanently. I'd love to have ten minutes alone with him in the line locker (the line locker is the place where the ropes used to tie up the ship are stowed at sea. It's where sailors used to go to settle their differences in private). I'm sorry Senior Chief, you were about to explain how you're allowed to violate my orders. Do you feel that I lack proper judgement?"

Disher is clearly aghast, as he shakes his head, "No disrespect General, but it's Master Chief."

Casey sits up, "Are you sure? I would think an E9 would know better than to violate the orders of a Captain and a General. Is that the lesson you intend to teach the junior enlisted? Do you want to teach those sailors under you that if you think you have enough juice you can disobey the orders of an officer? Personally, I feel that you've disrespected me in front of witnesses, a whole ship's crew to be exact. Before you respond I want you to think about how far you think your ego is going to carry you here," Disher stands silently. Casey nods, "See now I respect your judgement. I ordered all enlisted personnel confined to quarters how is it you're standing in front of me? Captain Kirk did you countermand my orders?"

Kirk responds, "Negative General, I did not."

"So, tell me Master Chief of the Command, how do you come to be standing in front of me, disobeying my order?" Disher is silent.

"Your Captain, the Chief Master at Arms and I will discuss whether you're a Senior Chief or will remain a Master Chief. You're dismissed and if I find out that you've said one negative word about me, or either of the gentlemen in this room, you will have my personal attention. If even one crewman stonewalls me, or this investigation, and I trace it back to you, I will have you up on obstruction charges. Since I just gave you an order, we'll add disobeying a second order from a senior officer. How do you feel about my judgement now Master Chief of the Command? As I said you're dismissed and confined to quarters."

Disher turns to face the Captain who points towards the door, "Chief please escort Master Chief to his quarters, have him remain outside while you conduct your search of his belongings."

The MAA nods his head, "Aye, aye, Skipper."

The CO nods, "Good, make that happen, while you're at it write up those charges. I'll let you know if we'll be using them."

Disher walks out shoulders bent, followed by the MAA. Casey shakes his head, "Captain I seem to do a lot of apologizing around here. Hope I didn't cause you too much hassle."

The Captain waves his hand, "Nothing I can't handle. I am a little concerned as to why he wants you unarmed. He's been demanding I take your firearm since the assassination attempt in the showers. He was adamant that you do not have a weapon. Claimed you're a danger to the crew." The Captain sits back and bridges his fingers tapping them on his chin, "Casey what the hell is happening on my ship?"

Casey considers for a moment, "I'm not going to lie to you Jim, it could be bad. I have some thoughts, nothing concrete. I won't be sure of anything until I hear from Chuck. I also asked Walker to do a deep dive on your entire crew. Justice is doing the same thing back home. I'm hoping that we're going to find some of the pieces to the puzzle in this search. It might be a good idea to assign an armed guard to travel with you"

Kirk comes around his desk and sits closer to Casey, "Speaking of Walker. She's quite the attractive CIA Officer, you two seemed… um, friendly."

Casey throws his head back and laughs, "I think that's called discretion." He laughs again, "Not what you're thinking. You don't want to get involved with that lady unless you enjoy walking into a buzzsaw that's been dipped in liquid nitrogen. I've known her for a while, nothing I can discuss. She is damn good at what she does, truth is, best I've ever worked with. I would have her on my six any day. Since I've known her, I've only met one man able to thaw her out… she tore his heart out of his chest. He's still a mess." Casey gets a sad look on his face and shakes his head, "Not why we're here. How about we search the Admiral's quarters?"

The men head out to tear apart the Admiral's stateroom. Casey is hoping his gut was right, but at the same time wishing it wasn't. Visions of Fulcrum and the Ring swirl through his mind. I need to get Walker to check on Shaw, Make sure he's still off the streets. I'm sure she'll love that.

The walk to the stateroom isn't far, but far enough for the Captain to express his concerns, "Well Casey, I'm guessing my career is over now. Sabotage, extortion, a shooting, all on my watch. No matter how this shakes out, I'm finished."

Casey is sympathetic, "That would be the military way, but maybe not. Do you have enough time in?"

Kirk nods as they approach the Admiral's stateroom, "Yeah, I've got my twenty, but this isn't exactly how I wanted to go out."

Casey is reassuring as he says, "Tell you what, if you get the short end of the stick look up Carmichael Industries. I know the Head of Security. I'll put in a word for you. He can always use a capable man; I happen to know he's hiring…"

Casey is interrupted by a ruckus coming from around the next corner, "I'm telling you Ma'am I don't care who you are, nobody is going to enter this space while I'm standing here"

As the men turn the corner Casey sees the guard reach for his weapon as Sarah Walker's body tenses. Casey yells out "SAILOR, keep that weapon holstered before she makes it a permanent part of your anatomy."

Sarah turns when she hears the voice, "Well it's about time you got here."

Casey is enraged, "Petty Officer, grab a cup of coffee, be back here in two hours."

The Petty Officer snaps tall, "Aye, aye Sir, two hours," he takes off clearly relieved to be out of there.

Casey turns his attention to Sarah, "Walker, I warned you about crossing lines. Give me one reason why I don't have you swimming in the next five minutes."

Sarah looks at Kirk, "Can I talk?"

Casey simply says, "Four minutes thirty seconds."

Sarah walks over to the two men and lowers her voice, "We looked into the Admiral. He has an account in the Caymans. A million dollars was deposited four months ago. We're finding connections that still need to be looked at. I wanted to get a look at his gear."

Casey glares at her, "Is there some reason you didn't bring this to me, two minutes, twenty seconds?"

Sarah looks shocked, "I'm sorry General I didn't realize that we were on the same team. You know? Where I scratch your back, so he'll scratch mine."

Casey grunts and turns to Kirk, "Captain, please arrange for a rubber raft and two paddles for Head of Station Walker and her partner. She needs to get back ashore as soon as possible to look for a new job."

Sarah gets close up, bumping Casey's chest and craning her neck to look him right in the eye. "You're too late General, I've already put in my papers. Once this crisis is over, I'm going home. You want my cooperation? You know what I want."

Casey growls, "Fine I'll help you. You can say thanks at my funeral because he's going to kill me."

Kirk shakes his head, "You were not lying. Buzzsaw aye."

Walker glares at Kirk, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Casey steps in between them, "It means Walker, that you're a pain in the ass, and I warned him. Please tell me, by home, you mean DC?"

Sarah turns and heads to the door, "Oh, that's no big deal. Can we get to work now? Nope not DC."

Casey shakes his head, "Well Jim, you just witnessed a man committing suicide. Batman is going to kill me."

Sarah turns on her heels, "He is Batman. Yes, I knew it. Let's get this done. I have to shower and get ready to meet Batman." She claps her hands with glee.

Kirk shakes his head and whispers to Casey, "Is she a twin? That can't the same woman who just got in your face. Oh shit! It's Batman! He's the mess!"

Casey nods and puts his finger to his lips. "Okay Captain, if you're okay with it, here's how I'd like to handle this. You'll go in the stateroom search an item, pass it to me. I'll search it then pass it to Walker. It'll take time but based on what she just told us we can't afford to miss anything. Let's start with the clothes off his back.

Before we do that Jim would you get on the horn and have your ship's office go through your crews' records, enlisted and officers? Have all personnel who have reported in the last six months located. I want to know where they are. I think we may be narrowing things down."

Kirk steps into the cabin and places that call to the Ships Office and relays Casey's instructions to the PNC (Chief Petty Officer Personnelman).

Casey turns to Walker, "How about getting with Rizzo and your office and have them start reviewing the crew. Maybe cross reference with Justice, and the Ship's on-board records. This is no time for agency turf wars." Sarah follows Kirk in and uses the phone to call Zondra.

The three put on latex gloves in order to preserve any evidence including DNA, prints or trace, and begin to search item by item. Each item is handled three times. Clothing, books, awards all torn apart, yielding nothing. Casey starts to get concerned. He went against a two-star based on his gut, there has to be something. Casey looks at Sarah, "Two hours and nothing. I know in my gut; this guy is wrong."

Sarah pats him on the shoulder, "I trust your instincts, let's check the room."

The three of them start to tear the stateroom apart. Peeling back panels, opening vents, shredding the mattress and cushions.

The Petty Officer returns for a second time, "It's been four hours Sir. My watch is over."

Casey collapses onto a metal desk chair, tired and dejected, Sarah looks at him and feels helpless, then… "John the chair." Sarah points to scratch marks near the foot of the chair. Casey jumps up and flips the chair over, there are clearly scratch marks near two of the feet on the chair.

Casey holds his hand up, "Walker, knife." Sarah hands Casey a knife that seemingly comes out of nowhere. Casey pries one of the feet off and turns the chair over. A thumb drive falls out, Casey laughs. He continues laughing as he pries the other feet off. He turns the chair over and there is a total of three thumb drives. "Walker, you just came through again. Glad some things don't change."

Sarah smiles, "It's what we do partner."

Casey stands up, "Yeah I know, but he's still gonna kill me." He hugs Sarah, "It's good to have you back, but he is going to kill me."

Sarah hugs him back, "Don't sell me short, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I may have a shot; I know it's small. I'm betting that he misses us too."

Casey shakes his head, "Walker, you're going to need black magic. In any case, he's going to be very pissed at me."

Sarah smiles, "Well John, I may have some magic you don't know about. How about right now we avert a nuclear disaster?"

Casey turns to the CO, "Jim we need to establish chain of custody on those drives, then get them to Carmichael."

Sarah looks at Casey amused, "Carmichael, seriously, that's the big secret. Seriously Carmichael." She smacks Casey's chest, "How did you ever come up with that cover?" They both laugh, as Kirk looks on bewildered.

The MAA shows up with evidence bags and log. Malloy and Kirk place each of the drives in separate bags. Seal them and they both sign across the seals, Then log them in, all by the book.

While they're taking care of business, Casey signals Sarah to join him in the passageway. "Walker, did you bring your bad cop clothes?"

A huge smile grows on Sarah's face, "Really? How far can I go?"

Casey shrugs, "Well, we believe he's part of a plot to blow up half of Europe. We need info fast. Um, one more question, do you have a twenty on your ex?"

Sarah looks puzzled, "I thought he was in the server room."

Casey shakes his head, "I mean the zombie."

Sarah looks disgusted, "Ugh! God John, wasn't the tuxedo crack enough? Go on. I deserve it."

Casey smiles, "While I know that is something I would do. That's not what I'm doing. This has his stink all over it. Is he still accounted for?"

Sarah shrugs, "Last I heard he was locked up tight. I'll go back to my quarters check on Zondra and make a call on my secure line. I'll be outside the brig when you're ready for me, say half an hour?"

Casey nods, "Be careful around the server room, there's still a kill order on you."

Sarah is shocked, "You weren't joking?"

Casey shakes his head, "Shoot to kill orders, within 20 feet. Seal team, his orders. And Walker he doesn't need a gun to finish you. Remember Batman's Identity is still need to know."

Sarah takes a step back, "John, you're scaring me. Has he changed that much?"

Casey puts his hands on her shoulders, "Only for you sweetheart, only for you. He hates you as much as he loves you, if not more. I'll keep my promise, but you have to be patient. Nuclear threat first. He can't be distracted right now, okay?"

Sarah nods, "See you soon. Casey, are you going to put in a good word for me?"

Casey takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out, "Sorry Walker, you walked away and left me to pick up the pieces. Not sure I can have your back on this one. I'm going out on a limb just letting you get near him. That's already more stink than I want on me. Your mess, you're gonna have to clean it up… or not. See you soon."

As Sarah walks away, Casey turns back into the stateroom, looks at the sealed evidence bags, "Okay Jim, Pete, I think it's time we talk to the Admiral." Turning around he finds the guard standing patiently, "Sorry Petty Officer I got distracted. Do me a favor before you stand down. Contact the OOD tell him I asked to arrange for a small working party. to throw this crap back in this room."

The Petty Officer pops tall, "Aye, aye General. Working party coming up. I'll supervise personally."

Casey smiles, he reads the name over the sailors pocket "Good man Rose. Thanks for the assist."

Sarah heads to her office to make that phone call. She's feeling hopeful, as she walks through the passageways her thought are filled with Chuck. Casey is going to help me see him, maybe, just maybe he will forgive me. My hope is more positive than my expectations. I can't blame him for hating me, I didn't even have a good reason for leaving, I'm a trained assassin, I've faced death hundreds of times. Here I am claiming that I got scared off by a nerd who loves me. I didn't even want to be Station Chief. I didn't even want to stay in the agency. When that escape route showed up, I jumped without even thinking. I said terrible things to him, broke every promise I made. I can't blame him if he doesn't forgive me, take me back, marry me. I want to have a family with him more than anything I've ever wanted. Why didn't I call him, apologize, beg him to take me back right away? Sarah shakes her head at her own thoughts. Because I'm a coward that's why. The thought of what I did to him was more than I could face. She takes a deep breath, maybe I still can't.

Approaching her quarters, she catches a glimpse of a figure in Khaki's running away from the area. A tall man with dark hair. Sarah finds the door to her stateroom open. Zondra is lying on the deck, her head bloodied. Sarah slams the door behind her locking it. Drawing her gun, she checks out the small compartment to make sure she's alone. Satisfied, she holsters her gun and kneels next to Zondra touching her neck to check for a pulse. She feels a pulse and grabs the ships phone, dialing the bridge. "Bridge…" Sarah cuts in, "This is Agent Walker, I have a woman down in my quarters. I need a medic here ASAP. Alert the Officer of the Deck that she was attacked and there's an assailant loose on the ship. What's your name?"

The Boatswains mate responds, "Theem, Ma'am."

"Well, Theem, if I don't have a medic here in 5 minutes your name will be on a report. Move."

No sooner does she hang up the phone then she hears the word passed, "Medical emergency, officer's quarters, female guest stateroom. This is not a drill. Medical emergency, officer's quarters, female guest stateroom. This is not a drill." Casey and the CO are about to head for the brig when they hear the word, Casey charges out of the room and heads for Sarah's quarters. It's just down the passageway. He moves quickly for a large man avoiding knee knockers and head bangers as he runs, his Desert Eagle in hand.

Arriving at Sarah's door, he bangs on the door. Sarah levels her gun at the door, "Who is it?"

"It's me Casey."

"Prove it."

Casey lowers his voice and whispers, "Is Mary, Okay?"

The door flies open. Sarah moves aside so Casey can see Zondra prone on the deck. He backs out of the doorway and watches the passageway, gun drawn. Standing opposite the open door moving his head back and forth, "What do you have?"

Sarah joins him in the passageway. Each of them watching the other's back, guns drawn. "Not much I opened the door and there she was. Looks like she was pistol whipped from behind. How someone could get close enough to Z to do that is beyond me. She's breathing, but she took a hard knock."

There are sounds coming down the passageway and an officer appears, Sarah yells out "Hold it right there. Identify yourself."

The woman drops her bag and puts her hands up, "Ship's Doctor, Lieutenant Jaimie Kildare."

Sarah waves her closer, "Approach me slowly. Do you mind if I search you for weapons?"

The doctor shakes her head, "No, that's fine."

Sarah pats her down, checks her bag and allows her in the room, "Is anyone else coming to assist you?"

Dr. Kildare bends over Zondra's body, "Not until I assess the situation and see if I need help."

Sarah watches her carefully as she examines Zondra. The doctor checks her pulse, "Pulse is strong, breathing regular." She gently places a cervical collar around Zondra's neck and rolls her on to her back. When she rolls her over, Sarah sees a bunch of papers that Zondra was lying on. She steps into the room and grabs them.

Sarah takes a quick look and sees all the notes on the ongoing investigation and thoughts on who Batman is, "Good girl. You went down fighting."

The doctor continues her exam, prying up first one eyelid then the other. She moves a small beam of light across each eye, "Pupils are reactive, but we might still be looking at a concussion. I'd like to call for a stretcher crew, get her to sick bay."

Just then the CO comes running down the passageway, with an armed crewman behind him. "Sorry I took so long to get here. I was waiting for Malloy to arrange an escort. Seems like things are getting worse. My security forces are stretched thin."

Casey nods, "Would you mind handing your escort over to Agent Rizzo. I'd like her protected while she's incapacitated."

Kirk nods, "No problem. I have a feeling I'll be safe with you two." Kirk turns to his armed guard, "When the stretcher team arrives, you'll remain by this agent's side until I personally relieve you. Understood?"

The Petty Officer responds, "Aye, aye Sir. I own her until you say otherwise in person."

Kirk takes a deep breath and lets out a heavy sigh, "Okay General, what's next?" The stretcher team arrives and carries Zondra away, joined by the doctor, under guard.

Sarah hands the papers to Casey, "This is what they were after. They must have heard me coming down the passageway. Looks like I got here just in time to interrupt them. Z probably grabbed them as she went down, covered them with her body."

Casey takes the papers and takes a look at them, "Make sure you put her in for a commendation, assuming any of us survive this." He takes a deep breath, "I guess that's all on the nerd." He folds the papers and stuffs them in his pocket. "Walker, broken bones are now authorized, get dressed." Casey holsters his weapon, "Jim you may not want to be involved in this next bit." Sarah walks into the stateroom and moves into the back of the room, out of sight.

Kirk shrugs and throws his hands up, "Let's play it by ear. For now, I'm in."

Casey smiles, "I had a feeling you would say that. Where's Malloy with those thumb drives?"

"He took them down to lock them in the safe in the Master at Arms shack. It's next door to the brig."

Sarah walks out dressed from neck to toe in tight fitting black clothes, A black ski mask tucked into her waistband. "Ready when you are General. Trust me, I will get answers. Captain as I approached the scene I spotted a tall male, dark hair, in Khakis, running away. I don't know if he's involved."

"Walker what's the update on the zombie?" Sarah shakes her head, "Sorry Casey, I never made the call. I got distracted."

Casey nods, "I get that, make that call, meet us at the brig, and Walker… watch your back. If something happens to you, he'll kill me for that too. Please be careful."

Sarah walks into her stateroom to place her call as Casey and the CO start towards the brig, Casey's mind is trying to piece together the info at hand thinking, do I look like frickin' Kojak, I'm a sniper, I'll be glad when the team can sit down to sort through all this, but for right now I'll do what I know and scare the crap out of that A Hole in the brig.