Title: Classified Information
Author: Susan (SStroud@aol.com)
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: If you haven't been keeping up with the VS, you will
probably get lost within the first few pages. Not only that, but you're
missing out on some great stories. Go check them out at
http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/vs/index.html and then let Abby know
what a wonderful job she did on the graphics.
Disclaimer: I don't even pretend to own these characters, I'm just
borrowing them for a little summer entertainment.
Author's notes: A big thank you to my beta readers: Kim, Lisa and
Beth. If mistakes still exist, they're all my fault. Thanks to Selena for
such a wonderful commercial idea. And a huge thanks to Jen and Bree
for putting together another Virtual Season.
0815 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac knocked on the Admiral's door and waited for his call to enter before she walked into his office. Coming to attention in front of his desk, she gave a curt, "Colonel MacKenzie reporting as ordered, Sir."
"At ease, Colonel," Admiral Chegwidden replied. "Have a seat." He waited until she settled herself across from his desk before he spoke again. "How is the defense for Lieutenant Young coming along?"
"Slowly, Sir. The Lieutenant isn't exactly the most cooperative client."
"Do you think Commander Rabb will be able to handle him?" the Admiral asked as he stood up and walked around his desk.
"Is there a reason he should have to, Sir?" Mac asked, her mind going into overdrive to think of a reason the Admiral would pull her off of the case.
"I have another assignment for you, provided, of course, that Commander Rabb can be up to speed on the Young case by the end of the day."
"I don't see a problem with that, Sir," she stated. "The Commander has been helping me put together a defense, so I'm sure it won't take long to make sure he has all of my case notes."
"Good," he replied as he handed her a folder. "It seems as if your performance in Norfolk caught someone's attention in Cherry Point. You've been requested to assist in the investigation into allegations against General Jeff Hewitt."
Mac opened the file and quickly scanned the contents before she met the Admiral's gaze again. "Treason, Sir?"
"The CIA believes that General Hewitt has been using his position as base commander as a cover for some rather interesting trading practices."
"CIA?" Mac questioned. "Is Webb involved?"
"Actually, he's the one who requested you," the Admiral replied. "And while I'm not fond of sending you to work on one of Webb's cases without backup, I have to agree with him that you are the best person for this assignment. General Hewitt is a highly decorated officer and if these allegations are true, there's a strong possibility he's not the only one involved."
"Do we know what he's supposedly been trading, Sir?" Mac asked.
"All I got out of Webb was that it was classified materials. He assured me that he would co-operate with you, though."
"When do I leave, Sir?"
"1900 tonight," the Admiral replied as he walked back around his desk. "You can pick up your flight information from Tiner on your way out. Webb is going to meet you down there. I trust you'll have enough time today to get everything squared away with your other cases?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Good. Then I'll let you give Commander Rabb the good news about the Young case. Dismissed."
Mac stood up with a quick, "Aye, Sir." After making a stop at Tiner's desk to pick up her flight information, she headed for Harm's office.
Harm looked up at the knock on his door, and he smiled when he saw Mac standing there. "Enter."
"Are you busy?" she asked as she stepped into his office.
"Nothing that can't be put off for a few minutes. What do you need?"
"The Admiral is sending me to North Carolina tonight, and you're the lucky one who gets to take over the Young case."
Harm groaned and Mac couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her at the sound. "Is the Admiral mad at me?" Harm asked.
"I don't think so," she replied. "Why?"
"First Singer and now Lieutenant Young," he stated. "I'm beginning to wonder what I've done to deserve this."
Mac pushed the door closed before walking over to sit down across from him. "Come on, Harm, it's not that bad. You said yourself that working with Singer turned out better than you ever thought possible."
"I said it turned out that way," he agreed. "I didn't say it started that way."
Sensing his discomfort, Mac couldn't help but tease him a little. "So which part did the kiss fall under?"
Harm's eyes widened at that. "How did you hear about that?"
"I have my ways," Mac replied.
"Please tell me that it wasn't thrown in your face in an attempt to get under your skin," he pleaded with her.
Mac's brow shot up and instead of letting him off the hook, she pushed him a bit further. "And just what makes you think that you kissing Singer, or anyone for that matter, would get under my skin?"
"I thought that since..." he began, stopping short when he saw the laughter in her eyes.
"Since what?" she asked.
"Never mind," he replied. "Anyway, it was the quickest way to get her to shut up and not blow our cover by calling me 'Commander' again."
"Way to think on your feet," Mac commented with a grin. "Does that line usually work for you?"
Harm narrowed his eyes at her. "I don't know about that, but I'm willing to give it a shot next time *we're* undercover."
Realizing that her teasing had led them into somewhat dangerous territory, Mac quickly changed the topic. "When would be a good time for you to go over the Young case today?"
"How about over dinner?" he offered with a smile. "I believe it's my turn to buy and I think if we're going to continue this conversation, it would be best served outside of the office, don't you?"
"I don't recall saying anything about continuing this conversation," Mac replied.
"You don't really think I'm going to let you off the hook that easy, do you?"
"How about the conference room in an hour?" she asked as she stood up.
"No dinner?" he replied.
"My flight leaves at 1900 tonight or I'd be more than happy to take you up on that," she said with a soft smile.
"Sounds like a pretty lame excuse to me," he replied. "I think you're just afraid of where this might go."
Her eyebrows shot up in recognition of the challenge in his voice and she leaned across his desk until they were mere inches apart before she replied, "I'll be looking forward to the next time we're undercover together, Commander." Adding a wink for good measure, she straightened back up and added, "Conference room...in an hour."
She heard him release a deep breath behind her as she opened the door and stepped into the bullpen, but she didn't stop until she reached her own office and closed the door behind her. As she pulled out her notes to make sure they were ready to hand over to Harm, she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. He must have really been serious when he said that things changing didn't scare him half as much as they used to.
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0600 EST
VOQ
Marine Corps Air, Station
Cherry Point, North Carolina
Mac opened the door to Clayton Webb with a small smile. "Webb, you'd better have coffee with you if you think I'm going to be of any help this early in the morning."
"Hot, black and strong - just the way you like it," he replied as he held a cup out to her.
Accepting it with a nod, Mac stepped back to allow him into her room. "Okay, what's going on here that isn't in the official reports and why do you want my help?"
"What? No small talk?" Webb asked as he set his briefcase on the table and opened it.
"It's too early for small talk," Mac said after a sip of the steaming liquid he'd brought for her. "And I'm pretty sure if you were just looking for the latest gossip, you wouldn't have went to the trouble of getting this assignment cleared with Admiral Chegwidden."
"You're right," he conceded as he sat down and motioned for her to join him. "The official story is that General Hewitt is being accused of treason. He is believed to have been using his position here as base commander to gain access to the latest military weaponry and then selling it to the highest bidder."
"And the unofficial story?"
"Mac, I've worked with General Hewitt for over ten years. I don't believe he's guilty. He's a good man."
"Even good men give into temptation," she stated.
"Not this one. And I need you to prove that."
"Webb, I spent most of the night reading over the case file on General Hewitt. The evidence is pretty convincing."
Webb reached into his briefcase and pulled out a thick folder. Before handing it to her, he said, "What you're about to see is confidential. I trust that you won't let this information slip."
Mac nodded her agreement before taking the folder from him and opening it. After scanning through the first few pages, she looked up at Webb. "Is this what I think it is?"
"If you think it's a mirror image of General Hewitt's service record only with a lot more detail than the one you've been reading, then yes."
"This is the CIA's record of his career?" Mac asked as she continued to scan the pages.
"Yes, and as you can see, he's played a very important role in some of my biggest investigations."
"So this is personal for you?" Mac asked as she met his gaze.
"Nothing's personal to me," he replied without so much as a flinch. "You should know that by now. However, I know Hewitt and he's not a traitor. Somebody is setting him up and I want to know who and why."
"Have you talked to General Hewitt?" Mac asked.
"No, and I would rather keep my involvement in this quiet for now."
Mac shook her head with a sarcastic chuckle. "Nothing like making my job easy for me, Webb."
"I never said it would be easy," Webb replied. "I said you were the best person for the job. I need you to find out who's trying to take General Hewitt down."
"I'll do my best, Webb."
"Good," Webb replied as he closed his briefcase. "I'm staying at the Hilton, room 453, if you need to reach me."
"I'll let you know what I find out," Mac replied.
"So how is Harm doing?" Webb asked. "I heard about his run-in with Rollins."
"He's fine," Mac replied. "Although his therapist wasn't too happy with him. Harm says the PT doesn't stand for physical therapy but for pain and torture."
"Did you tell him PT was God's way of punishing him for scaring you with that stunt in the Atlantic?" Webb asked with just a hint of a smile.
Mac actually chuckled slightly at that. "I think Harm is more concerned about the Admiral punishing him than God right now."
"He didn't enjoy working with Singer?" Webb asked.
Mac's brow shot up and she gave Webb a skeptical look. "You have met our dear lieutenant, haven't you?"
"Once or twice," Webb replied. "But I've heard enough to know that I should watch my back when she's around." With a glance at his watch, he got to his feet. "I've got to go. Call me if you need anything or if you find out something that will help General Hewitt out of this mess."
"I will," Mac replied as she followed him to the door to see him out.
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0900 EST
Brig
Marine Corps Air, Station
Cherry Point, North Carolina
"I heard I was getting a new defense attorney, but I didn't expect it to be this soon," General Hewitt said as he walked into the interview room.
Mac heard his voice before she saw him, and immediately came to attention. She stood ramrod straight as her eyes took in the appearance of the man in front of her. He was tall - almost as tall as Harm - and the salt and pepper color of his hair gave him a very distinguished look to go with his obviously athletic physique. His smile was bright when he waved her towards a chair. "Please Colonel MacKenzie, have a seat."
"Thank you, Sir," Mac replied as they sat down across from each other.
"Where do you want to start?" he asked, surprising Mac with his straightforwardness.
"I'd like to hear your version of the events leading up to your arrest, Sir," Mac replied as she pulled out a pad of paper and a pen.
"It all started about three weeks ago," he began. "I was working late trying to finish up the evaluations on the latest radar equipment we've been testing when I got a very cryptic phone call. The caller was a woman with an unmistakable Russian accent. She told me to watch my back because someone was out to get me, and then she hung up. The next day I was informed that there was an investigation underway into some missing schematics for a new defense system."
"Did you know then that you were a suspect?"
"Colonel, I wasn't just *a* suspect, I was *the* suspect," he replied. "But no, I didn't know that at the time."
"When did you find out you were a suspect, Sir?" Mac asked as she jotted more notes on her legal pad.
"Two weeks into the investigation."
"Tell me about your mystery caller," Mac suggested. "Was that first night the only contact you had with her?"
"No, she called me again the next night. I was at home for the second call."
"Do you remember what she said to you?" Mac probed.
"She told me that if I want to play with spiders, I shouldn't be surprised when I get tangled up in the web."
Mac felt a sudden uneasiness in the pit of her stomach, suddenly curious as to Webb's involvement in this case, but she pushed it aside for the time being to focus on General Hewitt. "Do you have any idea what she was referring to?"
"Not really," he replied as he looked down at his hands. After studying them intensely for a full minute, he met Mac's gaze again. "Actually, the only thing I can think of that she could be referring to is a man that I've worked with on occasion."
"Another officer?" Mac asked, knowing full well what his answer would be.
"No," he replied. "Is it safe to assume that anything I tell you will remain confidential?"
"Yes, Sir," Mac replied. "I am bound by lawyer-client confidentiality."
"Okay, Colonel. What I'm about to tell you is classified." He paused long enough to see her nod her head in understanding before he added, "I've worked undercover for the CIA on several missions. My contact person's name is Clayton Webb. I think my mystery caller may have been referring to him."
Mac made a point of writing Webb's name with her other notes before facing the general again. "Do you think Webb is somehow involved?"
"I have no idea," he replied. "But it seems like too much of a coincidence to just ignore."
"I'll look into it then," Mac replied. "It will probably take a day or so, but I'm also going to pull your phone records and see if we can't trace down your mystery caller." At General Hewitt's nod of agreement, she continued, "Sir, is there anyone else you can think of who might want to set you up like this?"
"I've made my share of enemies, Colonel. I suppose any number of them could be behind this."
Mac took a moment to put her notes back into her briefcase before she met his gaze again. "Sir, I just have one more question before I go."
"Did I do it?" he supplied for her. "No."
Mac smiled as she answered him. "Actually, that wasn't my question, but it is nice to know your client isn't guilty while you're working on his defense."
"Then what was your question?" he asked with a small smile of his own.
"Do you trust Clayton Webb?" Mac asked.
"With my life," he replied without hesitation. "We may not always see eye to eye, but he's saved my life on more than one occasion. In fact, our first mission together would have been our last if not for Webb."
Satisfied for the moment, Mac stood up. "I'll let you know what I find out."
"Thank you, Colonel," General Hewitt said as he also got to his feet.
"I haven't done anything yet, Sir," she replied.
He offered her another small smile and said, "Maybe not, but I suddenly feel like the cards have just been stacked in my favor."
"I'll do my best to make sure they are, Sir," she replied. Now all she had to do was figure out how big of a part Webb played in this, and what exactly he wasn't telling her.
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1300 EST
Marine Corps Air, Station
Cherry Point, North Carolina
"Webb, it's me," Mac said into her cell phone as she stepped out of the local JAG offices. "I need General Hewitt's phone records for the last month. I want to find out who was trying to warn him about this investigation."
{"I thought the local JAG investigators already pulled those." }
"Apparently Major Hawkins doesn't know where they are. He assures me that they should have been included with the case file," Mac replied as she reached her rental car and climbed in.
{ "Do you suppose they got misplaced?" }
Mac could hear his sarcasm even through the static of the phone and she merely shook her head as she replied, "I'm sure they're with the report listing who filed the initial complaint of possible wrong doing by General Hewitt. I don't like this Clay. The more I dig, the more I sense a cover up."
{ "Is there anything else you need?"}
"I'd like to take a closer look at the files you have on General Hewitt," Mac replied as she drove off the base.
{ "Where are you now?" }
"I'm on my way to General Hewitt's house. I want to take a look around and see if there's something that Major Hawkins overlooked that might give us a clue as to what's really going on here."
{ "Okay. I'll pull the phone records and meet you back at your room around 1600." }
"Thanks, Clay."
2030 EST
VOQ
Marine Corps Air, Station
Cherry Point, North Carolina
Mac pushed the chair away from the table with a sigh of frustration. The words from General Hewitt's CIA file were beginning to run together and she was still no closer to a lead than she had been when Clay had dropped the files off four hours ago.
Once they had a look at the phone records, Mac sent Webb off to pull whatever strings necessary to find out who had been staying at the Motel 6 the night General Hewitt had been called from there. She had serious doubts that he was going to find anything worthwhile, but other than an aging picture of General Hewitt and three of his platoon buddies she'd found hidden in his closet, they didn't have much else in the way of leads.
Making her way over to the small coffeepot, she had just finished pouring herself another cup when the phone rang. Relieved at the distraction, she carefully set the steaming cup of liquid down before picking up the phone.
"MacKenzie."
{ "You know, if you were in Washington tonight, we could be having dinner together." }
Mac couldn't help the smile that spread across her face at the sound of Harm's voice. "Is Lieutenant Young getting to you already?" she teased as she dropped onto the bed.
{ "Do you remember when I told you that being arrogant and stupid wasn't really a defense?" }
"Yes. I believe your exact words were 'Come on, Mac. He can't be that bad.'"
{< "I was wrong." }
"Excuse me?" she replied with a laugh. "Did I just hear the great Harmon Rabb admit that he was wrong about something?"
{ "This guy is a disgrace to the uniform, Mac. In fact, he's a disgrace to all uniforms." }
"I take it that he's still not co-operating?" she asked as she twirled the phone cord around her finger.
{ "That would be putting it mildly. But enough about the obnoxious lieutenant. How are things going down there?" }
"It feels just like I'm in the middle of one of Webb's cases," she admitted with a soft sigh. "I think I'd much rather be there dealing with Lieutenant Young."
{ "You're only saying that because I threw in a dinner invitation." }
She could hear the smile in his voice and she couldn't help herself from saying, "Well, there is always that little perk."
{ "How about we use it as an incentive then?" }
"What did you have in mind?" she asked, feeling the familiar butterflies in her stomach once again.
{ "Nothing fancy. Just dinner and a movie. You and me. Once we get our respective cases wrapped up." }
"What? No bet on who gets finished first picking where the loser buys dinner from?"
She noticed that his voice had grown serious before he spoke again. { "No bets, Mac. My treat." }
"I think I'd like that," she replied, her own voice growing serious.
{ "So is there anything I can do to help you out?" }
"Send happy thoughts?" she suggested.
{ "I can do that." }
Hearing a knock on her door, Mac sighed again. "It sounds like Webb is back. Hopefully he's got good news this time."
{ "Call me if you need anything, Mac." }
"I will. Good night, Harm."
{ "Good night, Mac." }
She waited until she heard the click on the other end before she returned the phone to its cradle and moved to open the door. "Please tell me you found something," she said as she stepped back to allow Webb in.
"I brought Chinese," he replied.
"Then it can't possibly be good news," Mac stated as she took the offered bag and began pulling out containers.
"Actually, I managed to get a name out of the manager," he replied. "The room was registered to one Alyssa Cartwell."
Mac's shock registered on her face. "I'm impressed."
"Don't be," he stated. "There is absolutely nothing on her. Not even so much as an overdue library book."
"So we're back to square one," she said as she sat back down at the table, carefully moving papers aside.
"Unless the name means something to General Hewitt, yes," Webb admitted. "I take it that you haven't had any luck, either?"
"Nothing so far," Mac replied. "I'm hoping my conversation with the general tomorrow will help shed some light, though."
"Good luck," Webb offered as he moved back to the door.
"Aren't you staying to eat?" Mac asked as she looked up at him.
"Thanks, but I can't. I've got to look in on something."
"I'll call you if I turn up anything," Mac replied. "And thanks for dinner."
He merely nodded before turning and heading out the door, leaving Mac to once again pore over the files spread out before her.
1000 EST
Brig
Marine Corps Air, Station
Cherry Point, North Carolina
"Does the name Alyssa Cartwell mean anything to you, Sir?" Mac asked as General Hewitt sat down in the interview room.
"No," he replied with a shake of his head. "Should it?"
"I believe she is your mystery caller. The phone call was placed form a Motel 6 just outside of Cherry Point and the room was registered to Alyssa Cartwell."
"I wish I could say that I knew her," came his soft reply. "I realize I haven't really given you much to go on in my defense."
Pulling the aged photograph from her briefcase, Mac slid it across the table to him. "Who are the men in this picture with you?"
Looking at the photograph brought a smile to General Hewitt's face. "Where did you get this?"
"It was in the back of your hall closet, partially hidden behind a crate," Mac told him. "Considering how meticulous the rest of your house was, this struck me as odd. I take it that you recognize it?"
"Yes, but I couldn't tell you the last time I saw it." His face took on a faraway look as he continued, "This picture was taken right after we finished boot camp thirty years ago. These guys were my closest friends. We pushed each other to be better than anyone else, and if it weren't for them, I'm not sure I would have survived Parris Island." He held the picture up so Mac could see it and pointed at one of the men. "This guy is Mark Pepper. The one on my right is James Server, and the guy squatting in front of us is Charlie Kemp."
"Where are they now?" Mac asked as she jotted their names on her notepad.
"Mark is stationed overseas," he replied. "James finished his four years and then went to med school. He's got a private practice out in L.A. And Charlie has been dead for over ten years now."
"How did he die?"
General Hewitt gave a sarcastic chuckle before he answered her. "The official report reads that he was killed during a training mission."
"And the unofficial report, Sir?" Mac probed.
"I don't know, Colonel. I have always suspected foul play, but have never had any kind of proof, just an uneasy feeling in my gut. In fact, his death was one of the reasons I decided to help Webb on that first mission. I thought I could use it to find out why Charlie died."
"And did you, Sir?"
General Hewitt once again shook his head as memories flooded through his mind. "No, Colonel, I didn't. In fact, my insistence on looking through a file totally unrelated to the case we were on nearly cost me my life. If Webb hadn't shown up when he did, I would've been shot. As it was, he killed the man trying to sabotage one of our missiles and I learned that there are some things you just have to let go."
"How close were you to Charlie, Sir?" Mac asked.
"I'm sure you know how hard it is to stay close to friends when the military is your life, Colonel," he commented. "But we tried. We wrote each other, and when our paths would cross, we always tried to meet up. I won't lie and say that we were very successful, though. Heck, I know Charlie was married and divorced shortly after we got our first assignments, and I never even met the young lady. Charlie spoke fondly of her, even after the divorce. He said she just wasn't meant to be a military wife." He paused for a moment and then met Mac's gaze across the table. "You don't think this has something to do with Charlie's death, do you?"
"I think it's worth looking into, Sir," she replied. "After all, you said yourself that Charlie's death was a key factor in your decision to work with Webb. Perhaps there's a connection there."
"If so, I'm sure you'll find it, Colonel."
"I guarantee that I'll do my best, Sir."
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2237 EST
VOQ
Marine Corps Air, Station
Cherry Point, North Carolina
Mac closed the case file she had been reading and reached over to power down her laptop. She was exhausted. For the majority of the day, she had been reading over service records of people who had been stationed at Cherry Point for the five years General Hewitt had been the C.O. Webb had shown up with pizza and a file on Charlie Kemp as well as a rundown on the whereabouts of Mark Pepper and James Server sometime after 2100, but so far, she hadn't been able to find a connection to tie anything together.
With a sigh of frustration, she pushed away from the table and rolled her neck and shoulders to try to ease the tension in them. Deciding that a hot shower would probably be more effective, she stacked her notes into an organized mess and headed for the bathroom.
It was much later when she emerged, feeling somewhat more relaxed, but even more tired. A quick glance at the bedside table stopped her from calling Harm, even though she knew he wouldn't mind the interruption. Instead, she decided to go ahead and call it a night. Perhaps things would be clearer after some sleep.
0213 EST
VOQ
Marine Corps Air, Station
Cherry Point, North Carolina
Mac sat straight up in the bed, her heart pounding and sweat dripping from her body. Her eyes darted around the room as the nightmare slowly faded and she took a deep, calming breath. Dropping back to the pillows, she closed her eyes and tried to remember what the dream had been about. The images were elusive as she struggled to recall them, but the sense of foreboding that had brought her awake was still there. With a heavy sigh, she reached for her cell phone and dialed the familiar number.
She couldn't help the feeling of relief that washed over her when she heard his sleep roughened voice after the fifth ring. < "Rabb." >
"Harm, it's me."
{ "Mac? Are you okay?" }
"I'm fine, Harm. I'm sorry I woke you."
{ "It's okay, Mac. What's going on?" }
"I don't know. I had a nightmare. I can't remember what it was about, but I just needed to hear your voice and make sure you're okay."
{ "Everything's fine here, Mac. How about there?" }
"Things are going pretty smoothly here if you don't mind not having all the facts while trying to prove a man's innocence." After a pause she added, "Calling you in the middle of the night is silly. I know it, and I'm sorry."
{ "Stop apologizing, Mac. I told you if you needed anything to call." }
"I don't think this is what you had in mind, though."
{ "Maybe not exactly, but it does fall under the category of anything, so it's perfectly acceptable." }
"How was therapy tonight?"
She heard his soft groan before he answered her. { "If you like the feeling of having your body twisted and forced into positions it doesn't want to be in, then it was great. If you're not into that, then it was just another session of pain and torture."}
"The knee is improving, though. Right?"
{ "Yeah. I've actually only got ten more degrees until I'm back to full flexion. After that, we get to move on to the strength and conditioning phase. I can hardly wait for that." }
"I can hear the eagerness in your voice."
{ "So were you able to connect the dots between General Hewitt and his mystery caller, Alyssa Cartwell?"}
"Not yet. I'm sure it's here, though. I just can't seem to shake the feeling that this has a lot more to do with Webb than either he or the general are willing to admit."
{ "You'll find it, Mac." }
"Thank you."
{ "You're welcome. Now are you going to be able to go back to sleep?" }
"I doubt it, but that's okay. I've got some things I can work on."
{ "Do you need to talk for a while longer?" }
Mac couldn't help but smile at that and as tempting as it was to let his voice lull her back to sleep, she knew that was selfish. "I'm good, Harm. I'll see you in a couple of days."
{ "Okay. Be careful, Mac." }
"You, too."
{ "Good night." }
"'Night."
Turning off her cell phone, Mac settled back under the covers and closed her eyes. Hearing Harm's voice had calmed the uneasiness surrounding her dream, but the fact that she couldn't remember anything about it still had her slightly unsettled. Realizing that she'd been correct when she told Harm she probably wouldn't get back to sleep, she threw off the covers and reached for her laptop. If she wasn't going to sleep, she might as well do something productive.
0500 EST
VOQ
Marine Corps Air, Station
Cherry Point, North Carolina
{ "This had better be important," } Webb mumbled into the phone.
"Wake up, sunshine," Mac said cheerily. "I think I've found it."
She heard the rustle of sheets and a soft thud followed by a curse before Webb spoke again. { "What did you find?" }
"The connection between Alyssa Cartwell and General Hewitt," Mac told him. "How soon can you be here?"
{ "I'm on my way now. Give me ten minutes." }
"I'll have the coffee ready," Mac replied before she heard the soft click on the other line.
It was less than ten minutes later when she heard the knock on her door. She opened it with a smile and a cup of coffee in hand. "Took you long enough."
"Thanks," Webb replied as he accepted the coffee. "So show me."
Mac closed the door and led him over to where her notes were spread out on the bed. "First off, what do you know about Charlie Kemp?"
"He was a friend of Hewitt's," Webb replied. "I honestly didn't know the man. I did know Hewitt was upset over his death and wanted to prove a military cover-up. I used that knowledge to my advantage, but I swear I had nothing to do with his death."
"Okay," Mac said as she handed him a file. "This is a copy of Charlie Kemp's wedding certificate. He was married to Lesley Kerr for a little over a year. The divorce was uncontested and Lesley later remarried a gentleman by the name of..."
"Michael Cartwell," Webb supplied as he read the file. "They had two children, C.J. and Alyssa."
"Only Michael Cartwell is not listed as the father on C.J.'s birth certificate."
"He was Charlie's son," Webb said. "I didn't know he had a son."
"I don't think Charlie knew," Mac offered. "Lesley was apparently pregnant when she left him, but neglected to tell him that."
"So how does Alyssa fit into this, then?" Webb asked as he moved to sit down.
"C.J.," Mac stated. "Did you know he's in the military?"
"What?" Webb asked.
"Here's his service record," Mac said, handing him another file. "C.J. Kerr."
"He took his mother's maiden name."
"And he was stationed here less than a year ago," Mac supplied.
"So you think he's behind this, and he involved his sister?"
"Only one way to find out for sure," Mac replied.
"I'll have them picked up as soon as I can," Webb said as he got to his feet, cell phone already in hand. Before he reached the door, he turned back to her with a smile. "Thank you, Mac."
"You're welcome, Clay."
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Two Days Later
0900 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
"Welcome back, Colonel," Admiral Chegwidden stated before motioning her to a chair.
"Thank you, Sir," she replied, taking a seat next to Harm and flashing him a bright smile in the process. "It's good to be back."
"Webb informed me that C.J. Kerr confessed to the theft of the weapons semantics as well as to being behind the set-up of General Hewitt," the Admiral continued.
"Yes, Sir. Once he realized that we had the evidence to link both him and Alyssa to General Hewitt, he started talking. According to him, Alyssa had overheard the phone call where he made the initial complaint against General Hewitt and she was merely trying to warn the general. At the time, Alyssa didn't know that General Hewitt had been close friends with C.J.'s father. Once C.J. told her how he suspected General Hewitt was behind his father's death, she agreed to keep quiet."
"Why didn't Kerr just confront General Hewitt?" Harm asked.
"Apparently, C.J. didn't know who his biological father was until he was stationed at Cherry Point. When he mentioned General Hewitt's name to his mother, she told him the story of how Charlie Kemp and General Hewitt had been good friends. Once C.J. heard that, he got curious and started investigating. What he stumbled across was the incident report where Webb had saved General Hewitt's life."
"How did that lead him to believing General Hewitt was responsible for his father's death?" Admiral Chegwidden asked.
"To be honest, Sir, I don't know how he jumped to that conclusion. All I could get out of Webb and General Hewitt was that he shouldn't have been able to get access to that file. Apparently, whatever Charlie Kemp was involved in, it was big."
"And classified, I'm sure," Harm added with a hint of sarcasm.
"As always," Mac agreed.
"Well, Colonel, General Hewitt sends his appreciation."
"Thank you, Sir."
"And if I'm not mistaken, Commander Rabb was even able to cut a deal for Lieutenant Young."
Mac's brow shot up as she looked over at Harm. "Really?"
Harm smiled slightly and said, "I got him to plead stupidity and arrogance to a lesser charge."
"It sounds like there's a good story there," Mac commented.
"There is," Admiral Chegwidden stated. "And I'm sure the Commander will be more than happy to fill you in on it. Nice work. Both of you."
"Thank you, Sir," they replied in unison.
"Dismissed."
They stood up with an "Aye, Sir," and made their way out of his office. Mac gave Harm a gentle elbow to the side and nodded towards her office. Harm smiled his agreement and followed her across the bullpen, closing the door behind them once they'd entered her office.
Mac turned to face him with a serious expression on her face. "I believe you promised me dinner, Commander."
"Indeed I did, Colonel," he replied with just a hint of a smile. "How about tonight?"
"Tonight's good," she agreed.
"I'll pick you up at 1830," he said.
"What should I wear?"
"Wear something nice," he replied. "I think we both deserve a night on the town."
"See you tonight, then," she said, finally relaxing and smiling at him.
"Count on it," he replied with a wink as he opened the door and stepped back into the bullpen.
"I am," she whispered to his retreating form. "Believe me, I am."
The End