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Subject: ...For Meritorious Service, Chapter 10


Author:
TxJAG_b
[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]
Date Posted: 14:22:14 07/06/11 Wed
In reply to: TxJAG_b 's message, "...For Meritorious Service, Chapter 1" on 10:48:20 04/12/11 Tue

Chapter 10 …For Meritorious Service

1650 Local
VOQ, Camp Chesty Puller
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

As Harm and Mac walked into the guest quarters’ barracks, they saw Sturgis and Bud comparing notes, based on the day’s interviews. Bud had his laptop open and was busy inputting their notes into the machine. Harm pulled off his helmet, as he stepped into the room.

Both men looked up from their work at the Commander.

He laid his helmet on the bed. “How did it go today?”

As Sturgis started to speak, Mac came in pulling off her boonie hat, shaking the dust out of it.

“How did the interviews go today?”

Sturgis smiled as did Bud. “Harm was just asking me about that, Mac.” She had the decency to look chagrined. The Commander bent his head to keep his smirk from showing. Both of them took a seat on nearby empty bunk.

“As I was getting ready to tell Harm, they went great, if you think Buell and Lukens are guilty of murder.”

Mac and Harm exchanged wry looks. Bud looked curiously at the two senior officers. “How about yours, Ma’am, Sir?”

“Great Bud,” deadpanned Mac, “If you think Buell and Lukens are guilty.”

“That doesn’t sound too good Ma’am.”

“No Bud,” replied Mac shaking her head ruefully, “It doesn’t.”

The Lieutenant looked at his former mentor for some sign of hope. “Sir? Do you think they’re guilty?”

“Not a chance, Bud.” shot back Harm. Bud began to grin.

He glanced at Mac. “Colonel?”

Mac shook her head. “There’s too much that doesn’t add up. These guys didn’t do it.”

“That’s what I thought you two would say,” replied Sturgis straight-faced.

Mac smiled wanly as she got up and walked over the room’s ice cooler. She pulled out several chilled plastic bottles of water and walked back to the bunks, giving one to Harm and the others to Bud and Sturgis. She opened hers and took a quick drink, eyeing Commander Turner. “Sturgis, have you been to the battle site yet?”

“At Mirbullah?” Sturgis, who had been lying on the bed reclined against the wall, sat up and answered honestly. “No. Why?”

Harm looked at his own notes. “Maybe we should….”

Sturgis got up off his bunk. “What are you getting at, Buddy?”

Harm got up “Just a theory that I have. What are you two doing tomorrow?”

Sturgis smirked. “Going with you to disprove a theory.” Mac shook her head, chuckling.

After a quick knock, a Corporal stuck his head in the door. “Ma’am, Sirs, the Colonel requests your presence at the communications building. He has Admiral Chegwidden via a secure teleconference link.”

The four attorneys glanced at each other for a moment exchanging questioning looks as to why the Admiral would want to talk to them. They followed the Corporal out of the barracks and toward the MEU communications facility.

*~*

The JAG lawyers and computer technician sat at a table in front of one video monitor. The stern image of AJ Chegwidden could be seen on the other end with Tiner in the background. Ashton Briggs stood, arms folded, in the back of the semi-darkened room.

“Good evening, Commander.” The image was unbroken with only a few momentary pauses. Considering the distance covered, the quality was remarkably good.

Harm greeted the image of his commanding officer. “Good morning Admiral,”

He acknowledged the others, and then turned his attention back to Harm. “Commander, what’s the status of your investigation?”

Harm looked for a moment at the others before answering his commanding officer. “Well Admiral, so far we only have a few eyewitness accounts. We’re in the process of wrapping up our witness interviews.”

“What have you found so far?” pressed his commanding officer.

Harm wasn’t sure why he was so keenly interested, but decided to give him what he had so far. “It’s mostly circumstantial evidence against the two helo pilots, Sir. We’re going out tomorrow to the battle site to get a first hand view of where the alleged murder took place.”

AJ Chegwidden seemed to consider what Harmon Rabb had reported thus far. “Commander, I’m getting some very strange reports from Colonel Briggs about your methods and those of your team.”

“What kind of reports Admiral?” Harm was clearly confused and a little concerned. Maybe Lukens had decided to report him after all.

“Colonel Briggs says he’s had some reports from his junior officers that you are coercing testimony, bullying witnesses, failing to follow procedure….”

“Sir?!” Harm couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The words that the Admiral spoke to him just before he left for the CIA Air Corps flashed through his mind.

Mac fought down the urge to whirl around in her chair and face that smug SOB standing behind them. She just knew he had a self satisfied smile on his face. Instead, she leapt to the Commander’s defense.

“Admiral, this is insane--”

The Admiral fixed her with an equally hard stare, savagely cutting her off. “Colonel, the charges against you are even less flattering; solicitation, conduct unbecoming, bribery--”

Bud’s face was contorted with disbelief as he leaped to his feet. “Sir, Admiral, this is crazy--”

“Lieutenant, if I were you, I’d stand down, now! AJ’s barked order caused Bud Roberts to freeze in place. It was obvious he was torn between defending his two friends and following the Admiral’s orders.

“Aye Sir.” he said stiffly, his voice barely concealed his anger and contempt as he slowly sat back down.

AJ lifted his eyes beyond the stunned attorneys sitting around the table. “Ash, I need to talk to my attorneys in private for a few moments if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all AJ, not at all. I completely understand.” He motioned to his technician and both men left the room.

Harm felt as if someone had just socked him in the gut when he wasn’t looking. Lukens had turned him in but he told the man he was going to fight for him. (What the hell is going on here?!)

For her part, Mac saw the Admiral on screen, but if he was saying anything, she couldn’t hear it for roar of the blood in her ears. She looked over at Bud, who was genuinely upset. Sturgis’ face, rather than having its usual stoic demeanor, was showing disgust.

Mac turned back to face the Admiral. If it earned her a DDO, then maybe it was time to leave JAG. “Admiral, we’ve been set up, this is--”

AJ smiled paternally at Mac. “I know Colonel.” That threw her off kilter. She sat silently looking at the screen, perplexed.

Harm did a double take. “You do Sir?!”

“Of course I do, Rabb. That’s why I had Colonel Briggs, and his technician, leave the room.”

Bud let his frustration get the best of him. “Sir, what the hell is going on!?”

AJ looked in stunned surprise at the Lieutenant. Harm, Mac and Sturgis looked on in shock at Bud. For his part, Bud realized what he had done. “Sorry Admiral.”

AJ continued to keep his eyes on Bud as he talked to Harm. “Commander, I would not have sent you, Colonel MacKenzie, Commander Turner or Lieutenant Roberts, if I thought any of you would be capable of these offenses.”

The four attorneys began smiling. “Wipe those smiles off your faces.”

“Aye Sir,” they responded crisply.

“Commander, I want you and your team to get to the bottom of what is going on over there. It’s clear that Colonel Briggs is hiding something. Find out what it is, but do it quietly. You have my full backing.”

For the second time since Harm had returned to JAG, he wasn’t sure what this man wanted from him “Admiral what is it you want me to do?”

AJ smiled warmly at his aviator/attorney. He knew why he was asking this question – it had been a long hard year for both of them. “Do what you do best, Rabb.”

“Then Sir, I’ll need some stateside help. We have some witnesses there that we need interviewed.”

“Consider it done, Commander. Send me a fax list of those people.”

He wasn’t expecting this kind of response or support, from his commanding officer. It threw him as off balance, as it had Mac, who was still silent. “Aye Sir.” he paused for a moment, “Thank you, Sir.”

Admiral Chegwidden smiled again. “You’re welcome Commander. Anything else?”

“No Sir,” he answered honestly.

The Admiral looked over at Bud. “Lieutenant Roberts, you can tell the Colonel it is all right now for him to rejoin our meeting.”

Bud got up from the table and headed for the door. As he did, Mac leaned over whispered into Harm’s ear “See, I told you the Admiral had forgiven you.”

Just before Bud opened the door, the Admiral smiled at his lead investigator. “I trust your acting skills are up to snuff Commander,”

Harm nodded understanding the Admiral’s plan. “Absolutely Sir,” On cue, Bud opened the door and headed back to his seat.

“Because you are without a doubt the stupidest jet jock I have ever had the misfortune to work with!”

“Aye Sir,” Harm said a tad sullenly. “I take it I’m not a team player either, Sir.”

AJ knew what he was driving at. It stung, a little, but it fit the act. “Don’t push it, Commander!”

Mac turned to see Colonel Briggs returning. He seemed to enjoy the Admiral’s last comment aimed at Harm.

“Colonel!!”

Mac whipped around trying her best to look unsettled, “Yes Sir?!” she gulped.

“It would be in your best interest to get your mind on your work!”

“Yes Sir!” Mac became rigid, fear showing in her features.

“I will not tolerate another report like the one I just received about your behavior! You’re a Marine dammit! It’s time for you to start acting like one!!”

“Aye, aye Sir!!”

He shot a look of fury at Sturgis Turner and Bud Roberts. “As for you two! You both are one more report away from brig time! Do you two numbskulls read me?!”

“Aye Sir!” they both barked.

Mac could hear Briggs chuckling in the background.

AJ looked contritely at the Commander of the 36th MEU. “Ash, I’m sorry you had to witness this--”

“I know AJ, we all have people under us who need a firmer hand than others. Just get them to wrap this up soon, okay?”

The Admiral looked over his half-glasses at the man. “Commander, you heard him; I need you to speed it up--”

Harm leaned closer, “May I ask why, Sir?”

The Admiral was glad Colonel Briggs had not witnessed their other interactions, otherwise this act might not have worked. “I told you before Commander. The SecNav along with a few other high ranking officers as well as some diplomats are breathing down my neck about this one.” AJ said gruffly as he looked down at his papers, mirroring his attitude immediately Harm and Mac went to the Chaco Boreal. “Wrap it up as soon as you can.”

Harm decided to ham it up. “But Admiral, these men deserve--”

“Commander Rabb,” Chegwidden growled, fixing the junior officer with baleful expression, “Is there something wrong with your hearing? Did I not make myself clear a few minutes earlier?”

Harm looked appropriately chastened. “Yes Sir, you did--”

“Then, *what* is your problem?!”

The pregnant pause that followed did not please AJ Chegwidden. “Commander?!”

“Ah, well, Admiral we may not be able--”

“Well then ‘get able’ Commander,” he snapped, “That’s an order!”

“Sir,” Bud decided to step in. “We need as much time as you can give us. Our witnesses are pretty scattered across the area--”

“Lieutenant! Everyone from the SecNav on down wants this expedited! So get it done!!”

Bud remembering his early days under the Admiral, and brought out the right amount of uncertainty to his faltering voice. “Uh, Yes Sir--”

“I know you’ll do the best you can, Lieutenant.” He said talking to Bud as if he were a little slow. “You have until noon tomorrow, your time.”

“That doesn’t leave us much time…Sir,” interjected Sturgis Turner in an appropriately insubordinate tone.

Chegwidden flinched. “Commander Turner, your father may be a Chaplain, but if you use that tone with me one more time, I’ll supervise your ass right out of JAG, do you read me?”

Sturgis stiffened as if he had his hand smacked with a ruler. “Loud and clear, Sir.”

“Sir?” Now it was Mac’s turn to ham it up.

“What is *it*, Colonel?” AJ’s exasperation with his officers was so genuine, Sarah MacKenzie wondered for a split second if they had overplayed their parts.

Mac decided to make her arguments more rational, just make the tone more accusatory than normal. “Admiral, we’d be *denying* these men due process. We really just need a little more time--”

But the Admiral was “not in the mood” to hear rational arguments. “Well Colonel,” he said with uncharacteristic sarcasm directed at her. “You have all the time that I can *spare*.”

She tried to look surprised. “Sir?”

“You heard me Colonel; you have until 1200 Zulu tomorrow.” He readjusted his glasses and began gathering his papers together indicating his mind was made up. “My hands are tied. Get it wrapped up as soon as you can--”

Mac looked in the back of the room and could see a faint smile cross Briggs’s face. She turned back to the screen, a sly smile crossing her face. “Sir, you know as well as we do that we have an obligation to investigate this matter as *completely* as we can.”

That comment and the slight smile on her face made AJ throttle back. “Okay, I’m *listening* Colonel….”

Harm decided this was a good time to jump in. “Sir, if you’ll give us until 1600 Zulu tomorrow, I promise you that we can complete this investigation.”

“Completely and thoroughly, Commander?” The Admiral didn’t sound ‘convinced’.

“Completely and thoroughly, Sir.”

He looked to Colonel MacKenzie for verification. “Well Colonel?”

What she said warmed the Commander’s heart. Even if it was just acting. “If the Commander says we can do it by 1600 Hours Zulu, I believe him, Sir.”

Chegwidden turned to Sturgis and Bud. “Commander, Lieutenant, do you agree with this assessment?”

Bud and Sturgis exchanged brief looks, and then faced the screen. The expressions on their faces indicated they were siding with Harm. “Yes Sir, we should be able to conclude our interviews by that time.”

“Okay Commander, I’ll run interference for you, this time, but I want a report emailed to me by 1600 and I want a verbal assessment by 1500.”

All four stood at attention. “Aye Sir!”

“Dismissed.” AJ fixed his eyes on Harm. “Oh, and Commander….”

“Yes Admiral?”

The Admiral smiled. “That’s 1600 sharp. Any later and I’ll throw you into the brig.”

Mac spoke up. “Don’t worry Sir; I’ll make sure he gets it to you on time.”

AJ smiled thinly. “I knew I could count on you, Colonel.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“1600 Commander.”

“Aye Sir.”

The image of Admiral Chegwidden froze and then the screen faded to black.

Mac turned and shot a dirty look at the Bird Colonel. “You set us up.”

Colonel Briggs smirked now that he knew these four were screwups, they’d be much easier to handle. “Careful Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie, I merely suggested to several people that this was taking longer than it should. Especially since you all admit that most of the evidence that you have at this point is circumstantial.”

Harm bristled. “That’s going to change Colonel--”

“If it happens Commander,” Briggs sneered, “I’ll be pleasantly surprised. Good evening gentlemen, ma’am. Try to stay out of trouble.”

Mac stared murderously at the closing door as Briggs left the room. “I’m really starting to hate that man.”

Sturgis looked at the closing door as Briggs left the room. “Mac, I couldn’t have said it better. But to keep from getting ourselves in deeper trouble, let’s just get out of here and back to our barracks.”

The four JAG attorneys shared looks about the man, nodding in agreement and then got up and left the room.


0020 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Jason Tiner, Harriet Sims and Jennifer Coates were sitting in chairs arranged around Admiral Chegwidden’s desk. He sat at the polished oak desk looking at a report. Nodding his satisfaction, he looked up at the three junior officers. “Make sure a copy of this report is available to any overseas office that requests it.”

He handed the report to Lieutenant Sims. She opened it and took a quick scan, “But Sir, this is a copy of Commander Lindsey’s report--”

“I’m aware of that Lieutenant,” said AJ quickly before she could say anything else. “Take the copy I have given you and make sure that Commander Manetti’s name replaces his in all the appropriate places. The Commander will be by early tomorrow morning to sign off on this report.”

Jason spoke for the first time. “Commander Manetti, Sir? What does she have to do with this?”

The Admiral sighed; sometimes he wished his staff weren’t so inquisitive. “We need a cover story to corroborate the behavior of Commander Rabb and the rest of the investigative team in Mirbullah. Commander Manetti is helping us out.”

This time Jennifer spoke up. “Begging the Admiral’s pardon, but why do they need this? What is going on over there?”

AJ should have known this wasn’t going to be easy with three of his most persistent and meddlesome staff members involved. They sat looking at him expectantly, waiting for an answer. He could try to brush them off, but that would only make them more determined to find out what was happening. With Harriet Sims, Jason Tiner and Jennifer Coates involved, AJ knew he didn’t have any other choice but to let them know what he knew.

“The Commander and his team have uncovered more than just a murder in their investigation.” Concern crossed the faces of the three young officers. “There’s been interference and improper command influence in the investigation from higher ups in the chain of command.”

“How high up Sir?”

(Tiner, sometimes you are as bad as Commander Rabb, about sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong.) Thought AJ sourly.

“The MEU Commander is involved, and there is evidence his staff may be as well.”

Now it was Harriet’s turn. “Are Commander Rabb and his team in any danger Sir?”

(She really wanted to ask if Bud is in any danger.) “Not at this time, Lieutenant. I’m hoping that by making Lindsey’s report available as Manetti’s report, that it will keep them safe long enough to find the culprits in this case. The Commanders and the others are pretending to be loose cannons hoping to lure out the real killer or killers. The report will confirm their actions if anyone should decide to investigate.”

The three of them looked at each other, and then turned back to the Admiral. “How can we help Sir?” AJ smiled at Jen’s eagerness to help out. (You’ll make a good officer someday, Coates.)

“The Commander and his team need some help locating witnesses here in the states.”

“All of them are here, fortunately, in either North Carolina or Virginia. Lieutenant Sims, Petty Officer Tiner, you two will work with Commanders Mattoni and Imes on their cases. The idea is to keep up the appearance that its business as usual here. The cases they have are fairly routine, but you two could benefit from the experience since you haven’t been doing as much work in that area lately.”

Tiner looked at Jen and Harriet. “Sir, who else is going to help the Mirbullah investigative team?” It was clear that Jen, no matter how good she was, couldn’t help both teams -- especially now since it looked like this case would turn into at least an Article 32 hearing, if not more.

“Petty Officer Coates will help Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie; I have requested a paralegal from the Pentagon to help Commander Turner and Lieutenant Roberts.”

Jen sat forward on her chair, clearly interested that another person was going to be involved in this case. Especially, someone who had not worked at JAG before and was coming in from the Pentagon. “Who is it Sir?”

AJ smiled and pressed his intercom button. “Sergeant Givers will you step in here a moment?”

“Sergeant Marla Givers is in Marine Corps intelligence, specializing in the profiling of Al-Qaeda operatives, she comes highly recommended by her senior officers.”

All three turned and greeted the Sergeant. Her short hairstyle was similar to Colonel MacKenzie’s, except that her hair was jet black. Her Class A uniform sported a number of campaign ribbons and badges. She came to attention in front of them.

"At ease Sergeant." Marla assumed a parade rest stance.

“Sergeant Givers has seen combat duty in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Iraq.”

“Combat duty in Pakistan and Yemen?” asked Harriet. Her and Jason’s clearance level wasn’t as high as Bud’s so information of this kind was news to her.

“Temporarily Assigned Duty,” Marla turned her green eyes to meet Jason’s. She smiled at his obviously appreciative stare. “It’s classified.”

Jason turned red and looked away when he noticed she had noticed his unabashed staring. “I see.”

Jen had also noticed the exchange and decided to put a stop to it before it progressed any further. She smiled sweetly at Marla. “I take it that it was hazardous,” She gave Jason a quick, surreptitious, jab in the ribs.

“Ow! Jen?!” Jason rubbed the spot where she had elbowed him.

“Petty Officer!” barked Chegwidden, “Is there something going on here I should know about?”

“No Sir,” answered Jen in a matter of fact voice. “My arm slipped,” Harriet looked at the young Petty Officer with a mixture of sympathy and amusement.

AJ cleared his throat keeping his eyes on Jason and Jen for moment longer before returning to his briefing. “Getting back to the matter at hand, then. Sergeant Givers will work with Lieutenant Roberts and Commander Turner. Her combat experience in Iraq will help with this case.”

Jason was clearly impressed with her. “Where were you stationed in Iraq, Sergeant Givers?”

“I was with 1st Marines; we helped rescue the remnants of the 507th Maintenance Company at Al Nasiriyah.”

Jen looked skeptically at her. “I thought you were a paralegal.”

“Rifleman first, paralegal second.” Marla explained automatically. She stopped and smiled “Sorry. They called people from my office for combat duty in Iraq.”

AJ cleared his throat. Why did he always feel like he was riding a surfboard in a minefield when dealing with his staff? At least this group seemed to be a little easier to handle than the Colonel and the Commander. “Now that the general introductions are out of the way, you two should get started interviewing eyewitnesses.”

Both women came to attention. “Aye Sir.” Jen and Marla looked at each other, then they both walked toward the door. Marla stood at the door for a moment and then walked out followed by Jen.

He cast a glance at the other two junior officers. “As for you two, report to Mattoni and Imes first thing tomorrow morning, and find out what kind of help they need. Dismissed.”

Harriet and Jason stood up and came to attention. “Aye Sir.”


2150 Local
VOQ, Camp Chesty Puller
Near Mirbullah, Iraq

Mac shook her head and chuckled, as she left the three discussing their theories. She didn’t want to hear the rest. The day’s events had been tiring enough. As they continued their discussion, she headed outside. Mac walked out, away from the barracks into the darkened countryside, and stopped staring up at the endless night sky. It reminded her of her nights at Red Rock Mesa; sometimes she really missed seeing the sky like this. A soft sigh escaped from her lips as she scanned the sea of stars.

“Pretty isn’t it?”

“What?” The voice startled her. She wasn’t expecting anyone else to be out here.

“The night sky – the stars….” explained the voice. Mac tried to see who it was speaking.

“Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Glover,” the voice offered.

“Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie.”

“Haven’t seen you around here before, Colonel,” noted the voice. Mac wished she could see his face, but this part of the compound was so dark, it was difficult to see facial features.

“I’m with the JAG Corps.” Mac explained.

“Oh, so you’re here investigating Lieutenant Dodge’s murder, aren’t you?” inquired the voice.

“Yes.” A simple question deserved a simple answer.

“I’m with S-2, the MEU’s intel shop.” It explained. If that was done to make Mac feel more comfortable, it only partially worked.

“Oh,” replied Mac nonchalantly trying to feign disinterest. She went back to staring at the night sky. In reality, she was cursing herself as to be so dumb as to walk out into the darkness away from their barracks, inviting trouble. If she weren’t so exhausted from lack of sleep, maybe she wouldn’t have done this.

“Colonel?” the S-2’s voice interrupted her internal recriminations.

“Yes Colonel?” she replied warily. Right now, Mac really wished Sturgis or Bud or even Harm would come looking for her. (No such luck….)

“There’s really no reason to investigate this….” Glover’s voice seemed patronizing

She decided to play along for now, even though her anger was building. “Why not?”

“Lukens and Buell are guilty.” Glover said matter of factly.

“Oh? And how can you be so sure?” Mac replied. She wanted to know if this intel officer really knew what he was talking about.

“Well,” he began defensively, “The circumstantial evidence itself is pretty damning--”

“--the key word Colonel,” Mac emphasized a little too strongly not only to get her point across but to indicate her irritation with this man, “Is ‘circumstantial’.”

But that didn’t seem to faze Colonel Glover. He moved closer to her, his form partially revealed she could see a face but it was still partially hidden in the darkness. “--and there are several key eyewitnesses….” He continued.

She had an answer for that one too. “--eyewitnesses can be deceived into believing things that aren’t true.”

“You’re not going to win this one, Colonel MacKenzie.” His eyes showed a cold dead stare she hadn’t noticed before. In the heat of the argument with this man, she had forgotten that he might be a threat to her. She quickly decided to try the sympathy card.

“Colonel Glover, these men deserve a fair hearing and a chance for their side of the story to be told.”

He wasn’t buying it. “Spare me Colonel; I’ve heard it before--”

Forgetting the precariousness of her situation, Mac started to get heated again. “Well maybe you haven’t heard it enough--”

His voice became threatening. “Colonel, you need to be more careful--”

This time, Mac wasn’t buying it. She wasn’t going to be intimidated by this phantom of the MEU. “Are you threatening me, Colonel Glover?”

His words of concern did not match the coldness of his voice. The effect made her feel as if she were a mouse talking to a hungry cat. “I’m just saying be careful; this is still a hostile country, filled with people unfriendly to the United States. Soldiers die in this country almost every day—I’m just saying you should…exercise caution.”

He suddenly shifted his attention away from her. “As for us, the sooner we can get back to our business and stop screwing around out here…the better.”

Sarah MacKenzie couldn’t resist trying to tweak his conscience. “Even at the cost of two innocent lives?”

His icy, ironic response was not what she expected. “No one is innocent in war Colonel MacKenzie, have a good night. Think about what I’ve said.”

Before Mac could say anything else, he disappeared into the shadows. She blinked for a moment trying to see if this had been a hallucination. Deciding that he hadn’t been, she hurried back to the barracks, thankful she hadn’t been killed, and fuming at man’s threats.


---TBC…

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