| Subject: Sleight of Hand, Part 7 |
Author:
Incatnito
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 20:41:13 07/30/02 Tue
In reply to:
Incatnito
's message, "Sleight of Hand, Part 1" on 23:35:30 07/28/02 Sun
Undisclosed Location
1730 Local
"Well?" The man sat back in the shadows. One could never be too careful.
"No luck, she hasn't been left alone for any length of time. Wouldn't it be simpler to just kill her? We have her computer and files." The other man paced, his eyes constantly sweeping the area.
"Simpler, yes. Smarter, no. Colonel MacKenzie's no fool. Once she realized what was going on, I'm sure she took precautions. We know Lattimer had to have provided her with some sort of proof, we need to find it."
"Aren't we taking a chance? Eventually, MacKenzie's going to be coherent enough to tell someone what she's learned. That JAG officer, Commander Rabb, has been hovering. He's got a reputation for being a real bulldog when he sets his teeth into something."
"I realize it's a risk, but I've taken steps to... ahhhh... 'neutralize' the situation. It should become a big enough diversion to draw off even our tenacious Cmdr. Rabb."
"Peterson?"
"Peterson."
"Is he...?" the other man hesitated. If they had learned nothing else from those damned terrorists, it was to compartmentalize. He wasn't sure if he was stepping onto dangerous ground.
The figure in the shadows chuckled, "No, Inspector Peterson is exactly as he seems. An abrasive, overzealous little man given to abuse of power. What he lacks in IQ, he makes up in ego. I merely sprinkled the bread crumbs and pointed him in the right direction."
"I was hoping it was an act; otherwise, the man is an idiot." the other man growled, "A dangerous idiot. I think he's going to cause more problems than he's going to solve. ... I wish Rabb had thrown him out a window."
"I've made my decision," replied the man, his voice considerably colder. "Everything will fall into place. We already corrected our 'problem' with Aiken. When he and that other fool, Franklin, screwed up at JAG, we lost our opportunity to wrap this up quickly. So now, we'll take the longer view. Everything will work out if we're patient - and don't panic." He looked at his watch, "I have to go."
The other man waited five minutes and then left the building by a different exit. Walking to his car, he scanned the street in both directions before unlocking the door and getting in. Corporal Hanley took one more look around and drove off.
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
2042 Local
Harm put some soft jazz CDs into the stereo, adjusted the volume down low and went to the kitchen. Pulling a beer out of the fridge, he walked over to the couch and collapsed. He'd gotten home about ten minutes ago, he had stayed at GW until they threw him out. As the sedative wore off, Mac had become more and more restless. He wound up sitting by her bedside, talking quietly, holding one of her hands. She hadn't quite regained consciousness, but did relax enough to sleep more peacefully.
He took a long pull of his beer. It was ironic, the one person he desperately wanted awake and talking was the one he was willing to defend from any and all comers so she could sleep and heal. He grimaced, one of his quiet conversations had been to Admiral Chegwidden on his cellphone. He told the Admiral about Peterson and what he had done. He'd been braced for an ass-chewing; instead, AJ told him about their mystery intruder's escape from the brig. Frustrated and worried, Harm got up and began to pace. Hospital security had been notified of the man's escape and the possibility of his coming after Mac. They had assured him (repeatedly, until the security chief had politely told him to go to hell) that they would stay on top of it. He just didn't like depending upon civilians for something like this - he wanted Marines. It seemed that every time he turned around, this nightmare got more convoluted. What, in God's name, could Sarah MacKenzie have stumbled into?
Finishing the beer, Harm dropped back onto the couch and stared out the window. He really should just go to bed. He'd had maybe four hours of sleep in the last thirty-six. While he was physically tired, it was the emotional rollercoaster he'd been on that really exhausted him. Finally, he gave up. Try as he might, he couldn't make any sense out the entire situation. He'd sleep and get a fresh start in the morning, maybe by then, Mac would be awake and talking.
George Washington Medical Center
Mac's Room
0240 Local
Mac watched the security guard scan her room. She'd been awake for several hours, finally rid of that head-stuffed-with-cotton feeling. The return of clarity also brought the return of pain, but she could deal with that. She hated the loss of control that the drugs induced. She'd had enough of that during her alcohol-hazed teenage years.
She'd been going over her options. Lattimer was dead. She knew it was murder and she had no proof. She'd been caught by surprise at the swiftness of the Archangel network's response to her involvement. It'd been luck and Gunny Walters' instincts that had kept her alive. It was also puzzling. Killing her at that point was stupid. They didn't know where Lattimer's evidence was or what arrangements she might have made as 'insurance'. Mulling it over, she decided it had been a spur-of-the-moment reaction to finding her at JAG. Peterson was another matter. His being a NIS inspector pointed toward Admiral Jacobs' involvement but he hadn't gone in the expected direction. Instead of zeroing in on Lattimer and what he might have given her, Peterson had started leaping to completely unrelated topics. Her family, her command of languages, her overseas assignments... Mac paused, "No... " Still, it made a certain sense, it wouldn't be hard to put the right spin on completely innocent facts. Actually, it was inspired. Once accused of espionage (especially in today's climate), any mention of Archangel would be discounted. Hell, they'd probably find a way to pin that on her too. She'd find herself in NIS custody, they'd get the information they wanted (she had no illusions about that) and then, no doubt, she too, would commit suicide. Harm would never believe it, of course. He'd keep pushing, even without evidence, and they'd probably arrange to have him hit by a bus.
She needed to stay alive and she needed to stay away from her friends. She didn't want anyone getting caught in the crossfire, Rodreguiz was enough. Mac had the beginnings of a plan. She carefully thought it over. The tricky part would be trying to maintain some sort of contact with the Admiral and Harm... and not getting caught.
Mac consulted her internal clock, the guard had been gone for seventeen minutes; they checked in her room every seventy-five minutes, give or take a few. Well, if she had learned nothing else from Archangel, it was 'no time like the present.' Carefully, she sat upright and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Closing her eyes, she let the dizziness wash over her and dissipate. Cautiously, Mac eased upright. She sat back down when her knees started to buckle. Gritting her teeth, she tried again. Eventually, she stood and leaning against the edge of the bed for support, took a few tentative steps. Reaching the foot of the bed, she sat down again. This was frustrating, it wouldn't be much of an escape if she wound up facedown in the hallway after the first ten feet. Try again. This time she made it to the head of the bed and leaned against the wall. Better. Turning, she located the overnight bag Harriet had brought. 'Bless her for that.' From there, Mac measured the distance to the bathroom and grimaced. Well, it always helps to have a goal. Pushing off the wall, she headed for the bag.
George Washington Medical Center
Mac's Room
0353 Local
Mac waited while the guard made his customary sweep and left, then waited another five minutes. She wasn't terribly impressed with the hospital security. Their rounds were made with predictable regularity. Gunny Walters would have randomized their routes, making it harder to guess where and when they'd be. 'Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Your chances of pulling this off aren't that great even knowing where they are.' Mac admonished herself. Throwing the covers off, she slowly made her way to the door and cautiously checked the hallway. Finding it clear, she began her escape.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church
0630 Local
Harm strode through the bullpen on the way to his office. He had managed to sleep and was mildly surprised at how much better he felt. Today, he would talk to Mac and they would crack this case wide open. They'd uncover the people responsible for this nightmare and he'd come down on them like a ton of bricks. He relished the opportunity, if for no other reason than that they had screwed up his weekend with Mac. Harm grinned to himself, 'Now there was a capitol offense.' He sobered briefly, they'd also come damn close to killing her. For that, he would gladly rend them limb from limb. Entering his office, he dropped his cover on a file cabinet and put his briefcase on the desk. Deciding on a cup of coffee, he turned and almost collided with AJ. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't see you." Harm took in the Admiral's grim visage, "What's wrong? Oh god, is it Mac?"
"GW just called. Mac is missing." AJ fought to keep his voice level. It had been a long time since he felt this angry.
"Missing? Missing! How the hell did that happen?!" Harm's voice grew steadily in volume. "Goddammit, I can't believe this! Where was their security!? Son of a bitch, I KNEW I should have stayed!" In the back of his mind, a little voice was hissing, 'Idiot! You're yelling at a two-star!' but he just couldn't stop himself.
"AS YOU WERE, COMMANDER!" AJ waited while Harm struggled to get himself under control.
"I'm sorry, sir. No excuse." Harm braced at attention.
The Admiral glared at his commander for another thirty seconds. It seemed far longer. Finally, he spoke, "I'm going over to GW now. I was going to suggest you accompany me. You still may, if you think you can control yourself. I will not have you going through there like the Wrath of God. Are we clear?"
"Yes sir."
"Fine. I'll meet you at the elevator in two minutes." AJ turned and stalked back to his office. He really couldn't blame Harm for his reaction. Dammit, he felt like putting his fist through something.
George Washington Medical Center
Security Office
0705 Local
The security chief eyed the two naval officers warily. "I don't know what to tell you. Ms. MacKenzie was asleep in her room at 4:00 this morning and at 5:00, she was gone. An open overnight bag was in the bathroom and hospital gown and ID were in the sink. We think she walked out on her own."
"Why wasn't I notified at 5:00?" AJ kept his voice mild. Rabb stood silently behind, the tension fairly radiating off him.
The chief shifted uncomfortably, "We wanted to search the hospital and grounds first and I needed to interview my guards. No one saw anything suspicious and we don't think any unauthorized people got into hospital. We think she just left." he repeated somewhat defiantly.
AJ felt Rabb shift behind him and shot a warning glance over his shoulder. Turning back, he said, "It's been over two hours, what else have you done?"
"What?" the security chief looked at him blankly.
"Have you called the police?"
"Why? Ms. MacKenzie's an adult and she wasn't a prisoner here. Leaving might have been stupid but it wasn't criminal and she has to be missing twenty-four hours before the police will even begin to look..." The chief's eyes widened suddenly and AJ barely got an arm up in time as Harm started to roar past.
"You stupid son of a bitch!" Leaning into the Admiral's restraining arm, Harm was white-faced with anger. "She was in this damned place because someone tried to kill her. If anything happens to her because of your incompetence, I will tear off your leg and shove it so far up..."
"STAND DOWN, COMMANDER!" AJ spun back to the security chief and pinned him with a glare, "You were supposed to be guarding her because you wouldn't let us do it. Do you want to explain how a woman who could barely sit up yesterday, managed to walk out of this hospital without any of your people seeing her? What the hell kind of security force do you have?" AJ stared at the sputtering chief for a moment longer and then, turning on his heel, marched out of the room.
Harm stared at the man, and then he too, exited the office. AJ was waiting outside in the corridor. He started to apologize but the Admiral held up a hand, "Forget it, Harm. If you hadn't distracted me, I might have tried to throttle him myself." AJ shook his head, "You know the worst part? Even as I was asking him to explain, in the back of my mind, I was thinking, 'Yeah, that stubborn jarhead could have pulled it off.' " The Admiral stood for another moment, then looked at Harm and said, "Let's go."
"Sir?"
"Back to JAG. Contact Sturgis, Bud and Harriet and Clayton Webb and see if they would be willing to come in. We've been playing catch-up since this whole thing started and I'm damned tired of it. I want to know what's going on and who's involved and then... " AJ paused. Harm looked at him expectantly. AJ smiled ominously, "And then, we're gonna kick some ass."
"Sir... Mac?"
"Will probably contact us before we can find her. And we will find her, Commander. You can take that to the bank."
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 