| Subject: Sleight of Hand, Part 11 |
Author:
Incatnito
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Date Posted: 21:21:39 07/31/02 Wed
In reply to:
Incatnito
's message, "Sleight of Hand, Part 1" on 23:35:30 07/28/02 Sun
Baylor Women's Shelter
Washington, DC
1220 Local
Sarah glanced over at Emma as they sat in her room going over the details of her escape plan. Emma had given up trying to change her mind after the first thirty-seven minutes. During those thirty-seven minutes... well, it had been an impressive display of persuasion. Sarah knew her own dispassionate view of her plan and the odds against it, puzzled Emma. She wasn't being fatalistic or fearless. She had learned at an early age to separate her emotions from whatever situation she found herself in. During her childhood, it had been a necessary survival tool. As an officer, she'd found it was also sometimes required. A good Marine officer did not show fear or uncertainty in front of subordinates. Nor did a good officer refuse an assignment because of the possibility of injury or death. Sarah truly believed that Harm and the Admiral's best shot at taking down 'Archangel' would be if she kept the network's attention and energy focused upon herself.
But first, she had to get out of the shelter... Sarah was willing to face the danger, but she wasn't planning on being foolhardy. Recon was the key. She knew a good deal more about the subject than a lot of people suspected. Summers spent with her grandmother usually meant at least a week or so with her Uncle Matt, provided he was stationed anywhere near. They would camp in the desert, hunting for fossils and dinosaur prints and her uncle would turn it into a Recon game. That had stopped during the bleak period that began with her grandmother's death and ended, almost literally, with the car crash. Uncle Matt had stepped in and saved her life. After she had joined the Corps; when duty permitted, they always managed at least one trip together a year. (At least until he'd rapped the US government on the snout and gotten a bloody nose in return.) Sitting around the campfire at night, her uncle would expound on the finer points of reconnaissance and being a Marine and she would soak up the information up like a sponge.
Emma's voice brought her back to the present. "Are you sure they're watching this place?"
Sarah nodded, "I think the only reason I made it here at all, was because they didn't think I could stand up, much less walk out of the hospital. They thought they had time." She sighed, "They aren't going to make that mistake again. If Peterson thought I was here, they'll be positive that I am. They're watching."
"But wouldn't it be better to sneak by them?" This was the part of the plan Emma didn't like at all.
"It would probably be safer, but one of the points of this exercise is to make sure they know I've left this place." Sarah didn't like this part either, but it was necessary. She would have to make sure she was seen leaving without being too obvious, and then she'd have to lose them. Privately, she hoped she had the strength.
Emma looked at the DC street guide again. Sarah had been familiarizing herself with the area while Emma filled her in on the neighborhood, its gangs and what areas were disputed. It sounded like Bosnia.
"Sarah? What about a diversion of some sort? I could ask James to come with sirens and lights. I'm sure I could convince him without actually telling him the reason."
"I don't know, Emma. We want to draw these people away from here and they're too dangerous to have James confront them without knowing what he's getting into."
Emma sat with her brow furrowed in thought, "Well, how about this?" She pointed to a street three blocks away from the shelter, "Do you think you can get here?" Sarah looked at the spot and nodded, Emma continued slowly, thinking it over as she spoke, "What if James just raced by them with lights and sirens? See? There's an alleyway that splits off in several directions. If you could get to there while James distracts them, I'll bet you could lose them." She frowned, "It's the timing that will be a problem. From what you've said, it would be better if James didn't start anywhere near the shelter. How will he know when to go?"
"We'll give him a specific time. If I leave the building at, say 0130, it will probably take me 8 or 9 minutes to get to this point. So we tell him to start his run at 0138." Sarah was feeling a little more hopeful, this might work. She looked at Emma in admiration, "You're good at this."
Emma laughed, "You don't raise three children without becoming an expert in tactics and strategy." She started to unstrap her wristwatch, "You'll need this." Emma looked up in surprise when Sarah shook her head. "Don't be silly, it's not expensive or a family heirloom."
Sarah smiled, "It's not that, Emma. I don't need a watch."
"Of course you do, take it." Why was she being difficult over this?
"Emma," Sarah said, "It's 1232."
Emma looked at her watch and then at Sarah, her mouth round with surprise. Sarah shrugged lightly, "I have an internal clock."
Baylor Women's Shelter
Washington, DC
0130 Local
Mac quietly slipped out the side door and crept alongside the building. She was back in Marine mode. She'd said her goodbyes to Emma a few minutes before. After finalizing the plan earlier, they'd gone to the kitchen so she could eat. God only knew when she'd manage that again. Emma had called her son and cajoled him into helping. She'd said something curious about helping out the 'Orphan Brigade' and when she saw the look on Mac's face, had smiled and said, "You're our latest member". Then she had helped Mac into the two layers of clothes. If things worked out, she'd discard the outer layer in the alley, the change in appearance would be insurance. Emma had also had given her what cash she had - fifty-seven dollars. She had brushed off all protests, insisting it would make her feel better. Mac felt a little bit guilty, after everything Emma had done for her, she had asked her for one more favor...
Mac gave herself a mental shake. If she needed any more proof that she hadn't recovered, this was it: woolgathering while playing cat and mouse with people who wanted to kill her. She stopped at the corner of the building and cautiously peered out. It looked clear, but she knew better - they were out there. Mac hurried as quickly as she could through an open area before disappearing into the shadows of the next building. She paused for a second, 'That should do it if they were paying attention.' Now the chase began in earnest.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church
0900 Local
AJ leaned back in his chair and rubbed his jaw. He had dreaded Monday. Yesterday, after discovering the CD, they'd made several copies. The original was now in his safe. Webb had one copy, Harm and Sturgis were working with the other. They were using Sturgis' laptop to prevent accidental (or intentional) access while they tried to identify the 'Archangel' operatives. The tough part was keeping Bud and Harriet out of the loop for now, without seeming to abandon their investigation. He'd put them to work in a conference room, looking for Mac and investigating the escape of their only suspect. Then there was the staff...
The whole building was abuzz with the news of Friday's incident. He had assembled them all and given the salient points: a security breach had killed PFC Rodreguiz and injured Colonel MacKenzie. He'd tried to pass over Mac's disappearance, but Singer 'damn that woman' had asked about visiting the Colonel in the hospital. He was well aware of the animosity between Mac and the ambitious Lieutenant, although they both conscientiously maintained a professional attitude with each other. Singer was probably hoping Mac would take a turn for the worse and she'd be there to see it. AJ grunted in annoyance with himself, that was uncalled for. After she'd brought it up, he'd been forced to tell them that Mac had disappeared. He could only imagine the scuttlebutt making the rounds.
AJ stood up. He'd needed to get out of his office for a bit. He would stop by the breakroom for coffee and try to gauge the mood of the bullpen. There'd been surprise and alarm and now that they had had time to think and talk about it, he'd see if he could tell how they were feeling. 'Damn, this is what Mac would do for him. Keep him abreast of any turmoil in the office.'
He walked out of his office, Tiner wasn't at his desk. One of the office staff had probably buttonholed him. As the Admiral's yeoman, people assumed he had the inside track. 'Not this time,' AJ thought to himself. Entering the bullpen, he heard 'Attention on deck.' He said 'As you were,' more or less automatically as he strode purposefully to the breakroom. Keeping focused on his path, he risked a casual glance sideways, 'Damn!' It was worse than he thought. They were watching him like a hawk, not even pretending to work. So intent on his thoughts, he barely managed to keep from walking over the top of Lt. Singer. "Yes, Lieutenant?" he asked wearily.
"Sir, I'd like to volunteer to help defend Col. MacKenzie... when they find her, of course." Singer added quickly.
AJ's brow lowered, he crossed his arms and in a dangerously soft voice, said, "Excuse me?"
"I heard she's being charged with espionage and probably treason, that's why she running. I'd like to help if I may, sir." Singer said in what she hoped was a sincere manner. What she would really like would be to help MacKenzie into a life sentence in Leavenworth... or in front of a firing squad. She was so sick of the preferential treatment accorded the Admiral's 'pets' - Roberts, Rabb and MacKenzie. If she pulled half the stunts they had, she'd be in Greenland counting ice cubes by now. Lauren knew she was a much better attorney and still, she had to put up with the crappy cases and their patronizing attitudes. This would be her opportunity to shine and if she could find a way to quietly stick it to Col. MacKenzie, so much the better.
"I see," AJ pivoted towards the bullpen and bellowed, "May I have everyone's attention?" The staff froze. "It has come to my attention", he paused and glared at Lt. Singer who blanched, "that scuttlebutt already has Col. MacKenzie branded as a traitor and spy. The Colonel has been assigned here for seven years, most of you have known her for at least two. I have never known her to shirk her duties, no matter the personal cost or risk. I would be extremely disappointed to find that my staff would throw all that aside on the basis of rumor and innuendo. I thought you would give her the benefit of the doubt." He gazed around the room, "Because it is an ongoing investigation, I was hoping to disseminate as little information as possible. I see it will be necessary to compromise that investigation just a little more. The man who broke into these offices and attempted to murder the Colonel has escaped from the brig. We think he had inside help. Colonel MacKenzie has disappeared for her own safety." AJ looked around the bullpen one more time before focusing on Lt. Singer, "That will be all." He marched back to his office and slammed the door.
AJ stood in the middle of his office, still fuming. 'Well, goddammit. You wanted to know what they were thinking; now you do.' He started forward and then realized he had forgotten his coffee. Angrily, AJ stalked towards his desk. He had his finger poised to jab at the intercom button when Tiner's nervous voice came over the speaker.
"Uh, sir?"
"Yes, Tiner?" AJ tried to control his anger. His yeoman knew now was not a good time to interrupt him. It wouldn't be Jason's fault if he had to bell the cat. The thought almost made him smile.
"Sir, there's a woman out here. She's insisting that she speak with the JAG. She says she's going to sue everyone in the Navy from the SecNav on down and she wants us to arrest Inspector Peterson." Tiner added, 'sotto voce', "She's really angry, sir. Her name's Emma Fine."
AJ blinked. "Send her in, Tiner." He thought for a moment and punched the intercom, "And Tiner? Have Commander Turner and Commander Rabb come to my office."
Admiral Chegwidden stood as Tiner opened the office door and a large, heavyset woman swept into the room. She marched up to his desk and looked at him silently. Almost as one, they both turned and looked at Tiner, who was still standing in the open doorway. His eyes widened, and with a mumbled 'Excuse me sir, ma'am.' he hurriedly shut the door. They looked back at each other. Although her face remained impassive, AJ could swear there was a glint of amusement in the woman's eyes.
"Ms. ... Mrs. Fine?" AJ said, offering his hand, "I'm Admiral AJ Chegwidden, the Judge Advocate General. You wished to see me?" He gestured towards a chair, "Please, have a seat." AJ waited until she had settled herself, then sat down himself and folded his hands on his desk. He gazed at her for a moment and then thought, 'what the hell...' Raising an eyebrow, he said conversationally, "You've been frightening my yeoman."
Emma Fine arched an eyebrow back, "I got here in time to watch you frighten almost an entire office. I thought perhaps you had missed one. Sorry." They stared at each other for a minute, then smiled. "Admiral Chegwidden," Emma began. A knock on the door interrupted them.
AJ gave her an apologetic glance, then looked at the door and barked, "Enter."
The door opened. Harm and Sturgis walked in and came to attention. "Commanders Rabb and Turner reporting as ordered, sir." Harm announced. At the Admiral's 'At ease,' they both relaxed and looked at him.
He introduced them to Emma and then said, "Gentlemen, have a seat. Mrs. Fine is about to tell us why she wishes to the sue the Navy." AJ saw Harm share a look with Sturgis. "And why she would like us to arrest Inspector Peterson." Rabb's head came around so fast, for a moment, AJ thought he'd given himself whiplash. They all looked at Emma.
Emma eyed each man in turn, "Well, you're good-looking men, I'll say that for you." She waited while they exchanged puzzled glances, "I can see where Sarah would enjoy coming to work."
Her words brought the three men to their feet, all speaking at once until the Admiral roared, "AT EASE, GENTLEMEN!" He leaned over his desk towards Emma, "You know where Colonel MacKenzie is?"
Emma sat still for a moment, a little taken aback by their reaction. The tall man looked ready to explode. "As of 1:30 this morning, I did. Which was three hours after I ran that odious little man, Inspector Peterson, and his motley crew out of the shelter where I work. I managed to get him out before he found her, but I couldn't convince her not to leave. She was adamant that staying would put the shelter in danger. That young woman could teach stubbornness to mules." Emma huffed a little, remembering.
Harm couldn't contain himself any longer, with an apologetic look at the Admiral, he asked, "Mrs. Fine, was Mac all right? She should have been in the hospital."
Emma smiled at him, "You're Harm, aren't you? Sarah said you tended to get worked up." Sturgis turned his head and tried to suppress a smile as Harm opened his mouth to protest, but Emma continued, "Sarah was definitely on the ragged side when she showed up early Sunday morning. When she left, she was better - but I'm afraid she's still hurting."
Harm started to ask another question when AJ held up a hand, "That's enough for now, Harm." He turned to Emma, "I'd like to hear everything from the beginning but right now, if you could just give us a synopsis, we can decide how to handle it. I'd like to have everyone who's involved be here when you go through the whole story." For the next fifteen minutes, Emma had their undivided attention. When she finished, AJ looked at Harm, "Call Webb on that dedicated cell he gave you. Tell him what's going on and ask him to come in. Have him imply it's his idea to see me." He looked back at Emma, "Mrs. Fine, how would you feel about playing the harridan one more time?"
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