Honor & Betrayal PT
53
Author: Gabrielle T.
Stuart
************
INT
ADMIRAL'S
OFFICE
0800 HOURS
Mac is seated in a leather
chair before the Admiral's desk, as Admiral Chegwidden gazes out the window down
toward the group of reporters gathered around the duty officers station at the
entrance of the parking lot.
MAC
It's a feeding frenzy out
there, Admiral! I could barely pull my car up to the duty officer's
station without feeling as though I was going to run over somebody's
toes.
ADMIRAL
(gazing back over his shoulder to Mac)
Well, maybe you should
have, Colonel, because short of that, there's nothing we can
do to physically remove them from a public street or
sidewalk.
MAC
I even found them standing
vigil outside my apartment building this morning!
ADMIRAL
(turning from the window)
Well, I seem to
recall forewarning you of the potential of a media circus,
Colonel!
MAC
You did, Sir!
ADMIRAL
Well, I'm glad Admiral
Morris used good judgement in issuing an immediate gag order.
At least now Ms Ryerson won't be speaking out publicly in regards to this courts
martial any longer.
MAC
Seems to me the damage has
been done, Sir!
ADMIRAL
Colonel, has
Commander Rabb reported in yet?
MAC
No
Sir!
ADMIRAL
(stepping over to his desk
and hitting the button on his intercom)
Tiner!
TINER'S
VOICE
Yes
Admiral?
ADMIRAL
Send Gunnery Sergeant
Galendez into my office...ASAP.
TINER'S
VOICE
Yes
Sir!
Mac watches the Admiral
take his seat behind the desk as he pauses in silence in anticipation of the
Gunny's entrance.
MAC
(curiously)
May I ask what's on your
mind, Admiral?
ADMIRAL
Arranging for a few extra
Marine's to be posted outside the duty officer's station. JAG's
personnel should be able to arrive at work without being
harassed. Wouldn't you agree,
Colonel?
MAC
(smiling)
Yes sure!........I'm sure
the Commander would appreciate that, Sir!
TINER'S
VOICE
(interrupting their conversation)
Admiral?
ADMIRAL
(pressing the intercom button)
Send the Gunny in,
Tiner!
TINER'S
VOICE
Ahh......it's not the Gunny, Sir! The SECNAV is
on line one and he sounds rather ...........annoyed,
Admiral.
ADMIRAL
(a look of dread passing
over his face)
Thank you
Tiner!
MAC
(standing)
Well, if you will excuse
me, Sir?
ADMIRAL
By all means,
Colonel!
With that, Colonel
Mackenzie hastily leaves the room.
ADMIRAL
(picking up the phone and
reluctantly placing it to his ear)
Mister Secretary!
What can I do for you, Sir?
***************
INT
BULLPEN
0820 HOURS
As Mac walks out of Tiner's
office into the bullpen, she observes Bud and Harriet standing beside Harriet's
desk and immediately walks over to greet them.
MAC
Morning
Bud.......Harriet!
Both gaze to Mac as she
approaches them.
HARRIET
(exhaustion obvious in her expression)
Good morning
ma'am!
BUD
(weary eyed)
Colonel!
MAC
Oh gosh,
Harriet, you look exhausted! If I had known you were
pulling duty this morning, I would have sent you home at a much earlier
hour last night!
HARRIET
Oh no, ma'am, I'm
fine! Really!
MAC
(smiling at Harriet momentarily and then gazing to
Bud)
Harriet told me you went
over to Harm's place last night! How's he doing?
BUD
He seemed.........fine, ma'am!
Really!
Mac gazes suspiciously to
Harriet and then back to Bud.
MAC
There's something you're
not telling me! What is it?
BUD
Well, ma'am, I think
you're already aware of the fact that today's proceedings aren't
going to be easy on you or the Commander, ma'am.
MAC
So tell me something I
don't know, Lieutenant!
BUD
Let's just say that with a
little moral support, the Commander's handling it as best as can be
expected, ma'am!
Mac's eyes shift from Bud
to Harriet and then back to Bud.
MAC
I could order you to tell me what you're hiding,
Lieutenant.
BUD
Then your order would be countermanding the Commander's
order, ma'am!
Out of the corner of her
eye, Mac catches sight of Harm as he enters the bullpen. Harriet and
Bud following Mac's gaze, all three officers observe the Commander walking
across the bullpen directly toward his office.
GUNNY
(as Rabb passes by his desk)
Morning Commander!
HARM
(as he enters his office)
Gunny, I need those
case files I requested yesterday afternoon!
GUNNY
On your desk,
Sir!
HARM
Thanks Gunny!
With that, Harm
disappears behind the closing door of his office.
MAC
(her eyes on Harm's closed door)
Well, I guess his demeanor
speaks volumes in itself now, doesn't it! (turning back to Bud
and Harriet) Well, I better get going. I'm supposed to meet
Commander Imes in the conference room.
With that, Mac walks
hastily toward the bullpen door, her eyes hoping for a glimpse of Harm as she
passes through the doorway of the bullpen and into the adjacent hall.
*****************
INT
JAG COURT
ROOM
0920
HOURS
The court room is filled to
capacity with spectators while prosecutorial and defense counsel as well
as their clients are assembled at their perspective tables at the
front of the court room. Admiral Morris is seated on the
bench and on the witness stand is Doctor Benedict Swanson......a witness for the
prosecution. Peterson's eyes intimidatingly meeting the
physician's, Doctor Swanson shifts uneasily in his chair.
MATTONI
(approaching the
stand)
Would you please state your
name for the record.
SWANSON
Benedict
Swanson..........Doctor Benedict Swanson.
MATTONI
And what is your
relationship to the accused.
SWANSON
We use to be friends and
neighbors up until last August when I moved to Baltimore. We
lost touch with one another after
that.
MATTONI
Were you ever officially
acting as Captain Peterson's physician at any point during the time in which you
were acquainted with him?
SWANSON
No.
MATTONI
So in testifying here
today, you're not in any way in violation of your Hippocratic oath
of office as a physician.
SWANSON
Definitely
not! I knew he had a problem with drinking, and he kept asking
for help........so I finally agreed. He said he wanted to keep it
personal and strictly off the record. Being as I'm
retired Naval officer myself, I was fully aware of the repercussions that could
occur if it was discovered that he had a problem with alcoholism.
So, .....I agreed to help. I mean the man was responsible for other
people's lives. So, I felt obligated to help.
MATTONI
And by what means did you
aid Captain Peterson?
SWANSON
I supplied him with
GHB for approximately nine months. And that's all I did!
Only problem was, he repeatedly went back to drinking. It was like
he really wasn't trying to kick the habit and somehow he seemed not
to really care. After a while I felt that he was just wasting my
time, so I cut him off.
MATTONI
Is GHB normally used in the
treatment of alcoholism, Doctor?
SWANSON
More so in Europe than
here. But it's becoming more of an acceptable practice in the
States. I've used it pretty extensively in my practice with excellent
results.
MATTONI
What was Captain Peterson's
reaction when you told him that you wouldn't supply him with the drug
anymore?
SWANSON
Well, let me explain
something here. GHB isn't classified as drug by the FDA........at
least not at this stage of the game. It's classified as a dietary
supplement and is a natural metabolite of human metabolism. In
it's synthesized form it's used pretty extensively in Europe as a general
anesthetic as well as for the treatment of many common maladies such as
insomnia, alcoholism and well, you name it. What's great about
it is that it's non-habitual, and there's no side effects.......it's
perfect for anyone who needs to be up in running at a moments
notice. In various dosages, it can either be used as a mild sedative
or it can knock you right off your feet. That's why in Captain Peterson's
case it was the best solution in treating him.
MATTONI
Well, Doctor, while we
appreciate the information, you've neglected to answer my
question.
SWANSON
Oh........yes, of
course! Pardon me for running on like that! (he paused for a moment
as his eyes met Peterson's) What was his reaction?....Well, he was pretty
upset to say the least! He had become accustomed to using it more as a
sleep aid then anything else. Insomnia, you know. Well, he
threatened me a little, but hey, at my age, nothing scares me too much
anymore. I told him that if he wanted to continue messing up his life,
he'd have to find someone else to help him out. Last I knew, he was
getting it from some street thug that distributed his own personal
bootlegged version.
RYERSON
Objection!
Hearsay!
MATTONI
Your Honor, Doctor
Swanson's answer to my next question will reveal that Doctor
Swanson's testimony is not merely hearsay. May I
continue?
MORRIS
Objection overruled.
A look of frustration
passes over Ryerson's face. Agitated, Peterson stirs in his seat
while Mac's heart races with anticipation as she realizes that the tables are
seemingly turning in her favor. Glancing over her shoulder, she
searches the court room for Harm. Harm's presence unaccounted for,
she sighs deeply as she once again turns her attention to the front of the court
room and Mattoni directs his next question to Doctor
Swanson.
MATTONI
Doctor Swanson, do you know
for a fact that Captain Peterson had access to an illicit form of
GHB?
SWANSON
Yes, I do indeed! He showed me his private
supply, Commander. He had tablets stored in a
couple of zip lock sandwich bags like it was merely cough drops or
something.
MATTONI
Doctor Swanson, were there
any other ulterior motives which led you to discontinue your supply of GHB to
Captain Peterson?
His eyes slowly drifting
over to Captain Peterson, Doctor Swanson's anxiety is evident in his
expression. Beads of sweat forming slowly on his forehead, he
reaches into his vest pocket, pulls out a handkerchief and wipes his
brow.
MATTONI
(noting Swanson's
hesitance)
Doctor Swanson, will you
please answer the question.
SWANSON
(hesitant, yet bitterly his eyes meeting Peterson's)
Yah! .......There
was. .......... It's something he said to me one night while he was
in one of his drunken stupors'.
MATTONI
What was it that he
said, Doctor?
SWANSON
(gazing to Mattoni)
Well, he had been carrying
on about women in general.....especially women in the work place.......you know,
military types. Complained about how cold and stringent they
were. (turning back to Peterson) Then he picked up
the new bottle of tablets I'd given him earlier that evening and said that with
a few of these babies he could have his way with any of them.
RYERSON
(standing and loudly protesting)
Objection, your
Honor! I move to strike that last comment! It was not only
inflammatory but hearsay at best!
SWANSON
(angrily interjecting on his own behalf as he gazes to
Admiral Morris)
Inflammatory? Hell, you bet it is because it's
true! And it's definitely not hearsay, your
Honor!
MORRIS
Doctor Swanson, you're out
of order and you will restrict yourself to answering only the questions directed
to you by counsel. Understood?
SWANSON
Yes your Honor!.......My
apologies!
MATTONI
It may not have been Doctor
Swanson's place to argue with the defense counsel's objection, your Honor, but I
believe he made a valid point. His last words were not hearsay.
RYERSON
Your
Honor.........
MORRIS
(sighing deeply)
I'm going to overrule you
on this one Ms Ryerson and allow Doctor Swanson's testimony to stand as
is.
RYERSON
But your
Honor,.........this is a blatant........
MORRIS
Ms Ryerson! I've
overruled your objection! Take your seat, please!
Extremely agitated, Ms
Ryerson finds her seat. Peterson stirs restlessly in his seat, his eyes
reflective of the anger churning within him. Mattoni's appeasement evident
in his expression, he glances to Mac and Imes as they sit at the table behind
him. Mac acknowledges Mattoni's efforts as she meets his gaze with a
slight grin and an affirmative nod.
MATTONI
(turning back to Swanson)
Did Captain Peterson
actually use the term "babies" when he referred to the bottle
containing GHB tablets.
SWANSON
Yes!.....He even shook the
bottle as a gesture for adding emphasis to his words.
MATTONI
How many of these GHB
tablets would it take to render a person unconscious?
SWANSON
Two would induce a pretty
deep sleep, but three or four times that dosage could possibly induce a comatose
like sleep.
MATTONI
Rendering it impossible for
that person to be aroused?
SWANSON
Yes.
MATTONI
Thank you Doctor
Swanson! I have no further questions your
Honor!
Ryerson immediately stands
and approaches Doctor Swanson.
RYERSON
Why didn't you report any
of this to the proper authorities?
SWANSON
I ....guess I didn't want to get involved. Now I know
it sounds........
RYERSON
(irritably interrupting)
Or you're simply lying about the whole
incident!
SWANSON
Not at all!
RYERSON
How legal was it for you to be supplying GHB to Captain
Peterson?
SWANSON
I'm a physician, Ms
Ryerson. I can prescribe anything to anyone who in my professional opinion
would benefit by it.
RYERSON
But you weren't acting as
his physician......or so you said!
SWANSON
No, I wasn't. But
that didn't make my actions illegal.
RYERSON
But it does indicate a
patient / doctor relationship.
MATTONI
Objection! The
witness is not on trial here!
MORRIS
Sustained.
RYERSON
Tell me Doctor Swanson,
were you drinking on the night that you supposedly heard Captain Peterson infer
that he was using GHB on unsuspecting women?
SWANSON
It was a dinner party, so
yes, I'd had a couple of drinks. But I wasn't inebriated if that's what
you're inferring!
RYERSON
What kind of
drinks?
MATTONI
Objection!
MORRIS
Overruled. The
witness will answer the question.
SWANSON
Champagne.
RYERSON
Do you drink a lot,
Doctor?
SWANSON
Only on
occasion.
RYERSON
Such as this dinner
party.
SWANSON
Yes.
RYERSON
Well maybe you were more
inebriated than you think, Doctor Swanson.
MATTONI
Objection!
MORRIS
Overruled.
Mattoni gazes to Mac and
Imes somewhat frustrated.
SWANSON
I wasn't drunk, Ms
Ryerson. The two drinks I had were over a four hour period.
(then adding sarcastically, but with a smile) At my age, I think I know
how to handle my liquor if that's where your going with
this........ma'am!
RYERSON
(sighing
deeply)
No further questions of
this witness, your Honor!
****************
INT
INTERVIEW
ROOM
1122 HOURS
Ryerson paces the floor
with great agitation as she converses with Peterson regarding the damage done to
the credibility of his defense by Doctor Swanson.
RYERSON
Captain, do you have any
recollection of the incident where you actually inferred that you'd used GHB to
seduce unsuspecting women?
PETERSON
Now, how could I have any recollection of something that
never happened, Ms Ryerson! Doctor Swanson's lying, plain and
simple.
RYERSON
About
everything?...........Including his supplying you with
GHB?
PETERSON
No. That part's
true.
RYERSON
And as a sleeping
aid?
PETERSON
We've been over this, Ms
Ryerson........only yesterday!
RYERSON
Well, lying or not, he
damaged the credibility of your defense. You can't tell me half truths and
expect to come out of this with an acquittal, Captain.
PETERSON
His word's no better than mine! Put the focus back on
Colonel Mackenzie where it belongs..........attack her credibility. We'll
win this one!
RYERSON
Don't fool yourself,
Captain! Besides, I believe it's a bit too late for all of that
now!
PETERSON
What?
RYERSON
All evidence is pointing to
your culpability, Captain. That being the case, I believe it would be in
you're best interest to consider a plea bargain at this stage of the
game.
PETESON
Yah, well, it's not your
career going down the tubes here, Ms Ryerson! The answers no! No
plea bargains.
RYERSON
You're career was
effectively ruined the day Colonel Mackenzie filed rape charges against you,
Captain. And let's not forget the charges your facing for the attempted
murder of Commander Rabb! I think it's time for both of us to admit that
as it stands now, we are probably going to loose this one. A guilty plea
on a lesser charge will get you far less confinement time! So consider
your options very carefully.
PETERSON
(drawing closer to Ryerson, his eyes glaring over in a cold
had stare)
Let me make myself clear, Ms Ryerson! I am NOT
pleading guilty on any charges, .......not now, ......not ever! You
see, prison is NOT an option for me!
RYERSON
(slightly backing away from him)
Well, think again, Captain, because that much is
definitely out of your control. You'll be making a big mistake not
to reconsider your position in this.
PETERSON
The way I see it,
you'll be making a be making a bigger mistake by not putting the focus back on
Colonel Mackenzie. You do that, and this trial will turn back in our
favor. So do your job, Ms Ryerson. Be the litigator I know you to
be! And know this with all certainty! I do not intend to spend one
day in confinement let alone a few years, so don't..........I repeat,
.......don't you ever again ask me to plead guilty on any charge. Am
I making myself clear?
RYERSON
(noting the desperate determination in the man's
eyes)
Cyrstal!
*********************
INT
HARM'S OFFICE
1130 HOURS
Keeping himself fully
engulfed with his case load, Harm works diligently disallowing any moment in
time for his mind to wander. A knock on his door interrupting
his train of thought, Harm completes the document before him with his
signature.
HARM
(irritably, as he closes the file before him)
Enter!
With his approval, the door
opens to reveal Harriet. She enters apprehensively, pausing in
front of the Commander's desk.
HARRIET
Excuse me, Sir!
HARM
(leaning back into his
chair as he gazes up)
Is it that time
already, Harriet?
For the first time since
Harm's assault at the brig, Harriet observes the cuts and bruises on her senior
officer's face. Taken aback, her mouth drops open and she is momentarily
rendered speechless.
HARM
(noting her obvious
shock)
Harriet!?
HARRIET
Yes
Sir!
HARM
You wanted
something?
HARRIET
Uhmn.......Yes
Sir!..........Sorry Sir! ........I didn't mean to stare! ..........It's
just that.....I.......
HARM
Harriet!........It's
ok! I understand!
HARRIET
(getting a grip on
herself)
Yes Sir!..... You wanted to
be informed as to when Lieutenant Commander Parker and Colonel Becker were
going to testify, Sir. Commander Parker is about to take the
stand as we speak and Colonel Becker will follow forthwith.
HARM
(his voice
softening)
Thanks Harriet! I'm on my way.
HARRIET
Yes Sir!
She then quickly begins her
retreat to the door.
HARM
And
Harriet?
HARRIET
(pausing and gazing over her shoulder to the
Commander)
Yes
Sir?
HARM
(with a slight smile as he attempts to ease her
concern)
It's really not at all as bad as it
looks!......Honest!
HARRIET
(frowning)
I sincerely hope not, Sir!
With that, she quickly
exits the office closing the door behind
her.
******* To Be Continued
******