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Honor &
Betrayal...... Pt 52
Honor & Betrayal Part 52
**********
INT
BULLPEN
1610
HOURS
As Harm disappears behind the
closing door of the Admiral's office, Mac turns to meet Brumby
face to face.
BRUMBY
(gazing toward the Admiral's
office)
I'm afraid that the Admiral's
about to give Commander Rabb some pretty bad news, Mac.
MAC
What do you
mean?
BRUMBY
Ahh.......it'd be better for you to hear it coming from Harm
rather then from me, Mac!
Irritably, Mac pushes her way past Brumby and walks
toward her office. With Brumby following close on her
heels, Mac abruptly turns back toward him causing them to nearly bump into one
another a second time.
MAC
(somewhat startled)
What?
BRUMBY
Nothing! Just
on my way to my office. It's still right next to yours, you
know.
MAC
Thanks for reminding me,
Mic!
BRUMBY
Did you want to ask me
something?
MAC
Yes, as a matter of
fact.
BRUMBY
(curiously)
Well, what is it Colonel?
MAC
You didn't actually have an
APB put out on my car, did you?
BRUMBY
(smiling )
No Colonel, of course not. I just used that story so
no one would know that I'd actually gone out to Harm's place to check up on
you. I mean all things considered, it was the only logical
conclusion one could come to as to your whereabouts, Mac!
For a long moment, Mac just
stares contemptuously up into Brumby's eyes, then turns away and
storms off into her office.
BRUMBY
(following close on her heels)
What?........What's the matter? I thought you'd be
relieved that I hadn't put out an APB.....
MAC
It's not that,
Mic! (she's falls into silence for a long moment) What did you
think you'd gain by taking that photograph, Mic? Was winning Peterson an
acquittal worth that much to you?
BRUMBY
Whoa, now wait a bloody
minute here, Colonel! I didn't take any photographs. I came by them
just as I've claimed. Surely the Admiral..........
MAC
I know what the Admiral
told me, Mic, but somehow I'm finding your story a bit hard to
believe!
BRUMBY
It's the truth, Mac! Yesterday afternoon I was
shoveling out my driveway when this guy approached me and handed me an
envelope. All he said was that I'd know what to do with what was in
it. Then, he got back into his truck and drove away. That's
it, Mac! End of story.
MAC
(contemptuously)
And you didn't hesitate for one minute to do just that, did
you Mic!
BRUMBY
We know all the reasons why
I had to do what I did, Mac! I'm defending Peterson and you know it would
have been a breech of ethics if I hadn't brought that photograph to my
lead counsel's attention.
MAC
You knew it wasn't like that between Harm and I, Mic!
BRUMBY
All I know is that I've
seen first hand how jealous the man gets when he feels I'm getting too
friendly with you, Mac! And if that doesn't somehow speak to you, well
then, I'd have to say that you're a bit blind,
Mac! At any rate, I couldn't be certain that
given all the two of you had been through lately that maybe.......just maybe you
had sought solace in the comfort of one another's arms.
MAC
At this point in time, Mic,
what difference would it have made!? Harm's no longer Peterson's defense
counsel so there wouldn't have been any impropriety, nor breech of ethics, and
certainly not any conflict of
interest!
BRUMBY
I did what was in the best
interest of my client, Mac! I can't explain it any better then
that!
MAC
Well, it's a breech of
ethics for you to be standing here having this little conversation with me,
Commander! So why don't you just get out of my office and out of my
sight!
BRUMBY
Fine!
With that, Brumby hastily
turns and walks out of the office.
****************
INT
ADMIRAL'S
OFFICE
1612
HOURS
Entering the office,
Harm finds the Admiral sitting at his desk.
HARM
(standing in the doorway)
You asked to see me Sir?
ADMIRAL
(coldly, with a look of discord in his expression)
Come in Commander...
Have a seat!
Harm closes the door behind
him then complies with the Admiral's request by walking to one of the leather
chairs arranged before the Admiral's desk. Once seated, a long
moment of silence passes between the two men, Harm attempting to decipher the
look in the Admiral's face.
HARM
I saw Ms Ryerson leaving your office just now. This
wouldn't have anything to do with her visit, would it?
ADMIRAL
(sighing deeply)
Partly! She seems to be under the
impression that you'd make an excellent character witness where Captain
Peterson's defense is concerned!
HARM
Character
witness?......Admiral, I'm afraid I'm not following you,
Sir!
ADMIRAL
Well then, let me spell it
out for you, Commander. Admiral Morris turned down Ms
Ryerson's request for a new trial twice over now. So, in
a last ditch effort to win an acquittal, she's decided to go for the jugular by
using your relationship with Colonel Mackenzie to her
advantage.
HARM
What?........Admiral.......
ADMIRAL
Ms Ryerson's filed an
addendum to the witness list declaring you a hostile witness. She
thought it was in everyone's best interest that I be forewarned considering the
repercussions that may occur as a result.
HARM
Admiral, you can't be
serious?
ADMIRAL
Do I look like I'm kidding, Commander?
HARM
No
Sir!
ADMIRAL
Good, ...because I'm
not! And apparently Admiral Morris has somewhat begrudgingly approved her
request.
HARM
Admiral, you've got
to know where she's planning on going with this, Sir.
ADMIRAL
Yeah! She's placing you squarely on the
proverbial hot seat and how you handle it will probably weigh pretty
heavily on the outcome of this court
martial!
HARM
(bitterly)
Well, if I have anything to do with it, Sir, it won't
be in Ms Ryerson's favor!
ADMIRAL
As the convening authority,
Commander, I can't advise you on how to approach this, but I
will say that underestimating Ms Ryerson's abilities would be a
grave mistake on your part. She's a damn fine litigator,
Commander! So be sure not to add perjury and / or
contempt to the long list of potentially damaging accusations that have already
been brought against you! I hope I've made myself clear,
Commander!
RABB
Yes,
Sir!
ADMIRAL
You're
dismissed!
HARM
(standing)
Thank you
Sir.
With that, Harm hastily
turns away and walks out of the office.
The Admiral leans back into
his chair, his discouragement evident in his expression. Sighing deeply,
he shakes his head negatively as he throws his pen down onto the surface of his
desk.
****************
INT
MAC'S
APT
2312 HOURS
Her television set on and
tuned in to the local news channel, Mac returns to the sofa with a fresh cup of
coffee in her hands. Glancing to the television set, she
observes the image of Ms Ryerson as she is being interviewed by
Melanie Blake, reporter for the Washington Herald newspaper. Her mouth
dropping open at the sight of Ryerson's image on the television screen, Mac
slowly takes a seat on the sofa.
MELANIE
BLAKE
What do you see as the outcome in the courts martial of
Captain Peterson?
RYERSON
Of course that's quite unpredictable at this point and I
certainly can't discuss the details. But in all honesty, I think the
Navy is trying to crucify this man based on deceit, hearsay, and possibly even
tampered or fabricated evidence.
BLAKE
Can you be more specific?
RYERSON
Well, consider Commander
Rabb's assault in an open court on not only his client but a senior officer as
well. That act alone speaks volumes in itself, now doesn't
it!
BLAKE
Just exactly what are you
trying to say, Ms Ryerson?
RYERSON
That Commander Rabb's
relationship with the plaintiff clouded his judgement and made it impossible for
him to be the kind of litigator that this case demanded.
BLAKE
Well, from what I
understand, both officers have had a long standing professional
relationship! Are you trying to say that there may have been more to
this relationship than was originally perceived?
RYERSON
Why else would a
man......or woman for that matter jeopardize their entire
career?
BLAKE
You mentioned something
about fabricated evidence?
RYERSON
Well, consider the fact
that Colonel Mackenzie found traces of GHB in her apartment months after the
initial investigation. All evidence was handled by Navy personnel and
successfully introduced as evidence.
Ryerson's words reeling in
her ears, Mac grabs the remote and turns off the set. Sighing
deeply, she sits staring at the blank television, her cup shaking within her
hand. A knock coming upon her door, Mac jumps nervously in
response. Then quickly she stands, walks to the door and peeks
through the peep hole in the door. On the opposite side of the door, she
observes Harriet standing in the hall with baby AJ in
tote.
**************
INT
HARM'S
APT
2338 HOURS
His stereo playing nearly
at maximum volume, Harm stands by the kitchen counter downing a long neck bottle
of beer. Emptying the bottle in one final swallow, he sets it down
on the counter next to the other four empty bottles he had previously
consumed. Staring at the empty bottles for a long moment, he
finally shrugs his shoulders, walks to the refrigerator and removes another
bottle from the shelf. Over the volume of his stereo, he hears a
pounding noise coming from his front door. Walking somewhat unsteadily
with the long neck in hand, Harm makes his way to the door. Gazing through
the peep hole, he observes Bud standing outside the door in the hallway.
With a great deal of reluctance evident in his demeanor, Harm finally
opens the door.
HARM
(slightly stammering over his words)
Bud!........What are you doing here this time of the
night?
BUD
(immediately noting Harm's demeanor and the beer in his
hand)
Just thought you might need some company Sir!.....Unless of
course you'd prefer not to have my company, Sir!
HARM
Well, .......I don't know,
Bud! It's late!........ And I mean someone might think
that.........well........you know! (he laughs) Hell, who
knows what people might think!!!
BUD
(slightly amused with the Commander's obvious
inebriation)With respect, Sir, but I think you've had a little too much to
drink!
HARM
(indicating the bottle of beer in his
hand)
Hey........there's lots more where this one came from!
You want one Bud?
BUD
Only if I can come in and
stay a while, Sir!
HARM
Hey, sure!.........Not a
problem!
With that, Harm swings the
door open and allows Bud to enter. As Harm unsteadily walks toward the
kitchen, Bud closes the door and then makes his way toward the dining
room.
BUD
(shouting to Harm, the sound of the stereo uncomfortable to
his hearing)
Do you mind if I turn the
stereo down some, Sir? It's awful loud!
HARM
(reaching the refrigerator and opening the
door)
Nope........suit yourself,
But!
Harm laughs at his own
mispronunciation of Bud's name as he pulls another long neck of beer out of the
refrigerator. As the sound of the stereo lessens, Harm slams the
refrigerator door closed and walks toward the living room. As he
takes a seat on the sofa, he gazes up to see Bud walking toward
him.
HARM
(flipping open a bottle of beer and handing it to
Bud)
There you go, my man!
Have a seat!
BUD
(taking a seat beside Harm)
Thank you, Sir! (he
pauses for a long moment) Are you ok, Sir?
HARM
Well, a few more of these, and everything will be just
fine!
BUD
With all due respect, Sir,
but getting drunk isn't going to solve anything, Sir!
HARM
Yeah it will, Bud!
It'll stop me from feeling anything and that my friend is my
intention!.........Not to feel a damn thing for the first time in three damn
months!
Harm downs several more
sips of beer.
BUD
And come morning, Sir, you'll be feeling a hellofalot more
than all the emotions that are tearing you up inside at the moment,
Sir!
HARM
(resentfully)
Well, that's my business,
isn't it Bud!
BUD
Yes Sir it
is! But consider this, Sir! How do you
think you'll be able to present yourself on that stand tomorrow if you're hung
over, Sir!
HARM
(with increased resentment)
I'll handle it,
Bud!
ROBERTS
No you won't, Sir!
Not if you're hungover and certainly not with the degree of professionalism
that's indicative of who you are.
HARM
(begrudgingly standing and
walking toward the kitchen)
Lieutenant, you're out of
line!
BUD
(standing in dismay by
Harm's uncharacteristic behavior)
Well if you can't fathom
what a poor performance on that stand tomorrow could possibly do to your own
career, then maybe you should consider Colonel
Mackenzie's!
Harm reels around walking
back to Bud and staring him down face to face.
HARM
That's all I've thought
about, Bud! Through this whole damn thing.......that's all that's
been on my mind! So don't begrudge me one night of feeling nothing for a
change........even if it is in the solace of a drunken stupor!
(heading toward the door) Now why don't you just leave me be,
Bud! Just do me a favor and go home to your wife and kid where
you really belong, because trust me, I don't need any lecture from
you!
With that, he reaches the
door and yanks the door open so hard that it slams up against the wall.
Bud slowly walks toward the door pausing in front of Harm, his gaze
meeting the cold and angry glare in Harm's eyes.
BUD
With all due respect, Sir,
but you're not the only one who's suffered through all this, Sir! So
hasn't the Colonel. But you have to come to terms with the fact
that it's your testimony that could possibly make or break the
entire prosecution of this case! It's your testimony
that's going to be fresh on the minds of the members of the jury as they
deliberate. And in the end, it's the influence of your
testimony that could see Colonel Mackenzie's rapist convicted or
acquitted. You can't begin to face that in the solace of a
drunken stupor, Commander!
The angry glare in Harm's
eyes softening, he carefully studies the earnest expression on
his friend's face for a long moment as he considers the Lieutenant's
words.
HARM
(sighing deeply)
Point well taken,
Lieutenant! I guess I'm the one that's out of line here.
Thanks for setting me straight!
BUD
You're welcome, Sir!
(indicating the bottle of beer in Harm's hand) Now, if you'll just
surrender that bottle of beer, Sir, I can dispose of it for
you.
Harm takes a long look at
the bottle of beer in his hand and then gazes to meet the determined expression
on his junior officer's face.
HARM
I'm glad you stopped by,
Bud!
With that, Harm hands Bud
the half emptied bottle of beer.
HARM
Here!.........And take
what's left in the refrigerator when you leave less I get tempted to act like an
ass and have a couple of more later on! (he smiles gratefully, the beer
he's already consumed obviously affecting his faculties) I'm going to take
a quick shower.......kinda shrug some of this off! You can
stay if you want.
With that, Harm
somewhat unsteadily walks off toward the bedroom.
Nervous perspiration beading up on his forehead, Bud sighs deeply as he gazes
after Harm.
After closing the front
door, he walks into the kitchen with both bottles of beer in
hand. As he reaches the kitchen sink, he
takes note of the five empty bottles. Shaking his head
negatively, he empties the other two bottles of beer he
carried from the living room down the drain. That task completed, he opens
the refrigerator to discover three other six packs of beer sitting on the
top shelf.
BUD
Yah, I wish!........
Harriet would have my head for sure if I took all this home!
Sighing deeply, he
pulls the three six packs of beer from the shelf and begins emptying each of the
bottles down the drain.....occasionally sneaking a sip of beer in the process.
*****
INT
MAC'S APT
2332
Mac and Harriet are sitting
silently at the kitchen table watching baby AJ as he lays sound asleep in his
infant seat. A cup of coffee sitting on the table before each of them
neither knowing what to say to the other.
HARRIET
(at length, finally
breaking the silence)
If I hadn't of been such a busy body, none of this probably
would have happened.
MAC
(gazing sharply up from little AJ)
Harriet, don't you dare
even start beating yourself up over this one! You did exactly what I would
have done if the tables had been turned!
HARRIET
Really?
MAC
Really!
HARRIET
I just don't even see the logic behind Ms Ryerson using the
Commander as a witness against you! It doesn't make any
sense!
MAC
Oh, I'm sure she has something significant up her sleeve,
Harriet! I'm just glad that Bud's gone over there to check on
Harm. I mean after that second meeting with the Admiral, he just
shut down completely and wouldn't speak to anyone.
HARRIET
I know!.........Bud said
that too! He was really concerned. In fact when we went to bed e all
Bud did was toss and turn. So I suggested that he go pay the Commander a
visit. And then I thought of you........and how this may all be affecting
you and so here I am!
MAC
Thanks, Harriet! I
sure needed someone to talk to tonight and I'm sure Harm did
too! You're a good friend, Harriet!
********************** TO BE CONTINUED
********************