-HONOR &
BETRAYAL PT 36
*****************************
INT
XO'S OFFICE/BRIG
1302 HOURS
Admiral Chegwidden is sitting in a chair opposite Colonel Lehmann,
the brig's executive officer. Phone to his ear, AJ is in a heated
discussion with Admiral Morris regarding Commander Rabb's
release.
ADMIRAL
Yes Paul , and I do appreciate that! But I strongly
feel that leaving Commander Rabb in the brig until such a time as a
psychological evaluation can be made will only serve to exacerbate his
situation. (there is a long pause followed by
further discouragement becoming evident on AJ's
face) And I understand that, Admiral!
And believe me I can see your point, but I really don't feel as though
he'll soon forget this experience and.................Yes........I know......But
releasing him into my custody would be the next best thing
and......yes.......yes.......I understand!............So your firm in your
decision then?........I see! .... Well, thank you for your time!
With those words, AJ hears a click followed by the dial tone.
As he places the phone back on the receiver, he gazes up to meet the inquisitive
look in the Colonel's eyes.
LEHMANN
(curiously)
Admiral Morris ordered a psychological evaluation on Commander
Rabb?
ADMIRAL
(sighing deeply)
Yah!
LEHMANN
I take it that this isn't the first time the Commander's had a run
in with the Admiral?
AJ observes the Colonel for a long moment considering whether
or not Lehmann's inquisition merited further explanation.
ADMIRAL
(at length)
About three years ago, the Commander discharged an
automatic weapon into the ceiling of Admiral Morris's court room.
LEHMANN
WHAT?......Why?
ADMIRAL
It was a last ditch effort to demonstrate that the weapon's firing
mechanism was indeed working properly.
LEHMANN
Sounds as though the Commander can be a bit of a loose
cannon!
ADMIRAL
That's putting it mildly! ...... But,.... in all fairness to
the Commander, I'd have to say that his actions in that court room
yesterday were....well........understandable.
LEHMANN
Surely you're not condoning his assault on a senior officer?
ADMIRAL
Not condoning,
Colonel!......Empathizing.
There is a long silence between the two men as Lehmann considers
AJ's words.
LEHMANN
The Commander's release into your custody, Admiral.......I take it
that its's conditional on the Commander going through this psychological
evaluation?
ADMIRAL
Yes!......It seems the Admiral's quite willing to release Commander
Rabb altogether based on the evaluating psychologist's
recommendation.
LEHMANN
Well, that sounds fair enough!
ADMIRAL
Yes it does!....Question is, how soon can you arrange
it? I'd like to get the Commander the hell out of here
A S A P!
LEHMANN
Well,....I have a new staff psychologist reporting on board
tomorrow morning. I can make the Commander's evaluation a priority and
based on the results, I can probably have him released in as little as two,
maybe three days. Sound fair?
ADMIRAL
(standing)
Very!....Now all I have to be concerned about is whether or not
Rabb can pass a psyche eval!
LEHMANN
(laughing slightly at the Admiral's
words)
Well, while I've not had the pleasure of meeting Commander
Rabb, personally, Sir, I'm sure he'll do just fine.
ADMIRAL
(sarcastically)
Well, that's because you don't know the man,
Colonel! ........(pauses noting the confused look on the Colonel's
face) Now, the big question is, can you guaranty
his safety during the remainder of his incarceration?
LEHMANN
(reassuringly)
I run a tight ship here, Admiral, so you can be assured
that he's in good hands and that his safety will be utmost in my
mind.
ADMIRAL
Well, I sincerely hope so, Colonel! Because tight ship or
not, bad things have a way of happening to people in places like
this.
COLONEL
I promise you that I'll be taking definite measures to assure
the Commander's safety, Admiral!
ADMIRAL
(in an admonishing tone)
Good! Because I'll be holding you to that,
Colonel!
********************
INT
MAC'S APT
1332 HOURS
Mac and Imes are standing several feet from the sofa observing Alan
Landry, a tall, medium built man in his late thirties carefully clipping away
carpet piles from the coffee stained area of the carpet near base of the
sofa. Placing the the fragments into a plastic bag, he stands, zips the
bag closed and places it into his briefcase.
IMES
(observing the man intently)
Court reconvenes on Thursday morning, Alan, do you
think you can get the results to me by that time?
Mac gazes to Imes somewhat surprised at Imes's casual use of the
man's first name.
ALAN
(jokingly, as he quickly gazes up at
Imes)
Gee.....you don't ask for too much, do
yah?
IMES
(smiling as she patronizes the man)
I'm sorry!........and I really do appreciate NCIS sending one
of their top forensic specialist's out here on such short notice, but I really
do need the results by Thursday morning. Think you can handle
it?
ALAN
(smiling at Imes)
Well, given the high profile of this case and the person who's
requesting it, .... yah, I think I can manage that
somehow!
IMES
(appreciatively as she smiles back)
Thanks!
ALAN
Just don't go getting your hopes up too high. There wasn't
much of anything on the carpet to speak of........(turning to Mac) I'm
surprised you found it at all!
MAC
Well, I didn't!...(indicating Jingo as he was sprawled out asleep
on the floor) Jingo did!
IMES
What I'd like to know is why he didn't find it
sooner!
MAC
Maybe he did but I just never noticed. ........ I'm just hoping
that the test results will be positive and I'll finally have something to
substantiate my testimony.
ALAN
As soon as I have the results, Colonel, you'll be the first to
know!...I promise! ....... ( he collects his briefcase and jacket from the
sofa) Well,......I guess I'll be on my way.
Mac and Carolyn escort him to the door.
IMES
Thanks a lot, Alan!
ALAN
(addressing Imes)
See you tonight?
Imes smiles and nods affirmatively.
ALAN
Good!......I'll pick you up at your place at seven.
With those words, Alan Landry quickly exits the apartment, ...Mac
closing the door behind him.
MAC
(smiling at Imes)
Wow, Carolyn.........what was that all about?
IMES
(laughing)
Trust me, Mac, it's really nothing!......He's just keeps asking me
out and...
MAC
You've been turning him down?
IMES
Well, no! Not turning him down. Just trying
to break things off! See, I've been dating him for a
while now and.....
MAC
Why? ....break things off, I mean!... He seems
like a really nice guy!
IMES
Yah....well, just remember that first impressions can be
deceiving. I mean, picture this! ....You think you've
met the one guy that fits the perfect profile of the man of your dreams, but
then, after nearly SIX weeks of dating him pretty heavily, he finally opens up
to you and confesses that he has four pre-teen kids and is in the middle
of a messy divorce. Now, honestly, Mac, would you want
to stay involved with a guy like that or not?
MAC
Guess I can see your point! ....But hey, you've got to
admit, he's really cute!
IMES
Oh, he's cute alright and a real romantic at heart, but
unfortunately that extra baggage he's toting along behind him is just way more
than I care to handle!
MAC
Agree! But, unfortunately that's an all too familiar
scenario! (her eyes wandering away somewhere over Imes
shoulder as she momentarily drifts off into her own thoughts)
It seems all the good ones are snatched up young and the ones
that aren't have their heads so deep in their own sixes that they wouldn't know
what love was even if it walked up to them and bit them on the
ass!
IMES
(observing Mac curiously)
You don't happen to be talking about that tall,
very good looking and definitely eligible partner of yours now, are
you?
MAC
(Imes words bringing her mind back to the present
moment)
Who, Harm?
IMES
NO....the tooth fairy!......Yes, Harm!........You know the guy
that's serving brig time after putting it all on the line for the sake of
one Colonel's reputation!
MAC
Oh, I wouldn't go as far as to say all that,
Carolyn!....Although the man does definitely seem to fit the profile. But
hey, this isn't about him, it's about you and Alan!.........How'd you meet him,
anyway?
Imes shook her head in disbelief at Mac's indifference and then
considers her question.
IMES
(hesitantly)
I met him here, Mac!.......Your case was his first with NCIS
here in DC.
Mac's mood suddenly changes with Imes's last words.
MAC
(soberly, as she begins to walk toward the door)
Oh!...Lucky him!........(she pauses for a long moment)
.....Well, I guess you better get back to the office. The Admiral's short
handed enough as it is without you being away for too long.
IMES
(noticing Mac's mood swing)
Hey, are you gonna be ok?
MAC
Yah, ....I'm fine!
IMES
(concerned)
Look, I don't like to sound as though I'm prying, here, but
don't you think it's time for you to open up to someone about all of this!
I mean you seem to be keeping it all locked away inside of you and
that's just not the best way to get through all this.
MAC
You're right, Carolyn, you are prying! But, trust
me, I'm handling it just fine, .........so don't go worrying yourself on
my account!
IMES
Mac, I think you're wrong about that! ...I mean there were some
things in your testimony yesterday that you hadn't even told me! It's all
locked up inside you.
MAC
Not anymore, Carolyn, not after yesterday!.......It's
all out in the open now!
IMES
Details, yes!.......But not the deep down issues you're having to
deal with all alone because you're afraid to share them with
anyone.
MAC
What do you think I'm feeling, Carolyn?....... What would you be
feeling?
IMES
I don't know, Mac!.....Maybe a little alone, ..........afraid....
definitely violated!.....But I'm not the one who was raped here, Mac, you
were!
MAC
(gazing around her apartment)
Well thank you for pointing that out! And that being the
case, what good would it do to share any of it with you or anyone else for
that matter?
IMES
It would start the healing process, Mac!
MAC
(bitterly, as she lashes out at
Imes)
Yah, well, my healing process will begin the day that the
sonofabitch that raped me is convicted and sent to prison for the rest of his
life. Then and only then will I be able to pick up the pieces of what's
left to my life and move on!
****************************
INT
BRIG
1734 HOURS
Harm is gazing out of the window of his cell down upon the exercise
yard below. The yard is crowded with inmates engaged in activities from
playing cards, to volleyball to basketball on the hard surface court just below
Harm's window. Hearing footsteps, Harm turns to see Master Sergeant
Durant walking up to his cell door followed by Colonel
Lehmann. Rabb walks toward the door of his cell as the two men pause
outside the door.
DURANT
(as he places the key into the cell door's lock)
Commander Rabb, step away from the door,
please!
Rabb immediately responds by moving back toward his rack that lines
the right side wall of his cell. Durant opens the door and
enters.
DURANT
You will come to attention before the XO,
Commander!
Rabb glances toward the Colonel as he enters the cell and
comes to attention.
DURANT
Colonel Lehmann, this is Commander Rabb.
LEHMANN
(as he walks to Rabb)
As you were, Commander!
Rabb relaxes as Lehmann extends his hand to him in
greeting.
LEHMANN
Well, it's good to finally meet you, Commander!
RABB
(surprised and confused by the Colonel's
enthusiasm, Rabb accepts the Colonel's hand in greeting)
Likewise, Sir!
LEHMANN
I had a long conversation with Admiral Chegwidden in your
regard, Commander, and it would seem that he considers you to be somewhat
of a loose cannon! Care to differ with him on that
point?
RABB
(laughing slightly as his eyes meet
Lehmann's)
Well, Sir, I'm not one to usually contradict what my
Commanding Officer has to say on any given matter, Sir!
LEHMANN
The hell you're not, Commander! Any man that
can haul off and assault a senior officer while litigating under the auspices of
a court of law surely has the balls to at least respectfully disagree with
his Commanding Officer form time to time!
RABB
With all due respect, Sir, but what I did in that court
room had nothing to do with courage or fortitude which the Colonel seems
to be inferring, Sir!
Lehmann studies Rabb's demeanor for a long moment noting the
sincerity in his expression.
LEHMANN
(at length)
Admiral Chegwidden also seems to regard you as a
man of impeccable integrity and honesty. ......... I'm beginning to see
why!
RABB
Well, Sir, the Admiral's being far too generous in his assessment
of this junior officer, Sir!
COLONEL
Then that would mean that you're in contradiction to your
Commanding Officer's opinion of you, Commander!
RABB
Yes Sir, to some degree.
LEHMANN
Something you just said that you couldn't or wouldn't do!
RABB
No Sir! I said I usually wouldn't contradict the
Admiral, Sir!.....( smiling) Usually ....of course being the
operative word here, Sir!
Colonel Lehmann laughs with amusement to Rabb's rebuttal.
Rabb manages to lightheartedly laugh along with the man.
LEHMANN
Very good, Commander!......It's good to see that you have a sense
of humor, .....(his smile withdrawing into a more stern
expression) Because I'm afraid you're going to need
it!
RABB
(curiously)
Sir?
LEHMANN
Admiral Chegwidden has made some arrangements on
your behalf which could possibly give way to your early release from the
brig. Interested?
RABB
(delighted, yet curious)
Yes Sir! Of course! (hesitantly inquiring) But just
exactly what kind of arrangements are we talking about here, Sir!
LEHMANN
(smiling)
Well, that's where having a good sense of humor will pay off,
Commander!
RABB
Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like what you have to
say, Sir?
LEHMANN
Well.......because you probably won't! I know if it were me,
I sure as hell wouldn't! But don't worry, Commander, it's all pretty
painless!
RABB
Oh......wait.......let me guess!........Admiral Morris has ordered
that I undergo a psyche evaluation as a precondition to my
release?
LEHMANN
(smiling as he gazes to Durant)
Hell, give the man a cigar! .......(gazing to Rabb) You've
got intuition to boot, Commander!
RABB
Not at all, Sir!.......Admiral Morris gave me
fair warning that if an occasion such as this ever presented itself, he
would do as much, Sir!
LEHMANN
Well, then, it shouldn't come as any surprise to
you!
RABB
No Sir!
LEHMANN
Good!......You're evaluation is scheduled for 0945 tomorrow
morning. Master Sergeant Durant will escort you down to meet with
one of our staff Psychologists. Durant's also here to brief you on some
added security measures that will be imposed solely on you behalf. It
seems Admiral Chegwidden is somewhat concerned for your safety given the fact
that Captain Peterson has been formerly charged with attempted
murder.......yours!
RABB
The Admiral's concern, Sir, though well
founded is a bit over exaggerated, Sir!
LEHMANN
Be that as it may, Commander, it is my intention to honor the
Admiral's request by insuring your safety during the remainder of your
incarceration in this man's brig. Do you have a problem with
that?
RABB
No Sir!
LEHMANN
Good. I just wanted you to fully understand that
whatever measures the Master Sergeant chooses to take on your behalf are
acceptable to me and that your compliance will be expected.
Any questions?
RABB
(gazing to Durant with obvious
concern)
Permission to speak freely, Sir?
LEHMANN
Certainly, Commander!
RABB
Well, Sir, you've just given the Master Sergeant a
free hand in whatever he chooses to do with me, Sir!
LEHMANN
In matters of assuring your safety, yes, Commander! Do you
have a problem with that?
RABB
(hesitating)
No Sir!....I guess not!......
LEHMANN
Good!
With those words, Lehmann turns away , walks out of the cell
and hastily down the hallway. Rabb's eyes meet Durant's
as Durant approaches him.
DURANT
(his tone of voice somewhat
threatening)
Smart answer, Rabb!.....Isn't anything I hate more than a whiner
and a complainer! (pauses observing Rabb's agitated
demeanor) Hard getting used to someone having control over you,
isn't it?
RABB
Not really!..... I'm used to taking orders!......So, it all comes
down to who's doing the controlling!
DURANT
Meaning?
RABB
(unnervingly making direct eye contact with
Durant)
Whether or not the person's worthy of my respect or whether he's a
pathetic jackass like you!
DURANT
(shaking his head in disbelief of Rabb's
arrogance)
You're at my mercy and still you're just as
arrogant as ever.
RABB
There's nothing arrogant in speaking the truth,
Durant!
DURANT
(sarcastically)
Well, here's a bit of truth for you to swallow then,
Commander.....Some new security measures are applicable to
you!.... You're to remain in lock down unless escorted by an SP to
wherever it is you need to go. That of course will be subject to the
availability of an SP from his regular operational duties. If someone
isn't available, which may often be the case, Commander, then you will have to
wait until such time as one is available. .......Now, in the event
that should occur during your scheduled mess call, then you'll be entitled
to room service with your meal being delivered to the comfort of your
cell! (he pauses for a long moment studying Rabb's demeanor
carefully) Any questions?
RABB
(sarcastically shrugging off Durant's words)
Not a one!
Annoyed by Rabb's indifference, Durant steps away from Rabb
and walks out of the cell. As Durant slams the door behind him, Harm
begrudgingly listens to the sound of the metal rollers locking his cell door
shut and indefinitely confining him to the small interior of his
cell.
**************** TO
BE CONTINUED **************
Hello!
Hope you
enjoyed reading this part. Part 37 should be out by Wednesday (at the very
latest...keeping fingers crossed) and will include part 36 as a portion of
part 37. Reason is that 36 is much shorter than I'd intended as I edited
out a few scenes due to the fact that they just weren't ready for posting.
Also, I don't usually post on weekends due to the fact that lots of people go on
no mail. So, thanks for reading......and again sorry for the
delay!
Gabrielle