"Chegwidden," he answered gruffly.

"Sir, its Mac."

"Colonel? What is it? Is something wrong?" A.J. demanded immediately.

"Yes, sir, there is," Mac answered, a slight tremble in her voice. "Harm's been arrested."

AND NOW PART TWO...

"Arrested?! What the hell do you mean, ‘arrested’, Colonel?" A.J. demanded.

"With all due respect, sir, I’m at the police station and I’m not really comfortable talking about it now. But I will say that something isn’t right. I think it was a setup."

"I’m coming out there, Colonel. If I have to commandeer a plane and fly myself and I’m bringing Webb with me. Do what you have to until we get there," he ordered gruffly.

"Yes, sir."

"Colonel MacKenzie?"

Mac turned as she was putting the receiver back and met the cool blue eyes of a tall dark-haired man in an officer’s uniform.

"Yes?" she answered calmly.

"I understand you are the Commander’s lawyer?" he asked, his English perfect and accented with that of the country.

"Yes, I am. Who are you?" she asked flatly.

"Captain Korsokova. Colonel MacKenzie, you’re partner has committed a very serious crime," he commented, eyeing her speculatively.

Mac drew herself up a little straighter. "I’d like to see him, please."

"In due time, Colonel, in due time," the Captain smiled thinly.

"I want to see him now, Captain. You can’t keep him from his own counsel," she retorted, trying to remain calm.

"When I say, Colonel MacKenzie," Korsokova snapped and turned to walk away.

Frustrated, Mac clenched her hands into fist and fought the urge to run after the man. Stiffly, she turned and lowered herself onto a hard, wooden chair, clutching her hands together in her lap. There was a way out of this mess. She just knew there was.

"Hang on, Harm," she murmured to herself. "Just hang on."

1910 ZULU - FOUR HOURS LATER
POLICE HEADQUARTERS
MOSCOW

"I called the Admiral," Mac stated, pacing back and forth behind Harm.

He was seated in a chair with his hands still cuffed behind his back. She glanced at the two guards at the door. She was surprised they had been left alone. But then again, the Russian Admiral was a very high ranking official and she was sure they were bringing in the best investigators for this one.

"I didn't do it."

"Harm, I know that. Why in the hell did you pick up the gun?"

"I wasn't thinking."

"You weren't thinking? I'm sure as hell not telling the Admiral that one."

"Mac, will you quit pacing. You're making me nervous."

"Do you know what the penalty is for murder in Russia?" She snapped, a little more forceful than she had intended.

"Execution? Lethal injection? Take your pick. I'm sure it's death. They haven't charged me with anything."

"Yet!" She bellowed, snapping her head as the door opened. She was correct in her assumption of why they were waiting. The two Russian Admirals in front of her pretty much confirmed that.

"Commander," the Admiral started, noting the shoulder boards of his dress whites. "I hear you got yourself into some trouble this evening." Harm looked at Mac, who nodded her head for him to continue.

"It is all a misunderstanding, sir."

"A misunderstanding, I see. We know that Admiral Peroschka was killed with a 9mm. You were found with a 9mm. You're fingerprints are on it and you have gun powder residue on your hands."

"I heard shots. I went into the room and saw a guard standing above the body. He dropped the gun and fired at me with another one. I picked up the discarded gun and followed him down the hallway, shooting back when he fired at me."

"And you expect us to believe this," the other one spoke up, finally.

"He has no reason to lie," Mac commented.

"Well, yes he does. Not only would he be charged with murder in this country, but I'm sure your own country would throw in some nice charges."

"Why would I kill him in the first place?"

"When we figure that one out, we'll have our charges ready." The Admirals turned and walked away leaving Mac and Harm in the room.

"I'm not getting out of this one easily am I?"

1930 ZULU
SOMEWHERE OVER THE ATLANTIC
DELTA AIRLINES

Webb snapped his cell phone shut. Beside him, Chegwidden was flipping nervously through an old magazine.

"You and I both know he didn't do this. But there is going to be no way we can prove it." Webb said, finally breaking the silence between them.

"Rabb has done some stupid crap in his life, but I don't think this is one of them. Is there anything you can do?"

"I have some contacts at the US Embassy in Moscow. Apparently they did let Mac stay with him while they questioned him. They let her stay for about an hour after they were finished with him."

"Does the CIA have any idea what the murder was about anyway?" Chegwidden asked, carefully.

"It was probably Chechynian Nationalists."

"Makes sense, how are we going to get him out of this?"

"AJ, I'm not sure there is anything we can do at this point. We'll know more when we get to Moscow. For now, we can just hope that he doesn't piss the Russians off anymore than he already has."

HOTEL METROPOL
1/4 TEATRALNY PROYEZD
MOSCOW

Mac sat on her bed a bottle of aspirin in her hand. She wasn't sure how many she had taken, but her headache was still there. Would he ever learn to stay out of trouble? She was startled by the knock on her door. Webb and Chegwidden weren't due in for several more hours. She was to meet them at the US Embassy. She returned the phone to its cradle and turned to her visitor.

"Hello, Sarah. I hear your partner has gotten into trouble again."

"He's not my partner anymore, but yeah, he's gotten himself into a jam again." She opened the door, allowing Mark to enter the room.

"You and I both know he will be in danger in Lubyanka. He isn't going to get a fair trial."

"Mark, he's innocent."

"I know that Sarah. With your help, we can get him out of prison, out of the country."

"You would help Harm?" She scoffed.

"I'd help you, Sarah. I know what he means to you. Or did."

"I'll have to discuss this with..."

"Your Admiral Chegwidden and that weasel from the State Department, I know. I can get him out of the country but it's up to you where he goes from there."

"Give me some time to work out some details."

"The offer is only good for twenty-four hours." Mark turned and walked out the door leaving Mac alone.

SEVERAL HOURS LATER
US EMBASSY
MOSCOW

"I don't like it AJ," Webb replied, after listening to Mac's explanation of Sokol's offer.

"It may be our only chance to get Harm out of this," Mac reasoned.

"She's right," AJ said, looking at Webb.

"We all know Harm didn't do this. We also know that he is not going to get a fair trial in Moscow. I say we cut our losses and go with Mark's plan. He didn't let me down the last time and I don't think he will this time either."

"Mac, you're talking about trusting a KGB agent," Webb argued. "Rabb is right - you have horrible taste in men."

"My personal life isn't the issue here - what is the issue is Harm's safety. So unless you two want him to take his chances with the Russians, I suggest we listen to what Mark has to say!"

"Stand down, Colonel!" Chegwidden bellowed. "Call Sokol back and tell him to meet us in two hours to discuss this plan of his."

2130 ZULU
SOMEWHERE IN MOSCOW

"I do not understand why you are taking such a huge risk. This could . . . your career would be . . ." The man shook visibly, unable to form a coherent sentence torn with fear of the consequences that loomed over him in all directions. He was more concerned with his own career and what would happen if anyone found out. If anyone found out what he had done and if anyone found out what he was about to do.

"It is not your place to understand! You will do as I say and question nothing or you will be occupying a cell in Lubyanka or worse. Now go!" He watched through the misted night, as the man turned and disappeared hurriedly into the darkness. He shook his head in disgust at the officer's insolence in questioning him. The man was a stupid coward and he would take care of him in good time, but for the moment, he was an essential part of his plan. The pieces were falling into place and soon, very soon everyone would be free. He gathered his coat around him a smile of anticipated satisfaction crossing his features.

"Yes, soon, very soon."

2130 ZULU
POLICE HEADQUARTERS
MOSCOW

"What do you mean I can’t see him? I’m his partner and I’m representing him! I demand to see him right now!"

"Colonel MacKenzie, you are in no position to demand anything. Please, remember that," Captain Korsokova stated emphatically. "Commander Rabb has been moved to the prison. You will be able to see him in the morning when visiting hours begin."

Mac drew herself up as straight as she could and glared coldly at the man. "The Embassy will hear about this, Captain. You had no right to move Commander Rabb without first notifying me of your intent."

"Perhaps you have forgotten that you are not in the United States, Colonel. I do not abide by the same insipid rules that your country seems to thrive on. You may see the Commander in the morning and not a moment sooner, do I make myself clear?"

Mac ground her teeth together until her jaw ached. "Yes," she snapped finally.

"Good. I trust you will have a good night?"

********

It was dark and damp in the sparsely furnished cell and Harm tossed in a fitful sleep. He had lost all track of time as he awoke with a start when he heard the cell door opening. He attempted to focus on the shadowy figure that stood over his cot, but the dim lighting and the pounding in his head prevented him from completely bringing the form into focus.

"I have brought you some water, as you requested. We would not want you to consider our treatment of you inhuman. After all, we are all allies now and we treat all our prisoners fairly, even treasonous murderers." Harm sat up, fighting the dizziness that spun the cell around him. It took all his strength to steady his voice, as he took the offered tin cup from the guard.

"Treason? You can't be serious."

"Ah, but I am afraid he is, Commander."

Harm managed to control the unknown disorientation that he felt finally managing to stand and face Captain Korsokova. "Treason for what? The murder charges were . . ."

" . . . the lesser of the charges. The charge is now treason. We have uncovered your sordid relationship with Admiral Peroschka. You will be moved first thing in the morning to Lubyanka, to await trial and subsequent execution. Good night, Commander."

Harm further steadied himself watching the two Russians turn to depart. "I want to see my lawyer."

"We contacted her with the charges, but she has been unresponsive. We have yet to hear from her. Perhaps she has thought better of your innocence due to the overwhelming evidence. Perhaps she has decided to find a Russian attorney to represent you. Perhaps she will come in the morning when you are transferred . . . or perhaps she will not."

Harm was numb with disbelief, as he heard the cell door click shut, heard the turn of the key in the lock and heard the whispered words in Russian as the two men walked through the cell block. He sat on the cot, his mind racing consumed with the accusatory words of his captors . . . treason . . . murder . . . sordid relationship . . . trial . . . execution . . . Lubyanka. Mac wouldn't abandon him . . . it was ludicrous. They were partners. They were friends. They were . . . But where was she? Why hadn't she come when they called? Where was she? Where the hell was Mac?

****

Captain Korsokova turned and glared at the guard when they passed though the cell block doors. "You have given him too much! You must give him just what we were told to administer in exact doses! Did you see him? He could barely stand!"

"I thought . . ." The guard tried to stammer his excuses, but Korsokova shaking with fury, grabbed him by the collar of his uniform.

"You idiot! Don't think! Just do as you have been told! Once he is asleep, continue with our plan. Is that understood!"

****

As Harm drifted off into another fitful sleep, he thought he heard familiar laughter drifting through the darkness. The laughter of a man and a woman, cloaking him in his small cell as he tossed again attempting to gain control. The laughter was abruptly replaced by whispered words of accusation that echoed around him. Accusations of murder, accusations of treason, accusations of betrayal . . . all voiced in the all too familiar voice. He couldn't focus, he couldn't move, he couldn't believe the words that drifted continuously around him through the darkness . . . throughout the night.

2130 ZULU
US EMBASSY
MOSCOW

Michael Roth escorted Sarah Mackenzie into a private office so she could place her call to Sokol. "I hope this is satisfactory. I will be waiting in my office if you should require anything further."

"Thank you." Mac rounded the imposing mahogany desk and waited till she heard the closing of the office door. She dialed the number Mark had given her and after what seemed like an eternity she heard his familiar voice on the other end.

"Mark, it's Sarah. I need your help."

"Are you sure, Sarah? Are you sure the Admiral and Webb will agree? If this is to work it has to be on my terms. If not, well, your aviator has little chance of survival."

"Yes, Mark, your terms. The Admiral and Webb have agreed."

"Then we need to meet tonight. Follow Prospekt Mira south till you reach Riga Station. Across from the station is Pyantniskoye Cemetery. I will meet you in front of the main mausoleum in 2 hours. And, Sarah . . . "

"Yes, Mark?"

"I suppose there is little chance your Admiral will let you come alone?"

"Mark . . . "

"It doesn't matter. Bring them. They may be useful later. Two hours, Sarah."

Mac stood in the dimly lit office with the receiver in her hand long after the call was ended. She took a small intake of breath as she replaced the handset finally in its cradle. She knew Mark was their only hope. She had trusted him before and he had saved both Harm and her. She truly believed that Mark cared about her and that there was no other way to save Harm. But as she left the office to brief the Admiral and Webb on the rendezvous, a sudden cold chill of apprehension and doubt swept over.

TWO HOURS LATER
PYANTNISKOYE CEMETERY
MOSCOW

Mac, A.J. and Webb walked steadily toward the main mausoleum of the cemetery, trying to find some trace of Sokol in the darkness. They stopped, standing close together, as quiet as the night around them.

"I’m glad to see you’re timely."

The trio turned as Mark’s words reached their ears.

"What kind of plan have you concocted?" A.J. demanded, cutting to the chase.

"It doesn’t really matter, does it? You asked for my help in retrieving Commander Rabb. If you’ll follow me, please?"

Mac looked at A.J. and Webb.

"Where are we going?" Webb demanded.

Sokol stopped and looked back at the Agent. "You’ll either come with me or you won’t, Agent Webb. I’m helping you simply because of Colonel Mackenzie so don’t push me or I’ll withdraw my help immediately," he threatened in a very low, dangerous voice.

"Webb, please, we have to think about Harm," Mac stated firmly. "Just do what he says."

Webb looked at Mac for a long moment before finally nodding sharply. "Fine but you better not be up to any tricks, Sokol," Webb answered flatly.

Mark simply smiled grimly and turned to walk away.

After taking them to a car, Mark’s driver headed out and they drove on a long, dark road for what seemed like hours. In reality it was more like one hour but the silence in the vehicle was deafening and Mac wanted to scream with mounting frustration. They eventually came to a stop and the driver turned the car off.

"Get out, please," Mark stated as he opened his door, not stopping to look back at them.

From the back, they got out and stood next to the car. Mac looked around and suppressed a shiver. The night air was cold and damp and she wasn’t wearing a heavy coat. They were at the entrance to a long, narrow bridge. Frowning, Mac took a step forward, moving away from the three men. She stared hard at the bridge stretched out before her. Fog heavily blanketed the area, shifting and weaving like the tide on the shore. She took another step forward. Then another... Then she gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. It was the bridge from her dreams!

Without thinking she jerked her gun from her waistband and spun around, pointing it directly at Mark. A.J. and Webb instantly moved away from the KGB agent.

"Sarah? What are you doing?" Mark asked calmly.

"I should ask you the same thing. This is all a setup, isn’t it? You weren’t planning to really bring Harm to us," she accused.

"I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, Sarah. I did exactly what I said I would do. See for yourself," he stated and pointed a hand in the direction behind her.

Turning, her gun still on Mark, Mac looked toward the bridge. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw Harm’s tall form take shape in the mist.

******

Harm walked in the direction the men had ordered him to go in, a gun clutched in his cold hand. A few hours ago they’d come to his cell and told him he was being transferred. En route he was given the gun. The words of Captain Korsokova still rang in his ears.

"You’ve been set up, Commander Rabb. You’re people arranged for your disposal."

"What...do you mean?" Harm rasped, his head aching.

His tongue felt like a lead weight and forming a coherent thought took all his strength. Why was it so difficult to focus?

"Your lawyer...the pretty one. Do you know the story of Mata Hari, Commander? Or perhaps that of Jezebel? Beautiful women who were the ruin of the men around them."

"What are you talking about?" Harm demanded slowly.

"Your freedom, Commander Rabb. But beware of your pretty comrade for she is not what you think. She is working with someone from the Russian government. A renegade agent you will recognize. They are planning your death as we speak and she has turned your superior against you," Korsokova went on blithely.

"You’re lying," Harm ground out, trying to clear his head.

"Am I? You’ve been abandoned, Commander. You asked to see her before. Do you remember? My men tried for hours to reach her but she seems to have disappeared. She even checked out of the hotel where you were registered."

"No, she wouldn’t...Mac wouldn’t...Harm tried to get the rest of the words out, but the familiar woman's laughter he had previously heard in his cell seemed to block all reason.

"I have no reason to lie to you, Commander. I will take you to a place where you can get away. After that you do what you must."

"Why...are you...why are helping me?" Harm asked.

"It does not matter. Beware, Commander, or you will be a dead man before dawn."

*****

Now he stood, shrouded by dense fog and before him stood the very woman he would have trusted with his life. Confused, he tried to focus on her face but his vision blurred. He thought there was someone else behind her...men...but he couldn’t tell who it was. It was dark out and his head pounded unmercifully. The words of Captain Korsokova rang in his head. They wanted to kill him.

"Harm?"

Mac couldn’t believe her eyes. Mark didn’t say anything about Harm being brought to them. He talked about getting him out of the country. Holding her gun aloft, she swung her gaze between Mark and Harm. Some thing was terribly wrong here but what was it? Who did she trust?

"Stand your ground, Mac!"

Mac heard Webb’s voice and out of the corner of her eye she saw he and A.J. pull their guns, aiming both at Mark.

"Sarah! What is this nonsense?" Mark demanded. "You asked for my help and I’ve done exactly what you wanted!"

Harm heard the words and from some dim part of his brain, instantly recognized the voice. It was true! Mac had turned against him to work with the enemy! Sokol was no friend and the only help he could be giving would mean the death Captain Korsokova warned him of. Harm raised both of his arms and pointed his gun. Mac swallowed hard as she watched her partner slowly but surely raise the weapon he was holding and aim it directly at her.

"Harm? What are you doing?" she asked, trying to keep her voice calm and soft. All of the nightmares, the visions...they were all coming true in one terrifying blink. The bridge and Harm pointing a gun at her...it was really happening now. Idly, Mac wondered if she would wake up any second now screaming as she had for so many nights prior to this.

"Stay where you are, Mac," Harm ordered, his voice choppy as his mind started to replay all he had heard in his cell. His mind cleared temporarily and he remembered the woman's laughter . . . he remembered the words of betrayal . . . he remembered Mac's laughter in his cell. No it couldn't have been Mac. It couldn't have been!

Mac stared harder as he moved a little closer. Something was wrong...very, very wrong.

"Put your gun down, Harm. We’re here to take you home."

"I don’t believe you," Harm answered succinctly. "I know what’s going on. I know all about the three of you and...and him," Harm stated, nodding in Mark’s direction. "You’re not taking me anywhere."

"Harm," Mac tried again, her voice low and soothing. "Put the gun down. It’s not what you think. He was only trying to help us..."

"I know what he was trying to do, damn it!" Harm yelled, cutting her off. "I trusted you..." he whispered, his eyes narrowed on her face. "I trusted you, Sarah..."

Mac took a step backward. "I’ll shoot you if I have to, Harm. Put your gun down," she ordered gently, firmly, praying he would do it.

"And make it easier for you to kill me?" he laughed bitterly. "Sorry to ruin the plan. Shoulda just left me..." he added, his words slurring slightly. "I’m not stupid. I won’t let...let you...shoot me in the back."

"What are you talking about?" Mac demanded, her frustration growing. "Mark, what have they done to him? Damn you, what did you have them do?" she yelled angrily, swinging around to point her gun at Sokol and leaving her back to Harm.

"Mac!" Webb called. "It’s some kind of trap! Don’t turn your back to..."

Mac swung around, gun aloft, and the belch of gunfire rang out in the still night.

TO BE CONTINUED...