Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. This is for
entertainment only.
Classification: PG- 13
Category: Category: Harm, Mac, Drama
Beta Reader: Carolyn
Summary: Harm becomes involved in an investigation of an alleged rape
in a small southern town. Warning some language and scenes depicted are violent.
August 19
Boliver, Mississippi
The heat and humidity of the mid August day was almost smothering as Commander Harm Rabb stepped out of the rented car parked in front of the courthouse in Boliver, Mississippi. Boliver, a lazy southern town in the Mississippi Delta, was located thirty minutes from the mighty Mississippi River. Most of the buildings were built in the early forties, but the town did boast a Walmart and several fast food restaurants. As Harm scanned the street, he felt like he had stepped back in time. The traffic was scant and moved slowly. It was just too damn hot to get in a hurry. Harm had to drive two hours from the nearest airport on mostly two lane state highways passing cotton fields and catfish ponds along the way.
He was sent to investigate charges brought against Corporal Andre Williams, a young black Marine accused of assault and attempted rape. The victim was a 17-year-old Caucasian girl who had identified Williams as her assailant, before slipping into a coma. Harm needed to find a Sheriff Lou Carter.
Putting on his cover, he pulled his briefcase from the front seat of the vehicle and walked up the steps of the courthouse and immediately located the Sheriff's office. A middle-aged, very dignified, black woman stood up from her desk and approached the counter to address him. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm Commander Rabb with the Judge Advocate General's office. I'm supposed to meet a Sheriff Lou Carver."
"You can call me Lou," a male voice with a heavy southern drawl drew Harm's attention. Sheriff Lou was a large-framed muscular man in his late forties. He wore a grin on his face and reached out with a hardy handshake, "I've been expecting you Commander. This here is Miss Viola Henry, the best secretary and dispatcher in the state. Miss Viola will be able to help you find any records or such. Just let her know what ya'll need." He oozed in hospitality while Miss Viola suppressed a smile.
"Thank you, I need to see Corporal Williams and go over the charges."
"Sure thing! I'll have Billy Wayne and VaSean take you over to the jail. Now you know if that little girl dies the charges are going to go to first degree murder." He took on a serious tone.
"Let's hope that doesn't happen Sheriff." Harm responded rather coolly, not sure about all the superficial friendliness.
About that time two deputies appeared, and a short redheaded deputy stuck out his hand, "Billy Wayne Smith" and a similarly built young black deputy repeats the gesture, "VaSean Lewis." Harm shook hands and turned to the Sheriff, "I need to see Corporal Williams."
"You boys take the Commander over to the jail to see our prisoner. And then you can show him to Miss Jeanette's Bed and Breakfast. I've got to run to Cleveland on some business. I'll see you later Commander." He grinned and ambled out the door.
Boliver County Jail has only four separate cells. Deputy Billy Wayne Smith explained that most of the prisoners are sent on to Cleveland or the state prison in Parchment. Corporal Williams, a short stocky young black Marine was lying on the bunk in one of the cells. Harm had reviewed his record, which revealed only positive remarks from his commanding officer and troop leader.
"Corporal, I'm Commander Rabb, I'm here to investigate the charges brought against you. I need you to answer some questions." The deputies left the room to allow Harm to talk privately with Williams.
"Sir are you here to help me?" Williams looked hopefully, "Cause, I didn't do anything wrong."
Harm pulled a chair up next to the bars, "Start from the beginning."
"I was driving back to Camp Legeune after my five day leave home in Shreveport. It was my daddy's birthday." Williams smiled, "My dad's a Baptist preacher, and his church gave him a surprise birthday party. I was part of the surprise." His smile was quite a contrast to the darkness of his complexion. "I was headin' back and got kinda sleepy so I decided to stop and get some gas and coffee. I pull up to this store and start to pump some gas when this red pick up truck pulls up. This guy jumps out and yells back into the truck for this girl to stay put. The guy was pretty drunk. As soon as he enters the store the girl jumps out of the truck and runs up to me. She couldn't have been more than 18-years-old, but she was wearing enough makeup to make her look...well anyway she begs me to take her with me. She's kissing my hands and says she'll do anything if I'll just take her with me." Williams shook his head sadly. "I felt sort of panicked and sort of sorry for her all at the same time. She seemed so scared. Then that guy comes out and start screaming at her to get back in the truck."
"What did he say?" Harm questioned.
"You little slut. Get your hands off that nigger and get your ass back in the truck!" Williams looked embarrassed as he repeats the words. "The man nearly fell down and continued to swear."
"What happened next?" Harm pressed.
"She looked real scared and started moving back to the truck. I asked the man to let her go stay at a friend's house until things cooled off. I didn't want to get involved." Williams gaze drops to his hands. "He tells me to mind my own business. He said he warned me before to leave her alone." Williams added unsure what the man meant. "I pleaded with him to cool off. The next thing I remember was waking up in this cell with a doctor standing over me saying I would be just fine. I had one bad headache. Then the sheriff says I've been arrested for assault and attempted rape. Blood was all over my uniform, and I had scratches on my face. I don't remember any of that, honestly, sir." Williams began to sob.
"Was there anyone else around the store that night?" Harm asked as he studied the young man's behavior.
"I don't remember seeing anyone, sir." Williams shook his head as tears of frustration began to fall.
"According to the statement made by Earl Rayborn, the girl's stepfather, you tried to talk Carly Sue Speed into getting into the car with you. When she refused you tried to force her, and she began to scream. He stated that he ran to help her, but you had begun to strike her repeatedly and ripped her clothing. He said he then hit you with a metal pole."
"That's a lie, sir!" Williams stood and paced in his cell. "I have a girl at home. Why would I want to attack some pitiful stranger?"
"That's not all, Corporal. Before Carly Sue went into a coma, she identified you as her attacker to Sheriff Carver." Harm waited for a response.
Shocked, Williams spoke "Sir, she begged me to help her."
Harm studied the young Marine. His gut told him that this young man was telling the truth. Now he just had to find the evidence to support the Marine's story.
"I'm still gathering evidence. I'll see what I can find out. I'll be back tomorrow. "
"Sir? You do believe me?" the young man looked intently into Harm's eyes.
Harm nodded and turned towards the door.... ****
The two deputies stood up as Harm exited the jail. "Commander, it's about lunch time would you like to go over to the cafe before we show you to Miss Jeanette's?"
"Sure, but I don't need baby-sitters." Harm smiled.
"Lou just wants to help out, that's all." Billy Wayne added with a smirk.
The cafe was almost empty due to the post lunch hour. A waitress who introduced herself as Patti immediately came to the table and placed glasses of ice water around. She appeared to be in her late teens and in her last trimester of pregnancy. She smiled and said; " Special today is pork chops, sweet potato casserole, fried green tomatoes and banana pudding for dessert.
Billy Wayne and VaSean agreed to the special when VaSean received a call on his pager. "Billy looks like we need to go over to Clansey's, they have a bar fight." Excusing themselves they gave Harm directions to Miss Jeanette's and left.
Patty smiled expectantly holding her pad and pen. Harm smiled back, "Do you have salads?"
"Why yes, sir. Miss Ruth can make you up a real nice chef salad with ham and cheese."
"Leave off the ham, and I'll take unsweetened tea." Harm orderd with a smile as Patti jotted down the order, "Be back with that tea."
She returned with the tea and hesitantly spoke, "You here because of that Marine that's accused of hurting Carly Sue?"
"I'm here to help the local law enforcement investigate the charges." She appears to be close in age to Carly Sue. "Do you know Carly Sue?"
"We went to high school together before we dropped out. I got pregnant." Patty blushed. "Carly Sue just quit. I thought I was in love, but he wasn't. But things work out. I'm going back to school."
Harm smiled at her cantor, "Sounds like you have made plans for yourself."
"I'm taking my GED, then I'm going to college to be a nurse. I guess I always kinda liked people." She said in a determined tone then her face relaxed back into her normal smiling expression.
"You want to help people?" Harm sipped on his tea and encouraged her to continue.
"I've always dreamed of being a nurse. I guess I didn't think I was smart enough. My science teacher, Mrs. Fitch told me I was very smart, and I could be a nurse if I set my mind to it."
"ORDER UP!" a voice behind the counter interrupted.
"Let me get your order. I've been just rattlin' on." She laughed.
"One chef salad, no ham, I brought you extra crackers." She smiled mischievously. "You don't know what you are missin' if you don't try Miss Ruth's fried green tomatoes."
"Patti, what was Carly Sue's home life like?" Harm changed the subject.
"Bad, her mom's a drunk, so's her stepfather. She's tried to run away before."
"Did her parents ever abuse her?" Harm gently persisted.
"You mean did they beat her?"
Harm nodded.
"Yea, I guess some days she wouldn't come to school. She missed so much she was gonna have to repeat. I think that's one of the reason's she dropped out."
"One of the reasons?" Harm repeated.
"I dropped out because well...I thought I was in love ya know. Well, I don't think Carly Sue was trying to escape." Patti's southern accent seemed to accentuate each of her words giving her message more meaning. Patti turned around to leave.
"Patti, was Carly Sue pregnant?"
"I can't say for sure." Her look acknowledged Harm's suspicions.
"Patti."
"Sir?"
"I'll try some of those fried green tomatoes." Harm received a big smile in return.
After eating, Harm checked into Miss Jeanette's bed and breakfast, which was located in walking distance to the cafe and jail. Miss Jeanette's was a large two story Victorian house with a porch on three sides and numerous rocking chairs and porch swings. Miss Jeanette was a heavyset woman in her sixties. She gushed with southern charm and giggled in the presence of the tall handsome naval officer. "Now what time would you like breakfast Commander?"
"0700 would be fine." Harm smiled.
"Oh, how darlin', 0700. I guess that means seven o'clock. I'll have a nice omelet, grits, link sausage and hot homemade biscuits with my own special crab apple jelly ready." She chattered as she escorted Harm to a large bedroom on the first floor with a huge antique bed and dresser. "Now if you need anything, my guests just make themselves at home. The kitchen has homemade banana bread and fresh fruit. Ice tea and lemonade are in the refrigerator. I guess I'll let you get settled."
Harm stretched out on the bed and pondered the information he'd collected before drifting off to sleep.
****
1600
Central Time
Harm awakened surprised that he had slept for over an hour. The Sheriff should be back and he needed to find this Earl Rayborn.
Sheriff Lou Carter had leaned back into his desk chair with his feet propped on his desk whenever Harm entered his office. "Commander. I hope you found Miss Jeanette's to your likin'. She fixes a mean breakfast. Now what can I do for ya?"
"I need to talk to Earl Rayborn, and I would like to see about having Corporal Williams transferred to a military base brig to await trial."
"Transferring Williams ain't gonna happen. Earl and his buddies will start screaming cover up, and the news folks will be all over this town like 'white on rice.'" Lou smiled as he rolled a toothpick between his teeth.
"Do you always take orders from the likes of Earl Rayborn?" Harm found the Sheriff arrogant and responded in like manner.
"You know the Navy, Marines, hell; none of the military wants any negative publicity. This town is made up of 50 percent whites and 50 percent blacks, and 75 percent of all of 'em are poor. Five years ago the garment factory closed and took most of the jobs with it. Now a big catfish processing plant opened hiring over 500 employees and plans to open a second plant next year in this same county. Negative publicity could drive them away and their jobs. Earl and his boys are white trash with links to the old Klan. They would love to stir things up around here." The Sheriff frowned and continued to chew on his toothpick.
"You mean the KKK?" Harm was surprised. He had read about their activities from the 50's and 60's, but now in the new millennium?
"Yea, now if you are just hankering to butt heads with ole Earl, let's get going."
"Sheriff, if Rayborn is known for his abusive prejudice behavior, why isn't he locked up instead of Williams?
"Earl's got witnesses, and your guy doesn't have squat. So, it's up to you to find some proof."
Arriving at Earl Rayborn's house Harm was taken back by the squalor. The house looked like a good wind would blow it down. Beer cans and bottles littered the yard while four or five skinny hound dogs wandered around looking for food. Earl walked out on the porch only wearing pants barely held up by a belt. He wore no shirt or shoes. "Sheriff," he greeted suspiciously and stared at Harm. "Whata ya doing on my place?"
"Earl, Commander Rabb needs to ask you some questions about Carly Sue." Lou explained as they stood in the yard.
"You representin' that nigger?" Earl spit out a wad of tobacco while brown juice trickled down the side of his mouth.
"I'm representing the United States Navy and Marine Corp. I'm here to find out what happened so justice can be served." Harm spoke in a slow controlled voice, maintaining eye contact with the intoxicated man.
"I told the sheriff. That Marine nigger jumped on my Carly Sue and tried to kill her and rape her. Me, Joe and Benny caught him, and I hit him on the head with a pole to stop him. That's what happened." He looked at Harm with disdain.
Harm sucked in a slow deep breath before continuing. "Mr. Rayborn, this must be very difficult for you and your wife. I understand Carly Sue had tried to run away from home."
Earl screamed out in anger, "Get off my property! I figured you'd try to blame me to protect your precious Marine. Get out of here now!"
Sheriff Carver gestures for Harm to get in the car. "That's one mean sonofabitch." he mumbled.
The radio crackled "Sheriff, this is VaSean. You'd better get over to the hospital."
"On my way." The Sheriff's car pealed out onto the main road and headed to the hospital.
Deputies Billy Wayne Smith and VaSean Lewis met the Sheriff's car as it pulled up to the emergency entrance.
"Sheriff, Carly Sue just died."
"Looks like your Marine is going to be charged with murder, Commander."
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