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.
PART 4
Two days later
"Mac, how's Harm?" The Admiral asked quietly as he poured himself, Mac and Bud coffee in the break room. He had noticed the signs of fatigue and worry that lined her face.
"Not so good ... he seems to be withdrawing more each day." Tears formed in her eyes, "I've never seen him this way."
"Is there something we can do?" Bud offered.
"Some wounds are harder to heal...He'll find his way." The Admiral said more to convince himself than his two officers.
"I hope so." Mac murmured.
***********
Bethesda
A black couple in their sixties made their way down the hall of the hospital, stopping and softly knocking before entering.
Harm had tried reading but couldn't find the concentration, when he saw the couple enter.
"Commander Rabb?" The woman smiled. "I'm Corretta Williams and this is my husband Del. We're Andre's parents."
Closing the book, he motioned for them to sit.
"Commander, we just had to come see you. We know you were with Andre when he passed." Corretta spoke gently.
Del spoke up, "We wanted to thank you for all you did for him."
Harm looked down, unable to look at them. Corretta sensed his discomfort, "Commander, our sweet Andre is with Jesus and one day we'll see him again." She reached out to him.
"I couldn't stop them." Harm blurted out softly. "He pleaded with me to help him, and I couldn't. I'm so sorry." His voice broke and tears streaked his face.
"Now, Commander, don't you go hurtin' yourself like this. God wouldn't give him anything he couldn't handle. You were there so he wouldn't be alone." Corretta picked up his hand and held it tightly in hers while tears fell from her eyes.
The couple sat silently with Harm, mourning their loss. Del regained his composure and spoke first, "Andre's funeral is Friday at Jesus Name Church in Shreveport. If you're up to it, we'd be honored if you would come. Andre called us and told us how you were sent by an angel to help him. Thank you Commander." Del assisted Corretta up from her chair. Before leaving she reached around Harm and gently hugged him and whispered, "We'll be praying for you."
Harm stiffly hugged her and nodded.
He sat staring out the window after the couple left, not hearing the knock at his door.
"You up to talking?" Al interrupted.
Harm looked sorrowfully at the doctor and turned away, not responding. Al let out a breath he didn't realize he had held, eased himself into a chair and looked out the window with Harm. 'At least he didn't tell me to get the hell out.' Al thought.
************
Bethesda
Friday morning
"I don't think this is such a good idea, Harm. Leaving the hospital and catching a plane to attend a funeral." Mac knew she was arguing with the wall. He wasn't listening.
Harm struggled with the arm sling when Mac walked over carefully adjusting the strap to provide the correct support. "Okay, you can go under one condition. I go with you." She held up two first-class plane tickets.
Harm stopped gathering his things and shook his head with a hint of a smile. "Since when did you become my mom?"
Seeing his expression encouraged her to continue, "Well, actually, Webb found out and told me about the funeral with instructions for me to try to talk you out of it, but if I didn't, he gave me the two tickets."
"What about work? What did the Admiral say about you leaving?"
"He gave me a few days off...apparently he and Webb talked." Mac smiled.
*********
The flight was more uncomfortable than Harm had anticipated, but the drive to the church was mercifully short.
Cars were lined up along the highway that led to the church. City police directed traffic. Media vehicles were parked anywhere that they could, with reporters rattling off news with the church against the background. Harm had not thought about all the commotion that would be associated with the highly press covered case. Parking was limited, and Mac was concerned that they would have to walk past the frenzy of reporters. She rolled down the window to ask a policeman if she could drop her passenger off and then park. The black policeman looked into the car and immediately recognized its passenger. "Ma'am just pull up into the lot next to the church. Someone will direct you from there."
Surprised, Mac eased the car into the parking lot, and she and Harm disembarked. An elderly black man immediately walked over to them, "You must be Commander Rabb, please follow me. Brother Del said to be on the look out for you."
As they entered the church, multiple camera flashes were pointed in their direction. Reporters strained to ask questions as Harm and Mac were quickly escorted into the church. The man guided them to the front of the church where Del, Corretta and other family members sat.
"Oh, Commander! We're so glad you could come." Corretta stood and gently hugged him, as Del reached out and shook his hand.
"Mr. and Mrs. Williams, this is Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie." Harm introduced Mac and nervously looked around the packed church.
"If you're a friend of Commander Rabb's we are so glad you could come. Please sit here with us." Corretta indicated places next to her.
Mac smiled sadly, "I'm so sorry for your loss."
Scanning the room, other military representatives from Andre's unit could be seen among the crowd. Flowers adorned the church and the open coffin that was positioned at the front of the church. People were still passing by the coffin, viewing the body and murmuring condolences to the family. Mac glanced at Harm, who looked two shades paler than when they arrived.
Music began to fill the church, and the mass of people quieted. A heavy set young black woman began to sing a spiritual hymn with so much emotion that sobs could be heard throughout the room.
After the music stopped, several preachers took turns delivering the funeral message. The church had grown warm with the many people that packed its domain. Sweat poured off the faces of each speaker as he delivered passionate words about Andre and racism. Members of the congregation fanned themselves and uttered 'Amens' and other responses to the preacher. More hymns were sung, and finally Rev. Del Williams took his place at the podium.
His words were simple and from his heart...
"Our Andre's favorite passage was from Isaiah Chapter 40 verses 29- 31. 'He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak'"
Many 'Amens' followed...
"'Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.'"
Rev. Williams raised his hands reaching towards the heavens and looked upward smiling...
"'They will soar on wings of eagles...they will run and not grow weary...they will walk and not be faint.'"
"Andre is soaring with the eagles today." Loud 'Amens' echoed through the church as tears fell across the older man's smile. He then returned to his place next to Corretta where he embraced her, and they cried together.
The choir broke into a fast paced song clapping and rocking to the rhythm...
"Some glad morning when this life is o'er
I'll fly away to a home in God's celestial shore
I'll fly away, I'll fly away o'glory, I'll fly away.
When I die hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away
When the shadows of this life have grown
Like a bird from prison bars has flown
I'll fly away...
Just a few more weary days and then
To a land where joys shall never end
I'll fly away, I'll fly away o'glory, I'll fly away
When I die hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away"
Mac glimpsed at her partner's forlorn expression, as she felt warm tears flow on her face. She wrapped her arm around his in support, and he returned a weak smile.
***********
Both slept on the flight back, emotionally exhausted. Harm had finally taken two of his prescribed pain pills and was still somewhat drowsy as Mac drove them to his apartment. Harm let them into the apartment, remaining quiet as he had done the majority of the trip.
He struggled with the sling so he could remove his jacket. Mac moved his hand out of the way so she could assist him. "Harm...talk to me."
"There is nothing to say Mac. I'm going to bed. You can let yourself out or stay. I don't care." He said without emotion and walked into his bedroom.
His words stung. 'Talk to your friends'. He had told her that once before. 'Damn you, Harm let me in. Don't shut me out.' Mac thought as she exited the apartment. She felt her heart in her throat as she wiped away warm tears of pain and frustration.
************
The trial for Earl Rayborn was scheduled in two weeks. It would be held in another county because of the large amount of publicity the case had received. The Attorney General's office was handling the prosecution.
Harm, Mac and Bud were called into the Admiral's office...
"They've set a date for the Rayborn trial. It will be two weeks from Monday. Mr. Roberts, you will be assisting the prosecutor since the murder is technically considered a civilian matter. Out of courtesy to the Navy, they have allowed us to participate even if it is indirectly."
Mac immediately responded, "Sir, I thought that I..."
"Mr. Roberts, you are dismissed." The Admiral cut Mac off before she could finish. "Colonel I believe you are too personally involved with this case." The Admiral looked at each of his officers.
"Sir, my feelings regarding Commander Rabb would not interfere in my ability to assist in prosecuting Earl Rayborn."
"My decision is made Colonel. And Commander, you are not part of this investigation. You are a primary witness and a victim of this...atrocity. You will stay away from the investigation. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" The Admiral spoke somewhat harshly.
"Crystal." Harm replied flatly.
"You both have helped train Roberts. Don't underestimate him. Dismissed."
"Aye aye, Sir!" Both officers left the room feeling frustrated.
"Harm, everything's going to be all right." Mac stopped him as he walked back towards his office.
"Mac, everything will never be all right!" Harm stormed into his office and slammed the door. 'So much for reassuring clichés.' Mac winced. This was not the Harm Mac was used to, with his unpredictable emotions.
**********
The Attorney General, Bill Myers, was a young man who was rapidly climbing the political career ladder. This trial would give him a spring board to launch his campaign for US Senator next year. Prosecuting a racial hate crime in the South was drawing media attention nationwide.
Lt. Roberts met with Myers to coordinate the strategy of prosecution. "This will be an open and shut case. Earl Rayborn will breathe his last breath in the gas chamber." Myers stated rather confidently.
"Sir, but so far the other three involved in Corporal Williams murder have not been identified. Shouldn't we continue the investigation?" Bud pushed, feeling frustrated by the lack of interest Myers exhibited.
"Once we convict Rayborn, I'm sure he'll start telling on his buddies to try to reduce his sentence." Myers laughed.
**********
Two weeks later
Jackson Court House
The trial was going to be sensational. Already Civil Rights groups were gathering, as well as a few white supremacy groups, each drawing attention of a very frenzied media.
Earl Rayborn's attorney was hired by one of the supremacy groups. He was a sharp looking attorney from New York. The press had already convicted him as reports interrupted local news shows concerning the trial.
The first day of court included testimony from the sheriff, his deputies, and the coroner. Harm would be testifying first on the second day.
The Admiral and Mac kept close tabs on Harm and his whereabouts, concerned about the constant barrage of reporters attempting to talk with him. Harm finally agreed to call it a day and return to his hotel room, at the Admiral's strong suggestion. Security had been posted for each of the witnesses, including Harm.
Assuming Mac was stopping by to check on him Harm opened the door to his room. A young black Marine stood at his door, "Commander Rabb?"
"Corporal how can I help you?"
"I'm Jessie Silas. I need to talk with you." Harm directed him to the table and chairs in his room.
"Sir, I knew Carly Sue. I was going to take her away from Boliver."
Harm sat back in his chair and nodded for the Marine to continue.
"We were friends throughout grade school and high school. I lived down the road a piece from her. I guess you could say we were best friends. I joined the Corp, and we continued to write. She wrote how bad things were getting at home. I wanted to come and take her away, but she wouldn't agree. She said she was under age, and I could be accused of kidnapping or statutory rape." He nodded sadly.
"Corporal did you know she was pregnant?"
"Yes, but the baby wasn't mine. We didn't have that kind of relationship."
"Do you know who the baby's father was?"
"All I know was that he had some kind of power over her. That's why she was afraid for me to get involved. I tried once to persuade her to leave with me, but she refused. That was a week before she was killed." Tears ran down his face.
"Why are you coming forward now Corporal?"
"I've been reading in the papers about Corporal William's murder. That could have been me, you know."
Harm began to put the pieces together. What if someone thought that Williams was Silas? What if someone was afraid she would leave with him and didn't want her to go? Maybe Williams was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But who was the father of her baby?
"Corporal Silas, would you agree to talk with officials when more evidence is gathered?"
"Certainly." He stood up to leave. "You will find out who killed Carly won't you Sir?"
"I plan on it!" Harm felt more determined now that Silas had come forward.
A little while later a soft knock was again heard at Harm's door. "I figured you weren't asleep." Mac smiled as he opened the door.
Harm told Mac of his visitor. "Harm do you think Rayborn killed Carly Sue. He is so prejudiced maybe he found out she was pregnant and thought Silas was the father?"
"Mac, I have a nagging feeling we're still missing something. Carly identified Williams to the sheriff. Why would she do that unless she was afraid of Rayborn? But Williams told me Rayborn was pretty drunk that night. He had difficulty walking. I don't think he was able to frame Williams."
"Maybe some of his friends helped him?"
"I don't know." Harm rubbed his head.
"Hey you've got a big day tomorrow. Time to hit the sack sailor!" Mac smiled and turned to leave. "Bud said this Myers is going to want every detail of what happened that night. He likes getting the press all excited."
"I figured as much." Harm looked slightly distraught.
"If it's any help. I'll be there rooting for you." Mac replied quietly before shutting the door behind her.
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