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 7
Mac drove into Boliver and began to look for the cafe Harm had mentioned. As soon as she entered the cafe, she saw the girl who had come by to see Harm in the hospital.
"Patti?" Mac smiled.
Patti looked at Mac, trying to figure out how she knew her.
"I'm a friend of Commander Rabb's. I met you at the hospital when you brought by cookies."
Patti smiled in recognition, "Yea, I remember you. Are you lookin' for the Commander? He was just in here a few hours ago. Can I get you some tea or coffee?"
"No, thank you, Patti. I need to locate the Commander. Do you know where he may have gone?" Mac's anxiety was evident in her voice.
"Do you think he may be in trouble?" Patti looked equally worried.
"Yes, I do. That's why I need you to help me find him."
"He's trying to find Carly Sue's murderers."
"You know something, don't you?" Mac pushed.
"I don't want the Commander to get hurt again. I didn't tell him anything, to keep him away from those people." Patti looked away.
"Patti, you've got to tell me who is involved in these murders. You don't know my partner; he'll keep looking until he finds them. And you're right, he most probably will get hurt again in the process." Mac pleaded with the young girl.
Patti appeared to be struggling with her decision to share her suspicions, "I don't know for sure, but Carly was going to put her baby up for adoption like me, but she changed her mind. Jessie Silas, a Marine from around here was gonna come and take her away. She told me Jessie didn't care who's baby she was carrin', he wanted her and the baby. Carly made a deal with the sheriff to turn the baby over. I don't think he liked her change in plans." Patti was sobbing softly now.
"Patti, thanks. I need to find the sheriff and I'll bet I'll find Harm." Mac hugged the girl before hurrying down the street to the courthouse.
Deputy VaSean Lewis was chatting with Miss Viola when Mac entered the sheriff's office. "What can I do for you?" He offered politely.
Mac was relieved that the sheriff was not there, but debated whether she could trust this deputy. Taking a chance, she began to explain to the deputy Patti's accusation.
VaSean looked at Mac in disbelief, "Please deputy, if I'm wrong we can laugh about this later, but if I'm right my partner could be in danger. Please, help me find the sheriff."
VaSean grabbed his keys and gestured for Mac to sit in the front seat of the patrol car. He slid in the driver's side and radioed the sheriff, "Sheriff, this is Lewis. Come in please."
The radio crackled as the sheriff pulled off the road on the bluff. Billy Wayne had directed Harm out of the vehicle with his weapon.
The sheriff's voice gave no hint of his activity, "Lewis, what's up?"
"I need to see you." VaSean was trying to think of an excuse for the sheriff to give his location.
"I'm busy here."
"I need to talk with you. A Colonel Mackenzie came by the office a while ago. I don't want to talk about this over the radio, it may not be secure." Mac held her breath waiting for the response.
"Okay, Billy Wayne and I are at the bluff on Ole River Road." The sheriff ended the communication and headed to Harm and Billy Wayne.
"Now, Commander, don't make this difficult." The sheriff's demeanor was cold.
"Yea, like when you killed Carly Sue Speed. She was just a child." Harm replied in disdain, showing no fear.
"What is he talking about Lou?" Billy Wayne looked shocked when Harm mentioned Carly's death.
"That little slut was going to run out on her deal. So I had to make an example of her and her boyfriend." The sheriff replied sardonically.
"I thought Williams killed her. You said she identified him..." Billy Wayne was genuinely confused.
"I guess I did a pretty good job of framing him." The sheriff laughed. "I just got the wrong Marine."
Billy Wayne turned the gun away from Harm and pointed it towards the sheriff. "You killed her?" He asked weakly.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" The sheriff yelled. "Don't tell me you actually had feelings for the little whore?"
Harm, taking advantage of the distraction, darted into the woods. His hands, still cuffed behind him, made it difficult to climb along the edge of the bluff.
"If he gets away we're both dead." The sheriff threatened Billy Wayne. Billy Wayne lowered his gun and began to chase after Harm.
VaSean's patrol car pulled in behind the sheriff's. He and Mac quickly exited the car and ran over to the extra car parked near the bluff. Mac saw Harm's cell phone on the front seat. "This is Harm's car. He's here." Mac looked around and then at VaSean.
VaSean hurried back to his patrol car and radioed for back up from the state highway patrol and then opened the trunk of the car. He pulled out a rifle and his handgun. "Your choice, Colonel."
Mac took the handgun and disengaged the safety. "Let's go! I'll start over here. You go that way."
Harm stumbled down a small sandy ledge and was trying to get up, when Billy Wayne discovered him; "Stay put, Commander."
The sheriff ran up almost breathless, "Billy Wayne remove the cuffs. It won't set too well with folks if his body turns up down river with handcuffs."
Billy Wayne removed the cuffs while the sheriff maintained surveillance with his weapon.
"Okay, Commander, just move on closer to the edge."
"You'll have to shoot me first, and I don't think it will set too well with folks if my body turns up down river with a bullet in it." Harm stood looking the sheriff straight in the eye.
"You're a brave SOB." The sheriff laughed and started approaching Harm. "Billy Wayne help me get this over with."
Mac stood just a few feet behind the sheriff. "I wouldn't get too close." She dared, with her weapon pointed at the back of the sheriff's head. Harm smiled and let out the breath he had been holding.
"It's about time the Marines showed up." Harm teased.
"Okay, boys, just back away and lay those weapons on the ground." Mac maintained, her gun pointed at the sheriff, who dropped his gun to his feet.
Billy Wayne quickly turned and raised his gun at Mac, who immediately fired into his shoulder. The sheriff reached down for his gun while Harm lunged for it and retrieved it. He aimed it squarely at the sheriff, who backed away with his hands raised. Harm slowly stood up.
His heart beat wildly in his chest as Harm pointed the gun at the man responsible for all the pain and death.
VaSean arrived and aimed his weapon at the sheriff. "Okay, Commander, I have him."
Harm didn't budge but maintained his position. Beads of sweat began to roll off the sheriff's face as he observed Harm's expression.
"Harm, you can back away. We've got him." Mac watched her partner hold his stance.
Harm did not acknowledge either. He only heard Andre Williams cries for help ..."Please don't do this...Commander, please help me. Don't let them do this."
"Harm, put the gun down. We know the truth. The sheriff's going to pay for what he did." Mac spoke evenly, while slowly approaching Harm.
Harm heard only the drunken laughter of the men in the white robes. The word guilty repeated six times. He saw the barrel roll away as Williams body jerked upward against the rope and his feet kicking wildly. Harm wasn't aware that Mac stood next to him. She slowly placed her hand over his and pushed the gun down.
Harm blinked in confusion as Mac removed the gun from his hand and led him away from the ledge.
Suddenly a shot was fired, followed by another. Billy Wayne had lifted his gun and fired at the sheriff, sending him backward over the steep ledge into the churning muddy waters. VaSean reacted by shooting Billy Wayne, killing him instantly.
Highway patrol cars pulled up as Harm and Mac walked to the cars. Leaning against Harm's car, Mac put her arm around his waist and he slid his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close as they watched the sunset over the Mississippi River. The sunset was such a contrast to the bloody scene on the ledge. A beautiful display of orange, pink and purple draped across the western sky over the river.
"I wanted to kill him." Harm said softly.
"I did too." Mac laid her cheek against his shoulder.
"I would have if you had not been here." He mumbled.
"I don't think so." She spoke softly.
"How do you know?" He turned to at her.
"I know I haven't acted like it lately, but I know you Harm Rabb." She smiled.
"I'm glad someone does because I don't know me anymore." He said seriously and hugged her tightly...
**********
JAG Headquarters
"Look at this." Webb handed a document to the Admiral, who frowned as he read the document without comment and passed it to Bud. Bud's eyes grew round with surprise as he also read the paper...
Boliver Courthouse
"I need to call the Admiral." Mac rubbed her forehead, exhausted from the debriefing with the State Highway Patrol officials.
Harm sighed, "I guess I need to be prepared for the firing squad." The thought of talking with the Admiral was not appealing.
"Harm, for what it's worth, you did find out the truth about Carly's murder. I know it will give the Williamses closure." She spoke sympathetically and reached for the phone.
******
"JAG, Lt. Roberts speaking."
"Bud, what are you doing there so late? Is the Admiral there?"
"Colonel Mackenzie, we've been trying to reach you and the Commander. Where are you?" He whispered over the phone.
"The Commander and I are in Boliver. Can I speak with the Admiral?" Mac dreaded the confrontation almost as much as Harm. Bud connected the call to the Admiral's line.
"Colonel, I assume you located the Commander?" His voice lacked any hint of emotion.
"Yes, Sir."
"Well, did he find what he was looking for?"
"Mostly sir, but..."
"Put Rabb on the phone." Mac handed the phone to Harm and shrugged her shoulders.
"Rabb here." Harm looked to Mac for support.
"Commander, I should put your ass up on charges!"
"Yes, Sir." Harm winced.
"Well, ... What did you find? I'm putting you on speakerphone. Bud and Webb are here."
"Sheriff Carter killed Carly Sue Speed. He and his deputy, Smith, were running a baby selling adoption service. Apparently, Carly Sue was going to back out on their deal and run away with a young black Marine named Silas. Williams showed up at the wrong time, and the sheriff thought he was Silas and set him up to look like he attacked Carly. The Sheriff used Rayborn and his two friends to murder Williams to cover up Carly's murder. The Sheriff and Smith were part of the lynch mob that night... Rayborn and his boys didn't know who the other three Klan members were because they all wore the hoods." Harm's voice lost momentum as he explained his findings.
"So Carter and Smith are in custody?"
"No, they are both dead."
Silence...
Realizing what the Admiral must be thinking, Harm added, "Smith was the father of Carly's baby. He thought Williams attacked her, so when he found out the sheriff killed her, he shot the sheriff. Deputy Lewis shot Smith to stop him."
Harm heard a sigh of relief, "Thank God, I thought...Well this will be easier to explain to the SecNAV. I assume you two will be returning tomorrow?"
"Yes, sir, we have to talk with the FBI in the morning and should be back in DC by tomorrow night...I guess this accounts for five of the six who murdered Williams." Harm added more solemnly.
"Commander, Webb found some more information." The Admiral nodded at Clay to explain.
"Harm it looks like the esteemed Attorney General Bill Myers received several major campaign contributions from a dummy corporation. We were able to connect Sheriff Carter to that corporation. Myers also has records where he arranged adoptions for wealthy clients." Webb reported.
"Sir, Myers was not interested in continuing the investigation to find the other three involved in Williams' murder." Bud added.
"So Myers was the sixth man." Harm said softly.
"The FBI is going to have problems linking him directly to Williams' murder since Carter and Smith are both dead." Webb spoke regretfully.
"Damn." Harm felt enraged that Myers could escape punishment for Williams' death.
"One thing for sure, his political career has just gone up in smoke. When the media gets a hold of his connections with the baby selling scheme and the KKK, he'll be history." The Admiral added sarcastically.
Harm did not respond immediately, as the information continued to sink in, "The man needs to pay for that night." Harm said bitterly.
The Admiral dismissed Bud and Clay and picked up the phone disconnecting the speaker mode. "Commander, I have no doubt the man will burn in hell for what he's done...My order is still in effect. I expect a medical clearance from Captain Milsaps before you will be allowed to return to duty and if you don't, I will have you up on charges for disobeying a direct order. Do you understand?" The Admiral's tone left no room for argument.
"Yes, Sir." Harm's was definitely perturbed. 'Man's too hard headed for his own good,' the Admiral thought as he hung up the phone.
Mac had observed her partner as he talked on the phone and could tell he was not happy with the outcome. Deciding that her questions could wait, she took his arm and began to lead him towards the door, "Let's give this a rest until tomorrow, I'm tired."
++++++++
They walked silently down the sidewalk lit by street lamps to Miss Jeanette's bed and breakfast. Harm wore a frown and seemed preoccupied.
"Myers was the sixth man that night...He probably won't be convicted since Carter and Smith are dead." Harm finally said, softly.
They reached the bed and breakfast where Harm sat on the steps and looked into the dark starlit sky. Mac sat next to him and took his hand in hers, "Is that what's bothering you?"
"The Admiral insists I go see Milsaps before I can return to work. I guess everyone thinks I'm falling off the edge." He looked down at their hands and avoided making eye contact.
"You almost did a few hours ago." She smiled, trying to lighten the moment. Harm didn't smile, but looked up again at the stars.
"Harm, the Admiral is just concerned. We all are...I felt like I almost lost you." Mac squeezed his hand, getting him to look at her.
Harm looked into her deep brown eyes and reached up, stoking her cheek with his thumb. "But when I'm lost, you always come and find me." He said softly with a hint of a smile. His expression then turned serious. "Sarah, about the other night."
"Harm, you don't need to feel obligated...I mean, I don't expect any sort of commitment." Her eyes broke away from his gaze.
"Are you finished? What I was going to say was...I don't want to turn back...I want us." He pulled her into a gentle embrace, kissing her lightly and gently and then more passionately, as she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer...
THE END
********
Epilogue
Harm and Sarah held a long passionate kiss until the moment was broken by the sound of a screen door opening behind them.
"Oh my, I didn't mean to intrude!" Miss Jeanette seemed a little flustered and started to retreat.
"Wait a minute, Miss Jeanette, I...we were wondering if you had any vacanties tonight?" Harm stood and stepped closer to the porch light that had been turned on.
"Oh it's you Commander. I didn't recognize you at first. Oh dear, all I have is the large room on the first floor where you stayed. All the rooms upstairs are occupied by gentlemen working with the FBI." She giggled nervously.
"That room will be fine." Harm smiled sheepishly and turned to Sarah getting her approval.
"We're so tired anything would be fine." Sarah stood and walked into the light of the porch.
"Miss Jeanette this is Sarah Mckenzie, my partner." Harm introduced Mac and waited for a response.
"It's so nice to meet you. If you'll just follow me I'll show you the room. Ya'll will just have to make yourselves at home. I told the Commander there is fruit and lemonade in the kitchen..." Miss Jeanette just chattered away as Harm and Mac followed behind.
Mac gasped as she saw the huge mahogony hand carved antique bed that dominated the room. All the furniture was massive and fit the room with twelve foot ceilings so well. Miss Jeanette opened a side door revealing the bath. A large footed tub was the main attraction.
"This will be more than adequate." Mac said as she gazed around the room.
"Well good night. My room as at the other end of the house if you need anything." Miss Jeanette excused herself and turned out the lights throughout the house as she exited leaving only nightlights to shed a soft glow throughout the old home.
"Harm, this is just beautiful. You stayed here?" Mac was still in awe of her surroundings.
"Actually I only took a nap. I guess I really didn't pay that much attention to the house when I was here before." Harm looked around noting the beautiful decor.
Mac noticed that sad serious look beginning to form on his face and decided to intervene. Pushing him back to the bed she reached around his neck and placed a deep kiss on his lips and then said,"Now what were you saying about us?" She smiled seductively and pushed him flat onto the large bed.
A loud squeak escaped from the bed's frame. "This bed squeaks!" Harm looked shocked. He shifted his weight, and the bed squeaked with every movement. "I don't remember it making all this noise before."
"You didn't have me with you." Mac laughed causing the bed to vibrate and squeak again. Harm joined in the laughter causing the bed to squeak in unison with each movement.
"I don't know if I can do this." Mac laughed.
"Everyone else is upstairs, except for Miss Jeanette and her room's at the back of the house. No one can hear." Harm rolled over facing Mac afraid she would change her mind.
Seeing look of disappointment on his face, Mac smiled and wrapped her leg around his and reached for his face and slowly kissed him. He responded by sliding his arm under her waist and pulling her closer. He began to kiss each eye and her nose and forehead, "Ummm...I don't think the bed will be a problem." Mac said as she melted into his embrace.
Harm stopped and leaned back looking at her, "Are you sure you want this?" He held his breath as she slid off the bed and slowly began to disrobe dropping each item of clothing to the floor. She began to unbutton the top buttons of his polo shirt and helped him remove it along with each piece that he wore. Harm pulled the quilt and sheet back and assisted her into the high bed. The squeaking was totally ignored as he joined her under the soft cotton sheets.
He began to kiss her face again and then gradually worked his way down her neck. "You're so beautiful." He mumbled stroking her gently and returning to her lips. She groaned in pleasure as he massaged her soft creamy skin. Her hands in turn massaged his muscular arms and back. Their kisses were deep connecting them more than just physically. "I haven't told anyone before Sarah, but I love you. I have for a long time." He held her savoring the closness.
Tears escaped Mac's eyes as she felt him hold her and tell her the words she thought she would never hear. She whispered, "I love you."
He felt her tears on his chest and pulled away enough to see her face. He frowned and brushed the tears away, "Sarah?"
"You know me, I cry when we say goodbye and when we say I love you." She laughed. He smiled and pulled her close stoking her back. The night moved slowly as did their love making. It began gentle and sweet and climaxed into a firey passion.
They lay silently holding each other. "Harm?"
"Yea?"
"I'm hungry."
"I don't think they have pizza delivery here." Harm laughed.
"What's in the kitchen?"
"I'll go see." Harm slipped back into enough clothing to be decent and headed to the kitchen.
Mac eased out of the bed careful not to creat more squeaking sounds and headed to the bathroom. She looked at the tub and smiled to herself. When Harm returned with a tray filled with fruit, cheese and milk he heard water running in the bath.
"Mac?" He whispered as he entered the candlelit bathroom to find Mac reclining in the tub filled with bubbles. He pulled a chair close to the tub and placed the tray. Eagerly he stripped and joined her in the tub. "I thought you were hungry." He smiled mischieviously.
"I am." She reached over and pulled a grape from the bunch and popped it into her mouth. She then placed one in his mouth....By the time the tray was empty, the bath water was cold.
"That was the best midnight snack I've ever had Sarah Mckenzie." Harm kissed her on the forehead.
"Well, you are a pretty good cook...in more ways than one." Mac responded playfully.
********
Harm and Mac sat at the dining room table alone. The other guests had eaten and left already. "I'm famished." Mac smiled as Miss Jeanette placed a hardy breakfast before her.
Miss Jeanette giggled, "Oh I was always starving afterwards."
Harm shot Mac a look.
"My late husband and I always found the squeak in that bed sooo romantic. I see you did too." Miss Jeanette chattered not missing a beat as she poured coffee for the two embarrassed guests.
"By the way, an Admiral Chegwidden called. I told him you two were still asleep because you had a long night. I told him it was just too early to wake you. I believe he wants you to call him back...asap...if it doesn't inconvience you." Miss Jeanette carefully recited the message and smiled.
Harm and Mac looked at each other, "Oh no."
The end...
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