Mic Brumby new the only way to get Cmdr. Harmon Rabb out of his and his fiancee’s life was to set him up. An idea formed in his Austrailian brain. “Well see you get out of this one, mate,” he said with a grin.
~~~~
0835 hours
Tuesday, March 13, 2001
Harm’s Apartment
North of Union Station
Harm sat up with a start. His head was pounding. Looking around, he noticed that he was in the basement of his apartment building. “How in the world did I end up down here?” he muttered, getting up.
He couldn’t remember much of anything that happened the night before. The last thing Harm did remember was unlocking his apartment door. He had just come from McMurphy’s after a long hour of arguing with his partner’s fiancee. Shaking his head, Harm looked at his watch. “I’m going to be late.” He cursed as a wave dizziness washed over him. Steadying himself, Harm went up to his apartment to change. And take some Advil.
~~~~~
0900 hours
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Admiral AJ Chegwidden was leaving the break room when he spotted Bud Roberts. “Lieutenant.”
“Yes, sir,” Bud said.
“Would you send Col. MacKenzie and Cmdr. Rabb to my office as soon as they arrive?”
“Aye, aye, sir.” Just as the Admiral went into his office, Mac came in. “Col. the Admiral would like to see you and Cmdr Rabb.”
“Thanks, Bud,” Mac replied, putting her cover and briefcase in her office. “Where is Harm?”
“I don’t know, ma’me. I haven’t seen him.”
Mac shrugged. “I guess I’ll give him ten minutes.”
Ten minutes later Harm still had not arrived. Mac headed to her CO’s office anyway and knocked on the door. “Enter.”
Mac did so and stood at attention. “At ease, Col. MacKenzie.”
“You wanted to see me, Sir?”
“I believe I wanted to see you and Cmdr. Rabb, Col. Where is he?” Admiral Chegwidden asked curiously.
“I don’t know, Sir. I haven’t seen him. I just got in not too long ago.”
The Admiral looked annoyed. “Tyner,” he said hitting the intercom.
“Yes, Sir?”
“Call Cmdr. Rabb at his apartment and tell him to get here ASAP.”
“Aye, Aye, Sir.”
Chegwidden then turned to Mac. “Now, Col, about the Jefferies case...”
~~~~
0956 hours
Harm made it to his office before Bud got to him. His head was still pounding and he couldn’t remember much of what happened the night before. Harm sighed and sat in his chair. Leaning back, he closed his eyes.
“Sir?” Bud said. No response. “Cmdr. Rabb!”
Harm’s eyes snapped open. “Huh? Where’s the fire?”
“Cmdr, are you all right?” Bud asked when he saw the bump on his forehead.
“I’ll live as soon as the Advil kicks in.”
“Admiral Chegwidden has been waiting to see you, Sir. Col. MacKenzie is already with him.”
“Thanks, Bud,” Harm replied, getting up. He hoped the Admiral was in a good mood. He didn’t know how much more abuse his head could take.
~~~~
Harm was about to knock on the door to Admiral Chegwidden’s office, when Mac opened it. “Harm, where have you been?” she asked, taking in the bump on his head. “What happened?”
Before he could reply, the Admiral shouted, “Cmdr, in here now!”
“Tell you later,” he whispered heading into his CO’s office and standing at attention.
“You are late, Mr. Rabb. Care to tell me why.” It was an order, not a question.
“Sir, to tell you the truth. I don’t remember. I woke up in the basement of my apartment building,” Harm explained.
“What happened, Cmdr?”
“I don’t know, Sir. The last thing I remember doing was unlocking my apartment door.”
Chegwidden sat back with a sigh. “Did you notice anything missing from your apartment? Perhaps someone--”
Before he could finish, Tyner buzzed him. “Sir, Col. MacKenzie is out here. She’s rather anxious to speak with you.”
“Very well, send her in.”
When she entered, the two Naval officers wanted to be elsewhere. It looked as if she were on a warpath. “Col, what’s wrong?” Harm asked, concerned.
Mac ignored him and turned to the Admiral. “Sir, I just received a disturbing phone call from Mic. Something happened last night and he needs my help. Request permission to take the rest of the day off, Sir.”
“Mac, is everything all right?”
“Cmdr. Rabb, you will address me as Col. MacKenzie, is that clear?” she replied in anger.
Harm’s eyes widened. “Yes, Ma’me.”
“Col, you may take the day.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Dismissed.”
“Aye, Aye, Sir,” Mac said stomping out the door.
Before Harm left, the Admiral grabbed his arm. “Be careful, Mr. Rabb. She’s pissed.”
"That's an understatement, Sir."
~~~~~
Harm caught up with Mac just as she picked up her cover. “What happened Mac? Is Brumby all right?” he asked, taking her hand in his.
When she turned to face him, Harm saw anger, pain and sadness in her eyes. He let go and watched Mac slam her office door and leave.
“Sir?” Bud said coming up to him. “What is going on?”
“That, Lt. Roberts, is what I’m going to find out.”