P Deutermann - Darkside

“And tried to fry Hays. Literally, this time.”

She looked across the water toward Bancroft Hall. “Man!” she said. “What kind of a monster did they let into that place?”

“A real one, if this is all true,” he said quietly. “And I’m thinking that we do have a way to make Markham talk to us after all.”

“How?”

“Dell was in her batt but not her company. She broke the chain of command if she was mentoring him outside his own company system. They could claim that if she hadn’t interfered, whatever happened to Dell might have been avoided. Indirect responsibility, but enough to negate everything she’s worked for here.”

“That’s pretty thin. You think they’d do that?”

“I think this commandant would. He’s a surface a Navy guy. Surface guys always have to blame somebody. And remember, their system is not-repeat, not -at fault here.”

“Much,” she said, shaking her head.

“Okay, so we explain this to Markham. Now she has everything to lose by keeping quiet. And maybe something to gain by coming clean to somebody-namely, us.”

She thought for a moment. “How are we going to send for either of them if the Academy is shutting down the investigation?”

“Because so far, no one’s told us that officially.”

She shook her head. “I hate these frigging games.”

“Then let’s get moving, before they do, Markham first, then Booth. And quickly.”

Ev was home, preparing to go out on the water again, when Julie finally called. “Something’s happening,” she said without preamble.

“Whoa, start at the beginning, Julie. What do you mean, ‘Something’s happening’?”

“Tommy Hays went to talk to that security officer, Mr. Hall. He told him…some stuff.”

“What stuff?”

Julie didn’t reply for a moment. He realized she had put her hand over the mouthpiece of her phone. Then she was back. “Tommy’s here with me right now. We’re down in Mitscher Hall, behind the mess hall. Tommy says he’s going to stay close to me until he hears from Mr. Hall.”

Ev shook his head. “I’m not following, Julie. What’s going on?”

“Mr. Hall told Tommy that the Academy is probably going to close down the NCIS investigation, but that they’re going to blame me for what happened to Brian-Midshipman Dell.”

Ev, bewildered, dropped into a kitchen chair. “Slow down, Julie, and let’s not do this on the phone. Can you get loose?”

“Dad, I think I should go to see Liz DeWinter.”

Well, about goddamn time, he thought. “I heartily agree,” he said. “Let me find her, tell her what’s happening. She’s probably still at the office. Call me back in five.”

He hung up and phoned Liz, who was still in the office. Keeping the explanation very short, he asked if Julie could meet with her there. Liz said fine. Ev called Julie’s cell phone and relayed the news.

“Can Tommy go with me?”

“Uh, hell, I don’t know. I guess so.”

“Because-oh shit, wait one, Dad.” He heard the phone hit the table, and then he heard Julie say, “Yes?” He waited again while she talked to someone else. He heard what sounded like some intense conversation, then Julie came back on the cell phone.

“That was the OOD’s mate. The front office says I’m to report to the commandant’s office to meet with the NCIS in thirty minutes.”

“Don’t go,” he said. “Go to Liz’s office instead.”

“But Dad-”

“Go to Liz’s office. Then get Liz to call the dant’s office and tell them you’ll meet with NCIS, but only in her office. If they insist, Liz can go back there with you, but this’ll give you time to talk to Liz, tell her what the hell’s happening.”

“Got it. I’ll call you when we get there.”

Ev hung up, thought about driving over to Liz’s office, then went to find the scotch instead.

Jim and Branner were getting into her Bronco when her cell phone rang. She looked at Jim, who gestured for her to hand it over. He clicked it open and answered. It was Liz DeWinter.

“Mr. Hall. Did I misdial? I was looking for Agent Branner.”

“Stand by one,” was all he said, and then moved closer to Branner so that she could talk and he could listen in.

“Yes, Ms. DeWinter,” Branner said.

“Julie Markham’s on her way to my office. I understand you want to talk to her?”

“Yes, we do. But we’re supposed to meet with her in Bancroft Hall. I was just going to call you.”

“Sure you were. Well, look, Agent Branner, why not make this easy for everyone-you come over here to my office.”

Jim nodded forcefully. “Okay,” she said. “That works. Mr. Hall and I will be right over.”

“Why Mr. Hall? What’s he got to do with this?”

“Is Midshipman Markham still your client?” Branner asked.

“Yes, of course. She never stopped being my client. And now I hear the Academy may not let her graduate.”

Jim motioned for Branner to give him the phone. “Liz?” he said. “Jim Hall. Let’s not do this on the phone. We need to talk to Markham, and time is of the essence. Is she there yet?”

“No, but she’s on her way over right now. Her ex-boyfriend is with her.”

“Hays? Good. And may I ask a favor? Don’t take any more phone calls, okay? And when Markham gets there, tell her we’re coming in to talk about Dyle Booth.”

“About what?”

“He’s a mid. We think he may have killed Brian Dell.”

“Whoa,” Liz said. “WTF?”

“Hold that thought, and, remember, don’t take any more calls. We’re on our way.”

Branner drove her Bronco, but Jim decided to take his truck. Both of them had turned off their cell phones to avoid inconvenient messages, but Jim had failed to turn off the police radio in his truck. The chief’s voice came up on the net as they rounded State Circle and turned down toward Liz’s office.

“Shit,” Jim murmured, picking up the mike.

“Hey, boss, the dant’s office is looking for you. And Special Agent Branner, too, apparently.”

“What’s the message, Chief?”

“ET call home?” Bustamente said.

“Got it, Chief, thanks. I take it the dant’s back in the Yard?”

“His admin guy didn’t say, but he did say the Man wants to see you, and now’d be really nice.”

“Roger that,” Jim said. “If anyone asks, you’re still looking for me.”

“Whassup?” the chief asked.

“What you don’t know right now can’t hurt you, Chief.”

“Heard that. Standing by.”

Jim thought about what to do while he waited for Branner to park. When the commandant wanted to see someone, he meant it literally, as in standing tall in his office. He suddenly didn’t feel right about having asked the chief to lie for him, so he fired up his cell phone and called the commandant’s office. He told them he was stuck out on Route 50, but that he’d had a message to call in. He was put on hold. He pulled in behind Branner, who came over to the window.

“I’m on disciplinary hold with the dant’s office,” Jim whispered after a minute had passed. Branner rolled her eyes and used her cell phone to check her voice mail.

“Mr. Hall,” came the commandant’s voice.

“Yes, sir,” Jim replied, straightening in his seat out of habit. Branner closed her phone and leaned in to listen.

“Where is Special Agent Branner?”

“Don’t know, sir,” Jim said. “I’ve been trying to raise her myself.”

“We have some new guidance in that matter you’ve been investigating. I won’t go into details over an open line, other than to say we have a SecNav determination in the matter. Branner’s people have also been informed.”

“Yes, sir, copy that. Do you have new instructions for me, sir?”