“Do you have any idea what you’re implying, Gunnery Sergeant?” Mac prodded.
Miles looked up at her. “I’m not implying anything, Ma’am. Just telling you what I’ve heard around the office, what I’ve seen, and going by the Major’s behavior. I do have it on pretty good authority that Major Pierce has never liked me.”
“And you think it’s because of your relationship with Commander Krennick,” Harm clarified.
“I’m saying it’s a good possibility, Sir. He was on my case from day one. Any time I was even in the same room with Allison...”
“Gunny, need I remind you that while we’re well aware of your...personal involvement with Allison Krennick, that she was still your CO and a superior officer. Please refrain from calling her ‘Allison’ throughout the rest of this investigation. Am I understood?”
“Yes, Sir.” Miles hung his head, properly chastised. “It’s just...hard.”
“We’re well aware of that, Gunny. And we’re not unsympathetic to your feelings,” Harm assured him. “However, decorum must be maintained, and our personal feelings have to be pushed aside.” Harm’s eyes met hers across the table and Mac smiled and nodded in silent support. “Now, why don’t you tell us how this all started, from the beginning and work your way forward.”
Miles struggled a moment with where to begin. “I grew up here in New Orleans. Poor, bayou family. My daddy left us when I was real little.”
“Any brothers or sisters?” Harm asked.
Miles hesitated, as if unsure of how to answer. Finally, he said. “A brother.” When neither officers had a reply to that he went on. “We were always poor. My mamma never had anything. We barely made it when I was growing up. There was no way she could put me through college. So, as soon as I was old enough I joined the Marines. Went to college, moved from place to place, anywhere was better than home. But my luck didn’t hold out; I finally ended up back here about a year ago. But then if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met Alli...Commander Krennick.”
“Just how old are you, Miles?” Mac couldn’t stem her curiosity any longer.
“I’ll be thirty-two this year, Ma’am.” At Mac’s shocked expression a shy smile tugged at the Gunny’s lips. “I know I look awful young. Takes a lot of people by surprise.”
Mac gaped at him a moment longer before sitting up a little straighter. “I have to admit I did think you were...younger.”
“Old enough to know better, if that’s what you were wondering, Ma’am.” He looked back down at his shackled wrists. “I knew exactly what I was getting into. But...I loved her; I would have done anything for her, anything she asked. But I would never hurt her. You believe me, don’t you? Sir?” It was Harm he looked at this time, and Mac couldn’t help it, she shivered.
Harm looked at the frightened man in front of him. Despite the initial reaction that he found it impossible for anyone to fall in love with Allison Krennick, he believed the man. Whatever he was, he wasn’t a murderer. It was obvious Miles had been smitten with Krennick. Now the question was, if Miles hadn’t killed her, who had? “I believe you, Gunny.”
Relief seemed to wash over Logan, but only for a moment. In the next instant he was turning his gaze on Mac. “Ma’am?”
She had no idea how it happened, but staring deeply into his eyes, Mac felt a sudden jolt when she suddenly saw the flames dancing in them. A small flicker at first, the spark of light barely visible in his nearly black eyes. But the longer she stared the brighter they got, heat filling her, filling the air around them. The hotter it got the colder she felt deep in her soul. Light and shadow. Good...evil...
But there was more to it. Something, someone, was there, dancing in the flames...just beyond the shadows. Just out of reach...
“Colonel? Is something wrong? Are you all right?” Miles asked, his voice calm, even, expectant.
When it didn’t seem to register with her, Harm tried. “Mac? Mac, are you okay?”
His voice was the one that called her back from that place. It was Harm that was her center, had always been her center. Blinking rapidly, she looked from one face to the other, one calm the other concerned.
The calm face unnerved her.
“I’m fine. Sorry.” She played with the notepad in front of her, the pen, busying herself with organization. When she felt she was calm enough she asked, “Let’s jump to the present. Tell us about your time here, Gunny.”
Harm saw it for the diversionary tactic it was. Something was in her craw about Miles, he could tell; he’d have to get it out of her later. Hmm...he’d have to use some pretty powerful persuasion. Could be fun...
What the hell was the matter with him? He was acting just as strangely as Mac. It was his turn to shake himself out of his thoughts as he listened to Logan Miles tell his story.
The deeper they got into the complex relationship, the more uncomfortable things got for Harm. He listened as Miles detailed his year long “relationship” with Krennick, hearing how she’d manipulated him and played him as a fool. Miles didn’t see it that way, of course. Love tended to put blinders on a man.
“Miles, you know the rules about fraternization; you work in a JAG office for Christ’s sake. You carried on an intimate relationship with your C.O. for almost a year, a very ‘public’ relationship if those tapes tell us what I think they will. How could you not think this was wrong? How could you not know this wouldn’t come back and bite both of you right in the ass?” Harm finally asked, frustrated.
Almost defiantly Logan’s chin raised and he met Harm’s direct gaze. “I knew it was wrong; I’m not stupid...but I loved her, Sir. She was worth it; she was worth the risk. Have you ever loved someone that much, Sir? That you were willing to risk everything for them?”
The parallel to his own feelings for Mac wasn’t lost on Harm. He knew exactly what it felt like to love someone so much you’d sacrifice your life for them. But look where that had gotten him. “Yes, I have,” he answered, avoiding eye contact with Mac. “But we’re not talking about me. I’m not going to lie to you, Gunny. You are in serious trouble here. You were there and were found fleeing the scene.”
“Yes, Sir, but...”
Harm continued, despite the interruption. “You had her blood all over you, and the murder weapon in your hand. The only thing we don’t have yet is a motive. And I’m sure someone around here will be more than willing to point us in the direction of that as well. So I think you have things we need to know, Miles, and I suggest you tell us now.”
The deer in the headlights look was back on his face. Where as Harm chalked it up to nerves, Mac was a little more suspicious.
Finally he started to explain. “I don’t know how it happened. We had just finished...making the last movie,” he blushed, “I went to clean up a bit, took a quick shower, and when I came out I saw her...l..la...laying there. There was blood everywhere. The knife...it...was sticking out of her chest.” Looking up at Harm, a single tear rolled down his cheek. “I didn’t even think. I just went over and tried...I took the knife out of her, was going to try to help her. But instead I...I just ran. I got scared and ran. I can’t explain it; I don’t even know why I was still holding the knife. I don’t remember much of anything after leaving her house.”
Mac beat Harm to the next question. “You didn’t hear anything? We’ve seen the crime scene photos, the room was almost destroyed. She put up one hell of a fight with her attacker. It’s hard to believe you wouldn’t have heard something.”
“I swear I didn’t hear anything. The bathroom is at the other end of the house and I had the shower running. She always insisted I be...clean when I left.”
Harm gave a grunt of disgust.
Glaring at Harm briefly, Mac then focused on Miles again. “Was there ever anyone else with you and the Commander when you were ‘filming’? Camera men? Other participants?”
“No.” The answer was quick. Too quick.
“No one? Ever?”
“No, Ma’am.” He was adamant.
“Well, Gunny, I hope you’re telling us the truth. Because if you’re not, if we find out you’re lying to us, not even God will be able to save you. Do I make myself clear?”
Miles sat a little straighter. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good.
Because, like I said, as it stands, it’s not looking good for
you. We’re going to have a hell of a time proving you’re
innocent with your fingerprints all over the damn murder weapon.”
There was no need to sugar coat it, Harm justified himself.
For the first time in the entire interrogation, Miles looked completely
at peace. “I have every confidence in you, Sir. Allison...Commander
Krennick, said you were the best. If anyone can prove I’m innocent,
it’s you,” Miles was confident, his tone leaving no doubt
that he considered Allison Krennick’s words to be gospel truth.
Harm nodded. “Then I guess we’ll be seeing you tomorrow, Gunny.”
After Miles had been ushered out, Mac stood and began collecting her things. “Harmon Rabb, miracle worker,” she mumbled.
Not touching that comment Harm took a different route. “You know we’re going to have to view those tapes, soon.” He said it so casually, while not looking at her, busily picking up his own notes. “I think it’s the only way we’re going to be able to find out more.” Harm finally gave her a pointed stare.
About to protest, Mac opened her mouth and then shut it just as fast. He was right, damn it. There was more to this case that needed to be explored, and unfortunately that meant delving into Allison Krennick’s seedy personal activities. Reluctantly, she agreed. “All right, how do you want to do it then?”
Unable to control it he laughed out loud at the double meaning in her suggestion, before giving her a leering grin.
One eyebrow raised, Mac gave him a look that would have frozen a normal man in his tracks. “The only reason you’re not getting a traffic signal right now is because we’re a little too far along in our relationship, and because I know you’re an egotistical maniac and it wouldn’t do any good,” she replied haughtily.
Invading her personal space for what seemed like the hundredth time that day, Harm leaned in close and whispered, “That the only reason, Marine.”
Not liking what his voice was doing to her equilibrium, Mac chose to be stubborn. “Of course. What other reason would I have?” Her voice didn’t sound nearly as convincing as she wanted it to.
That slow, lazy grin spread across his face, and she felt her knees threaten to give out on her. That, combined with the smell of his aftershave, and the man was just downright lethal. “Oh, I don’t know. I was hoping it was because you actually wanted to spend the evening with me.”
For the life of her Mac couldn’t come up with a reason not to spend the evening with him. “Well, maybe I do...just a little,” she admitted, slightly breathless.
“Mmhmmm...just a little?” Harm murmured, staring at her lips.
“Sure, we’ll be working. What else could happen while we’re working?” Nothing had ever happened between them when they were actually working, she reasoned. But who was she really trying to convince?
“Right,
just working,” he agreed. Working and watching people have sex,
with Mac. No problem. Just like any other late night at the office.
His body tightened.
Pulled into the flames dancing in his eyes, Mac suggested, “Maybe
we could order in, watch them in one of our rooms.” Her nipples
hardened at just the thought of being alone with Harm, maybe sprawled
out next to him on one of their beds, close enough to reach out and
touch...
“Mac? Mac! Earth to Mac.” Harm snapped his fingers in front of her face.
Blushing profusely, Mac turned away to grab her things off the table. “Sorry. Tonight will be fine. I’ll speak with Ceilee when we get back and ask her if she has any suggestions of places to order from in the area.”
Her babbling was cut off by Harm’s hand on her forearm. “Don’t be embarrassed, Mac. I was thinking it too.”
Giving one last effort to ignore what was happening between them she dismissed the idea. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“I want you, Mac.”
Startled, she dropped her briefcase and her head whipped up so fast they almost bumped noses. “What did you say?”
Cupping her cheek in the palm of his hand, his voice was husky when he replied. “I want you. I’m willing to take this where ever it goes this time. But where it goes will be up to you. Okay?” He asked, hoping she understood that he was willing to let her set the pace.
Her vocal cords seemed to be frozen so she nodded her head, letting him know she understood.
Releasing her, Harm stood up straight and smiled, feeling lighter for the first time in forever. “Well then, Colonel, let’s get out of here.”
Neither knew about the rigid Marine Major standing on the other side
of the two way glass, witnessing the whole exchange.