Go to Part 3
That evening Steve reluctantly returned to the office as Heinriche greeted him warmly outside the rear entrance. "This thing has gotten me so paranoid." He confessed. "This afternoon I even checked my office for bugs."
"Plenty of rats though." McGarrett grinned as he detoured towards the coffee machine.
"Steve." The captain replied smiling in spite of himself. "Rodents do not show up on a voltmeter."
Steve pulled a chair up to the front of Heinriche's desk to begin attacking the personnel files, as the senior officer cleared a space off the top to make room for his temporary officemate. "I gave Foggarty the job of vetting Seaman Adams." Heinriche announced.
"I thought it was just you and I in this mess." McGarrett stated and tossed the Andelucci file on the floor beside his chair.
"Steve, there are three hundred and eighty five names here." Heinriche said. "We can't physically check them all ourselves. Foggarty thinks it's a SOP to vet the enlisted men. He's too new at this job to know the difference." With a sigh of resignation he picked up a photo from under his blotter. "This one's a homosexual." He stated.
Steve looked up with a start from the file he was reading. "Who?" He asked curiously.
Heinriche merely handed him the eight by ten-inch black and white glossy print.
"Dennis Adams?" Steve exclaimed in disbelief. "In crypto?? He's got a wallet full of girls pictures."
"Poor kid." Heinriche laughed at the memory of the red-faced Foggarty when he had given him the surveillance photograph. "He was so embarrassed he could hardly get the words out."
"Who is the other guy?" Steve asked disgustedly as he handed back the photo of two naked men embracing on a deserted beach."
"Don't know yet." Heinriche replied in an equally disgusted tone. "The other five names I gave him are checking out OK so far. But you'll want to follow up on Adams." Heinriche looked at the photo again as he slipped it into his top desk drawer. "Pity that he turned out queer. He was good at his job. I hope that other fagot doesn't turn out to be a sailor too. Scandal like this'll shock the Navy."
"I hate this job all ready." Steve sighed.
"I know." Heinriche agreed. "I..." ...you're like a son to me...How can I tell you this... "You're about to hate it more. Your friend Lt. Anderson takes alot of trips. Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila, Jakarta, Bombay, a dozen trips to Tokyo, San Diego...heck the man's never home."
"That's just Glen." Steve replied as he dismissed the implication. "He always says that's what keeps him in the Navy. Free travel."
"To meet a foreign agent." Heinriche ventured.
"NO WAY!" Steve exclaimed as he attempted to leap out of his chair but ended up whacking his knee on the edge of the man's desk and fell awkwardly back into the chair. "Not Glen! I know him too well. We were at Lang Bak together. Sir there's no way." He glared intently at his superior officer.
"I know about him being a POW." Heinriche explained. "But think about it Commander, what better place to recruit a double agent?"
McGarrett's entire body shook with barely contained rage at the accusation. Steve threw the file he was studying against the wall. "No way, he'd never..." Steve yelled as he came up out of the chair.
"Think about it logically Commander." Heinriche replied as he instinctively sat back away from the desk.
Heinriche's flag review was coming up shortly Steve remembered. Would he sell out one of his men? Heinriche himself had said months before that he would sell his soul to the devil if necessary for that star. The thought was more disgusting than McGarrett could stand. "You son of a bitch." He exploded as he came over the desk at his commanding officer. "If you are planning to let Glen twitch just to kiss up to the flag review committee. I WON'T go along with this! You picked the wrong patsy to frame and the wrong guy to build it." While he wanted to pound the man's face Steve settled for punching the desktop instead. "You try and railroad Glen and I'll scream frame-up all the way to the White House if I have to. Career be damned."
Heinriche was speechless at the tirade directed his way.
" I don't see a flag in my future anyway." McGarrett continued. "I've turned down a couple of good job offers from civilian contractors. Hang us out and Glen and I'll go someplace and get rich while you'll be lucky if the SecNav gives you Corrosion Control Officer in the Azores.
"McGarrett relax!" Heinriche ordered. "Sit back down and think about this. Do you honestly believe that I would frame Lieutenant Anderson?"
"Yes. You would." Was Steve's abrupt answer.
" I..." Heinriche hesitated. "I'm not like you.people don't. They gravitate to you for some reason. Probably because you are so blindly loyal. But that loyalty may end up getting you hurt in this case. This whole thing.... I don't want to believe its true but in my position I have to. Command can be very lonely sometimes XO; you had better get used to that." The captain stood up and walked around the room. "I know I'm a walking UCMJ but it's the only way I know that makes any sense." As he sat back behind his desk Heinriche stared at the pile of papers on the floor beside him and gave McGarrett a hard stare. "I'm assuming that you weren't aiming that folder at a superior officer."
"Well you assume wrong." Steve challenged. "I was aiming for your head. I don't know what to believe but I KNOW Glen Anderson is not a commie. I know everything there is to know about him, including the girlfriend he has in Tokyo. He went to San Diego last fall to visit our friend Ron Nicholson the rest were just sightseeing. Glen stays in one place too long he gets bored." Standing up very slowly to his full six foot two inch height McGarrett leaned forwards on the desk and glared at Heinriche. "I won't spy on my best friend Sir. You'll have my resignation in fifteen minutes."
"OK Steve, if it'll lower your blood pressure I'll do Anderson." Heinriche promised in hopes of defusing the situation. "I didn't know you two were that close. Where does that leave Frank Evershall?"
"The same." Steve stated matter of factly as he reluctantly sat back down. "I've just known Frank a little longer. There were four of us in the same cell we kept each other alive for three months till we were able to escape. When you're alone in the dark with someone, you learn alot about him. No way Glen is involved in this." McGarrett stated with finality.
"Maybe they wanted you to escape." The Captain suggested
"No way! They shot Glen. He almost didn't make it." Steve replied as he suddenly leaned over forwards in his chair.
"Are you all right?" Heinriche asked in concern as he observed his executive officer's distress.
"Yeah." Steve replied quietly as he recovered from the memory and with as deep sigh, settled back into the chair. "I.. just an image in my mind I can't shake loose." He rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"Image of what?" Heinriche asked with concern.
"The NKs (North Koreans)." Steve replied. "They chased us down in a helicopter. Hennessey was with Ron in the trees. I was still in the brush and Glen was in the clearing. They strafed us from the air. I keep seeing Glen going down."
"What happened?" The captain asked as he began to wonder about the morning's 'incident' on the roof.
"I tackled him but it was too late." Steve continued reluctantly."We laid there in the dirt while they circled overhead looking for Ron and Roger. We inched our way to the trees and took off running." As he sat up in the chair McGarrett chuckled "Roger Hennessey is one lucky sob. Only guy I know of to get out of Korea without a purpleheart."
"Go on." Heinney encouraged as his curiosity grew. "How'd you get out of there?"
"Once we hit the trail we knew we were going nowhere fast." Steve replied as his discomfort at talking about the event grew exponentially. "Ron was unconscious. Glen could barely breathe. Hennessey was taking care of all of us." Unable to deal with the sudden tenseness Steve stood up and left the office.
Heinriche wanted to hear the rest of the tale and trailed his officer out into the main office.
His efforts to avoid the discussion were unsuccessful. The still questioning Heinriche trapped Steve near the exit.
"They chased us on motorcycles and with dogs. We scared the pants off a recon patrol just outside of Panmoonjohn." He looked at the captain with a distressed expression on his face. "Do we have to discuss this now? It was over with six years ago."
"Sounds like quite a hellride." Heinney replied wanting to know more.
"That's putting it mildly." McGarrett retorted.
"Steve;" Heinriche, finally sensed his XO's reluctance to talk about the event and mercifully dropped the topic. " We have to check everyone you know that." He stated bringing the conversation back to the here and now. "I would expect you to check me too you know."
And whom do you think I did first? "Already being done. You're checking out OK so far too."
Heinriche smiled as he opened the steel door. "Let's call it a night. I'll give Foggarty some more names tomorrow."
********
Early the following morning McGarrett stood outside his quarters. A gentle breeze blew through his hair, as he debated his course of action. Nice day for running. He thought sadly, knowing that it would not only relax him but clear away all the cobwebs so that his mind could focus on the case. The roar of a high performance engine abruptly jerked him away from his rumination. There was a loud squeal of rubber tires as the red 1957 Ferrari backed up to where he stood.
"Good morning Sir." Ltjg McAdams said with a big grin and quickly shut off the radio as he remembered how semi-loud music had floored his boss earlier. "Feeling better?"
"I'm fine Lieutenant. Why does everyone keep insisting that I'm not?" Steve replied adhering to his cover. "Nice car." He added.
"Thanks." The sandy haired officer beamed as he revved the engine. "Brand new. I picked her up after watch yesterday." He rubbed off a microscopic piece of dust from the dashboard. "You want a ride Sir?"
"Why not." Steve smiled as a new plan popped into his head. "What'd you do rob a bank?" Steve teased as he adjusted the white leather bucket seat to accommodate his long legs. "Very nice." He stated admiringly. A car like this must have cost a fortune. Mahogany inlay....Christ Lt you'd betray your country for a car? "Nice touch." Steve grinned pointing at the brass No Smoking sign on the glove compartment door. "Maybe I'll get one of those for my car."
Racing along at a break-neck speed McAdams swerved around the corner and nearly collided with a jogger. Looking for a long straight run to impress his boss with the car's power Jerry headed towards the docks only to be trapped behind a series of slow moving trucks.
A brass band marched past them playing 'Ruffles And Flourishes.' Leaning out of the car Steve could see a destroyer, with its port flags flying proudly in the brisk ocean breeze. The ship had arrived only moments earlier on its end of cruise. Newest member of the Order Of Neptune. McGarrett noted as he watched a young ensign direct the docking. Lost in the moment Steve was unaware of the breakup of the traffic jam until McAdams over-revved the engine, which jerked the car forwards.
"Commander?" McAdams asked concerned by the peculiar distant look on his face."Are you sure you're alright?" He asked as he pulled over to the curb and stopped the car.
"I'm really getting tired of hearing that question." Steve retorted. He looked up at the US flag atop the jackmast. "You know......of all the things I've done in the Navy." Steve sighed. "That's the one thing I've missed."
"Huh Sir?" Jerry asked in confusion. From what stories I've heard he has done it all.
"End of cruise." Steve explained quietly. "We never made it back here."
"Oh" The lieutenant uttered as he remembered seeing the group picture on his bosses wall. "Your boat Sir? What ever happened, they sink it for gunnery practice?"
"No." Steve replied as he looked away from the ship and then at McAdams. "That'd be a blessing really. She's got one to many WW II battle stars, and the first one of the Korean Conflict. With all that and our presidential citation they couldn't scrap her. So they spray painted the decorations on what was left of the bridge, bolted a plaque on and had her towed to Bremerton. The bean counters heisted everything that was worth salvaging, then left her to rust away with the rest of the mothball fleet. Several times I've been tempted to scuttle her myself."
"How you gonna get a mine on the airplane." Jerry teased as he tried to lighten the mood. "Its not exactly a standard carry on item."
"Wouldn't take all that." Steve chuckled reluctantly. "Last time I was over there a few sticks of dynamite below the waterline'd do it." Remembering that the Jg had never served on a ship, therefore could not understand the feelings a mariner has for his ship, Steve abruptly dropped the subject. "I guess I'm getting to melodramatic in my old age." He sighed. "Lets go."
"Yes Sir!" the Jg grinned as he pulled away from the curb. As they passed by the destroyer two sailors quickly dropped their gear bags to salute. Confused, McAdams returned the gesture. "They've never done that before." He commented curiously.
"It wasn't you they were saluting." Steve explained. "A Ferrari's worth more than a Jg any day. Heck it's worth more than a commander." McGarrett added with a hint of envy. "If you ever need a babysitter for it let me know. They must be paying lieutenants alot more these days.
"No way! Nobody's touching this car!!"
Still evading the money question. "How would you like to give your car a real workout?"
"Sir?" Jerry replied curiously.
"Have you been up to the satellite research facility lately?"
"No." The young lieutenant replied. "I don't think anybody's been there since you've been gone. Its up by Kaena Point right?"
Grinning slyly Steve slumped down in the seat. "Then maybe Lieutenant we should rectify this gross breech of national security immediately. What do you think?"
"Hinney might have my head Sir." McAdams replied. "He's been a real jerk the past couple of months."
"You were following the orders of a superior officer." Steve replied, thinking that the trip would afford him ample time to interrogate suspect number two. "If he asks I'll come up with something."
"Why not." McAdams shrugged and making an abrupt U-turn in the middle of the street and sped towards the gate. "Besides." He laughed at the conspiracy to take the morning off. "After all national security is at stake."
More than you think Lt. More than you think.
As they drove North along the coast Steve looked around excitedly at the rapidly passing scenery. Lucky fools...lying in the warm sand cooking themselves. My God I'd almost forgotten what the ocean looked like. Bikinis! He thought turning around in the seat.
"Great isn't it Sir." Minnesota born McAdams smiled.
"Oh yeah." Steve agreed emphatically as he lay back in the seat and let the sun warm his tense muscles. "You don't realize how great it is just to be alive. Let alone living here." Dear God I hope you didn't throw it all away for money. Wonder if I could convince him to stop at Kathy's office. Nah, middle of the week she's probably in court. When this little game's over I don't care what the Old Bird has in mind I want a week to do absolutely nothing but sit in the sand and watch the kids surf. Be nice if she could get away too. Dive the reef.... that puts her in the mood. I haven't done a night dive in.....Forget that I have a hard enough time breathing above the water. Maybe I could get Ed Sawyers boat, not like he'll be using it during the week. Drop anchor in the channel for a week. Now that's a plan! Steve grinned in anticipation as he pointed out that McAdams had missed the turn off.
After backtracking McAdams reluctantly turned down a seemingly abandoned dirt road with a look of horror on his face as the thick underbrush came within inches of scratching his car. Despite the hard bounce to his ribs from hitting a chuckhole Steve couldn't help himself from laughing at McAdams acute anxiety over his transmission. If he had indeed stolen something from the facility he would have known about the road and found an excuse not to come up here McGarrett decided. But the true test would be staff recognition. A few hundred yards into the brush the dirt track became a two-lane asphalt road much to the relief of Lt McAdams who sped towards the guard post. He brought the car to a quick stop at the razor wire fence. Steve pretended to survey the area surrounding the cement block building while he listened to the discourse between Jerry and the young lance corporal who kept a tight grip on his M-1. After hearing the Jg stammer around for a reason for their presence and thinking the marine might actually use his weapon McGarrett handed over his ID and instructed the sentry to check who's signature was on the authorization list. As the marine left McAdams exhaled in relief.
When he returned from the guardpost the NCO quickly unlocked the fence and stepped aside saluting smartly. McAdams accelerated through the opening allowing the marine only a fraction of a second to toss Steve's ID into the speeding convertible. There were only a couple of beat up cars in the parking lot and several dirty jeeps. McAdams did not want any of those vehicles to impact his car so he parked right in front of the main door. The officers entered past a second security guard that waved McGarrett through but stared curiously at McAdams.
Turning to the left the pair entered a brightly-lit laboratory. A thin Aryan man wearing a white labcoat looked up from his graphs and dropped his sliderule in shock. "Was hast du...Freggatekapitan... He stuttered. "Steven! What in the world happened to you?" He walked over to greet his benefactor.
"Nothing much. Steve grinned as he quickly sat on the lab bench and tried to ignore the swirling room. "Just a difference of opinion in how the Cold War should be run. Hiya Hans. Gerhard. Wie Gehts?" He greeted surprised that he still remembered the German his father had taught him years before.
"Where have you been my friend?" The stocky physicist exclaimed as he grabbed him unknowingly by the shoulders in a bear hug. "We were starting to wonder about you." He stated as he enthustically pulled Steve to his feet in the embrace.
"It's a long story Gerhard." Steve acknowledged as he rubbed his right arm after the German had let go. "I'm OK".
"It's Jerry now. And Henry." He corrected and pointed towards his partner. "We are going to be Americans."
"I know." Steve replied as he observed McAdams out of the corner of his eye. "I'm lousy at remembering names. Do you ever hear from any of the others?"
"Werner and Klaus are..." Hans replied.
"Walter and Clyde." Gerhard corrected.
"Yes. Yes." Hans retorted towards his partner. "I am sorry but getting used to my new name is difficult enough."
"Nobody said you had to change it." Steve emphasized.
"Jah, but I want to." The man replied. "Walter and Clyde are in Florida with NASA, we communicate regularly. That kid Dieter and his Russian friend Rolf have applied to emigrate."
"Next year when we are citizens." Gerhard announced. "We are going to sponsor them. The only one we do not know of is the Korean....Wang? I have not seen him since Ramstien."
"Wong Lee." Steve responded. "He is in Seoul with a friend of mine, still looking for his family."
Hans noticed McAdams confused expression."He did not tell you how we met?
"No Sir." The lieutenant replied as he set down the metal tube he had been playing with.
"Steve." Gerhard stated in astonishment.
"Sorry." McGarrett shrugged innocently. "It never came up."
"He is the reason we are here." Gerhard beamed. "He rescued us from East Germany."
"WOW." McAdams replied in amazement at yet another of the legendary Steve McGarrett's exploits.
"It wasn't a big deal." McGarrett dismissed as he sat back down on the bench.
"You my friend." Hans scolded. "Are too modest. Five days in the woods with KGB and Statspoleitzi chasing us. We were shot at, blown up and nearly run over by a tank. It was big deal. Jah."
"So what's been going on up here?" Steve asked changing the subject. "Things still on schedule? Anybody sell out to the Soviets?
"Schedule! Hah! We are so far behind. It is ridiculous!!" Hans complained. "One of our best engineers was sent to White Sands. Now our rocketry tech is being taken to NASA. Everything is falling apart." The German complained as he tossed his sliderule on the counter in frustration. "The windows leak. I have to file a stack of papers a decimeter high to request a pencil. They lose forms and I have to do all again then finally after a month I get bananas! And if that is not enough!" He screamed in frustration as he paced the room trying to calm himself. "Das ist new building I am told. But this paGOda... I am not used to such humidity. Der klimatisiert...air conditioner...must be Soviet because it is always broken. "Ich nicht DUmaht."
"Welcome to the US Navy." Steve said with a wry smile.
"Steven, I know for myself." Gerhard bemoaned. "Where the Soviets were in their program. If it were not for all this." He made a broad gesture with his arms." We could have beaten them to Sputnik."
"I only do the security for this and handle the encoding. I can't make Washington do anything." Steve reminded the two scientists as he gestured towards a chalkboard covered with mathematical equations. "All this stuff is way over my head. I barely got through Finite. If Frank hadn't of been my roommate I probably would have been tossed out of Annapolis on academic separation. 2+2 is enough for me."
"But you were captain there." Gerhard stated.
"Football wouldn't have saved me." Steve laughed. Frank! The name echoed in his mind. "Would it help if I got you an engineer?"
"My heavens yes!" Hans replied excitedly. "Can you do that?"
"I'm not sure." Steve answered as he leaned back against the side of a spectrometer. "If he wants to get involved in 'all this spy stuff' or not. God knows he razzes me about it often enough." McGarrett's mind churned on the possibilities. "I've got a friend I'd like to keep at Pearl." And I could trust him to keep an eye on this place. Crossing his arms McGarrett began to formulate his plan. "Come to think of it. I also know an Air Force missile technician who hates snow. Would she be of any use to you?"
"Oh you are Sinterklaus today!" Gerhard clapped his hands excitedly. " Henry will make locker space. How soon can you get them?"
" Jah." Hans agreed with a laugh. "And chairs in the cafeteria too."
"Woah." Steve cautioned and raised his hands to calm the excited scientists. "Don't go putting names on anything yet. I'll have to talk to Heinriche and the Pentagon first. But I'll ask Frank tonight if he's interested. Marilyn will probably jump at anything to get out of Colorado." As he slid off the counter he grinned slyly at them. "And its Santa Claus Commraden."
After leaving the lab Steve collected a few reports and took McAdams on a reconnaissance of the grounds. On the trip back to the base McGarrett wondered why Hans, who had only a functional command of the Russian language would when excited use at least two Russian words instead of the German equivalent.
*************
A civilian light aircraft came up in a steep climb from behind the apartment building as Saprestien rounded the corner. The sound of the twin engines coughing erratically as they approached stall angle caused the doctor's heart to skip a few beats. As the plane leveled out and sped away Saprestien wondered what kind of an idiot got his thrills from terrifying not only his passengers but also people on the ground with his barnstorming antics.
Crazy fool ought to have his certificate pulled for something like that. The doctor thought as he entered the building.
McGarrett was still somewhat shaken as he turned around to sit on the couch. A short knock at the door interrupted his plan. Oh now what! Steve grumbled to himself as he reluctantly opened his front door and quickly tossed the pencil in his hand behind a flower vase in the bookcase next to the door.
"Good afternoon Commander." Saprestien grinned as he entered the apartment. "I thought you were back under Heinriche's boot heel"
"Uh...." Steve snapped his fingers as he tried to switch mental gears. "My day off."
"Oh." Doc replied distractedly as he looked around the tidy livingroom. "Glad to see you're using it constructively." He pointed towards the open sliding lanai door. "Dr Hadrian is upset." Doc continued as he walked through the dining room/kitchen
"Why?" Steve asked as he followed in confusion behind the diminutive physician. "I haven't seen him for several days."
"Exactly." The MD said with a laugh. "Your appointment was at 0930 this morning."
McGarrett looked at his watch and discovered that it was nearly 1400. "Nuts!" He said under his breath. "I forgot. Sorry."
"And a couple of rehab sessions which has Capelli in a snit." Saprestien added as he strolled out onto the deck. "Nice view!" The physician smiled as he sat in the far deck chair. "Those two want to get back to Tokyo, and if you keep missing appointments we're going to have to stay longer. I, on the other hand.... don't mind the duty here. " Then asked curiously. "Is this a typical apartment here?"
"I suppose so." Steve answered suspiciously as he pointed to a corner of the lanai. "It has an ocean view...if you look carefully."
"Where?" The MD asked as he squinted at the horizon in the general direction McGarrett had gestured.
"Right there." Steve laughed as he sat in a nearby chair. "Just past the weather building."
"Oh yeah." wonder what that guy's doing on the roof over there. Doc mused but dismissed it as just a maintenance man working on the Weather Operations Building's antiquated ventilation system. "That tiny little blue patch?" He inquired.
"Yep." Steve grinned. "That's the East Loch."
"Well now that's pushing it a bit." Doc teased. "But it's a nice place."
OK if he thinks I'm supposed to be at work then the medical's a fake all the way. McGarrett's suspicion was aroused by the man's odd visit. Either that or he's just found out about it. What does he want with me? Heinriche must be up to something. "Thanks. I like it." He smiled then switched into an interrogation mode. "What's up? You didn't come all the way over here because of Hadrian's bruised ego. Something's going on."
"You ARE a detective all right." Saprestien replied with a smile as he slumped down in the chair and flicked a ladybug off his arm. "I'm thinking about putting in for a transfer. I've really liked it here the past 3 months. Is the weather always like this?"
"You've survived the frigid Honolulu winter." Steve laughed.
"Is it hard to get stationed here?" Doc inquired as he helped himself to a glass of ice tea from the pitcher on the table.
"Best kind." Steve stated. "Darjeeling. I have it couriered in from Bombay. My Gramma used to make suntea on the fire escape in the summer. Here I can have it year around."
"Couriered?" Doc asked curiously.
"Yeah. In the diplomatic pouch. Herb used to be stationed here. I send him macadamias and passionfruit and he sends me tea. Now if I just knew somebody in Subic..."
"Larry Abernathy's stationed there. I went through OCS with him. Why would you want to know some one there?"
"There's nothing like a Philippine mango." Steve sighed.
"Oh yeah?" Doc replied with raised eyebrows. "Larry'd go for a deal like that. How long did it take you to get transferred here?"
"Five years." Steve laughed uproariously at the shocked look on Saprestein's face. "But the war got in the way." As Doc recovered his composure Steve continued. "I left Tokyo under kind of bad conditions, but if I recall the paperwork took about six weeks."
"Really. How long does it take to get a jungle apartment like this?" Doc asked as he played with a philodendron leaf.
"Couple weeks or so. But the jungle's not included. I planted it myself."
"Well you've got a green thumb." Doc commented and pointed at a large crack in the wooden planter box suspended from the deck rail. "Your herbs overfloweth."
"Yeah I know." Steve replied with a sigh and began to look at the condition of the rest of his plants. "I've got to trim back the oregano. The philodendron is a weed. That's what I have to have around here, kill-proof plants. Glen and I trade herbs. He's the farmer I just spray what he tells me and God does the watering."
Doc eyed the plants one by one."Well the tomato bush is looking pretty healthy. Why that of all things?"
"Outgrowth of a 'limited war'." Steve replied bitterly as he relayed the story. "There was port on the Han River which according to Washington was off limits, yet we were supposed to destroy the boats leaving it. For years we scouted the place and radioed back the coordinates of the barges leaving Hansuk to the Air Force. The trip took 3 days both in and out. There was a guy in the division, Jimmy Joe Bob Warren." Steve chuckled at the memory. "Tennessee farm boy. He had the brilliant idea that we deserved something better than C-rations, so all along the path he planted vegetables. He was a chemist before he got drafted, made fertilizer out of the strangest things, gun powder, signal flares, just about anything he could get his hands on. And whoever's turn it was to go Up North would take along a jug of plant food. Some of the biggest vegetables I've ever seen were a result of that 'unauthorized' operation."
"Where is he now?" Saprestien inquired.
"I don't know." Steve replied. "He disappeared about the same time I did, only he never made it back. Somebody found the cross that he always wore...."
"Sorry." Doc stated quietly as Steve stared absently at the horizon. "I was a draftee that stayed."
"They never found his body." Steve continued. "And he didn't come through Freedom Gate. Last year a letter from Allied Chemical somehow wound up on my desk. The project deputy director was listed as James Warren."
"The same guy?" Doc asked.
"No." Steve replied sadly. "I was sure that it had to have been him, but the guy I talked to on the phone had the worst Bostonian accent I've ever heard. Said he got married to a woman with three kids to keep himself from being drafted."
"Jim Warren, you said?" The doctor said trying to be positive. "It's not an uncommon name."
"Yeah I know." Steve replied staring at the cloud pattern. "But I keep thinking he's out there somewhere....."
A shrill noise interrupted his thoughts. "Excuse me." Steve interjected as he stood up and left to answer the ringing phone.
Curious as to what was going on Doc followed him into the living room and overheard Steve's end of the conversation.
"You got it? Good job Chief." McGarrett congratulated. "That was quick, what'd you do shoot it down?" He added teasingly. "November four-seven-six-three-niner." Steve answered glancing at the notepad that was beside his telephone. "Niner-three-six. Way my brain works lately, yeah its possible. Is it a blue and white Beech? That's it." He said as he sat down on the couch. " The SOB almost took my deck off; with me on it! Book the pilot and give the passengers our usual scare lecture. I'll interrogate 'Lucky Lindy' later." Steve ordered as he put his feet up on the coffee table. "I know we can't detain him too long without getting the civvies upset. Few hours in the brig'll set a good example. Oh come on Chief." Steve groaned as he laid his head back against the leather couch. "Can't you handle it? No I'm OK. ...He said what!" Steve yelled and sat up straight. "That's a crap excuse. He's trying to get off the hook. You've got him where??" Steve asked leaning over forwards and running his fingers through his hair. "No kidding?!. OK Chief I'll be over there in a little bit. Get a squad out there. Nobody talks to each other and under no circumstances does anyone go near the plane. Hell Chief." McGarrett chuckled. "I couldn't hit a bullet with the side of a barn."
"What in the world?" Saprestien asked with concern as Steve returned from the rear bedroom dressed in a tan uniform and with his arm in a sling. "You didn't knock something out of whack I hope."
"Nah." Steve grinned slyly as he grabbed his hat off the counter. "Some sky jockey came tearing through here almost took my deck off. God only knows what he did to his plane but he made an emergency landing just as our fighters were scrambling to catch him. Now he's trying to get out of trouble by saying I shot him down."
"What!" Doc replied in disbelief. "That's ludicrous."
"Exactly." Steve laughed wiggling the fingers of his right hand. "Let him explain how I did it."
"Now this I've got to see." Doc replied with a grin as he followed Steve out the door.
"Fine." Steve replied as he put his keys in his pants pocket. "All the more effective. You drive."
***********
"Are you alright Commander?" The captain asked as Steve entered the office. "Chief told me what happened."
"Yeah. I'm fine." Steve replied sitting in the chair across from Heinriche's desk. "But you should have seen the look on the jerks face when I got out of the car." McGarrett laughed. "He still swears I took a shot at him. On my best day I doubt I could hit the rudder cable on a moving plane. The FAA rep is going over his maintenance records. From what I overheard an IRS audit would be less painful."
"No more than he deserves." Heinriche answered. "One of our lieutenants has an expensive new car." He informed. "I heard him bragging."
"McAdams Sir." Steve replied. "Cherry red Ferrari convertible. I had a ride in it this morning. It's a fine machine. He had a rich uncle in Arizona who passed away. I checked with the dealer, the banks, and the uncle's lawyers. The documents are on the way but it checks out OK. And he's got a nice chunk of change left. It looks like the whole things legit." Steve stated as he toyed with his pen. "Or the best cover I've ever come across."
"Ferrari." Heinriche mused. "The boy better enjoy it now because soon as he's married....." The captain grabbed a file off the stack and tossed it in front of Steve. "32 Packard. Jet-black. I loved that car."
"What happened to it?" Steve asked casually.
" My wife Milly wrecked it while I was at sea on the Arkansas. I came home to a station wagon. I swear I almost divorced her because of it."
"The Arky Sir?" Steve laughed. "That old rust bucket. I spent my youngster cruise sweating in Turret Number 3."
"Well she was a NEW rust bucket then." He retorted defensively. "That car of yours is pretty nice."
"Thanks." Steve replied searching for his notebook among the folders. "But it's not my first one. Deep purple Pontiac I inherited when Elliot Nash graduated. Probably half the football mids have gotten lucky in that car. Nuts!" McGarrett swore under his breath as his pen fell on the floor.
Steve's world started to go black and the blood pounded in his ears as he bent over to retrieve it. He attempted to sit back up much too quickly, banged his head against the corner of Heinriche's desk and slumped to the floor.
"Men and their toys..." Heinriche stated philosophically. "What ever happened to...." He stopped abruptly when he noticed his audience missing. "McGarrett?" He called curiously. "Where...Oh God!" Heinriche exclaimed as he quickly rounded the desk and knelt on the floor. "McGarrett!" He began to shake the man back to consciousness.
After several tense minutes Steve slowly awoke. "I'm OK." He groaned as he tried to roll over onto his back.
"Bull!" Heinriche barked as he carefully pushed him into a supine position.
Steve's vision slowly began to clear and he found himself staring at the underside of Heinriche's desk. Confused at what he was seeing McGarrett rubbed is eyes. When he realized what it was he saw he suddenly pulled Heinriche down with him and pointed to the underside of the desk.
"Damn!" Heinriche swore under his breath as he quickly pulled Steve up and sat him in the chair. "Commander what...." The captain stopped abruptly as McGarrett grabbed his forearm and shot him a semi-focused warning glare.
Steve whisked his notebook off the desk and tore out a sheet of paper and hastily wrote
I thought you swept for bugs!
The captain angrily snatched away the pen and scribbled on the same sheet.
I did this room myself!!!! How???
Steve stared at the Old Man and wrote.
Are there more in here???
The captain motioned for Steve to remain still while he moved behind his desk and quietly slid open the bottom drawer and pulled out a voltmeter. "Commander you look a little green." He said nonchalantly.
"I'm OK Sir." Steve said with an assured tone in his voice as he watched the captain's movements.
"The hell you are." He said as he slowly closed the drawer. "A knock on the head like that? Let's go. The night air will do you good."
The pair carefully swept through the outer offices and located several more microphones. Steve grabbed his jacket of his desk and gestured towards the door.
Outside in the alley Steve sat on the pavement and leaned back against the wall. "We've got to get those bugs out of there!" He stated intensely.
"Thank God we talked about that kids car." Heinriche sighed in relief as he sat next to him on the cool asphalt. "Good thing you passed out when you did." Heinney laughed and slapped him playfully on the leg. "We didn't have time to say anything about the case."
"Well, that's the only good thing about all of this." Steve retorted as he rubbed his stiff neck. "We have to get rid of those things."
"No Commander, we don't." Heinriche corrected. "Then they know we are onto them. So far they don't know that we know about the leak."
Steve slowly pulled up his knees and leaned forwards against them trying to calm himself. "At least we know now for sure it's one of our own." He said finally. "Dammit" Sitting back up he leaned against the wall wishing he had of worn his rib brace. "What day is it?" He asked formulating a plan.
Tuesday the 8th." Heinriche informed. "Why?"
"Good." Steve replied confidently. "Tomorrow morning call Glen in your office, tell him there's a directive from Washington: The 10th of every month all intelligence stations will sweep for bugs."
"We haven't ruled him out yet." Heinriche reminded.
"I HAVE!!" Steve glared at the captain. "Don't start with that crap again, I'm not in the mood. Who ever planted those bugs will have to get them out of there tomorrow. Keep note of who's in your office."
"That'll include Anderson." Heinriche added as he returned the glare.
Steve slowly rolled his head from side to side as he slumped down the wall. "You really think its him don't you?" He asked as he stared up at his CO. "Well this isn't a game for me anymore, and I don't have time to waste on that ridiculous idea."
"I don't want to think its anybody." Heinriche replied. For his sake I hope it isn't Anderson. Blind loyalty like that just gets you hurt. I've got to find a way to show him I'm not out for a flag with this. If this isn't irony I don't know what it is. The one man I trust thinks I'm railroading his best friend. Oh well.... another sleepless night.....I don't know how many more of these I can stand. Heinriche thought as he looked over at his slightly glassy eyed Executive Officer lying against the cement. Hum..I'll bet you sleep really good too...All those brown capsules I see you taking. The captain thought enviously. Maybe if I ask he'll give me one...just for tonight....Albert! What are you thinking!!!!! "But now its no longer an exercise. Its real!" He stated finally.
"OK. Then tell him in the hallway or something but near one of the bugs." Steve retorted.
"I suppose that would be a way of testing Anderson." Heinriche said as he stood. "Agreed. We can't do anything more tonight. Drive you home?"
Holding onto the wall McGarrett painfully stood up refusing to let Heinriche help him. "We can't be seen together Sir. Remember."
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