JAG Continues Book II: Volatile Matters
Ch. 1 - The Ensnaring Webb
Part B
Things were quiet between them on the ride to Harm’s apartment. It was no longer the comfortable silence that they had shared coming back from the boat. Tension abounded now.
“I guess you were right,” said Mac, once they reached Harm’s apartment and he had changed out of his uniform.
“About what?”
“Webb causing a catastrophe. Putting a damper on my mood. Not to mention yours.”
“Oh. I wish I hadn’t been right.”
“I know.” She tried to smile at him. “Harm, no matter what, … prior to 2237, when my door opened to find a very unwelcome guest, … today was the most wonderful day of my life. That time wasn’t ruined at all.”
Harm stepped over to her and hugged her tightly. After a moment, Mac looked up at him. “Whatever this is … we’ll deal with it together,” she declared.
He looked at her, wanting to correct Mac’s statement without upsetting her. “We’ll hear what’s going on together and talk about it. But we’ll see what the situation is before we agree on who needs to be involved, okay?”
Mac sensed that he was still planning to do things on his own if possible. She wasn’t happy about that, but at least he was letting her be a part of finding out about the issues up front and giving her the opportunity to help plan a course of action.
Harm sensed her uneasiness. “Look, we don’t even know if there is anything to really worry about yet. Maybe neither of us will have anything to deal with.”
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Harm opened it to let Webb in.
“No afterglow, Rabb?”
Harm didn’t verbally respond, though his glare would have melted metal. He asked himself, ‘When did our annoying, but previously well-intentioned, spook friend turn so mean and obnoxious?’
As soon as Webb saw Mac, he protested, “Sarah, you shouldn’t be here.”
“Too bad. You knew I would be. Deal with it,” Mac said defiantly. “Unless you want a more lasting injury than that mark on your face.”
Harm couldn’t help but think that if he had to endure seeing Mac interacting with Webb, having her tell the spook off was probably the best Harm could hope for. He actually found her threatening battle-mode quite attractive, especially when it was directed at someone other than himself.
Webb tried one last time to prevent Mac’s involvement. “Rabb, you may want to convince her otherwise.”
“No can do.” Harm replied. “Just tell us what’s going on, Webb.”
“Fine.” Webb shoved his hands in his pockets. “… Omar Howrani. Mean anything to you?”
Harm searched his brain. “No, should it?”
“How about a mission you flew for the Company to Beirut?”
“Not particularly. I flew a ton of missions.”
“But only one involved picking up an American named Joseph Spinnaker.”
Harm thought it sounded familiar, but nothing notable happened as far as he could recall. “So what’s the problem?”
“Spinnaker was a valuable asset to the Agency, but he had been made. You were sent in to pull him out.”
“And?”
Webb stated succinctly, “Spinnaker’s dead.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but what does this have to do with me?” Harm asked.
“We found a picture taken during Spinnaker’s extraction from Beirut. It’s a clear shot with both you and him in it.”
“So where is this photo?” inquired Mac. “… And where did you find it?”
Clay seemed lost for a moment as he eyed the whole of Sarah MacKenzie, before responding. “… It was found on the body of the man who I believe killed Spinnaker.”
“So you think that someone else might be sent after Harm now?” Mac asked.
“It’s possible.”
Harm shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t even know what Spinnaker was working on.”
“I know that,” Webb smirked. “But they don’t.”
“Who are ‘they’?” asked Harm.
“Howrani and his thugs,” Webb answered.
Harm crossed his arms. “What can you tell us about him?”
“Nothing really.”
“Let me guess,” said Mac in a knowing tone. “It’s classified.”
“It is,” responded Webb. “All I can say is … he’s dangerous.”
“So that’s it?” Harm was clearly annoyed. “You just wanted to drop by to tell me there is some remote chance that someone wants me dead?”
“Rabb, it is a certainty that many people would like to see you dead.” Webb gave Harm a cold stare. He then backed off. “However, most of them are not in a position to do anything about it. Howrani is.”
“So what is it you suggest I do? Take out Howrani before he takes me out?” Harm asked. “Trying to get me to do your dirty work for you?”
“No, Rabb. I’m offering a simple warning, mostly as a courtesy to Sarah. I’ve already said more than I should.”
Mac demanded, “You’ve got to give us something more to work with, Webb.”
“Sarah, you want my advice?” Webb turned to her. “Go to San Diego and stay away from Rabb until I tell you the Howrani situation is clear.”
“And when will that be, Clay?” she asked with hostility. “A month? A year? Ever?”
“As long as it takes,” replied Webb.
“Well, that’s not good enough,” she snapped. “And what’s Harm supposed to do? Just sit around and wait for someone to try and kill him?”
“Yes.” Webb glanced at Harm. “There’s nothing he can do but be on his guard.”
“Then I’ll be on my guard with him,” said Mac.
Webb sighed and looked disappointedly at Mac. “Suit yourself.” He turned to Harm. “Just thought you should know.”
“How was Spinnaker killed?” asked Harm, trying to get at least some helpful information out of the agent.
Webb paused for a second. “Bomb.” He moved to walk out.
“How did the man who killed him die?” Mac asked.
“What?” Webb stopped.
“You said the photo was found on the body of the man who you think killed Spinnaker.” Mac repeated, “How did that man die?”
“I’m not at liberty to say,” answered Webb. Although Mac gave him a look clearly showing her displeasure with his answer, Webb couldn’t help but think about how beautiful she was. “Be careful, Sarah.” He turned to leave.
“Webb,” said Harm, “… Thanks.” His tone was sore enough that it could have been taken for sarcasm. He hadn't decided if Webb was actually doing him any sort of favor or not.
Webb stared at Harm for a moment, and then nodded his head. “Take whatever precautions you need to Rabb …” Webb glanced at Mac, and Harm didn’t need Clay to say the implied, ‘to keep Sarah safe,’ at the end of his sentence.
Mac didn’t miss it either, but instead of objecting she took a different approach. As Webb again turned to walk out, she called, “Clay, wait.”
Webb stopped and looked back again. Mac said to him, “I’m scheduled to leave for San Diego within the week. You and I should meet somewhere … and talk, before I go.”
Clay studied her. She didn’t appear angry at the moment, but there was something in her face. Was it guilt? “Talk about what?” he asked.
Harm gave Mac a suspicious look, but kept his mouth shut. He had to trust her.
Mac breathed deeply. “Closure, I guess. Explanations, maybe.”
“Don’t bother,” Webb snorted. “I’m leaving first thing tomorrow. Don’t know when I’ll be back.”
“Then talk now,” offered Harm, surprisingly calm and insistent. He met Mac’s curious glance. “I’m going to go out for a run, so I’ll be out of the way for a while.”
“It’s 0013,” said Mac in a concerned voice.
“I’ll take a flashlight and my phone,” Harm assured her as he picked up his cell phone.
“Noble as always, Rabb,” snickered Webb. “But you don’t have to go. I have nothing to say right now, Sarah.”
“How about you start with a congratulations?” Mac suggested, trying to keep her voice from turning sour. “I’m sure you’ve noticed the ring on my finger, and your ‘sources’ must have informed you that Harm and I are engaged.”
Webb looked at Mac, but did not answer. Harm decided it was time to leave. “Mac, I’m going now. Call me when you’re done if I’m not back yet.”
Webb shifted his attention to Harm. “Are you really going to leave your fiancée alone with her ex-lover, Rabb?”
Harm inwardly winced, but kept his cool. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”
“You trust us?” Webb asked in surprise.
“I trust Mac,” Harm stated on his way out. “And she can kick your six, if need be.”
“Harm,” Mac called to stop him. She walked over to him in the doorway and reached up, giving him a quick kiss. “Be careful.”
“Yeah,” he replied. With a quick referencing look at Webb, he added, “You too, Mac.” Mac squeezed Harm’s hand before letting him go and then shut the door behind him.
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To be continued in The Ensnaring Webb, Part C