"Ah, I'll talk to my lawyers-"
"Your lawyers are two of the people saying they don't want me seeing you."
"Oh. Okay. I'll talk to them about that."
Paul gestured toward one of the cameras he knew were mounted in the walls. A door opened and two masters-at-arms entered, eyeing Pullman with disdain and Paul with wariness.
"All good things come to an end," Pullman noted. "Catch you later."
"Sure." Paul watched Pullman leave the visitors room to be returned to his cell, then signed out and began walking back to the ship, trying to reconcile Pullman's confidence and calm demeanor with what he knew of the government's case against him.
As Paul came back aboard, he saw Master Chief Maines talking to Petty Officer First Class Qui, the new master at arms. Ivan Sharpe had told Paul that Qui knew his stuff, and so far Paul certainly hadn't had any complaints. Except for wishing that he still had Sharpe's familiar, trusted presence to bounce ideas off of.
Maines gave Paul a big grin. "Mr. Sinclair. Petty Officer Qui's just back from the special court-martial of Petty Officer Vox."
"It's over?" Almost two months to get the special court-martial convened and only two days to conduct the trial. One less thing to worry about, although Paul knew he'd have to summarize the trial record for the Captain and the XO to go over.
Qui smiled as well. "Yes, sir. Mr. Vox bought himself a Big Chicken Dinner."
"That'll make the captain happy." Big Chicken Dinner was slang for Bad Conduct Discharge. Not as bad as a Duck Dinner/Dishonorable Discharge, but not something any person would want in their life record.
"And a year at Leavenworth," Qui added.
"That'll make the captain very happy. Does he know, yet?"
"No, sir. Petty Officer Qui was just telling me." Master Chief Maines inclined her head in the general direction of the captain's cabin. "The captain told me a bit earlier to let you know that he wanted to see you when you got back to the ship anyhow, Mr. Sinclair. He wants you to brief Captain Agee on the progress of the Pullman thing."
Captain Agee. The new commanding officer, who would relieve Captain Hayes in about two week's time. It seemed impossible that Captain Hayes' time as captain of the Michaelson was already coming to an end. Impossible and cause for more than a little uneasiness in Paul. He'd grown to depend on the steady hand of Captain Hayes as his commanding officer. Now an unknown element would be taking over again, though Paul himself would be leaving the ship before much longer, so the practical impact should be very small.
Both Captain Hayes and Captain Agee were sitting in the wardroom when Paul poked his head inside. He gave Hayes a quick report on the outcome of Vox's special court-martial, earning a grin from the captain. "Vox was a dirtball," Hayes explained to Agee. "But he's gone. You won't have to worry about him."
"Good to hear," Agree said approvingly. "Sit down, Paul. I want to hear about this Pullman case."
Paul sat, keeping his back stiff. He knew better than to slouch in any official meeting with any captain, especially a captain who within a short time would be captain of the Michaelson and therefore in control of Paul's fate on a day-to-day basis. "Captain Hayes, sir, about the initial NCIS investigation-"
"I've already told Captain Agee about that. You don't need to cover it."
Agee nodded, eyeing Paul. It was hard to tell whether or not he approved of Paul's assistance to NCIS.
Paul ran down what he knew of the charges and evidence, trying to be even-handed.
Agee pursed his lips and glanced at Hayes. "It does look like a strong case."
"Yeah," Hayes agreed. "I'm personally convinced of Pullman's guilt, but it's not over 'til it's over. When's the last time you saw Pullman, Paul?"
"Less than an hour ago, sir. I stopped by the brig on the way back from the JAG offices.
"How's Pullman?"
Paul let his exasperation show. "Confident, sir."
Agee looked surprised. "Confident?"
"Yes, sir. Almost cocky. He says he'll be exonerated for sure."
"Any idea why he's saying that?"
"No, sir. Nothing specific. He just says he'll beat the charges."
Hayes pointed to Paul. "I've told Paul to be at the court-martial every day as an observer once it begins. It looks like that's going to overlap with the change of command, though."
Agee nodded. "It sounds like a good idea. Can your chief cover your division, Paul?"
"Yes, sir. Senior Chief Imari is very capable. My relief should also be coming aboard any day now."
"Fine. Do the JAGs mind us having a command representative present?"
"No, sir. Commander Carr has asked for my presence." Agee looked intrigued. "We've worked together before."
Hayes was apparently examining his fingernails. "Admiral Silver's son."
"Oh." Captain Agee gave Paul another look. "You're that guy. Okay, if the JAGs want you there, I don't see any reason not to grant their request. Do you give Captain Hayes daily updates during the trial?" Paul nodded. "Do that for me, too." Agee paused and frowned. "Have you been seeing Pullman in the brig on the captain's behalf as well?"
"Uh, no, sir. That is, I've kept Captain Hayes informed, but I've been keeping on eye on him on my own initiative."
"Why?"
It was funny how the shortest questions could require the longest answers. "I just want to ensure he's being treated appropriately, sir. I thought someone from the ship ought to keep an eye on him, and let the brig know that we were keeping on eye on him. It seemed the right thing to do."
"Huh." Agee gave Paul a searching look. "You sound like you know somebody who wasn't treated too well in the brig."
"Yes, sir." Paul paused but Agee kept watching him as if expecting more. "My fiancee, sir." Another pause. "Lieutenant Jen Shen."
"Oh." Agee glanced at Hayes, seeing the other captain nod to confirm Paul's statement. "Oh. You're that guy, too. Damn, Sinclair, you're high-level radioactive. Do you know that?"
For some reason the statement almost amused Paul. "So I've been told, sir."
"Where are you going from the Michaelson?"
"Mars, sir. Last minute order modification."
"Well, hell." Agee glared at Paul but his anger seemed directed elsewhere. "Anything I can do?"
"I'm afraid not, sir."
"You let me know if there is."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." He meant it, because he was sure Agee meant it. Despite everything, meeting those who were willing to openly stand up for him counted for a great deal.
After leaving the wardroom, Paul stood on the quarterdeck for a moment, not really aware of the officer of the deck and the petty officer of the watch, who were busy with their own jobs at the moment anyway. His eyes came to rest on the brow leading onto the station. It was odd how such a small walkway could have so much significance. But that was how people came and went from the Michaelson. Some day soon Captain Hayes would walk off that brow for the last time, and not long afterwards Paul would do the same.
Right now he was wishing some of those who'd left were still around. Commander Sykes would have good advice, or at least an absurd story to tell to get a junior officer's mind off his problems. Sheriff Sharpe would be blunt and practical, a solid sounding board for Paul's own thoughts. Sharpe knew it, too, but had never tried to take advantage of his professional closeness.
The Sheriff had walked off the brow his last time a couple of weeks ago, grinning when he saw Paul there to say farewell. "Gonna miss me, Mr. Sinclair?"
"Yeah." Paul extended his hand and they shook. "Thanks, Sheriff."
"For anything in particular, sir?"
"For being one helluva master-at-arms and helping a certain new ensign keep his head on straight when he needed it the most."