The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday

NCIS Office

Naval Station

Pearl Harbor, HI

“Director Hunt?” Jason looked up putting a face with the voice, which belonged to the summer lab intern from UH-Manoa.

“Yes? You have something concerning the McCaffery case?” Hunt’s voice was quiet; most of his staff had gone home for the night, only a skeleton crew remained.

“Yes Sir, I was a bit confused at the beginning, but after I ran the results again, I’ve came to a conclusion. Agent McCaffrey was raped; the tissue samples taken by the hospital are loaded with infection. Unfortunately, no semen present. I’m guessing with her time in the water it washed away, while the infection incubated. No tissue cells from under her nails, I even processed the clothing taken from Agent McCaffrey’s person, nothing. The dried blood matches her, again nothing to match her assailant. The Pacific took our evidence, Director. We’ll have to wait for her to come around to give us a clue. Also, a Director Eldridge is waiting in the lobby for you. I’m sorry I don’t have something definite for you Sir. Is it alright I go home?”

Hunt admired the drive of the young intern, staying after hours to work on cases. He would make sure she came on full time after finishing this coming semester. “Sure Cantrell, thank you for working over tonight. I’ll be sure to log it into your file.”

She turned to leave, “Sir, I would like to stay working on the McCaffrey case if I may?” Her expression pleaded with him, she had a personal interest in the case.

“I’ll send an email down to Dr. Thompson, I’m sure she will keep you on board. Good night Cantrell.” Hunt waved her off, as he mulled over the file Cantrell handed him.

“Long night Jason?” The Australian accent startled Hunt, breaking his concentration.

“Yes Sir, long day, even longer night. How are you Mick?” Jason came around his desk to shake Eldridge’s hand.

“I’m better now that we’ve found McCaffrey. How is she? I haven’t been over to the hospital yet. I haven’t been able to get in touch with her husband; he’s in training on Coronado. What do you have so far?” Eldridge kept his tone level within the younger man’s office.

Hunt handed the lab file over to Eldridge, as he condensed the information down. “My lab rats can confirm she was raped, due to the infected tissues taken from McCaffrey. The dried blood from her cammies matches to her, unfortunately no semen. We’ll have to wait til she comes around to get a positive ID.”

Eldridge shook his head, “Who knows when she will come around. I hope not long, but with what I gleaned from your fax she is pretty well busted up. Time is not on our side here Hunt. We wait.”

Hunt nodded, as Eldridge took his leave. It was time to pay Kellie a visit at the hospital, maybe with a little luck she would be conscious, maybe she would tell him something. It was only a hope, but even sometimes God answers prayers.

Naval Hospital                                   

Pearl Harbor, HI

After going through hospital security, the Marine detail stationed at McCaffrey’s door, Eldridge found the room dark, Kellie asleep. Mick took hold of her bruised hand, gently stroking her hair. She didn’t stir, only her eyelids twitched in front of eyes deep within REM sleep.

“Kellie, I’m sorry for the things you’ve went through for the service. I wish Matt could be here with you, but I can’t reach him at training. We’ll catch who did this to you, when you can tell us. I promise you that.” Mick let go of her hand, picking up the chart at the end of her bed, reading through it.

There was nothing in it that Hunt hadn’t already told him, even as much as he hoped. Something clawed at his mind, something, somewhere had to have an answer for him.