Chapter 5 - The Legal Counter-Offensive
Back at my office on Naval Station Norfolk, I traded my casual jacket for my full Navy dress uniform. The crisp white shirt, the tailored black jacket, and the shining shoulder boards bearing the gold oak leaf insignia of a Commander were a visual reminder of discipline, authority, and unwavering resolve.
My civilian defense attorney, Marcus Vance—no relation to my sister, thankfully—sat across from my metal desk, reviewing the documents I had laid out. Marcus was a seasoned family law and civil litigation specialist who had handled some of the toughest custody battles in the Tidewater region.
“Well, Commander Bennett,” Marcus said, looking up over his reading glasses with an appreciative grin. “Your sister didn’t just step on a landmine; she built a nuclear reactor and sat on it.”
“How strong is our position for the upcoming family court hearing?” I asked, leaning forward, resting my forearms on the desk.
“Unassailable,” Marcus replied, tapping a stack of papers. “Thanks to the rapid pediatric evaluation by Dr. Thorne, the CPS investigator’s preliminary notes already indicate that the physical abuse allegations are completely unfounded. Furthermore, because you have complete documentation of Eli’s daycare attendance, medical history, and daily schedule, her claims of ‘unsafe supervision’ crumble under basic scrutiny.”
“And the civil side?” I asked.
“Even better. Filing a false report with Child Protective Services with malicious intent is a misdemeanor in the state of Virginia, and civilly, it opens her up to massive damages for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. We can file an emergency injunction to prohibit her from contacting you or Eli, and we can motion for full legal fees to be covered by her.”
Before I could answer, my secure desktop phone chimed. I picked up the receiver.
“Commander Bennett, line two for you,” my administrative assistant, Petty Officer Miller, said. “It’s Dana Reyes from the Department of Social Services.”
“Put her through, Miller.”
I pressed the speaker button so Marcus could hear.
“Commander Bennett,” Dana’s voice came through, sounding significantly more formal and subdued than during our first meeting. “I’ve just received the complete supplemental file and the formal pediatric report from Dr. Thorne.”
“I trust it confirms what I told you on day one, Ms. Reyes?” I asked evenly.
“It does,” Dana admitted. “Based on the medical findings, the complete absence of any supporting evidence, and our review of your childcare arrangements, the Department is officially closing the neglect and abuse investigation with a finding of unfounded. The case file will be sealed.”
“Thank you for following proper procedure, Ms. Reyes. I appreciate your thoroughness,” I said professionally.
“However, Commander... there is one more thing,” Dana added, hesitating slightly. “During our follow-up interview with the reporting party—your sister, Ms. Vance—she submitted additional documents that she claimed were internal naval records proving you were frequently absent from your post and neglected parental duties.”
Marcus and I exchanged sharp glances.
“Internal naval records?” I repeated, my voice dropping in temperature. “My sister does not have security clearance, nor does she have legal access to personnel files or duty rosters.”
“Exactly,” Dana said. “When our intake officer asked her how she obtained classified or internal military deployment schedules, she became evasive and claimed a third party provided them. We felt it was our professional duty to notify you, given your JAG background.”
“You did the right thing, Ms. Reyes. Send copies of those documents to my office immediately. Good day.”
I hung up the phone and looked across the desk at Marcus. The color had drained from his face, replaced by a look of grim realization.
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“Rachel,” Marcus said slowly, using my first name for the first time. “If your sister obtained internal naval records from a third party to submit to a state agency... she didn’t just commit family harassment or civil defamation.”
“No,” I said, standing up slowly, my uniform medals catching the afternoon light from the window. “She crossed over into federal territory. And whoever gave them to her is about to find out what happens when you mess with the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps.”
