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Paul is just about to leave Athens
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The plot:
Having escaped from Albania in a hail of bullets, the boat which Paul and Sergeant Dave Corbett commandeered became unseaworthy due to the many hits, and sank just short of Corfu. Paul swam ashore to find Corbett wounded on the beach, but his wife's body lost.
True to the promise made during their escape, Paul applied to defend Corbett on court-martial charges of desertion, black marketeering and aiding and abetting the enemy.
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Dave welcomes Paul
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But having heard nothing, he is about to fly from Athens to Paris when a US Army Lieutenant stops him at the airport and informs Paul that the application has been granted. Paul goes to see Corbett in the Athens military hospital where he is recovering from his wounds, and meets the Sergeant's counsel, Major Fowler, who believes that he is being displaced by Paul. Major Fowler says that Corbett hasn't been very cooperative, but the Sergeant says that he didn't believe that he had any chance. Paul asks Major Fowler to stay on, and they agree to spend the rest of the day going over papers.
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Major Rankin says he'll be prosecuting Dave Corbett
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The results of their conference are discouraging, and it looks like they have little in defense of Corbett. They are just about to quit for the night when another military legal colleague comes in.
He introduces himself to Paul as Major Joe Rankin, and says that his application to retire from the service has just been turned down by his senior officer Colonel Brush, so that Rankin can serve as trial counsel on Corbett's court martial, something he relishes. He states that Corbett is clearly guilty of being a defector.
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Major Rankin requests a talk with Paul
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The officer asks to talk to Paul over a drink about the inducements the Albanians used to persuade the Sergeant, but Major Fowler says that it isn't possible at the moment.
Major Rankin indicates that the talk should take place soon.
Paul replies that he finds that hopeful, but after Rankin is gone, Major Fowler says the move is a curve he didn't expect, and Major Rankin being trial counsel is not the best break Corbett could hope for.
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They discuss the charges
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When Paul meets Corbett the next day, the soldier seems outraged that he is being accused of treason, but Paul tells him that this charge of aiding and abetting the enemy can be thrown out on the technicality that the US is not at war with Albania.
They discuss the charge of desertion, and it turns out that Corbett wasn't privy to the deal his wife had made with the Albanians, not really aware that he'd be deserting, not even knowing the name of her contact. He explains that, once they'd crossed the border, everything was already set up.
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They need to prove mitigating circumstances
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His wife was guaranteed all the drugs she needed if her husband acted as a show piece for the Albanians.
But Corbett has no contest on the charge of stealing, saying that the military has all the evidence, and he was a bad thief.
Paul replies that there's no contest on any of the charges, but that he needs to persuade the court to see that the circumstances were mitigating and extenuating. Their biggest problem is proving that Corbett's wife was an addict,
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Dave talks about Linda's drug problems
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but there is no doctor who can swear that, not even a pusher whom Corbett knows by name, as he says he'd have killed them if he ever got a hold of one.
“I loved Linda,” he says. “When I found out what was happening to her …. what she turned into …. I couldn't stop it, and I couldn't help her. The only thing I could try and do was keep her alive.” Corbett then explains that was why he took the tour of duty in Greece, where the drugs were easier to get. He says that he stole, followed her, deserted for her, but never turned his back on his wife.
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Colonel Brush announces the trial charges
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Fowler, Paul and Corbett appear before Colonel Brush who tells them that he is dismissing the charge of aiding and abetting the enemy, but that the Sergeant will stand for court martial on all the other charges.
Afterwards, in the officers' club, Major Fowler is warning Paul about what the presiding judge of the court martial will be like when Major Rankin sits down with them and advises that he's officially been appointed trial counsel (prosecutor) of the case.
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Major Rankin invites himself to join them
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He declares that it will be like walking on eggs, a tactical, diplomatic headache, because instead of prosecuting just one man, he'll be prosecuting a whole race.
Major Fowler leaves, and Rankin advises Paul that, in military trials, the prosecution and defence work in close cooperation with one another towards the same end of justice, being open and candid with one another.
Paul says he'll be right at home then, but Rankin implies even more openness.
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Rankin says he'll be seeking justice for Corbett
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Rankin tells Paul that he was involved in the March on Washington because he believes in the cause of civil rights, and that he will be seeking justice in Corbett's Courtmartial.
Therefore, he will be treating him in the same way as a white soldier guilty of the same crime.
Rankin declares that he'll see to it that no one bends over a half inch to acquit him, and that Corbett will get no special status because of the color of his skin.
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Paul says that Rankin has already tried the case
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Paul replies that he believes that Rankin has already tried the case without hearing the testimony, and is going to ask to have him removed. When Paul says that he is guilty of bias, Rankin is dumbfounded, but Paul repeats that he intends to have him disqualified.
But when Paul presents his petition to Colonel Delany, the head of the court martial listens to Rankin's version of the conversation in the officer's club, and judges that Paul's statement alone is insufficient evidence to disqualify Major Rankin.
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Paul asks for help from Linda Corbett's father
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In hopes of getting someone to testify that Linda was an addict, Paul flies to the US, and speaks to her father who calls his son-in-law a traitor and a thief. Paul points out that Corbett stole to pay for Linda's drugs, and that when he was about to be caught for stealing, having no one else to turn to, he called Dr. Garrison to bring his daughter home to get help. Dr. Garrison denies Paul's allegation, and even though there is a record of the call, he states that Paul came for nothing. When Paul asks if he won't testify that his daughter was an addict even when a man's life is at stake, Dr. Garrison simply says goodbye.
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Major Fowler reads names of possible drug dealers
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Back in Athens Paul tells Corbett that they have only one day to line up a witness to testify that his wife was an addict. Major Fowler comes in with a list of Americans in the area who are under suspicion of any wrong-doing, and might have been Linda's sources of heroin, and reads out the names, but Corbett says again that he knew no names of her suppliers.
Returning to the list, Fowler starts again, and Paul notes a glimmer of recognition when the name Ward Cooper is read out. But Corbett says that everyone knows Cooper.
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Major Fowler tells Paul about Ward Cooper
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His only contact with the man was when he got too friendly with Linda when they first arrived in Athens, and was quickly put straight.
Fowler tells Paul that Cooper was dishonorably discharged from the US Army, and though he has no address, can usually be found in any number of bars in the Corbett's former neighborhood. Though Cooper has no convictions in Greece, he's wanted on many charges in the US. Paul studies Cooper's photo, and decides to follow up on the slim lead.
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Paul asks George Kerpantos about Linda - and Cooper
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He rings Les Poggin, the US intelligence agent who arranged his trip to Albania, and threatens to expose the agent George Kerpantos, if they don't get him to Paul's hotel that night. When Kerpantos shows up, Paul presents him with a subpoena to testify at Corbett's court martial.
Kerpantos says he never had direct knowledge that Linda Corbett was an addict. Paul then asks him for help in locating Ward Cooper. Kerpantos says that narcotics is outside his sphere, but believes he can get Paul a lead to him.
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Cooper says he's the best guide to Athens
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Later that evening Paul finds Cooper in a bar. As Paul is holding a bunch of notes in his hand, Cooper approaches him, and says that Paul will soon have no money if he flashes it around like that. Paul replies that he's having difficulty getting rid of it, and says that he's waiting for his guide to Athens to show up.
Cooper says that Paul's man couldn't know Athens as well as he does, but Paul replies that he understands that his man is the best, and says that his name is Cooper. “They told you right,” Cooper answers.
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Paul says he has a proposition for Cooper
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But after leaving the bar, Paul is jumped by two men, beaten, and taken to Cooper's lodgings. “You always treat your guests like this?” Paul asks, and Cooper replies, "only ones like you," then asks what he wants.
Paul tells Cooper that he has a proposition to make, and asks that the two henchmen leave the room. When they're gone, Paul says that he's representing Dave Corbett in his court martial, and that he wants Cooper to testify that the Sergeant's wife was an addict.
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Cooper says he's well settled and clean in Greece
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Cooper replies that he is well settled here, and clean as far as the Athens police are concerned, and thus, has no intention of admitting to selling drugs in Greece.
Paul counters that the reason Cooper is remaining in the country is that he can't return to America with all the charges pending there against him.
When Cooper scoffs at the idea that all will be forgiven if he testifies in the Corbett trial, Paul says he might be able to bargain something for him.
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Cooper says he might be interested in a guarantee
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He asks if Cooper would testify should Paul be able to offer a guarantee.
Cooper says he would - if Paul brought it to him in writing from the US government
Paul admits that he doesn't know if he could get anything official, but promises to look into the charges against Cooper.
The dealer then calls his henchmen back in, and they manhandle Paul out of the room. As they're going, he tells Paul that he can be found again the same way he was tonight.
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Paul asks Major Fowler if they can help Cooper
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When Paul asks Major Fowler about Cooper, he replies that the charges against him are civil, and the military can't do anything about them, but the conversation is interrupted by a phone call.
It is Cooper, asking Paul what kind of deal might be arranged for him, and asking Paul to meet him at the Zepian Gardens.
Major Fowler and Paul drive to the gardens, but when he arrives at the appointed location, Paul finds Cooper dead.
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The court says Corbett is guilty of the charges
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At the court martial hearing the next morning, the president of the court tells Corbett that he's been found guilty of all charges by unanimous vote of the judges, and may now present evidence mitigating in his favor.
Paul says that he wishes to take the stand as a witness for the defense.
Paul states that the Sergeant is guilty of stealing and desertion, and that the court has come to an appropriate guilty verdict, and that were he acting only in his own interest, the maximum sentence would be appropriate.
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Paul testifies that Linda Corbett was an addict
Paul says he has a security matter to discuss
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But Paul says that the acts committed were not for himself, but for Corbett's wife - a woman incapable of helping herself.
He adds that Linda Corbett was an addict, and that her husband returned to Greece in order to get treatment for his wife and submit himself to US justice.
All that the defense is asking for is a sentence tempered with understanding and justice.
Under cross examination, Major Rankin challenges Paul's ability to discern that Linda Corbett was an addict, then asks about the Sergeant's role in helping Paul escape from Albania, leaving an implication that his testimony might be given in appreciation for saving Paul's life.
When Colonel Delaney asks if Paul has any other witness to call, he says one is dead and another unwilling to appear.
But then he asks to confer with the president of the court in private. Delaney says this isn't necessary, but Paul replies that it is a security matter, and the application is granted, with the court adjourned until the following morning.
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Paul says he feels forced to expose a US agent
The Colonel asks if Paul is trying to bargain
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In the private conference Paul first brings up his request to have Major Rankin removed from the case. Colonel Delaney asks what bearing that has on the top security matter, and Paul replies that when Major Rankin lied at the hearing to disqualify him, Paul's credibility was compromised.
He adds that due to the way that Major Rankin had handled the trial, Sergeant Corbett is likely to receive the maximum sentence. This forces Paul to do something he'd been trying to avoid, that is to call the US intelligence agent George Kerpantos to testify. If this becomes necessary, his long-standing and vital security role in Greece and Albania will be finished.
Colonel Delany replies that Paul has accused Major Rankin of being politically motivated and working for other interests than justice, but then questions whether Paul himself is operating in the interest of justice when he appears willing to expose an agent who is crucial to American security.
“Or are you bargaining, Mr. Bryan? Are you trading the future of one man for the future of your country's security? Or don't you feel any obligation to your country?”
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Paul uses American justice as his reason
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In response, Paul says that he loves his country - because it does value justice for one man ….
Because he is in a position to bargain.- even against the argument that he's putting the interests of one man above the interests of a global cold war.
“We're involved in that cold war for a reason, aren't we, Colonel,” he adds, “and isn't that reason justice?”
Colonel Delaney replies that he can't think of a better one, and then dismisses Paul.
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Dave asks about Kerpantos testifying
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The next morning, as they wait for the court martial to be resumed, Corbett asks Paul if Kerpantos will be there.
Paul says he has to, but Corbett wonders how he can help the cause when he didn't know that Linda was taking drugs. Paul replies that Kerpantos knew through one of his contacts in Tirana - which doesn't help since it is hearsay.
But Paul declares that not to be the reason why he called the agent, adding, “when Rankin made my testimony look like a pay off, he forced me ….”
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Rankin announces that the charges have been reduced
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The sentence is interrupted by the entrance of Major Rankin who says that the court is ready to reconvene, then adds that Colonel Delaney has ordered a review of the charges against Corbett, and he will be tried on only one charge - the smallest. When Paul asks Rankin why it is he who has come with the news, the Major answers it is because Colonel Delaney has accepted his resignation from the service. Then after declaring that he's a civilian now, and can do and say what he likes, Rankin hits Corbett in the face. There is a tense moment among the three, then Paul moves toward Rankin, but is stopped by Dave Corbett, and the Major leaves, the moment of triumph made dead serious.
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