Chapter 253 - What do you thing? (3)

11 April, Police headquarters, City K

After giving Matthew a few minutes to think about what he has said, John noticed the time. Despite being great to be able to mix business with pleasure with Matthew, John was aware that the weekly heads of department in the station had been moved from forward a day due to a national conference the station heads had to attend in the capital tomorrow. He needed to be prepared for that meeting and had only partially completed his report.

"Matthew, I hate to interrupt your chain of though, but the station heads of department meeting has been moved to later this afternoon and I have to be prepared for it…"

"Trying to figure out how you will lie to most of the others about your meeting with Ben, David and Joseph on Sunday, and my meeting with you today?"

"That I can do. All I was going to say about that was that they called me in, in your absence, to be another set of eyes on some high security data they needed another opinion on, and your meeting with me today was to discuss it. Totally truthful, but I am not telling them what they do not have the clearance to know, or that we discussed personal things as well."

"And I bet you do it with a straight face."

"As much as we both do that to everyone else."

Matthew burst out in laughter. John was right. They both were adept at being truthful with the littlest information.

"You think I am funny?"

Stuttering between his laughter Matthew responded "No, we both are. How often do we use that tactic with our family and friends? Remember the night after you first knew I was back in town?"

"Yeah, I do not know how I kept a straight face?"

"Well we can both do it well my friend." Having finally settled his laughter down Matthew continued "Seriously, about your gut opinion, you want me to keep that secret from everyone?"

"Absolutely. I know you trust your subordinates however I do not know them so do not have the trust in them you have. The information that I helped them analyse on Sunday and with the leak somewhere on the base worries me. I must balance the cooperative part of my role with the strictly policing aspects, and that is always difficult in the best of circ.u.mstances. I have huge concerns about some undercover operations that are about to be brought to a head in the next couple of months in some of the local gangs, including one where the undercover officer has been in for almost two years. I cannot risk those operations and officers, with the military knowing too much about them. We have kept them safe, but…"

"Whoever is leaking from on base, could ruin everything and risk lives. I know the risks John, as much as you and the undercovers do."

"Matthew, you do not get it," replied a frustrated John shaking his head "I have to put those members first."

"John, I am not kidding," came an exasperate response from Matthew. He felt like reaching across and slapping John on the face. Talk about not heeding his own advice. "You are being what you accused me of before, myopic about a situation. I give you my word, I will not say anything to my subordinates until you authorise me to."

"Thank you, Matthew. With all the issues we have had with the military over the last couple of years, particularly driven by Major Hung's attitude, the last thing I need is more conflict if we need to call on military assistance when this goes down."

Realising the reasons behind John's frustration had come out, Matthew quietly sighed in relief, before calmly adding "John, that is a given, I will alert Ben, David and Joseph that we have discussed matters and that given the potential security breaches there will be limited information coming from the police to us. They know the issue; hence it will not be an issue."

Nodding John noticed the tension that he was having went.

Matthew however firmly continued "That comes with a proviso though…"

"Setting conditions?"

"Listen before you think it is setting conditions. It is on the basis that you brief me on the matters that would normally be passed through as a matter of course. Anyone wants to argue, I can support that you have done what you are legally required to, and we can work out how to distribute the information that has to be acted on to protect sources and operations that relate to nothing we would act on."

Hearing what Matthew had to say, John realised that not only was he being a true friend, he was acting as the responsible commander and dealing with what could be a huge inter-agency problem.

"That is workable, but if the information becomes firmer as to where the leak is, we may have to act differently. Yes, I have to work with the military but just remember when it comes down to it I will act to protect police members."

"Not a problem John."

Taking a breath, Matthew added "What have your parents planned tomorrow night for the Nang Foundation Charity Event?"

"You are asking me? Those things I stick out of, as they otherwise expect me to be involved. I am keeping far away from them at the function, as I do not trust them to try and play matchmaker for me."

"In other words, you are going to have to find someone to be a shield. Good luck on that."

Laughing, John said "Keep me updated as to what is happening with your investigation as to the intelligence leak, and let us schedule a weekly meeting, say a Thursday, and we can implement this plan? Plus, I promise you I will call Lexi and arrange to talk to her."

"Thank you. She needs someone, and I feel useless."

"That sums you up, now get out of here as I have to get ready for my meeting," laughed John as he opened the door to Matthew, who exited shaking his head.

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