Chapter 273 - You had to be a hero, didn't you? (7)

12 April, Palace Hotel, City K

Without looking, the immediate response fired back was "You have no damn say in this."

Ben, ready to snap at the arrogance of this senior police officer, angrily responded "I absolutely have the say." He then moved into his view and said "Maybe I should introduce myself. I am Colonel Wang, and Colonel Rong is my direct superior. Until we know specifically who the target was of this was and their goal, we will be asserting jurisdiction. My preference is that we run a joint investigation into the matter until that question is answered. If there is no national security threat and if the determination is that Colonel and Madam Rong were only targeted due to their families, we will hand off the investigation to you along with any prosecution."

"Forget that. This is a police investigation, and you will not have any role in this at all. Get out of here and take everyone you brought with you."

Joseph having now arrived heard the comment and signalled to Bronwyn to come over. Seeing the signal she quickly left the Nang's who she had already convinced to head back to the military base for their checks. Rather than using her position, she played it as they could be close to Sally, as it was even obvious to them that John was going to be tied up for a significant portion of the night.

As she arrived, she quietly said "Colonel's, Major," recognising that Major Hung had also just come across. "How can I help?"

"Lieutenant, there seems to be come confusion as to who has jurisdiction over the investigation," stated Joseph.

"Sir, the law is clear. As Colonel Rong was injured, until any national security threat or that the Colonel and Madam Rong were targeted due to his position the military have jurisdiction to run an investigation. The law also provides jurisdiction to the police in relation to the matter, as there was a civilian injured. In situations where both the civilian and military authorities have jurisdiction, the law preferences the military investigation, but requires police involvement. If the investigation determines that there was not national security threat or determine Colonel and Madam Rong were not targeted as of his position the military must immediately step out and hand all material to the police."

The police commander said, "You sound like a lawyer."

"I am. But just so you know I am a military officer. That role however does not override in cases where I am providing an interpretation of the law, my obligations to the courts and the law."

"Well, Miss military officer, you are wrong. I have reports already that a civilian was injured first that that means that it is the determinative factor. It is a police investigation and the lot of you can simply get lost."

"Sir," responded Bronwyn, "while I respectfully disagree with you, this is not the time for an argument. The investigation needs to commence, and we cannot waste time arguing over this."

"So, concede on who is in control."

Feeling that the discussion was going in circles, Ben pulled out a secure mobile, and made a call. As the other end answered, he said "This is Colonel Ben Pang here. We need advice as to who controls an investigation. Colonel Matthew Rong and a civilian was injured. I will hand the phone to the police commander here on the scene."

With that Ben handed the phone over and took a step away. John quietly drew Bronwyn away and said "Sorry to land you in the middle of this. I never expected anything like this when I asked you to accompany me here."

Reaching up, Bronwyn placed her finger on his lips and said "John, you cannot say that as a second date it was dull. How in the world will you make our third date memorable?"

Laughing John said "Skydiving?"

"Halo jumping?"

"God no. That scares me."

Bronwyn turned and looked over to where the Matthew and Lexi were. "I suspect Madam Rong will have some scars over this. I hated that we had to do what we did to free her, but…"

"Bronwyn, Lexi has been to hell and back over the years. Her first husband, was a piece of work, and you know what happened late last year…?"

"I do."

"Yet, she and Matthew seem happy. She will need counselling to help her, but with Matthew there she will come through it eventually. My concern is my parents."

"They are already questioning me about my background. I dodged answering that question through distracting them to stay with your sister, but we will not be able to avoid dealing with that for long?"

Giving her a quick kiss on the cheer, John said "It is up to you when and what we tell them. If they have been paying any attention to what had been happening since they crashed in and started this, my parents should have reached the conclusion that you are military. All they know, and it the truth, I met you by chance through work and asked you out."

Watching, they both realised that the police commander was ending the call, and he seemed quite angry. The two of them returned back, and the police commander angrily said "Fine, you win. But let me make this clear, you screw this up and it will be on you."

Frustrated, Ben wanted to make sure that if the investigation showed that there was need for the military to be involved, that it could transition easily to the police to finalise it. "How about, I liaise with you until it is determined if it ultimately is a police or military investigation and that will mean whichever way that the investigation goes, the transition will be easy."

"As long as I am seen to everyone to be in control."

Ben nodded, before saying "Fine, as long as you recognise that the military investigation has preference."

"Fine." Turning to John, he said "Mr Nang, with me please."

As they left Joseph turned Ben and said, "You caved on that."

"Not really. In the end I made him seem important and in control as we need this investigation going as quickly as we can to determine the truth and its impacts on us."

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