Chapter 414 - Danger and Trouble (8)

11 May, JL International Mall, City F; and JL Headquarters, City K

"How, dare you…"

"Boss, yes you are my superior, but you are my friend. I know you, and you need a reality check because unless you dial back on the feelings of hurt you will be useless to the operation here. We need to focus on the people, and that includes Lexi if she is here. You can deal with the other issues when the time is right. But I suspect the blame is on her parents, as at the time she fell pregnant Lexi was only seventeen."

"Mmmmm…"

"Promise Boss?"

Closing his eyes Matthew thought for a few seconds. Joseph was right he needed to put this out of his mind, and deal with the immediate issue, rather than focusing on what the actual issue was.

As he opened his eyes, Matthew looked at Joseph, saying quietly "Thank you for the reality check. I had figured out previously that Lexi had been backed into a corner, but the hurt that she had not even now been able to tell me the truth…"

"You know the reality of after telling the lie for so many years, it becomes the reality you live with. You have done it with your brother as to your role, you friend John has done it with people around him, and as Legend has told us about those in undercover assignments they can become the lie over time, hence why they are always limited."

"True…" trailed off Matthew. Could Joseph have hit something with Officer N, she had now totally lived the lie of her reality? But then why did she always provide accurate intelligence to them? Maybe, he needed to have a talk to Legend about the situation because if that was the case, could they trust her going forward?

Before either of them could speak, the inspector approached Matthew and spat out "I see you got your permission to be involved from JL International. But this is still my scene and I am in charge."

Shaking his head at Joseph Matthew turned "Attitude will get you nowhere. Who gave permission from JL International?"

"The Officer-in-Charge received a call from the President of JL International."

Matthew could see Joseph was trying not to laugh. "President Rong?"

Joseph having observed the police officer, already had enough of the pretentious attitude on display, wanting to derail what needed to be done. "Boss, you better thank your brother for smoothing that over as quickly as possible."

As Joseph turned and walked away, Matthew observed a stunned look on the inspector's face "Oh, did you not pay attention to my identification. You wanted permission, and since JL International is my family's company I decided to cut to the chase and get you your permission."

"But you are a soldier…"

Angrily Matthew spat "Do not simply assume that because I am rich that I cannot serve the people. That is my choice. Now, go and do what you think you need to do. We soldiers will be focusing on what is currently needed, helping the wounded and recovering the dead."

Before the inspector could respond Matthew turned and followed Joseph towards where a temporary command was being established. As he was halfway there, his phone rang, and on answering it he said, "Phillip thank you for the help."

"Not a problem. I have you on speaker phone and am with the board. What can you tell us?"

"Very little. The police have their position about the investigation, which I am not focused on presently. The priority is delivering medical assistance to those around and rescue and recovery from inside. I suspect someone will contact you about the security footage so we can analyse it properly."

"Damage?"

"The building is standing, but we will be awaiting engineers to come from the capital for a proper assessment. I would expect that there will be levels of damage inside, but we will be careful."

"General Rong, Vice President Lu here. Is there anything that as a company we can do? We have as a precaution increased security at all our malls and shopping complexes nationwide and looking at all other business to see what we need to do."

"That is a proper first step. Speaking as a company director, which I think all you know I was reluctant to become because of my real job, we need to be on the front foot. Contact all owners of business in the mall and see their situation; deal with the movie team that were starting their promotion event. Possibly start a fund to aid those injured in the attack and help families of anyone who died bury their love ones. I suspect the biggest issue will be the need for getting people to medical care around the country, as the potential is there that the hospitals here and a military field hospital will not be able to cope."

"Offer the use of company aircraft for transporting urgent cases. Consider it done. We are just working out who will come to site so someone should be there in an hour or so."

"Forget that. If needed I am here. Just send authorisation to the authorities here for me to act. The less people coming to site that do not need to be here the better at this moment."

Phillip said "That has already been sent brother, but you have a more important job. We will be sending someone, who will bring one of the company planes loaded with whatever medical supplies to assist that Paul can secure through the Gu Group Hospitals. They will be needed."

Matthew paused. Phillip was right there would need for significant amounts of medical supplies, and the sooner the better. Sending it with military transports would impact the ability to move urgently needed troops here. "Fine, provided that is it not you Phillip, but I need to go."

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