Chapter 420 - Danger and Trouble (14)

11 May, JL International Mall, City F

Matthew scanned around the area carefully observing what was happening.

After instigating Inspector Long to call National Police Headquarters, the initial issues between him and her faded. They agreed until otherwise proven, the situation would be deemed a terrorism incident and he would be in command of the scene with Inspector Long and Joseph as his deputy commanders.

Given the size of the police force in City F, and the limited resources that could be drawn on, Inspector Long agreed that it was more appropriate for the police to be responsible for outer permitter security, while the military subject to ensuring that any evidence was protected was responsible for everything inside. Investigations were something he hated, but at the same time they needed whatever evidence could be located to determine, at least for the public, who was responsible. For him, even without the intelligence from Officer N, the attack just had the feeling of having the hands of the Devil on it. No real warning, limited intelligence of an incident, something high profile targeting civilians and with obvious objective.

"General," came one soldier.

Matthew turned, and said "Yes."

"The field hospital has been set up, save and except for the emergency theatre spaces. We are awaiting some material from the capital for that. The Medics have commenced, with the assistance of the civilian doctors and nurses who have come to help, triaging those who were able to walk out from the Mall. We have medical teams ready to come into the Mall with us and the police investigators to start the rescue of those hurt inside."

Matthew nodded, and said "I will be there in a couple of minutes."

Turning to Joseph he said, "I want you out here to manage matters."

Knowing those around here, Joseph tempered his reaction, before saying "General, additional troops should be arriving within the next half hour. Respectfully, it would be more appropriate for you to remain out here, at least until…"

Angrily Matthew responded "Colonel, no. You know my reasons."

Joseph, looked around and sharply snapped out "Everyone out, now."

An echo of "Yes Colonel" went around, as people moved out quickly. Seeing they were alone Joseph said "Do you want me to go over your head, Matthew? You need to remain here until we determine if Lexi was in there."

Matthew quickly responded "No, that is the reason I need to be in there. I need to know, and I need to be the one to find her. I let her down Thursday night, and this is what I can do for her."

"Be sensible," came Joseph in a serious voice. "You know the only reason the police relented was you were here. If it were me, they would have stuck to their position that this was a police scene alone."

"So …"

Joseph looked at Matthew and realised that he knew something else. "What is it you know that I do not?"

"Nothing," replied Matthew quickly. He forgot how adept Joseph could be in sensing that people knew more than they admitted. "I just spent a bit more time inside when we were there, and the more I looked at the scene, and knowing what we both saw on the CCTV footage we were watching tells me something…"

"Terrorism, that is a given. An IDE [improvised explosive device], most likely on a suicide bomber. Boss it does not take a genius to determine that was the case. Even a rookie would be able to determine that."

Looking further at Matthew, he said "You are certain it is the Devil? Boss?"

Matthew relaxed slightly, Joseph took the hint and despite it being obvious that he did not totally believe him wanted to go with what he was saying. "That is my suspicion. To a point, it correlates with the intelligence Major Hung gave us. An attack, but false information trying to draw attention to the wrong location. You know my feelings when it comes to the Devil, which in the end seem to play out. The only predictability he has, is when he connects with a new group, he does something to establish himself as having the superior tactical brain. The only thing he has not done is to target a public event, and I knew from Phillip this was happening here. My plan was simply to test if it was feasible to monitor CCTV footage remotely, and then when we know of events ad Malls and shopping complex nationally, we can do that. That was just luck."

"And because you were lucky you want to be inside, looking while the police start their investigation to determine if there is anything useful." Joseph shook his head. "Boss, that is the stupidest reason I have ever heard you spout. I can wear a body camera, and you can look as I work along side the police while you keep control of the scene. Think of the big picture…"

"That is what I am doing Joseph, the big picture. I just have this sense that the Devil is at the end of his game and I would like." Matthew paused and shook his head "No I need to be certain on this feeling that this was the Devil and learn what I can because the risks are too high to the country if I am wrong."

"No," snapped Joseph. "It is not an investigation that depends solely on you, I am quite capable of gathering intelligence, or do you think I am stupid?"

"Not stupid, but…"

Joseph snapped "Forget about this. We are calling Head Honcho, and he can make the decision. You are not getting the practicalities of the situation, let alone the fact that possibly your wife is in there. If that was my wife, you would not allow me near the area until we determined absolutely that she was not there. Then you have the fact that until other directors arrive from JL International you are the company representative on site."

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