Chapter 606 - Taking down Madam Mo (9)

9 June, Matthew's Villa, City K

Matthew, somewhat shocked at the venom in Joseph's words, looked over towards John and saw a level of calmness in his friend.  As he turned back, he said "True, but it had to be done.  And Craig received the help he needed."

Joseph shook his head and said "Really?  It seemed so on the surface, and it was enough that he was permitted to return to active service.  But we know that it was all an illusion."

"An illusion, that fooled trained minds."  Sensing Joseph had something to say, he added "Spit out what is bothering you."

"You forget the outcome of what happened?"

Matthew's eyes widened for a second, and he said "No.  That is something I will never forget. No one would forget finding someone that they tried to help after they committed suicide and finding the suicide note."

"And you dragged me to tell his father what happened.  I remember his face when you told him that his only child, the only reminder of his beloved wife had killed himself.  Then we hear two days later that he had deliberately caused a traffic accident to kill himself."  Joseph shook his head and said "Do you not get that your actions drove that result?  Craig felt he had no option, and it set off a chain of events."

"Joseph…"

Joseph snapped "Do not attempt to placate me.  He was the person, at the time that kept the three of us sane.  We watched him collapse, because he felt backed into a corner and then saw the outcome of that.  After we were made officers, we realised that you were simply doing things by the book, but the book is just words.  It does not deal with emotions and the human spirit, that it was crushed in Craig's case."

"Despite our friendship, and the fact that we trust you implicitly, has always been a sore spot for us because it demonstrated at the time that military rules fail humans.  I felt his situation more than the others, because I knew what it was like as a teenager to lose my mother.  The difference was, my father had abandoned my mother when I was only a couple of years old, and I was left alone.  No wonder I had gone off the rails and the courts gave me the choice, join the military or jail.  Not that I regret the choice I made, because of it I met the love of my life, and have a career I love and that my children can be proud of."

Seeing some emotions pass across Matthew's face, Joseph continued "But time has changed that opinion of the failure of systems, because we have learnt that the rules are designed to cover everyone, therefore they have to have high standards of behaviour and fitness and low bars for force help, because of the implications to everyone it they are not there."

Matthew quietly said "Such a monologue.  How many times have we debated that?"

"Too many, but I have to say it.  But this makes everything different.  I only know what Craig told me, and the outcome from the investigation into his death, because everything about it is sealed up…"

"And it will remain so.  That was decided on because Craig did not want to pursue matters."

"Sealed up.  That protects the b*tch that is my mother-in-law.:

Joseph pointed discretely towards John before adding "If he had followed through and had her prosecuted, Craig would have had the strength to face his demons and both him and his father would still be with us."

"That is guess work.  Craig was so troubled."

"Stop trying to excuse what happened.  I cannot forgive that failure, nor will the others and you should not either.  Like us, police are meant to protect those in trouble, and he failed at that.  You cannot step away from that idea, because he is your friend, and since that time he has distinguished himself with his actions."

Matthew stood there, for a few seconds before saying "But everyone is entitled to a second chance.  Just remember that I gave the three of you that chance, and you took it…"

"Different story."

Shaking his head Matthew said "It is not.  You each chose to join the military rather than going to jail when given the choice.  Let me think, what were your crimes.  That it right, you knocked a woman down to take her car keys and go joyriding in her car causing accident after accident before you crashed the car into a power pole.  You were lucky that the only injuries suffered by anyone was some cuts and bruises.  Ben and David committed a spree of small thefts in a mall.  You had your second chance and nearly blew it, but I gave you a final opportunity."

"You can talk."

"The mess that I left behind when I joined up?  I have never hidden that, and everyone knew about it because it was such big news in the city when I joined.  The second son of one of the wealthiest families in the city turning him back on the family to join the military.  The issues with Lexi, I am still trying to make up for the mess, that I unwittingly left behind there, and I always will.  Saving your careers?  I had to deal with the consequences of the split-second decision I made to save those high school students at the time.  Craig?  I have accepted that what I did was correct according to the rules, but that I failed and have lobbied to have things changed to avoid it happening to another officer.  What is it I can talk about?"

Joseph just shook his head before saying "You do not get it.  Not speaking up when he had the strength to talk about it, ruined lives and continues to ruin them.  And you want to work with him.  Honestly can you say you will do that without question?  Me, I do not believe I can and I suspect that Ben and David will be the same."

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