Chapter 623 - Rumours, Rumours everywhere (9)

10 June, Matthew's Office, Military Base, City K

Having gone through the intelligence that had been received by the courier from Head Honcho, Matthew turned to Bronwyn and said, "Tell me honestly, are you alright?"

"Boss, I can deal with it.  I just must be strong to support John because he is going to be the one who has the hard time with all of this.  He will eventually be exposed as a male s*xual assault victim, and that will impact how people view him particularly given his current career.  I do not want him to be forced out, but I know that I would walk into a senior position in Nang Enterprises or if he did not want that, my uncles would give him a senior position in the Eng Group.  But I have to be realistic that it could."

Matthew looked at her and said, "But there is something that is worrying you more?"

"True, you saw the reaction from the Colonels when I walked in.  They hate me simply because I am John's fiancée.  I have to give you an apology as after what I observed yesterday, I spoke further to Head Honcho and…"

"Your father was concerned so he opened a file about a certain suicide for you, didn't he?"

"He did.  When we spoke, he was aware of what John disclosed and told me that the file will help me understand the conflict that I observed yesterday.  I read it, and I think I have some insight to why the Colonels are reacting as they are.  He was their friend in training, but blaming my fiancée or you, that I do not get."

"Just one minute, your fiancée?"

"Well, he proposed, didn't he?"

Matthew carefully hid his laughter before saying "You are presuming that I am going to approve your marriage request, don't you?"

"Well Boss, with the fight you had with Head Honcho on approving it I suspect you will, and if you refuse you will have my mother to deal with and I know that she scares you."

Matthew could not help himself and laugh, before adding "Your mother is way scarier than your father, and she has always been.  But honestly, I had just finished the report before the Colonels arrived.  The bottom line is that I have recommended that it be approved.  We do not have to worry about clearances and checks because of John's role.  I did have to flag the issues about him being the victim of s*xual assault in the report.  I was lucky when the police provided his statement that they provided statistics and literature regarding male victims.  The bottom line is that it demonstrates that male victims can make the statements but are even more reluctant that female victims for the case to be pursued.  It also demonstrated that career choices did not influence that reluctance."

Matthew paused and noted the concern on Bronwyn's face before saying "But I will let you read it before I submit it.  You are concerned and the last thing that is needed is for you not to be fully committed to this job.  We both formed the same view from Officer N's intelligence report, it is certain that the attacks will occur before the end of the month, in multiple locations, followed by a cyberattack.  The issue is she does not know the physical locations or the date."

Bronwyn sighed and said "Thank you Boss, but with the attitude of the colonels will they even consider working with the police if there is an incident here?  I cannot see it, and if what Officer N says about IEDs and even potentially a dirty bomb is correct we cannot risk cooperation to protect the people."

Matthew nodded and in a much sombre tone said, "That is the problem.  Do I risk alienating my three key subordinates to keep John as our liaison officer or refuse to work with him killing his career?  Neither option is palatable as in the end the Colonels have done nothing wrong, nor has John."

"Boss, it is not my position to tell you how to do your job, but one of the reasons I was cleared for Officer N's intelligence is that I have to give a legal opinion.  We must protect the source, but at the same time we cannot allow outside matters to influence how we can act.  If this did not involve my fiancée, your friend, I suspect that you would have already made your recommendation to Head Honcho and the police let alone asking me what I think.  The reality is boss, I can only see one option, and even I hate to say it but…"

"You are telling me that I have to request the police to reassign John?"

"That is the obvious option, but we have to consider one other factor.  You forget, I know the real circ.u.mstances about your marriage, you and Lexi were abducted by the Devil and the Islamic extremist group he was using at the time.  And I know how the intelligence to rescue you came about.  It was John and the few handpicked officers who worked the intelligence that narrowed down the area but determined that he was targeting Lexi and you just happened to be with her.  The last thing with what we know is coming is…"

"Losing someone like that.  Are you suggesting that we ask John to formally remain in charge of the unit but assign someone to work with us?"

"To you, yes, but John put the idea in my mind last night when we were talking.  It is not what would normally be done, but unlike the Colonels who do not know, we cannot pretend that the current circ.u.mstances are anything other than normal.  The last thing any city where there is a military base needs in the next few weeks is the assignment of a new liaison officer, let alone one where they have to work with special forces."

Matthew sat quietly for a few seconds and said, "I need to think about it, and talk to Head Honcho and John before I make my recommendation."

"Boss, do not think I am trying to protect my fiancée, I am not, but all I am saying is look at the wider situation and recognise that reacting could cause complications that not only impact the ability to deal with the crisis that will come, but impact the military position in society and open you up to charges for dereliction of duty let alone civilian authorities coming after you."

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