27 December, City K Military Base

John Nang based to let his words sink in before continuing. "Recently we caught weapons smugglers, after months of work. It was only after we arrested them, did he tell us that there was intelligence from a confidential military source that he could not hand over for over from twelve months earlier that would have allowed us to arrest them if not twelve months ago, at least six months ago."

"Do you know I came here ready to tell the new special-forces head he could screw cooperation with the police, as is was never a two-way street. We are always were expected to give but received no help in return. But I find the new head is my school friend. That decision does not stand, but please make that idiot understand that he cannot pick and choose the cooperation, it has to happen as mutual thing."

"I will, but I already have the impression he considers the intelligence group to be his kingdom that no one else can control. I am going to deal with that, but it will take some time. Can you bare with me on that?" Matthew asked, not wanting to annoy the police too much, but realising his restructure would take months to achieve.

"I will. I am sick of operations being blown up due to that idiot and his non-cooperation. But let me tell you, I believe he his highly dangerous to special operations. There are even rumours in some criminal circles that he can be brought to influence the material handed out. That I cannot prove, but it would not surprise me."

"Do you know the worst thing that really struck home to me. You know just over twelve months after you joined the military Lexi Yao got married with the consent of her parents, to a distant cousin. And just under eight months later she gave birth to a baby boy, and only a few weeks after this her husband died. She could not cope and gave the baby to her brother Chester and sister-in-law to raise while she went away to grieve and study."

'Three years ago, her brother and sister-in-law divorced and the child, Dominic stayed with Chester. About six months ago, Dominic was kidnapped. That idiot had all the information pointing to exactly who would be kidnapped, when and by whom. We would have prevented it, but do you know all he told us as that there was a threat to kidnap the child of a businessman. There was no way that we could protect every child of every businessman in town."

"That is how personal it got for me. Dominic is a sweet kid, who has been through a lot and has been messed up badly by his kidnapping. He has always known that Lexi is his mother, and she presently is living with Chester to make the transition from his care to her care easier, but he struggles psychologically as a result. He has to be controlled."

The mention of Lexi having a child, around eight months after he left to return for his special forces initial training, started Matthew thinking. Could the child be his? Why, given how frequently they talked, even then, had she not said anything. Damn, that would be a mystery he had to get to the bottom of. The kidnapping must be something that he investigates as my god, if that could have been prevented, he would kill Major Hung.

Matthew knew that if he kept thinking about that he would get distracted, and that was the last thing he needed. "John do not worry. I am planning to do that. But today is not the day to talk about this. Let me have a couple weeks to get my reorganisation in order and we can talk more about cooperation and training matters."

"Absolutely fine with me. Now are you coming tonight?"

"Phillip twisted my arm. It will be good to catch up with everyone. Other than Phillip I think that I have not seen anyone for about eight years. Last time I was back for any significant time Andrew, Paul and Steven vowed to kill me, so I wonder what my reception will be. Plus, it will be an opportunity to grill Chester given he proposed on Christmas Day to Phillip."

"Finally, those two have made it official. Do you know how hard it has been for me as I have known how they have felt about each other for two years, the only saving grace has been they have done nothing in my presence that could break the law."

John paused, before continuing "Do not worry Matthew, just a few weeks ago, I was with them, Chester and your brother, and it was obvious that they missed you. They are all going to be there, along with Lexi, and a couple of school friends of Lexi's, Joan Tang and Rachael Wen. It should be a good night. Do you want me pick you up?"

"No, I have a couple of hours more work here and then my adjunct will take me home, where I will change before joining you. Despite not officially starting to Monday, I must be back here tomorrow. See you later." With that Matthew stood up and shook hands with John before he left his office.