Chapter 11

Third POV 

Harvey took down the massive lump in his throat, he sat behind thinking of an excuse to give. He wasn't backing down, this only gave him more terror that if he stayed, he might be picked before he got to make his decision. 

“I want to go and put in my letter of indefinite leave, it's best tonight, my friends aren't there to ask what I'm up to.” 

He breathed hard, wishing the driver, whatever his name was, would agree. 

“Okay, it's hope to you.” He nodded his head. 

Relief exploded across Harvey's face but still he couldn't be less cautious. 

“I will walk up to the taxi station close to the headquarters to take a cab,” he swore, knowing that another set of taxis from Matteo could lie in wait for him. 

He waved to the cab driver, waiting for him to leave before walking in. 

Harvey strode into the station, walking to the personnel welfare department which dealt on matters of suspension, resignation and retirement. This time, he wanted a voluntary suspension, he never knew a time like this would come. 

“But this isn't what I came for?” He stopped on his tracks. He'd intended reporting what he was going through, all of a sudden he's picking what he told the driver. 

She shrugged this off, returning to his initial plan. “If I can do this, I'll be free.” 

Turning over to walk towards the Director’s office, he stopped at his track. His eyes flashed out, staring in shock. Two men stood before the director at the door, he wondered what they were up to but this wasn't for any good. 

The guy on the right standing at the Director’s door was Steve, the close friend he reported Alisa to, in as much as he knew, Steve wasn't on a night shift and the guy beside him, one of Matteo’s senior men.

He hid right away, peeping. 

“What are you two doing over there?” He whispered. 

The other guy pulled out an envelope from his pocket, a huge bundle of dollars, summing up to many tens of thousands of dollars and handed it over to the Director. A smile lit on his face. 

Harvey opened his eyes wide as he watched the Director he was going to report to shake hands with Steve and Matteo’s agent. 

I'm fucked up! 

He thought within himself. 

Harvey closed his eyes wishing with everything in him that he could turn back time and relive his life excluding Alisa and Steve from everything but mainly Alisa. 

“Oh Goddd!” He groaned descending down the stairs in a haste. “Why are these people so bent on getting me by all means?” He stopped as he felt his eyes getting blurred, the thoughts and shock had clouded his brain that he could no longer see. He shut his eyes. 

“They might be coming down this lane.” 

He opened his eyes again, not wanting to get stuck for too long in his thoughts. He left the headquarters feeling hopeless and helpless. 

The police force had failed him, now his only hope was his ex-wife. Shame and terror struck, he paused for a whole three minutes outside imagining how he was going to meet Nada to ask for help and what she's going to do to him. 

Harvey walked out of the headquarters finally, he walked through the dark, silent bushy track rather than the sidewalk. If they were on the road, they would rarely see him here. The trees and leaves would cover him. He walked through here to the main cab station which some of the officers took back home after work. 

He picked one. 

He was heading to Rhys’ apartment. 

There he would come up with a way on how to meet Nada again, to seek protection from her. His heart boiled along the away, remorse struck and then stubbornness but either way, he had to keep going. 

If he fails in this mode, he's totally failing.

Rhys’ apartment wasn't too far, he arrived in no time, looking to the left and right, if anyone was watching him. There was no one in sight. Rhys’ one-room apartment stood at the center of the compound. The lights were on, he must be in bed. 

God would be punishing him for cheating on Nada if he's on night shift and at work. On the door of the apartment, he tapped on the doorbell, the alarm rang inside. He waited to ring again just to hear the crack of the door and it opening to reveal Rhys. 

“What's up, guy. You didn't even take up to a minute, did you know it was me at the door.” 

His eyes nearly fished out seeing Rhys in his uniform. The first thing that came to his mind was Time. He peered at his watch. It's 8:30 PM. 

“What are you doing out here by this time?” Rhys asked rather coldly. His breath failed. 

Has Rhys also joined the gang against him? 

He swallowed the lump in his throat, eager to confirm. “I came to seek your help but are you going to work? It's already late, is this when you resume?” 

“Yes,” Rhys nodded. He was a clerical staff, a senior officer and he didn't need to go as early as those ready for operations. 

“Come on inside,” Rhys said to him. 

At least he hasn't changed. 

So he thought. He walked in while Rhys stayed to shut the door, then led the way up to the living room. He gestured to the couch and sat opposite him with a stern face. 

“Your case is serious, you need to meet with Nada as soon as possible.” 

Silence descended. A smidge of guilt passed over his face. It was at that moment he wondered how he was going to keep his face before Nada again.

“Why did you say my case is more serious now?” Harvey sought to delay the request. He wanted to buy more time before thinking of going to Nada. He wished there would be another way, that he could meet another influential family, but they wouldn't help without knowing him. 

Either way, he was messed up. 

When Rhys smirked, shaking his head, he knew that something was amidst, it had truly gone worse. 

“Right now, your movements are monitored. I can't even assure you that you aren't being tracked to my apartment.” 

Harvey sprang to his feet, searching out through the window. 

“If so, I'm ready to go meet her tonight.” His voice sank low with despair, it was his last hope. 

Barely had Rhys said this when the rumbles of motorcycles drove into the compound. Rhys grabbed Harvey, dragging him towards the backyard. 

“Come on, let's go!” 

His house had a secret passage route anyone could barely notice, leading to a main road. Both men took to their heels. Harvey was already seeing hell right before his eyes.