Change Of Plans

"Yes, Boss. 

Rhoda is right. 

I moved Dexter to another Cell just to keep him safe," Romeo confessed. 

With the evidence against him, there was no need to play the hide-and-seek game anymore. He knew for a fact that Dexter's former cellmates would testify against him should Lucas attempt to investigate further. 

"Keeping him safe from what?" Lucas stood up in full force. That was the part of the confession that triggered his anger. 

"Does this place look like a kidnapper's Den to you? What makes you think we would want to hurt Dexter, huh? Start talking immediately," Lucas raged. He brought out his gun and made it seem as though he wanted to shoot Romeo dead. 

"Sir, his cellmates wanted him dead. You needed to see the way they treated him like a piece of trash. According to Dexter, one of the cops paid the leader of the cellmates, Jaguar, to inflict severe torture on him," Romeo spoke in his defense while he dropped a shocking allegation that may see everything turn out in his own defense. 

Lucas aimed his gaze at Rhoda as she looked elsewhere. It was an awkward glance and Rhoda was quite aware. She knew that it was only a matter of time before Lucas starts questioning her about what Romeo said. 

"Are you sure about this?" Lucas asked Romeo for clarification, disregarding his earliest crimes. 

"I can't joke with a delicate situation like this. Of course, I know what I'm talking about. If you're doubting me, you can ask Dexter about it. His former cellmates might spill unless they want to protect their crimes," Romeo affirmed. 

His confession put Lucas in a tight situation. Lucas initially plan was to suspend Romeo indefinitely. But after hearing the latest allegations against some dubious cops, he is now having a second guess. 

He went back to get seated and rack his head to avoid making the worst decision of his life. Not even a murder case has stressed the living daylight out of Lucas like that before. 

After the thorough deliberation, Lucas cleared his throat and picked up the brown even lope on his desk. 

The sight of the brown even lope freaked Romeo out. He already knew that Lucas decision would never be beneficial for him. He was already considering a life after being police officer. 

"I've finally reached a conclusion and here's my judgment," Lucas stood up with the brown even lope that was pointing towards Romeo's direction. 

Romeo's heart beat was pounding faster. He felt like walking away to avoid hearing the devastating news about his sack. 

Looking behind him, Romeo discovered that the door was still locked, making it difficult for him to run away from the news

"No need to speak 

Save yourself the stress. I already know what you wanted to talk about," Romeo broke the silence. Lucas was taking too much to speak, and it was starting to affect Romeo even though he already knew what his fate was. 

"How dare you interrupt me while I speak? And how did you know what I wanted to talk about? Have you suddenly possess some supernatural powers to read my thoughts?" Lucas lamented.

"Isn't it obvious that you want to dismiss me? I mean, that's what the letter of the envelope says," Romeo assumed. 

Few minutes after, he was already doubting his guts and wished he had shut his mouth instead. 

Upon hearing from Romeo, Lucas dropped the envelope on the desk, and brought a plain paper and a pen. He went ahead to write on the paper as Romeo stared in the utmost confusion. He wanted to ask questions but decided to keep it to himself knowing that Lucas will get pissed off more. 

A few minutes later, Lucas replaced the letter in the envelope with a new one and presented it to Romeo without making any remarks about it.

Quietly, Romeo accepted the letter. Confusing scrubbed just face in the mud as different thought plagued his head. He didn't even know where to start asking questions. 

The previous letter envelope I was supposed to give you was your letter of leave. Remember you once talked about visiting your sick mom? I told you I would need to process your leave. Guess what? I just did. I was supposed to hand the letter to you, but what did you do? You messed things up," With a detailed explanation, Lucas briefed Romeo. 

 "And what about this new one?" Romeo asked in a low tone. 

"Oh, you meant that?" Lucas pointed to the envelope in Romeo's possession. 

"That's your suspension letter. You've been suspended for six months for misconduct and conspiracy. I would have made it an indefinite suspension but due to your good record, I decided to make it lesser. Good luck with your family," Lucas sharply announced and stayed quiet as though he never said anything.

 He moved towards the exit door and unlocked it using his spare keys. 

As he was about to exit the office, he told Romeo. "I don't want to see your ugly Ass around this station when I return by tomorrow. Else, you won't love what I will do to you. Don't play," 

Romeo didn't get the chance to plead for a second chance. He didn't even know the right utterances to use. In all of this, he blamed himself for speaking too early. 

Perhaps, If I had shut my mouth and let him do the talking, I might still have my Job back," he mumbled in regret. 

Rhoda walked out on Romeo as though she weren't aware what happened. She didn't even make any move to console Romeo. 

Quietly, Romeo walked out of Lucas office straight to Dexter's cell. Few miles away from Dexter's, Romeo paused after spotting a familiar face at Dexter's previous cell that nearly got him killed. 

Slowly, Romeo went to hid elsewhere in an isolated corner to prevent Lucas from seeing him. 

What is Lucas doing with the inmates? And why are they smiling at him? Something must be wrong somewhere," Romeo soliloquies. 

He had a feeling that Lucas was plotting a very dangerous move against Dexter that might turn out to be more deadly than a robbery attack.