UNDISCLOSED MEETING PLACE

After Gia left for the cafe with the rest, Officer Martin left his team in charge and flew to Nairobi City after several failed phone calls to the general. Before the reputation of the police got tainted, Officer Martin wanted to give it his all and save it before things went out of control.

Officer Martin briskly strode into General Ramirez's office, a furrow creasing his brow as he tried to make sense of the conflicting information. He found the general sitting in his chair, seemingly relaxed, while moments ago he had claimed to have a busy schedule.

"Sir," Martin began, trying to keep his tone respectful yet pointed. "I apologize for budging in like this, but I'm a bit perplexed. You mentioned a packed schedule, but I find you here, seemingly at ease, while Gia is driving me insane with urgency."

General Romano glanced up, a faint shadow of surprise passing over his features, before composing himself. "Ah, Officer Martin. I wasn't expecting you. You should have at least informed me that you were coming."

Martin smiled faintly. “You are holding your phone, sir. I am sure you must have seen my enumerable missed calls. I cannot come all the way in the middle of what is happening if there was a way to talk to you.” Martin stated.

“What do you want?” The general asked without caring to check his phone, a gesture indicating that he had seen the missed calls from Martin and just assumed.

"I hope I'm not intruding, sir," Martin replied, keeping his tone measured. "But about the urgent matter with Gia—"

"Yes, Gia," the general interrupted, a hint of discomfort flashing in his eyes. "We're working on that girl's case, Martin. It's a complex situation, and we cannot work on mere intuition."

"I understand, sir," Martin continued, his gaze steady. "But I couldn't help but wonder. You mentioned a busy schedule, yet here you are, seemingly free. Could it be possible that you're avoiding this meeting with Gia? Just a mere question, sir! No offense."

The general's expression tightened imperceptibly, causing a fleeting moment of hesitation before he spoke. "Martin, I don’t appreciate what you are trying to insinuate. Gia is just a small girl who knows nothing about life other than her stupid microphones and music. This matter must be approached with utter seriousness. I am just trying to gather more information so that I will have something to tell her when we meet.” The officer spoke, sounding defensive.

“But Gia just wants to clarify simple things with you that don’t require much thinking, sir. Nothing to fret about.” Martin remarked, studying the general’s baffling expression.

“Officer Martin, I would appreciate it if you stopped giving me pressure here. I am your superior! You have no right to question me, like you are suspicious of me too. Or are you?” The general spoke with the feud.

Martin leaned back, shrugging his shoulders. "I agree, sir, and no, of course I am not suspicious." Martin affirmed, his voice resolute. "But Gia's threat is imminent. We have a limited window before she goes public with whatever she claims to know." He emphasized.

General Romano sighed, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. "I assure you, Officer Martin, I take this seriously. I'll handle it accordingly. That girl should relax."

Martin nodded, sensing the tension in the air and the unresolved questions lingering between them like unspoken accusations. He knew there was more to the general's demeanor than met the eye. “I understand, sir, but just like I said, Gia has given you just one day to meet her, or she will expose what she knows to the media."

General Romano’s stern countenance softened slightly, a crease of concern forming on his brow. "What does she claim to know, Martin?"

"She hasn't disclosed specifics, sir," Martin replied, his tone filled with concern. "But her threat is serious. She's adamant about the meeting, and she holds information that could potentially damage the reputation of the entire police department. We ought to be careful. I know I should not advise you as your junior, but I would kindly suggest that you meet her once and for all, General."

The gravity of the situation settled heavily on General Romano, his expression shifting as he grasped the seriousness of Gia's ultimatum. The department's integrity and public perception hung in the balance, contingent upon their handling of this precarious situation. His secrets lay close to being exposed, which he could not let happen.

"We can't afford to ignore this," the general asserted, a sense of urgency coloring his tone. "Like I said, I cannot act recklessly. I know she has a line of questions for me, and I need to be ready. You might think it is easy, but I know how this thing works. I cannot face her without facts in hand. We have to act swiftly and cautiously. "

"Agreed, sir." Martin nodded in agreement. "But time is short. Gia's deadline is looming, and if we don't comply, she is poised to go public with her revelations. That will not be good for you or the entire police force. I think you should just tell her the truth that you have. It would be better if it happened that you met her with no answers than you failed to meet her, sir."

General Romano leaned forward, the weight of the pressure and the danger that Gia paused hanging heavily on his shoulders. He hated the girl for being so stubborn and demanding. He thought for a while and then fixed his gaze on his junior. “Just go back and do your duties. Give a message to that Gia that I will comply with her demands.”

Martin pulled a face. “You will finally meet her, sir? When? I mean, I need to alert her so that she can stop bagging me with questions every minute.”

“Just tell her that in under twenty-four hours from this minute, I will meet her. That is all.” The general stated this with a face that confused Officer Martin.

The officer stood up with confusion and incertitude. He was about to salute and take his leave, but he just thought of a question. “One more question, sir. Where will you meet her so that I can ask her to prepare? Will she come here or where?” He asked.

“Officer Martin?” The general called flatly. Actually, he showed some tinges of being pissed off.

“Yes, sir?” Martin responded.

“Just go back to your station! And the next time you leave your station because of such trivial matters as this without my consent, you will be in serious trouble.” The officer warned again, disregarding Martin’s question.

“Sir, yes, sir!” Martin saluted and walked out after getting a cold go-ahead nod from the officer.