Phoenix

10.

The downtown Bunker Hill was just twenty minutes away from Willshire avenue. The CIA local bureau office was on the fifteenth floor of the Federal building in downtown Bunker Hill. But it took almost forty-five minutes for Arya and Jin to reach there during the morning rush hour.

Every second was important now for them. The time was ticking. The agency still couldn't locate Dr. Stanley Donnen. They couldn't tell how much time will be they needed either. But Jin was hoping. If they can convince the CIA, it will be easier. Their technology was diverse and advanced along with a vast database to look into.

They both stood in front of the federal complex of Los Angles after forty-five minutes. Two twin buildings were standing side by side fifty feet apart. The maximum government offices of Los Angels were located in these two buildings alone.
parking the car in the underground parking lot, they both came up on the fifteenth floor.

After walking along the wide corridor, there was a huge glass door with a CIA monogram on it.
Guarding the door were two suited men in front.

They stopped both of them.

"I.D please."

Jin brought out a visiting card and introduced himself.
"Kim Seokjin, Acting director, Tripple A investigation agency."

NIS branches were masked under this triple-A investigation agency here in America. The Americans definitely won't allow other intelligence agencies on their soil knowingly. So here came the secrecy.

The men checked the visiting card and looked at him, "what can we do for you, sir?"

"We came to see the bureau chief. It's important."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"My office should have called directly before we came here. I am sure they did," Jin nodded a little.

"Only phone call? You should have made sure of this matter if you got the appointment or not."

"See, it's a very serious matter," Arya opened her mouth, "we didn't get the time for all these formalities. Go check, Your director should be waiting for us."

"No need," one man shook his head, "you can't enter without any permit."

"Go check if we have that permit or not."

"Like I said, no need. We always get informed first if somebody was to come. In this case, we didn't."

"Maybe they forgot," Jin said calmly, "I am insisting you check again. It is very important. I am warning you, If we are late, you two might be called for a show cause."

The two guards looked at each other and finally one of them said, "ok, wait for a bit. Let me go and check."

He went inside the room and came back after three minutes, "good news. The chief will see you guys."

Jin nodded in acknowledgment and tried to enter but was again stopped by one of the guards, "just a minute, sir. We need to search your bodies- that is the standard procedure."

Jin brought out his Walther PPK from inside of his jacket and handed it to one of the guards, "no need. I only have this one with me. And she is unarmed."

The guard took the pistol, "thank you for giving it out beforehand. But sorry, we have to go through the search protocol."

Jin frowned in annoyance but shrugged a little as an indication of giving in.

Gesturing Arya to obey them, he stood in front of the wall of the corridor spreading his both hands on both sides.
Their bodies were searched with quick and professional hands.