Joan Campbell was at her office, finishing some paperwork. She was arrived early that morning because she wanted to concentrate later on a new case. She was almost alone in the CIA building. The others workers weren't arrived yet. She filled a blank, closed the file and took another one. She then grabbed her pen and she wrote on the paper. All was silent around her. Even her husband wasn't here. Auggie wasn't in his office. He usually arrived later. Joan turned on her computer and began searching informations for the file. Then she completed the sheet.
A sudden noise made her rise her head. A door had been shut. The walls were transparent, so Joan looked through them to see a blond woman walking on the floor just under Joan's office. The woman had blond hairs. It was Annie Walker, a young opperative. Joan was surprised to see her this early. She liked her and was wondering why the blond had arrived two hours before her usual time. Annie sat at her desk and se began to open a file. Interupting her action, she froze.
Joan, who was watching her from the upper floor, did the same, but not for the same reasons. She was worried. What was happening ? She saw the young woman stand up slowly, adjusting her movements like a cat who just saw a mouse and who wants to catch it. Annie was looking towards the door. Did she heard something ? Joan exited her office as silent as she could and she joined Annie. The woman hadn't seen her. She was staring at the door, totally immobile. Joan didn't want to startle her. She whispered :
-Annie ! What's going on ?
Annie jumped, apparently edgy. She seemed surprised to see Joan :
Joan ?! What are you doing there ? I thought i was alone, and...Never mind. I heard a noise. I think that someone entered the building, someone who isn't a CIA member. We are in danger, Joan !
Joan couldn't help but laughed. It was impossible. CIA was the most protected place in the United States. Nobody could get in like this ! Annie looked wounded by this reaction. Seeing this, Joan become serious again. She hadn't meant to hurt the young operative.
Annie, listen. I didn't want to be mean. It's juste that...CIA is the safer place on earth.
Not anymore. Joan, you must believe me ! I heard someone ! It's not a joke !
Joan wanted to reply, but a sudden noise interrupted her. Annie raised an eyebrow, seeming to say « do you believe me now? »
Joan didn't have time to react. Somebody threw something in the room. It exploded when it ended on the floor. Annie tackled Joan to the ground without warning her. The two women landed on the flooring. Annie was breathing heavily. The impact had left her breathless. Two men got in the room. They had weapons. Joan and Annie were under one of the desks. The unknown fellows began to search the room. Annie straightened herself before Joan could stop her. She took a paper knife on the nearest desk and she threw it at the head of one of the strangers.
He fell to the ground, unconscious. The other one aimed his rifle and shot at her. Annie rushed, rolling behind a desk. The shot echoed to Joan's ears. She stired under the table, afraid that Annie could have been hurt. She looked up, seeing Annie farther in the room. The young woman jumped on the man. The guy pulled the trigger while he was falling, and the roof was stricken. Plaster parts fell on the fighters. The man was hit, and he fell unconscious. Joan ran to Annie. The young blonde had fainted too. A big part of the roof had fallen on her.
Joan moved her and found ice in the cafeteria. It would help Annie to wake up. The operative opened her eyes slowly. Joan smiled and she said :
I believe you, Annie, trust me. You were right. I was silly to think that nobody could get in.
Annie just looked at her without talking.