Alex woke up at around 2:45 in the afternoon. He sat up and found himself alone in the hotel room. He heard paper crumpling in his pocket. He pulled it out. It was a note from Camryn saying that she had to go to the lab and that she would be back by nine at the latest. So Alex had about six hours to himself, but what was he going to do? He decided that he'd take a look around the city – maybe find a dance club to go to with Camryn later.

Alex changed into khaki cargo shorts and a white long-sleeve T-shirt. On his way out the door, he spotted Camryn's car keys lying on the table. There was another note saying that Alex could take the car if he wanted to. Beneath the paper was a fake driver's license for Alex (the only failed the driving test because he couldn't parallel park for the life of him). Alex took the license, the keys, and the car and drove around Los Angeles.

Los Angeles wasn't too bad a place, Alex decided. It was nice, laid-back. It was cool. Alex stopped by a little bakery for a doughnut, then kept driving. It was a really nice day – sunny, clear, and warm. Meanwhile, in London, it was cloudy, snowy, and very cold. Alex decided to take a walk and get some fresh air. He parked the car at a park, then got out and joined the mass of walking people. He really liked this place. He wouldn't mind living here at all.

After walking a few blocks, Alex heard a familiar voice squeal his name. He turned around and a blur attacked him.

"Oh my gosh, Alex! I haven't seen you in ages!"

Alex grinned and hugged his old friend. "It's great to see you, Sabina. How've you been?"

"Great. How about you?"

"Getting by," Alex shrugged.

Sabina Pleasure had been one of Alex's best friends. She moved to San Francisco, California about two years ago. Alex hadn't heard from her for the past year at least. Sabina had also once been Alex's love interest, but that passed.

"I thought you lived in San Francisco," Alex said.

"I do. Daddy's on business here, so I came along. So what are you doing here?"

"Vacation," Alex lied.

"That's great. Hey, do you want to go walk on the beach? It's really nice."

"Yeah, sure."

Akira and Camryn walked into a large executive-like building. It had a big, open lobby like any business office would. The two government agents knew otherwise. Akira and Camryn checked in with the receptionist then went into an elevator.

"So where's the lab?" Camryn asked.

"In the basement."

"Oh." That should have been obvious. Where else would you put an illegal morphine lab?

When they reached the basement, they were searched by a pair of guards before they entered the lab. Camryn pulled the steel door and entered. The sight took her breath away. The lab was clean, quiet, and had the latest chemistry lab equipment. This was chemistry heaven.

"This is amazing!" Camryn squealed, almost forgetting the reason why she was there.

"Good afternoon!" boomed an excited voice with a British accent.

Camryn turned to her left. A middle-aged man walked up to her and extended his hand.

"I'm Edward Pleasure, and I'm in charge of this laboratory."

Camryn shook his hand. "Halie McCullough."

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Ah, Mr. Aramaki," Mr. Pleasure said, shaking Akira's hand. "We meet at last. Now, Miss McCullough, I hear from Mr. Aramaki that you are a phenomenal chemist."

Camryn shrugged. "If he says so."

"I'm very excited to have you working in my laboratory. I hope you will enjoy working here."

"I think I'm going to like it here. This is the best lab I've ever seen."

"Why, thank you. As you can probably guess, I put a lot of money into this facility." Mr. Pleasure pulled out a walkie-talkie. "Bring Mary-Anne down to the laboratory."

A few minutes later, a young woman in her mid to late twenties entered the lab.

"Mary-Anne, please take Miss McCullough's measurements and get a lab coat fitted for her as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir." Mary-Anne whipped out a tape measure and snapped it up, down, across, and around Camryn's body. Within a minute, she was done. "The lab coat will be finished by about 6:30, sir. Should I bring it down when I'm finished?"

"That would be wonderful."

Mary-Anne left the lab as quickly as she came.

Strange lady…Camryn thought.

"Feel free to have a look around," Mr. Pleasure said. "Also, there is a lounge just outside the lab – left and a little ways down the hall. You can begin working once Mary-Anne gives you your lab coat."

"Cool."

"Well, it's been a pleasure. You two have a nice day now." Mr. Pleasure left the lab.

"What time is it?" Camryn asked.

Akira looked at his watch. "4:23."

"What to get something to eat."

"Sure."

The two headed out of the lab. On the way out of the building, Akira told the receptionist where they were going. Truthfully, neither of them was hungry. They just needed to get out. Akira and Camryn climbed into Akira's Hummer and drove off.