Deadlock || ᴠᴍɪɴ

Chapter 2

The next morning, Jimin was called in by Heiden as soon as he came into work.

"I got a call from the FBI's Los Angeles field office," said Heiden stiffly. Jimin could tell from his tone that it wasn't good news.

"Was it bad news?" he asked. Heiden's expression was severe as he turned to face Jimin.

"The worst. Corning's been found."

A most-wanted person had been found, yet it was "the worst news". There could only be one reason why.

"Found dead, huh."

"Yes. He was found in a car at the bottom of the sea, shot to death. What are your thoughts?"

"Probably Corvus. He used Corning to get out of prison, and killed him to silence him. That's the only plausible scenario I can think of."

Heiden nodded as if to agree with Jimin's suggestion, and placed his coffee mug on the table.

"Heiden, let me go to LA," Jimin said. Heiden looked at him apprehensively.

"LA? Why? The LAPD is working Corning's case right now. There's no use in you going."

"It's not just about Corning's case. I want to visit the site and trace Nathan's entire history from the very beginning. There has to be some point where he crosses paths with Corvus. I also want to visit Schelger Prison. I might be able to pick up some clues there."

Heiden was silent, deep in thought. He probably had his misgivings about letting a rookie like Jimin work alone.

"Isn't this the whole reason why you got me into the FBI on special privileges? Any other investigator can do interviews with witnesses at the bomb attack sites, or look into where the bomb parts originated. But there are certain things about this case that only I can do. That's why I want you to let me go to LA."

"I suppose," Heiden assented at Jimin's vehement appeal. "To be honest, I'm not expecting much from you. But if you weren't going to offer more than the average investigator, I was also planning to send you back to the Academy. So this might be a good opportunity."

"You'll let me go?"

"Yes. But you have three days. If you can't produce any results after that, you are to come straight back here."

Jimin was unsure if he could gain any new information in just three days, but he had no choice but to try.

"I'll put in a request with the LAPD to cooperate with you. Can you leave immediately?"

"I'll be on my way soon."

"Good. I give you permission to go on a solo investigation."

The plane landed in Los Angeles International Airport after a five-hour flight. Although Jimin had been living in New York for ten years, he still felt comforted to return to the city that he had grown up in.

After arriving in Terminal 7 for domestic flights, he walked through the arrivals lobby toward the exits.

"Jimin! Over here!"

Jimin turned toward the shouting voice, and saw a tan-skinned man wearing dark sunglasses. Jimin smiled and raised his hand as he saw the figure in a suit striding toward him.

It was Francisco Lennix, or Aiden. He was a Chicano and a detective at the LAPD Homicide Division, and Jimin's stepbrother. Aiden was three years older than him, with a slim, tall build and a charming face. He was a good man through and through, both on the inside and outside, and Jimin had always been proud to call him a brother since he was a child.