4 Chapter 3

ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Mitch and Rupert reached Istanbul 3 hours ago and arrived at the place they were to stay at. It was a two-bedroom apartment, which Stansfield said, they would be staying at and of course the rent was paid by The United States Government (Perks of government jobs).

Mitch was sitting at the study table and planning out his next move. Rupert saw this and decided to join in.

"So what are we going to do?" Rupert excitedly asked

Mitch looked up and realized that he had momentarily forgotten he had a partner whom he was suppose to be working this case with. He decided that if he wants to work alone then he has to get Rupert off his back.

"Look you don't have to do this if you don't want to, I'm perfectly fine working on my own. Stansfield doesn't have to know" said Mitch with a polite tone

Rupert understood his intentions and said "Rapp, I'm a CIA agent. It is my job to help you with this case. I know you don't want anyone working with you but I'm already here so you might as well let me in on this plan"

Mitch sighed "You're not going to give up are you"

"Nope, think of it as this way, you're Sherlock Holmes and I'm Doctor Watson and we are solving an important case together" replied a grinning Rupert

Mitch frowned and said "As long as you never call us Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson ever again, you can help me"

Rupert sheepishly scratched the back of his neck and nodded

ISTANBUL POLICE DEPARTMENT

Mitch and Rupert were standing outside Istanbul Police Department posing as two magazine journalists

Mitch asked Rupert "So you remember the plan?"

"Yeah every single word"

"Good, now follow my lead"

Mitch and Rupert walked inside the building and were greeted by one of the detectives

"Hello gentlemen! What can I do for you?" asked the detective with a deep Turkish accent

"Hi, my name is Asher Williams and this is my colleague Ryan Moore. We are journalists from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)."

Mitch showed his and Rupert's fake badges and continued explaining

"We are writing an article about how every country has its own way of solving crimes using science. What kind of technology do the Forensic use, their methods and techniques. We've made stops in quiet a lot of places gathering information and our last stop is Turkey. For this article we would like to meet your Forensic Scientist who can help us getting what we need to finish our job" Mitch explained confidently

Rupert next to him seemed a little nervous because after all this guy is a detective and if he caught them lying, they could be in so much trouble before the mission even started

The detective however did not show any signs of suspicion as he studied their badges and the file which Mitch presented to him about their supposedly science gathering and information.

Few seconds later the detective spoke up "Well Mr. Williams and Mr. Moore, our CSI, Mr.Asad Shaikh is currently not here. He is out investigating a case, we are not really sure when he will be back but you can wait here if you want"

Mitch and Rupert politely agreed to wait at the waiting area. Great now how long was this guy going to take.

After three hours, 5 cups of coffee and 2 snacks later there was still no sign of Shaikh. Mitch was about to get up and talk to the detective until he saw a girl come in the building. She went straight inside the building with a few greetings from one of the fellow detectives. Mitch instantly recognized her as the girl from Shaikh's files.

She was Aayat Sadik

Mitch furiously shook awake Rupert who was about to doze off

"What what did he come? Is he here" Rupert asked hastily turning his head right and left

"No not him but his intern, she came in look over there" Mitch replied

Rupert looked at the girl who Mitch was referring to.

Soon Shaikh walked in the building and went straight to his office. His presence caused both the agents to stand up and follow him.

They were stopped by the same detective they encountered 3 hours earlier, but Mitch didn't have time to deal with him

"The CSI is back, can we talk to him?" Mitch asked impatiently

The detective saw Shaikh and nodded letting both agents go

They reached his office and noticed Aayat over there as well. Shaikh was getting ready to leave.

Mitch knocked on the door and heard a "Come in" sound. Both he and Rupert entered his office.

Mitch put his façade on and explained "Mr. Shaikh it is so nice meeting you. I'm Asher Williams and this is my colleague Ryan Moore. We are journalists from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). We are writing an article about the different ways and techniques Forensic Scientists from different countries use to investigate and solve their cases..." Mitch trailed off but noticed that Shaikh wasn't even really paying attention to him and was in quiet a hurry to leave the building.

Shaikh finally gave Mitch and Rupert his attention and said "Look gentlemen, I really don't have time for all this. I have some place to be" and as Rupert was about to say something, Shaikh left the room.

Rupert followed behind him to convince him somehow to let them interview him.

Mitch sighed and was interrupted by a voice that caused him to turn around

"Don't mind him, he is always in a hurry" spoke up Aayat

Mitch now turned his full attention to the girl in front of him and now that she was so up close, he observed her. She was around 5"3, she had a fair complexion, long dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. He had to admit she was really pretty.

Mitch realized she said something so he quickly answered "Yeah well if me and my colleague don't get anything, we will be fired"

Aayat simply nodded and gave an apologetic smile before going back to her work.

He then remembered that she was his intern, which means she knew quiet a lot about him. She could give him some information about Shaikh like what he does, where he goes, who he meets stuff like that.

"Hey are you his intern?" Mitch asked, knowing the answer.

Aayat looked up at him and replied "Yeah"

"So you must know about the science behind forensics right?"

"Well I don't want to brag but yeah I do" Aayat said jokingly

Mitch faked a smiled at that before asking "So since your boss doesn't seem to want to help me, can you help me with my article?"

Aayat looked up at him and thought for a while. Mitch hoped that she doesn't buzz him off like Shaikh did and would actually give him some intel which would help him in the investigation.

Aayat finally spoke up and said "Well right now I'm kind of busy with work and I also have some afternoon classes to attend. How about you meet me at my university campus this evening and we can discuss"

Well something was better than nothing so Mitch agreed "Yeah sure"

Aayat wrote down her number on a piece of paper and handed it to him.

Mitch said thanks and turned to leave but was stopped by Aayat.

"Mr. Williams, wouldn't you want to know the name of the girl who is going to help you with your article and save you from getting fired by your boss" asked Aayat with a teasing tone in her voice

Crap, she didn't know that he already knew her name. He turned around and scratched the back of his neck, pretending to be nervous and asked "of course, how could I be so stupid? How can I leave this room without knowing the name of the girl who just gave me her number" Mitch said quiet smoothly with a smirk.

Aayat blushed and gave a small laugh which automatically made Mitch smirk again.

"My name is Aayat Sadik" she said with a smile

"Well Aayat, I look forward to meeting you this evening" Mitch said before he left the office.