Would they dare?

"Mr. Johnson?" The girl at the reception, who was also a civilian staff member of the 13th Bureau, was familiar with William.

She Knew William as the handsome, polite young man rumored to have a good relationship with Director Wenzel and speculated to be Alice's secret lover. 

"Are you looking for William? He's not here right now. Is there something I can help you with?" 

She was still slightly unaccustomed to referring to him as "Mr. Johnson," knowing him more casually as William in the work group.

Considering Thanarok was seeking William, it was likely he was a Soulmancer. And since William was overseeing the recruitment for the Soulmancer school, Thanarok might be looking for special consideration for admission.

"Oh, then we'll just wait," Thanarok responded. "I have some companions waiting outside. May they come in and wait as well?"

Politeness!

Politeness was key, Thanarok reminded himself internally.