"... and I would request that all the students and faculty members report immediately to your point of contact, your head teachers or department heads and managers. In the meantime, all departures from the academy without official approval will be banned. Audit students, please report to the nearest house or department. I apologize for the abruptness of this order on behalf of the academy, and I thank you for your understanding and cooperation."
"Evacuation order? Does that mean we have to head back?" While others in the diner started chattering and complaining, Jason asked Caroline and Laura Jensen with a frown: "I wonder what - we will need to meet up with the detectives, and - Laura, where will you go?"
"I - I don't know." Laura Jensen sat back on her chair, seeming as if someone just drained all of her energy: "I don't know…"
"Ms. Laura Jensen?" Just this moment, one female mage sitting beside a table on the side, who was found to be present somehow both times they came to the diner, came to their table: "My name is Cassidy, I am a member of the security team of the academy. Can you come with us?"
"Wait, isn't it now the time to evacuate?" Jason squatted before Laura Jensen, sitting between her and the female mage, then asked: "Why is she coming with you? What for? "
"In accordance with the order from the academy administration to combat espionage activities and infiltration that had caused the academy great harm, many individuals including Laura Jensen have been put onto a persons of interest list. And it is also per the bylaws of the academy that during times like this when we are in a state of emergency, the academy security team will have authority to detain persons of interest and escort them to holding places to await further action and process." The female mage with the name Cassidy said: "Now please step aside, Mr.Lin, we are following orders and procedures."
"Jason, it's fine." Laura Jensen sighed and said: "I suppose this is what happens - call it karma, or anything else."
"Yeah, but this is not fair, is it?" Caroline stood up and asked: "What is she guilty of? And where are you going to hold her?"
"I'm sorry Ms. Baker, but we don't answer to you." Cassidy shook her head and stared at Jason as several other mages came forward and surrounded the table: "Please step aside, Mr. Lin, or you could face consequences from the academy and it could impact your status here as an audit student."
"It's fine, Jason, really." Laura Jensen laid her hands on Jason's shoulders: "I - I'll go with them."
"Just a second please." At this moment, the voice of Josephine Wong came from the side: "According to the academy bylaws, the holding of persons of interest during times of state of emergency can still be delegated to authorized holding facilities, right? In fact, if I recall correctly, it is specifically stated that the persons of interest have the right to choose their holding facility, for they are still presumed innocent at this stage."
"Ms. Wong." The mages surrounded the table nodded at Josephine Wong and made way for her. But Cassidy still insisted: "We are carrying out orders from the acting principal to keep an eye out for persons of high interest of espionage - "
"Yeah I know, and I fully understand it's your job. But in case you don't know, these two here are the ones who captured a lot of the spies sent by Camile Jensen." Josephine Wong nodded and said: "And, even if Ms. Laura Jensen here is a high person of interest, unless you are about to charge her with anything, she IS a person of interest only. And I happen to know of an authorized holding facility, which would make both you and our hero students here comfortable."
Cassidy looked around at Josephine Wong and then Jason and Caroline, then took a final look at Laura Jensen and relented with a sigh: "Fine, and which holding facility are you talking about?"
"Xianshi Inn, technically geographically located in San Jose, California." Josephine Wong nodded and said: "I understand if you haven't heard of it, because it's fairly new. In fact it's just officialized this morning. You can check with the headmasters and your head of security."
"Understood, one moment please while I confirm." Cassidy nodded and walked to the side.
"I take it that you are willing to go to this place for now?" Josephine Wong walked to the side of Jason and Laura Jensen: "It's okay if you prefer another place - I'm just suggesting and letting you know that you do have a choice."
"Thank you very much Ms. Wong." Laura Jensen let out a long sigh: "And yeah, from what I've heard about this inn, I can't imagine a better place to be held than that."
"And don't forget I work there." Jason chuckled and held Laura Jensen by the shoulder: "Thank you very much Ms. Wong."
"Don't mention it. But we've gotta go right away." Josephine Wong sighed and said: "Let's head back right after, there's a situation I will need to let you in on. And Laura, you'd better know this as well."
"Alright, I just confirmed with Mr. Flake, this Xianshi Inn is indeed a newly authorized holding place, signed off by all three headmasters and Mr. Flake himself." Cassidy came back and said: "Then, I'll trust that we can leave Ms. Laura Jensen in your custody, and that you are fully aware of the terms and guidelines of the holding of persons of interest?"
"Sure, you bet." Josephine Wong nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Cassidy."
"Ms.Wong." Cassidy waved her hand at the other mages, and walked away from the table.
"So, what happened?" Caroline asked: "Where's Boss?"