American Tax Officer

In the office, David, who was reviewing documents, heard the landline ring and quickly picked it up, "Hello."

"Director David, there are two CIA agents who say they want to see you."

Upon hearing the voice from the other end of the phone, a puzzled expression appeared between David's brows.

CIA agents coming to see him?

What was this about?

"Director David, are you listening?"

"Then have them come to my office!"

After all, the CIA is America's law enforcement agency. David decided to meet with them and see what they wanted.

Five or six minutes later, someone knocked on the office door.

Accompanied by David's invitation to enter, Jerome and Brod walked in.

[Name: Jerome Bond.]

[Occupation: CIA Senior Agent.]

[Monthly Income: 11,000 US dollars, grey income 46,000 US dollars.]

[Income details: On December 7th, killed a Bear Country agent in Ukrania, seized 230 thousand US dollars, pocketed 20 thousand US dollars; on December 23rd, turned an engineer within Bear Country, swallowed up 20 thousand dollars of turncoat funds…]

[More details: ...]

[Tax due: 11,500 US dollars.]

...

[Name: Brod Dodge.]

[Occupation: CIA Senior Agent.]

[Monthly Income: 11,000 US dollars, grey income 46,000 US dollars.]

[Income details: On December 7th, killed a Bear Country agent in Ukrania, seized 230 thousand US dollars, pocketed 20 thousand US dollars; on December 23rd, turned an engineer within Bear Country, swallowed up 20 thousand dollars of turncoat funds…]

[More details: ...]

[Tax due: 11,500 US dollars.]

Uncertain of the reason for their visit, David subconsciously used his "Golden Finger" to check their information.

But this check was shocking.

Ever since the establishment of the CIA, its reputation had not been good.

If it wasn't stirring up trouble in various countries and instigating incidents, it was creating conflicts everywhere, earning scorn from around the globe.

And in fact, not just from other countries, even the American public didn't have a very good impression of the agency.

Take, for instance, the Bay of Pigs incident in the '60s. The CIA had planned a coup in the neighboring Ancient Nation, which ended in a humiliating failure, causing America to lose face internationally.

Or consider the '80s Kiki Investigator incident.

This investigator was captured by drug traffickers and horrendously tortured for over thirty hours.

Thereafter, much evidence suggested that Kiki Investigator was caught mainly because of information provided by the CIA.

This nearly led to a showdown between the DEA and the CIA.

And now these two agents, although ostensibly serving their country, were engaged in activities dirtier than the next.

This was truly in keeping with the CIA's modus operandi!

"Director David, I am Jerome, a CIA Senior Agent, and this is my partner Brod!"

"Good day to you both, agents."

Putting aside his thoughts, David stood up and shook hands with both of them, allowing for a preliminary acquaintance.

"Director David, just a short while ago today, a hacker invaded the Pentagon's database, and our technical staff tracked him down, and then with the cooperation of the FBI, we arrested him. His name is Koffdale, and I believe you are acquainted with him!"

Upon hearing this, David's expression changed slightly.

He had found Koffdale a while ago and had warned the guy to keep a low profile, considering that the CIA is no slouch!

But who would have thought that this guy would forget his words as soon as he turned his head, and not only that, he even went on to invade the Pentagon's database!

Who else to arrest if not you!

What a damned fool!

David felt a twinge of pain in his heart; he had just taken office as Chief Tax Officer and hadn't even 'opened for business' yet, and here he was, already taking a loss on a long-term revenue source!

But there was nothing to be done about it.

Now that the guy had been caught by the CIA, he couldn't possibly go and rescue him. That wouldn't be in accordance with the IRS's policies, so he could only accept his bad luck!

But then again.

If the CIA had already caught Koffdale, then why were they coming to him?

Could it be that they wanted to recover the taxes they had received?

Seeming to notice David's confusion, Brod chimed in from the side, "That's right, Director David. As we understand, this hacker named Koffdale has long maintained a cooperative relationship with a spy from Bear Country."

"This spy recently used the information obtained from Koffdale to cause us very heavy losses."

"And, according to Koffdale's statement, it seems that your IRS might have the identity of this spy, so could you please cooperate with us?"

Upon hearing this, David finally understood, but his expression instantly turned cold.

The fact that Koffdale had been caught was already depressing enough for him.

Now, these people from the CIA actually wanted Maggie's information?

They were thinking way too highly of themselves!

David crossed his arms in front of his chest and replied, "I'm sorry, but you agents must have heard of the Black Tax Act, and according to the regulations of the Black Tax Act, as long as taxes are paid to us, the IRS is obligated to keep their identities confidential. No official organization has the right to demand their information from us!"

What he meant by this was, basically, telling them to either investigate on their own or take a hike.

Want information from me?

No chance!

Both of them clearly understood his point,

Brod was fine, having anticipated this result already, and just felt a slight disappointment without any sign of dissatisfaction.

But Jerome's face darkened and he looked at David with some discontent, saying, "Director David, I am well aware of the regulations of the Black Tax Act."

"But this spy is not just any criminal; he has caused great harm to our CIA, to our nation!"

"Such criminals are to be condemned by every citizen of America, and I don't think they should be protected by the regulations of the Black Tax Act. You understand what I'm saying, right?"

This made David snort coldly in his heart.

The harm to the CIA had nothing to do with the IRS!

You've captured her, preventing me from collecting taxes in the future—that's the real damage to me!

Although he thought so, he did not show his cards outright but responded calmly, "Well, in that case, perhaps, Agent Jerome, you could persuade Congress to change the regulations of the Black Tax Act. Then I would be happy to provide you with the identity of the spy. How does that sound?"

"Director David!"

Jerome glared at David.

A single law requires approval from several committees in Congress, plus the votes of more than 500 members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

How could he, a mere agent, dictate a change?!

David also grew angry, fearlessly meeting Jerome's gaze head-on, and declared, "Agent Jerome, you need to understand where you are. This is the IRS, not the CIA. Here, we have the final say!"