The briefing with Bureau leadership had gone better than expected. Director Walsh had approved additional resources for their investigation based on the signature discovery. As they left the meeting room, James suggested they take a detour to the Bureau's acoustic testing chamber.
"Why there?" Maya asked through her interpreter, Agent Lin, who had been assigned to their team full-time.
James adjusted his dark glasses. "Because I want to show you something, and we need specialized equipment."
Maya hesitated, then nodded. "Lead the way."
Echo, James's guide dog, navigated the corridors with practiced ease while Maya walked alongside, noticing how agents parted for them—partly out of respect, partly out of curiosity about the Bureau's unusual new team.
The acoustic chamber was a speciali
