"Absolutely not," Maya signed angrily, her fingers cutting through the air while Sophia strained to keep pace with the translation. "I work alone. Always have."
Director Kaine reclined back in his chair, undisturbed by her criticism. The morning briefing had taken an unexpected turn when he revealed the formation of a specialized task force—with her and Harlow as its nucleus.
"The decision is final, Dr. Chen," Kaine answered, his eyes shifting between Maya and her interpreter. "Two attacks in forty-eight hours. We need unorthodox solutions."
Across the meeting table, James Harlow sat with false casualness, one hand resting on his guide dog's head. Though his dark glasses masked his gaze, Maya could read the strain in his jaw. He wasn't as thrilled about this arrangement as
