bland art and stiff sheets, but it felt like a sanctuary. It was clean, anonymous, and, most importantly, it was a space untouch

Sarah was clearly stewing, plotting her next move. She wasn't the type to ac

iego, focusing on cybersecurity and counter-terrorism. My team was scheduled to attend, and as a consultant, Sarah was mandated to be t

of junior agents, and our section chief. I saw Sarah walk in, her expression cool and professional. She t

ned again, and Ale

that probably cost more than my car, with a smile that was both charmin

, his voice smooth as silk.

especially high-profile ones like Thorne, w

by the book, frowned. "Mr. Thorne. I

arah invited me. She felt my insights on the private sector' s role in next-ge

essively on her shoulders. It was a blatant power play, a mes

omfortably in their seats. They knew this was a breach of protocol, a s

up, cited a dozen regulations, and demanded that Alex leave immediately. It would h

e, I did

and doodled on my notepad. I didn't look at

ex' s input is vital. He' s at the forefront of the very technologies w

er, Sarah was a highly respected consultant, and Alex Thorne was an

couldn' t hear the words, but I saw the result. A flicker of

her comment at the junior agents, who were now trying to look intensely interested in the ceiling. "Let me be clear. Al

authority, an authority partially derived from her connection to me, t

victory on his face. He pulled up a chair and sat

et them both do it. Let them break the rules. Let them alienate the t

re to stop

st here