While no one could run interference like Elliott could, Aurora had gotten a lot of practice lately, and soon the two employees were settled down and in their cars headed home, probably a bit shaken up but no longer fearing for their lives. The rest of the team began to assemble in the back of the building where they had initially met.

Aaron switched to the IAC for privacy’s sake. “I always thought that, no matter how mad we were at each other, we would continue to operate cohesively.”

“I was being efficient,” Cadence replied, trying to stay as calm as she could.

“But Aurora had no idea what you...