Detective Van Eng is assigned to the Cold Case Homicide Special Section of the Robbery-Homicide Division of the Los Angeles Police Department. Insiders call it "CHESS." Van also happens to be hearing impaired. Despite her condition, she realized her dream of being promoted to detective because of the unique investigative skills and raw courage that she displayed while working as a medical examiner in the Forensics Services Division.
In Book 1, The Cytokine Plurality, we learn of Van's background and the events that lead to her unique path to promotion as detective. Her new boss, Detective Paul Young, knew that she would never have qualified as a detective because they would never send a deaf person out in a squad car with another officer as a partner. He considered himself sympathetic to Van's situation as a human being, but he would not be the one to risk the lives of fellow officers because he felt sorry for Van. The problem was that Van was proving him wrong - at every turn. Now, in a direct affront to his authority, Detective Van Eng reopened the case on UCLA medical student Marley Dakota and has her first encounter with Dr. Belinda Armendariz, head of Ragnar Willowbrook and a petri dish containing toxic nanobots.
In Book 2, Resonance, Dr. Belinda Armendariz proves that she would take any steps necessary to advance her personal and political goals, and the toxic nanobots of Book 1 become her means. That her victims might be entirely innocent and her dream pathological meant nothing to Belinda as she played out the role she knew was meant for her.
In Book 3, The Nanobot Wars, Van faces her biggest test yet as forces pull her into yet another engagement with Belinda. Readers learn of Belinda's background and the circumstances behind Belinda's assumption of the top post at Ragnar Willowbrook. In Book 3, Belinda plans are coming to fruition. In a desperate attempt to locate Belinda and immobilize the new threat, Washington turns to Van to draw on her talents and special skills.
