The interrogation lasted exactly forty-seven minutes before Eleanor made her move.
Alexander watched through the surveillance feed as his mother circled Kuznetsov like a predator assessing prey. Even through grainy video, her presence commanded the room—silver hair immaculate, posture regal despite being a fugitive, eyes sharp with the intelligence that had built and sustained The Vanguard for decades.
"Tell me about the infant's condition," Eleanor's voice came through the audio feed, cultured and cold. "Specifically, the complications arising from the genetic marker."
Kuznetsov played his role flawlessly, explaining the fabricated respiratory distress, the accelerated cellular metabolism overwhelming Leo's premature organs, the theoretical risks of uncontrolled genetic enhancement. Each word carefully calibrated to feed Eleanor's obsessions.
