Two years into the Meridian Group investigation, Elena got a call at 6 AM that changed the shape of everything they thought they understood.
"Dr. Cole, it's Priya. We found the ninth researcher."
Elena sat up fast. "Where?"
"That's the problem. She's not hiding like the others. She's teaching a graduate seminar in three hours, completely public, completely open."
Elena rubbed her eyes, trying to process that. "That doesn't fit the pattern at all."
"I know. Every other researcher we've caught has stayed quiet, kept a low profile, avoided attention. This one's got a public speaking schedule for the next six months. Conferences, guest lectures, all of it."
Marcus, waking beside her, sat up too. "What's going on?"
"New researcher," Elena said, already reaching for her laptop. "Doesn't a
