Cyran Solvere remained disappointingly clean.
Two weeks of additional scrutiny had produced nothing useful. His finances matched every declaration submitted to the election commission, his professional history was thoroughly documented, and every foreign journey during his legal career had a legitimate parliamentary or academic purpose attached to it.
No unexplained transfers. No hidden affiliations. No conveniently missing years.
Three days before the election, Arik had nearly accepted that his instincts were reacting to a man whose political philosophy simply involved distrusting people like him.
Then, during the final procedural meeting with all four candidates, Liam's earlier words returned to him.
Pay attention.
Arik stopped listening only to what Cyran said.
And watched him.
