"Either that," Mahir said, "or she's been expecting it to be found eventually and wanted to know when the clock started." He paused. "The secretary said she didn't know about the collars. Which is probably true — that piece was kept narrower. The secretary was operational, not architectural."
"The Empress Dowager is moving," Elara said.
"Not yet," Mahir said. "But she's deciding. The report implies she's calculating response options, not executing." He paused. "Liam's assessment is she has approximately six hours before she commits to a direction."
"We have four," Elara said.
Mahir looked at her.
