In his office, Faukman checks in with Alex Conan when the exhausted tech returns from his ongoing interrogation. Alex says his boss believes Alex is not at fault but wants to speak with Faukman, and Alex covers for Faukman by saying Faukman went home for the day.

Faukman reports a small relief: Robert Langdon has emailed, confirming Langdon and Katherine Solomon are both alive and okay, though Langdon still has not called. Alex is surprised by the lack of direct contact.

Alex admits his earlier attempt to find overlap between In-Q-Tel’s investment list and Katherine Solomon’s work produced “garbage data” from the AI. Looking for a different angle, Alex realizes the search would miss spoken material and reruns a modified cross-reference that includes audio-video content.

Alex’s new search reveals a shared focus on fractals: In-Q-Tel has invested heavily in fractal technologies, and a recorded panel shows Katherine telling an audience that her book on human consciousness discusses fractals extensively, linking fractal self-similarity to ideas of a unified consciousness. Faukman doubts the CIA’s interest is spiritual, but Alex argues fractals are crucial to encryption, networks, and other security applications, suggesting Katherine may have uncovered something that threatens a Q-backed technology.

Faukman agrees the lead is worth pursuing and promises to investigate. Alex leaves to return to the interrogation as the rain intensifies outside.