The MPs shoved Hans Landa into the dim interrogation hut with a force that made the lantern sway. Lieutenant Harrow followed, shutting the door behind her. The air smelled of wet wood and cold iron.

Hans sat himself before she could tell him to. His wrists were bound, but he carried himself like a guest, not a prisoner.

“Lieutenant Harrow,” he said smoothly, savoring her name. “I’ve heard you’re the sharp one here.”

“You’ll answer my questions,” she replied. “Nothing else.”

“Oh, I never give answers without purpose.”

She ignored that. “You were found alone near the mountain pass. No squad, no orders on your person. Why?”

Hans tilted his head, studying her with foxlike calm. “Why does anyone end up alone in wartime? Chaos, confusion—”

“Not you,” she cut in. “You don’t get ‘lost.’ Let’s try again. Why were you there?”

He sighed dramatically, as though disappointed by her pace. “Lieutenant, darling.. if I tell you that, we skip all the interesting steps.”

She leaned forward. “This isn’t a game.”

“Everything is a game,” he murmured. “You just play it with fewer smiles.”

She refused to blink. “You surrendered.”

“Did I?” His eyes sharpened. “Or did I simply choose a different… direction?”

“Which is it?”

Hans let the silence stretch until it thinned like wire. “Tell me,” he said softly, “was it you who insisted on handling my interrogation? Or did someone decide we would make a… fitting match?”

“You’re deflecting.”

“And you’re pretending not to enjoy this.” His voice lowered. “Ask something that matters. Test me.”

Her jaw tightened, but she didn’t look away. The tension thickened, the hut almost too small for the two of them.

“Fine,” she said. “Were you acting under German command when our patrol found you?”

“Now that is finally close to the truth.”

“Then answer it.”

He smiled. slow, amused, predatory. “Only if you ask the real question. The one you’re avoiding.”

She felt her pulse quicken despite herself. His gaze was locked on hers, waiting, urging, provoking.

“And what question is that?” she asked.

Hans leaned in, bound hands resting lightly on the table. “Why,” he whispered, “did I want you to be the one sitting across from me?”

The lantern buzzed in the silence that followed. She didn’t back away. She clicked her pen once, a sharp sound between them. She was getting ready to ask him more important questions. she needed to know his aim, hoping she can stay in control in this interrogation, but can she really?