There is no reason to ascribe larceny to the company interviewer. In some cases, the applicant is being initially interviewed to find out which, of several, slots they might fit. The final offer could be for a project lead, a manager, or an individual contributor.
Your initial interviewer probably knows which slots are to be filled, but probably has no idea which you might be offered. They may not be the one to make that decision.
Go ahead and push real hard. If you are viewed as uncooperative you can talk yourself out of any slots. Instead, be pleasant as you try to find out where you might stand.
The laat nob I 2as interviewed for went that way, hr found me and arranged the interview, I sat down with the department head and the sction manager and it waant u til the end of the interview they told me theyd be “ i. Touch”. I also took several standardized tests. About 3 weeks later they made me an offer with salary amd position explained. Never talked salary in the i terview.. ut I pretty much knew what the job was paying thru contacts at the place.