Hamedi broke from his reading. “I didn’t shoot him in the back of the head, if that’s what you mean.”

Behrouz smiled, or at least gave his troll’s equivalent.

“I cannot fault a man for inexperience,” Hamedi continued. “Six months ago he was working in a factory grinding lenses for reading glasses. Now he is manufacturing nuclear bombs. Such a leap cannot rely on faith alone—even if the black robes in Tehran tell you otherwise.”

“Are more experienced workers not available?”

“A few, yes, and I requested them.”

“But?”

Hamedi let his frustration vent. “But most of them work in universities, and this makes them unreliable. Or so I am repeatedly told.”

Behrouz did not falter at the accusation, which was directed, if not at him personally, at the ideology of the imams he served. He said, “And you, Professor? Not so long ago you were lecturing at one of our finest institutions. Surely you are reliable.”

Hamedi glared, his contempt obvious. “What do you want?”

“Your trip to Geneva is near. We should discuss security arrangements.”

“Please don’t tell me the Israelis will be senseless enough to try again.”

“No, nothing I’ve heard about, but I am always listening.” Behrouz let that hang before launching into the details of his precautions. He would have fifty men at his disposal in Geneva, and Hamedi was sure this was not a complete accounting—a man like Behrouz always kept something in reserve. The plans seemed solid enough, and at the end Behrouz said, “I am concerned about the event you’ve added after your speech.”

“What of it?”

“It seems unnecessary. Must you attend?”

Hamedi leaned back in his chair. He had been working terrifically hard, but there were still a great many details to be resolved. “I am deluged with work, and had no desire to go to Geneva in the first place. But what can I do? The international inspectors have insisted on this special meeting. Apparently they do not trust our latest inventory numbers. The good news for us is that this trip will be our last. Once the test has taken place, I shall never again have to conjure up ridiculous lies to deny our development of this weapon. As for the event I’ve added—yes, I am going. I don’t expect you to understand, but as a member of the world academic community these things are expected. Besides, I find little time to socialize here in Qom, something I’m sure you are well aware of.”

Behrouz shrugged. “The world academic community—yes, very impressive. It will be a night to remember for a boy from south Tehran, no?”

Hamedi said nothing.

“Tell me again,” the security man said, “what neighborhood was it that you grew up in? Udlajan?”

“No,” Hamedi said, “Molavi.”