Pike studied him in silence again. Shan had never seen eyes like his. The intelligence that burned in them was as deep as their sadness, but there was also something fierce and untamed. He had a strange sense that he was looking at a reincarnation of one of the warrior priests who once roamed Tibet, accountable only to Buddha.

With a quick motion, the American cut Shan’s other arm free. “Now I insist that you have some noodles with us.”

Shan did not mention that an army lieutenant was expecting him, and when he asked Pike why he was using the apartment the American just motioned to the table and said, “Eat.”

The Chinese bar dancer was surprisingly adept in the kitchen, where she worked with an athletic energy, and served her noodles with a stir-fry of vegetables. It was the best meal Shan had had in weeks. As he finished his bowl he realized Pike was staring at him again.

“Why is an investigator from faraway Lhadrung interested in my train ride?”

“Colonel Tan is responsible for the regional military depot in Lhadrung. The cargo on that train was bound for his depot.”

“Not everything. I have enough sense not to interfere with the People’s Liberation Army.”

“You were there because of Sun Lunshi.”

“He was a friend of a friend of my daughter’s. I needed to have a quiet conversation with him. I located his office but when I started to go in, Public Security arrived. He suddenly took off for Golmud, like he was fleeing. I decided to find out why.”

“Did he know who you were?”

“When I caught up with him and told him, I didn’t expect him to get so upset. That’s when he ran into that cargo car. He smashed the controls to keep me out, but I slipped through just as the door closed. He trapped us both in there, which suited my purposes just fine.”

“What was in the crate?”

“I don’t know. I was just there to talk. And I don’t think he was going to check any cargo. When I caught up with him, he was looking in the staff berths, calling out for the doctor. Guess he was already feeling sick. I would have helped, but he wasn’t inclined to talk. Just laid into me like a banshee.” Pike fell silent then repeated his own question. “Why is an investigator from faraway Lhadrung interested in my train ride?”

“Be grateful that I am, and only me. The Lhasa police would have called it a homicide if we had given them jurisdiction. Witnesses would have recalled you chasing Sun through the train, making you their prime suspect. You don’t exactly blend in here. It wouldn’t take them long to find you.”

“Again, you don’t answer my question, Inspector Shan.”