“In China archaeology is such a politically hot topic that anyone true to the science has to engage in subterfuge,” Pike replied. “Beijing goes into violent spasms if anyone suggests there has ever been a drop of non-Chinese blood within the boundaries of its current empire. Natalie wrote me about him and about Tink. Gangfen had two sets of records, one for his university that were well scrubbed to support the case that China had long-established roots in Tibet.”

Shan knew well how Beijing aggressively suppressed any suggestion of outside influence whether in modern times or centuries earlier. “And another set, kept here, that were not so politically correct,” he suggested.

Pike nodded. “He found a spirited, educated woman who lived at the edge of society, on her own terms, and who could keep her own apartment without questions being raised about how she might afford it. Tink is a courtesan, you might say, and courtesans are always given lots of latitude in their private lives.” Tink turned from the window long enough to wrinkle her nose good-naturedly.

“You seem to grasp the realities of modern China very well, Mr. Pike,” Shan said.

“I left the army for a higher calling with the American government. They sent me to Beijing for two years. Then later I spent a year in Shanghai, in private security, you might say.”

“I don’t imagine you would make a good paper pusher.”

“Someone tried to make me one a long time ago. Didn’t work out. Bureaucrats have to obsess over every little detail. I just spend my life on the important things,” Pike added with a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

“Was your daughter engaged in something illegal, Mr. Pike? Or just something important?”

“I just met you, Shan. And I’ve never met a man from Beijing I could trust.”

“Five years in hard labor scoured Beijing from my soul. I am from Tibet.”

“But I have never met an investigator anywhere in China who was interested in truly investigating and damned few who could even accomplish what I would call a true investigation.”

“I was sent to prison for truly investigating.”

When Pike just fixed him with another of his intense, stabbing stares, Shan added, “Spoken like someone with experience in law enforcement.”

“A dozen years with the FBI, including in Beijing. Didn’t suit my temperament, but gave me perspective, you might say. I quit, became a professor.”

“And here you are, hiding with a sex worker in the black hole of Lhasa.”

“Careful how you speak about Tink. Only a dancer and masseuse, nothing more. And all work is great if greatly pursued. I tend to think of her more as someone of diverse skills and interests, kind of a Renaissance woman.”

Shan looked at his watch. “I have to go.”

“I’m not convinced I can let you.”

“I’ll be missed.”

“Somehow I suspect that Jamalinka is the last place anyone would look for you.”