“The prosecution file was handled by Public Security, the most advanced investigative service in the world. Other suspects were reviewed. There was insufficient evidence to pursue anyone else.”

“Then I will have to admit to the Colonel that I am wasting my time. But I did want to ask you something. Why did you take the Ice Ball Alley road that day when you brought prisoners into Lhadrung?”

Huan frowned. “The damned Tibetan driver. It was a long, boring drive from Larung Gar. He said we could cut hours off our journey by taking the old road.” The lieutenant moved back to the door and locked it, then stepped to a chair with a stack of files in front of it. “None of that explains why you were at the university dig today.”

Shan weighed his words. Here was a link he had not foreseen. The dead professor’s deputy and Huan were communicating with each other. “Surely the acting director at the dig told you I was escorting a grieving father who sought the comfort of experiencing his daughter’s final days.”

“A grieving father who had no connection to you or Lhadrung County.”

“I met him in connection with the incident on the train. I speak English. He had suffered a terrible loss. It seemed to be the compassionate thing to do.”

An icy grin rose on Huan’s thin face. He sat and opened one of the files. “The incident on the train is being investigated by my office and the Lhasa police as a possible homicide. Your American Cato Pike is a prime suspect.”

A cold lump formed in Shan’s gut. “What happened on that train is under military jurisdiction.”

“The victim was found in the military’s compartment, yes. But he was a civilian. There is a protocol. All crimes discovered on the Lhasa train are the responsibility of the Lhasa authorities. I have witnesses who say the American visibly disturbed the victim, that he followed him, some say chased him, toward the back of the train. That was outside the military compartment. Assault with intent to commit a felony is a serious charge in itself. The medical report indicates the American struck him, another felony.”

Shan had not seen the report and had very expressly ordered the train doctor to send the report only to Tan’s office. Huan had intercepted it. “Like I said, call Colonel Tan. He will correct any misunderstanding.”

“If you were found to be protecting, even aiding the suspect, then you too are guilty of a crime, comrade, a crime clearly in my jurisdiction.”

“So this is why you sent someone to Yangkar to find me,” Shan stated. “Was she going to interrogate me herself or just drag me back to Lhasa?”