“Nothing much. Just gave her something to help her sleep a little better. She’ll wake up tomorrow unaware we were here at all—unless you and I can’t come to an agreement tonight. Then she’ll likely wake up to a mess.”

“Please, don’t hurt my family. I’ll talk. Whatever you want.”

“Good. I appreciate that.”

Nir turned to see Imri walking back in through the bedroom door. He’d holstered his gun and was carrying two chairs from the breakfast nook. He set them in the middle of the floor facing each other.

“Please, sit,” Nir said, holstering his own gun, then sitting on one of the chairs. Without turning to look, he knew Imri’s weapon was back in his hand.

Lindner slipped from under the blanket. The only clothing on his “dad bod” was a white pair of briefs. He bent down to retrieve a T-shirt and shorts from the floor, but Nir stopped him.

“Those won’t be necessary. We won’t be here long.”

The man’s hand lingered mid-reach, and Nir knew this moment would determine the direction of the encounter. If Lindner defiantly continued his grab for his clothing, then whether the activities of the night would remain verbal or become physical would be up in the air.

With a sigh, Lindner pulled back his hand, then walked to the chair and sat down.

“Now, you asked me who I am. I represent a nation whose millions of citizens are at risk of annihilation due to your work.”

The physicist looked confused. He stammered, “I-I don’t know what it is you think I do. I am a consultant for TAPROGGE, a cleantech energy consultant. I have been on an extended contract in the Middle East…mostly in Iran and the Gulf States. I promise. That’s all I do.”

“So you don’t work with centrifuges?”

“What? No!”

“And your office is not in Karaj?”

The confidence in the doctor’s voice seemed to be building. “Certainly not. I have been there, of course, as part of my job with TAPROGGE. But that had nothing to do with centrifuge production.”

“So I’m completely mistaken?”

“I’m sorry. It’s true.”

Nir threw up his hands. “It is I, then, who must apologize to you. Here we have broken into your rental condo. Injected your wife with a narcotic. Threatened you with a handgun. And it was all based on faulty information.” Nir shook his head. “I must tell you, I am so embarrassed.”

The doctor gave a weak smile. “It is really no problem. I promise to tell no one that you were here.”

“That is a relief.” Nir prepared to stand. “Well, my friend and I should go. But before we do, may I ask you one more question?”

“Of course. Ask whatever you want.”

“Do you think they’ll call him Dad?”

Dr. Lindner looked confused. “Will who call who Dad?”