“I disagree where any public figures are concerned,” he said. “But could this wait until I bring you some food?”

She lowered her tone. “I’ve been caught in some global political intrigue. How do I fit—or not—into the scheme of things?”

He stepped back and sat down on the couch. Nola sat at the other end. Her tailbone registered the hardness of upholstered foam rubber on a board. She placed Lulu between her and Daniel and let Lulu clutch her finger.

“There are two schools of thought about the strategies the U.S. must deploy toward China,” Daniel said. “‘Engagement’ holds that the more channels of communication are open between the two nations, the more it is inevitable that China will transform from a totalitarian state to a democracy. ‘Containment’ maintains that China is a dangerous, ambitious nation that must be isolated. This is not just an academic debate; behind these philosophies lie forces that shape people’s lives.”

“I take it that my concert tour is part of ‘engagement.’ ”

“The icon you.” He nodded. “Engagement is the U.S.’s official policy. Sixty thousand Chinese students in U.S. universities learn firsthand about freedom and democracy. High-tech factories here are built and managed by Western firms. And yes, China’s cultural wall is being cracked by Western pop culture—be it jeans or music.”

Lulu made little sucking pops as she chomped a pacifier. “That’s more or less what Ashford says,” Nola said.

“He would.” Daniel's hand stroked Lulu's leg. It dawned on Nola that had Daniel's fiancée lived, their baby would have been only a couple of months older than Lulu.

She swallowed. She wished he didn’t captivate her so easily. “Go on. I can’t believe how obtuse I’ve been.”

“The engagement idea is to help build China’s economy because when we look around the globe, we see that strong economies are democratic in nature, and democracies are less likely to declare wars on other countries.” He smiled. “Now that I’ve convinced you of this view, let me tell you that I do not share it.”

“I figured that much from your article,” she said. Touching Daniel's soul meant she must grasp the essence of his political work. New lyrics flickered in her head. Let me touch the places where you hurt, and I’ll be the woman that you need me to be.

“China sees democracy as a weak form of government,” he went on. “Their astounding success in influencing top U.S. politicians—including financing the re-election of a president—and the ease with which they have infiltrated both open American scientific institutes and closed military installations are proof that democracy is a failure.”