“Hard to believe it’s been ten years,” Nimec said.

“To the day,” Gordian said.

Another pause.

“Still,” Nimec said. “I’ve got a pretty fair idea what that car must have set you back. . . .”

“I can afford it.”

“That isn’t the point. . . .”

“Would you have preferred something more conventional? Say, a jeweled tie clip and cuff link set? You’ve never seemed one for dressing up.”

“I’m security chief,” Nimec said. “You hired me to manage the protection of our employees and corporate facilities. And I do it the best way I know how.” He shrugged. “I wouldn’t deserve the job if I gave less.”

“Enough,” Gordian said. “There aren’t many companies engaged in the sort of high-risk ventures UpLink International tackles. I could mention a dozen offhand that would pay whatever salary you demand, without requiring that you be on standby to zip off around the world in a flash. We both know why you’re here. Why you stay. So ease up and enjoy the car. I was thinking it would complement the old Wurlitzer jukebox and soda bar in that ratty pool hall of yours.”

Nimec raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t realize you’d heard about it.”

“Murmurs and whispers,” Gordian said. “I’d be glad to see it sometime. Test my skill at Fourteen-one Continuous.”

Nimec gave his surprise a chance to wane.

“You’re on,” he said.

Gordian nodded, his face becoming serious. He took a slow, deep breath that worked as a kind of unintentional segue.

“Now,” he said. “We need to talk about Antarctica.”

“Yeah,” Nimec said.

Gordian hesitated. He glanced down at the picture frame again, then back at Nimec.

“The missing search team,” he said. “Do you know any of its members?”

Nimec shook his head. “I’ve read their personnel files. That’s about it.”

“I’ve met them all at one time or another,” Gordian said. “My association with Dave Payton and Shevaun Bradley has been strictly in connection with the rover project. They’re top people in their field. And they’re our people.”