‘And how many of the pharms are doing actual legitimate research, as opposed to just synthesizing illicit drugs?’ asked Saul.

Hsingyun smiled enigmatically. ‘We all need to make a profit to survive, Mr Lassen, whatever rules the Coalition may impose on us.’

Playing his part, Saul patted the briefcase next to his knee and grinned. ‘Couldn’t agree more.’

Hsingyun nodded. ‘Money is the only thing that matters, whatever world you’re on. If you don’t know that, you’re just one of the sheep. Which reminds me.’

He dipped one hand into a pocket.

Saul tensed, but Hsingyun withdrew only a slim roll of pale yellow paper, pulling it open to reveal several tiny powder-blue balls individually wrapped in cellophane, each one stamped with a minuscule portrait of a wolf howling under a full moon. Hsingyun next reached into another pocket and withdrew an inhaler-like device, loading three of the balls of loup-garou into its chamber.

Saul felt as if a yawning chasm had opened up inside his gut.

‘A little confidence boost always helps, yes?’ Hsingyun enquired, glancing between his two companions.

Saul watched dry-mouthed as Jacob took the first hit. The stuff was favoured by street gangs back home, and by Mexical hijacking crews in particular. There were stories that it had achieved near-religious significance amongst the death squads roaming the Russian wastelands. Loup-garou wildly boosted aggressiveness, while reducing the controlling influence of the super ego. It didn’t exactly make you grow fur or sprout fangs, but the feeling it gave you was close enough.

Jacob’s head jerked back as he fired the sweet-smelling smoke down his throat, then laughed as the drug punched its way through the soft tissues of his lungs and into his bloodstream. A thin wisp of smoke curled out of one nostril.

Hsingyun was next, inhaling sharply. Saul knew that, when his own turn came, he had a perfectly good excuse for not indulging. He could tell Hsingyun he wanted to keep his head clear, particularly if they were expecting to engage in serious business. But, as Jacob’s new friend passed him the inhaler, Saul found that all he could really think about was just how good it had felt the last time he’d taken a hit, and wasn’t it a damn shame he’d left it for so long.

He pressed the inhaler against his lips and clicked the igniter button. The acrid smell of burning plastic filled his nostrils, and a moment later smoke tasting faintly of peppermint and ash plunged its way through his lungs.

Saul breathed in deeply. Already he felt sharper, more alert, more in control. His tongue and the back of his throat tingled as he passed the inhaler back over, feeling now like he could handle anything the night could throw at him. He watched with detached amusement as Jacob tipped his head back and howled at the ceiling. Hsingyun laughed in response.