"Good evening," he said in a soft voice. "I hope you're enjoying yourselves. I am your host."

Julia froze as she looked up into the smiling face of Qin Shang. He looked nothing like what she imagined. She did not envision him as tall and stout. The face was not that of a cruel, cold-blooded murderer with vast power. There was no hint of authority behind the friendly tone, and yet she could sense an underlying coldness. He stood immaculate in a beautifully cut tuxedo embroidered with golden tigers.

"Yes, thank you," said Julia, barely able to remain polite, "It truly is a magnificent affair."

Pitt rose to his feet slowly in a conscious effort not to appear patronizing. "May I present Ms. Julia Lee."

"And you, sir?" asked Qin Shang.

"My name is Dirk Pitt."

There it was. No skyrockets, no drumroll. The guy has style, Pitt had to give him that. The smile remained fixed. If there was surprise at finding Pitt alive and breathing, Qin Shang didn't show it. The only detectable response was a slight shift of the eyes. For long moments jade-green eyes locked with opaline-green, neither man willing to break off. Pitt knew damned well it was stupid and saw no purpose in the staredown other than egotistical satisfaction by the winner. Gradually, his gaze lifted to Qin Shang's eyebrows, then forehead, lingered and moved to the hair. Then Pitt's eyes widened a fraction as if he found something, and his lips broke into a slight grin.

The ruse worked. Qin Shang's concentration was broken. He involuntarily raised his eyeballs to look upward. "May I ask what you find so amusing, Mr. Pitt?"

"I was just wondering who your hairstylist was," Pitt answered innocently.

"She is a Chinese lady who attends me once a day. I'd give you her name, but she is in my private employ."

"I envy you. My barber is a mad Hungarian with palsy."

There came a brief icy stare.

"The photo of you in your dossier does not do you justice."

"I applaud a man who does his homework."

"May I have a word with you in private, Mr. Pitt?"

Pitt nodded toward Julia. "Only if Ms. Lee is present."

"I'm afraid our conversation may not be of interest to the lovely lady."

Pitt realized that Qin Shang did not know Julia's credentials. "On the contrary. Rude of me not to mention that Ms. Lee is an agent with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. She was also a passenger on one of your cattle boats and had the misfortune of enjoying your hospitality at Orion Lake. You are familiar, I trust, with Orion Lake. It's in the state of Washington."

For an instant there was a red glare in the jade eyes, and then it was just as quickly extinguished. Qin Shang remained as impenetrable as marble. His voice came even and calm. "If you both will please follow me." He turned and strode away, knowing unquestionably Pitt and Julia would trail in his wake.