Pia parked in the cobblestone turnaround at the base of the stairs leading up to the house, as she had done on both her previous visits. She put the camera strap over her shoulder and let the camera rest in the small of her back. She started up the stairs. As she topped the last step, the door opened, and Berman stood at the threshold. He was dressed surprisingly similar to her in jeans and a dark cowboy-style shirt with snaps instead of buttons. His feet were bare. His lips were pressed together in a self-satisfied smile.

“Well, well. Hello, stranger.”

“Hi.” Pia winced but gave Berman a coy wave with her free hand. She realized she was very nervous.

“You’re waving, that’s nice. It’s a different gesture from the one you gave me a few days ago.”

“What?” said Pia before she remembered that on her previous, unsuccessful visit she had flipped off the camera.

“Oh, yes. Sorry. I was frustrated. I was gesturing at the world in general rather than you in particular.”

“You were frustrated that I wasn’t here?”

“Well, yes,” said Pia. Berman was making it all about him, as usual, and Pia played along.

“There was a lot I wanted to talk to you about, and no one at Nano was returning my calls or emails, including you.”

“Whitney and Mariel thought it best,” said Berman. “But now you are here. Do you want to come in? As you said, we have unfinished business together.” He laughed before stepping aside to give Pia room. Pia sensed he winked at her, but it was out of the corner of her eye as he moved to the side. Was he that brazen?

“Yes, I would like to come in,” Pia said. “Thank you.” It was all she could do to keep from rolling her eyes at the possible wink, knowing he had a completely different take on what she meant by unfinished business. Did his BS actually work on women? “I know it’s late but I was up in the foothills taking photos of wildflowers.” She hefted the camera and stepped past him. “I was driving by and I just thought I’d see if your lights were on. Hope you don’t mind. I wanted to ask you why I can’t get into my lab.”

“Mind? I’m thrilled.” Berman closed the door behind Pia before he strode into the depths of his home.

Pia followed into the living room. She noticed that the door to the den was closed when she passed. Otherwise the place looked as it did the last time she’d been there. As it was with her own apartment and despite all the home’s accoutrements, in general it had a decidedly impersonal atmosphere except for the den.

“First, let me get you a drink,” said Berman, smiling. “I should be a good host.”