“Maybe a single glass of wine, thank you. I don’t want a repeat of what happened last time I was here.”

“Yes, you’re right. But I will have a proper drink just the same. I have a lot to celebrate, but believe me, there’s not going to be a repeat.”

“What are you celebrating?” said Pia, but Berman had retreated into the kitchen to fix the drinks. Pia breathed deeply in and out. She needed to keep her nerve. Berman returned with a glass of what looked liked neat scotch and a glass of white wine. Tucked under his arm was the white wine bottle wrapped in a cloth napkin.

“This okay? It’s a Pinot Grigio. I rather like it, although I don’t drink a lot of wine, except with meals. Will it do?”

Pia nodded and took the glass. She intended to drink very little, so it didn’t matter what it was.

Berman directed Pia to one of the living room’s oversized couches. He took a neighboring matching club chair.

Pia shifted the camera around so that it was by her side. The strap was still over her shoulder. She wondered how she was going to get around to taking pictures of the man.

“So you say you can’t get into your lab. Well, I understood you were asked to wait for a medical evaluation.”

“Mariel called me while I was still in the hospital and told me not to come back to Nano until I was fully recuperated, which I believe, for all intents and purposes, I am even if I still have a cast and a sling. By the way, I heard you came to visit me in the hospital, and Jason Rodriguez came one time as well. Thank you. But you didn’t return, and nor did Jason.”

“I’ve been doing a lot of business travel lately. Funding issues are coming to a head, and I’ve been away far more than I’ve been here. I checked that you were doing well. If there had been any complications, I would have been there.”

“As far as my medical bills are concerned, they have all been paid, or so I’ve been told, and I have to assume that is Nano’s doing. This past Wednesday I tried to go back to my lab just to check things out, but I couldn’t get in. My clearance had been ‘revoked,’ according to security. It was after that incident that I came looking for you here. I was a good employee. I am a good employee, and I think I deserve better treatment.”

“I’m sure you do, Pia,” said Berman. His face was noncommittal.

“You’re sure I deserve better treatment, or you’re sure I think I do? Which is it, because there’s a big difference.”