“Okay, Pia.” Berman leaned forward in his leather chair. “Of course you deserve better, but Nano demands the highest standards of discretion from its employees, as we made clear on many occasions. Security is our biggest concern here at Nano, as it is in all nanotechnology companies. Competition is fierce, as you know. Billions of dollars are at stake. We are averse to publicity, particularly negative publicity, on all accounts.”

“When was I not discreet?”

“When you went with that ER doctor after the van from Nano containing the cyclist. To do what, I have no idea, but it is obvious you had in mind to intercept it.”

“Ah, so you did know where we were going.” Pia’s tone had risen. Berman seemed to be admitting something important. Had she been under surveillance?

“I didn’t say that we knew. But you admit you were chasing after Nano employees going about Nano business that had nothing to do with you or the Boulder Memorial Hospital. We pieced together what happened after the accident. The radio conversations with the EMTs in the ambulance, the phone call to you from Dr. Caldwell from the Memorial’s ER . . .”

“How did you know the ER doctor and I were trying to intercept the van with the cyclist?”

“. . . the story you and your doctor friend are trying to concoct about Nano’s involvement in causing your accident. Good grief, woman!”

Pia stopped trying to talk above Berman.

“You haven’t exactly been discreet, have you?” he said.

“You’re admitting to a lot of things here . . .” said Pia. Berman was being transparent, and Pia found it hard to know how to respond. She expected more lies and evasions.

“I’m admitting to nothing. Someone overheard Dr. Caldwell call you from the ER. Your statement to the Boulder police about the accident is in the public record as well as his. You later accosted a Nano employee in the parking lot who had been warned not to talk with you . . .”

“I talked to Jason Rodriguez. He was my colleague. And I thought he was my friend, but obviously I was mistaken.”

“Pia, I am the best friend you have right now, believe me. Mariel Spallek wanted to—”

“Wanted to what?”

“Pia, please calm down. And sit down.” Pia had gotten up from the couch and was pacing around the room, furious with Berman’s calm and calculated indictments. The camera was dangling from its strap over her shoulder, forgotten.

“Listen. Look at it from my point of view, from Nano’s point of view. All of this behavior I have just outlined, which started, by the way, because of your unfortunate discovery of a Nano jogger who had been in momentary distress.”

“Momentary distress! The man was in cardiac arrest when I came upon him.”