“Impossible. The man is perfectly fine, I’m happy to report, and back to full participation in his duties here at Nano. You were mistaken about his condition, I assure you. And you were specifically asked to forget about the incident. Obviously you didn’t take that advice. I’m sorry, Pia. Yes, you have been a good worker and have definitely contributed to Nano’s primary project as well as everything else that is being done to support it. But you haven’t been cooperative, especially with your outrageous suggestions that Nano had something to do with your unfortunate accident while recklessly speeding. And now, on top of all that, I have you on security tape, showing up at my home uninvited, making lewd gestures.”

“Oh, come on. That was purely out of frustration. Childish, maybe, but certainly understandable.”

“I’m not convinced everyone would find your behavior understandable. That doesn’t sound like much of a defense to me.”

Pia sat down, deflated, and bit her lip. What now? “So you told people not to call me back?”

“Mariel insisted that I terminate your employment, although she’s not really in a position to insist, but I preferred to leave a door open. I was going to request the medical letter that had been asked for, stating you had totally recovered, and then talk to you myself. But you’ve jumped the gun, and here we are.”

“And what were you going to talk to me about?”

“I thought we could have an adult conversation, man to woman.”

Berman winked and smiled again, reminding Pia what kind of an individual she was dealing with. She looked off, tempted to flee, but remained seated. He had said man to woman, not CEO to employee, which said it all.

“I had in mind a conversation like we are having now,” Berman continued after taking a sip of his drink. “What I am hoping is that you will see fit to change from a kind of dangerous maverick and security risk into a team player. Personally I’d like to keep you aboard.”

“What’s going on at Nano?” Pia blurted. “Who are these runners and cyclists who are falling down in the road and appear to be dead? Why can’t I get past those double doors on the fourth floor? That’s the adult conversation I want to have.”