“Oh, Pia. Nothing’s happening at Nano that isn’t happening at the top nanotechnology research facilities all around the world. It would be naive to think otherwise. We’re all pushing the envelope. What’s different is that we have a small jump on the competition because of our lead in molecular manufacturing. We’ve been able to move from theory to reality with nanorobots. But we have to be discreet, as I said, because the competition could catch up to us in a heartbeat. We have tried to patent our breakthroughs with molecular manufacturing, but it is difficult. It is based on the way ribosomes of living cells function, which the good Lord has ingeniously devised. As it is in the public realm, we can’t totally protect it, although we have certainly tried.”

“I’m sorry, but I need to know more. I need to be sure these people are not being abused.”

“Oh, Pia!” Berman repeated, as if talking to a child. “No one is being abused, trust me. Everything is totally voluntary. We rely on employing talented people who are content to work in their area and not concern themselves with . . . other matters. We call it compartmentalization. There are only a very few who know everything. As I said, I want to keep you around, but if you feel you need to know what’s going on behind every door in the whole place, I don’t think it’s going to work. We’ll come to an agreement on a settlement of your contract, a very generous settlement. Of course there will be some restrictions on your being able to work for another nanotechnology company for a reasonable period of time. You don’t know everything going on at Nano, but you know enough about our most important project. Leaving Nano will give you a chance to finish your medical training somewhere else.”

Berman took a healthy draft of his scotch, finishing the glass. It was his first of the day, so he wasn’t concerned. He played his hand pretty much the same way with Whitney way back when, and now it was time for what he had said to sink into Pia’s brain.