Jimmy Yan’s refusal to be rattled was comforting to Berman, but he knew his friend would have some explaining to do if he chose to mention these incidents to any of his superiors. Jimmy had alluded to the politicking that took place inside the Chinese government and had admitted that some individuals and factions disliked any arrangement with foreigners in the West, especially Americans. China could reach these technological goals on its own, it was argued. Yes, agreed Jimmy, of course China was capable of making such advances, but how long would it take? The opportunity was here, and they should seize it now with all the foreign reserves, particularly dollars, they were sitting on. And on top of that, they could get something else that they wanted almost as much: international athletic recognition to help make up for the loss of self-respect from having been subjected to centuries of abject colonialism by Western powers.

Berman turned his head away from the window and caught Whitney giving him the evil eye once again.

“Okay, okay! I screwed up,” said Berman. “What do you want me to say?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to, your face was doing the talking for you. I know what you are thinking: stupid Berman had to get involved with this woman. He couldn’t keep away from her like some besotted teenager. Okay, I’m a guy with a weakness for beautiful women. I don’t want to have to remind you of how you have personally benefited from my . . . interests.”

“Zachary, I promise, I didn’t say anything.”

“So you said,” said Berman. “Perhaps I need to talk it out for my own benefit. I’m confident Pia didn’t tell anyone about anything she found, except possibly the ER doctor. She didn’t have time. And if she had told the doctor, he would have rushed off to tell the police, which we know he hasn’t done. Right now, he’s sitting home in his apartment, and the only calls he’s made have been to Pia’s mobile phone. We know that for a fact. I predict he will go to work at three o’clock when he’s expected and only start taking action if he hasn’t heard from Pia when he gets off work, whatever ungodly time that might be.”

“You’re confident of that?”

“I am. You can’t raise an alarm because a grown woman hasn’t called you for a few hours. Can you imagine how flooded the switchboards would be? Even if it’s a whole day, the police aren’t going to do anything. And by then, we’ll be in Jimmy’s safe house.”

“I think you’re right,” said Whitney. “I know we’ll be fine.” She was placated to some extent, but there was one huge mistake Berman had made, to her mind. If they were speaking frankly, she would bring it up.