Jimmy shrugged. Berman knew Pia meant nothing to Jimmy. But while the deal was in the balance, she could remain as his guest. The marathon wasn’t for another two weeks, so there was ample time for Berman to wear her down. He’d never failed before.

Now, many hours after lunch, with more sightseeing and an endless dinner, Berman was calling it a night,

“As you wish,” said Jimmy. “The car is outside if you want to go back. My friend and I were discussing Chinese agricultural policy. Seriously. I’ll come back later.”

Jimmy turned back to his new companion. Good for you, thought Berman, but I’m done. He wondered how much of what he was feeling was because of Pia or if it was because it was half past two in the morning. Berman had a sense that his feelings for Pia were not just carnal, otherwise he would have made sure he could possess her as soon as they had reached the vicarage. He wanted her recognition that he was a pioneer and that they could build this company together, with Berman at the helm and talented scientists like her alongside. The Chinese phase would be over soon, and there would be no more need for clandestine experimentation. It had been necessary to jump-start the program, to get the capital funding, but now everything was going to be aboveboard. Pia could take the NIH on a tour of Nano herself if that would placate her.

A new rhythm thudded its way into Berman’s head as the disc jockey started a new set. Berman could see that Jimmy wasn’t about to leave anytime soon, so he got up from the leather couch, thanked the man for the enjoyable day, and made his way through the crowd of pretty people toward the exit.

Chapter 57

57.

PAUL CALDWELL’S APARTMENT, BOULDER, COLORADO

THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013, 7:55 P.M. MST

Paul and George disagreed over whether they were likely to receive a visit from the police after their jaunt to Mariel Spallek’s home, and Paul took no pleasure in being proved correct. George had not dismissed Paul’s opinion out of hand, so the two men were able to agree on their story before Detective Samuels came around the evening following with a colleague he introduced as Detective Ibbotson. The four men got situated in Paul’s living room, with Paul and George on the couch and the two investigators on kitchen chairs facing them. The atmosphere was strained. Samuels started in.

“We can talk here, or we can talk more formally at the station tomorrow,” Samuels said. He was looking at Paul as the host, but George answered.

“We’re happy to talk here.”

“So where did you go after we talked yesterday?”

“We drove around, figuring what to do. I mean, we were worried about our friend and didn’t get much satisfaction from our visit to the police.”