When Berman came to fetch Pia, she was sitting on her bed, reading. There was also a night table with a small lamp. Berman had acceded to Pia’s request and got her a better room with a proper toilet. There was a single, small leaded-glass window less than a foot square high on one wall. When Pia had brought over the night table and had stood on it, she’d been able to see green trees and pastures. Best of all the window afforded Pia a chance to adjust her diurnal schedule. She now knew when it was day and when it was night. The shackles were gone but there was still a stout locked door and a twenty-four-hour guard stationed outside. Berman had found some old paperbacks for her to read, and he had made sure she was allowed to walk around the garden for an hour a day on a leash like a dog with the guard following her around. Carrots and sticks, thought Berman.

Pia felt strong and was coiled like a watch spring ready to unravel. But she maintained a cool and slightly pathetic demeanor and hoped that what Berman felt as concern for her well-being would not morph back to the lechery she knew he was capable of.

Berman sat down next to Pia. She stiffened as he placed a hand on her knee.

“How are you feeling?”

“I feel great,” said Pia sarcastically.

“You do have the books I gave you, and a bathroom. And you’re looking better. Much better.”

“I’m just about ready for the runway at the fashion show.” She was wearing a simple black T-shirt and black shorts with which she’d been provided.

Berman’s hand traveled up Pia’s thigh and she brushed it off.

“You don’t want to go there,” Pia said. “So please take your goddamned hand off my leg, you pervert.” Pia looked daggers at Berman, but he pressed his leg harder against hers. Pia squirmed and batted at Berman with her good hand. She restrained herself from giving him a sharp martial arts–style chop on the side of his neck with her good hand that might have brought him to his knees. The trouble was she thought it probably would also put her back in the basement. “Is this your new way of trying to talk me around? Well, forget it. It’s not going to work.”

Berman’s hand was on her thigh again, rising higher. Pia again slapped it away.

“Just leave me alone,” Pia yelled at the top of her lungs. The sudden, unexpected scream startled Berman, and he stood up.

“Okay, okay. That got my attention. I was just teasing you to see how you would react.”

“Well, now you know.”

“Actually I came here to tell you I have arranged a little treat. You and I will be taking dinner together in the kitchen.”