“We are resolving it,” said Berman to Jimmy. “I am resolving it. We have plenty of time.”

“Plenty of time for what?” said Pia.

“For us to prove that you and I can work together, Pia. Your scientific promise will be invaluable to Nano as we move into our next stage. I know you realize that in your heart of hearts. Perhaps you just haven’t admitted it to yourself.”

Berman smiled at Pia and she looked back at him. What Jimmy saw in that moment of time spoke volumes to him. She was a beautiful woman, in that Berman was not deluding himself, but there was a hardness there that went beyond tenacity of purpose that Berman clearly hadn’t accounted for properly. Berman could only see the woman and overlooked the tigress.

“Well, we shall see. Mr. Berman, I wanted to let you know that we are going to watch some competition tomorrow, at the Olympic Stadium.”

“We?” said Berman.

“You and Miss Jones and me. Miss Grazdani will have to stay here, I’m afraid. But you and I are going to have a fascinating day, I can promise you. We’re going to travel by boat—the river is the only way to travel, with traffic the way it has been the last few days. The athletics competition is starting. It’s going to be fun. We’re leaving at eight.”

“I had some plans for my day here, but if that is what you wish.”

“It is.”

“I don’t have any plans,” said Pia, looking at Jimmy. “Why don’t you bring me along? It can be a party.”

Jimmy smiled even more broadly at Pia. He could tell that she was a remarkable woman in many respects, and dangerous. “Enjoy your dinner.”

“Why don’t you stay and eat with us,” said Pia. “I would enjoy it.”

“Miss Grazdani,” he said simply, and left the room.

“So who is he, Berman?” said Pia after a pause. “Your money guy? Your liaison with the Chinese government? The guy who sends you the future cadavers from Chinese jails? His English is perfect, by the way—is he Chinese American?”

Berman didn’t answer. The room might be wired; the guard might speak English—probably both.

“Let me check on the trout,” Berman said.

•   •   •

JIMMY YAN WENT BACK to his room on the third floor of the vicarage. He had confirmed what he thought about Pia, which meant tomorrow would be an even busier day than he’d already had planned. On his cell phone he made the first of a number of calls, he needed to make.

“Hello, yes, it’s me. The plan we talked about, we need to execute it tomorrow. But the timing is crucial. I’ll call you later with the exact schedule.”

Chapter 63

63.

OXFORD CIRCUS UNDERGROUND STATION, LONDON, U.K.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013, 7:54 A.M. BST