Inside the box, it was pandemonium. Amid the din, the men around him clapped each other on the back. They were delirious.

Feeling like the odd man out, Berman went back and used the facilities. The suite had a small powder room in the rear. After using the toilet, he flushed it, then stared at himself in the mirror. He knew he had drunk too much, but his mind was functioning fine. What was bothering him was the way the woman won the race. It had seemed too staged, too planned, too improbable considering the level of competition involving several preeminent athletes, including the holder of the world record. Something didn’t feel right. Berman washed his hands absentmindedly, then returned to the box.

“What’s the matter?”

It was Jimmy, who had come up behind Berman, a hand clamped a little too hard on his shoulder.

“You tell me, Jimmy. There’s something about the way that woman won the race.”

“Come with me, and we can talk about it.”

“Why can’t you tell me here?” asked Berman.

“Come with me,” said Jimmy. “I have to insist.”

Chapter 64

64.

OLYMPIC STADIUM, LONDON, U.K.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013, 10:00 P.M.

Two of Jimmy’s security men walked Berman to a small conference room at the back of the large suite across from the powder room. Berman was surprised to see that Whitney Jones was already seated at the table with another guard at her back. On the table in front of her were two powered up computers. There were several other Chinese men at the table in business suits. Each had their own laptop in front of them.

Jimmy closed the door behind him and bid Zachary Berman to sit down next to Whitney. When he didn’t, the two guards forced him into a chair.

“Get your hands off me!” Berman yelled. His voice was thick from drink.

“Relax, Zachary. I realize I owe you an explanation,” said Jimmy.

“You sure do.” Berman was steamed, especially since he had been manhandled by Jimmy Yan’s security. Jimmy was his friend; they were business partners, and Berman didn’t appreciate being touched. The whole day had taken an ugly turn.

“Zachary, I assure you that nothing has changed in our relationship.”

“You could have fooled me. What was going on out there? If I didn’t know better, I would say that the winner was running with respirocytes in her system, and you say nothing has changed? The only place in the world where respirocytes are made is Nano.”

“I said nothing has changed. Well, maybe the timetable we’re on has been altered slightly.”

“What does that mean? And who was that woman? I swear I never saw her before in my life.”

“She is China’s new heroine and world champion. She deserves to be congratulated. And you should be congratulated, too, Zachary. And you, Miss Jones.”

“What does her victory have to do with me?” said Berman.