“It would be very interesting to get some follow-up. Since he’s somehow associated with Nano, do you think you could ask about him? Do you think he works there?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea,” Pia said. “He didn’t strike me as a scientist, for some reason. But my boss said he was a representative of the Chinese government, whatever that meant.”

“That woman is your boss?”

“I’m afraid so,” Pia admitted. “Actually my direct boss. I have to work with her every day.”

“My sympathies,” Paul said.

“Actually, she’s not that bad. Professionally, she’s very good at what she does. She’s trained as a molecular biologist and oversees most of Nano’s bio-research. She’s very helpful with my research.”

“I’m glad she’s not my boss,” Paul said, making an exaggerated expression of disgust. “She’s so bitchy. And that hairdo . . .”

Pia couldn’t help but reflect on Paul’s choice of an adjective to describe Mariel. Accurate as it was, it seemed somehow out of place.

“If you can find out anything about him, I’d appreciate hearing,” Paul said.

Pia finished her sandwich, and Paul could see she was lost in thought again.

“Let me drive you back to work,” said Paul. “It’s the least I could do, after all your help.”

“Oh, no,” said Pia, “I’ll get a cab. Really!”

“No, I insist. I’m part of a large group of ER docs contracted to run the Memorial’s ER. I called one of my colleagues to come in early. I’m off at three anyway, but I was going to go up to see the president, Noakes, and tell him what a spineless buffoon I think he is. The way he handled that situation was inappropriate, to say the very least.”

“That doesn’t sound like a good idea,” said Pia.

“No, it isn’t, so you’d be doing me a favor by saving me from my foolish self.”

Paul slid a business card across the table to Pia. “I want to stay in touch in case you find out anything about the Chinese runner. And I’ll let you know if there is any fallout here at the hospital. Do you have a card? I suppose you don’t, given that you were out for a jog. Give me your cell number, and I’ll put it straight in my phone.”

Pia stood up and took the card. “It’s okay, Paul, I know where to reach you.”

Paul winced inwardly. He knew Pia thought he was being pushy, and he was, a little, but not for the reasons she probably thought. He liked Pia’s detached calm, and he sensed they shared a lot of the same interests, which he couldn’t say for a lot of people. And she was so damned gorgeous. At least Pia had taken the card.