He stared at her, like he couldn’t believe she was actually there, in his kitchen.

“You sent us the vial,” he said.

“And I hope your scientists are working on it,” she said. “Because it’s the real deal.”

“I know it is,” Roth said.

Tatyana looked at the wine on the counter.

“How rude of me,” he said, getting her a glass.

He handed it to her and led her into the living room. The room was very elegant, everything classic, everything tasteful. It was clear he’d used a decorator.

He flipped a switch and a gas fireplace came to life.

“Please, sit,” he said.

She took the couch and he sat on a leather armchair facing her.

“This is a very nice house,” she said.

“Thank you.”

“You have good taste.”

“I keep to the basics.”

She looked around. “It can’t have been cheap,” she said, running her hand along the leather arm of the sofa.

He smiled. “I know what you’re thinking.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“My father bought it.”

“Fair enough,” she said.

Roth looked around. “He always thought a house like this would buy him acceptance.”

“And he was wrong?”

Roth nodded. “But enough about that. What about you?”

“What about me?” she said, sipping her wine.

“You took an awfully big risk trying to reach Lance Spector.”

“Yes I did.”

“And it cost you dearly.”

“Yes it did.”

“It almost cost you your life,” he said.

“I’ll recover.”

“Your own side is after you.”

“Yes they are.”

“Why didn’t you come in to us sooner? We could have helped you.”

“Because you, Mr. Roth, have a leak.”

Roth looked at her.

“That wasn’t from our side,” he said. “You were followed to the meet with Laurel.”

“I’m not talking about the meet with Laurel.”

Roth shifted in his seat uncomfortably.

“This isn’t a trap, Roth. You know you have a leak. I know you have a leak. Your four dead assets know you have a leak.”

Roth was very uncomfortable now.

“How do you know all of this?”

“The question isn’t how I know. The question is, how did it happen?”

“And you’re going to help me find out?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Why?”

“Because your leak almost got me killed, Mr. Roth.”

Roth nodded. That was true.

“We thought you were dead,” he said.

Tatyana shrugged.

“You fell in front of a moving train.”

“I was lucky,” she said.

Roth saw that her glass was empty. He drained his and stood up. “A refill?” he said.