Nazari placed the pen into his coat pocket. “What else?”

“We have to go over your script for the evening.”

“Script?”

“I have no wish to interrogate Alexei Rozanov. Therefore, I’ll need you to do it for me. Politely, of course.”

“What are you looking for?”

“Quinn,” said Gabriel.

Nazari was silent. Gabriel held up a single sheet of paper.

“Memorize the questions, make them your own. But be sure to use a light touch. If you sound like a prosecuting attorney, Alexei will be suspicious.”

Gabriel offered the questions to Nazari. “Touch a match to it when you’re finished tonight. We’ll give you a refresher during the flight to Hamburg if you need one.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’m a professional, Allon. Like you.”

Nazari accepted the list.

“What language will you be speaking?” asked Gabriel.

“He made the reservation under the name Alexei Romanov, so I assume it will be Russian.”

“No winking or little hand signals,” said Gabriel. “And don’t try to slip him something under the table. We’ll have eyes on you the entire time. Don’t give me a reason to kill you. It won’t take much.”

“What happens after dinner?”

“That depends on how well you do your job.”

“You’re going to kill him, yes?”

“I’d worry about myself if I were you.”

“I am.” Nazari fell silent. “If you kill Alexei in Hamburg tomorrow night,” he said after a moment, “the Russians will suspect my involvement. And then they’ll kill me.”

“Then I suggest you lock yourself in a secure room in Tehran and never come out again.” Gabriel smiled. “Look on the bright side, Reza. You get to keep your family and your life, not to mention the two million in blood money the SVR stashed in Geneva for you. All in all, I’d say you made out quite well.”

Gabriel rose to his feet. Reza Nazari did the same and extended his hand, but Gabriel only stared at it in anger.

“Be a good boy and do your homework. Because if you blow your lines in Hamburg tomorrow night, I’m going to personally blow your brains out.” Gabriel wrapped his hand around Nazari’s and squeezed until he could feel the bones beginning to crack. “Welcome to the new world order, Reza.”