The Commissioner smiled, and there was genuine affection in it. “A very great man,” he said. “He suffered more than most, you know, during the Smashing of the Four Olds.”

“I know.” Li nodded. He had heard it all before.

“He was my inspiration when the Cultural Revolution ended. There was no bitterness in him, you see. After everything that happened, Old Yifu would only look forward. ‘No use worrying over the might-have-beens,’ he used to say to me. ‘It is a happy thing to have a broken mirror reshaped.’ It was the spirit of men like your uncle that put this country back on the rails.”

Li smiled his dutiful agreement and felt a sudden foreboding creep over him.

“Unfortunately, it makes it very difficult,” said the Commissioner. “For you—and us. You understand, of course, it is the policy of the Party to discourage nepotism in all its insidious forms.”

And Li knew then that he hadn’t got the job. He loved his Uncle Yifu dearly. He was the kindest, fairest, wisest man he knew. But he was also a legend in the Beijing police. Even five years after his retirement. And legends cast long shadows.

“It is incumbent upon you to be better than the rest, and for us to examine your record more critically.” The Commissioner sat back and took in a long, slow breath through his nose. “Just as well we are both good at our jobs, eh?” A twinkle in his eye. “As of 8 a.m. tomorrow you are promoted to the rank of Senior Supervisor, Class Three, and to the position of Deputy Section Chief, Section One.” A broad smile split his face suddenly and he rose to his feet, extending an arm towards the bewildered Li. “Congratulations.”

III

The car sat idling in the somnolent shade of a tree just inside the rear entrance to police headquarters, across the compound from the door of the redbrick building that Supervisor Li had passed through more than fifteen minutes earlier.

“That Mistah Wade now.”

If Margaret had lapsed into gentle snoring in the back seat Lily gave no sign of having heard it. She leaned across and unlocked the door. Bob Wade slipped in beside Margaret. He was incredibly tall and skinny and seemed to have to fold himself up to fit in the car.

“Hey, you guys, I’m really sorry to keep you waiting.” He pumped Margaret’s hand enthusiastically. “Hi. You must be Dr. Campbell.”

“Margaret,” she said.

“Okay, Margaret. Bob Wade. Jeez, it’s hot out there.” He took a grubby-looking handkerchief and wiped away the beads of sweat forming across a high, receding forehead. “Lily looking after you okay?”

“Sure.” Margaret nodded slowly. “Lily’s a real gem.”

Lily flicked her a look, and Bob was not slow to detect Margaret’s tone. He leaned forward to the driver. “How about we hot-tail it to the university, Shimei? We’re running a bit behind schedule.”