“Anyway . . .” Bob stood up. “. . . time you met Professor Jiang. He’ll be waiting for you.”

Professor Jiang was a thickset man in his late fifties, who looked like he’d been scrubbed and freshly pressed for the meeting. He had a head of beautifully cut thick hair, greying in attractive streaks, and wore the rank-equivalent uniform of a Senior Commissioner. His dark-rimmed glasses seemed a little too large for his face. He rose expectantly as Bob ushered Margaret into the reception room. It was cool in here, blinds drawn to keep the sun at bay, two rows of soft low chairs facing each other across the room, even lower tables in front of each, bottles of chilled water placed before every chair. Also rising to greet them were a younger man in uniform, and a pretty girl in her early twenties wearing a plain cream dress. Bob made the introductions. First in Chinese, then in English.

“Margaret, this is Professor Jiang, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department—your department head.” They shook hands and exchanged formal smiles. “And his assistant, Mr. Cao Min. He’s a graduate of the university who’s been out there doing it in the real world for a while. A real-life detective.” Mr. Cao shook her hand solemnly. “And, uh, this is Veronica.” Bob chuckled. “Lots of Chinese girls like to give themselves English names. Come to think of it, I don’t believe I know what your real name is, Veronica.”

“Veronica do fine,” Veronica said, shaking Margaret’s hand and smiling sweetly. She was extraordinarily tiny, her childlike hand almost disappearing inside Margaret’s. “I translate for you.”

They all took their seats, Professor Jiang, Mr. Cao and Bob on one side of the room, Margaret facing them on the other. Veronica sat in neutral territory on a chair by the window. Margaret felt as if she were attending an interview, and sat with a strained smile on her face, waiting for whatever would happen next. After a moment, Professor Jiang composed himself, sat forward and began addressing Margaret directly in Chinese. She found it strangely disconcerting not being able to understand a word he said but being obliged, somehow, to maintain eye contact and listen with interest. Professor Jiang’s voice was very soft, its cadences almost hypnotic, and Margaret caught herself beginning to sway back and forth. She had a sudden, overpowering desire to sleep. She blinked hard. The professor spoke for what seemed like an eternity before finishing with a tiny smile and sitting back in anticipation of her response.

Margaret looked to Veronica for enlightenment. Veronica thought for a long time. Then she said, “Ah . . . Professor Jiang say he welcome you to the Chinese People’s University of Public Security. Very pleased to have you here.” Margaret waited for more, but Veronica had clearly finished, and all eyes were on Margaret for her reply. She smiled and locked eyes once more with the professor.