Li frowned. “On Chao’s blood. Dr. Campbell requested it yesterday.”

“Not from me.”

“I don’t understand.” Li was caught off balance. “She told me she spoke to you some time after seven yesterday evening.”

“I’m afraid not. And, unfortunately, such a test is no longer possible. Chao’s remains were incinerated this morning, along with all the samples.”

“What?” Li could not believe what he was hearing. “That body was evidence. You don’t go around destroying evidence in a murder investigation.”

There was a long hesitation on the other end of the line. When he eventually spoke, there was a strange quality to the professor’s voice. “I understand his family did not wish to be in receipt of the remains.”

“That’s got nothing to do with it. Chao’s body was the property of the Chinese people until we decided otherwise.”

“My department had authorisation to release the body for disposal.”

“From who?”

“I’m sorry, Deputy Section Chief, I’ll have to go. I’m in the middle of an autopsy.” The professor hung up.

Li sat holding the receiver for fully half a minute before eventually replacing it. Something was very, very wrong here. His hand went instinctively to his belt, searching for the leather pouch that held his watch. It wasn’t there. “Damn.” He remembered breaking the chain yesterday. Where had he put it? Top right-hand drawer. He opened it. There was no sign of the watch. He reached right into the back of the drawer. It definitely wasn’t there. He ran quickly through the other drawers. Still no watch. He hadn’t noticed its absence when he was searching the drawers earlier, because he hadn’t remembered it was there. Now he felt all the hairs stand up on the back of his neck. For some unfathomable reason Johnny Ren must have taken it.

IV

Margaret cycled without thinking, grim and determined, letting the city wash over her as she headed north through meandering, chaotic streets. She was hot and tired and angry and hurt, and thinking was a painful process. If she kept her mind empty, her feelings remained at bay, and she was able to effect a temporary escape from the world. But she could not escape China. At least, not yet. Her flight did not leave until the morning.