“I’m not surprised by anything China does these days, especially when it comes to Iran. The Islamic Republic is China’s second-largest supplier of oil, and the state-run Chinese energy giants have invested tens of billions in Iranian oil-and-gas development. It’s clear to us the Chinese view Tehran not as a threat but as an ally. And they’re not at all concerned about the Iranians going nuclear. In fact, they might even welcome it.”

“Because they think it will reduce American power in the Persian Gulf?”

“Precisely,” said Carter. “And since the Chinese hold several hundred billion dollars’ worth of American debt, we’re in no position to call them on it. We’ve gone to them on numerous occasions to complain about restricted goods and weapons flowing from their ports to Iran, and the response is always the same. They promise to look into it. But nothing changes.”

“We’re not suggesting going to the Chinese,” Navot said. “Or the Swiss, or the Germans, or the Austrians, or any other country linked to the supply chain. We already know it’s a waste of time and effort. National interest and pure greed are powerful trump cards. Besides, the last thing we want is to confess to the Swiss that we’re spying on their most prominent businessman.”

“How many centrifuges do you think Martin has sold them?”

“We don’t know.”

“When was the first shipment?”

“We don’t know.”

“How about the last?”

“We don’t know.”

Carter waved a clear patch in the cloud of smoke in front of him. “All right, then. Why don’t you tell us what you do know.”

“We know the relationship has been lucrative and that it is ongoing. But more important we also know that in the near future a large shipment is scheduled to go from China to Dubai to Iran.”

“How do you know that?”

“The information was contained in a temporary file we exhumed from Martin’s hard drive. It was an encrypted e-mail sent to him by someone named Ulrich Müller.”

Carter chewed silently on the tip of his pipe. “Müller?” he asked finally. “Are you sure?”

“Positive,” Navot said. “Why?”

“Because we first came across Herr Müller during our investigation into Zentrum Security. Müller is former DAP, the Swiss security service, and a first-class shit. Martin and Müller go way back. Müller does Martin’s dirty work.”

“Like managing a nuclear-smuggling network that stretches from Western Europe to southern China and back to Iran?”

“It would make sense for someone like Müller to act as Martin’s front man in all this. Martin wouldn’t want the Iran portfolio anywhere near GVI. Better to let someone like Müller handle the details.”

Carter lapsed into silence, his gaze moving between Navot and Shamron. Gabriel was still prowling the perimeter of the room.