“What’s that?”

“The procedure we carried out on Martin’s phone and computer.”

“I was born in the late seventeenth century, Zoe. Even I don’t know the proper name for it.”

“And the slang?”

“Some techs refer to it as backdooring, rooting, or popping. We like to call it owning.”

“Meaning?”

“If we can get our hands on the target’s phone, we own it. If we can get inside his bank accounts, we own them. If we can get to his home security system, we can own that, too. And if Mikhail can get inside Martin’s office tonight…”

“Then we can find the centrifuges?”

Gabriel was struck by Zoe’s use of the pronoun we. “Yes,” he said with a nod of his head. “If we’re lucky, we might be able to find the centrifuges.”

“What are the odds?”

“Hard to say.”

“I assume this isn’t the first time your service has done something like this.”

Gabriel hesitated, then answered. “There’s been a not-so-secret war going on here in Europe for some time, Zoe. It involves the Iranians and European high-tech firms. And the computers of the bad guys are one of our greatest weapons.”

“For example?”

“I’m not going to give you an example.”

“How about a hypothetical?”

“All right. Let’s say a hypothetical Iranian nuclear scientist goes to a hypothetical conference in Berlin. And let’s say our hypothetical scientist has notes on his hypothetical computer on how to build a nuclear warhead.”

“Then it might be difficult to keep a straight face when the Iranian president declares his program is strictly peaceful.”

“That’s correct.”

“And are they building a warhead?”

“Without question,” Gabriel said. “And they’re getting closer every day. But to be an effective nuclear power, they need a steady supply of highly enriched uranium. And for that, they need centrifuges. Good ones. Centrifuges that don’t break down. Centrifuges that spin at a reliable speed. Centrifuges that aren’t contaminated.”

“Martin’s centrifuges,” Zoe said softly.

Gabriel was silent. Zoe glanced at the clock on the nightstand.

“Unless you intend to help me get dressed, I think I’ll have to ask you to leave now.”

“In a minute.” Gabriel sat. “Remember, Zoe, when Mikhail makes his move, it’s important you not appear to be alone or in any way unattached. Latch onto someone. Strike up a conversation. The worst thing you can do is be quiet or look nervous. Be the opposite of nervous. Be the life of the party. Do you understand?”

“I think I can manage that.”

Gabriel smiled briefly, then his expression turned serious. “Now tell me again what happens if Mikhail gets caught.”

“I’m to disown him. I’m to say he deceived me into bringing him. And then I’m to leave the party as quickly as possible.”

“Even if it means leaving Mikhail behind.”