He had short hair, unevenly cropped, a thick neck, and a dark face with an expression that might have been sullen except that his eyes were quick and sharp, like little paring knives. His summer uniform was good quality, better than his haircut, and someone had spent a long time shining his boots. He gave me a dismissive glance, then turned to frown at the camera on Pak's desk. No one had to tell me, it was pretty clear he was connected with the surveillance.

"No pictures," I said. "Battery's dead. Anyway, there were no plates on the car." I flashed Kim a grin meant to suggest we were about to share something that would amuse him, but his little eyes stayed metallic, and I could sense he only laughed when he was the one making the joke. Off to the side, I could see Pak bracing himself. "You may not believe this, but the bastard honked the horn as he drove by."

The man next to Kim sat back and folded his arms. "What?"

Before I could reply, Pak took my elbow and walked me to the door.

"You'll be wanting some tea, Inspector."

"No, he needs to answer my question." I recognized the tone of voice. It was like the tip of a whip being dragged slowly back along the floor, just before it cracked through the air. A certain type of party official used that tone. Not mean, but quick and always decisive.

"Actually," I said, "I would like some tea." Pak shut his eyes. He did that when he was embarrassed. Whether he was willing himself into an incorporeal state or hoping I might disappear if he could no longer see me was never clear. The man in the chair shifted his weight and stretched his legs, seemingly unhurried and at ease, but watching me the whole time. He put his fingers together, tapered fingers with well-manicured nails. Not someone who had recently been out helping the farmers. I knew what was coming.

"I see, Inspector, that you are not wearing your portrait of either of our great Leaders." The man paused for a fraction of a second. Captain Kim's polished right boot tapped the floor lightly, just once, like the flick of a cat's tail. Everyone pretended not to notice. "Can I assume there is some reason you choose not to wear one, unlike your fellow citizens in the capital?"