“So they have to think about the consequences of such a long separation before setting out.”

“Exactly. It may send a wrong message if Wen rejoins her husband so quickly. Nevertheless, the agreement to cooperate was reached after much discussion at high levels of our two governments.”

“It is in the mutual interests of the two countries.” Chen chose his words carefully. “If we do not cooperate, the Americans may think we are in favor of the continuance of illegal human smuggling.”

“That’s what I said in the ministry’s teleconference this morning.”

“Since the agreement has been reached, it’s a matter of course to let Wen go to join her husband.” Chen picked up the photo again. “Why should the U.S. Marshals send an officer all the way to Shanghai?”

“It has already taken some time for our local police to run through their procedures, to obtain all the documents and approvals needed. Feng swears he will not testify if Wen does not arrive before the trial date. The Americans have become worried. Inspector Rohn’s trip has been proposed to help Wen get her visa, but it’s really to put pressure on us.”

“When will the trial begin?”

“April twenty-fourth. Today is April eighth.”

“Then let’s hurry up. In a special case, surely a passport and everything needed can be made ready in twenty-four hours. Why is this an assignment for me?”

“Feng’s wife has disappeared. The Beijing ministry learned this last night, and Inspector Rohn is already on the way.”

“How could she disappear?”

“We don’t know. Whatever has happened, her disappearance has put us in an embarrassing situation. The Americans will suspect that we are trying to back out of our arrangement.”

Chief Inspector Chen frowned. In normal circumstances, waiting for a passport application to be processed might take months for an ordinary Chinese citizen, but if the central government had given them the green light, the local police should have proceeded rapidly.