Whitmore's smile sharpened with approval. "Smart man."
Cavendish's attention dropped to Liuxian's wrist, and he held it there a beat longer than courtesy allowed. Recognition came slowly, and when it did his posture shifted almost imperceptibly.
"Forgive me," he said, his voice quieter now. "Is that the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime?"
"It is," Liuxian said.
"I've been on the waiting list for three years," Cavendish said.
"Seven for me," Liuxian replied. "Worth every one of them."
Cavendish didn't answer right away. He looked at the watch, then at Liuxian's face, and the studied boredom he had worn since arriving in the building faded. What replaced it was simpler and more direct.
Respect.
Whitmore saw it too, and he leaned forward slightly, his tone warmer than it had been all morning.
"You must let us take you to dinner this evening," he said. "Somewhere worthy of the conversation."
"I already have plans," Liuxian said. "With my wife."
