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many times. We don’t have a field office in Scandinavia, but it’s important to maintain our lines of communication with local officials.”
    “What kind of business does Tillcorp do in Norway?”
    “Norwegians like to be on the cutting edge of new technologies and that’s what we offer. Tillcorp is a world player in agriscience and technology.”
    “One Norwegian doesn’t approve of the company’s new technologies or its presence in the country.”
    “You mean that lunatic in the airport?” She scoffed. “He’s a known troublemaker. The police shouldn’t have let him get past.”
    “How is he known? Does he represent a group opposed to Tillcorp’s work with gene modification?”
    “I’m sure he was acting alone. Jake thinks he’s the same psycho who’s been stalking him from place to place all over Europe, wherever he gives a speech. He’s never been violent before, or even caused a disturbance. He must’ve been drunk or stoned.”
    Dinah cut to the chase. “Does the vault allow companies like Tillcorp to study the seeds? To tamper with their DNA?”
    “Only the depositing country can reclaim its seeds or give permission to another country or entity to reclaim them.”
    “So the U.S. could permit Tillcorp to check out its seeds?”
    “In theory. But it doesn’t happen.” One fire-engine red fingernail ticked against the table and she leveled her steely blues on Dinah as if evaluating an adversary. “I saw you talking to that reporter Aagaard at the airport. What did he say?”
    “He seems to think Senator Sheridan is here to lobby the Norwegian government to grant Tillcorp greater access to the vault.”
    “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Tillcorp should be applauded for its pursuit of scientific advancement and Colt Sheridan is a visionary for supporting the company’s goals.”
    “So Tillcorp is pursuing greater access?”
    “A smart business is always pursuing more advantageous terms.” Her eyes narrowed to slits and her fingernail pecked faster. “What did you tell Aagaard about Senator Sheridan?”
    “Nothing. All I know about the senator is what I’ve read in the newspaper.”
    “You should have understood that Aagaard was fishing for something damaging to print about Senator Sheridan.”
    “I understood. I also understood that you and the senators had run out on me and his was the only friendly face in the crowd.”
    Valerie blotted her lips with her napkin, leaving a red stain. “I hope you understand that you are not at liberty to hold private conversations with any member of the press unless one of the senators or myself is present to advise you.”
    “You’re the first person who’s mentioned it.”
    “Somebody should have. This is a diplomatic mission. There are competing interests to be balanced and sensitivities to be considered.”
    Dinah bristled. “I’ll ask Senator Frye if my conversations are restricted.”
    Valerie dropped her napkin onto her plate like a dead rat. “If you’re here for some purpose other than to advise Norris on questions of botany, you’d better think twice.” And on that note, she strode off to the bar.

Chapter Five
    Dinah sat for a while and seethed. It was obvious that Senator Frye had no further need of her expertise this evening and she had no taste for krumkake or further admonitions from the likes of Valerie Ives. The woman might be a good attorney, but she had a serious charm deficit and her answers to Dinah’s questions had been decidedly equivocal. If the seed vault had been a bastion of the world’s seed stocks until now, Tillcorp was scheming to change that and Colt Sheridan seemed willing to lend the power of his office to help them.
    The wait staff removed the mirrored room dividers and left her feeling exposed. The dining room had emptied except for her and a pair of lovers who occupied a table in the back corner. They gazed adoringly into each other’s eyes and fondled each other’s hands. They seemed to