Chapter One: The Last Hand

On an abandoned five-a-side pitch, Lin ran only three shuttle sets. The first was ordinary. The second was fast. On the third, the rain seemed to fall behind him. His first touch was slightly heavy, yet an unusual swing of the hip saved the ball before he lost balance. It was not clumsiness. It was unpolished talent. Lu made him remove his shoes. The outer edge of the left sole had worn into a diagonal scar. At 4:51, Lu called Grant, Northport's academy director. “Don't process the release. Lin accepts the permanent compensation waiver, but I want it recorded as a transfer.” Grant laughed. “For what fee?” “One pound. You retain a fifteen-percent sell-on share.” “Nobody wants him.”