Chapter Two: The Perfect Counterfeit

Third—most importantly—” With a cold-light probe, she lifted a transparent filament half a millimeter long from the lining. “This heat-bonding fiber entered the market last year. It deceives nondestructive scanners. It cannot deceive manufacturing history.” Silence consumed the gallery. “A later repair,” Cheng said. “That is why I invited the brand archivist,” Gu Mingzhu said as she entered with an elderly Frenchman, “and investigators from the economic crimes unit.” Cheng turned. His price flickered violently. Jianwei lowered her voice just enough. “Whose silence can the 4.7 million from Hengfeng buy?” “That was my commission, not payment for the switch!” he blurted. A red light glowed on the recorder in Mingzhu’s hand.