In space, a plane E is given with points A and B on it, and a point P at a distance of 4 units from this plane.
The perpendicular projections of line segments PA and PB onto plane E, together with line segment AB, form an equilateral triangle with side length 2 units.
Accordingly, what is the product $| \mathbf { P A } | \cdot | \mathbf { P B } |$?
A) 8
B) 12
C) 16
D) 18
E) 20