—I only arrived a couple of weeks ago. They have me staying at a military base. I can’t say I like this country very much. But the pay is so good I couldn’t say no. I’ll earn five times the amount that I would back home. I plan to complete six months, maybe a year if I can stomach it, and then go home and retire. That’s the dream. I’ll probably end up going home, spending all my money in a month or two, and then I’ll be back here again.

Eventually Nara was forced to interrupt, putting to use her limited Russian:

—Excuse me, I did not understand.

Leo said in Dari:

—Nothing worth translating.

The prison governor had melted away, leaving them alone, not wanting to be involved. As they walked to the cell Borovik whispered to Leo, inexplicably lowering his voice as though they were in danger of being overheard:

—The woman’s parents haven’t asked about her well-being or safety, not once.

He nodded at Nara, continuing:

—I’ve told them she was viciously attacked. They don’t seem to care. There’s no question in my mind that they were involved. The father is a proud man. In my experience a proud prisoner is the easiest to break.

Nara looked at Leo for a translation. Leo said nothing, allowing Borovik to continue.

—The father is something of a bore. If he’s not silent and solemn, he’s ranting and raving about various political issues. The mother is always silent, even when I ask her a direct question. I can’t wait to see how they react to their daughter.

He looked at Nara carefully, adding:

—She’s a tasty one. Any chance she’s up for some fun later? She’s one of the more laid-back women here, isn’t she? I’ve been told only the ones in uniforms are the ones you can mess about with. A face mask means they don’t fuck, right?

Frustrated, Nara implored Leo:

—What did he say?

—Your parents are not cooperating.

Reaching the cell Borovik gave precise instructions about the order of their entrance.

—I will enter first, then you and finally Nara Mir. It is important that there is a gap of at least a minute between your entrance and hers, so that both parents presume that there are no more new arrivals. She will then step inside the cell and surprise them.

The cell was unlocked while Leo translated to Nara. She was struggling to pay attention. Finally she gave Leo a small nod, indicating that she understood her part in this performance.