When the girl had gone, Karel and Nick went into the living room and closed the door. Alone, Frank stared at his keys, which he’d noticed on the ledge beside the kettle. Then, standing up, he looked out through the window and quickly scanned the back garden. None of the other men were out there, and the caravan curtains were closed, which made him think they must all still be sleeping. Heart pounding, he tiptoed over to the ledge and reached for the keys. If he was quick and quiet, he could sneak past the living room door and let himself out. Then he could lock Karel and Nick inside, jump into his car, and drive to the police station.

And then what?

Even if he managed to get out without being caught, the village police station worked on a skeleton crew and was rarely open whenever he drove past. And if he was lucky enough to find a copper there today, they would have to call for reinforcements once they learned there were weapons in the house, and that would give Karel and the others ample time to make their getaway. And where would that leave Evan?

In no doubt that they would kill his son, Frank put the keys down and went back to his seat to finish the sandwich.

Karel walked in as he was about to wash his plate, and said, ‘Leave that. Irena can do it when you get back.’

‘Get back?’ Frank repeated.

‘I’ve got some friends coming over, so I need you to take her to pick up some supplies,’ Karel said. ‘She knows what I want. And, here . . .’ He pulled Frank’s wallet out of his pocket and tossed it to him. ‘Put it on your card.’

Frowning, sure that he’d misheard, Frank said, ‘You want me to take Irena shopping?’

‘That’s right,’ Karel affirmed, picking up the keys Frank had put down and tossing them to him before ushering him out into the hall. ‘It’s time the locals saw you out and about with your lovely fiancée. That way, it won’t be so much of a surprise when they hear you’re tying the knot.’

‘What if I see someone I know?’ Frank asked. ‘They’re bound to ask what’s happened when they see the state of me.’

‘Just act naturally,’ Karel said. Then, dropping the genial tone, he looked Frank in the eye, and said, ‘I’m trusting you, Frankie. Don’t make me regret it, or you know what’ll happen.’

‘I won’t,’ Frank replied. Then, remembering his medication, he said, ‘Is it all right if I go to the pharmacy and pick up my prescription while we’re there, only I’m almost out of tablets?’