‘Of course,’ Karel said, smiling again. ‘See how much easier it is when you stop trying to fight me? And once we get that date booked, you’ll be on your way to getting your life back.’

Considering what he knew of the man’s illegal activities, Frank very much doubted he’d be allowed to walk away when this was all over. But he was more concerned about Evan than himself, so he asked, ‘And what about my son? Are you going to let him go when I’ve done what you want?’

‘Hey . . . whaddaya take me for?’ Karel drew his head back and splayed his hands. ‘Do I look like the kind of man who’d go back on his word?’

It was like a scene from The Godfather, and Frank was reminded of a saying his father used to roll out whenever he came up against someone dishonest. I don’t know what’s worse, he’d say; people who lie, or people who think I’m stupid enough to believe their lies. That was Karel to a tee – although Frank doubted the man gave a toss whether Frank believed him or not.

Karel glanced at his watch and yelled for Irena to get a move on, then bounded up the stairs. Almost immediately Nick came out of the living room and strolled over to Frank.

‘Enjoy your freedom while it lasts, Granddad. But don’t be getting any silly ideas while you’re out there, ’cos we’ve got eyes and ears everywhere. One wrong move and your boy’s a goner.’

He mimed pointing a gun between his own eyes and pulling the trigger, before continuing: ‘And when that’s done, I’ll take a little trip to Australia to meet your daughter and her little one. What was her name again? Em-i-ly?’ He spaced the name out, as if savouring it, and breathed in deeply through his nostrils. ‘Mmmm . . . I can almost taste her already.’

Disgusted, the sandwich churning in his gut, Frank glared at him, and spat, ‘You sick fuck!’

‘You better believe it, Frankie baby.’ Nick grinned. ‘Now you just keep that in mind while you’re on your jollies, and everything’ll be sweet – yeah?’

He winked, then sauntered away, and it took every ounce of self-control Frank possessed not to leap on his back and pummel him to death.

38

In the car a few minutes later, with Irena sitting as stiff as a rod in the passenger seat beside him, Frank turned the key, and, acutely conscious of Karel and Nick watching from the porch, crunched it into reverse and backed it off the drive before setting off along the lane.

When the house had faded into the distance, he glanced round at Irena. Her gaze fixed on the windscreen, her lips barely moving, she said, ‘Do not speak. Karel may be listen.’