That is why I am not satisfied when you say to me, ‘He must be tried in a court of law.’

So I ask you again: what is the just penalty for his crimes?

HAMILTON: You won’t kill him with my blessing.

ELENA: Thankfully we did not go through all this trouble for your blessing.

Don’t you think our revenge should equal the, the ingenuity of your father’s crimes?

Hamilton looks up at Elena.

ELENA: (removes her belt) To kill the Butcher is easy.

But to have him executed by his own son … ?

Well now, that is …  elegant.

Hamilton shakes his head.

ELENA: You will strangle him with this belt.

I should warn you that it’ll take several minutes to kill him. It’s not as quick as the movies lead you to believe, I’m afraid.

HAMILTON: I won’t do it.

ELENA: No?

HAMILTON: No.

JOSEF: Viži, kurvetino? Ne / kačeš –[20]

HAMILTON: Stop calling her that! Have you no shame?

ELENA: Such chivalry, Marko.

HAMILTON: And you … Do you think you’re so different than him?

ELENA: (to Lamb) Remove his handcuffs.

Lamb goes behind Hamilton and removes the handcuffs.

ELENA: His legs too.

Elena hands Lamb a pair of small wire cutters.

Lamb cuts the zip ties around Hamilton’s legs.

HAMILTON: Threaten me, torture me all you want. I won’t do it.

Lamb returns the wire cutters to Elena.

ELENA: Do you think, when we planned this, that we said, ‘And when we tell him to kill his father, he’ll do it?’ (shakes her head) You’re a good man, Marko, a good and honest man who would willingly sacrifice himself at the altar of justice. I respect that. There’s even a part of me that admires that.

So don’t worry. (gives belt to Hamilton) We’re going to help you.

(goes over to the radiator) Inspector. (puts out her hand) Your handcuffs.

Lamb joins her and gives her his handcuffs.

ELENA: Key.

He hands it to her.

ELENA: Kneel.

LAMB: What?

ELENA: On your knees. Don’t make me ask you again.

Lamb kneels down.

LAMB: Please don’t kill me …

Elena handcuffs Lamb’s wrists around a radiator pipe. Lamb is now in a stress position.

LAMB: Please … !

ELENA: It’s to protect you from yourself, Inspector. Trust me.

(to Hamilton) So now, Marko.

HAMILTON: You can rationalize all night long, I –

ELENA: Shh, shh, shh! The Furies must be satisfied. If I cannot offer them your father … (shrugs) Then I must offer them someone else. Someone pure. Someone innocent.

Perhaps a thirteen-year-old girl? Or better yet, her seven-year-old sister?

Lamb starts. The handcuffs rattle against the pipe.

LAMB: What!? No … But … Wait, I’ve noth– She’s got nothing to do with …

ELENA: Oh, I know. I know. (indicates Hamilton) It’s up to him, really.

Lamb looks at Hamilton.

HAMILTON: Oh God …

LAMB: Mr. Barnes … Hamilton …

HAMILTON: Dear God …