Buda studied the two men. Drilon was sweating and looked distinctly uncomfortable. Burim was relaxed and exuded calm confidence. Burim got the looks and the brains, Buda thought.

“What can I get you guys?”

It was the hostess doing double duty. They ordered four beers and the special, schnitzel, all around.

“So here’s the deal, gentlemen,” Buda said. He dove right in, dispensing with small talk. “I’m doing a job for someone and halfway through, there’s a problem. The problem is this girl who is sticking her nose in, investigating a situation and making things very difficult for me. We tried to dissuade her, but it didn’t work. The sensible course is to eliminate the problem, so I clear it with my client, who is willing to pay a hundred grand for the extra work, meaning to take care of the meddling bitch.”

Buda paused to take a sip of water and he glanced at Fatos. Fatos knew the contract was for $250,000, but there was no reason these guys had to know.

“If, as might be the case, this girl is your daughter, then you have to take responsibility for her, and you and me, we’ll share the money. But that means it’s your responsibility to make absolutely sure she desists from investigating this case, from poking around, from talking to people, from thinking about it, from dreaming about it. And if she isn’t your daughter, then we will fulfill the contract and you must promise not to mention anything about what we have done. In that case you get a quarter of the money for your inconvenience.”

“Where is she right now?” Burim asked. At that point he was anticipating meeting her.

“Not far from here. She’s perfectly safe.”

“And what was she sticking her nose into, as you put it?”

“I’d rather not say. Ah, our food already.”

The steaming plates of schnitzel and noodles arrived. Remembering Prek’s request, Buda ordered four more to go.

“The key point is,” Buda said, poised with a forkful of veal, “that she stops doing what she’s doing. I have to tell you, she’s making things very dangerous for me. It would be good if she went on a long vacation.”

“I’m sure we can arrange that,” Burim said. He had no reason to believe he could make that happen, but he liked the idea that there was to be a payday in this for him. “Right, Drilon?”

“Sure.” Drilon was facing his own set of demons, but he had little choice but to play along. He pushed a noodle around the edge of his plate with his fork.

“We’re happy to help you, Mr. Buda, but we are incurring some more expenses here,” Burim said.

“Don’t worry,” Buda said, “we’ll take care of dinner.”