Prek cradled a gun in his hand. He wondered if he would have to use it that night, and if so, who would be the target. He could make a case for any of them: Neri for brazenly disobeying an order, and Genti for failing to stop him. The only person Prek wasn’t mad at was Pia. He admired her for trying to escape and for getting as far as she had. If he had to shoot her, it would not be emotional. It would just be business.

At least the fiasco was going to have a conclusion soon, thought Prek, as he heard a group of cars pull into the driveway one after the other. A moment later they heard car doors opening and then slamming shut in quick succession.

“Go wait in the bedroom,” Prek said to Pia.

As soon as Buda, Fatos, Burim, and Drilon walked into the house, they could all tell that something was wrong. The atmosphere among the three men inside was clearly strained. Neri was sitting on the couch, staring at the floor and didn’t stand up. Genti wouldn’t make eye contact, and Prek acted fit to be tied. Buda had to find out what had happened and fast.

“Gentlemen,” he said, turning to Burim and Drilon. “I left the food we picked up in the back of my car. Would you mind? I’d just like to have a quick word with my guys.”

Burim and Drilon left the room and closed the door. Buda lit into Prek.

“What the fuck is going on here? Stand up, Neri! Genti, look at me when I’m talking! Where’s the girl?”

“She’s in the bedroom,” Prek said. “She got out the window, jumped in the lake, and swam off.”

“What? Are you serious?”

“Yes, but we found her right away.”

“Did anyone see her?”

“No, I’m certain. There’s no one here but us.”

“You quite sure about that?”

“Yes.”

Buda’s three men were standing like guilty schoolboys in front of the principal.

“What happened to you?” Buda asked Neri, whose eye was closing rapidly. Neri didn’t speak but looked across at Prek.

“Did she do that?”

“No,” Prek said. “I did.”

“What for?” Buda leaned forward, his hands on his hips. Fatos was standing by the door with his arms crossed. The message was clear: No one out or in.

“Prek,” Buda said, “you better tell me what happened right now, or we’re going to have a major problem.”

“He attacked the girl,” Prek said. Neri’s face fell. He’d hoped Prek would make up some story on his behalf.

“Was that before or after she escaped?”

“Before.”

“And where were you?” he asked Genti.

Silence.

“All right, I’ll deal with this later. It all depends on whether or not this girl is the daughter. Let’s hope for you she isn’t. Fatos, let’em in.”