‘I now believe,’ said Radovan wearily, ‘that the reputational damage suffered would not be undone by a refund, even were we willing or able to offer it. We need that money. I’m informing you of the complaint only because it makes reaching a settlement with Belgrade even more urgent than before.’

‘I understand. Do you think Belgrade knows about your involvement with the cargo?’

‘I hope not, but you’ll find out soon enough.’

Frend noticed that his left hand was shaking. He used the armrest to steady it as the Audi reached the Gazela Bridge and crossed the Sava. The traffic began to ease. Miloje was texting as he drove. Frend tried to read the message, but it was in Serbian. Miloje glanced at him in the rearview mirror before returning his attention to the road. An earlier conversation with Radovan came back to Frend:

I would trust Miloje with my life.

You’re not trusting him with your life, but with mine.

‘I remain concerned for my safety,’ Frend now said to Radovan, as the connection briefly lapsed.

‘You should have told me that before you left Vienna,’ said Radovan.

‘I did.’

‘I mustn’t have been paying attention.’

‘Would it have made any difference if you had?’

‘None at all,’ said Radovan, before killing the call.

The Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangel was now coming into sight, which meant that they were near the location for the meeting. After some back-and-forth, it had been agreed that it should take place at a neutral venue, and one some distance from Skadarlija, where the unfortunate Nikola Musulin had met his end. This was not a question of sensitivity, since those willing to blow a man apart before stealing his severed head were unlikely to be troubled by the feelings of his bereaved intimates. Yet even allowing for a degree of collusion between the authorities and the killers, it would still have been unwise for those suspected of involvement in Musulin’s assassination to be seen wining and dining within shouting distance of the crime scene. The Serbian media might be largely cowed or corrupted, with the few remaining quality publications struggling to survive, but one could not underestimate the tenacity of a handful of principled journalists and newspaper proprietors, or the anonymity of the internet. It would be embarrassing, at the minimum, were pictures of a gathering of the alleged conspirators to have appeared in Danas or online, particularly if Frend were also to be identified.