The first two floors of the building were rented to a security firm, which had also paid to have a vault installed in the basement. In addition, the firm had assumed the lion’s share of the cost of double security doors at the front and back entrances, and at least one of its staff was on monitoring duty 24/7. The firm did not specialize in personal protection, but Frend was sure that it might be in a position to recommend someone should he choose to engage a short-term bodyguard. He would advise Fräulein Pichler to take a trip to visit her sister in Helsinki, with all expenses covered. She would require no explanation, and would know better than to ask for one.

Frend thought that if Kiš and Stajić decided to come after him in Vienna, it would be as a last resort. Vienna was not Belgrade, no matter how many Serbs might be employed in the city. By escaping from Serbia intact, Frend had bought himself some time. Now, he hoped, Kiš would restrain Stajić while they waited for the Vuksans to make their next move. If Kiš could not, Frend had a card he might yet play.

The taxi appeared. Frend placed his wife’s bags in the trunk.

‘I’ll arrange to collect the rest of my things once this is resolved,’ said Mina. ‘I have a lawyer in mind for the divorce. She’s young, and doesn’t move in your circles.’

‘You don’t have to worry,’ he said. ‘I won’t make things difficult for you. You have my word.’

‘It’s a little late for that kind of promise, isn’t it?’

He couldn’t help but smile, and she responded in kind.

‘I suppose so.’ He placed his hands in his pockets. ‘Were they all so terrible, these years we spent together?’

‘Not terrible, but such a waste.’

‘Except for Pia,’ he said.

‘Yes, except for her.’

‘You know that by losing you, I also lose her?’

Mina’s smile faded.

‘You lost us both a long time ago,’ she said.

Chapter XLV

As arranged, Angel waited for Pia Lackner at a parking lot on Queen Victoria Street, a short walk from her office. Lackner arrived carrying only her purse, as briefed. For the purposes of the narrative being constructed, she was not permitted to bring with her any clothing or possessions from her apartment, not even a cosmetics bag. She had provided Angel with a list of her requirements, including her measurements, and Rosanna Bellingham had taken care of the purchases, assembling sufficient clothing and toiletries for two weeks. Angel had assured Lackner that two weeks represented a worst-case scenario, and she, in turn, had informed him that he had a week, and no more.