Hendricksen had received an email from Angel notifying him of his imminent arrival in Vienna and confirming that Pia Lackner’s removal from London had gone as planned. In return, Hendricksen had shared with Angel and Louis the pictures taken in Belgrade, along with the identification of the principals made by Hendricksen’s driver. Even without access to what had been said in the restaurant, they surmised that Frend had been attempting to negotiate the terms of the Vuksans’ return to Serbia. From their access to his credit card transactions, they were also aware that Frend had elected to re-enter Austria from Romania, despite having a return ticket on the Belgrade-Vienna route. Either Frend had encountered sudden pressing business in Timisoara, which seemed unlikely, or the negotiations with Kiš and Stajić had not gone well, which meant the Vuksans still had no safe haven in Serbia, and so remained exposed.

Now Hendricksen watched from the Architekturzentrum as Frend emerged from the Corbaci café and began walking toward the U-Bahn station. Frend had taken two taxis to Corbaci, ditching one halfway to walk for a time, probably in a vague effort to shake off any surveillance, but Hendricksen was too experienced to lose a quarry to such a simple ruse.

Frend had brought with him a briefcase and an overnight bag. Hendricksen was concerned that the lawyer might be about to take another flight, but his credit cards showed no reservation. Despite Corbaci’s large windows, Hendricksen had not been able to get a good look at Frend’s dining companions because of where they were sitting, and had not wanted to risk being seen inside by the lawyer. He knew only that Frend had been at a table with two people, one of whom appeared to be a young girl. As far as Hendricksen was aware, the Vuksans were not in the habit of keeping company with teenagers – or if they were, it was not for any moral purpose. Hendricksen had managed to take a couple of pictures with his phone, but the distance was too great and the faces remained unclear.

Had Angel or Louis been present, they could have split surveillance duties with Hendricksen. As things stood, he could either stay with Frend or follow the man and the girl. So far, only Frend had come out, and Hendricksen was at risk of losing him if he waited much longer. He chanced a quick glance into Corbaci, but could see no sign of Frend’s companions. He decided to stay with the lawyer.

Later, as he was dying, he would conclude that this had been an error of judgment.

Zorya and Ilić emerged together from the restroom. They attracted one or two curious looks, but no one said anything, this being Vienna.

‘It’s safe now,’ said Zorya. ‘The feeling is gone.’

‘Do you have any idea what caused it?’

‘Danger, but perhaps we should leave Hendricksen for a little while.’