‘I don’t know,’ said Ross, ‘but Armitage killed two people before she died, both of them connected to Parker’s investigation, and also to some of our own interests. She didn’t do that on a whim.’

Holt thought about finishing his drink and ordering yet another, but decided not to. If he kept on drinking, he might not stop until oblivion took him. Every time he heard the names of Parker and his friends, it seemed to trigger an ulcer.

‘On the other hand,’ said Holt, ‘Armitage’s call to this Zivco Ilić might have had nothing to do with the death of Buha.’

‘No, it might not,’ Ross admitted, ‘but a warning to Louis may be in order nonetheless.’

‘We’re the FBI,’ said Holt. ‘We don’t notify assassins that past sins could have returned to haunt them. We’re supposed to put them behind bars.’

‘Even the ones we’ve used to further our own ends?’

Any residual good nature seeped from Holt’s face as he stared at Ross. Holt wondered when he would have to cast him adrift, and how he could ensure that Ross drowned immediately after.

‘Not for the first time,’ said Holt, ‘it strikes me that you may be developing an affection for individuals who are unworthy of it.’

‘Respect, not affection.’

‘That’s a distinction that might not be appreciated in a court of law.’

‘Let’s hope it never comes to that.’

‘From your mouth to God’s ear, although it would be preferable for all concerned if God wasn’t listening to any of this.’

‘Are you ordering me not to share our information with Louis?’ said Ross.

‘I’m not ordering you to do anything, because our conversation never happened.’ Holt dropped cash on the table to cover the tab. He wasn’t about to put this on his credit card. ‘For now,’ he added, ‘the Vuksans aren’t our concern, and it would be better for both of us if Armitage’s reasons for being in contact with them remained a mystery.’

‘I’ve seen an intelligence memorandum that says otherwise,’ said Ross.

Holt removed a couple of dollar bills from the tip. He was a government employee, and his pension would only stretch so far.

‘Go on,’ he said.

‘The Vuksans are people smugglers, of both high- and low-value cargo, and they don’t perform background checks.’

‘Terrorists?’

‘That’s the supposition.’

‘Unless they’re on US soil, or targeting American citizens, it’s not an issue for the Bureau.’

‘Not yet.’

‘It’s still no reason for pursuing unnecessary and unwise contacts with a known killer.’

‘Suspected killer,’ Ross corrected. ‘And it may be a little late for us to begin keeping our distance.’

For you, perhaps, thought Holt, but I still have some deniability.