‘If a section of a rockface is likely to give way,’ said Radovan, ‘one tackles it with a controlled explosion rather than waiting for it to tumble of its own accord, or allow a fear of the threat represented by it to spread; a small sacrifice in return for a larger benefit. Nikola Musulin was soft. Had Spiridon been permitted to return to Serbia, you were concerned he might try to exert influence over Nikola, perhaps even usurp him, regardless of any assurances to the contrary – and that was before Spiridon’s revenge on De Jaager and his people. Were I an advisor to Belgrade, I might have sent word to our European neighbors, perhaps through our most influential representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – which would be you, Teo, in all but title – advising them that it would be better if odd rumors about Nikola Musulin’s death were ignored, and it was accepted that a gas leak had caused his demise.’

‘Bravo, vrana,’ said Ćirić. ‘You know, your father was also a good storyteller. He even managed to convince Josip Broz that he was a loyalist, right to the end.’

‘I notice you’re not denying the truth of anything I’ve said.’

‘Because whether it is true or false makes no difference.’

‘It does to me,’ said Radovan. ‘Call off Kiš and Stajić. Giving them free rein will not serve you well.’

‘Why is that?’

‘Because Stajić is an animal, and Kiš is secretly frightened of him. Were you aware that they presented our lawyer with Nikola Musulin’s head in a Belgrade restaurant?’

Ćirić blanched, less at the image of the handover than the temerity of the gesture.

‘I was not,’ she said.

‘They are reckless,’ said Radovan. ‘Even if they were to succeed in killing us, they would leave a trail of evidence that a child could follow. If they were to fail – and if I were you, I would not underestimate our capacities – Spiridon would retaliate, and he would do so without any concern for the optics of EU membership.’

Ćirić finished her tea in silence, and Radovan did not interrupt her thoughts. Finally, she spoke.

‘You have to guarantee that Spiridon will never again inconvenience us,’ she said.

‘You have my word, but I require something more in return.’

‘You’re already asking a great deal.’

‘Nevertheless,’ said Radovan.

‘Well?’

‘Some of our accounts have been frozen, probably as a prelude to a larger sequestration of physical assets back home: businesses, property. We can’t leave without the resources required to pay our way, and we cannot subsist on fresh air once we reach our final destination. We need that money.’

‘You’re not seriously trying to tell me that you don’t have funds hidden away,’ said Ćirić. ‘That would be unlike you.’

‘I have some, but not enough to satisfy Spiridon.’

Ćirić considered the request.