‘That’s out of my hands. She’s being held in England by our colleagues, while we’re a lot closer to you. If you go to the police, she dies. If you try to fuck us over, she dies. If the Vuksans kill us before we kill them, she dies. There are a great many outcomes that can end badly for her, but only one that ends well.’

‘I understand,’ said Frend.

‘I hope you do, because it won’t be quick for her. They’ll take their time, and they’ll record as they go, so you’ll have a permanent record of the event.’

‘I’ll do all that you ask,’ said Frend. ‘I promise.’

According to Frend, he had provided the Vuksans with a list of discreet and expensive rental properties looked after by agents who specialized in selective blindness, one of its symptoms being that they could see only the color of money. With Frend as a reference, the Vuksans would have experienced no difficulty in securing accommodations.

‘I need to make some calls,’ said Frend. ‘Some of the agents will be difficult to contact after hours. I may not be able to talk to them until morning.’

‘You have until noon tomorrow.’

‘That might not be sufficient.’

‘It will be,’ said Angel. ‘I have faith in the depth of your paternal affection.’

Louis slid a piece of paper in front of Angel. On it was written Girl/Hendricksen?

‘How many people do the Vuksans have with them?’ Angel asked Frend. ‘And be careful how you answer. If you miscount, and it costs us, it’ll add a very painful hour to the otherwise short span of your daughter’s life.’

‘One man,’ said Frend, ‘as far as I know.’

‘“As far as I know” isn’t the right answer.’

‘I’m trying to be honest.’

‘Try harder.’

‘Yes, it’s one man, just one.’

‘What’s his name?’

‘Zivco.’

‘Second name?’

‘Ilić. But there’s another, too.’

‘You said there was just one man,’ said Angel. ‘Don’t give me a reason to start doubting you before we’ve even properly begun.’

‘It’s not a man, but a child, a girl.’

‘Name?’

‘Zorya.’

‘Second name?’

‘I don’t know. I’ve never heard any other used. I’m not even sure that Zorya is her real name. Spiridon found her, or she found him. It’s never been entirely clear to me.’

‘Where?’

‘Eastern Serbia. Bor, Negotin, somewhere like that.’

‘What is she to Spiridon? Is he sleeping with her?’

‘It’s possible, I suppose,’ said Frend. ‘It’s not the kind of question one asks of a man.’

‘Isn’t it?’

‘Not a man like Spiridon Vuksan.’

‘If you say so. What else does she do for him?’

There was no reply. For a moment Angel was worried that the connection might have been lost.

‘Mr Frend? I don’t like being kept waiting.’

‘I think she kills for him,’ said Frend.