Unbeknownst to the Vuksans, the channel of communication between their lawyer and the Serbian liaison officer in Vienna had been open for years, but the benefits to Frend had been minimal – unless one counted staying out of jail, which was, he had to admit, an undeniable boon. Back in 2006, Ćirić had presented him with documentary evidence of activities upon which the Austrian authorities might have looked askance, all of them connected to the Vuksans. In return for her silence, Frend was required only to offer occasional updates on the Vuksans’ activities and plans. They were small betrayals, and had not damaged his clients, or so Frend had told himself. But they had accumulated until finally, he now believed, they might have led to the death of Nikola Musulin and the Vuksans’ relegation to the status of quarry.

‘I don’t care if my tone gave you hives,’ said Frend. ‘I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for twenty-four hours. Your actions have endangered my safety. You never told me you were planning to seize the Vuksans’ funds.’

‘If I had, what would you have done? Tried to move some of them, probably, which would have defeated the purpose of the exercise.’

‘I thought we both wanted the same outcome,’ said Frend, ‘which is a peaceful resolution of this crisis. That requires money.’

‘We may both want a resolution,’ said Ćirić, ‘but I’ll take permanent over peaceful.’

‘What about Belgrade? I barely escaped from the city with my life.’

‘Who do you think warned your driver? Don’t be naïve, Anton. I looked after you, just as I’ve always done.’

Frend wasn’t so sure of this. Teodora Ćirić looked after herself first, and everyone below her survived on whatever scraps she saw fit to scatter. Frend suspected that his share was particularly lean, but common sense dictated that he should hold his tongue.

‘I apologize,’ said Frend.

‘And I accept,’ said Ćirić. ‘Now, what do you want?’

‘The passports are on the way. The Vuksans will be leaving Europe.’

‘I know all that. I met with Radovan.’

‘You what?’

‘He made the approach, and I agreed to talk.’

Frend recovered himself.

‘What did he ask for?’

‘Money: the unfreezing of assets.’

Which was the same reason Frend had called her. He had to be sure that the funds were available for the passports. Depending on how he chose to handle the threat to Pia, they might never be used, but a wise man prepared for all eventualities.

‘And?’

‘It’s being facilitated.’

Some of the tension eased from Frend.

‘Good,’ he said.

‘Was that all?’

As this piece of the puzzle clicked into place, the larger picture became clearer to Frend, and the best plan of action became manifest – for him and his daughter, if not for the Vuksans.

‘I have one more question,’ he said.

‘I’m listening.’

‘Who else knows about our relationship?’

‘You make us sound like lovers,’ said Ćirić.