Bob Johnston had sent Angel another video of Pia Lackner. She was holding a copy of that morning’s Guardian in front of her, the date clearly visible. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Either Rosanna Bellingham was a gifted makeup artist or the strain was beginning to get to Lackner. Whatever the reason, it added to the authenticity of the footage. Angel had already ditched the SIM card used for the earlier contact with Frend and used a new SIM to forward the latest video to him, along with a message that read Five Minutes. Five minutes and five seconds later, Angel called Frend from the crowds by the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where his was just one more phone among many.

‘See,’ said Angel, his voice once again distorted, ‘your daughter is safe and well.’

‘She’s not safe, and she doesn’t look well,’ said Frend. ‘What have you been doing to her?’

‘Maybe we’ve been telling her stories about the company you keep. You’re a grave disappointment to her, but then, you probably already knew that.’

‘I’m doing my best to make up for it now,’ said Frend.

‘I’m sure that will be a source of solace to her – if she lives.’

Angel heard Frend draw a deep breath, but otherwise the lawyer’s voice displayed no signs of stress. Angel almost admired his equanimity, even as it caused him to suspect that Louis was probably right, and something deep inside Frend had been corrupted to the point of near-extinction.

‘The passports are ready,’ said Frend. ‘The handover takes place tomorrow morning.’

‘Where?’

‘The Cemetery of the Nameless, at Simmering.’

‘When?’

‘Six a.m.’

‘Will the Vuksans be present?’

‘No, only Zivco Ilić and me. Ilić is bringing the money.’

‘How much?’

‘One million euros.’

‘That’s a lot for, what, two or three passports?’

‘Three. There was a surcharge for rapid turnover, as well as the problematical legal status of the beneficiaries.’ Not to mention his cut, which Frend didn’t.

‘That’s a very polite way of describing a trio of murderers.’

‘And what words would a kidnapper prefer to use?’

‘That’s very clever,’ said Angel. ‘I’ll ask my friends to consult your daughter and see what she advises.’

‘I withdraw the question,’ said Frend.

‘I thought you might,’ said Angel. ‘How are you getting to the cemetery?’

‘By rental car from my hotel. Ilić will meet me there.’

‘Why are you staying at a hotel when you have a house and an apartment in the city?’ Angel asked.

‘Because your people were following me,’ said Frend.

Angel thought on his feet. ‘You wouldn’t have seen my people. Give me the name of the hotel, and tell me what these others looked like.’

Frend’s description wasn’t detailed, but it didn’t have to be. Angel immediately identified them as Mr Rafi and his protector, which wasn’t much of a surprise.