‘I’m not in Amsterdam at the moment,’ said Hendricksen. ‘I’m in Paris. I’m not due to return to the Netherlands until tomorrow morning, but I can make some calls. I’ll let you know as soon as I have news.’

‘Likewise.’

Louis hung up. He tried each of the three numbers connected to De Jaager one more time, but to no avail. His own phone was now probably compromised, but he would hold on to it until he heard from Hendricksen.

Angel was right: he needed to sleep. He compartmentalized his worries, locking them away so they would not disturb his rest. Before he closed his eyes, he asked the dead girl from his dreams not to bother him.

And she did not.

Chapter XIV

It was just past 8 a.m. when Louis heard from Hendricksen.

‘There’s no sign of De Jaager at his home or usual haunts,’ said Hendricksen, ‘and Anouk and Paulus haven’t been seen since yesterday. Obviously, my police contacts are reluctant to go breaking into the residences of private citizens without due cause, particularly ones like De Jaager. They don’t always want to know exactly what he’s up to, because if they did, they might have to do something about it. He’s also a man who lives what could politely be described as a clandestine existence, and so occasional unexplained absences are to be expected. What goes for De Jaager goes for Paulus, too, it seems. Meanwhile, I don’t know Anouk well enough to comment either way.’

Everything that Hendricksen said made sense to Louis. De Jaager was a secretive individual, and that desire, even need, for concealment affected all those around him, but especially Paulus and Anouk. While De Jaager rarely went anywhere without the former, Anouk took care of all kinds of incidental details, including catering for De Jaager’s more demanding guests, of whom Louis had recently been one. There was no reason for her to be absent as well, not unless all three had gone to ground for their own security, which was, Louis supposed, a possibility. No one could live as long as De Jaager, and move in his unusual circles, without accumulating enemies, Serbian or otherwise.

‘What about the Vuksans?’

Hendricksen didn’t answer immediately. Louis pressed him.

‘I asked you a question.’

‘They’ve gone dark,’ said Hendricksen. ‘They weren’t under constant surveillance by the Korps – that level of manpower just isn’t available – but they were being monitored regularly. At the moment, there’s no trace of them or their people.’

‘I detect an unspoken “but” somewhere,’ said Louis.