‘But,’ Hendricksen conceded, ‘it seems a flurry of activity occurred a few hours ago, involving one Zivco Ilić. Ilić is to Spiridon Vuksan what Paulus is to De Jaager. He made a series of pickups, probably cash and easily transportable assets, from a number of businesses and apartments linked to the clan. The Criminal Intelligence Team received a tip-off, but it came too late to target Ilić and find out what he was up to. Then again, as I informed you when last we spoke, the Vuksans are closing up shop, so some element of wealth consolidation is to be expected. The Korps are just glad to see them recede from view.’

‘I’ve heard Ilić’s name,’ said Louis. He shared with Hendricksen the entirety of the information he’d received from Ross, including the fact that the crooked legat, Armitage, had probably been in contact with the Vuksans through Ilić.

‘Maybe Ilić was a rat,’ said Hendricksen. ‘Armitage could have been using him as a source.’

‘If she was, she kept it to herself,’ said Louis. ‘When did you say you were returning to Amsterdam?’

‘You know exactly when, because I told you: tomorrow morning.’

‘Can you get back earlier?’

‘I could. There’s a KLM flight at four forty-five today that would get me into Amsterdam just before six. I have plans, though, the kind that involve a woman.’

‘She’ll understand.’

‘Is it politically incorrect to suggest that only a gay man would speak such nonsense?’

‘Probably, but I’ll let it pass.’

‘If you’ve made me give up a night of pleasure for nothing,’ said Hendricksen, ‘you and De Jaager are going to have to compensate me – and the lady in question.’

‘I don’t tend to worry without cause.’

‘That’s what I thought. Nevertheless, I don’t know what more I can do by being in Amsterdam instead of Paris. De Jaager has friends on the police, and their sources are better than mine.’

‘Not entirely,’ said Louis. ‘They don’t have me, or the address of De Jaager’s safe house.’

Chapter XV

There was no fool, Radovan Vuksan reflected, like one who believed that fate played favorites. His brother was not a fool, but he was arrogant, and that arrogance – a product, Radovan suspected, of his military background – combined with a certain undeniable good fortune, had convinced Spiridon that the cards would always fall to his benefit. It was this, as much as his bloodlust, that had led him to target De Jaager and the others as his farewell to the Netherlands, but he had overplayed his hand and now events beyond his control had left the Vuksans in peril.