‘What of it?’

Spiridon’s tone was sharp, for him. He was always defensive about the girl. It was tiring. No one had ever suggested that there was anything improper about the relationship, or not within earshot of Spiridon. Unnatural, yes, but that was another matter.

‘Nothing,’ said Radovan. ‘It was just an observation. We should be going. Vienna is still three hours away, and I’ll feel safer once we’re there.’

He had been against stopping, but the men had wanted to use the restrooms, and then hunger had gotten the better of them. There were too many people here, too many strangers, and Belgrade was watching for them. They had been reduced to the status of prey, hiding from the light.

Spiridon signaled to the others, and they began to walk to the cars. It was left to Radovan to clear the debris from the table. Spiridon stared back at him.

‘What are you doing?’ he said.

‘Look around you,’ said Radovan. ‘See all the law-abiding Germans and Austrians disposing of their waste? If we wish to remain unnoticed, we must behave as they do.’

He divided the litter and food waste between the appropriate containers, and arranged the the glasses and trays.

‘We are not like them,’ said Spiridon, as his brother fell into step beside him. ‘And we never will be.’

‘Small details will betray us,’ said Radovan.

‘No,’ said Spiridon, ‘only small men.’

Chapter XXVI

On their previous visit to Amsterdam, Angel and Louis, with Parker, had done their best to avoid letting Ross know their location and movements. They had stayed in De Jaager’s safe house, an option that obviously no longer presented itself. But making it difficult for Ross to contact him now seemed counterproductive to Louis, so he and Angel were booked into the Conservatorium in Oud-Zuid, and a secure email had advised Ross accordingly. Once they had freshened up and changed their clothes, they joined Hendricksen in the hotel lounge, where they ordered food.

‘You really must have money if you’re staying in this place,’ said Hendricksen. ‘I feel as though I’m bringing the tone down just by being here.’

‘Me, too,’ said Angel.

‘You’d bring down the tone of a Super Eight,’ said Louis to Angel. ‘Anyway, it’s not our money, it’s De Jaager’s.’

‘I don’t understand,’ said Hendricksen.

‘He wired me a million euros before he died.’

‘To what end?’

‘Possibly because it amused him.’

‘And now you’ll use it to avenge him.’

‘That’s right.’

A waiter arrived with coffee, a pot of tea, and the neatest sandwiches Louis had ever encountered. The coffee smelled strong and bitter, and the bread tasted freshly baked.

‘And you?’ said Louis to Hendricksen. ‘Where do you stand? I brought you into this, but you have no obligations to me or De Jaager, not unless you’ve been hiding something from us.’

Hendricksen finished a bite of sandwich before responding.