“Thank you,” said Remi. She whispered to Sam, “What pictures?”

János snapped her picture. “You’re welcome,” he said.

Tibor drove them out to the east side of the city, then farther out onto the grassy plains. Five miles later they came to a large complex with five rows of white buildings. Most of them were long and low rectangles with no windows. János aimed his camera and began to shoot, clicking and winding automatically. He kept shooting as they drove along the tall chain-link fences with coiled razor wire along the top. They passed a guard gate that looked like the entrance to a military base, complete with armed guards in gray battle dress uniforms.

Remi said, “Why all the guards?”

“The reason they give is that they make and store narcotic drugs here, and they do research on new medicines, so competitors might steal their secrets. The real reason is so Bako can do as he likes and nobody asks questions.”

All through the trip, Sam was silent. He looked closely at everything, but he said nothing.

When the van returned to the garage, Sam asked for a piece of paper and said to Tibor, “I’m going to make a list of things we’ll need and give you money to buy them. If you can’t get something, tell me and I’ll have them flown here.” He began to write as he spoke. “Four gray uniforms like the ones Bako’s men wear. Four pistols with two spare magazines each in holsters on belts of black webbing. The ones they carry looked to me like Czech CZ-75s. If there’s a Hungarian model that looks like that, it’ll be fine. Black boots, four pairs, mid-calf height. We’ll need to have the boots polished and the uniforms pressed. And remember, one set is for Remi, so get one size small. And get one short black leather dog leash and collar.”

“Anything else?” said Tibor. “Anything to go with the collar?”

“A dog.”

“A dog?”

“I’d like a German shepherd. If necessary, it can be a Rottweiler or Doberman. He needs to have a good nose and be well trained and obedient.”

“There is a man in Szeged who trains dogs.”

“And he’s your cousin, right?” asked Sam.

“Not everybody is my cousin. This one is my wife’s cousin. I’ll see if he has a good dog right now.”

“Can you take Remi to see his dogs and pick one out?”

“I could, but these are Hungarian dogs. Remi doesn’t speak Hungarian.”

Remi said, “I can learn as many words as a German shepherd.”

“And all dogs speak to Remi,” said Sam. He looked at Tibor. “Are you and János willing to do this? Have you made up your minds?”

“I’d rather go kidnap Bako and trade him for your friend. But, yes.”

“If this doesn’t work, we’ll try that next.”

SZEGED, HUNGARY

REMI FARGO STOOD AT THE GATE IN THE FENCE AROUND the exercise yard, where there were several German shepherds. She said to Tibor’s wife’s cousin, “What’s that one’s name?”