Page 109 of The Nameless Ones

‘Why do you think?’

‘Spiridon is dead. So are all the others who killed your friends.’

‘But you’re still alive.’

‘I have killed only one person in my life, and that was my own brother. I saved you the bother of doing it. You have no quarrel with me.’

‘Don’t I?’ said Louis. ‘You were there when De Jaager and the others died. You permitted the girl to torture Hendricksen.’

‘I could not have stopped it.’

‘You could have tried.’

‘I advised against all of it.’

‘I’m not sure that counts for a lot.’

Radovan stared at the gun in Louis’s hand.

‘I have money,’ he said.

‘I don’t need money,’ said Louis, ‘but I do need information.’

Radovan’s eyes suddenly shone with hope.

‘What kind of information?’

‘I want to know about the girl.’

‘Her name is Zorya.’

‘That I’m already aware of. Where is she now?’

‘Back in Serbia.’

‘Where in Serbia? Does she have family, friends?’

‘She has none of those things. If she ever did, they’re long dead.’

‘The question stands: Where in Serbia?’

Radovan hesitated.

‘Are you an honorable man?’ he said.

‘More honorable than you.’

‘Even so, why would I tell you anything? How will it aid me?’

‘If you tell me where the girl can be found,’ said Louis, ‘I won’t shoot you. You have my word.’

‘Why should I believe you?’

‘Because if you don’t tell me, I will shoot you. Your scope for compromise is limited.’

Radovan nodded.

‘Ask after her in Bor or Negotin. Talk to the Vlachs. They’ll know where she’s hiding.’

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