Page 75 of The Nameless Ones

Frend was not sure that Zivco Ilic had the necessary funds required to purchase a new passport for himself, but the Vuksans might be willing to fund him. They would not want to be trapped in unknown territory without someone they could trust to watch their backs. As for Zorya, he did not believe she would travel with them. According to Radovan, she wished to return to Serbia. He did not know why.

‘I need a definite answer,’ said Kauffmann.

‘I’ll check, but assume three for now.’

‘What about photographs?’

‘I have them ready to send. I just require an email address.’

Kauffmann consulted her phone and supplied a secure address consisting of random numbers and letters, which Frend knew would cease to exist after the image files had been downloaded. He sent the encrypted files from his own phone, and waited for Kauffmann to confirm that they’d been received safely.

‘Done,’ she said. ‘Now, I have somewhere to be. Is there anything else?’

‘No, I think that’s all.’

Kauffmann tightened the belt on her coat and took in the cemetery one last time.

‘Have you considered adding your name to that passport list?’ she said.

Frend shook his head. ‘I have a business here, and friends.’

‘I notice that you fail to mention a family. How is your wife?’

‘Elsewhere.’

‘Permanently?’

‘Probably.’

‘And your mistress?’

‘You are very well-informed.’

‘Just because you don’t parade her doesn’t make her a secret. Are you attached to her?’

‘I am fond of her, but no more than that.’

‘And your daughter remains in England?’

‘Yes, but we are estranged.’

Kauffmann laid a hand on Frend’s right arm.

‘Even should you succeed in getting the Vuksans out of Europe,’ she said, ‘they are leaving wreckage behind, and you will be swimming in it. Too many people know of your ties to these men, and they may refuse to believe that you have severed them completely. You have money, and property that can be sold. By all accounts your wife is a civilized woman who will behave honorably in the event of a divorce. You have fewer obligations here than you think, and a business is not worth a life.’

‘And what would I do in some Caribbean backwater?’ said Frend. ‘Drink too much, and seduce the occasional lonely tourist?’

‘There are men who dream of such a life.’

‘I am not one of them.’

She patted his sleeve.

‘I advise you to reflect upon it. Where did you park?’

‘I didn’t drive. I took a taxi.’

‘Why would you do that?’

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