Page 54 of The Nameless Ones

‘I’ll arrange to collect the rest of my things once this is resolved,’ said Mina. ‘I have a lawyer in mind for the divorce. She’s young, and doesn’t move in your circles.’

‘You don’t have to worry,’ he said. ‘I won’t make things difficult for you. You have my word.’

‘It’s a little late for that kind of promise, isn’t it?’

He couldn’t help but smile, and she responded in kind.

‘I suppose so.’ He placed his hands in his pockets. ‘Were they all so terrible, these years we spent together?’

‘Not terrible, but such a waste.’

‘Except for Pia,’ he said.

‘Yes, except for her.’

‘You know that by losing you, I also lose her?’

Mina’s smile faded.

‘You lost us both a long time ago,’ she said.

Chapter XLV

As arranged, Angel waited for Pia Lackner at a parking lot on Queen Victoria Street, a short walk from her office. Lackner arrived carrying only her purse, as briefed. For the purposes of the narrative being constructed, she was not permitted to bring with her any clothing or possessions from her apartment, not even a cosmetics bag. She had provided Angel with a list of her requirements, including her measurements, and Rosanna Bellingham had taken care of the purchases, assembling sufficient clothing and toiletries for two weeks. Angel had assured Lackner that two weeks represented a worst-case scenario, and she, in turn, had informed him that he had a week, and no more.

Rosanna was sitting behind the wheel of a Ford Galaxy, Bob Johnson beside her. Lackner quickly climbed into the back as Rosanna started the engine. A comfortable cottage had been rented for them on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula, equipped with provisions and diversions. Lackner would have to remain hidden for the duration of the stay, but the cottage had its own secluded beach, and the nearest neighbors were some way off. She wouldn’t be going into Helston for dinner and drinks at The Greenhouse, but neither would she be entirely a prisoner, if one of her own choosing. As for her job, it was already Friday, which meant they had three days before she would be required to begin justifying her absence. A call complaining of being ill would suffice. Even if Frend decided to check with the firm, it would make sense for his daughter’s kidnappers to ensure that her employers were not made anxious about her.

With Angel’s assistance, Lackner had recorded three video messages for her father. She was, he thought, a pretty good actress, communicating fear at her situation and anger at him for placing her in jeopardy. The first video would be sent to Frend after Angel arrived in Vienna.

Lackner pressed a button to lower the window of the MPV.

‘Will I see you again?’ she asked Angel.

‘Only if things go wrong.’

‘My father won’t call the police, if that’s what you mean. He won’t put me in further danger.’

‘Well, that’s only one of the ways the plan could go south, but it’s reassuring to hear.’

‘I’m placing a lot of trust in you,’ said Lackner.

‘As I am in you,’ said Angel.

She bit her lip.

‘I don’t want him to get hurt,’ she said. ‘I may hate him, but he is still my father.’

Angel patted the side of the vehicle, and it began to pull slowly away.

‘We won’t hurt him,’ said Angel. ‘I promise.’

We probably won’t have to, he thought. If he betrays the Vuksans, someone else will do it for us.

Chapter XLVI

Frend stood in the bedroom he had shared with his wife for so long. He tried to remember the last time he and Mina had made love here – made love anywhere – and failed. They could, of course, have elected to occupy separate bedrooms, but the issue had never arisen. Perhaps, even in their reduced state, they still had not wished to be alone in the dark.

Although Mina had packed hurriedly, there was no mess in the bedroom, and only his own possessions now remained conspicuous. It was very like her to be able to excise so efficiently any obvious evidence of her existence. When eventually the divorce was finalized, and their severance complete, it would be as though she had never played a part in his history. They might meet at Pia’s wedding, he supposed, assuming Pia ever found time to marry, and he was invited to the ceremony. Otherwise, Frend believed that he and Mina might never be found in each other’s presence again until one of them died and the other stood dry-eyed in the church as some version of a life was recalled for the benefit of the congregation.

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