The Nameless Ones by John Connolly
Chapter XIV
It was just past 8 a.m. when Louis heard from Hendricksen.
‘There’s no sign of De Jaager at his home or usual haunts,’ said Hendricksen, ‘and Anouk and Paulus haven’t been seen since yesterday. Obviously, my police contacts are reluctant to go breaking into the residences of private citizens without due cause, particularly ones like De Jaager. They don’t always want to know exactly what he’s up to, because if they did, they might have to do something about it. He’s also a man who lives what could politely be described as a clandestine existence, and so occasional unexplained absences are to be expected. What goes for De Jaager goes for Paulus, too, it seems. Meanwhile, I don’t know Anouk well enough to comment either way.’
Everything that Hendricksen said made sense to Louis. De Jaager was a secretive individual, and that desire, even need, for concealment affected all those around him, but especially Paulus and Anouk. While De Jaager rarely went anywhere without the former, Anouk took care of all kinds of incidental details, including catering for De Jaager’s more demanding guests, of whom Louis had recently been one. There was no reason for her to be absent as well, not unless all three had gone to ground for their own security, which was, Louis supposed, a possibility. No one could live as long as De Jaager, and move in his unusual circles, without accumulating enemies, Serbian or otherwise.
‘What about the Vuksans?’
Hendricksen didn’t answer immediately. Louis pressed him.
‘I asked you a question.’
‘They’ve gone dark,’ said Hendricksen. ‘They weren’t under constant surveillance by the Korps – that level of manpower just isn’t available – but they were being monitored regularly. At the moment, there’s no trace of them or their people.’
‘I detect an unspoken “but” somewhere,’ said Louis.
‘But,’ Hendricksen conceded, ‘it seems a flurry of activity occurred a few hours ago, involving one Zivco Ilić. Ilić is to Spiridon Vuksan what Paulus is to De Jaager. He made a series of pickups, probably cash and easily transportable assets, from a number of businesses and apartments linked to the clan. The Criminal Intelligence Team received a tip-off, but it came too late to target Ilić and find out what he was up to. Then again, as I informed you when last we spoke, the Vuksans are closing up shop, so some element of wealth consolidation is to be expected. The Korps are just glad to see them recede from view.’
‘I’ve heard Ilić’s name,’ said Louis. He shared with Hendricksen the entirety of the information he’d received from Ross, including the fact that the crooked legat, Armitage, had probably been in contact with the Vuksans through Ilić.
‘Maybe Ilić was a rat,’ said Hendricksen. ‘Armitage could have been using him as a source.’
‘If she was, she kept it to herself,’ said Louis. ‘When did you say you were returning to Amsterdam?’
‘You know exactly when, because I told you: tomorrow morning.’
‘Can you get back earlier?’
‘I could. There’s a KLM flight at four forty-five today that would get me into Amsterdam just before six. I have plans, though, the kind that involve a woman.’
‘She’ll understand.’
‘Is it politically incorrect to suggest that only a gay man would speak such nonsense?’
‘Probably, but I’ll let it pass.’
‘If you’ve made me give up a night of pleasure for nothing,’ said Hendricksen, ‘you and De Jaager are going to have to compensate me – and the lady in question.’
‘I don’t tend to worry without cause.’
‘That’s what I thought. Nevertheless, I don’t know what more I can do by being in Amsterdam instead of Paris. De Jaager has friends on the police, and their sources are better than mine.’
‘Not entirely,’ said Louis. ‘They don’t have me, or the address of De Jaager’s safe house.’