VI.

Diana Claus closed the folder full of photographs. She lifted a hand to her forehead and then ran it through her hair. “I can’t believe that bastard. After all the promises, all that shit.”

Aleph nodded but did not reply even though he knew that Mrs. Claus expected him to. But he hadn’t been hired to be a marriage counselor.

She said, “Who is she? Another Russian slut?”

“No, she is not. Who she is exactly, well, we have not been able to confirm anything. As far as we know, she is just a woman from town, from your husband’s last stop, I mean.”

Diana turned her head and looked at the family photos hanging on the wall. “Well, I want it to be his last stop for good. You do know what I’m talking about, right?” Aleph nodded. “I do.”

“So you’ll do it,” she said.

“I will but only if that’s what you really want. I’ll meet with my team, discuss the consequences of that action and we will bring it to you in writing. If you still would like to go through with hiring us for that additional task, we will do the job and do it well.”

Diana nodded.

“Then I’ll be back in a half hour with the paperwork.” “Okay.”

Aleph stood up and started for the door. He stopped. “One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“This woman, she acted like she knew your husband even though he seemed to have no idea. Does she look familiar to you?”

Diana reluctantly opened the folder again and perused the photographs. “No, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her before.” Aleph frowned and continued on his way out of the room.