“Now tell me what you’ve found out,” I said, leaning back and taking a swallow of warm tea.

“I forwarded it all to your computer,” he said. “I thought it’d be a nice surprise when you got home. It’ll take too long to explain now. A lot of bank account transfers. Lists of names from around the world, some of them familiar. Large sums, small sums… Nonstop money traffic. International accounts and local banks… I haven’t deciphered all the information yet, but I’ve got more than enough to give us a good idea. You’ll see.”

“But what good will any of that do? What are we supposed to do with these Telekom lists?”

“We’ve got access to the private records of almost anyone you can think of. A long list of names. It’ll be child’s play to hack any bank.”

“It already is,” I said, lightly pressing the last forkful of pastry against my palate with my tongue.

“Good luck to you then, bacı.”

“Since when have you addressed me as ‘elder sister’?”

“God willing, you’re now a big sister to me. No one has ever done me a favor like this. No one.”

I still planned to call Ponpon, but I’d do it when I got home. Brother-in-law Ziya could wait, too. I’d been tired even before dessert; now I was about to be overcome with drowsiness. Even a massage seemed like too much trouble. I paid the cheerful waitress and got into a taxi waved over by the doorman, tall and well built in his cape and top hat. As he closed the door for me, he shot me a smile that, though courteous, let me know that he was on to me. I was too exhausted to flirt, and simply nodded my appreciation.

I nearly dozed off in the taxi. It was all I could do to stay awake.

When I got home, there in front of the apartment building was a police car waiting to take me to the station.

Fortunately, the police were most polite. Once again, my friendship with Selçuk had done me no harm. It was “sir” this and “sir” that. Exhausted, I calmly did all they asked and produced perfectly plausible responses to all their questions.

There was the matter of my visit to Faruk Hanoğlu. Why had I gone to see him, and when? How long I had stayed? What was the exact nature of our relationship? How well I’d known him, and such… They were simply gathering as much information as possible, that was all. A routine interview. Nothing to be concerned about. Not yet, anyway.

Nothing was asked about Okan, and nothing volunteered. With Okan so terrified of the police, he’d have no choice but to spend a couple more days with Refik Altın, at their love nest. Within a couple of days, everything would be clear, in any case.

I was certain that they’d interpreted my fatigue as boredom, therefore assuming that all I told them was true. My testimony was typed up. After glancing over it, I signed a copy. I was thanked, and a policeman went so far as to accompany me to the exit, no doubt due to his respect for, and fear of, Commissioner Selçuk. Shaking my hand as we parted, he said, “Give my regards to the chief.”

I was deposited in front of my building by the same car that had taken me off to the station an hour earlier.

At last, I could crawl into my inviting, empty bed, with particular emphasis on the word “empty.” Were John Pruitt or even Haluk Pekerdem to come calling, I’d have politely turned them away. I was that tired. As I got undressed, I took the large safe-deposit box key out of my trouser pocket and placed it on the nightstand. I’m normally a tidy person, some would even say compulsive, but for tonight I simply tossed my clothes onto the low armchair near the bed.

It would take an alert mind to go through the lists forwarded to me by Cihad2000. That could wait until morning. It was nearly nine o’clock. Cihad2000 and Pamir would be going at it by now, I thought. Then I was out cold.

A blissfully deep sleep and delightful dreams were cut short by the endless ringing of the phone. Even worse, the call had been placed not to the line attached to the answering machine, but to my modem, the number of which even I didn’t know. It seemed the ringing would never stop; I’d have to answer it.

Opening a single eye, I peered at the alarm clock. It was well after midnight.

I dragged myself into my home office and produced my grimmest “Alo.”

“I just called to thank you” came the voice of Cihad2000. “I haven’t woken you?”

“I was sleeping. Anyway, I’m awake now.”

“It was amazing, better than any of my fantasies. I couldn’t get enough. It was so… punishing.”

“I’m so happy for you,” I said.

“Anyway, you’d better get back to bed. We’ll talk tomorrow. I’m too wound up to sleep. Maybe I’ll get some more work done. Oh, by the way, have you had a look at the lists I sent? Did you find anything useful?”

“You wouldn’t believe how exhausted I was. I passed out the second I got home.”

“Alright, alright. I can take a hint. Sorry. Tomorrow then…”

“Okay.” I yawned.

He thanked me again before hanging up.

It had been a short call, but I was now fully awake. I went back to bed, hoping for the best. The covers were still warm. I pulled them up to my chin.

I started imagining what I’d find when I opened the safe-deposit box the next day. It’d be just like a film. I’d walk in and open the box with my key. The name of the bank, branch code, and box number were all engraved on the key, after all. In order to ensure that I’d be able to stride right past the lines of envious bank customers, with a curt nod directed at the deferential manager, I’d have to follow the example of my mother, chin high, eyes straight ahead, and dressed to genteel advantage. I could only guess at the dirty laundry that awaited me. It might lead me not only to Volkan’s killer, but to that of loan shark Faruk as well. It’s true that the police were on the case, but they now had me to contend with as well.

I turned over onto my other side, completely altering my train of thought. Volkan was just Volkan, and Faruk just Faruk. And both were dead. But then there was Haluk Pekerdem… Ah, that Haluk Pekerdem. I tried to picture him lying next to me. And failed. It just wasn’t happening.

I was feeling sleepy again. But I thought I heard strange sounds in the flat. I froze and listened carefully. Yes, someone was in my flat. Perhaps even more than one person. Whoever they were, they hadn’t turned on a light. It could only mean trouble.

I considered confronting them. I was half dressed and barefoot. It’s true that shoes aren’t necessarily required for Thai boxing, but this wasn’t a question of fun and games. It could well be a question of life and death. As always, the right shoes were essential. And then there was the damage that might be caused to my flat, my home. Life and property both hung in the balance!

I was just sitting up when two shadows appeared before me. I’d have had to be blind not to notice the glinting barrel of a gun pointed right at me. Both of them wore ski masks. I guessed that they were male, strong, and young.

The one nearest me seemed somehow more alert and in charge. Indeed, he spoke first.

“Give me the key,” he hissed, waving the gun at my nose.

I’d have to think carefully before springing to action. And springing out of a prone position would be no easy matter.

“What key?” I said, buying time.

“Don’t play dumb. The first question is always ‘who are you?’ or ’what do you want?’ I’d expected more of you. Don’t drag this out. And don’t try any tricks.”

Well, at least he had a sense of humor. The voice was unfamiliar.

“That last line of yours was a bit hackneyed,” I said, reaching for the lamp.

He rapped my hand with the gun.

“We won’t be getting married or anything. There’s no need for that light.”

“But how I am supposed to see what I’m doing, sweetie?” I asked.