***
Wacki sat at the table in Sergey’s room, repeating word for word his conversation with the two cops.
Sergey listened patiently until Wacki finished. “Interesting. I assume this means those police cannot be bribed.”
“Kaldis? Not a chance. He’s a legend on a mission. And he has a rich, socially prominent wife. Doesn’t need the money.”
Sergey flicked his index finger against his lips. “I guess we must find another way to get what we need from him and his colleagues.”
“Good luck with that,” said Wacki.
Sergey smiled. “Thank you.”
Chapter Seventeen
Andreas, Kouros, and Tassos sat outside a cafenion next to the entrance to the airport, two buildings up from the police station.
“Is your plane on time?” said Tassos.
“Far as I know,” said Andreas.
“We’ll see it coming in from Athens. It drops off one load of passengers, fills up with another, and heads straight back,” said Kouros.
“I’ve heard the Athens-Mykonos trip is the most profitable per mile airline route in Europe,” said Andreas.
“Everyone tries to find a way to get rich off of Mykonos. It’s like a curse,” said Tassos. “Whether honest or dishonest, they all come here to make money from its tourists.”
“My bet is whatever Sergey has in mind it won’t be honest.” Andreas raised his coffee cup. “Here’s to hoping we figure out what that is before he does it.” He took a sip and put the cup back on the table. “Wish we could stay, but I’ve got to get back to the office.”
“Yeah, Chief, if you stay away too long people might start to realize who really runs the office.”
Andreas smiled, “Are you trying to get Tassos to put in a good word for you with Maggie?”
“Wouldn’t hurt.”
“You’re wasting your time, she’d never believe me anyway,” said Tassos.
“Let’s just keep an eye on Sergey. And let Wacki know we’re watching him so he doesn’t get cocky,” said Andreas.
Tassos nodded. “But, as you said, I’m afraid we won’t know what Sergey’s next move is until he makes it.”
“You don’t think Wacki might talk?” said Kouros.
Tassos gestured no. “Even if he would, I think Sergey’s smart enough not to trust him with anything that really mattered.”
“I think the only real shot we have at finding out what he’s up to is through the two guys with the girl who killed Christos,” said Andreas.
“Sergey must know that, too,” said Kouros.
Andreas nodded. “Which means if Europol doesn’t find them first Sergey is home free.”
“Damnit,” said Kouros. “I wish I knew what the son-of-a-bitch was up to.”
“We will,” said Andreas. “The only question is ‘when?’”
“And ‘how?’” said Tassos
Andreas stood up and nodded toward the sky. “Let’s go, Yianni, here comes our plane. Athens awaits our return.”
“As Mykonos mourns.”
***
The call came into the police station in the early afternoon and the caller asked to speak to the chief of police.
Mihalis answered on the first ring. “Yes?”
“Is this the chief of police?”
“Yes.”
“This is Wacki. I’m calling on behalf of my employer, Sergey Tishchenko. You met him this morning in the mayor’s office.”
Now what? thought Mihalis. “What can I do for you?”
“As you know, my employer doesn’t speak Greek so he asked me to pass along something you might find interesting in connection with the investigation of the murder of Christos.”
“It’s not my case.”
“I know, but you are the only one he knows to contact.”
“Have him call Tassos Stamatos on Syros.”
“That might be a problem.”
“Problem? What sort of problem.”
“Well, right after my employer left the meeting with you and the mayor he was confronted at his hotel by Tassos Stamatos, Andreas Kaldis, and a detective Kouros. From his conversation with them, he had the distinct impression there was something else the killers were after.”
“So?”
“And those police had whatever it was.”
“Why would they tell that to your employer?”
“I don’t know. But, like you, my employer thought it strange for them to think he would have an interest in what they had. It may be an innocent remark that he misunderstood, and whatever they were talking about was part of the official file on the investigation. He just didn’t want there to be any misunderstandings with you or the mayor on his commitment to being a legitimate businessman in this community. He had an unfair scrape with the law before and doesn’t want that being used by anyone to imply he’s not pursuing this opportunity on the up and up.”
Jesus, thought Mihalis. Was that why Tassos showed up here this morning? If he was fishing for what the mayor knew about whatever the killers were looking for…“Thank you. I appreciate your call.”
“You’re welcome. Always happy to help.”
Mihalis hung up the phone. There were always rumors that Christos must have had something on a lot of people to be able to run his club as he did for so long. Shit, if Tassos found it…and didn’t turn it in.
He shook his head. He hated going after cops. And if super-clean Kaldis was involved, this was a problem way above Mihalis’ pay grade.
Before he breathed a word about this to anyone, he better make damn sure there’s something to it. Otherwise, goodbye pension.
***
“Keria.”
The maid turned to face the man’s voice. Mihalis stood inside the doorway of a large living area she was cleaning. Next to him stood the maid’s boss.
“Excuse me for bothering you at work. I tried you at home but you weren’t there and it’s urgent I speak with you immediately.”
The boss shook her finger at the maid.”He won’t tell me what this is about. If you’re in any sort of trouble you can take your things and get out of here right now.”
“I can assure you this is not about her or anyone in her family. Now if you’d please excuse us, I’d like to speak to her alone.”
“I’m not used to being told what to do in my own home,” she snarled.
Mihalis smiled. “If you’d prefer I can spend the time checking whether or not that stairway I saw when I came in leads to an illegal basement.”
She glared at the maid. “If my husband is fined because you brought the police into our house, you’re fired!” She spun around and walked out of the room.
“Seems like a real charmer to work for.”
The maid did not respond.
Mihalis nodded. “I understand. You need this job. Times are tough. Let me get to the point. It’s about your former employer, Christos Vasilakis.”
“I told everything I know to the other policemen.”
He nodded again. “I’m sure. But I just want to go over a few things to make certain that they didn’t miss anything. Please, sit down.” He motioned toward a chair.
She gestured no. “Madam does not allow me to sit on her furniture.”
“Very well.” He cleared his throat. “What I want to go over is what you told the policeman from Syros.”
“You mean the older man?”
“Yes, the older fat man.”
“I told him the same things I told the other police. I came into the house, saw Mister Christos on the floor, called the police, and sat with him until they arrived.”
“Did he ask if you knew where Christos kept things in his house?”
“What sort of things?”
“Valuables.”
“I told him, in the safe.”
“The one in the bedroom?”
The maid hesitated for an instant. “Yes.”
He paused. “Was there another place Christos kept valuable things?”
One of her eyes began to twitch. “I don’t know what you mean?”
He walked to a couch next to where the maid stood and sat down. For thirty seconds he stared directly up and into her eyes without saying a word.
“Unless you want me to tell your employer you’re withholding evidence in connection with the robbery and murder of your former employer, I suggest you tell me now precisely what you told the Syros cop about any other place where Christos kept his valuables.”