“The Minister of Public Order is to be congratulated for a job well done.”
Andreas muted the television. “I’m sure you get the idea, Spiros. It’s playing on all the channels and I understand the newspapers actually have some terrific photos of Yianni and me.”
“I’ll ruin you,” said Spiros.
Andreas looked at his watch. “Can’t imagine why you’d want to do that. But you’ll have your chance in about ten minutes down in the pressroom. The film crews are waiting for you.”
“Pressroom? I didn’t call any press conference.”
“But they’re down there. I guess you could tell them to go home. Or you could present your ideas on prosecuting the three cops who’ve just given you the chance to look like a national hero.
“Maybe you should discuss this with your fellow ministers. See how they feel about your turning the first unifying good news this country’s had in a long time into shit.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to Athens.”
“Andreas…” Spiros voice fell off.
“Yes, Minister?”
“Goodbye.”
Andreas left the police chief’s office without saying goodbye. Kouros was downstairs in a group of cops watching television. They were slapping Kouros on the back and congratulating him.
“Let’s go, Yianni. The plane leaves for Athens in twenty minutes.”
“How the hell did the news channels get the story so quickly? And they’re all using their big gun anchors to tell it.”
Andreas said nothing, just waved for Kouros to follow him, and started walking the hundred yards or so to the airport.
When Kouros caught up, Andreas said, “You liked it, huh?”
“Loved it! What did the minister have to say? I could hear his screaming all the way downstairs but couldn’t make out what he was saying.”
“Forget about what he had to say. It’s what he’s about to say that matters.”
“So tell me, already. How did you pull off all that television coverage?”
“Me? I had nothing to do with it.” He put his arm around Kouros’ shoulder. “It wasn’t my fault Spiros decided to piss off my wife.”
***
Lila and Andreas sat on the bed in front of the television flipping back and forth between channels like kids jumping between cartoon shows.
“I can’t believe this, I just can’t.” Lila was bouncing up and down on the bed. “I’m going to have to throw the absolutely biggest thank-you party ever. Every single one read it exactly as we wrote it.”
“As you wrote it. That ‘legendary’ was a bit much.”
“Not to me it wasn’t. Besides with television if you say it’s so, it is so, and I didn’t want to give Spiros any wiggle room. I wanted him to know that if he didn’t embrace you completely he was fucked.”
“Whoa, such language.” Andreas smiled.
“He’s the one who decided to mess with my husband.”
“Didn’t you love it when Spiros said that the entire operation was carried out precisely in accordance with a contingency plan developed under his personal direction for just such a situation?”
“Spiros is a piece of work,” said Lila, “but my absolutely favorite moment was when the Prime Minister jumped in on Spiros’ act with a surprise appearance and kept praising you, Yianni, and Tassos by name. Spiros’ cheeks were literally twitching from forcing a smile for so long.”
Andreas wrapped his arms around Lila from behind. “You’re terrific. Thank you for coming up with the idea and making it all happen.”
“When you called and told me Tassos was safe, I wanted to make sure you were, too. We had to strike first, before Spiros had the chance to spin the news.”
“Remind me never to cross you.”
“Every day.” Lila smiled.
“And to make a copy of all this for Tassos.”
“How is he?”
“Maggie said it’s still touch and go. No visitors allowed yet. Fear of infection.”
“She must be hysterical,” said Lila
“Inside, maybe. Outside she’s a rock. She told me to give her a call when I have the chance. She said I should spend the afternoon with you and Tassaki and not think about work. Can’t imagine what she thinks could possibly interest me home alone with you in our bedroom.”
Lila clicked the remote and turned off the TV.
“Okay, it’s time to prove why you’re a legend.”
***
There had to be places that were more depressing than hospitals, but Andreas couldn’t think of any at the moment. He saw Maggie sitting on a hard-back chair in a dull green hallway outside the burn unit. A cop leaned on the wall across from her; another stood back by the elevators.
Maggie stood when she saw Andreas. She said nothing, just put her arms around him and squeezed. He hugged her.
“They’re not sure he’ll make it.”
Andreas kissed her forehead. “That tough bastard will make it. Don’t you worry. When we found him he promised me he’d make it. He said, ‘Tell my Maggie not to worry.’”
She pulled back and looked at Andreas’ eyes. “Did he really say that?”
“Absolutely. He didn’t say much, but you were his first thoughts. It’s what kept him going.”
Why shouldn’t I tell her that? I’m sure it’s true.
Maggie smiled. “Even if he didn’t, thank you for saying that he did.”
Andreas kissed her again and dropped his arms.
“If you think there’s a better hospital or other doctors that should see him, just ask.”
Maggie gestured no. “This is the best place in Greece for burn victims. There is no where else to take him.”
“Perhaps a hospital in another country has better facilities?”
“I understand they’re doing all that can be done for now. Perhaps later. But not now.”
“I know I don’t have to say this, but if money ever becomes an issue-”
Maggie put her finger to his lips. “You’re right you don’t have to say it. I know.”
“Lila sends her love. She’ll be here as soon as you want to see her.”
“You’re a lucky man.”
“You don’t have to tell me.”
“Good. Don’t ever forget it.”
Andreas smiled.
Maggie’s face turned serious. “For the past thirty-six hours I’ve been living someone else’s life. This couldn’t possibly be happening to me…to us. Finding happiness together after all these years and then…” Maggie shook her head.
“Yesterday morning, after you called to say you’d found him, I rushed to church and thanked God for answering my prayers.
“As I sat there, I realized I must go on believing Tassos will recover, and live my life as if he will be home any day.”
“Sounds like a healthy approach.”
“Healthy or not it is the one I’m taking.”
Andreas nodded.
“One of the first things I did when I got back to my apartment was check the messages on Tassos’ answering machine in Syros. I didn’t want anyone who might have called to worry, now that we knew he was safe.”
Andreas nodded again.
Maggie opened her bag and handed him an envelope.
“This is a transcript of one of those calls. I think it’s important. It came in after he was kidnapped. It may have to do with the people who did this to him.”
“Who’s the caller?”
“Whoever it was refused to identify himself or herself.”
“Himself or herself? You couldn’t tell from the voice?”
“The caller used a voice scrambler. I made a tape of the call if you want to listen to it, but I typed a transcript because I knew you’d want one…Chief.” Maggie smiled. “Welcome back. I hear the suspension was lifted.”
“And Spiros has promised all of us a raise.”
“Good luck with ever seeing that any time soon. About the most you can hope for these days is that your hero pay won’t be cut as much as we commoner public servants’ pay.”
“You’re always my hero.”
“Enough with the bullshit.” Maggie waved the backs of her hands at him. “Now go read the transcript and find the bastards who did this to my guy.”