Memories of Midnight (4 page)

There were outdoor cafes on almost every block, and on the corners men were selling freshly caught sponges Everywhere, flowers were being sold by vendors, their booths a rage of violently colored blossoms The limousine had reached Syntagma Square As they passed a hotel on the corner, Catherine called out: 'Stop, please!' The driver pulled over to the curb. Catherine was finding it difficult to breathe. / recognize this hotel. I've stayed here When she spoke, her voice was shaky. 'I'd like to get out here I wonder if you could pick me up in in two hours?' 'Of course, miss.' The chauffeur hurried to open the door for her, and Catherine stepped outside into the hot summer air.'Her legs were trembling. 'Are you all right, miss?' She had no answer She felt as though she were on the edge of a precipice, about to fall into an unknown, terrifying abyss.

She moved through the crowds, marvelling at the hordes of people hurrying through the streets, creating a roaring din of conversation. After the silence and solitude of the convent, everything seemed unreal. Catherine found herself moving toward the Plaka, the old section of Athens in the heart of the city, with its twisted alleys and crumbling, worn-down stairways that led to tiny houses, coffee shops, and whitewashed, rambling structures. She found her way by some instinct she did not understand nor try to control. She passed a taverna on top of a roof, overlooking the city, and stopped, staring. I've sat at that table. They handed me a menu in Greek. There were three of us What would you like to eat? they had asked Would you mind ordering for me? I'm afraid I might order the proprietor They had laughed. But who were 'they'

A waiter approached Catherine. 'Boro na sas voithiso?' 'Ochi efharisto.' Can I help you? No, thank you. How did I know that? Am I Greek Catherine hurriedly moved on, and it was as though someone were guiding her. She seemed to know exactly where to go. Everything seemed familiar. And nothing. My God, she thought. I'm going crazy. I'm hallucinating. She passed a cafe that said Treflinkas'. A memory was nagging at the corners of her mind. Something had happened to her here, something important. She could not remember what She walked through the busy, winding streets and turned left at Voukourestiou. It was filled with smart stores. / used to shop here. She started to cross the street, and a blue sedan raced around the corner, barely missing her.

She could recall a voice saying, The Greeks haven't made the transition to automobiles. In their hearts they're still driving donkeys. If you want insight into the Greeks, don't read the guidebooks; read the old Greek tragedies. We're filled with grand passions, deep joys and great sorrows, and we haven't learned how to cover them up with a civilized veneer. Who had said that to her?

A man was hurrying down the street, walking toward her, staring at her. He slowed, a look of recognition on his face. He was tall and dark and Catherine was sure she had never seen him before And yet . .

'Hello.' He seemed very pleased to see her. } 'Hello.' Catherine took a deep breath. 'Do you know me?' V He was grinning. 'Of course I know you.' Catherine felt her heart leap. She was finally going to learn the truth about the past. But how do you say 'who am F to a , stranger in a crowded street 'Could . . . could we talk?' Catherine asked 'I think we'd better.' Catherine was on the edge of panic. The mystery of her identity was about to be solved. And yet she felt a terrible fear. What if I don't want to know? What if I've done something dreadful The man was leading her toward a small open-air taverna 'I'm so glad I ran into you,' he said. Catherine swallowed. 'So am I.' A waiter led them to a table 'What would you like to drink?' the man asked. She shook her head. 'Nothing.' There were so many questions to ask. Where do I begin 'You're very beautiful,' the man said. 'This is fate. Don't you agree?' 'Yes.' She was almost trembling with excitement. She took a deep breath. 'I where did we meet?' He grinned. 'Is that important, koritsimonl Paris, or Rome, at the races, at a party.' He reached forward and pressed her hand. 'You're the prettiest one I've seen around here. How much do you charge?' Catherine stared at him, not understanding for a moment, then shocked, she sprang to her feet 'Hey! What's the matter? I'll pay you whatever . . .' Catherine turned and fled, running down the street. She turned a corner and slowed down, her eyes filled with tears of humiliation Ahead was a small taverna with a sign in the window that read, 'Madame Piris Fortune Teller'. Catherine slowed, then stopped. / know Madame Piris. I've been here before. Her heart began to race. She sensed that here, through the darkened doorway, was the beginning of the end of the mystery. She opened the door and stepped inside. It took her several moments to get used to the cavernous darkness of the room. There was a familiar bar in the corner, and a dozen tables and chairs A waiter walked up to her and addressed her in Greek 'Kalimehra.' 'Kalimehra. Pou ineh Madame Piris?' 'Madame Piris?' The waiter gestured toward an empty table in the corner of the room, and Catherine walked over and sat down Everything was exactly as she remembered it An incredibly old woman, dressed in black, with a face desiccated into angles and planes, was moving toward the table 'What can I . . . ?'She stopped, peering into Catherine's face Her eyes opened wide. 'I knew you once but your face .

.' She gasped. 'You've come back!' 'You know who I am?' Catherine asked eagerly The woman was staring, her eyes filled with horror. 'No! You're dead! Get out!' Catherine moaned faintly and felt the hair on her scalp begin to rise. 'Please I just . . .' 'Go, Mrs Douglas!' 'I have to know . . .'

The old woman made the sign of the cross, turned, and fled Catherine sat there for a moment, trembling, then rushed out into the street. The voice in her head followed her. Mrs Douglas!

And it was as though a floodgate opened up. Dozens of brightly lighted scenes suddenly poured into her head, a brilliant series of kaleidoscopes out of control. I'm Mrs Larry Douglas. She could see her husband's handsome face. She had been madly in love with hinf, but something had gone wrong. Something . .

The next image was of herself trying to commit suicide, and waking up in a hospital Catherine stood in the street, afraid her legs would not carry her, letting the pictures come tumbling into her mind She had been drinking a lot, because she had lost Larry. But then he had come back to her. They were at her apartment, and Larry was saying, 'I know how badly I've behaved. I'd like to make it up to you, Cathy. I love you. I've never really loved anyone else. I want another chance. How would you like to go away on a second honeymoon? I know a wonderful little place we can go. It's called loannina.' And then the horror had begun The pictures that came into her mind now were terrifying. She was on a mountain top with Larry, lost in a swirling grey mist, and he was moving toward her, his arms outstretched, ready to push her off the edge. At that moment, some tourists arrived and saved her. And then the caves 'The hotel clerk told me about some caves near here. All the honeymooners go there.' And they had gone to the caves, and Larry had taken her deep into the bowels of them, and left her there to die She put her hands over her ears as if to shut out the terrible thoughts that were rushing at her She had been rescued and taken back to the hotel, and a doctor had given her a sedative. But in the middle of the night she had awakened and heard Larry and his mistress in the kitchen, planning her murder, the wind whipping away their words - no one will ever 1 told you I'd take care of went wrong. There's nothing they can now, while she's asleep And she remembered running away in that terrible storm eing pursued by them getting into the rowboat, the wind lashing the boat into the middle of the stormy lake. The boat had started to sink, and she had lost consciousness. Catherine sank onto a street bench, too exhausted to move. So her nightmares had been real. Her husband and his mistress had tried to kill her She thought again about the stranger who had come to visit her at the convent shortly after her rescue. He had handed her an exquisitely made golden bird, its wings poised for flight. 'No one will harm you now. The wicked people are dead.' She could still not see his face clearly. Catherine's head began to throb Finally, she rose and slowly walked toward the street where she was to meet the driver who would take her back to Constantin Demiris where she would be safe Chapter 4

'Why did you let her leave the house?' Constantin Demiris demanded 'I'm sorry, sir,' the butler replied. 'You didn't say anything about her not leaving, so . . .' Demiris forced himself to appear calm. 'It's not important She'll probably be back soon.' 'Is there anything else, sir?' 'No.' Demiris watched the butler go. He walked over to a window and stared out at the impeccably manicured garden. It was dangerous for Catherine Alexander to appear in the streets of Athens, where someone might recognize her. It's too bad I can't afford to let her live. But first my vengeance. She'll stay alive 5f until I take my revenge. I'm going to enjoy myself with her. I'll si send her away from here, somewhere where no one will know I her. London will be safe. We can keep an eye on her. I'll give her a job at my offices there.

# An hour later, when Catherine returned to the house, Constantin Demiris could sense instantly the change in her. It was as though some dark curtain had been lifted and Catherine had suddenly come alive. She was wearing an attractive white silk suit, with a white blouse and Demiris was taken aback by how much her appearance had changed. Nostimi, he thought. Sexy 'Mr Demiris . . .' 'Costa.' "I... I know who I am, and and what happened.'

His face revealed nothing. 'Really? Sit down, my dear, and tell me.'

Catherine was too excited to sit. She began to pace jerkily on the carpet, back and forth, the words tumbling out of her 'My husband and his his mistress, Noelle, tried to kill me.' She stopped, looking at him anxiously. 'Does that sound crazy I don't know. Maybe it is.' 'Go on, my dear,' he said soothingly 'Some nuns from the convent saved me. My husband worked for you, didn't he?' she blurted out Demiris hesitated, carefully weighing his answer. 'Yes.' How much should he tell her? 'He was one of my pilots. I felt a sense of responsibility toward you. That's only . . .' She faced him. 'But you knew who I was. Why didn't you tell me this morning?' 'I was afraid of the shock,' Demiris said smoothly. 'I thought it better to let you discover things for yourself.' 'Do you know what happened to my husband and that that woman? Where are they?' Demiris looked into Catherine's eyes. 'They were executed.' He watched the blood drain from her face. She made a small sound. She suddenly felt too weak to stand and sank into a chair 'I don't 'They were executed by the State, Catherine.' 'But . . . why?' Careful. Danger. 'Because they tried to murder you.' Catherine frowned. 'I don't understand. Why would the State execute them? I'm alive . . .' He broke in. 'Catherine, Greek laws are very strict. And justice here is swift. They had a public trial. A number of witnesses testified that your husband and Noelle Page attempted to kill you. They were convicted, and sentenced to death.' 'It's hard to believe.' Catherine sat there, dazed. The trial Constantin Demiris walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder. 'You must put the past out of your mind They tried to do an evil thing to you, and they paid for it.' He struck a more buoyant tone. 'I think you and I should discuss the future Do you have any plans?'

She did not hear him. Larry, she thought. Larry's handsome face, laughing. Larry's arms, his voice . .

'Catherine . . .' She looked up. Tm sorry?' 'Have you had any thoughts about your future?' 'No, I ... I don't know what I'm going to do. I suppose I could stay in Athens . . .' 'No,' Demiris said firmly. 'That wouldn't be a good idea. It would bring back too many unpleasant memories. I would suggest that you leave Greece.' 'But I have nowhere to go.' 'I've given it some thought,' Demiris told her. 'I have offices in London. You once worked for a man named William Fraser in Washington. Do you remember that?' 'William . . . ?' And suddenly she did remember it. That had been one of the happiest times of her life 'You were his administrative assistant, I believe.' 'Yes, I . . .' 'You could do the same job for me in London.' She hesitated. 'I don't know. I don't want to seem ungrateful, but . . .' M5*i V 'I understand. I know everything seems to be happening very quickly,' Demiris said sympathetically. 'You need some time to a think about all this. Why don't you have a nice quiet dinner in your room, and in the morning we'll discuss it further.' Asking her to have dinner in her room was a last-minute ,{ inspiration. He could not afford to have his wife run into her 'You're very thoughtful,' Catherine said. 'And very generous 'no' The clothes are . . .' *>;, He patted her hand and held it a fraction longer than necessary 'It's my pleasure.'

She sat in her bedroom watching the blazing sun set over the blue Aegean in an explosion of color. There is no point in reliving the past. There is the future to think about. Thank God for Constantin Demiris. He was her lifeline. Without him, she would have had no one to turn to. And he had offered her a job in London. Am I going to take it? Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. 'We've brought your dinner, miss.'

Long after Catherine had gone, Constantin Demiris sat in the library, thinking about their conversation. Noelle. Only once in his life had Demiris permitted himself to lose control of his emotions. He had fallen deeply in love with Noelle Page, and she had become his mistress. He had never known a woman like her. She was knowledgeable about art, and music, and business, and she had become indispensable. Nothing about Noelle surprised him. Everything about Noelle surprised him. He was obsessed with her. She was the most beautiful, the most sensual woman Demiris had ever known. She had given up stardom to be at his side. Noelle had stirred emotions in him that he had never felt before. She was his lover, his confidante, his friend Demiris had trusted her completely and she had betrayed him with Larry Douglas. It was a mistake Noelle had paid for with her life. Constantin Demiris had arranged with the authorities for her body to be buried on the grounds of the cemetery on Psara, his private island in the Aegean. Everyone had remarked on what a beautiful, sentimental gesture it was. In fact, Demiris had arranged for the burial plot to be there so that he could have the exquisite pleasure of walking over the bitch's grave. At Demiris' bedside in his own bedroom was a photograph of Noelle at her loveliest, looking up at him and smiling. Forever smiling, frozen in time Even now, more than a year later, Demiris was unable to stop thinking about her. She was an open wound that no doctor could ever heal Why, Noelle, why? I gave you everything. I loved you, you bitch. I loved you. 1 love you And then there was Larry Douglas. He had paid with his life But that was not enough for Demiris. He had another vengeance in mind. A perfect one. He was going to take his pleasure with Douglas' wife as Douglas had done with Noelle. Then he would send Catherine to join her husband.