Mykonos After Midnight (12 page)

“Absolutely nothing like that to worry about here,” said the mayor. “Right, Mihalis?”

The chief shook his head and tried to speak in English. “Please, do not talk about this. It is not my case. It is on Syros. We are not to discuss the case.”

“Have the killers been arrested?” said Sergey.

The chief gestured no.

“If you know who did it, why aren’t they in jail?”

“They’re in Poland,” said the mayor.

The chief shook his head. “Please, Mister Mayor.”

Sergey shrugged. “I guess the lesson in all of this is not to keep a lot of money at home?”

“This wasn’t about money,” said the mayor. “Christos had opened his safe and given them everything in it. There was nothing left to steal. They killed him out of passion. Isn’t that right, Mihalis?”

The chief looked beaten. “Yes, Mister Mayor.”

“Good.” He looked at Sergey. “I hope our little discussion was helpful.”

“Yes, very. Thank you.”

Chapter Fifteen

Once out of the mayor’s office, Sergey hurried down the steps and walked straight for a blue dome church across the harborfront road from the municipal building. It sat on the edge of the sea at the beginning of a concrete pier running about a quarter of the way across the middle of the old harbor. The pier’s seaward side was filled with large motor yachts tied up stern first, and its other side with smaller pleasure craft and colorful fishermen’s
caiques
.

Sergey stopped in front of the church.

“The blue dome means it’s a church to Saint Nicholas, patron saint of sailors.” It was Wacki coming up from behind him. “Some like to think of him as Santa Claus.”

Then I should light a candle to thank him for the mayor’s gift to me
, thought Sergey.

“What was it with those questions about ‘security?’ I could have told you there was nothing to worry about. Everybody knows it was Christos’ girlfriend who did it. It’s the worst kept secret on the island.”

“I wanted to hear it from the police chief.”

Wacki shrugged. “I told you the mayor would play ball. But it was a good idea to reassure him that his friends wouldn’t be hurt. They can be very nasty.”

Their time will come. “I want to take a look at those boats next to the pier. I’ll see you back at the hotel.”

“Fine, I’ll let you know what gossip I pick up from the locals about you.” Wacki smiled.

Sergey walked out onto the pier as if he’d not heard him. A fisherman mending nets on a
caique
nodded hello. Sergey returned the nod and squeezed past a tourist couple trying to snatch a peek of life among the yachting crowd. He stopped at the end of the pier and stared across the water toward the hotel.

Teacher was right to say Anna had to go. If they’d found her she would have talked. He better get word to the other two. No, he’d better get rid of them. Couldn’t chance blowing this opportunity. It would be tough enough once that mayor learned what he had in mind. The mayor and his cronies would try to take it for themselves or fuck him if they couldn’t.

Shit
.

If he didn’t get his hands on Christos’ information his plans were ruined. The police didn’t have it or else that ass-kissing police chief would have told the mayor, and from the way the mayor was blabbing on about Christos’ safe there’s no way he knew anything about Christos’ leverage.

Maybe it’s still in Christos’ house?
Goddamn bitch. If she’d gotten Christos to tell her where he’d hidden the stuff I wouldn’t have this problem
.

Sergey turned and headed back to the church. Once on the road, he turned left and walked past a row of farmers selling fresh produce out of small vans and trucks. On the beach behind them, fishermen stood around a long marble table aimed back toward the sea displaying their morning catch for sale.

Wacki was sitting in a taverna across from the market with a man in a panama hat. Sergey didn’t stop. He had to figure out a way to get his hands on Christos’ files.

Damn, I forgot to light that candle.

***

Andreas watched the man walk up to the hotel desk and ask the clerk for his room key.

“Mister Tishchenko.”

Sergey swung around in the direction of the voice.

“Yes?”

“My name is Andreas Kaldis.” He pointed to the two men with him in the lobby. “We’re with the Greek police.”

Sergey answered in broken Greek. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand Greek.”

Andreas switched to English. “Is this better?”

“Yes, but who are you?”

“We’re with the Greek police.”

“What can I do for you?”

“We have some questions we’d like to ask of you.”

“Here?”

“No, let’s go upstairs to the dining room. It should be empty now.”

“Please.” Sergey waved his hand for Andreas to lead the way.

The dining room was one flight up and they sat at a table by a window overlooking the sea.

“Do you mind if I see your identification?” said Sergey.

“Not at all.” Andreas pulled his ID out from around his neck.

Sergey smiled. “It certainly looks official, but I have no idea what it says.”

“I’m Chief Inspector for Special Crimes based in Athens. Detective Kouros is my assistant, and––”

“I’m Tassos Stamatos, Chief Homicide Inspector for the Cyclades, based on Syros.”

Sergey’s face showed no emotion. “Thank you. So, how can I help you?”

Andreas said, “We understand you’re new on the island.”

“Yes, just arrived yesterday.”

“And that you’re buying this hotel.”

“Word travels fast.”

“All the way from Bialystok,” said Andreas.

Still no emotion.

“What has us wondering, Sergey…You don’t mind if I call you Sergey, do you?” said Andreas.

Sergey gestured no with his head.

“Ah, I see you’re already picking up our language,” said Tassos in Greek.

Sergey showed no reaction.

“What has us wondering is where you got the money to buy this place?” said Andreas.

“That’s none of your business.”

“It is when someone with your background shows up here spending big-time money.”

“Greece isn’t a laundromat,” said Kouros.

“If you know my history, then you know that I’ve paid my debt to society on that false charge. And that it soon will be expunged from my record. I’ve also served my country honorably. I’ve come here to establish a legitimate business.”

“Will your girlfriend be joining you?” said Kouros.

“I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

“Of course you do,” said Andreas.He nodded at Kouros. “Show him the photograph.”

Kouros pulled an 8x10 out of an envelope and slid it across the table to Sergey.

Sergey stared at the photo but said nothing. “A dead woman on a gurney. Is that supposed to mean something to me?”

“Polish police fished her out of a cesspool in the town you gave as your address when you got out of prison.”

“Like I said, is that supposed to mean something to me?”

“She did to Christos Vasilakis,” said Andreas.

Sergey blinked. “Who’s that?”

“Come on, Sergey,” said Andreas. “If you’re on this island ten minutes you’d have heard the story of the club owner bludgeoned to death and robbed.”

Sergey swallowed. “I did not know his name. Yes, I’ve heard of that terrible tragedy.”

“Did you also hear who killed him?” said Kouros.

“I didn’t know that was public knowledge,” said Sergey.

Andreas tapped the photograph. “This dead girlfriend you shared with the victim. She did it with the help of some men.”

“Well, if you know the three who did it, your case is solved so why hassle me?”

“Three? Did I say three?” said Andreas.

“I thought there were four,” smiled Kouros.

“I thought you said it wasn’t public knowledge?” said Andreas.

“I just came from a meeting with the mayor. He told me it was the girlfriend and two others.”

“I wonder how that subject came up?” said Andreas.

“He was trying to reassure me that Mykonos was a safe place to do business.”

“What did he tell you about the murder?”

“That it was a crime of passion, not robbery.”

“But the safe was wide open. Sure sounds like robbery to me,” said Andreas staring into Sergey’s eyes. “Maybe they didn’t find what they were looking for.”

Sergey didn’t blink. “I wouldn’t know anything about that.”

Andreas kept up his stare. “But if they didn’t, maybe they’re still looking for it?”

Sergey shrugged. “Maybe.”

Kouros reached over, picked up the photograph and held it up in front of Sergey’s face. “You still don’t recognize her?”

“Are you suggesting I’m a suspect?”

“For the moment let’s just say that you’re a series of unexplained coincidences,” said Andreas.

“Well then, if you’re done with me for now, do you mind if I go to my room? I’ve a lot of work to do.”

Sergey stood but the cops did not. “So, may I go?”

“As long as you don’t leave the island,” said Andreas.

“Don’t worry. I have no reason to.” Sergey walked toward the stairs and said without turning around, “I love it here.”

***

“What do you think?” said Andreas when Sergey had disappeared.

“Is it okay to talk here?” said Kouros.

“Yeah, he’s gone,” said Tassos. “I sure wish I understood English better. I couldn’t follow everything.”

“Don’t worry. I got to play your hard ass part,” said Kouros.

“He doesn’t rattle easily,” said Andreas.

“Smart ex-cons learn to be that way around cops,” said Tassos.

Andreas explained to Tassos what Sergey had said, then shook his head. “I don’t get it. If all he wanted was to buy this hotel, why murder Christos?”

“Jealousy?” said Kouros.

“What, kill the lover, kill the girl, then try to become a big man in the very place where cops are most likely to be looking for you? Sounds more like a psychopathic egotist to me.”

“Maybe he didn’t think we’d find out about his connection to the girl?” said Kouros.

“Then he’s stupid, and we’ll nail him. But somehow I don’t think that’s the answer. Tassos, do you think you could find out if Sergey was telling the truth about his meeting with the mayor in a way that doesn’t raise suspicion? For the time being, we want to keep gossip to a minimum.”

“I’m not on the best of terms with his Honor the Mayor, but the police chief might know something. I’ll try him first.”

“Good. So, I’m back to what I said before. Why kill Christos if all Sergey wanted to do was run a hotel? I can’t imagine he needed the ammunition in Christos’ second safe to get permission to take over the lease. Sure, maybe he’d have to bribe a few people to get some permits, but that’s business as usual for a guy like Sergey. It’s not like he’s trying to cut in on the Mykonos nightlife mafia’s action by opening a club. It’s just a goddamned hotel. There are one-hundred sixty-two of them on the island.”

“Maybe he’s thinking of tearing the hotel down and building condos?” said Kouros

“If he killed two people just to do that he really is insane. First, of all, in this real estate market he’s better off renting rooms, and second, like Andreas said, why kill someone when all you have to do is pass around some bribes? That guy’s done this sort of thing before, he has to know that.”

“So, how do we find out what he really has in mind?” said Kouros.

“I’d start with Wacki,” said Tassos. “He’s a weak sister when it comes to dealing with cops.”

“You mean honest cops,” said Kouros.

“Tassos, see what you can find out about that meeting with the mayor. Yianni and I will talk to Wacki. If Sergey’s dirty, I want him to know we’re out to nail his ass.”

“I wonder how he’ll react to that sort of pressure,” said Kouros.

“Can’t wait to find out,” said Andreas.

***

Sergey sat at a table in his hotel room and stared toward the harbor.

Those cops knew nothing of his plans. They knew about Anna so they suspected him. But she was a dead end. The others soon would be too.

He wondered if he should call Teacher to make the arrangements. She could find the two easily. But she’d want to know why. No, he’d better handle this himself. He could never seem rattled or unsure to Teacher. That would be dangerous.

He’d use the same mutual friend from his prison days who’d put him together with the two men to find them. And, for the right price, to get rid of them, too.

Sergey poured himself a glass of water from a bottle on the table. Those cops had to know about Christos’ files. It all fit. The cop from Syros was in charge of murder investigations and the police chief said it wasn’t his case, it was “on Syros.”

They must have found the files and figured that’s what the robbery was about. That’s why they came to him. They weren’t interested in solving the murder, they wanted him to know what cards they held and, if he were interested, that he’d have to pay for them.

He took a sip of water. That could be arranged. He’d get Wacki to do it.

Chapter Sixteen

Wacki got up the moment Andreas and Kouros sat down at his table.

“Please, no reason to leave. It’s a beautiful day to be sitting with old friends in a taverna along the harbor.” Andreas pointed at Wacki’s chair. “Stay.”

Two other men at the table looked at each other as if unsure what to do.

“You two may leave,” said Andreas.

They quickly did.

“I thought you worked in Athens,” said Wacki.

“Missed me, huh?”

Wacki smiled.

“We just had a most interesting chat with your employer.”

“Who’s that?”

“Come on, Wacki, don’t make this hard on us.” Kouros gave him a quick smack on the arm that was slightly more painful than friendly. “Because we’ll have to make it hard on you.”

“I’m just showing the guy around town and acting as his translator.”

“Since when have you become a tour guide?” said Andreas.

“Since the economy cratered. Just in case you public payroll guys haven’t noticed.”

“Play nice,” said Kouros, feigning another run at Wacki’s arm.

Wacki winced. “What do you guys want with me? I’m working for someone who’s interested in taking over a hotel. He’s trying to help Greece by making money for everyone.”

“I’ve heard that money pitch before. It can justify a lot of things,” said Andreas.

“Like I said, he’s into ‘making money for everyone.’” Wacki paused and dropped his head until his eyes were visible over the top of his sunglasses. “That is, for everyone who
wants
to make money.”

Andreas leaned in to six inches from Wacki’s face. “Some things never change. You’re still a rat-faced, crooked son of a bitch who thinks everyone can be bought. Congratulations, asshole, you just made the top of my shit list. You want off it? Tell me what your boss is really up to.”

Wacki jerked back in his chair. “Honest, all I know about is the hotel. I’m his employee, not his confidant.”

“Were you with him at his meeting with the mayor?”

“Yes.”

“What did you talk about?”

“Things?”

“What sorts of things,” said Kouros, patting him lightly on the arm.

“He wanted to know if the town was safe.”

“For that he went to the mayor?” said Andreas.

“The police chief was there. He told him the town was safe.”

“Anything else?”

“Not that I can remember?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Andreas motioned with his finger for Wacki to lean in toward him. “I want to make myself perfectly clear. If I find out you’re holding out on me about what Sergey’s really up to, you and all your island buddies will become my number one targets in what I can assure you will be ironclad, big-time, jail-time investigations. And I’ll personally let each one of them know it’s all coming down on them because of you.”

Andreas smiled. “Do we understand each other?”

Wacki nodded.

“Good. Now run along.”

And he did. Straight back to the hotel.

***

Tassos walked past the cop at the reception desk and up the stairs to the second floor of the police station. He stopped at a door around and to the left of the top of the stairs, knocked once, and opened the door.

“Hi, Mihalis.”

The police chief looked surprised. “Tassos, what are you doing here?”

“Just thought I’d stop bye to say, ‘Hi.’”

Tassos plopped onto an overstuffed chair alongside Mihalis’ desk. “I understand your distinguished mayor is running his mouth off about
my
investigation into Christos’ murder.”

“How the hell do you know that?”

“Never mind how I know, how does the mayor know about my case?”

“Christ, Tassos, he’s the mayor, how do I know?”

“Because you’re the only one in this goddamn sieve of a police station that I told about the girl and her two accomplices.”

Mihalis ran his hand through his hair. “Honest, I didn’t expect him to tell the Russian.”

Tassos hoped his surprise didn’t show. “You were there?”

“Yes, the Mayor said he had a ‘delicate matter’ to discuss and when I showed up the Russian and Wacki were there.”

“What did the mayor tell them?”

“It was hard to follow, they were speaking in English and Wacki was translating.”

“Did the Mayor mention the girl and the accomplices?”

“Yes.”

“How many men did he say were with her?”

“I think he said ‘a couple,’ but not sure.”

“What other cats did your esteemed mayor let out of the bag?”

“Nothing. Just that it was a crime of passion. Not robbery.”

“How did he come to that conclusion?”

“The mayor said there was nothing left in the safe to steal. Everything had been taken.” Mihalis paused. “Sort of makes you wonder if it wasn’t a crime of passion what were they looking for?”

“Sure does. Thanks, Mihalis.” Tassos pulled himself out of the chair. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t pass along this little chat of ours to the mayor.”

At least not until I’m out of the building.

***

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.”