Assassins of Athens

Demon wondered why. 'Really? From how well you knew your way around the metro I thought you were a native.' He smiled.

Efisio laughed; it was forced. 'I have friends who do. They're the ones to thank. I only got on the metro when you came back to Omonia. They waited for me to find you on the platform before sending you the last message. The hat was their idea, too. Made it easier for me to spot you by that Arch and for them to keep an eye on you. It was my idea to toss it. For the same reason.'

He smacked Demon once on the thigh. 'So, my friend, let's talk about the down payment.'

Demon expected that, too. 'You still haven't told me how quickly you can do it.'

Efisio nodded. 'We're fast. The moment there's an opportunity, we take it. Figure within twenty-four hours after we locate the ship. Sooner, if it's in port.'

'That works.'

'Good. So, I think 10 percent up front is fair.'

'I'm sure you do.' Demon paused to smile. 'But I want you to do the job, not just take four million and maybe decide the rest isn't worth the risk.'

Efisio didn't react angrily. He must be used to this sort of negotiation. 'I have an alternative offer. No money down. Just give me Anna.'

Demon knew she would come up; he just didn't expect it this way. It was a tempting offer: if he turned her over, he wouldn't have to raise the down payment. Too tempting in fact. If he went for it, Efisio was likely to think he was full of shit. All talk and no money behind him. Efisio was likely to take Anna and do as he promised — to her. Then simply disappear. No, Demon had to keep these negotiations confined to money. Just enough to show he's for real, not enough to show he's desperate.

'Like I promised before, in due time. We're talking now about money.' Demon's tone was all business.

Efisio stared, more like glared, but did not change his tone. 'So, how much?'

'Two hundred thousand.'

Efisio shook his head no. 'That's not even one percent.'

'What's the going rate for a one-day snatch?'

Efisio smiled. 'So, you know about our business?'

Demon nodded. He didn't, but he'd read about European businessmen kidnapped in the morning and back home in time for dinner. Assuming the ransom was paid.

'Okay, three hundred thousand.'

'Deal. How do you want the money?'

Efisio reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. 'The address on the back is in Athens. You deliver the down payment there. As soon as you do, we get started. On the other side is a bank account. Wire the balance in and we let the kids go. Simple.'

'Expect the down payment tomorrow.'

Efisio stared at Demon again, then shook a finger in his face, but not in a menacing way. 'You're not crazy. No, you are far too dangerous to be crazy.'

The driver pulled over to the curb and stopped.

'This is where you get out, I believe,' said Efisio.

Demon looked around. They were on Patission Street in front of the main entrance to the university. How the hell did he know? Or was it just coincidence? Then he thought, of course, Efisio must have traced him here from his call to him this morning.

Demon said goodbye, opened the door, and got out. But before he could walk away he heard Efisio calling, 'Wait.' He'd slid over and rolled down the window. 'Sorry but I meant to say, "Thank you, sir."'

There wasn't a touch of sarcasm to the emphasized 'sir.' Demon was so impressed he smiled and nodded.

Efisio smiled, too, but all toothy, like a shark. 'Or should I have said "thank you Demosthenes Mavrakis."' The glare was back.

And Demon's smile was gone, along with the black Fiat.

20

Demon was angry with himself. He'd been sloppy. All these unanticipated problems were no excuse. He had a goal to achieve, and soon. He must be more careful. He had no ID with him so Efisio didn't get his name from anything in his clothes. They knew before he got into the car, which meant they'd photographed him. Probably at the Arch, and while he was bouncing around Athens on his little metro odyssey they were showing his picture around the university until someone recognized him. Simple.

But there was an upside to Efisio's bit of theatrics: it let Demon know the son of a bitch was watching his every move. Another example of why it never paid to lose your temper. Efisio could have followed him straight to Anna, which was exactly where Demon was headed at the moment.

'Shit.' He mumbled the word aloud. 'I can't see her anymore.' He decided to go home to the apartment listed in the phone book. They probably knew about that one by now anyway. He would miss her. With Anna he never had to pay the political rhetoric price one endured to screw Exarchia hangers-on. She never even complained when she got pregnant. But, what the hell, giving her up was his price for being careless. He took it as a learning experience. Which reminded him: time to raise tuition for Zanni Kostopoulos' next lesson. 'He's in the apartment, Chief.' It was Yianni.

'Anything new?'

'Not so far. He got back about ten minutes ago. No phone calls, only rock music and bathroom sounds.'

'Enjoy. But stay on your toes. He's definitely going to do something, and I'm guessing today's big run-around has him a lot more careful. Don't let him sneak out a back door on you while you're listening to a concert.'

'Will do.'

Andreas hung up and looked at his watch. It was almost nine. My god, I haven't called Lila!

He grabbed the phone and dialed.

'Hi, it's Andreas.'

She laughed. 'I recognized the voice.'

He thought to apologize quickly, before she started in on how inconsiderate men were. 'I'm so sorry that I didn't call sooner but-'

'Darling, I understand completely.'

He wanted to say, 'You do?' but decided to keep his mouth shut.

'And I can't believe you took the time to send me those beautiful flowers.'

Here it comes, the sarcastic build up to World War III.

'And with such a lovely note.'

Andreas decided to speak, 'Lila, I know how you feel-'

'No, you don't,' she sniffled. 'You've been so nice, so understanding, and then… to remember to send me flowers… with so much on your mind.'

Andreas made a tactical decision. 'I'm glad you liked them.' And held his breath.

'I loved them.'

They spoke for twenty minutes about everything but the case. He let her know they'd talk about that in person.

The last words Lila said before hanging up were: 'Can't wait to see you. I'll call you tomorrow when I get back. And again, thank you for the flowers. I can't tell you how much they meant to me.'

He put down the phone and looked out the window. It wasn't like he was lying. He would have sent her flowers… if he'd thought about it.

But who sent them? And why? No one knew she was there but — then it hit him, Tassos knew. That bastard was teasing him. No, not Tassos; he wouldn't think of sending flowers any more than Andreas would. Besides, he'd already let on that he knew about Lila and the hotel. Sounds more like something Maggie would do. But how did she know about Lila… and Mykonos? He leaned back and shut his eyes, but only for an instant. He sat straight up and called Maggie at home.

'Hello.'

'When did you speak to Tassos?'

'Do you ever start a conversation with a simpler question, like "Good evening, Maggie. How are you?"'

'I don't have time for this.'

'It's about the flowers, isn't it?'

Andreas was fuming. 'Yes. Well, in part. What did he tell you?'

'Not as much as this conversation is.'

He could see her smile through the phone. 'Maggie!'

'Okay, he didn't call me. I called him.'

'Why?'

'What did you expect? You told me he was asking about me. That meant he wanted to talk to me.'

Andreas didn't understand the logic, but somehow he knew she was right.