“I don’t see a sign,” said Andreas.
“This has to be the place.” Kouros pulled up and parked on the dirt under a huge mulberry tree close to the edge of a flagstone patio. Off to the right, an ancient three-story structure looked as if it had caught some of those World War II bombs.
Kouros pointed across the patio at an immaculately restored four-story tower about ten yards away. “That looks like it might have been a war tower for the Petropoulakis family. There’s a sign on that almond tree over by the door. Maybe it’s the office.”
Andreas put his hand on the car door handle. “I think we have about as much a chance of pulling this off as winning the lottery.”
“I prefer betting on a sure thing,” said Tassos. “Like, if we don’t get him, Yianni’s cousin sure as hell will. So, don’t worry, be happy.”
“Yeah. But there could still be other players out there. And until we know how Niko learned about the hotel deal, we won’t know for sure.”
“And then there’s the photograph of my uncle and Stella.”
“The only living soul likely to give us an answer to those questions is Niko,” said Andreas.
A dark-haired man in his mid-forties, approximately Kouros’ size, and wearing a blue shirt and dark pants stepped through the doorway of the tower and headed toward them.
“That looks like the guy the police chief told you to see. You’d better move,” said Kouros.
Andreas and Tassos jumped out the passenger side of the car and the man veered toward them, extending his right hand as he did. “Hello, I’m Mihalis Petropoulakis. I understand you want to speak to me.”
Andreas shook Mihalis’ hand. “How did you know that?”
Mihalis shrugged as he shook Tassos’ hand. “Come let’s sit and talk.” He turned and led them past the tower to a flagstone pool area lined with oleander, mulberry, and pines overlooking more Tuscan-like hills covered in olives.
“You have a spectacular place here,” said Andreas.
“Thank you. The tower was built in 1750. It’s been my dream and joy to restore it.” He pointed at a taverna table and three chairs in the shade of a mulberry tree at the far end of the pool. “There’s no one else here.” He smiled. “And I don’t expect any more surprise visitors this late in the season. Why don’t we sit over there?”
They did, and a young girl brought them a bottle of water and three glasses. Mihalis put his arm around her. “This is my daughter.” She smiled, he patted her on the back and she left. He leaned back in his chair. “So, what can I do for you?”
“I assume you know who we are.”
Mihalis nodded. “Yes, and I assume I should be honored to be visited by two such distinguished members of the police.”
Andreas smiled. “As are we that you agreed to see us.”
“Always happy to help out the police.”
Tassos waved his hand. “I don’t have as big a sweet tooth as you two guys. How about we get through this huggy-kissy time and to the point.”
Mihalis smiled. “I see your reputation is well-deserved, Chief Inspector Stamatos.”
“As is yours, Mihalis. All I want to know is how long after we spoke to the local cops did it take for them to tell you we were down here looking to talk to the ‘appropriate’ member of the Petropoulakis family about a ‘confidential matter’?”
Mihalis raised and dropped his shoulders. “Is it my fault you spoke to my second cousin?”
Andreas grinned. “No problem, Mihalis. Family is family. We understand.”
He nodded.
“In fact, that’s why we’re here. To talk to you about a member of your family.”
Mihalis pointed a finger at his chest. “My family? One of my children?”
“No, not your children. But a member of your family. Or rather someone who married into your family.”
“Who’s that?”
Andreas said Niko’s name.
Mihalis nodded. “I see. Yes, he married a second cousin.”
“You have a lot of second cousins,” said Tassos.
“Even more third and fourth, as I find out every time someone gets married in this town.”
“We need to speak with him,” said Andreas.
“I don’t know where he is. Why don’t I give you his wife’s telephone number and you can call her?”
“I doubt she’ll know where he is.”
“Then how should I?”
Andreas leaned across the table toward Mihalis. “This is not good for your family.”
Mihalis’ eyes flared for an instant. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Your second cousin’s husband is a dirtbag,” said Tassos.
“That’s between him and his wife.”
Andreas shook his head. “I don’t think so. Not when he tried to rekindle your family’s famous vendetta with another well-known Mani clan.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Do you know Mangas?”
“Yes, his father just died.”
“Well, this is about your second cousin’s husband setting up your family to look responsible for the murder of Mangas’ father.”
Mihalis crossed his legs. “I still don’t see what this has to do with me.”
“I’m just suggesting that if Niko should happen to show up around here looking for help from his wife’s family, perhaps they should know that the bastard was trying to get some of your family killed just to protect his business interests.”
“Why should I believe you? And even if I did, how could I ever get my family to agree?”
“I’m sure you can figure out a way,” said Andreas.
“Yeah,” said Tassos. “Like getting one of your ‘second cousins’ on the force up in Sparta to check out what a certain currently incarcerated employee of Niko had to say about Niko’s plans for your family.”
Mihalis bit at his lip. “Is there anything else you’d like from me?”
“Yes, sir,” Andreas handed him his card. “A call when you know where we can find Niko.”
***
“How did it go?” asked Kouros as Andreas got back in the car.
“Not bad,” said Tassos from the rear. “I think we got him thinking about his cousin’s choice in husbands.”
“Does he know where Niko is?”
Andreas shook his head. “No way to tell. But if he wants to find him, he will.” Andreas pointed toward the road. “Let’s get out of here before he starts wondering what we’re gabbing about.”
Kouros started the engine, turned around and started back down the hill toward the main road leading back to the port.
“In the old days, if a family thought they had a traitor in its midst they’d take care of him themselves,” said Tassos.
“We don’t want that,” said Kouros.
“I know,” said Tassos.
“Let’s just hope they’re more civilized these days,” said Kouros.
“It will be close,” said Andreas. “Not sure it mattered keeping you and the Kouros name out of this, but no reason not to follow your cousin’s advice.”
“Yeah, Niko’s wife might make a big fuss about turning her husband over to Yianni’s cousins, but might not if it’s to the police,” said Tassos.
“Why’s that?” asked Andreas.
“My buddy’s boat got me into Gytheio early and I had some time to kill waiting for you guys to pick me up, so I put in a call to an acquaintance of Niko’s. I’d put him away a few years back for drug running into Mykonos but he got out early because of prison overcrowding. I asked him what he knew about Niko.”
“Why would he talk to you?” said Kouros.
“Because when I was asked for my opinion on whether or not he should be released early, I didn’t object. He knew he owed me.”
“Strange you’d be so nice to a drug dealer,” said Andreas.
“It was either he or a lot worse types getting out. Besides, if I hadn’t, we wouldn’t know what a true dirtbag we’re dealing with.”
“So tell me, already,” said Kouros.
“Niko has an irresistible appetite for very young girls and his wife is about fed up with him.”
“How young?”
“Very. But he only goes after foreign girls. That way the locals don’t worry about their own children.”