Tassos paused. “Fine, but not too far. And do yourself a favor. Don’t tell Calliope about our conversation. It won’t help her, and definitely won’t help you.”
“Why?”
“Just trust me on that. For the time being just stick to praying for a poor soul in dire need of every bit of God’s support you can muster.”
“Who’s that?”
Tassos patted him on the shoulder.
“The woman you love.”
***
Tassos’ friend Stavros turned into a gasoline station between Gerolimenas and Vathia, just beyond a small sign marked LAST GAS STATION IN EUROPE.
“Thanks, Stavros. I owe you.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to hang around? I’m in no hurry.”
“That’s because you left the force.”
“I prefer trolling for fish than bad guys.”
“That’s why I want you to get back to Gytheio, on your boat, and out of here. I’ll see you on Syros.” He pointed at a car pulling in. “Here come Andreas and Yianni, right on time.” Tassos smacked Stavros on the arm. “Be safe, my friend.”
Tassos got out of the rental car and into the backseat of the unmarked police car.
Kouros turned around in the front passenger seat and pointed back at the sign. “The owner has a sense of humor.”
“I hope you’ll still have one after you hear what I have to say.”
“That bad?” said Andreas.
Tassos nodded. “Carlos took the photograph.”
“We already guessed that,” said Kouros.
Tassos cleared his throat. “Because your cousin Calliope asked him to. And she had the only copy. Looks like she’s the only one who could have given it to Niko.”
Kouros gritted his teeth. “Fuck,” and pounded his fists twice on the top of the dashboard.
Andreas made a calming motion with his hands and waited for Kouros to calm down. “I know this looks very bad.”
“I still can’t believe it,” said Kouros. He spun his head around and looked at Tassos. “Are you sure?”
Tassos nodded. “I’m afraid I am.”
“There could be other explanations,” said Andreas.
“Like what?” asked Kouros.
“Like I don’t know,” said Andreas. “But there’s one person who would know.”
“Calliope?” said Kouros.
Andreas nodded. “But how to approach her? If she ordered the hit on her father, she’s off the charts crazy. No telling how she’ll react.”
“Maybe we should first speak to Mangas?” said Tassos
“Wow, I don’t even want to think of the sort of reaction that will trigger,” said Kouros
“Nuclear?” said Andreas.
“At least. Even if she didn’t order the hit, he’ll never forgive her for whatever part she played in the murder. Nor do I see him showing much compassion toward Father Carlos.”
“And let’s not forget the messenger who blew his happy family apart,” said Andreas
Kouros stared out the side window. “This most definitely will wear out my welcome in the Mani.”
Tassos caught Andreas’ eye as he said, “It’s your family. What do you want us to do?”
Kouros scratched his head. “Talk to her. Now. Without her brother. If she did it, we’ll take her in. Let the chips fall where they may.”
Andreas gave a quick glance at Tassos. “Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”
“Yes. I don’t believe she did it, but if she did…” he shook his head.
Tassos looked at his watch. “It’s after seven.”
Kouros looked straight ahead. “She’s probably preparing dinner.”
“Alone?” asked Andreas.
“I certainly hope so.”
Andreas pulled out of the last gas station in Europe and headed south, past another sign marked THIS WAY TO THE ENTRANCE TO HADES.
***
The sun had set by the time Kouros knocked on his uncle’s front door. A minute later Calliope opened it, wearing a white butcher’s apron over a black skirt and blouse.
“Ah, I see you’ve decided to become a regular visitor to our humble part of the Mani, cousin.” She waved. “Please, come in. Your friends, too.”
“I work with these men.”
“My name is Andreas Kaldis. My condolences on your loss.”
“Ta sillipitiria mou. I’m Tassos Stamatos.”
“Thank you. Nice to meet you. If you’ll excuse me for five minutes, I’m right in the middle of cooking.” She pointed to the living room. “Please, make yourselves comfortable. Yianni knows where the drinks are if you’d like something.”
“Thank you,” the three said in unison.
She hurried off into the kitchen.
The men looked at each other, went into the living room, and took care to sit so that each faced a different direction from the others. No one said a word. They listened to Calliope working in the kitchen.
Five minutes passed. Ten minutes. Another five.
“Sorry to have taken so long.” Calliope swung into the room carrying a large tray filled with plates of food. Kouros jumped up to take the tray from her and placed it on a coffee table in front of the couch.
“Since I was already cooking for myself I decided why not make enough for everyone?”
“That’s very thoughtful, but we’re really not hungry,” said Kouros.
“Since when has that excuse ever worked on a Greek woman serving you food?”
Tassos smiled. “It’s never worked for me.” He picked up a fork, latched onto a stuffed grape leaf, and took a bite. “Hmmm, this could be the best dolmadakia I’ve ever tasted.”
“Flatterer,” she said smiling. “So, have another.”
“I will.”
“Cousin, we’re here to talk to you about something very serious.”
“I’m not surprised. This house isn’t exactly the place I’d expect you to bring your friends for a good time in the Mani.”
“Come, sit down. Please.” Andreas pointed to a place on the couch across from him and next to Kouros. He waited until she’d sat. “It’s about your father’s murder.”
“Have you caught that bastard Niko?”
Andreas nodded. “Yes. We found him with your brother’s help.”
“Good. May he rot in hell.”
“He’s told us quite a story.” Tassos shifted in his chair. “He said that you’re the one who arranged for Babis to kill your father.”
“That lying bastard.”
“Calliope,” said Kouros quietly. “He said you gave him a photograph of Uncle and Stella.”
She dropped her head and clasped her hands together. “I guess I could deny that and there would be no way of proving that I did.” She paused for a moment and looked up. “But I did give it to him.”
Kouros pressed the fingers of his right hand tightly against his forehead. “How could you have done this to your father? To your family?”
Calliope looked at Kouros. “I didn’t do it to hurt Father. I did it to help him. To save him. It was my duty.”
Andreas moved forward in his seat and braced himself to react should she make any sudden move.
Tassos scanned the room to make sure they were alone.
“What are saying?” asked Kouros. “That you arranged for your father to be murdered to save him? Are you crazy?”
She looked down at her hands. “I am the Maniot woman of this family. Not my aunt or sister who live in Athens. I am responsible for deciding who risks death to save our family. If my plan had been followed, no one would have died. Certainly not father. Babis’ target was the Ukrainian.”
“The Ukrainian in the land deal with your father?” said Andreas.
She nodded. “He would destroy our family’s legacy. We’ve lived on this land for centuries. He wanted to destroy it to run his guns. His drugs. His women. Father’s plan for assuring peace in our family came at too great a cost.”
“And you had a plan to ruin the deal?” said Andreas.
She swallowed. “Yes. Convince the Ukrainian that he and his project were not welcome in the Mani. Warn him that great harm would come to him if he persisted. But I could not carry out my plan myself. I needed help, yet I knew if I went to anyone connected to my father they would tell him of it immediately.”
“And so?” said Tassos.