Jeffrey Siger - Sons of Sparta

“I doubt it. I don’t sell my photographs.”

Tassos nodded. “Well, it sure looks like one of yours. Maybe you gave it away?”

Carlos gestured no. “I don’t do that either. I take them only for myself.” He held the glass to his lips.

“And for your mother,” she added with a smile.

Carlos forced a smile and began to drink.

“It was a photo of a young woman and an older man coming out of a room in that hotel across the harbor.”

Carlos choked on the brandy.

“Are you all right?” said Tassos.

“Yes, yes.” He put down the glass. “I really must run.”

“I think the name of the woman in the photo was Stella.”

Carlos stood up.

“The woman who gave me the photo,” continued Tassos, “said the man in the picture was her father and that a friend of hers had taken it.”

Carlos stared at Tassos.

“Please, Father, sit. I really need your help with this.”

Carlos hesitated but sat.

“I can’t remember the man’s name, but I think his surname started with a K.”

Tassos looked at Carlos’ mother. “You know how hard it sometimes is at our age to remember names.”

She nodded.

“It’s going to drive me absolutely crazy if I can’t remember the name of the man and his daughter. This getting old can be really discouraging at times.” He smacked his right hand on his thigh. “I think the photo might be in my car. With your permission, keria , I’ll run down to check, and if it is, perhaps you or your son will recognize the man in the photo.”

“Of course. Go. Carlos and I will do whatever we can to help you.”

Tassos thanked her and left. He waited downstairs outside the door and counted. At fifteen he heard footsteps racing down the stairs, at eighteen he caught Carlos coming out the front door on the fly.

“Whoa there, Father. What’s the hurry?”

“I’ve got to be somewhere.”

“I’m sure, but first we have to clear up that little matter of the photo we both know you took.”

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

“Why does everybody always say that when they know precisely what I’m talking about?” Tassos shook his head. “I know you want to protect your friend, Calliope, but if I have to go upstairs and get your mother all worked up over this, a certain mutual acquaintance has assured me it will turn your idyllic home life into hell.”

Carlos looked up at the sky.

“If you’re looking up there for an answer, that’s fine with me. But, please, understand I’m really trying to help you out from down here, Father. I don’t want to create more grief for you with your mother over Calliope and her father. All I want to know is why you took the photograph.”

Carlos looked down at the ground. “I told Calliope I’d seen her father with the woman from the taverna going into the hotel, and she asked me to take a photo of them if I ever saw them together again.”

“And did you?”

“Yes.”

“And what did you do with the photograph?”

“I gave it to her.”

“When?”

“A week and a half or so before her father died.”

“To anyone else?”

“No.”

“Are you certain?”

“Positive.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because I emailed the photo to Calliope and deleted it from my camera and computer.”

“Why did you do that?”

“My mother’s always snooping around my things. If you haven’t noticed, she lives her life through me. I didn’t want her finding a photo of Calliope’s father. As our ‘mutual acquaintance’ no doubt told you, Mother doesn’t approve of my having anything to do with Calliope or her family.”

“How old are you?”

“I have to run.”

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.”