Jeffrey Siger - Mykonos After Midnight

“Sorry, sir, but there is none available.”

“Does that mean they’re all occupied or just ‘not available?’” said Andreas.

The clerk forced a smile. “It means just what I said. Now if you’ll excuse me there are guests behind you waiting to check in.”

“No reason to show attitude, fella,” said Andreas.

“I’m not. I’m answering your question. Now, please,” and he waved for the couple behind Andreas to step forward.

Andreas looked at the couple. They were in their sixties and appeared American. Andreas spoke in English. “We’re going to be a while here. Perhaps several hours. Why don’t you come back later?”

The clerk raised his voice. “How dare you speak to guests of our hotel like that. If you don’t leave immediately I shall call the police.”

Andreas smiled. “You’re new on the island, aren’t you?” He pulled out his badge.

The clerk glared at Andreas. “Those rooms are reserved for special guests of the owner. I cannot do anything without his permission.”

“Then get it. We’re not budging until we have the room.”

The clerk placed a call and explained the situation to the person on the other end of the line. You could hear screaming through the phone. The clerk handed the phone to Andreas. “He wants to speak to you.”

Andreas took the phone. “Hello there.”

“Who the fuck do you think you are coming into my hotel and trying to strong-arm a room out of my clerk? I’ll have your fucking badge.”

“I love it when you talk dirty, Lefteris. I’m looking forward to many more such moments over the next several days as I watch you match invoices against every good and service purchased by every guest of your hotel and restaurants over the past year. Who knows where we’ll go from there?”

A decided pause came from the other end of the line. “Who is this?”

“You don’t recognize me? I’m hurt. It’s Andreas.”

“Kaldis?”

“In the flesh.”

“Why didn’t you tell me it was you in the first place? Of course you can have the room. As my guest.”

“No need for that.”

“Why of course, you’re a national hero.”

“So, you heard?”

“How could I not? Terrible thing. How’s Tassos?”

“Better,” he lied.

“I’ll pray for him.”

“Thanks. So, what have you heard about who did the kidnapping?”

“Only what’s on the news.”

“Lefteris, mou. Don’t con me. It doesn’t become you.”

“I’m not.”

“I’m sure. But why don’t you come over for a coffee anyway?”

“If you insist.”

“I do.”

“Fine. I’ll come by after you’re set up in your room.”

“Sounds good. Here, I’ll give you back to your clerk.”

Andreas handed the phone to the clerk. Screaming began immediately and ended abruptly. The clerk handed Andreas a key. “Sorry, sir, may I help you with your bags?”

“That won’t be necessary.” Andreas turned to the couple behind him. “Sorry about that.”

The man said, “No problem. We haven’t had this much excitement since leaving Pittsburgh. Just wish we understood what was happening.”

“Me too.”

***

Andreas and Kouros sat at a table by the hotel pool, watching tourists stream into town along the harborfront road.

“Where do they all come from?” said Kouros.

“Take your pick. I count two enormous, three huge, and two large cruise boats anchored between here and the new port.”

“There must be more buses than motorbikes on the road into town from the new port.”

Andreas nodded. “And all headed this way loaded with tourists expecting Mykonos to live up to its reputation as the place to visit for wildly sensual experiences.”

Kouros shook his head. “It’s hard to imagine where they expect to find one in the few hours they’re in port. Most won’t even make it to a beach. It’s all about wandering through the town in herds.”

“Too bad they don’t spend money here. They’re told on the boats that ‘Mykonos is expensive,’ and so they shy away from purchasing anything but the most touristic trinkets. And with all their onboard food and drink for free, it’s the rare cruise boat tourist who buys more than a coffee in town.”

“Sounds like a huge potential market to exploit,” said Kouros.

“Yeah, but if someone figures out how to do it, a dozen others will knock off the concept immediately, killing the idea for everyone. One frozen yogurt shop today, a half dozen more tomorrow.”

“I guess the trick is to come up with something that will attract tourist money but can’t be imitated.”

“Good luck with that. Hard to imagine any real money-making idea involving tourists that hasn’t been thought of before by someone on this island.”

“I wonder if that’s what Sergey has in mind?” said Kouros.

“Like I said, ‘hard to imagine,’ but who knows?”

“I wonder if he’s upstairs. It didn’t sound like anyone was in his room.”

Andreas shrugged. “We were just as careful not to talk in our room. No reason to risk him being able to hear us.”

“Do you think he knows we’re in the next room?”

“After all the trouble we went through making that scene with the clerk? I damn well hope so. My guess is the clerk called him while we were on our way up to the room.”

“Do you think the clerk told him about your conversation with Lefteris?”

“Not sure, but that’s why we’re waiting for Lefteris here, where everyone can see us. Including him.” Andreas nodded in the direction of Sergey’s room without looking up. “I want the cocky bastard to know we’re coming for him.”

“Speaking of bastards, look who’s heading toward the hotel.”

Andreas turned his head. “Wacki!”

Wacki jumped and swung in the direction of the voice. He forced a smile and went back to walking toward the hotel.

“Come here!” shouted Andreas.

“I can’t.”

“You damn well better or else I’ll come over there and drag your sorry ass back here.”

Guests at several tables began squirming in their chairs.

Wacki stopped, turned, and walked over to Andreas’ table. “Why are you hassling me?”

Andreas pointed at a chair across from him. “Sit.”

Wacki did. He glanced over his shoulder up toward Sergey’s room.

“Don’t worry, if he’s not up there watching I’m sure someone will tell him about our little meeting.”

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

Andreas smiled and patted Wacki on the shoulder. “This little meeting. And if he is watching, I want him to know we’re the best of friends.”

Wacki didn’t move.

“Speaking of the best of friends, I know you heard about what happened to Tassos.”

Wacki nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry.”

“I just bet you are,” growled Kouros.

“And I assume you heard who did it?” said Andreas.

Wacki didn’t move.

“Funny thing. Guess what they were after.”

Wacki shrugged.

Andreas patted Wacki’s cheek with his right hand. “The very same thing your boss wanted from him. Small world isn’t it?”

Andreas patted Wacki’s knee. “And it gets even smaller. Everyone we nailed on Stapodia was from Mykonos. Hard-asses. The kind only someone with deep connections into the dark side of this island would know.”

Andreas leaned forward. “I wonder who that someone could be?”

Wacki looked away.

Andreas waited until they were eye to eye. “How long have you been working for Teacher?”

Wacki’s eyes widened for an instant. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Andreas leaned back. “What you know or don’t know doesn’t matter a rat’s ass to me as long as I know. I hear Teacher’s not a forgiving employer. How are the health and pension benefits?”