Jeffrey Siger - Mykonos After Midnight

“How could somebody so screw up such a beautiful place? Damn them,” said Kouros.

“I think they already are damned. Last I heard not a single one’s been sold, and the asking price has been reduced by two-thirds.”

“Serves them right.”

The end of the reservoir stood seventy-five feet above sea level. Beyond it the road dropped steeply down toward a wide, sandy cove and a taverna of natural stone set fifty yards back from the sea at the widest part of the beach. The cove was edged distally in black- and rust-color stone and framed by virgin brown hillsides, azure blue waters, and brilliant Aegean skies.

It was a picture postcard vision that magazines and moviemakers often used to present the paradise known as Mykonos to the world. Sans villas. And where locals and longtime fans of Mykonos escaped to remember how very beautiful their island could be.

They parked beside the broad stone steps leading up to the taverna’s outside terrace. They’d barely made it up the steps when the owner recognized Andreas and dragged both of them over to his table. He had his grill man cooking octopus, calamari, and fish, his wife turning out zucchini pie, moussaka, and more types of salads than Andreas could imagine, and his daughter pouring wine until Andreas had to threaten to arrest the entire family if they didn’t stop.

In other words it was a terrific time.

The drive back to the airport was a cautious one. Kouros drove, though neither would have passed a breathalyzer test. Nor would either have scored a record for such a test on an island where virtually no one feared being stopped for erratic driving of any sort.

As they neared the airport Andreas began drumming his fingers on the dashboard.

Kouros looked over from the driver’s seat. “Do I detect inspiration?”

Andreas nodded. “I think I have an idea on how to get things rolling.”

“Are we talking about something like the ‘rolling’ boulder opening scene of Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark?”

“As I recall, the boulder was chasing the hero.”

“I guess I should go for a different movie.”

“Good idea.”

“The War of the Worlds?”

Andreas shook his head and waved a hand toward the road ahead. “Drive.”

Kouros smiled. “Liked that film, Ryan Gosling, too.”

“Morning.”

“Chief Kaldis! What are you doing here?”

“Sorry to startle you. I’ve come to see the minister.”

“Is he expecting you?”

“No, it’s a surprise. Just tell him I’m here, please.”

Andreas stood by the secretary’s desk as she dialed her boss, whispered into the phone, stuttered in reply to some comment, and looked up. “He’s very busy.”

“Please tell him that I must see him on a matter of great importance.”

She went back to whispering, nodded to the phone, and hung up. “I’m sorry, Chief, but he can’t possibly see you today.”

“No problem, just tell him I stopped by to let him know I plan on running for his seat in parliament in the next election and I’m on my way over to ask the Prime Minister for his blessing.”

The woman’s jaw dropped. “You want me to tell him that?”

Andreas smiled and nodded.

She called and whispered again.

The door to Spiros’ office burst open. “Andreas, get in here.”

Andreas mouthed, “Thank you,” to the secretary as he passed by.

Spiros shut the door, pointed Andreas to a chair in front of his desk, and went to sit behind his desk.

“You’re joking of course. You can’t be serious about all that. You’re not a politician, you couldn’t possibly put up with all the bootlicking I have to do day after day.”

“Who knows? At least you have influence, the ability to get things done.”

“But it’s a horrible life, and — ”

Andreas held up his hands. “Stop. I just wanted you to know what I could do if I ever wanted. But, as long as I feel I have your unconditional support in my job-”

“You know that you do. Always have, always will.”

Andreas smiled. “Let’s just say there is a reasonable basis for disagreement on that score and leave it at that.”

“Fine, that’s a mature way to look at things.”

“With one proviso?”

“Proviso?”

“Yes, I want you to set up a one-on-one meeting with me and the minister of finance right away.”

“Why?”

“You don’t want to know.”

The old rage returned to Spiros’ face. But he spoke softly. “I really must know.”

“Sorry, I can’t tell you. For your own good.”

“Then I can’t arrange the meeting.”

“No problem, I’ll ask the Prime Minister to do it when I see him later.”

“You’re wasting your time trying to blackmail me with a threat to run for parliament. The Prime Minister would never agree to allow you to run for my seat.”

“Blackmail? That’s a rather harsh term to apply to someone who simply wants to participate in the democratic process. Is your tape recorder running, again? I have an idea. Instead of meeting with the minister of finance this morning, why don’t you and I go see the Prime Minister and let him decide if he’d rather have this hero cop run for your seat as a member of his party or as a member of the loyal opposition.” Andreas smiled.

Spiros bit furiously at his lip. “I’ll only agree if you let me attend the meeting at finance with you.”

“You might regret it if you do. I’m telling you that up front.”

“Don’t threaten me!”

“I’m not threatening, I’m warning you. But if you want to come, fine. Just arrange it for today. And tell him it’s urgent.”

Spiros bit at his lip a few more times before calling his secretary. “Call Panos at finance and tell him I must see him ASAP on an urgent matter.”

He hung up and glared at Andreas. “Satisfied?”

“Very.”

***

“Panos, thank you for seeing us on such short notice.”

“When the minister of public order says it’s ‘urgent,’ I take it seriously. Please sit down.” He pointed to two chairs in front of his desk.”

Andreas walked to the edge of the desk and extended his hand. “Andreas Kaldis, Minister.”

“Oh, you two haven’t met? Sorry about that, I should have introduced you.”

“I know of Chief Inspector Kaldis by reputation, and for having the loveliest wife in Athens, next to mine of course.” He smiled and shook Andreas’ hand.

Andreas nodded. “Thank you.”

“So, Spiros, what can I do for you?”

“It’s a delicate matter that I thought would best be explained by Andreas. That’s why I brought him with me.”

Andreas tried to suppress a smile by squeezing hard at the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “Feel free to take the lead if you’d like, Minister.”

Spiros, cleared his throat. “No, as I said, I think it best that you take it from here.”

Andreas thought he saw a slight grin on Panos’ face.

“I’m sure you’re familiar with the recent kidnapping and rescue of a fellow police officer.”

“Who in Greece isn’t? Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Andreas leaned forward. “In connection with the investigation that led to the rescue I learned of a plot to blackmail members of the government. The simplest way to put this, Minister, is I’m here to tell you that you are a target.”

Spiros bolted forward in his chair. “What?”

Panos’ grin was gone. “What are you saying? How dare you suggest that I would do anything to compromise my duty to my country?”

“I’m sure that’s not what Andreas was saying. Were you Andreas?”

“Minister, you are in charge of the office that creates new casino licenses. The kidnappers tortured that police officer in an attempt to get him to reveal the location of a cache of audios, videos, and photographs secretly recorded over decades by Christos Vasilakis. It is not just the behavior of members of government and prominent citizens that they were after, but incriminating materials related to their families.” Andreas put his hands out palms up.