Jeffrey Siger - An Aegean Prophecy

But until his three monks returned, Zacharias could not rejoice. It wasn’t that he cared for them, but they had arranged for the messenger, and the messenger was expecting to deliver the package to at least one of the three. It was not the sort of package one could just claim was being picked up on someone else’s behalf. And he must have it before tomorrow evening. That was when he would be dining with the Russian abbot.

He shook his head. Another obstacle. He’d taken such care to isolate himself from this transaction, yet now he might have to step forward and not just claim but plead for the prize. But nothing in life was easy. He would do what must be done. This was too important. They had succeeded in obtaining the exact formulation of dioxin used on the Ukrainian. Even though there were far better and faster working poisons, nothing would change the world as quickly as this death by pure 2,3,7,8-TCDD.

Evening church services in Athens on Holy Saturday generally started at ten. Andreas knew Lila would use his late flight back from Mykonos as the excuse to her parents and his mother for why they’d probably not be there on time. As long as they made it to the church by midnight. That was the high point of the service, when church bells rang out across Greece and even total strangers exchanged the traditional Christos Anesti and Alithos Anesti greetings that Christ had risen, kissed each other, and lit each other’s candles to share the light and joy of the occasion.

Andreas was not feeling, nor in the mood for, joy. He’d been biting away at his lower lip since boarding the plane, a long-dormant nervous habit from childhood. He didn’t realize he was doing it until he saw his reflection in the plane’s window. He shook his head. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have ruined everything? He stared out the window.

Should I tell Lila? How can I tell her now? She’s about to give birth to our baby. The betrayal, and with her best friend, I can’t tell her, I just can’t. He tried to justify what happened, but instead kept coming back to what he did wrong. He got drunk, he agreed to follow Barbara into the bedroom after promising Lila he’d sleep on the couch. It was his fault. Even though he didn’t remember a thing and refused when she offered herself again that morning. He was ashamed, and for one of the few times in his life utterly confused.

‘Sir.’ It was the flight attendant.

‘Yes.’

‘We’ve landed, you must get off, you’re holding up the bus to the terminal.’

Andreas mumbled, ‘I’m sorry,’ and hurried off the plane. He couldn’t go home like this. Maybe he just shouldn’t show up. Run away. Stay with Kouros for a few days. He couldn’t bear to face Lila.

The bus stopped at the intra-European Union arrivals entrance to the terminal. He sat down on a railing just inside the terminal door. A cop walked over and told him no one was allowed to linger in that area. He showed his ID and the cop walked away. He wanted to disappear off the face of the earth. He took out his phone and dialed.

‘Hello.’

‘Hi.’

There was a long pause. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I didn’t know who else to call.’

‘Andreas, what’s wrong?’

‘I’ve done a terrible thing to Lila.’

There was an audible swallow on the other end of the line. ‘Is she okay? The baby?’

‘Yes, but she won’t be after I tell her. And I have to tell her.’

‘Andreas, please, first tell me what happened.’

‘I’m so ashamed. I can’t even say it.’

The voice turned sharp. ‘Andreas, do not pull this Greek macho male bullshit on me. If you guys only had the balls to see psychiatrists you might actually be as perfect as you think you are.’

He grinned. ‘Maggie, you are the best.’

‘Now, tell me!’

Andreas spent the next twenty minutes reciting every tormenting detail without a single interruption from Maggie.

‘How can I face her?’

‘I know how you feel.’ Maggie’s voice was trembling.

‘How could you?’

‘I was raped by a friend once, too.’

For an instant Andreas couldn’t breathe.

‘He got me drunk and…’ her voice trailed off. ‘I still can’t bring myself to talk about it. And it happened thirty years ago.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘Don’t be sorry, we’re kindred spirits. Rape is rape. The fact you would have enjoyed it under different circumstances doesn’t change things. That only makes you feel guiltier, giving you even more reason for blaming yourself. Believe me, you did nothing wrong. You were the victim. And, frankly, it may not seem politically correct advice, but I see no reason in the world to tell Lila any of this.

‘If you were a woman raped by your husband’s best friend, things would be different, especially if you thought he might try again. In your case, a repeat rape is out of the question. But you better confront the bitch and let her know in no uncertain terms the consequences if she even hints at what happened last night to anyone. Who knows what sort of fucked-up thinking runs through the mind of a woman who’d rape her best friend’s man? And when her friend is about to give birth to their child!

‘Jealousy, competition, spite, maybe just some need to brag about her conquests — like men do endlessly — might cause her to say something to someone. She must be told that if she utters even a single word, it will be a decision she’ll regret for whatever remains of the rest of her miserable life.’

Andreas had never heard such passionate anger from Maggie. He was stunned into silence.

‘Andreas, did you hear me?’

He nodded into the phone. ‘How can I threaten her like that?’

‘You’re right. You can’t. I’ll do it for you.’

‘Maggie-’

‘Don’t worry, I’ve done it before. Besides, it will be better coming from me — up close and personal.’

Consciously, Andreas knew he should object, say no, not under any circumstances, but his gut said say nothing, let her do it her way, she knows best. He struggled with what to say next. ‘I can’t tell you how much better you’ve made me feel. Thanks.’

‘You’re welcome. That’s what friends are for. I’ll get to her as soon as she returns to Athens.’

Andreas drew in and let out a deep breath. ‘I better head home.’ He looked at his watch. ‘And let you get to church.’

‘Don’t worry about church. Helping friends in need is the true work of God.’

‘You’re an amazing person, literally godliness on earth.’

‘Let’s not get carried away here, but thank you.’

‘Do you mind if I ask?’

‘Ask what?’

‘What ever happened to the one who… uh-’

‘He didn’t take my advice.’ Maggie’s tone was hard, the words said quickly.

‘And?’

‘He died. Suddenly, unexpectedly. As the random victim of a street mugging turned violent. Kalo Paska, bye.’

The phone went dead before Andreas could speak. Perhaps because there was nothing left to say.

The service was about to begin. For him, it was the holiest moment of the year, a time for personal rejoicing, embracing the very source of his faith. He needed the energy, the renewing power of this night, for difficult times were at hand. He prayed it was not the time; that his old friend was wrong. But he feared the worst. That was why he’d made the decision, the practical one now tormenting him. He saw it as the only path, but would God accept that what must be done in His name on earth could not always be as it is in Heaven? He only prayed no more innocents died at the hands of the evil one in their midst. He shut his eyes and bowed his head. ‘May you strike me down this very night if I have made a dreadful mistake in your name.’