Clive Cussler - Wrath of Poseidon

“But . . . the Star Catcher . I know that boat was important to the archeological society.”

“It’s a boat. Totally replaceable.” Denéa gave a small laugh. “You have to admit, it was rather genius to blow it up.”

He couldn’t tell if Remi was laughing or crying. “The dummies,” she said. “They flopped over, making it look like they were ducking the gunshots. Even I thought it looked real, and I helped stuff them.”

Sam’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out, looking at the screen. Seeing Rube’s number on the caller ID, he was tempted to let it go straight to voice mail. He wanted to know that Remi was going to be okay, but he also knew Rube wouldn’t be calling unless it was very important.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

The offshore wind swept across the rooftop, making it difficult for Sam to hear what Rube was telling him. He turned up the volume, certain he’d misunderstood. “Say that one more time.”

“Adrian Kyril was arrested. On kidnapping and murder charges.”

“That’s outstanding,” Sam replied. “When?”

“Apparently, yesterday. I only just found out myself. That is not, however, why I’m calling. I’ve got an Interpol agent on hold. He wants to know a little more about what you saw and heard on that island. If you have a few minutes, I’ll patch him through on a conference call.”

“Sure,” Sam said.

A moment later, he heard a click, then Rube saying, “Sergeant Petros Kompouras, Sam Fargo.”

“Mr. Fargo,” the sergeant said. “I won’t take up much of your time. I was hoping you might tell me anything about the warehouse on the island. What was in it? Anything unusual?”

“Besides the C-4 and detonators? The one you need to talk to is Dimitris. He overheard a conversation about one of the shipments being intended for the Heiberts. That would be the pallet that blew up.”

“One of our investigators spoke with him. But, considering your background, I was more interested in your viewpoint.”

“Other than an overabundance of security, and automatic weapons that seemed overkill for olive oil production, I’m not sure what I can add. I did see a lot of empty olive oil tins, and boxes of glass vials, which, now that I think about it, seems odd. I understand the Kyrils are involved in drug running?”

“Suspected,” the sergeant said. “Are you familiar with the history of Minerva Lines and the late Bruno von Till?”

“A very brief history,” he said, recalling the little that Rube had told him.

“Through a now-defunct shipping company called Minerva Lines, von Till ran one of the largest drug trafficking operations, not only in the Mediterranean, but worldwide. Recent information coming through some fairly reliable sources is that Heibert Lines may involve some of the same players. We just weren’t sure who or how. When Adrian Kyril’s name came up along with their business in olive oil production, it made sense. Private island, no oversight. We’re just not sure how they’re smuggling it out—or where they’re hiding it.”

“You’d think they’d have more sense than to store their contraband on their own island.”

“Agreed. Unfortunately, our one successful attempt at getting a look at one of their shipments ended with the death of a couple of our officers from an explosion. It was much like the truck explosion that Dimitris described. Any idea of what was on that pallet?”

“I think it was empty olive oil tins. Dimitris actually went back for one that looked intact. Nothing in it.”

“Why would they blow up empty tins?”

“My gut instinct? They set up the whole thing to lure Dimitris to the truck. Had they been the least bit proficient in placing the explosive, they might have succeeded in killing him.”

“Well, good job taking it out,” the sergeant said. “In the meantime, we’re gathering information on Adrian Kyril’s role. He may be in custody, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions, motive being one of them. I’m not sure a murder charge is going to stick.”

“Take this with a grain of salt,” Sam said, looking up, seeing Zoe walking toward the beach house. “I don’t know what, if any, investigative value this has, but we heard that Tassos was looking for a treasure called Poseidon’s Trident. What or where that might be, I have no idea. But it’s presumably why he was up at that cave that morning.”

“I hadn’t heard that. I’ll add it to the file. Should you run across any more information that will help in our investigation, we would appreciate anything you can pass our way.”

“Of course. I’ll let you know immediately.”

“And, Rube,” Sergeant Kompouras added, “thanks for putting me in touch.”

“No problem.” There was a click, a second of silence, then Rube saying, “Now you know what I know.”

“Which isn’t much,” Sam replied.

“I expect we’ll know a lot more by the time this is all done. By the way, how’s Remi doing?”

“I’m hoping better.” He moved to the edge of the roof, looking down at Zoe as she entered the gate and walked to the front door beneath him. “This news should help ease her mind. Had the police not required us to stay for their investigation into the Kyrils’ olive grove shooting, she’d have been gone by now.”

“Let’s hope I can help speed things up on this end and get you two out of there sooner rather than later. Keep me informed if anything else comes up.”

“I will.”

Sam disconnected, then went down the stairs. When he stepped in the door, all three women looked up in surprise.

“Something happened,” Remi said. “What is it?”

“Adrian Kyril’s been arrested. I just got off the phone with Rube.”

Remi sank back in her chair. “Thank goodness.”

Denéa reached over, grasping Zoe’s hand. Zoe, in turn, said, “That must be why the police chief wants to talk to me. He wants me to stop by this afternoon.”

“Could be,” Sam said. “I expect there’s a long way to go before they finish their investigation.” He glanced at Remi to see how she was taking the news. Though her eyes were red from crying, he had to admit that she seemed . . . calmer.

Zoe stood, looking at each of them in turn. “I should probably go see what the police have to say. If anyone wants to come with me, I could use the moral support.”

CHAPTER FIFTY

The police chief was surprised to see Sam and Remi standing behind Zoe. Denéa had gone down to the port to try to find Dimitris, since he wasn’t answering his phone. “I hope you don’t mind that I brought my friends,” Zoe said as Dimitris burst through the door.

“No, no. Come in.” He beckoned them into his small office. “I’m sorry there isn’t more space.”

Zoe and Remi sat in the two chairs on the other side of his desk, while Sam and Dimitris stood behind them, Dimitris with his hands on Zoe’s shoulders.

Zoe took a deep breath, saying, “I heard that Adrian Kyril was arrested. Is that what this is about?”

“Not exactly. I have a few more questions, and some property to return.”

“Property?”

“The book I was telling you about when we spoke the other day.” He handed her a manila envelope from the desk. “We found it in your grandfather’s pocket—with the note I had you look at. Do you have any idea why he’d have a children’s book with him?”

“No.” Zoe opened the envelope, finding a small, faded, blue clothbound book inside. She pulled it out, running her fingers over the cover. “I haven’t seen this in so long . . .”

Sam leaned over her shoulder, unable to read the title, which was printed in Greek letters.

“ The Pirates of Poseidon ,” she said. “I loved this story when I was little. You could see his face light up when I asked him to read it to me.” She hugged the book to her chest as she looked at the chief. “I can take this?”