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Chapter Twenty-four
By the time they were alone in the kitchen on the pretense of making lunch, Sophia sensed that Sam’s frustration levels had risen to where he had a hard time being cool. His first question proved her right.
“What’s going on?”
“Chill, boy-o. My friend Yanis is going to get us some answers to the questions about old Mayor Alexopoulos. He doesn’t believe the man drove off the cliff because of overindulgence either. He sensed something was wrong at the time and asked questions about his death, but thenewpolice commander put him off with bullshit.” She purposely emphasized the one word to draw his attention.
He stiffened. “They have a new person in charge of the police. In other words, they’ve managed to infiltrate the areas in the government where detection for their underhanded activities will likely go unnoticed.”
“Bingo!” She watched his face.
“What do you know about this guy?”
“Not a lot. Seems he arrived from Athens and was given the job by the slimy, devious, Mayor Diakos. They’re old friends according to Yanis.”
Sam leaned back against the table, hands on either side gripping the rim. He crossed his legs, his posture that of a man used to being in charge. He looked the embodiment of military. Hell, even Stasia had questioned his status. To her, it screamed cop. Caught out, he’d admitted to a past in the occupation, but she never did learn what he did today. She watched him closely, his expression, and the way he handled himself.
Who was this guy?
“Convenient, don’t you think?” His words got through her mind-shift.
“Excuse me?”
He reached for his coffee mug still steaming and sipped as he watched her over the rim. “I was referring to the guy now in charge of law enforcement on the island.” Realizing her mind had wandered, sarcasm appeared as he muttered. “Wh-at?”
“Question.”
“Okay.”
Though his cocky attitude still had her flummoxed, she’d swear he was in criminal investigative work. He knew how to intimidate, and he interrogated in the same way any ranking officer might do with total expectations of an answer.
“What did you say you do in the real world, Sam?”
***
Sam hadn’t anticipated this question and was glad he’d practiced a reply when it came.
“I’m with the Air Force, home after three missions overseas.”
“What do you do for them?”
“I’m a mechanic.”
“Bullshit.”
“Pardon me?”
“You heard me. You’re lying, you’re no mechanic.” She knew it.
“I used to be.”
“Not now. And quit being contrary.”
“I’ve done a lot of things in my life—”
“Get to the point, Sam. What line of work are you innow?”
He hesitated. Somehow it seemed important he didn’t lie to this girl. She wouldn’t be one to easily forgive, and the way he was beginning to feel about her, he couldn’t take the chance of earning her anger, or worse, her mistrust.
