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Chapter Forty
While Sophia and Stasia got themselves organized with rooms, showers, and a midnight snack, Sam went to the deck where warm breezes blew away the earlier tensions, and he found himself relaxing.
He’d seen the security system the cabin provided. Brand new sensors, small cameras located in different locations, and all kinds of up-to-date technology to keep them safe and intruders outside.
He relaxed on a lounger and made his call to David. “Did you watch the car while we drove towardLindos? Anyone following us?”
“Of course, I watched. Weren’t those your orders? Boss, you got away clean. Whoever those bastards were, they didn’t tail you, I guarantee it.”
“Thanks, bud. I can sleep a bit easier now. Did the rest of the gang touch base? From Athens and the other islands?”
“I’m still waiting to hear they’re set up in Mykonos, but the others are ready to move in whenever we give the word. Oh, and Sam, that ship in the U.S. will be arriving in three days, early evening. Only thing left to do is figure out which container out of how many hundreds is carrying the goods.”
“And I’ve no doubt between you and John-john working on the puzzle, you’ll have it settled by the time they arrive in harbor.”
His voice changing, filled with worry now, David’s answer didn’t relieve his concern. “I bloody well hope so. We’re miracle workers, but not Gods.”
***
The next morning and early afternoon, Sophia took Ellie for a break toLindosand ate lunch at their favorite restaurant on the beach while Barney supervised Stasia with the children – his way of making sure she was suitable.Totally understandable to Sophia’s way of thinking. And she had no doubt he’d fall under the girl’s spell as her and Sam had done.
Bearing gifts for the kids, Sophia arrived a few hours later for the promised dinner and was greeted by her nieces and nephew. They were full of excitement about their new caregiver, who they called Anna, and sang her praises so much that she breathed a sigh of relief for having solved one problem.
Glad they’d decided that Anastasia should use that nickname while at the hotel, it would throw any interested party off the track if the kids or even Ellie or Barney slipped up and talked about their newest employee. With Manos coming that evening, they needed to play it safe.
She did ask Ellie, Barney, and Yanis a favor after she arrived. “Please don’t mention anything about my FBI position to anyone.”
“Because of Manos?”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because you brought up everyone else except him.”
Thinking quickly, she said, “That’s because he doesn’t know I work for the Bureau. At the barbecue, he said you’d told him I work for the government in Washington. That could meana number ofdifferent positions. I’m glad now that there’s so few of us that I won’t have to worry it might slip out.”
“Can you tell me why we need to keep quiet about something you know I like to brag about?”
“Not really. All I can say is that it’s an ongoing case here in Rhodes that with luck will be settled by the end of the week.”
When she looked around, Barney lifted his finger to his mouth as a way of saying she needn’t worry about what he knew. He’d kept it to himself. Good!
She’d seen the wink Yanis had given her before he’d wrapped her in a bear hug and whispered, “I’ve gotten the others on board with what’s going on, Sophia. We’ll be ready when you give the word about stepping in.”
She whispered back, “It won’t be much longer. Make sure they’re willing to shut down the mayor and his lackey, the police commander.”
“Go figure, that dipshit is on the wrong side. He’s got a handful of officers that answer only to him, and we know exactly who they are. We’ll be ready.”
“Don’t mention anything tonight.”
“Got it. How is the girl, Stasia?”
“We’re calling her Anna here, and she’s fine.”
The ringing of the outer bell announced the arrival of the last guest and Manos appeared. A sense of excitement bristled around the well-dressed man. He emitted an aura of eagerness that seemed to stem from his meeting again with Sophia.
She’d chosen a shell-pink dress of filmy material that floated around her ankles as she walked. Her tan showed off well in the outfit as did her slim figure and silver hair. She knew she looked okay, but from the raving enthusiasm Manos showered on her, uneasiness struck from the moment of his arrival.
Obviously smitten, the man followed her around like a puppy and constantly gave compliments that might have delighted some women but just made her feel rather ill. Every time she looked his way, she imagined duct tape across his deceitful mouth so his lush lips couldn’t flap.
