Dig Two Graves: Revenge or Honor (15 page)

“Italy is a long way from here, Ceres. I’m not sure we can use the airports,” AJ replied. “Let’s walk a little after dinner and do some thinking.”

“Good idea,” Ceres said.

Just then, the waiter arrived with a plate of baked lemon snapper on a bed of tomatoes and a huge salad. The two men salivated as they stared at the whole fish they would share. They had skipped lunch, and both of them were surprised how hungry they were.

“Don’t be shy, Ajax,” Ceres said as he reached to serve himself a portion of the fish.

“What did you think of Mrs. Arons?” AJ said, trying to hide his smirk as he helped himself to salad and his share of the fish.

“I’m hopeful she will find something useful in her father’s paper,” Ceres replied.

“No, I mean what did you think of her?”

“Aha, she’s a lovely woman.” Ceres said, taking another bite.

“Nothing else?” AJ needled.

“Ajax, we have a great deal to do. I’ve lived my life without the interference of a woman, and I don’t need that now, if that’s what you’re implying,” Ceres said glaring at AJ.

“I was just asking what you thought of her. Did I hit a nerve?” AJ prodded.

“Come, let’s eat. Perhaps an idea will come to us when we aren’t so hungry,” Ceres said, cutting off the subject of the Anna Arons.

AJ chuckled to himself while Ceres avoided his gaze.

The two finished their meal in contemplative silence. Their dinner bill paid, the two men strolled along the waterfront, crowded with people enjoying the vibrant cafés. Colorful umbrellas along the bright promenade and the lively atmosphere along with the beautiful women would normally have drawn AJ’s rapt attention, but not tonight, tonight when they were in danger.

As they walked along Ceres’ cell phone rang. AJ helped him answer it and he said, Hello?”

“Mr. Savas, this is Anna, Anna Arons. I didn’t get you at a bad time did I?

Ceres was so surprised he didn’t know what to say. Finally, he said, “No, this isn’t a bad time. How are you?”

“Fine but I’m concerned. Not long after you left a young man was here. He asked questions about you. Ceres, I’m worried. Please be careful.” The concern was evident in her voice.

“Mrs. Arons, ah Anna, thank you for calling. I will be careful. I’ll talk to you soon. Good-bye.”

“Goodbye. Be careful,” Anna said, and then she was gone.

“That was Mrs. Arons? What did she want?” AJ asked.

“Let’s sit here,” Ceres said, indicating the seawall.

They sat down and Ceres said, “She said someone came to her house asking about us.”

“What, who was it? What did they look like?

“I didn’t ask but I think it best we leave the country,” Ceres said.

“We don’t know why these people are after us and they are apparently very close. We have no information to take to the police. If we turn ourselves in…”

“We would only be detained and learn nothing,” Ceres said, finishing AJ’s thought.

“What options do we have for getting out of the county?” AJ asked.

“I think it depends on where we go. We can fly, of course. We could go north by train. There is always the possibility of travel by boat,” Ceres replied.

“I think Italy is our best bet. We accomplish two things by going there. We get away from the Greek police and we can meet with the private investigator there,” AJ said. “I’m going to go into that hotel,” He said, indicating a brightly lit whitewashed building across the street, “to get a map.”

“Good idea,” Ceres said, as he sat down on the seawall.

AJ found a map of Greece in the lobby of the harbor front hotel. He returned to his companion and spread it out on the seawall. The two men studied the map, trying to plan their next move and their getaway. AJ looked up, about to say something to Ceres, when a beeping car horn caught his attention.

“Tinos!” AJ said, pointing to a dirty white taxi.

“What?” Ceres said.

“Look. Our guardian angel’s here,” AJ said, pointing to

Tinos’ taxi as it pulled up next to them, honking its shrill horn.

“Hello, I heard there were two lost guys somewhere around here. Have you seen them?” Tinos said.

“Tinos, what are you doing here? I thought you were with your cousin?” AJ said.

“My cousin is fine. Her boyfriend and her kids, they can go to hell. I thought I would come down here to eat and drink, and who do I find? My two traveling friends! Get in quick,” Tinos said, lowering his voice and looking in the review mirror.

AJ and Ceres climbed in the back of Tinos’ taxi as he hit the gas. Tinos looked in the mirror, watching for anyone who might follow them, and sped out of the area, saying, “My uncle called again. He is very angry with me. I’m afraid I let slip you were in Thessaloniki. I’m sorry my friends. I’ve brought you trouble,” he said.

“Nonsense,” Ceres said, “It would have happened eventually.”

“He’s right, Tinos,” AJ said. “Don’t worry about it. Are you in trouble?”

“Not yet, but I will be soon. I’m going to get you out of the country. Which way do you want to go?”

“I hear Corfu is nice this time of year,” AJ said, pointing to the map, indicating the island off Greece’s west coast then tracing a line across the Adriatic Sea with his finger to Italy.

“Yes and a nice sea voyage would be good for my health,” Ceres said.

“Corfu it is, my friends, and from there it’s a quick trip to Italy. To get there we must go to the little town of Igoumenitsa on the west coast,” Tinos said.

“I don’t think we’ll go to Italy, Tinos,” AJ said attempting to conceal their plans. “Corfu will be a nice change of pace from the city.”

“Of course, my friends, it’s a forty minute trip and the same ferry goes on to Italy should you change your minds,” Tinos said, unsure what his passengers were planning.“The last boat leaves at midnight.”

Tinos drove west on the A2 highway, keeping the taxi right at the 110 km per hour speed limit, and settled back for the ride.

“How long will it take?” AJ asked.

“About three, three and a half hours to the coast,” Tinos said. “You get the ferry there. We should be there in time for you to get the last one. It’s a six-hour trip to Italy. I like Bari, or Brindisi, but you can go anywhere on the Italian coast.”

“I think Corfu will be sufficient for tonight,” AJ said, giving Ceres a knowing glance.

Ceres settled into the back seat and was out like a light. AJ and Tinos exchanged grins as they listened to the older man begin to snore.

“You have known this one a long time?” Tinos asked, nodding toward Ceres in the back seat. “He is a good man.”

“It seems like forever,” AJ replied, realizing how close he felt to Ceres after the events of the past few days. “He’s a good friend and yes, also a good man.” Yes, he is a good man, AJ thought. He’s a good man, and loyal one. I have a lot I could learn from him.

AJ stared out into the clear night sky filled with too many stars to count. Another day and Ceres had given him nothing new, dropped no hint or clue. He was no closer to learning anything about his father. The visit with Anna Arons had given AJ hope his grandfather wasn’t a total criminal, but the bits he had weren’t nearly enough to make any sense of what had happened during the war. He had no idea what he had gotten himself into or how to find the missing fortune. Ceres was right. They needed help. He decided to make a call to Milan.

He took out his notebook and thumbed through until he found the right page. He out his took cell phone and dialed the Milan number.

A sultry voice answered on the second ring.

“Damn, voice mail,” AJ said.

“Questo e il Signor Rossi,” AJ said in Italian. “Please call me as soon as possible. I want to engage your services on an important matter.” He hoped his second European PI would work out better than the first.

“Who is Mr. Rossi?” Tinos asked.

“He’s related to Mr. Jones,” AJ said, referring to the fake name he had used earlier. “I didn’t want to use my own name. After my experience with the last detective, you never know,” AJ said.

“I guess it’s best to take precautions,” Tinos said.

As AJ put the phone in his pocket, it rang. AJ flipped it open and said, “Hello?”

“Hello Mr. Pantheras. This is Anna Arons. It’s not too late to call you, I hope,” Anna said her voice strong and clear on the cell phone.

“No, Mrs. Arons,” AJ said, turning in his seat to look at Ceres. “It’s not too late at all. How can I help you?”

“May I speak to Mr. Savas?” Anna asked.

“Certainly, just a moment,” AJ said.

“Ceres. Ceres wake up. Mrs. Arons is on the phone for you, Mr. Savas,” AJ said, his smirk growing.

Ceres grabbed the phone from AJ with a scowl. “Anna, what a lovely surprise it is to hear from you so soon. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I’m sorry to call so late but I found something that may be of interest. If this is a bad time…”

“No, nothing like that, I’m just surprised to hear from you so soon,” Ceres said, a little flustered.

“I looked through my father’s correspondence and there is a letter from a Christos Stavros. It’s dated 1945,” Anna said.

“What does he say?” Ceres said, anxiously.

“He says the American Army came to him looking for Lieutenant John. He asks if my father has heard from him.”

“That was, what, a year after the Germans left?” Ceres said.

“Yes, that’s right. The letter goes on to say that he, Mr. Stavros, had reported to the Americans that Lieutenant John had been killed in 1944.”

“Killed! Does it say when or where?” Ceres said, his voice filled with urgency.

“No, it doesn’t say, just that he reported Lieutenant John killed. I’m sorry there isn’t more,” Anna said.

“Thank you for looking and calling me right away. It’s important. I don’t know what it means yet, but it’s certainly significant,” Ceres said.

“I’m not sure when my father got the letter. He was still in the camp near Rome at the time. I don’t I know how long it took to get to him,” Anna said, her voice reflecting Ceres’ disappointment.

“I will keep looking and call you if I learn anything more.”

“Thank you, Anna. You’ve been more than kind. I will be in touch with you soon. We will find our answers,” Ceres said.

“God be with you, old friend. Good night,” Anna said.

Ceres handed the cell phone back to AJ and said, “You heard?”

“Her father had word my grandfather had been killed?” AJ said.

“Yes, but no details. We still don’t know where or how,” Ceres said, his voice heavy with frustration.

“I wonder why there’s no mention of it in the official record,” AJ said.

“I’ve no idea. I’m going to try to get a little sleep,” an agitated Ceres said. “Perhaps when I’m rested I can make some sense of this.”

Ceres slept fitfully until they arrived in the coastal town of Igoumenitsa around 11:30 p.m. Tinos drove them right to the ferry. AJ didn’t even ask if it was OK as he handed the affable taxi driver thirty five hundred Euros.

“Tinos, do me one more favor please? Take your time going back to Athens. Avoid your uncle, the policeman, until this time tomorrow,” AJ said.

“I have avoided him today. What are a few more hours?” Tinos laughed.

“Thank you. It will give us another full day to figure out what’s going on. After tomorrow tell your uncle everything, all right?” AJ said.

“Yes, my friend. I can do this,” Tinos said. “Be careful. You won’t find anyone in Italy who will look after you like I will.”

AJ bought the ferry and train tickets for Milan at the same kiosk. Travel arrangements settled, AJ rejoined Ceres and Tinos, who were standing at the quay.

“Safe travels, my friends. I will miss you,” Tinos said.

“Thank you for all you’ve done, Tinos,” Ceres said.

“Thank you. I hope you come see Athens and Tinos again soon,” Tinos said.

The two travelers boarded the ferry. They waved to Tinos as the mainland and their friend faded in the dark. The men waving on deck faded into the distance as Tinos dialed his cell phone.

“They’re leaving on the Igoumenitsa ferry,” Tinos said “It lands at Corfu first, but I don’t think they’ll stay there. It’s six hours Brindisi, then on to Bari,” Tinos said.

“We’ll have it met. Were you able to find out about the woman?” the disembodied voice asked.

“She’s a widow in her seventies, name’s Arons, Anna Arons. Her husband was a banker.” Tinos said.

“Did you learn anything new while you were with them? What they are after, perhaps?”  

“The American is trying to hire an Italian private investigator,” Tinos said.

“Did you get a name?” the voice continued with a hint of impatience.

“No, but he used the name Rossi when he left a message,” Tinos said.

“Come back to Athens, Tinos. There is nothing more you can do.”

“OK uncle,” Tinos said.

The data screen on the wall read 201 km/h or 125 miles per hour as the high-speed train shot through the Italian countryside. The screen also told AJ they’d be in Milan in less than an hour. The six-hour crossing of the Ionian Sea on the Neptune Lines ferry was a peaceful respite for the two travelers. They’d easily cleared customs. Finding their train was easy, too. After more than three hours on the train, AJ was restless. He stared at his meager notes and shook his head.

“I can’t make any sense of this,” he grumbled.

Ceres, eyes closed beside him, grunted, and then said, “Now you know what I’ve been doing for years. Trying to make sense out of…” his voice trailed off. “Patience my boy, patience.”

Three seats behind the two travelers, a rough looking man made notes of his own and sent them as an email to his boss. The old one and his younger companion had been easy to spot as fewer than twenty people got off the ferry. From their haste, the watcher knew they’d be headed to catch a train. He’d bullied his way on to the express, and settled down for a snooze. There was nowhere to go for several hours and his counterparts in Milan were already alerted. He pushed back in his seat and closed his eyes.

A noise in the quiet cabin grabbed AJ’s attention and he realized it was his cell phone. He dug in his bag, at last coming up with the buzzing object.

“Buon giorno!” AJ said.

“Buon giorno!” a sultry voice said.

“Ah, Buon giorno! Questo e il signor Rossi,” AJ said in Italian

“Ciao! But you are not Italiano, and I suspect you are not Signor Rossi. You are the man who called me last night, are you not?” the woman responded coldly.

Surprised, AJ didn’t know how to respond and was still searching for words when the woman said, “Well Mr. not-Rossi, are you in Milan? You must have something urgent to discuss. Why don’t you come around to my office?”

“I am not yet in Milan. I arrive soon, but I will be glad to come to your office,” AJ replied.

“Do you know Milan?”

“No, I don’t.”

“All right, take a taxi. All the drivers know the golden triangle. It’s the center of the fashion district. I am nearby. The address is 2609 Via Gesu. I am on the second floor above the law office of Signor de Spiga. Where are you, the airport?”

“No, I’m still on a train. I arrive in… it looks like less than an hour.

“At that time, it will take 40 minutes to get to my office from the Grandistazioni. I will have food waiting for you. You’ll be hungry. Do you prefer coffee or café a latte? Coffee I think for you. You are American. Do you have questions, no? I see you. Ciao!”

“See you soon,” AJ replied, “Arrivederci,” but she was gone.

Their train arrived at 3 p.m. and AJ and Ceres quickly found a taxi. Traffic was heavy, but AJ found it not as confusing as Athens.

He recalled a similar discomfort when he’d visited Rome. This city had a different vibe than the capital, though. It was more robust. The drive took them north past the financial district where AJ saw many banks and corporation names he recognized. He hadn’t realized Milan was such a financial hub. Getting off the elevated highway they crawled, bumper to bumper, past parks and plazas all filled with people. Finally, the driver stopped in front of 2609 Via Gesu. It was forty-five minutes, door to door. This mysterious woman knew something about her city.

AJ and Ceres mounted a set of dark blue marble steps to an ornate door at the front of a four-story palazzo-style building. This one, like many others in the city center, now housed stylish offices rather than homes. They entered a bright formal hall where a polished wood floor gleamed under sunlight streaming from a window at the head of the stairs. They made their way to the second floor and stopped at a dark oak door with a simple brass plaque bearing the name G. Donatella.

AJ pushed the brass doorbell and almost immediately heard the buzz of an electric lock. He pushed the door open and entered an elegant dark wood-paneled reception area. Rich brocades on the furniture brought out the warmth of the floor that here, too, blazed golden. AJ and Ceres, puzzled, looked at each other, wondering where their hostess could be. AJ was about to call out when a sound drew his attention to the end of the room. Both their heads turned toward a door. It opened and a woman entered.

She was young, slender, and obviously fit with high, full breasts and long, tanned legs that seemed to go on forever. Luxurious, shoulder-length russet hair framed a delicate face with high cheekbones, small features, and dark eyes that sparkled with mischief. Her impassive face softened momentarily at AJ’s discomfort, then returned to an unreadable mask. A brilliant blue dress fastened snugly with a belt accentuated her slim waist. A dramatic plunging neckline and deeply slit skirt immediately caught AJ’s attention. Her figure was evidence of excellent genes, hours spent in the gym, or perhaps both.

Ceres spoke first, extended his hand to their hostess. He introduced himself then turned to AJ, who was still staring. Ceres shook AJ’s arm to get him back to reality.

“I’m sorry, signorina, I normally have better manners,” AJ said. "I was surprised to find such a beautiful woman in a private investigator’s office. Mi scusi per favore,” AJ said as he stepped forward. “I am AJ Pantheras.” AJ accepted his hostess’ hand. The hand was soft but the handshake surprisingly firm.

“And this is my good friend Ceres Savas.”

“He told me,” she said with a hint of laughter. Her eyebrows rose as a smile slowly spread across her face. The smile was there, lighting up the room, then gone in an instant. “Welcome, gentlemen, welcome to Milan,” her tone all business. “I’m Gia Donatella. And don’t worry, Mr. Pantheras, or is it Rossi? I’m used to men having trouble understanding I am G. Donatella. It’s not the first time. Come in, come in, you must be hungry,” Gia said with a smile as she spun on her heel and led the two men through to the main office. “I have pranzo, a light lunch for you,” she said over her shoulder, catching AJ’s eye.

An Italian mid-day meal of Caprese salad, cold cuts, and crusty bread was laid out on a credenza. A coffee urn and small espresso machine stood on a side table just behind the door.

“This is very kind. Thank you,” AJ said.

They hadn’t eaten since the night before, and Ceres immediately began sampling the buffet.

Gia drew herself a cappuccino and took a seat behind a considerable executive desk strategically placed at an angle to the room.

After AJ prepared a cup of coffee, he took a seat in front of Gia and tried not get lost in the depth of her eyes. When Ceres had taken a seat next to him, AJ began, “Signorina Donatella ...”

“Per favore, please, call me Gia.”

“Thank you, Gia. My friend and I …”

“You and your friend have a problem, and you want some help,” Gia interrupted. “You see, Mr. Pantheras every story begins with someone looking for someone or something.”

“I see, so you know what we want already?” AJ drew the words out slowly, his irritation growing.

“I am a cautious woman. I have to be. Let me tell you about yourselves to show you how careful I am,” she began. “Your friend Mr. Savas is not Italian. He is Yugo, or perhaps Greek. He has lived in America judging by his clothes and his English. You are American, of course.”

“Of course,” AJ responded, his irritation quickly moving toward anger. 

“Your Italian is fair,” Gia continued, “but your accent is wrong. What is the term? It’s too academic. Therefore, you learned the language in college or from tapes, perhaps. You are a professional man, finance, or law, I think. This I know from your clothes and from your bearing and impatience. Your clothes are expensive but understated and you expect to control a given situation. You have a problem outside your normal realm, this I know because you said you do not know Milan. Shall I go on?”

“No, thank you,” AJ responded. “I’ve heard enough. We have wasted enough of your valuable time. Thank you for the brunch, but we should be on our way.”

Ceres’ eyes told it all. In mid-bite, he tried to object as AJ stood to leave, but his mouth was full.

“Please sit, signore. I can be, at times, much too abrupt,” Gia apologized. “Now it is I who begs mi scusi per favore.”

AJ hesitated then regained his seat heavily. Ceres recovered his composure as he started in on another mouthful.

“So what, you always needle your potential clients? Try to see if they can put up with you?” AJ said.

“Something like that. Not an intentional slight, I assure. As you can imagine, I can get some pretty strange people who come through my door with even stranger problems.” Gia made quotation marks in the air around the word problems.

“I was referred to you because of the strength of your contacts and your discretion. I expect you to use both,” AJ said, trying to regain control of the conversation.

“I’ve surmised a good deal about you and your friend, Mr. Pantheras, but tell me, what or who do you seek?”

“How good are your contacts in Greece, signorina, and how much do you know about the most enduring mystery of the Second World War?”

“Don’t tell me you’re after Mussolini’s gold. Fools have been searching for decades. It’s a myth.”

“No, my dear, nothing like that,” Ceres said. “We are looking for justice. At least I am.”

“Have you heard of the Greek Holocaust?” AJ added.

“A little, there was so much tragedy in Southern Europe, hell, the entire world, during the war,” she replied. “You refer to the killing of the Jews, I assume.”

“That and much more,” Ceres began. “Let’s us say we search for a man or men who have committed untold evil, and our search seems to begin with a missing fortune.

Ceres related much of what he had recently told AJ. He ended his narrative with an impassioned defense of his wartime friend John Pantheras. “I cannot believe a man who was so kind to a small boy could do such a monstrous thing as steal an entire culture’s ransom,” Ceres said.

“Gentleman, that’s a fascinating story, but there must be a hundred post war rumors about hidden treasure, secrets, or someone’s secret bunker. Why is your tale different?” Gia said with a stony face. “Tell me? Then I will tell you if I will help. Remember, these events happened a generation ago,” Gia said.

AJ, having let the eyewitness tell his story spoke up. “We chose you because of your financial crimes contacts. If we’re right, the proceeds of this massive theft set someone up with an immense fortune. Someone so devious could not possibly change their ways, so we are looking for someone with a postwar fortune, an empire if you will.”

“There are many success stories from after the war. Many families survived only to prosper, first in the black markets but then they became legitimate.”

“Ah, but which of them has roots in Greece or Germany?”

“Many have such backgrounds. You forget that today, the EU has dissolved borders. Money flows more or less freely.”

“I don’t care,” Ceres shouted as he jumped to his feet. “I’ll never forget what has happened.”

“I believe you Mr. Saves, but I must have somewhere to start.”

“I’ve a list of names,” AJ said, handing Gia a typed list of names. “These are the men who served with my grandfather in Greece, as well as the names of some of the resistance fighters, the German commander in Northern Greece, and lastly, you have the name of a Greek renegade my grandfather dealt with. This information comes from Ceres’ research and his memory,” AJ said, looking at his friend, who was still very agitated.

“There’s one name added,” Gia said, indicating a name written in pen.

“That one is a more recent addition,” AJ replied. “Can you help us or not?” He was tired of playing games.

“I have contacts and friends in the various places. Some high places and some low ones too. I use them for favors and information like they use me,” she replied warily.

“Yes or no?” AJ said.

“There might be someone I could speak to,” she replied, looking off into the distance. She sat up straight, fixing AJ in her glare, and said emphatically, “I will look into this for you, but you should know I don’t expect to find much, if anything. Don’t get your hopes up because I’m taking your case. Your expectations …”

AJ took a breath to speak, but Ceres spoke first. Placing his hand on AJ’s arm, he said in a strong voice, “First, I want to find out what happened to my friend in 1944. I want to know who killed my friend’s son in Boston recently, and if the murder is connected to what happened during the war. I want to find the treasure and return it to the people to whom it belongs. Ajax may have other priorities, but those are my expectations. If you can answer even one of these things, I will be satisfied.”

“I can’t add to that. I know it’s a tall order,” AJ said.

“I can’t make any promises. It is a tall order, but I’ll try to learn something. Where are you staying?” Gia asked.

“We came straight here. Can you recommend someplace?”

AJ replied, ideas more about Gia than their business together popping into his head.

“I can help with that. Eat and have some coffee, and I will make arrangements,” Gia said. “Also, you need a few things.”

“What could we need?” said AJ, wrinkling his forehead in thought.

“You need some more European clothes. You are both very obviously American,” she said with a smile.