'Are you deaf?' Haldane shouted angrily in Greek. 'Didn't you hear what I said?'
And this time there was a response. One of the men sitting at the table closest to where Haldane and the Australian were standing cleared his throat noisily and then spat. And his spittle hit the toe of Viglis' right shoe.
The Australian flared, clenched his fists and swung round to the man. The man stood up and as he did so the other villagers around the room also got to their feet, their faces grim, their mood ugly and threatening. The man who had spat at Viglis stood waiting, clearly inviting the Australian to make his move. Viglis took a step. towards him ready and willing to throw a punch but Haldane grabbed his arm. 'Don't,' he said. 'Can't you see, that's what they want. '
The villagers edged in a little closer. Haldane crossed quickly to Annika. 'Annika,' he demanded angrily. 'For God's sake what are they doing? What's this all about? He took her by the shoulders and shook her. 'Answer me,' he shouted.
For the first time since Tony Viglis had entered the taverna Annika raised her head and looked at him but her expression was blank. 'Do not interfere, Leandros.' she said quietly and in a dull tone. 'It doesn't concern you.'
'What the hell do you mean?' fumed Haldane. 'A stranger, a foreigner, walks into a taverna in Crete and is spat at and threatened. One man against so many. Of course it concerns me.'
Annika studied him. Then get him away from here, she said flatly. Tell him to leave Dhafnai.'
'Why?'
Annika frowned and an urgent note entered her voice. 'Now Leandros,' she urged. 'Quickly.'
Haldane could see from her expression that there was no point in questioning her further and it was equally dear to him that she meant it when she said he should act without delay. He crossed back to the Australian. 'You drove here?' he asked.
Viglis nodded. 'Yes. In a hired car. It's parked outside.'
'I'll walk with you to it,' said Haldane.
Viglis opened his mouth to protest but Haldane cut in on him quickly and firmly, 'Don't argue.'
Viglis glanced at the faces of the men around them who had now closed in even further and took his point. Together they started to move slowly towards the door. The men were at first reluctant to break ranks and allow them through but. phased by Haldane's unexpected intervention and unsure how to cope with it, after a brief confrontation they made way for them but then. only a few paces behind. followed them to the door.
Outside the taverna there was an even bigger shock awaiting Haldane and the Australian.
A crowd which. with the exception of the very old and the very young, seemed to comprise the entire population of the village had gathered across the square from the spot where Viglis' Volkswagen was parked. The villagers were silent but their expressions were forbidding, Their mood mirrored that of Christos and the customers in the taverna. In the foreground of the crowd some of the young men were carrying stones.
Haldane and Viglis exchanged anxious looks. 'For Christ's sake, said Viglis quietly, surveying the crowd. 'What's going on here? What have I done?'
'I don't know,' replied Haldane. 'Have you ever been here before?'
'Never in my life. Hell, this is my first trip outside Australia. '
'Come on,' ordered Haldane.
Side by side they walked slowly over towards the Australian's car and as they did so, equally slowly. the crowd moved in behind them like a wave and then stopped when the two men reached the Volkswagen and stood beside it with their backs to them.
'Where are you staying?' asked Haldane trying to keep "his voice level and hide the feeling of very real fear which had now gripped him.
'In Heraklion,’ replied Viglis. 'The Xenia Hotel.'
The crowd moved in a little closer. Viglis made a movement as if to glance back over his shoulder.
'Don't look round,’ said Haldane. 'Just get into that car and drive like hell. I'll try and find out what this is all about. I'll call you at the Xenia.'
Viglis nodded. 'Thanks.'
The first stone struck Haldane in the small of the back and he gasped with pain. The second struck the side of the car and ricocheted off it. Viglis swung round in anger and as he did so the third stone thudded on to his forehead.
With a cry, and already bleeding badly from the gash above his eye and only semi-conscious, the Australian reeled back under the impact of the blow, rolled over and slumped forward over the bonnet of the car and slid to the ground.
Now the opening shots became a barrage. Some of the stones thrown went wide but many of them hit the Volkswagen and Haldane took another glancing blow on his left shoulder.
Enraged, his eyes blazing and his fury overcoming his fear, he quickly bent down, picked up three of the stones lying nearby and then savagely hurled one of them back. One of the young men in the front of the crowd clasped his stomach and then collapsed on the ground, writhing with pain. Turning slightly sideways to the mob and crouching like a boxer, Haldane weighed another stone in his throwing hand.
'Well, come on then, you bastards,' he shouted in his rage. 'Who'd like some more of the same?'
The crowd hesitated. Most of them knew that the Englishman had come to the village with Annika Zeferis but then if he had chosen the wrong side in this dispute he must take the consequences of that choice. And now he stood there taunting them. More stones were gathered up. The villagers began to close in again.
Haldane was now fully aware of the danger he was in and he prepared himself for what he knew would be a fight for his life. At that moment he was suddenly aware of the flaking whitewash on the greyed and decaying walls of the buildings around him, of the meanness of the alleyways which led off from the square and of the stench of urine that hung in the air. Why had he not seen these things and smelt that smell before, he wondered. He drew back his arm to throw the stone he was holding into the still advancing mob, fully intending to maim if not kill.
'Stop it!' shouted Annika in Greek. 'That is enough. Do you hear me? Stop it!'
The villagers paused in their advance and turned to look in her direction. She was standing just outside the doorway to the taverna. 'No more,' she went on. The Englishman is Leandros of the Andarte. Would you harm him?'
Some of the people in the crowd looked back at Haldane, still on their guard against him but with expressions of surprise tinged with regret. Worried, questioning glances were exchanged among the crowd.
Annika called out again in Greek. 'I told you. That is enough.' It was no longer an appeal she was making. This was a command. And clearly a command from Annika Zeferis was not to be disobeyed.
The villagers dropped the stones they were carrying, even if some did so sullenly and unenthusiastically. Then the mob slowly began to break up. Once he was satisfied that there was no danger of any further attack, Haldane tossed aside the stones he was holding and then helped Viglis to his feet. The Australian was still half stunned and the nasty wound on his forehead was now bleeding profusely. Haldane opened the nearside door of the Volkswagen and eased him into the front passenger seat. Then he looked up. Annika was standing on the other side of the car. Her face was pale and drawn with worry.
'Are you all right?' she asked anxiously,
Haldane regarded her icily. 'Yes,' he said shortly. 'But he isn't.'
'I did warn you,' she said quietly.
'Me, yes,' he snapped. 'But not him. They might have killed him and you'd have let it happen wouldn't you?'
'I stopped them,' she said weakly.
Haldane nodded. 'Only because. I was involved. Not for him.'
'He is not welcome here.'
Haldane gave a short, hollow laugh. 'You surprise me,' he said. He looked across at the villagers who had now dispersed and were standing around the square watching them. 'Bloody savages,' he muttered. And then he shouted to them in Greek, 'Bloody savages!' He looked at Annika. 'Isn't there a policeman in this village?
'Yes.'
Haldane snorted contemptuously. 'Only he's not around at the momen
t, eh? How convenient.' He moved around the car and opened the door on the driver's side.
'Where are you taking him?' Annika asked.
'To a doctor,' Haldane replied coldly. 'To my place.'
He pulled the keys of the Fiat out of his pocket and handed them to her. 'You bring my car,' he told her.
Annika nodded. Haldane started to get in behind the wheel but Annika checked him. 'You must not judge them too harshly,' she said. 'They have a reason.'
Haldane studied her incredulously. Then he nodded towards the injured Australian. 'For that!' he exclaimed 'Whatever their reason can you excuse it? Just like that?' Then he added scathingly, 'but then of course I suppose you can. After, all, as you said, they're your people, aren't they?' He got into the car, slammed the door and drove off at speed.
Deeply distressed, Annika watched the car pull away from her.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"There is concussion,’ said the doctor as Haldane led the way dow the stairs from the bedroom. 'And shock of course. But he is a very lucky man. Two inches lower and he would have lost an eye. ' They paused at the bottom of the stairs. 'A stone you say?'
'Yes.'
The doctor tut-tutted and shook his head. 'Well, now that the wound is stitched it will heal quickly enough. But he should rest. The sedative I have given him will make him sleep and then I think he will be all right. Perhaps even by this evening he will be on his feet again. But gently, gently, eh? You understand?'
Haldane nodded. 'I'll see he takes things easy,' he said. 'Thank you, doctor.'
He moved over to the front door and opened it. Annika was standing on the doorstep about to ring the bell. The doctor recognised her. 'Herete, Kyria Zeferis,' he said in a gravely polite voice.
'Herete, Yalros Skoulas.' She was clearly very subdued.
She shot an embarrassed, ashamed look at Haldane as be stepped to one side to allow her to enter. She crossed to the table and put Haldane's car keys down on it.
'The Kyrie will be staying here?' the doctor asked Haldane.
'Yes. I think that's best.'
'Then tell him to come and see me tomorrow at my office. I will change the dressing.'
'Right, I'll do that. And thank you again.'
The doctor shrugged. 'I am happy to be of service.' He nodded his farewells, first to Annika and then to Haldane. 'Kyria, Kyrie.'
Haldane closed the door behind him and turned to Annika. She could see from his face that his anger had only abated a little.
'How is he?' she asked.
Haldane gave her a hard look. 'Lucky. But badly cut and concussed.' He moved over to her quickly 'And now I want an explanation.'
Annika made a helpless gesture. 'His name is Viglis,' she said.
Haldane frowned. 'Yes I know,' he said irritably. 'He told me.'
Annika turned away from him and moved across to the drawing board by the window. 'Once there were many Viglis in Dhafnai.' She stood gazing towards the windows. 'But they were not good people. They stole sheep, quarrelled, fought and made trouble. Then, one day, two of the villagers were murdered by men of the Viglis family. The people rose up against them. They hanged the murderers. '
Haldane was deeply shocked by this. 'Lynched them!'
'That was often the way of justice in the mountains then.'
'My God!'
'And then,' Annika went on, 'when the murderers were dead, all the others of their name were driven from the village. No Viglis has lived in Dhafnai or dared to return there since.'
Haldane regarded her. 'I see,' he said grimly. 'And when did all this happen?'
Annika gave a little shrug. 'Within the memory of those still living.'
'Well, when?' pursued Haldane. 'Exactly.'
Annika hesitated and then said quietly, almost in a whisper. 'In nineteen sixteen.'
'Nineteen sixteen!' repeated Haldane incredulously.
And then he did a hasty mental calculation. 'But that's sixty-one years ago.'
Annika turned to him. 'In the mountains people do not forget easily.'
Haldane could not, would not, accept this. 'But what quarrel could anyone possibly have with Tony Viglis?' he scoffed. 'This is the first time he has ever been in Crete. He's an Australian. A visitor.'
Annika sighed. 'He bears the name. And he is not just here as a tourist. He has brought with him the body of his grandfather, Kissandros Viglis.'
Haldane still did not understand. 'Well?'
'I understand that it was Kissandros Viglis' wish to be buried in the village where he was born,' explained Annika. 'In Dhafnai. His grandson is here to see that happen. And that is something the villagers will not permit.'
Haldane was staggered by this and it showed clearly in his face. He shook his head in disbelief. 'That's appalling! Keeping a feud alive for so long is senseless enough. But to deny anyone the right to be buried in the place of their choosing. Their birthplace.' He threw up his hand in disgust. That's even worse. It's barbaric.'
Annika crossed to him. He had to understand. Somehow she must make him understand. These are Cretan mountain people, she said.' They are different from those who live here on the coast. They have a special code. They hold their grievances close to them. You know that, Leandros. You fought alongside them during the war.'
Haldane shook his head. 'No,' he said adamantly. 'Not with people like that, I didn't. The men I fought beside had a respect for the dead. They even saw to it that those who sought to destroy them were buried decently.'
'As Kissandros Viglis should be buried,' agreed Annika. 'And in Crete. No one questions that. But not in Dhafnai. Don't you see,' she pleaded. 'To the villagers that would be seen as an act of forgiveness for the past wrongs done to them by his family. And that they do not forgive.'
Then they must learn to,' retorted Haldane savagely. To forgive and to forget. That beautiful chapel you showed me. Doesn't their parish priest preach the Christian gospel there? 'And the greatest of these is charity.' Haven't they ever been taught that?'
'Of course.'
'Then why wasn't Father What’s his name out there in the square today? Repeating it to them over and over again instead of hiding himself away,' Haldane continued.
Annika studied him and shook her head sadly. She was not getting through to him and she knew it. 'Perhaps because he knows that they would not have taken any notice of him,' she said quietly. 'And he must live with them. In this they respond to the voices of older gods. To other, far more ancient laws.'
Haldane took his pipe out of his pocket and filled it. He noticed that his hands were still shaking.
'Then someone else must get the message over to them,' he said. 'Someone who does have the guts and for whom they have a greater respect than they clearly do for their priest. And who deserves it more. Someone with nothing to lose.' He crossed to the fireplace and reached for the box of matches on the mantelpiece. 'You, for instance,' he said, turning to her.
'Me!' said Annika, clearly taken aback by the idea.
Haldane nodded. 'Yes,' he said. 'Why not? You have influence with them. From the way they treated you, from the way they listened to you, they obviously have a very high regard for you. And you are one of them. You speak to them. You make them see what a shameful thing it is they are doing.'
He struck a match and lit his pipe and then he looked across at her again. 'Put an end to all this nonsense,' he said and it was a challenge as much as a plea.
Annika held his gaze but hesitated. She shook her head. 'No, Leandros,' she said levelly. 'I cannot do that.'
'Why?' demanded Haldane, shocked by what she'd said.
'It is not possible,' she replied simply.
'Because you agree with them!' Haldane exclaimed, all his anger flowing back again. 'Is that it? Agree with what they did? With what they're doing?'
Annika shook her head. 'No. But I understand them. And I cannot interfere.'
'Cannot or will not?' he pressed
She shrugged. 'Between those two words what d
ifference does it make?'
'A hell of a lot,' replied Haldane bitterly. 'To me.'
Annika studied him and again she hesitated. 'Very well then,' she said at last. 'I will not.'
Bitterly disappointed, Haldane regarded her coldly. He shook his head sadly. 'Then you are not only one of them,' he said 'You are no better than they are.'
Deeply hurt by his jibe, Annika frowned. She stiffened proudly. 'No I am not,' she countered icily. 'But then I have never thought myself to be.' She crossed to the front door and opened it and then looked back at him. 'That was my father's curse.'
She closed the door quietly behind her.
At five o'clock, Haldane looked in on Viglis again. He was sleeping peacefully. Satisfied, Haldane withdrew quietly from the bedroom leaving the door ajar.
He was at the head of the stairs and starting down them when the front doorbell rang.
The man standing at the top of the steps up from the street was of medium height with a strong, intelligent face and eyes which, even behind the tinted glasses he was wearing, were both penetrating and compassionate. He was wearing the grey-green uniform of the Greek police.
'Mr Haldane,' he enquired politely and in excellent English. Haldane nodded. 'Major Krasakis. May I come in?’.
Haldane opened the door wider and the Major walked into the room and looked around interestedly.
'Is it about what happened this morning?' Haldane asked, closing the front door again. 'Is that why you're here?'
Krasakis turned to him. 'Yes,' he said. 'It is a very serious matter.'
'An attack on a foreigner,' Haldane said sarcastically. 'A tourist. Yes, it must be.'
Krasakis studied him and smiled faintly. 'An attack on anyone,' he said and it was a gentle but firm rebuke.
Haldane had regretted the remark almost as soon as he'd said it. He nodded. 'Yes, of course, Major, I'm sorry. That was stupid of me.'
Krasakis accepted his apology with an inclination of his head. 'How is Mr Viglis?'
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