by Sandra Dee
I wondered if Anne knew Sharon well enough to recognize her at a distance. But another part of me felt as if I'd been slapped in the face. The sting moved inside me, knotted my stomach, and finally filled my legs. I was frozen, but my mind raced on. Anne had no knowledge of the criminal element in all this, nor did she realize I had been engaged to Rex. And my greatest fear - Rex was a short man with dishwater blonde hair. Was Rex here on the island with Sharon?
Anne stumbled forward but managed to hang onto my arm. I almost dropped my purse. She pushed her way between people, dragging me along. We rounded the corner and, to my horror, Sharon was standing thirty feet away near a rack of postcards. I didn't see the blond man. Perhaps he had stepped into a shop. While I was trying to process this impossible scenario, I realized Anne was waving and shouting at Sharon. There was no time to explain. I pulled Anne into the nearest store.
"Anne, don't!" I was trying to think fast. What could I say that wouldn't alarm her? I didn't want to tell her Sharon might be involved in blackmail. And I really didn't want to tell her that we might be in danger; I wasn't even sure we were in danger. I was trying to figure out why Sharon and Rex would be here. Even stranger, if Rex was telling the truth, why would they be together?
"What? Why not? You don't want to see Sharon? Aren't you still friends?"
I pulled her behind a rack of scarves. "I don't know. I don't want her to see me. We need to hide. It's possible the man you saw is my ex-fiance. Just stand here. Don't move."
"Oh!" Anne's face had the dawning of recognition, but flickered immediately. "I don't understand. Isn't Sharon engaged?"
"I'm actually not sure. It is such a long story. If the man is who I think he is, I used to be engaged to him."
"Oh, wow! Don't you want to see if it is really him? We didn't get a good look." She headed toward the store entrance again.
"Wait! Don't go out there!" I had planned to peek out through the merchandise, but Anne and I were operating from different perspectives. I wanted to stop her, but she was already back on the stone path. By the time I reached her, she was talking again.
"Sharon just went by, the other way."
"Did you see the man?"
"No, but he might be in front of her. They were in a crowd of people. I think they were walking toward the parking lot."
It was harder to follow people than it looks in the movies, especially since we wanted to remain hidden. There was a real possibility Sharon and the mystery man would turn a corner and then stop suddenly. We might run right into them. If they stepped into a store, we might walk past them. Anne tried to hurry, but I wanted to be careful. By the time we reached the parking lot, they were driving away together. We jumped into the jeep and tried to do a car chase along a winding, cliff road. Neither side of the road had any shoulders. At least we were on the side opposite the drop off. I'm not the best driver in the world.
I was trying to concentrate on the twisting curves when I heard a terrible roar. A man on a motorcycle passed going very fast. Just as he pulled in front of us, he leaned back and popped a wheelie. I screamed and started to slam on the brakes, but remembered not to skid. I just tapped the brakes instead. The tires screeched briefly, but we stayed on the road. I wanted to pull over and let my pounding heart move back into my chest. Fighting back fear, I drove slowly and finally found a place to stop.
Anne and I were unable to speak. We just sat for a few minutes and stared at each other. She reached over and grasped my hand. I waited until I could breathe again before I started the car. We drove back toward Thira slowly and carefully. Just before we reached Improvigli, a police car blocked the road. We sat for some time until Anne grew impatient. She climbed out of the jeep and walked past several cars to the policeman. After some gesturing and pointing, she returned.
"He said they are ready to move and let everyone pass. Someone went over the cliff, but they can't reach him from here. The rescuers are trying to walk across the fields below to help him. I can't really see over the side, but I think it was the man on the motorcycle."
I gasped, "We just escaped a major accident."
The cars were moving again, and soon we were back in the hotel parking lot. Sharon and her passenger were nowhere in sight. We had lost them completely. By this time I didn't really care. We had missed dinner entirely. Anne hurried to the office to order a late pizza from the hotel kitchen. She offered to share, but I declined. I had lost my appetite anyhow. If and when I got to England, I would look like an emaciated model. All I wanted was a quiet place to think and a glass of red wine.
I poured the wine and put it on my nightstand. After one sip I fell into the bed again. I was still wearing the clothes I had worn to breakfast, but it seemed unimportant. I hadn't really slept in twenty four hours, except for a short afternoon nap, and had missed the sunset. I still wasn't sleepy, just very, very tired.
My mind could not absorb the shock. Was I visiting an alternate universe? Had Sharon flown to New York and returned with Rex? Why on earth would they be together? I already knew Sharon was a liar. It probably wasn't too strange that she would appear somewhere she wasn't supposed to be. Why was she here? Had she forced Rex to come with her? Was Rex lying to me too? I had dozens and dozens of questions but no answers. In the next moment I was asleep.
Chapter Eight
The next morning, my head was heavy on the pillow. When I stumbled into the bathroom to wash my face, a startling thought struck me. I felt certain I had been betrayed a second time. Rex had probably come here with Sharon, possibly on their honeymoon, as Sharon had planned. It seemed obvious now, but one question remained. Why had Rex phoned and begged me to come back? Why the elaborate story about the blackmail? Had he wanted to give me one last chance to come back to him? But where was he when he called? Was that day before yesterday? So much had happened it seemed like a week ago. If he had phoned right before he left New York, he might have had time to get here. It was hard to be certain because of the time difference and the disorienting effect of overnight flights.
I phoned Anne and met her for breakfast on my terrace. She almost ran from the office, smiling and eager.
"Are you sure you can leave the office?" I asked.
"No problem. The office door is just feet away, and I can easily hear the phone. I haven't had breakfast myself because I came to work really early this morning. I'm dying to know if you have figured out what was going on. I didn't get the whole story yesterday. My curiosity is killing me." Someone from the kitchen arrived with our breakfast.
"I think it's possible that Rex and Sharon are here on their honeymoon. They could be staying in Oia. We might have caught them just as they were leaving to eat and party in Thira. He just phoned me day before yesterday, and I'm not sure how long they have been here on the island."
Anne looked totally confused. "I'm not sure I understood any of that. I'm wondering if I should cancel the reservation Sharon made. It is obvious she is here and not staying with us."
"If I sound confused, it is because I am. When he phoned, Rex begged me to come back to him. I never told you that I came here for two reasons. When I arrived, I was here to write a book, but I was also engaged to Rex. I was picking out a honeymoon spot. I didn't know anything about the Sharon and Rex thing until you told me about Sharon's new hotel reservation. It gets even more complicated, but I can't explain it all, because I don't really understand it."
"Oh! The whole thing is getting curiouser and curiouser. Why would they come here and why now?"
"It is probably even stranger than you realize. Now I'm wondering who is going to pay my hotel bill. I'm going to try to exchange my return ticket to New York for a London flight. I'm ready for you to help me with that. It is also time for you to schedule the transfer Robert paid for. Rex was supposed to cover the hotel bill, but if he is really here with Sharon, will he honor that promise?"
Anne just stared, her mouth open. "Oh no, Alexa, that is going to be quite a bill. Do you have the money to pay it?" She
put down her teacup and started back to the office. "I'll check your total right this minute. You can stop by the office to complete all this when you have time."
I sat for a few moments and then ducked inside my apartment. My spirits sank rapidly as I removed my clothes. I desperately needed a shower. I stepped into the warm water and tried to cope with being unemployed, betrayed, homeless, and broke. How was this the result of all those years, trying to live up to the expectations of my mother, the good grades, the hard work? She wasn't too happy when I gave up my job hunt in New York to get engaged. I could hear her voice ringing in my ears, telling me that I should always have a backup plan for my life. Now I was a wannabe author working on a book that didn't really exist. If only water could wash away my cares. I owed for Sharon's hotel bill too. What irony.
Through the hiss of the spray I could hear a loud banging and someone shouting. I tried to rinse off the soap so I could get out the shower and see what was happening. Finally I turned off the water and heard a male voice. Someone was beating on my door, so I grabbed a big towel and tried not to slip on the wet, stone floor. I peeped out the window to see who was knocking. It was Rex!
I wondered if I should open the door, but Rex kept pounding and calling my name. When I tried to assess the risk, the only thing I could remember was Sharon, the blackmailer. If I wanted to find out what was going on, I had to talk to Rex, so I opened the door.
"Alexa, Alexa, I've found you. Thank goodness. Darling, let me hold you."
Because I was wearing a big towel, I stepped back. Rex tried to hug me, but I wasn't in the mood to be groped while half nude and wet. It was so sudden that I didn't know what to ask.
"Honey, why can't I touch you? You know how much I need you, how much I've missed you." Rex stepped into the apartment.
"Rex, if you're so anxious to see me, why did you come here with Sharon?"
"Sharon? Why on earth would I come here with Sharon? She blackmailed me into calling you and is trying to get the police to arrest me. What happened to us is all just a terrible mistake."
"I saw you with Sharon in Oia late yesterday afternoon, just before sunset."
"What is Oia? I don't know what you're talking about." Rex moved toward me again, and I retreated into the living room.
"Are you trying to tell me you aren't here on the island with Sharon?"
"Darling, that's impossible. I was in Switzerland yesterday and arrived in Athens last night. I wasn't here at all. Just a minute, I might have the boarding pass in my jacket pocket." Rex stopped and dug into the jacket on his arm. He found a crumpled piece of paper and smiled as he tried to give it to me.
"Ok, Rex, I believe you. Sit down, I'm willing to listen just as soon as I put on some clothes." I kept backing into the bedroom.
"Aw, honey, you don't have to do that. I keep hoping that towel will fall off." He had that same old pretty boy gleam in his eyes.
I raced through the bedroom and into the closet, hoping that Rex wouldn't follow. I wasn't sure I'd be able to resist him now that I knew he was probably telling the truth. I shouldn't have those emotions, but sometimes I think with my heart instead of my head. I was growing more and more confident that Sharon had lied to both of us. A surprising wave of pity began to take hold. Rex had called off our engagement in a panic. He hadn't known what to do and made a bad mistake. Were we both victims? Should I feel sorry for myself too? As usual my brain was whirling. I tried to steady myself and think what to do.
I was still straightening my sun dress when I returned. He was sitting on the couch, so I sat down just out of reach. "Rex, I'm trying to understand. Tell me why you were in Switzerland."
"I had to do some banking. I've quit my job permanently, but it's fine. You and I will be much happier in Brazil. We can live like royalty. Believe me, you can have anything you want because there is no dollar limit. In fact, when we leave here, we will fly to Paris to pick up our new private plane. The sale has already been arranged and paid for, but I might need to find pilots willing to fly us from Paris to Brazil. I'm pretty sure we will hire one or two other people for the flight crew. I have to check with the sellers. But, darling, I'm sure you can fill your time looking at art or shopping for French fashions."
If I had been confused before, it suddenly seemed minor. Once again I had the feeling of hanging off a Santorini cliff.
"Just days ago we were looking for a New York apartment near Central Park. How on earth do you plan to pay for a two million dollar apartment and buy a private jet at the same time? Did you rob the bank in Switzerland? Why else would we be moving to Brazil? Surely you must mean a vacation home? Did Sharon quit because you have gone crazy?" I pulled the wet hair out of my face so I could get a better look at his eyes.
"You are missing the point, Alexa. I can't tell you how sorry I am that I let her terrorize me. In my heart I never really jilted you. All that is behind us. I am here with you, and we are totally free now. No one can ever hurt us again, not even Sharon. It is important for you to understand. Don't concern yourself about a Manhattan apartment. We are leaving for Brazil in a few hours with more money than you can imagine. I'm not talking about a million or two; I'm talking about more than a billion. Our life will be a fairy tale. You can live in a palace if you wish. How about a vacation home on an island in Dubai? We have our own private jet to take us to any idyllic spot on earth. Brazil will just be our base. We can go anywhere and have anything we want."
He moved closer to me and tried to put his hand on my leg. I instinctively moved away again. A few more inches and I'd fall off the end of the couch. "I didn't rob a bank." He reached down to touch the satchel partially covered by his jacket. "I had to make a deposit and secure enough cash to pay for our trip and get settled in Brazil. I would have arranged for a letter of credit, but I didn't want any delays in France, so I had the bank send ahead payment for the plane. I do have currency and identification." He opened the bag a crack to show me a massive amount of cash.
My breath came out in a whisper, "Carrying around that much cash is insane. Someone is likely to kill you. Where did you get all that money? Do you have a deceased billionaire relative? Surely you would have mentioned that months ago."
"Well, you accepted my proposal without the promise of massive inheritance, didn't you? If I had a rich, childless uncle, would it be sensible to sit around hoping he would get hit by a car? You don't need to be concerned about the money. All your worries are over. No one can take it away from us now." He held out the same hand that was reaching for my leg.
"Now? What do you mean by 'now?' Why do you keep saying that?"
"No reason, but do you think I should hire some security?"
"How did you get that much cash through Greece immigration? Didn't they stop you or make you pay duty or something?"
"No, it's all still here. They don't check anything when you get off the plane. You just walk out to the street and hail a cab. Isn't that what happened to you?"
"Well, yes, it was weird. Now that I think about it, I turned around and went back, thinking I'd missed the line for immigration. The baggage pick up was right next to the street exit. It was rather strange. All this has me confused, a little scared too."
"Alexa, please don't be frightened. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is ever going to hurt you. I love you." He looked closely at me. The handsome face was familiar, but a hollow feeling was growing inside me.
He continued, "Are you wearing any underwear? Just untie those straps and let me see you, kiss you. I am so excited for us to begin our new life. Why don't you pack while I pay the hotel bill? I'll ask the office to book us on a plane or a ferry. I need to arrange for first class tickets to Paris, too. We can be there tonight, I think." Rex moved quickly and gave me a firm kiss. I was too surprised to push him away. After that he jumped up and started out the door.
I hurried after him and shouted, "The office is on the other side of the steps, right there under the bower of white flowers. Just ask Anne to help you. She has a
lready totaled the bill."
All my empathy for Rex vanished like island mist. I ran into the bedroom so panicked I was unable to take a deep breath. I grabbed my carry-on bag, threw in my passport, and tried to pull three dresses off the hangers. Of course, one of them ripped. I didn't have time to hunt for the bag of dirty clothes. As I ran through the living room I paused long enough to grab my purse. When I peered out, Rex was still inside the office. In that moment I raced toward escape and reached the stone steps with a few jumps. A jolt of adrenaline shot through me, and I raced up five flights of stairs without hesitation. When I reached the jeep, I realized I had left the apartment door wide open, but that didn't slow me. I tore out of the parking lot with no idea of where to go on a small island. My only goal was to get as far away from Rex as possible. And just moments ago I foolishly thought he was a victim. I grabbed my cell and called Anne.
"Anne, this is Alexa, just listen. Don't talk. Rex, the man in your office, is my ex-fiance. Tell him I've gone to return the jeep rental. Yes, I do know the hotel usually does that, but Rex doesn't know. It's just an excuse because I don't know what to do. I could be in danger. Rex has a huge bag of cash, and it is real. He wants to hire someone to protect it, so after you book our flights, see if you can delay him by calling around to find some security. I need time to think. Tell Rex I'll phone him on his cell in a few minutes." I started to hang up, but then I heard Anne's voice.
"Wait, wait, I'll try, but he went outside. He may be in your apartment or he might be gone already. I'll see if I can find him."
"Anne, I'm not coming back to the hotel. Can you mail what is left in my apartment? I'll call you later and explain when I decide where I'm going. I'm hanging up now because I might have a wreck. I can't really drive with one hand."
The road to Thira was only two lanes wide. I was still trying to decide what to do when I glanced in the rear view mirror and saw a white car passing several others. It was dodging wildly through traffic. Could that be Rex following me? Now there were only two cars between us. Originally I had a desire to run for the airport, any possible way to escape, as quickly as possible. But as the white car attempted to pass another car, I realized that Rex might be trying to get to the airport too.