“You know I have to take this slowly. You didn’t love your wife. I did love Yiannis and I don’t feel quite right rushing straight into another relationship. I feel a bit guilty to tell you the truth, but I can’t resist you, you know that. Please take it at my pace. You won’t regret it.”
“Alright, you know I’ll do anything you say; I can’t help it. Will I see you tomorrow?”
“Of course. I’ll call you.”
Joanna sidled up to Kevin and slipped her arms around him, smiling. Kevin felt his legs turn to jelly. This woman was worth waiting for. Joanna pulled him closer and pressed her lips onto his, kissing him slowly, while running her fingers up and down his back. Kevin shivered and wished she’d never stop.
What a woman! he thought.
Then the kiss was suddenly over and Joanna had moved away leaving Kevin wanting more, much more.
* * * *
Not long after leaving Joanna’s house, Dimitris and Stavros were sitting in Eve’s lounge while she got them coffee. She had told them it would only be instant, hoping they’d refuse and be gone as soon as possible, but they didn’t. The Greeks are very fond of their special coffee which has to be boiled in a pan, but Eve had never tried to make it, being quite happy with instant, or if she was in the mood to wait, filter coffee.
“Right, Miss Masters,” Dimitris said as soon as Eve came back into the lounge. “We’ll make this as painless as possible. Have you got the letter?”
“I have. It’s here,” Eve replied and went to get it out of a drawer.
Dimitris studied it for a few minutes.
“We’ll dust it for fingerprints, but my guess is that there won’t be any apart from yours. I take it the letter was just pushed through the door as there is no stamp.”
“Yes, I could have seen the kidnapper myself. I was at home.”
“Unless he paid some kid to deliver it and watched from a distance.”
Eve sighed. What was wrong with her? Dimitris was being so sharp, whereas all her powers of deduction had disappeared.
I’d better pull myself together. This is my most important case. I’ve never failed before and I certainly can’t fail now.
“Now, Miss Masters, can you tell me why you think Mrs. Neonakis is the kidnapper?”
“I’ve been suspicious of her from the moment I saw her. She apparently only knew Yiannis for two weeks before marrying him. She inherited two houses from him and then after his funeral, she came into The Black Cat with Kevin Fowler looking quite happy, and she did touch his hand. Now it seems they’re a couple.”
But that doesn’t explain why she would kidnap Mr. Baker.”
“For the money of course. She must have married Yiannis for money, she’s seeing Kevin and he’s not poor and she’s trying to get my money.”
“But where is Mr. Baker? He wasn’t in either of her houses.”
“I don’t know. He could be anywhere.”
Eve knew it all sounded farfetched, but who else could have him?
“You know you shouldn’t have broken into Mrs. Nonacid’s houses this evening. You’re lucky she isn’t pressing charges.”
“She’s probably trying to make out she’s innocent.”
Dimitris Kastrinakis shook his head. He didn’t know if there was anything he could do to stop Eve Masters searching for her fiancé, but it could be dangerous.
“You need to stop now, Miss Masters.” Dimitris said firmly. “You must stop looking for Mr. Baker. Whoever has him may kill him, don’t you understand that? You must leave this to us.”
Eve said nothing. Was he right? The letter did say that the police mustn’t be involved. What could they do anyway?
“Now,” Dimitris continued. “If the kidnappers contact you again, you must let me know immediately, do you understand?”
Eve nodded, feeling well and truly told off, but when Dimitris and Stavros had gone, she regained some of her usual composure.
“I’ll be damned if I leave everything to you Dimitris. You won’t know where to look for my David, will you?
Chapter 6
While Eve was sitting at home desperately trying to think of her next move, David was lying on a mattress trying to sleep. He didn’t know what time it was, but he knew he was hungry. It had been hours since he’d had something to eat and been untied and allowed to go to the bathroom. Because his kidnapper had a gun, David hadn’t dared try to escape when he’d been untied. Perhaps he’d give it a go later, but at the moment he was too scared and didn’t know if he’d make it.
I don’t think they’d kill me. I think I’m too valuable, but they could hurt me, possibly quite badly to ensure I wouldn’t try anything again.
They hadn’t told him why they had kidnapped him, but he had begun to think there could only be one reason. They wanted money, money from Eve no doubt. As he lay there, he started thinking about her again. In fact, he had thought about little else. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have someone so beautiful and intelligent interested in him. And she wanted to marry him, but would that happen now? David was having serious doubts.
He wondered how much the kidnappers had asked for his safe return. He had no idea, but he expected it was a great deal of money. Everyone knew that Eve was well-off. She had enough money to never have to work again, but David didn’t want her to spend most of it on getting him out of this mess. It was her security for the future and she had worked hard to get it.
But what I’m most worried about is that she’ll take the law into her own hands and start searching for me. I know I wanted her to come and find me, but I also know what she’s like. She’ll start acting carelessly again, especially if she has nobody to hold her back. I’ve got to get out of here before she does something stupid.
A moment later, David heard a key turn in the door at the top of the stairs and his kidnapper came down with a plate of food. He carried his gun and kept it firmly pointed at David while he untied his hands and then told David to untie his own feet and take the gag out of his mouth. David felt relieved for the little time he had with his feet and hands untied. They were beginning to feel decidedly painful.
“Sit up and eat,” his kidnapper spoke. “I’m sorry I’m late. You must be hungry. By the way, don’t try and make a run for it. I’m never alone.”
David looked at his kidnapper, wondering if he was telling the truth. Was there really someone else upstairs? However, he didn’t want to find out. He also didn’t want to beg to be released. He knew it would do no good.
David quickly scanned the man standing over him and despite the fact that he was wearing a mask; he had a feeling that he knew who he was.
That voice is so familiar. I can’t believe it’s him, but it does sound like him, David thought as he tucked into his bread and cheese. At least this meal was better than the brown slush which he’d had earlier.
The kidnapper moved back, deciding that it would be stupid to talk as if everything was normal. It was nothing of the sort and in a way he wished he wasn’t involved. David was a good man and they had become friends, but she had promised him so much and he hadn’t been able to resist her.
Ten minutes later he was gone and David was alone in the dark. He wasn’t quite so afraid now, thinking that the chances of them killing him were less than he thought. The man that had come downstairs just wasn’t tough enough anyway. If only he knew if his kidnapper’s partner really was there waiting at the top of the stairs when he came with his food. If there was nobody upstairs, perhaps he would be able to overpower the man, even though he had a gun, and escape.
Eventually, David drifted off to sleep and after such a traumatic and confusing day, he had some weird dreams. Eve appeared in one of them looking as stunning as ever. They were standing on the beach wearing their swimming costumes and holding onto each other tightly. She was telling him how much she loved him and would never let him go. A moment later their lips met in an overpowering kiss that seemed to last forever. However, they then disappeared and reappeared
a moment later in their wedding outfits. He thought how amazing she looked in her long white silk dress and he reached out to her, but the more he called her name, the further from him she went until she had disappeared into the distance.
David woke up in a sweat. Was this what was going to happen? Was he never going to see Eve again? Would their wedding not take place? That could only mean one thing. He was going to die after all. Lying there he guessed that the kidnappers had asked for more money than Eve had in cash and she couldn’t get to her investments. Then an awful thought struck him.
Or perhaps she’s going to refuse to pay the ransom. She doesn’t love me enough to give them the money for my release... and why should she? Am I worth a lot of money? I don’t think so. I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t want to lose most of her savings. I’ll just have to try and escape; that’s the only thing I can do.
Chapter 7
It was getting late, but Eve didn’t want to go to bed, feeling that she wouldn’t be able to sleep after such a distressing day.
As soon as Dimitris and Stavros left, she phoned Annie to tell her what had happened. Annie told her that she had phoned her when she saw the police arrive, but realized that Eve must have been out of mobile range. After the police went into Joanna’s house, Annie had driven home and hadn’t called again in case Eve was still with the police. She was naturally pleased that Eve hadn’t been arrested, but she was feeling extremely guilty for not telling her husband, Pete. Eve promised not to involve her again.
As soon as Eve put the phone down, she sank back in her armchair. She suddenly felt drained and thought what a waste of a day it had been. She had been convinced that Joanna had kidnapped David and that she was going to find him, but she hadn’t. It had taken all day to achieve nothing and she hadn’t even started the process of releasing her funds, not that it would make any difference as it wouldn’t get to her in time from England. However, perhaps if the kidnappers knew that the money was on its’ way, they would keep David alive.
Eve definitely needed a drink, but not her favorite gin and tonic. That was her ‘happy’ summertime drink, sipped slowly with David sitting out on the balcony watching the sunset. She felt tears welling up and tried to think of something else, but it was no use; all she could think about was David. The tears started to fall and they wouldn’t stop.
Oh that beautiful wedding we were going to have. I can’t believe that it might not happen; that David and I won’t make our vows on a golden sun kissed beach. This isn’t fair.
When she finally stopped crying, Eve got up and poured herself a Metaxa, the delicious sweet Greek brandy which both she and David were quite partial to. As she sipped it, the phone rang giving Eve a fright. Warily, she got up to answer it. The voice on the other end sounded strange, as if it had a piece of cloth or handkerchief covering the person’s mouth.
“We told you, no police.”
Eve couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman speaking.
“I’m sorry," she replied quickly, not wanting to antagonize the person. “I was arrested, so I couldn’t help but see the police.”
“Trying to find David I presume.”
“I can’t get so much money in such a short space of time. I had no choice but to look for David. Why won’t you give me a few extra days to get the cash?”
“Very well, you get until Monday. If you don’t have the money by then, David dies.”
With that, the kidnapper put the phone down. Eve breathed a sigh of relief, but she still didn’t know if she could all get the money by then. She went and got her financial papers out and worked out that she could get 80,000 Euros within the time limit, but it was touch and go for the other 20,000. Could she borrow this from anyone? She knew that most of her friends on Crete didn’t have much money, and as for her friends in England; well most of them were colleagues more than friends, except for Robert Parker. He had been one of her clients in her early days as a showbiz agent, but after they had a little fling, she decided he should get representation elsewhere. However, they remained good friends from that time on, he being one of the few people who knew how Eve’s mind worked. He was quite a successful actor now and wasn’t short of money. He had visited Eve the previous summer and had got involved in the murder inquiries. Much to Betty’s chagrin, Robert and her niece, Alison Taylor, who had also been visiting Crete, had fallen for each other. Betty had spent a great deal of energy trying to push Alison towards David, not wanting Eve to capture his heart, but all her efforts were for nothing.
Eve didn’t want to phone Robert, but there was nobody else. She decided there was no time like the present, so she picked up the phone and blurted out the story before Robert had a chance to say one word. Finally, he was allowed to speak.
“Eve, slow down and calm down, you’ll give yourself a heart attack. Of course I’ll lend you the 20,000 Euros.”
“You will, oh thank you, Robert. You don’t know what this means to me.”
“You’ve done a lot for me, Eve, and I know you’re good for the money. But Eve, breaking into two houses! When will you learn? You could have been thrown into jail and wouldn’t have had a chance to get the ransom money together.”
“I know, Robert. I was being my usual reckless self. I was convinced it was Joanna and I still suspect her. Now I’ve got until Monday to get the money, so I still have a chance to find David.”
“Oh no, what are you going to do, Eve?”
“I don’t know. Not breaking and entering, I promise, but I can’t sit here doing nothing.”
“That’s it. I’ll get the money transferred online tonight and I’ll see if I can get a flight over tomorrow. I’m not working at the moment and won’t be for a couple of weeks. Somebody needs to keep an eye on you.”
“Ok. It will be nice to see you, Robert, but I’m still going to look for David, I promise you.”
“Fine, but I’ll be there to stop you getting into too much trouble.”
As Robert put the phone down, images of the previous summer flashed through his mind. He remembered dancing closely with Eve at Betty and Don’s party and later Eve kissing him on the beach. It was all to make David jealous. Then there was the time when Phyllis Baldwin, the murderer, tampered with the brakes on Eve’s car and they went careering into a field. He wondered what surprises awaited him this time on Crete?
* * * *
After leaving Eve’s house, Dimitris Kastrinakis went back to the police station and sat in his office thinking about the case. He was troubled. He had never had to deal with a kidnapping before and felt a little out of his depth even though he would never admit it to anyone, especially not Eve Masters.
What trouble that woman has brought me in the space of just one year, but I am concerned for her now. The kidnappers do mean business and I dread to think what will happen if she can’t get all the money in time. Why oh why did she have to go searching for David on her own? It’s a good job Mrs. Neonakis didn’t press charges otherwise Eve could have ended up in jail and that would have wasted time, time which she needs to sort out her money. But she was worried; I can understand that.
A few moments later, the phone rang and Dimitris wasn’t surprised that it was Eve.
“What can I do for you, Miss Masters,” he asked patiently.
Dimitris had decided to be tolerant with her now, seeing as she was going through such a difficult time.
“Don’t worry,” Eve replied quickly. “I haven’t done anything stupid. The kidnapper has just been on the phone and agreed to give me until Monday to get the money together.”
“That’s good. Did you recognize the voice?”
“No, but it sounded like he or she had put a hanky or something in front of his or her mouth.”
“It sounds like it’s someone you know then. That narrows it down a little. Now try and get some sleep so you are ready for the next few days.”
“Ok, I’ll try. Thank you, officer.”
As Eve put the phone down, she felt pleasantly sur
prised.
“Well, there’s a turn-up for the books,” she said out loud. “Dimitris is actually being polite to me. He must be concerned. Wonders will never cease!”
* * * *
Meanwhile, Annie Davies was watching television, but she wasn’t concentrating on the programme. She wished she’d been able to persuade Eve not to break into Joanna’s houses, but what could anyone do when Eve had made her mind up. She didn’t think she’d sleep that night worrying about it. What if Eve had been arrested? What if she herself had been seen and arrested as well? Pete would not have been happy. In fact, he’d have been very angry with her for breaking the law. And now Eve was no further forward in finding David and she had lost a day when she could have sorted out the money for the ransom instead.
“I’m just popping down to the local shop to get some milk,” Pete said, coming into the lounge. “There’s not enough for breakfast.”
“What? Oh, milk? Ok.”
“Are you alright, Annie? You’ve seemed distracted since you got back from Eve’s.”
“Have I? I’m sorry, darling, I’m just tired. I think I’ll have an early night tonight.”
“Probably do you good,” Pete replied, kissing the top of her head.
Annie watched her husband leave, feeling even more guilty. They never kept secrets from each other. Perhaps she should tell him what she had been up to this evening after all, but he would be so cross; she knew he would. He had been a police officer and he had always followed the letter of the law. No, it was for the best that she didn’t tell him, but what if someone had seen her drop off Eve at either of the houses? That person could tell Pete and it would be worse coming from somebody else rather than from her. However, she might not have been seen at all and she could be making more trouble for herself than she needed.
How can Eve function normally with all the intrigues she gets involved in? Just one is making me a nervous wreck.
The Ransom Page 5