Halfway to the Truth

by Mays, Anthony

  “Well we are going to change that!” said Shelley. “You’re in Savannah now, and you need to plan on staying a while. When we get done moving your things, we’re going shopping. But for right now, while we’re doing this, you can tell me all about yourself.”

  It didn’t take long for the two of them to finish unloading the car and move her things into the apartment.

  In the kitchen, Shelley unpacked the few boxes that held kitchenware while Reese put the items where she could find them. During the process, she disclosed to Shelley her life’s story and about being a foster child.

  “So, you never knew what happened to your parents?” asked Shelley as they moved into the bedroom.

  “Nope, they just disappeared,” she answered while picking up a top she had earlier laid on the bed. “I tried doing some research on them, but never came up with anything. Not sure I want to know anymore.”

  “Oh honey, we all want to know about our past. I’d suggest you keep digging. Hey, that’s a cute top,” Shelley said, taking it from Reese and holding it up to herself. I’ll bet it’s a size six though, and I’m an eight.”

  Reese grabbed the edges of the plum-colored sleeveless garment and stretched it across Shelley’s chest. “I think it would fit just fine. You’re taller than I am, and it definitely would complement your slender physique and toned arms.

  “But what about the bust?” Shelley quizzed. “You’re a little more endowed than I am. Won’t it be loose?”

  “It’s a cowl neck, so I don’t think that will make a difference. Try it on!”

  “Maybe another time honey. I’m not sure I’d have an occasion to wear it.”

  “Surely someone as attractive as you has a man in her life?”

  “Yes, yes I do. And his name is Doug Williams.”

  “You and Doug are together?” Reese said with a comical look.

  “No, not in the way you’re thinking. You’ll find out that in the news business there are no regular hours. He keeps me pretty busy, so I’m either too occupied or too exhausted to entertain a man.”

  That gave Reese a thought. “Do you know Chief Daniels in New Harmony?”

  Handing the top back to her, Shelley said, “Never met the man. I haven’t visited there in a long while and he wasn’t Chief of Police then. But my sister tells me he’s nice though.”

  “He is nice. And, about your age.”

  “Whoa girl! You trying to match us up?”

  “Maybe?”

  “I don’t think so! Besides, he’s there and I’m here, so there’s a better chance of it snowing in Savannah in July than us meeting.”

  “You never know,” Reese replied, smiling. “Stranger things have happened.”

  Shelley thought it was time to move on from that conversation. She pulled more clothing from the bed and headed into the closet. “Let’s hurry up and finish this so we can get that shopping done and put this place in order.”

  Hours later, the women had completed the necessary shopping, which included buying some basic groceries, and returned to her apartment. Reese stocked away the grocery items and then helped Shelley to make her bed. Between the two of them, the place at last came together and at least looked livable. When they were finished, Shelley suggested they go and have cocktails and dinner and knew the perfect place to take her new friend.

  When they arrived, Reese looked up at the restaurant’s name carved in wood hanging over the door. It read: BISTRO BISTRO.

  “Hope you like Italian,” said Shelley to her companion as she opened the door to let her in. “You won’t find a better pasta sauce anywhere else in Savannah. Maybe the whole of Georgia.” she added, then followed Reese inside.

  The maître-d watched them come in and quickly went over to greet them.

  “Miss Steward, so nice to see you again,” he said, grasping her left hand between his and kissing the back of it. “And who is your friend?” he asked reaching for her hand next.

  “This is Miss Summers, Gino. She just moved to Savannah, so I want you to impress the hell out of her so she’ll want to come back here.”

  He kissed the back of her hand and showed them to a table.

  Reese gave Shelley a look that said, you’ve got to be kidding me.

  He then moved aside and with a slight bow and extended arm invited them to have a seat.

  “Miss Summers, it’s a pleasure to have you visit us,” he said, opening her napkin and placing it on her lap. If you need anything, I’m at your service. May I start you off with a drink?”

  Across the room there suddenly was a commotion. Gino quickly excused himself from their table and ran over to see what was happening.

  From their advantage point, they could see a bus boy picking up pieces of dinnerware that had fallen off his tray. Shelley also recognized the man sitting in the booth where the accident happened. But, she didn’t recognize the other man who was sitting across from him. They heard Gino apologize.

  “I’m sorry Mr. Drakos.” said Gino. “The boy was clumsy. Are you okay? We’ll have it cleaned up in a minute. May I offer you and your guest a glass of our special Chianti on the house? I’d like to make up for the disruption of your dinner.”

  “It’s quite alright Gino. Accidents happen. The boy meant no harm and no one has been hurt,” countered the man. “We appreciate your offer, but no thank you. Please, go back to your other guests,” he said, pointing towards the table Gino came from when the incident occurred.

  It was then he noticed the two women looking in his direction. “Excuse me, he said to his guest, I’ll be back shortly.”

  He got up and led Gino by the arm back to the women’s table. “Gino take their drink order, I’d like to buy them a drink.”

  Shelley requested a Manhattan; Reese ordered a Vodka Cosmopolitan sending Gino to the bar.

  “Hello Miss Steward, nice to see you again,” the man said with a broad smile. Who is this lovely lady sitting with you?”

  “Her name is Reese Summers. She just arrived into town and I wanted to show her around a little bit. How’s your family Nikolaus?”

  “May I have a seat?” he asked while intentionally forcing Shelley to create a space so he could join them. He purposely sat across from Reese so he could look in to her eyes.

  “My father is fine,” he said to Shelley without taking his gaze from Reese. He continued, “How are things at the news desk these days.”

  “Oh you know, it’s just one story after another. We’ve been busy.”

  “And what is your story Miss Summers,” he asked still fixated on her face.

  “I’m new to Savannah,” she started. “I just got a …”

  She felt a gentle kick to her left foot from Shelley who also nodded her head in a manner as not to say anything, then quickly joined the conversation. “She got a great first impression of our city,” she said, finishing Reese’s sentence. “Oh, I’m sorry, Reese this is Mr. Nikolaus Drakos. His father owns a shipping company based right here in Savannah. One of the largest in the United States.”

  Reese now understood the reason for Shelley’s kick and body language. “Nice to meet you Mr. Drakos. Lovely city you have here.” She extended her hand.

  Nikolaus was quick to receive it. The pleasure is all mine, Miss Summers. May I say how lovely you are yourself? Are your eyes always the color of the Caribbean?”

  “Never heard it put like that before, but yes, they’re green.” She started to flush a little from his continued fascination with her facial features.

  “Forgive me for staring, I just find you so captivating.”

  Gino arrived back to the table with the ladies’ drinks.

  Shelley gave Nikolaus a not so subtle hint to leave. “Thank you for the drinks, maybe we can return the favor sometime.” Then, turning to Gino, “I’m ready to order and I think I’ll take a chance and order for my friend as well.”

  Nikolaus received Shelley’s message loud and clear. As he scooted from the booth, he turned toward her saying, “Ple
ase tell Mr. Williams our family sends our regards. And Miss Summers,” he said, turning back to look at her, “it was a pleasure to meet you and I hope we see each other again.”

  He gave a slight bow toward her and went back to his own table.

  “Whew, that was close,” said Shelley. “He’ll find out soon enough who you are, but no sense tipping him off on your first meeting.”

  “He seemed nice,” Reese said, stealing a glance across the room.

  “The book is still out on him,” Shelley quipped. “He doesn’t seem to follow his father’s way of thinking, but there’s something about him that make my hairs stand up. Better be careful around him.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Two days later…

  “You summoned me?” questioned a slender dark-haired man.

  “I don’t like you’re attitude Nikolaus,” replied an older, slightly shorter figure who was standing in a doorway. “And I don’t like to be kept waiting either. Get in here and take a seat.”

  The younger man moved past his would-be host entering a room that showed opulence in every corner. He went over to an ornate, glass-covered bar, grabbed a glass and filled it with ice. Looking over his choices, he picked up a bottle of Dalmore 62 Single Highland Malt Scotch and filled his glass. He immediately drained its contents while looking up at a large Degas painting hanging on the wall above his head. Turning toward the old man who had taken up residence on one of two facing gold velour sofas he spoke. “Alright father, why am I here?”

  “Well you’re not here to drink $60,000 a bottle booze. Take a seat,” he ordered pointing to the opposite sofa.

  Nikolaus put down his empty glass and did as he was commanded. Sitting down, he crossed his legs and folded his hands into his lap. The only thing that was between the men was a long, gold-trimmed, glass coffee table supporting a rare Barbedienne bronze and bisque French centerpiece bowl.

  “I have a proposition for you,” said his father. “You’ve been wanting to take a greater role in the company, so I’ve decided to make you head of our longshore operations.”

  “And what do I have to do in return?” he asked knowing there was a ‘but’ in his father’s voice.

  “You have to quit acting like a spoiled brat and stop being reckless. You wrecked your BMW outside a night club last week, no doubt drunk as hell. That’s got to stop! I don’t like seeing your exploits all over the newspaper. It reflects badly on the company.”

  “You mean your empire, don’t you?” Nikolaus answered back.

  The old man leaned forward pounding a fist on the table. “Dammit Nikolaus, grow up and be a man! This is all going to be yours someday. At least it will be if you show me your worthy of it. You’re my only heir, but so far I’m greatly disappointed in you.”

  Unshaken by the display of anger, the young man answered back. “Perhaps if you’d been more of a father, I wouldn’t be so disappointing to you. You kept me away in Athens for most of my life and never have given me a meaningful position within the company. If it weren’t for the financial support provided by my mother …”

  “Enough,” said his father sitting back trying to gain control over his emotions. “We aren’t going to go over old ground. I’m offering you a chance to show me you’re worthy to take over the shipping company. You stand to inherit far more than I did from my father, but you’re going to work for it. And, you’re going to stop running around with whores and find yourself a wife. I want grandchildren. I want to be assured the Drakos legacy will live on.”

  That last two sentences caught Nikolaus by surprise. It showed a weakness that he had never seen in his father. He gave a wry smile.

  “Is that what this is all about, Grandchildren?”

  “No, it’s more than that,” replied his father. It’s about you showing respect. If not for me, then for yourself, or for your mother if that matters. I don’t care which. It’s high time you did.”

  “Okay father,” he said, his mind working on the proposition set before him. “We’ll call a truce and see what happens. I’ll take over the longshore operation and prove to you I’m up to the challenge. As for that wife thing? I’m not making any promises. The last thing I want is to father children just to make you happy. If I meet the right woman, then we’ll see.”

  Without acknowledging Nikolaus’ reply his father said, “Go down to the docks tomorrow. I’ll call Dimitris and let him know you’re coming. He’ll give you a tour and introduce you to the men. Take this seriously Nikolaus,” he added with a stern look.

  As he got up to leave, Nikolaus said to his father. “I saw Shelley Steward the other night in Bistro Bistro. I gave her your regards and told her to tell the same to Doug Williams.

  The old man just grumped under his breath in response as Nikolaus departed.

  Reese’s meeting earlier that morning with Doug Williams went well. He had provided the name to her first lead to learn what was going on at the docks of Drakos Shipping. She was to meet with an informant who went by the moniker ‘Scratch’ at 11 A.M. outside the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. Reese was to tie a piece of red cloth around her handbag for identification.

  She had been waiting twenty minutes and was about to leave when a man, wearing a green T-shirt and black Dockers jeans, walked up to her and made a query.

  “Miss Summers?” he inquired.

  She turned toward him. His dirty blonde hair was cut short and he had a dragon tattoo wrapped around his right forearm. “Are you Scratch?” she asked in return.

  “That’s my street name,” he said, looking her over. “Mr. Williams never indicated that you’d be pretty. Kind of young too, aren’t you?”

  “Look fella,” she said, “hasn’t anybody ever told you not to judge a book by its cover? And what do my looks have to do with anything? I’m here to listen to what you have to say about what’s going on at the Drakos piers. I don’t have time for your male fascinations. Do you have something for me or not?”

  “Alright lady, you made your point,” he said, pausing. “Got any cigarettes? I’m trying to quit but I suddenly got an urge.”

  “No, I don’t smoke,” she said, losing her patience and sarcastically suggested. “You want a candy bar instead? I’ll get you one if that will get you talking.”

  Reeling backwards a little he answered, “You think you’re cute, don’t you? I mean with the attitude and all. Well you’re going to need all that and more if you start snooping down at the docks. Those guys don’t talk to strangers but they sure would enjoy taunting a pretty woman. You know what? I don’t need your shit! See you around.”

  Reese thought she better check her impertinence quickly or she was going to lose the only lead she may have. It wouldn’t reflect very well on her if she had to tell Doug she blew it.

  “Scratch,” she said, grabbing at his arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m a little impulsive sometimes. Please don’t go! I’d like to hear what you have to say.”

  He stopped and took measure of her again.

  “Let’s have a seat over there,” said Reese, indicating a nearby bench seat. “I’d like to start this conversation all over.”

  He followed her lead and sat down. She sat next to him.

  “Why are you called Scratch?”

  He ran a hand over his head as if questioning himself why he used that name. “Don’t worry, it has nothing to do with my personal hygiene,” he replied, still sulking. “I like to doodle.”

  He saw the puzzled look on her face.

  “You know, doodle, like draw things on paper,” he motioned with his hands. “It helps me think. Nobody could ever see a picture that made sense to them, so they called them scratches. The name just sort of stuck after that.”

  “Are you from Savannah?” she asked trying to relax him.

  “Nah, I’m originally from Jacksonville, Florida. Came here about three years ago. I’m a welder by trade and got hired by Drakos Shipping to help fix those large metal containers you see stacked up in the rai
l yard and on those large container ships.”

  “Interesting,” said Reese. “Do you know what goes into those containers you build?”

  “Anything and everything,” he replied.

  “Anything unusual? Like, that would make you question, why are they doing that?” she asked.

  “That’s why I contacted your newspaper. Because there is something that’s been disturbing me lately. I think it’s been going on for a while, but I never paid much attention to it.”

  “And, that would be…?” she solicited.

  “Some of those containers have been getting special liners put inside them. I think they’re made of lead. I see them being moved to an area called the red zone. Now why would you have a red zone unless it contains something dangerous or secret? Anyway, even with my ID badge, I can’t get near that area. There’s only a select group of dockworkers who can access that location to load whatever it is they’re putting inside those containers.”

  “Any ideas how I can get more information?”

  “Just one, a man named Greenfield. He drives a fork lift. I see him down in that zone regularly. He doesn’t talk to anybody, but maybe he’ll talk to you. Be careful though, he looks a little squirrely. Either that or he’s scared all the time.”

  “Anything else you can think of that may help me?”

  “No, that’s about it. But if you should see me anywhere down there, act like you don’t know me.”

  “Thank you for your time Scratch,” she said, shaking his hand getting up to leave. “And again, I’m sorry I got so snippy with you.”

  “It’s all good,” he replied looking up at her. “Hope you can learn something. If I think of anything else, I’ll call you. Can I have a number?”

  She took out a pen and small pad of paper and wrote 555-4343. “You can leave a message. Do you need a lift anywhere?” she asked.