“No thanks, I have a Harley around the corner. Think I’ll just sit here and enjoy the shade.
“Here,” she said, and offered her pen and pad, “you might want to do some doodling while you’re sitting here. Nice to have met you.” She turned and walked away.
CHAPTER 10
“Reese, how did your meeting go with our dear Mr. Scratch? And… here are a few photos I had one of our photographers take with a long-range lens,” he said, plucking down several prints.
She picked them up and shuffled through them saying, “He was alright I guess. Gave me the name of a Mr. Greenfield. That might be him driving this fork lift,” she said, calling attention to one of the photos. “Is this warehouse in the red zone?”
“Yeah, it appears to be located in a special area on the dock,” he said, looking over her shoulder at the picture. “No one can get in there without identification. That’s going to present a problem for you.”
“Maybe?” she said.
He stood up and walked around to the front of her desk and sat down on its edge. “So what does maybe mean?” he said, leaning forward placing a hand over hers and the photos.
Reese looked up at him. “I think I can get a private tour of the docks.”
“Oh?” said Doug with suspicion that he wasn’t going to like her answer.
“Nikolaus Drakos. I met him a few nights ago. He’s going to give me that private tour. I sensed he liked me. I’ll confess to him I’m new to the Savannah Daily and that you wanted my first assignment to be a human interest story on the hard-working dock workers of Savannah.”
Doug leaned back and clasped his hands into his lap while giving her statement some thought. After a brief pause, “Well, can’t say I like the idea, but it does have merit. I’m just wondering if he’ll see through to your real intentions. He’s no dummy that one, even if his father never gave him much credit for having sense. Viktor only ever thought of him as weak and a spoiled brat, and now that he’s older, just a worthless womanizer. You be careful around him and don’t lead him on more than you have to in order get on his good side. I don’t trust the man and, if truth be told, he’s probably more ruthless than his father.”
“Wow, Doug!” she said, looking into his chiseled face. You don’t like that family very much do you? What happened between you and Viktor Drakos?”
He got up from her desk and looking angrily into her eyes said, “Just stick to the story you’re assigned. Anything between me and Viktor is history and not pertinent to your investigation. You keep me informed, you hear?”
“Yes Doug, I will.”
He walked away but Reese couldn’t get it out of her mind that her hiring was part of a plan to get revenge on Drakos.
Thumbing through the photos again, she said to herself, “I better be really careful. I don’t know any of these people or what motivates them. I surely don’t want to get caught in the middle of a feud.”
Within a few minutes after meeting with Doug, Reese found Shelley and asked her how she could get in touch with Nikolaus. Her only recommendation was to call the Drakos Shipping Company. “After all,” Shelley said, “people like them don’t leave their contact information in the telephone book.”
Reese also had thought to leave a note with Gino at Bistro Bistro in the event Nikolaus returned there for dinner. Luck was with her when her desk phone rang and she received a call from Nikolaus.
“Hello Miss Summers. I understand you’ve been trying to get in touch with me?”
She listened to his voice which was soft and inviting but, at the same time, she was nervous and unsure about continuing her quest. With some reluctance she replied, “Yes Mr. Drakos, I have been looking for you. Any chance we can meet? Please don’t think I’m too forward, but I’d like to get to know you better.”
“Please,” he answered, “call me Nikolaus. Mr. Drakos sounds so formal and too much like my father and I’m nothing like him. Look, I just arrived here at the restaurant and I’m alone. Why don’t you come join me as my guest? I’d like nothing better than to see you again.”
“Alright,” she impulsively responded, “I can be there in about fifteen minutes. Twenty tops.”
“Fine Miss Summers. Or may I call you Reese?”
“Yes, I’d prefer it if we were on a first-name basis,” she said.
“Then I’ll be waiting for you Reese. If memory serves me correctly, you like Vodka Cosmopolitans. I’ll have one ready when you arrive.” He hung up his phone.
She returned her receiver to its cradle. She was quite impressed with his recollection of their short, first meeting. And, he seemed to have a way to calm her fears about meeting with him. Maybe this will all work out, she thought grabbing her purse and dashing down the hallway.
The news building was only about five miles from the historic district where the restaurant was located but, being new to the area, Reese misjudged her drive time. Her route took her along Ogeechee Road which turned into West Victory Drive. She turned north along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard running into a series of lights which caused her delays. She finally made a right turn onto West Congress arriving at Bistro Bistro, but had to wait to find a parking spot nearby.
When she entered the restaurant, Gino met her and escorted her to Nikolaus’ table.
“So sorry I am late Mr., uh, Nikolaus,” she caught herself saying as she slid into the booth across from him.
He raised a glass of red wine in a salute to her arrival. “Not a worry, some women are like a fine wine, they’re worth waiting for. Plus I never met a woman yet who was on time, so I factored in a few extra minutes. The important thing is that you’re here. Let’s toast to a new friendship.”
She raised the glass that was conveniently sitting in front of her and clinked it with Nikolaus’ glass. “To a new friendship,” she said and then took a sip.
“How do you say a toast in Greek?” she invited.
“We usually say ‘stinygiasou’ which simply means to your health,” he replied holding up his glass again.
“Uh, right. I’ll go along with that.” They clinked glasses again.
“So Reese,” he said, putting his drink back on the table. “I suspect you’re wanting to see me involves more than friendship?” He gave her a wide smile turning the conversation back her way.
Reese recalled her earlier conversation with Doug about Nikolaus seeing through her, but decided to play the cards in hand.
“I’m new to Savannah,” she started, “and I need to make new friends. Our last meeting you made quite an impression on me. I thought you were charming and, of course, not bad looking either. You must have thought the same about me, because I noticed you couldn’t take your eyes from me. Shelley told me a little about you, so I feel it’s only fair you learn something about me.”
She could feel her mouth going dry, so she grabbed her drink and took another sip. He quietly continued gazing at her with his dark, beautiful eyes and she started to get nervous.
He could see that she was becoming uncomfortable and reached for her hand. “It’s alright Reese. I don’t mean to make you uneasy, so let me ask you how you how do you know Miss Steward?”
“Well, that’s kind of what I was getting to. I was recently hired as a reporter for the Savannah Daily. She was helping me to get settled and we came here after putting my apartment in order. I’ve only known her a little while; I hope you’re not mad at me?”
“Why would I be mad?” he said. “I’m delighted that you’re here. And, being a new reporter for the newspaper, you must be very proud to be here.”
“I was just a little worried you might think different of me when you learned I was a reporter.”
“Nonsense!” he said, patting the back of her hand. “Shelley undoubtedly told you that Mr. Williams and my father have had some differences, but that has nothing to do with me or you. Does it?”
“No, no. Of course not. I’m glad it’s out in the open. But…”
“Ah-h-h! There’s the
word ‘but’,” he interjected, pulling away from her. “You think I must be like my father don’t you?”
“Oh no, nothing like that! It’s that I need to ask you for a favor.”
Intrigued, he said, “Okay, ask. Then we’ll see if I want to grant it. But before you do, let’s order dinner.” He signaled for Gino.
“Yes Mr. Drakos, what may I do for you?”
“Gino, see that we get two more drinks. I’ll be having my usual for dinner and Miss Summers will give you her order. If you’ll excuse me,” he said, looking over to Reese, “I put my phone on vibrate and I’m getting a call that I’ve been waiting for. I’ll be back in a minute.”
She acknowledged with a head shake that she would be okay, then turned her attention back to the menu as Nikolaus left the table.
After a few minutes, he returned and sat down. “Sorry to leave you like that. Did you order?”
“Yes, I got eggplant rollantini.”
“Excellent choice. I always get the veal parmesan. I’ve tried other things and they’re good, but I usually regret that I didn’t get the veal instead.”
“You’re a man that knows what he likes,” she said, raising her freshened drinking glass.
He raised his in return. Anyone who really knew Nikolaus would know that the look on his face belied what his mind was thinking. “Yes Miss Summers, I do know what I like.” He clinked her glass, took a sip, and put it back on the table.
“Now, tell me the favor you wanted to ask of me.” He folded his hands together and placed them on the table to listen to her request.
She looked at him intently. “Because I’m the new reporter, I know I’m employed only as long as I do my job well. And, I have my first assignment. I’m supposed to do a human interest piece on dock workers. I thought seeing as how your family is into shipping, you could get me a pass to go onto the docks and interview some workers. I’m really a novice at boats and such, so any help would be greatly appreciated.”
“Is that all?” he feigned surprise.
“Yes, really. That’s all I wanted to ask you to do for me. If it’s too much, or too forward of me…”
“Please,” he said, waving his hands trying to put her at ease, “I’d be happy to escort you myself. We have plenty of dockworkers who will give you a great story. But, you’ll have to do something in return for me.”
Reese tried to keep a smile on her face but her insides were in panic mode. “And what would that be?” she asked with suspicion.
“That you agree to have dinner with me another time. I know a cute little place out on Tybee Island that you’ll fall in love with. Is it a deal?”
Feeling relieved she said, “Deal!”
Gino arrived with their meals and Reese dug in thankful that her plan worked and that she didn’t have to give up more than agreeing to another meal.
Nikolaus put a fork into the food on his plate and gave Reese his best smile of assurance just before he took in a mouthful of veal. As he chewed, she was oblivious to the wheels turning inside his head.
CHAPTER 11
Reese walked up to Doug’s door and knocked on it, while peering around through his window so he could see it was her.
He signaled for her to enter.
She opened the door and closed it behind her after going inside.
“Take a seat and tell me what you know?” he asserted pointing to a well-worn chair.
“I had dinner with Nikolaus last night. He agreed to escort me to the docks.”
“Bet you’re pretty proud of yourself?”
“Yes I am. Shouldn’t I be?”
“Honey, I wouldn’t begin to know what goes on in that man’s head, but I’m sure you’ll find out. It was too easy for him to accept you and your story, don’t you think?”
“Look Doug,” she said agitated, “maybe you know his father well, but I’m not so sure you know Nikolaus. I found him to be polite and sincere…”
Doug leaned toward her and cut her off saying, “And charismatic and magnetic no doubt. Look, I get it. He’s a handsome guy and he’s got money. That’s a combination that most women can’t resist. But I’m telling you for the last time, don’t trust him. The rest is up to you.”
He paused and leaned back in his chair. “So, when is your big day?”
“Friday morning. I’m meeting him at eleven o’clock. He even agreed to let a photographer go along with me.”
“Impressive. I didn’t expect that. I’ll send Bobby with you. He took those long-range photos, so he’ll know what to look for. And just in case,” he added, “we’ll equip him with a hidden camera as well. Probably wouldn’t be a good idea to put it on you. That way you at least have deniability.”
“Good!” he said with conviction, slapping his hand on the desk. “You did a wonderful job on this Reese. Sorry if I was so rough on you. You’ll learn that my bark is worse than my bite. I’m only riding you because I don’t know how tough you really are. And in this business, you have to be tough — especially if you’re going to be an investigative reporter.”
“I accept your apology and appreciate your concern for me as well. I’ll admit I’m learning on-the-fly, but I can do this. Just give me your support.”
“You got it honey. Now go write up the questions you want to ask those dockworkers. We’re going to print your story, so make them good. Ask yourself, what would I want to know about these men? Why do they do what they do?” He saw the look on her face and shut up.
She got up and left his office heading back to her desk.
“Hi Reese!” shouted Shelley waving from across the room as she approached her. “Hope you don’t think I’ve been ignoring you? You okay? Apartment alright for you?”
“Yes, it’s all good. Thank you for asking. We’ve both been busy so it’s my fault too we haven’t had time together. Want to do lunch later? We’ll catch up.”
“Sure! I’ll meet you at your desk around noon.”
“Sounds good Shelley. See you then.”
Reese and Shelley went in opposite directions.
“Mr. Drakos, your son is here to see you. May I show him in?”
Viktor was standing in front of a large picture window looking through binoculars when he was intruded upon. Looking over his shoulder he said, “Yes, send him in.”
He returned to his binoculars looking out to the wetlands behind his home. He observed an egret hone in on its prey and swiftly snatch it in its hard, sharp beak. He watched as the fresh kill moved down the long, slender throat of the bird.
“Good morning father.” Nikolaus took up a seat across the room. “Seeing anything interesting?” he said, looking at his manicured nails.
Viktor maintained his gaze on the bird as he spoke. “You ever realize how much nature mimics real life Nikolaus? Out there, there’s the hunter and the hunted. The victor and the victim.”
“Are you talking wildlife or business?” he quipped.
“There’s no difference. And you would do well to remember that,” he said, turning around and laying the field glasses on top of a marble sofa table.
The manservant returned with a tray that held a coffee pot, two cups, and napkins.
Viktor sat directly across from his son, as the tray was placed on the table between them. “Would you like some coffee?” he asked picking up the copper and wood handled Greek coffee pot.
“No thanks, I’ve kind of lost the taste for frothy Greek coffee. But don’t let me stop you from enjoying a cup.”
Viktor poured a dark, frothy mixture from the container into one of the cups. He picked it up and sat back into his seat. “Kind of early for a visit. What’s on your mind?” He took a drink while maintaining eye contact with his son.
“I thought you would want to know there’s a new reporter in town. Appears Doug Williams hired her as an investigative reporter. I had her checked out. She came from a small town on the other side of the state. She’s pretty green from what I hear, so I’m not sure why Mr. Williams would have made
her an investigator.”
Viktor kept sipping from his cup as he listened to his son.
“Anyway, she’s been assigned to do a piece on dockworkers and she’s solicited my help.”
Viktor leaned toward the table and put his empty cup back on the tray. He then leaned back and crossed one leg over the other before saying, “I’m surprised it took Doug this long to gain an interest in what’s going on down in our shipyard. You know she’s really after what goes on in the red zone?”
“Uh-huh! I saw through that right away. She was trying too hard to get in touch with me. I told her I’d escort her around and even suggested she bring a photographer.”
Viktor didn’t blink an eye as he asked, “When is all this taking place?”
“I scheduled it for Friday morning.”
“Excellent! The goods in that warehouse will be loaded onto containers and be onboard the Athenos Thursday. When the ship leaves Friday, you both can watch as it pulls away from the dock.”
“I thought that too,” said Nikolaus. “I gave orders to Dimitris to make sure the warehouse was clean.”
Viktor leaned again toward the table and picked up the coffee pot. “Sure you don’t want some?” he asked not waiting for an answer and drained the remaining contents it into his cup. “I know you’ve only been down at the docks a short while, but Dimitris tells me you’ve picked up on the operation quickly. Perhaps you’ll make a Greek businessman after all.” He gave a slight toast with his cup toward his son.
Viktor then changed the subject. “So, when am I going to meet this reporter?”
“Why?” asked Nikolaus with some irritation in his voice.
“Because I don’t want her snooping around and maybe I can turn the tables on my friend Doug at the same time.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m not sure just yet. You let me know when you can bring her over here for dinner. But don’t take too long. We need to take care of this matter sooner than later.”
Nikolaus was noticeably upset with his father’s request. “Why do you have to get involved with this? Just let me take care of it! Or, do you not trust me?”
Halfway to the Truth Page 6