Death in the Aegean

by Irena Nieslony

  “Thank you, Mr. Fowler. We will. That’ll be all for now. You’d better go and see how the young man is getting on.”

  Paul nodded and left. As he started walking, he found he was shaking. He realized that he didn’t have an alibi for an hour and a half, and he knew Dimitris Kastrinakis would think that would have been plenty of time to commit murder.

  Chapter 9

  “How exciting,” Emma exclaimed as David drove them home from the airport. “I bet Eve will find out who the murderer is long before the police do. I can’t believe I’ve arrived just as someone else has been killed. It’s like being in a one of those T.V. murder mysteries where there’s a private sleuth who the police don’t like, but who turns out to be much smarter than them.”

  David sighed; worried that Emma might want to help Eve search for the killer. He tried to keep his mind focused on driving his niece home safely, but it was hard. He had never had children of his own, but when his sister Sheila, Emma’s mother, had divorced when Emma was only three, he had taken on many of the fatherly duties and he still couldn’t resign himself to the fact that she wasn’t a little girl anymore.

  When Emma had walked out of baggage reclaim, she had looked so grown up. Emma was tall and slim with long dark hair and pouting lips which were painted a bright red. She was wearing a short skirt and a little T shirt showing off a tanned figure from a week in Tenerife with her girlfriends. David began to worry that he’d have to fend off lots of young boys during the next few weeks.

  But they won’t be boys will they? he thought. They’ll be men. She’s twenty-one, not sixteen and she should be able to look after herself, so why do I feel protective towards her? I still think of her as a child, but she’s not and I’m going to have to get used to it. Eve’s been telling me this time and time again.

  Emma had met Eve once a few months previously when both she and David had gone back to England for Sheila’s wedding. Finally, after many years on her own, Sheila had found someone to love, much to both David and Emma’s delight.

  Emma had taken to Eve immediately, finding her exciting, vivacious and glamorous. However, David was a touch concerned, knowing how easily swayed Emma could be. As much as he loved Eve, he knew she could be an unsettling influence on a young impressionable girl.

  “Emma, please,” David spoke. “Eve nearly got herself killed by pursuing both murderers. I’ve told her that it’s best left to the police.”

  “Oh, Uncle David, you really can be a wet blanket sometimes. I mean, Eve didn’t get killed and that’s what matters. I bet that’s how she looks at things. Eve isn’t like you. She’d go crazy living a quiet life. She needs that adrenalin pumping through her veins. You wouldn’t be with her if she were dull and boring, would you?”

  David just shook his head as he braked to avoid a car which had overtaken at an inappropriate moment. He was pleased that he had been distracted and didn’t have to answer Emma’s question. After all, she was right. David loved Eve’s vivacity and exuberance. In fact, that was one of the reasons why he had fallen in love with her.

  Emma glanced at her uncle. Yes, he was exceptionally good looking, but he didn’t have Eve’s fire and energy. She wondered why Eve had been attracted to him. Little did she know that David wasn’t as lackluster as she believed, and he had always been there to save Eve when she had got herself into trouble. Without him there was every chance that Eve could be dead now. However, David wasn’t one to boast and although Eve was always grateful, she played down his part or even omitted it. David cared too much for Eve to correct her, knowing how much it meant to her to be the centre of attention.

  David decided to change the subject, not being comfortable talking about the murder.

  “So, are you looking forward to starting your new job tomorrow night, Emma?”

  “I can’t wait,” Emma exclaimed, forgetting about Eve for the moment, much to David’s relief. “It’ll be so much fun.”

  David wished she were doing something more sensible than working in a bar until the early hours of the morning, but at least she’d be busy and wouldn’t have the opportunity to be dragged away by Eve searching for murderers and risking life and limb.

  * * * *

  That evening, David and Emma picked up Eve to go out for dinner at a new Italian restaurant that had opened up in a seaside village close by. It wasn’t of the standard of Eve’s favorite Italian restaurant in Chania, their nearest major town, but then a restaurant like that wouldn’t survive in a small village, the prices being high for Greece and the dress code formal.

  This new restaurant was the sort of place that the villagers and ex-pats might choose for a celebration and it would be a change for the holidaymakers from Greek food. Of course Eve preferred the Italian restaurant in town, having been used to dining in the better establishments in London. However, she was beginning to form quite an attachment to the new local Italian restaurant and the owners had already realized that Eve was one of their best customers. She was a better tipper than most, as long as the service and food were good, so as soon as the staff saw her walk in the door, they made sure that everything was up to scratch.

  “It’s such a lovely restaurant, Emma. I’m certain you’ll enjoy it,” Eve spoke enthusiastically in the car. “It’s quite unusual to have somewhere quite so special within a village, so I thought it fitting for your first night here.”

  “I’m sure I’ll love it,” Emma replied. “Italian’s my favorite food.”

  Both Eve and Emma were vegetarians and had very similar tastes. As well as Italian, they loved spicy food, especially Indian and Mexican.

  David however, was disappointed in both his dinner companions. He very much liked Greek food, but knew that the main courses were mostly meat and fish orientated. Still, he thought they could have shared a few starters between them, but as usual, David was a gentleman and allowed Eve the choice of where they ate, only putting his foot down when she suggested going into Chania. It had been a long enough day for Emma, so the Italian restaurant in the village would have to suffice.

  “Oh, this is a lovely restaurant, Uncle David,” Emma said as soon as they walked into Bella Sophia. “I can’t believe you were reluctant to come here.”

  The restaurant was named after the woman who owned it, an Italian who had married a Greek. Eve especially liked it as it was romantic, with dimmed lighting and candles on each table. There was a big wood burning oven in one corner where you could watch the chef tossing his pizzas.

  “I do like this restaurant, Emma,” David said, “but I thought we should go somewhere Greek on your first night. I thought you liked Greek food.”

  “I do, but I fancied going somewhere a bit special tonight, and I do so love Italian food, like Eve. And as she said, we have plenty of time to go to lots of tavernas, so don’t worry, Uncle David.”

  “Yes, this place is quite unique, isn’t it, darling,” Eve spoke to David. “More fitting for Emma’s first evening. She’s going to be working from tomorrow as well, so if we eat out it’ll be much earlier. This is more of a place for late evening dining, don’t you think?”

  David sighed, knowing there was nothing he could do now. They were there and it was a nice place after all, so he might as well enjoy himself.

  The waiter showed them to a table and gave them their menus. While they were studying them, Eve glanced up and saw Jane and Paul a couple of tables away, sitting with a young man she didn’t recognize.

  “Jane,” she called, trying to be quiet, but also loud enough to be heard. The restaurant seemed to encourage people to whisper rather than shout.

  Although Jane didn’t hear her, Paul did and nudged her. They all smiled at each other and Justin looked up from his pizza to see who Paul and Jane were looking at. As he did so, his eyes caught Emma’s and he was immediately captivated.

  “Wow,” he said quietly to his uncle. “Who’s that?”

  Both Paul and Jane followed his eyes and saw that he was looking at the girl with Eve and David
. They had never met her before, but knew exactly who she was.

  “We’ve not met her,” Jane remarked, “but she must be David’s niece from England, Emma. She’s come over for six weeks to work in a bar.”

  “Really? She’s very pretty. Do you think we can go over and talk to them?”

  “They’ve only just sat down for dinner,” Paul stated. “It’s not really the right time. I’m sure we can have a chat a bit later on this evening though. Mind you, is there any point if you plan to rush back to England as soon as you can?”

  “I haven’t made my mind up what to do,” Justin replied stubbornly.

  Paul and Jane glanced at each other and smiled. That afternoon Justin had been all set to go home as soon as possible. He hadn’t wanted to stay with his father any longer than he had to. They’d had another row and Kevin had excused himself from going out with them that evening, feeling that Justin would probably feel more relaxed without him there.

  “Can’t we invite them to join us?” Justin asked. “Please.”

  “We’re half way through our meal and they haven’t even ordered,” Paul replied. “Look, we’ll go for a drink afterwards at The Black Cat and invite them to join us when they’ve finished their meal. I’m sure they’ll come. Then you’ll have plenty of opportunity to talk to Emma.

  “Okay. I’ll just have to wait until then.”

  Jane smiled. What it was to be young and carefree. She had forgotten that it hadn’t been that long since she had been the same, seven months in fact. After all, she was only in her late twenties.

  Eve had been watching the exchange of looks between Emma and Justin and knew straight away that there was a spark between them. She wasn’t surprised when Emma spoke a minute or two later.

  “Who’s that gorgeous young man with your friends?”

  “That’s Justin Fowler,” David spoke immediately. “The son of the woman who was murdered. I don’t think he’s in the market for romance after what happened.”

  “Nonsense,” Eve butted in. “It could be just what he needs. Something to take his mind off his mother.”

  “That would be like using Emma,” David said crossly.

  “I didn’t mean it like that,” Eve replied.

  What was wrong with David? He had forgiven her so easily for almost going behind his back and searching for Lucy’s killer, yet now he was criticizing her for something petty. Had he had a change of heart? She was about to say something when Jane came over.

  “Hello everybody,” Jane said, smiling.

  “Hello,” Eve replied, smiling back, despite feeling annoyed with David.

  She refused to let her friend see that she and David had almost had an argument.

  “This is David’s niece, Emma. Emma, this is my good friend, Jane.”

  “Hello, Emma,” Jane said. “We were wondering if you’d like to join us in The Black Cat for a drink when you’ve finished your meal tonight.”

  “Oh yes, we’d love to; thank you,” Emma said immediately.

  “Okay,” Jane laughed. “We’ll see you later.”

  Jane guessed by her immediate response that Emma must also be attracted to Justin. She was pleased, feeling it might do Justin some good to have someone his own age to talk to and take his mind off his mother’s death.

  As soon as Jane had gone back to her table, David spoke to his niece. He didn’t look too happy.

  “Didn’t you think to ask if we wanted to go?”

  “Oh for goodness sake, you’d only disagree with each other,” Emma replied. “Eve would want to go and you wouldn’t. I’m going and you two can decide between yourselves.”

  David was too shocked by her reply to answer.

  Has it come to this? Eve thought. Aren’t David and I able to agree on anything? I thought everything was going swimmingly, but Emma can see we’re worlds apart. Oh dear. What am I to do? I love David so much, but I can’t change.........In fact, I don’t want to change.

  She’s going to leave me if I keep acting like this, David brooded. I don’t think I’ve got over her intention to lie to me. I know she told me the truth, but she wasn’t going to. I forgave her, but I don’t know if I really have. I told her I could, so why can’t I forget? I’m too set in my ways. Eve needs an exciting man to accept her as she is and to surprise her every now and then. What on earth did she see in me in the first place? I’m going to have to change. I couldn’t bear to lose her.

  * * * *

  A couple of hours later, David, Eve and Emma got up to leave. David had become very quiet during the meal, but Emma and Eve had chatted all evening. Eve was glad that Emma was so outgoing, otherwise there would have been an awkward silence. She didn’t know how to act when David was in such a weird mood, but had learnt it was probably better to leave him alone when he was like this. Talking often made things worse.

  “I feel stuffed,” Emma said as they stood up. “I hope I don’t look fat. I put on a tight dress this evening and I’m sure my stomach is sticking out now. I don’t want to put Justin off.”

  “Nonsense,” Eve replied. “You look lovely. You’re like me. We can eat anything and stay slim. You don’t look any different than when you came into the restaurant. I think Justin will be impressed.”

  Emma grinned. She hadn’t had a boyfriend for over six months and this was the first guy she had been interested in since then. Although she had seemed confident when she had flirted with Justin from a distance, she certainly didn’t feel self-assured now. She also thought it was a difficult situation and had no idea of how to act with him. Should she be herself or should she be somber and quiet in respect for his mother. As they left the restaurant, Emma decided she’d let Justin lead the conversation to begin with while she judged his mood.

  Their walk to The Black Cat was quiet and Emma sensed the tension between Eve and David. She hoped their relationship wasn’t too rocky. She liked Eve and thought she was good for her uncle. He did seem lighter hearted since he had met her, but perhaps Eve was just a little too gregarious for him. Hopefully it was just the murder and the thought of her hunting for the killer that was putting a strain on the relationship and nothing more.

  As they entered The Black Cat, Justin immediately waved and Eve thought he must have had his eyes fixed on the door. She smiled, thinking how sweet it was. David however, frowned. He was feeling very protective towards his niece.

  David asked Eve and Emma what they wanted to drink and the two women went to sit with Paul, Jane and Justin. Eve was dying to get Jane on her own to ask about her visit to the police. She had phoned earlier in the day, but Jane had said she couldn’t talk because Paul had just returned with his nephew. Justin had identified his mother’s body and was very upset.

  Eve had hoped to ring Jane later, but Annie had called round for a chat and after she had left, Eve completely forgot about Jane. Spending time with Annie had reminded her about the day she had seen Pete and Lucy in Rethymnon and she wondered if she should have said something to Annie. However, she hadn’t been able to bring herself to ruin her friend’s day. Annie had seemed exceptionally happy as she was looking forward to her daughter and grandchildren coming over soon for a two week holiday. How could she spoil that?

  “I hear you’re starting work at The Blue Lagoon tomorrow night, Emma,” Justin asked after David had sat down. “It’s a great bar. I went there when I came over last year.”

  “You were here last year? Me too. I came in July for three weeks. I had a brilliant time.”

  “I was here in June with my parents to see how the building of their house was coming on. I knew we couldn’t have been here at the same time,” Justin added. “I would have noticed you.”

  Emma laughed and her face lit up. David noticed Eve’s face fall. What was wrong? She couldn’t be jealous of Emma, could she? Yes, Emma was a very pretty young girl and would no doubt break a few hearts before she settled down, but Eve was beautiful.

  However, David was right. Eve was envious; envious of Emma’s youth
. Eve was now forty four and yes, she was still a very attractive woman and was lucky enough to be naturally slim, but she did have to work out to make her body look as taut and toned as it was. On top of everything, she loved to sunbathe, but she also spent a lot of money on moisturizers and anti wrinkle creams, always worrying that she would end up looking like a wrinkled old prune.

  The lines are coming, she reflected. And then it will be The Knife. I couldn’t bear to look old and haggard; I absolutely couldn’t.

  “Eve, are you alright?” David asked gently, his bad mood lifting.

  He hated to see Eve looking sad. She was usually such a strong person, but occasionally she seemed vulnerable and afraid. David didn’t know what to do when she was like this. He wanted to hold her and tell her everything would be alright, but he suspected that she wouldn’t like other people to see that she was weak. Unfortunately, at this moment in time, he was wrong and all Eve wanted was a hug of reassurance; reassurance that he would still love her even if the odd fine line appeared around her eyes.

  Why doesn’t he give me a hug, she thought. He hardly ever does in public. Is he ashamed of our relationship?

  Eve was becoming despondent. Things definitely weren’t going so well between her and David. Perhaps they were too different after all.

  David didn’t know what to do. She had seemed distant for the whole evening and he hadn’t had the opportunity to ask her what was wrong. He didn’t seem to realize that it was due to his mood.

  “You’re a smooth talker, Justin,” Emma said, interrupting David and Eve’s thoughts. “Good job I’m not some starry eyed kid who’d be taken in by you.”

  “I’m telling you the truth, Emma,” Justin continued, pretending to look hurt.

  Emma laughed again and David frowned. He could still see the young Emma in short socks and sandals playing in the garden with her dolls. He had to keep reminding himself that she had grown up.