by Sewell, Ron
“The tank’s full. If you can shift that valve we should have enough water.”
Bear grunted and wheezed while he attempted to slacken the screws of the valve. “It turns.”
“Brute force wins again.”
“Well, to tell you the truth, I used WD 40 and left it for a few minutes. I had a can in my back-pack. Fish oil is the best shit remover in the world. I’ll soak it. Should be free when we come back.” He replaced the stone slab.
“Bear, I need to show you where the guards hang out. Ready?”
Moving in and out of the shadows, they located themselves on the top floor of a building facing the guards’ retreat.
Petros glimpsed out of the window, shook his head and smiled. “Our boys have a woman for company. I wonder what they’re up to.”
“You’re a big boy. I shouldn’t have to tell you.”
“Excuse me, but they’re supposed to be on guard duty.”
“They’re bored out of their skulls. No one’s bothered. If you cast your mind back a few years, we observed four other soldiers drinking and playing cards in the same house. Guard duty is a chore at the best of times. These four are obviously randy buggers.”
Petros pursed his lips. “If they were my men they’d be up on a charge.”
“Wind your neck in. Who was caught in bed with the general’s wife?”
“You’ve made your point,” said Petros, trying but unable to conceal his unease. The girl once more came into view. She was in her early twenties, tall and slim, but rather pretty. Cropped, bottle-blonde hair hung limp around her face. Heavy eye shadow and mascara surrounded her watchful eyes, and dark lipstick highlighted her full mouth. He couldn’t hear what she said, but she was clearly agreeing her price. The four men reached for their wallets and handed her the money. The corporal fanned out the pack of cards.
“They’re drawing cards for who goes first.”
“I don’t think she gives a shit. Look at her texting on her mobile,” said Bear. “She’s been paid and will do the biz. Those boys will be in and out like a vicar in a brothel. They’ll get on top, think how macho they are and wham bam thank you mam, finished. Pound to a penny not one of them lasts for more than five minutes.”
“At least I never paid for the pleasure,” said Petros.
“It’s what she does to survive. No feeling, pain or pleasure.”
Three of the men left the room. Outside they laughed, joked and smoked cigarettes.
The woman removed her dress and placed it carefully on the back of a chair. With her thumbs, she removed her panties, lay naked on the table and waited. The young man with his underwear below his knees and an erection, positioned himself. Petros did not watch but for the hell of it, timed the young man until he joined his comrades.
“You might win your bet, Bear. Three minutes elapsed from start to lighting a cigarette.”
The soldier came out onto the street, spoke to his friends, and slapped the back of the next man. For a few minutes he inhaled deeply, finally flicking the stub into the middle of the road. His eyes noticed nothing.
“That motley crew are no problem while they’re playing cards, shagging and don’t go walkabout.”
“That’s true,” said Bear. “We’ll have to make sure they don’t.”
Petros shrugged and said nothing. They left when the last soldier confirmed Bear had won the bet.
During the afternoon, the pair studied the map of Varosha that Bear had marked and noted where the damaged fence gave easy access. They examined in minute detail every possible route in and out.
“This morning,” said Petros, “I had my doubts. Now it’s possible. We need a plan B. Without it we’re risking getting our arses kicked.”
“I’ve a few thoughts on that, PK. Leave it with me and we can talk about it afterwards.”
“Okay. For me, a hot bath.”
“I’m going for a kebab,” said Bear. “Fancy one?”
“No thanks,” said Petros, smiling.
Petros relaxed and gave thought to the collection. It was feasible but they would need at least three fit men who could handle themselves.
As soon as the sun completed its daily dip below the horizon, the room began to darken. He towelled his body heartily before standing in front of the mirror and combing his hair. Not bad, he thought. The six-pack could do with work but overall a lean fighting machine.
His thoughts turned to Maria. Where were those two girls? He checked his watch: four o’clock. The afternoon had simply gone. In the bedroom, he dressed in a pair of dark blue jeans and a white shirt and slid his feet into his favourite black shoes.
A gust of cool air when the door opened, told him Maria had returned.
“Sorry I’m a bit late,” she said. “I’ll have a quick shower.”
He didn’t bother debating the point. “You have forty minutes.”
“I must wash my hair. I’ll be ready in twenty.”
“Do you want me to time you?”
She stuck her tongue out. “Do that and you’ll sleep on the floor.”
“How much did today cost me?” said Petros.
“I’ve been window shopping but not for clothes. There’s a better choice in the south.”
Petros and Maria entered Bear and Jocelyn’s room at one minute after five.
Bear handed them each a glass filled with red wine, and raised his.
“To us and the recovery of the icons.”
“Not so loud, Bear. You never know who’s listening.”
“This is Cyprus, PK, not Russia.”
Maria opened her handbag and rummaged around for a moment or two.
“Lost something?” said Petros. “The rubbish you manage to shove in that bag I’m surprised you can find anything.”
“This,” she said, holding up a nine millimetre Browning pistol.
Jocelyn covered her mouth with her hand.
“What the hell, Maria?” said Bear.
“Jesus Christ, Maria. What do you want that for?” Petros hated being caught off guard.
She laughed. “I always wanted men to grovel at my feet. Get on the floor.”
Petros could see her trigger finger moving.
“Maria, stop playing games and give me the gun.”
A sharp click sounded, the top lifted and a flame flared. “A good copy, don’t you think? I told you, Jocelyn, they’d fall for it.”
Petros took it, impressed. There remained inner depths to his wife he still hadn’t fathomed.
“By the way, you forgot to release the safety catch. Try to keep a straight face when you point a gun at somebody. You were grinning like the proverbial. We’re in trouble if we need weapons. I’d prefer to do this job without hurting anyone. That doesn’t mean to say if it came to it, I wouldn’t kill in self-defence.”
“Have you ever killed, PK?” asked Maria, her eyes not leaving his for an instant.
“In Iraq and Afghanistan you don’t stand still and let those bastards shoot you. In Northern Ireland, you’re always on the defensive. You hit back. It’s live or die, Maria, and being taken prisoner can be worse than death itself.”
She reached across and clasped his hand. “I do understand. You told me what happened in Africa.” She glanced at Bear. “How about you?”
He turned his head towards Jocelyn. “Change the subject. Any wine left? It’s not half bad for cheap plonk.”
With the bottle empty, Bear checked his watch. “It’s time.”
“Time?” said Maria. “Time for what?”
“Time for food.”
They laughed, drained their glasses and left.
Maria led them to a restaurant she discovered in a side street during the shopping spree. One dozen wooden tables covered with blue checked tablecloths filled the dining room – a typical eating place frequented by the locals. The well used bar possessed a Victorian facade.
On entering, a man sporting a large, grey handlebar moustache strolled towards them, beaming a broad smile. He pointed to
a table. “For you.”
They sat in cottage style dining chairs, Bear having to change his rickety seat for one that supported his huge frame. Petros named the owner ‘Father Time’, for he took an age to produce the menu. To their surprise it had a generous range of food. Maria scoffed at the price of the wine but by the time they left, Bear’s hunger pangs had for once been sated.
The rain clouds which filled the sky during the day had gone. Visibility was good. The dark backcloth of the sky exhibited its stars like a painting: Orion, The Plough, the Milky Way and a thousand other galaxies shimmered.
Petros turned to Bear. “A night like this for our collection would solve many problems. In any case it’s an early start tomorrow. I’d like to be back at Elini’s by midday.”
“Tomorrow will be my last full day,” said Jocelyn. “Remember I came out for a christening and I work for a living.”
“Are you sure you can’t squeeze another week?” said Maria.
“As much as I want to, getting this week off took a ton of bargaining. The department is short staffed.”
“When we get back, we’ll enjoy a girlie night out. These two can baby-sit. PK, a good rest and a night’s rest and undisturbed sleep will do us good.” She squeezed his hand. “Come on, let’s go.”
Bear chuckled. “Goodnight, Maria.”
* * *
The dark clouds that clung to the sky dulled Petros’s mood. The persistent rain made for poor visibility. On arriving at the dining room for breakfast, he stopped at the entrance. Bear, Jocelyn and Maria sat eating as he strolled across to join them. He took his place opposite Maria. “Any good?”
“The scrambled eggs fill a hole.” Bear stood. “Morning, PK. I’m going to get a Nescafé. Want a cup?” He wandered over to the counter, made two coffees, returned and placed one in front of Petros.
“This collection – yes or no?” said Bear.
Petros thought for a moment. “I think yes. When we get back we’ll draw up a plan of action. Maria, don’t suppose you’re acquainted with three or four men I can trust?”
She cocked her head to one side and raised her eyebrows. “I am and so are you. My brothers.”
Petros rubbed his hands together. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
Her eyelids quivered and she stared at him. “You asked for four men you can trust. My brothers I would trust with my life and with yours.”
He leant across and took her hands. “I’d like to chat with my brothers-in-law.”
“In my country, it’s best to keep such things in the family. I’ll phone them now. That way they’ll be waiting when we arrive. Time has become our enemy. We can’t lose any.”
“Sounds good to me,” said Petros. “Fifteen minutes and we’ll meet in the car park. I’ve paid the bill.”
He waited until Maria closed her mobile. Jocelyn drank her coffee and Bear finished wiping his plate with the remaining piece of toast.
“Let’s go.”
Maria slipped behind the wheel and drove with care back to the Green Line. Near the crossing she shaded her eyes against low-lying sun. The Turkish guards stopped them and gave the vehicle a cursory once over. Petros got out and studied their actions. A chill wind from the north caused him to shiver.
Once across the border, she drove at speed along the motorway.
“PK,” Maria said seriously. “What are you thinking?”
“At the moment I’m a fish nibbling at the bait. One thing is certain. Bear and I can’t do this job on our own.”
“You’re mad but maybe that’s why I love you.”
“I agree,” said Bear from the rear seat. “Stark bloody bonkers. Doesn’t say much for me does it?”
Jocelyn piped in. “It makes me as daft as the rest of you. Men, why do we bother?”
“Because we’re so irresistible,” said Bear.
“That’s a disturbing revelation,” she replied.
Chapter Fifteen
Dogs barked as Maria slowed the truck to a crawl through the village. A few minutes later it rattled into the driveway. Together the four of them walked into the sanctuary of the courtyard. Maria raced ahead and hugged and kissed her four brothers who sat around a stone table.
They returned her spontaneous display of affection.
“My brothers.” Maria stood with them as she made the introductions. “Kyriacos, George, Andreas and Takis.”
Each kissed Jocelyn on both cheeks.
“All these lovely men in one place. Just like London buses. You wait ages for one to come along and then four come together,” Jocelyn said. “Sorry guys, must love and leave you.” She turned and ran inside the house.
Petros and Bear scrutinised them, each different in size and build. They sauntered across, shook hands and welcomed them.
“At Alysa’s christening they drank, talked and danced,” said Maria. “My eldest brother, Kyriacos.” She placed her hand on his shoulder.
Petros studied the man. He stood tall, handsome, with striking features
“He’s a professional soldier.”
“George, Alysa’s Godfather, owns a garage and car show room. In his spare time he pretends to be a rally driver.”
“What do you mean, pretends,” said George. “I came in eighth this year.”
Petros sized up the short, heavy man who had the most wonderful blue eyes. His hands were small but his arms, which protruded from muscular shoulders, were solid. This man possessed strength and would be useful for lifting and shifting.
Maria placed her arms around another’s shoulders. “Andreas recently finished his time in the National Guard and reached the rank of captain. At the moment he’s seeking work or might, if nothing suitable comes up, go back to university.”
Petros noted the bond between brother and sister. He appeared average in height and build, but had the same blue eyes: a distinct feature.
“Takis is my Teddy Bear. He’s big, cuddly and wouldn’t harm a fly,” said Maria cheerfully. “That is, unless you hurt any member of the family. Before I fell in love with you he’d throw young boys into wells if they attempted to touch me where they shouldn’t.”
Petros turned to Bear. “I remember Takis. He tried to toss me everywhere the last time we met. He’s like you, but broader and a few kilos heavier.”
Takis grinned and came towards them. He hugged Bear but shook Petros’s hand. “This one,” he said, placing his huge paws on Bear, “I love him as a brother.” He poked Petros in the ribs. “This skinny runt is family.”
Elini walked across to the table carrying a tray. “One drink and then you go. From what my niece has told me you are going to be busy.” She poured large measures of brandy into the glasses.
Six shouted, “Yammas!”
* * *
Standing in the dark bedroom with the window wide open, Petros shivered. The night clouds raced by, propelled by strong winds. He pondered the coming collection. If the dangers outweighed the rewards, did it matter? In spite of everything, you made choices and lived by them. His mind collated what needed to be undertaken.
Meticulous planning minimised the risk, and so far they had remained unhurt. He stared at Maria sleeping. When it was just Bear and him, risk existed. She had changed that and Alysa doubled the problem: He had responsibilities. What had she said to him when they lay, limbs embraced? ‘You make me happy. Nothing can harm me when I’m with you.’
He glanced at his watch: almost three. Without disturbing her, he slid beneath the sheets and closed his eyes. Sleep evaded him and he couldn’t fathom why.
Maria pulled him close. “It can wait until morning. Rest solves or answers many problems.”
* * *
Petros, wide awake now, and with his shoes in hand tiptoed out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
His leather soles echoed across the floor of the empty kitchen. He wandered outside and sat by the fountain. Here the trickling and splashing of the water settled his thoughts.
The door opened, floo
ding the courtyard with light. Maria, in her pyjamas, strolled out. “What’s the matter?”
Petros considered her question but didn’t object to her intrusion. “Nothing much. Wanted a breath of fresh air.”
“Fancy a coffee?”
“Aren’t you cold, Maria?”
“I’m freezing. Let’s go inside.”
He followed her into the house. The kitchen clock showed five. Maria poked the fire causing sparks to hurry up the chimney. She threw on a few more logs and ambled over to the huge padded seat that ran along the length of one wall. He sat beside her and she nestled against him. The warmth of her body and the beating of her heart were comforting. Gently, he wrapped his arms around her.
In time, Maria slept, turning in the night and holding him. In the dim light she was a child needing protection. Her long hair flowed around her neck, enhancing the curve of her face.
The morning sun began to fill the small kitchen windows, waking Petros. His movements caused Maria to stir. She held him close for a while longer, yawned and opened her eyes. “PK,” she whispered, “are you awake?”
“Yes. Can you get up? My arm’s gone to sleep.”
After a few moments she stretched her arms, sat up and rubbed her eyes. She held his arm and gently massaged it. “Better?”
“I should say no. That way you wouldn’t stop, but it’s okay. What happened to the coffee you mentioned hours ago?”
“How long did I sleep?”
“You were knackered.”
“I’ll make the coffee in a minute. Must go to the loo. Will you put the kettle on?”
Petros made two cups of instant coffee and waited for Maria to return.
She bounced down the stairs wearing her pink dressing gown tied around her middle, took her coffee, wrapping her fingers round the mug. “Is there a problem with this collection?”
“The trouble is it’s too easy. There has to be a catch.”