A Deadly Twist by Jeffrey Siger (free novel reading sites .txt) 📕

that detail didn’t make it into your accident report?”

Bear cleared his throat. “I didn’t know about it back then.”

“So, looking back, what do you think happened?”

Bear coughed. “No idea.”

“What were the chances Honeyman arranged for the accident so that he could step into the project manager’s shoes?” asked Dimitri.

Bear gestured no. “No way Honeyman could do what that guy did. Honeyman was a fast-talking laborer, and he knew his limitations. He was happy just making what he did off the deal. Besides, he liked the guy and complained that the person he had to deal with after the manager’s death was an arrogant, privileged prick who ordered Honeyman around like he owned him.”

Andreas nodded. “Perhaps he thought he did. What was this new guy’s name?”

“I don’t know; he just told me he was one of the old lady’s grandsons. I never met him.”

Andreas and Dimitri spent another half hour interrogating Bear but came up with nothing new. Andreas led Bear back up the stairs and undid the handcuffs at the front door.

“No hard feelings, Chief,” said Bear.

“No, none at all,” said Andreas.

The men did not shake hands.

“Until the next time then,” said Bear.

“For sure.”

Andreas and Dimitri walked to the car, and once inside, Andreas said, “Hurry up and get us out of here.”

Dimitri started the car and put it in gear. “Why the rush?”

Andreas reached behind his back. “Because, when he realizes why I kept squirming on that sofa, who knows what he’ll come hauling through that doorway?”

He brought his hand out from behind his back. “This is what I found between the cushions where he wanted to sit.” Andreas dropped a nine-millimeter semiautomatic on the console between them.

Spinning, smoking tires followed immediately.

* * *

By the time Dimitri dropped Andreas off at his borrowed home, Lila’s SUV was parked near the front door.

“The women are back. Come on inside and say hello.”

Once inside, they followed the sounds of voices out onto the terrace overlooking the sea.

“Look who’s back from playing internal affairs,” said Yianni.

“And look who’s back from playing Rapunzel,” said Dimitri.

“Nikoletta, what a surprise,” said Andreas. “I’m so happy you decided to leave the tower.”

“Only temporarily. My new girlfriends convinced me to spend the day with them, and I said why not?”

“Why not, indeed,” said Lila. “Would you boys like to hang out with us today?”

“We’d love to, but things have just gone from hectic to horrific, so I’m afraid we’ll have to pass on the invitation.”

Toni waved her hand. “Excuse me, but after that bombshell, do you really expect us to simply say toodle-oo and be on our sweet way? Uh-uh. Give us the news, Chief.”

Andreas turned to Yianni. “She’s tougher to deal with than you are.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Just tell us about it,” said Lila.

“Enough,” said Andreas, raising his hands in a calming gesture. “Here’s what happened.”

After he and Dimitri finished describing their encounter with Bear, the first person to speak was Lila. “What do you think he planned on doing with that gun hidden in the sofa?”

“Nothing good.”

“And you let him go?” said Toni.

“What could I charge him with? He’s authorized to possess a pistol.”

“And he was handcuffed,” said Lila.

“Uh, that I didn’t find comforting. With a round racked and ready to go, if he got his handcuffed hands around it, he could have spun around and started firing.”

Lila shook her head. “I could have done without knowing that last part.”

“Bad guys are always looking for a way to do their worst.” He looked at Nikoletta. “And that’s why I don’t like the thought of you in that tower alone.”

Nikoletta nodded. “So, what’s your next move?”

Andreas looked at Maggie. “Any word yet from your friends?”

“Not yet, but I impressed upon them that this is a Code Red Urgent matter, so I expect to start hearing back anytime now. If all my friends in high secretarial and clerical positions do what they’ve promised, our government ministries could come to a screeching halt over the next few hours.”

“Not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing,” said Tassos.

Maggie shot him a glare. “I thought you were trying to stay in my good graces.”

Dimitri grinned. “Remind me to change my vote in the next election.”

“It won’t matter,” said Maggie. “We’re everywhere.”

Andreas stiffened suddenly and pointed at her. “You know what, Maggie, you’re absolutely right. It doesn’t matter. You are everywhere, and I bet they’re everywhere.”

“What are you talking about?” said Yianni. “Who’s they?”

Andreas ignored the question. “Dimitri, I want you to set up a meeting with the mayor and the head of the Hoteliers’ Association for later this afternoon. Tell them it’s about important information relating to Nikoletta and that she’ll be there with us.” Andreas looked at Nikoletta. “Assuming that’s okay with you.”

“Not a chance in the world I’d miss that meeting.” She paused. “But what do you plan on us saying?”

Andreas looked out toward the sea. “Good question. I’ll let you know as soon as I know.”

Chapter Twenty-One

The mayor bitched and moaned, threatened and cajoled, all in an effort to learn the agenda of the meeting in advance, but the presence of the once-missing reporter and attendant possibility of nationwide press coverage ultimately convinced him to attend—provided the meeting be held in his office and photographs be allowed showing him with the reporter.

Marco Sanudos, head of the Naxos Hoteliers’ Association, said he was honored by the invitation and would gladly attend.

It remained to be seen which of the two turned out to be the better politician.

Andreas, Yianni, Tassos, and Nikoletta arrived at town hall in the SUV. Dimitri and two of his officers were waiting for them outside the side entrance. Andreas huddled with the two officers and Dimitri for several minutes, the officers nodding as he spoke. When he finished, the two officers left, and Andreas’s group of five went inside.

They’d made it as far as the atrium when the mayor came rushing over to Nikoletta.

“Ms. Elia, I’m so happy you’re safe. We’ve been working night and day to find you. All of Naxos