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

Marco nodded. “Yes.”

Andreas stood. “Thank you, gentlemen. I suggest you keep our discussion to yourselves. Not because I’m concerned about any of this getting back to the publisher, but because you might be concerned if that happens. Thanks for your time.”

Andreas led his group from the mayor’s office, down the stairs, and out of the building.

Once outside, Andreas turned to Nikoletta. “I’d say you have a pretty big story to write.”

“Thanks to you.”

“Just do our chief a favor,” said Yianni, “and leave out the part where he talked about ‘a pernicious evil that’s come into bloom with a vengeance.’ He’ll get razzed about that line for the rest of his life.”

Andreas showed Yianni an open hand. “I was setting the mood for that pretentious putz of a mayor.” He turned back to Nikoletta. “Do you remember our agreement?”

Nikoletta nodded. “I received all my information through my sources, and I will never reveal a source.”

“Perfect. We don’t want Maggie and her friends getting fired because of this.”

“It shall remain our secret.”

“By the way,” said Andreas, “you might want to hold off for a day or so on getting your story out there. I sense there are a couple more shoes to drop.”

“No problem. I’ve got other things to do anyway.”

“Like what?” said Yianni.

Nikoletta smiled. “Like finding someone to publish it.”

* * *

“Gray puffy clouds drifting across the western sky transformed by hues of orange and gold into flowers, clowns, and big balloons as they pass across the setting sun.” Lila smiled at Nikoletta sitting on a deck chair between Lila and a rattan outdoor couch. “There’s nothing like an Aegean sunset, and sharing such a glorious one as this with my closest friends out here in the fresh air inspires me. Though, to be honest, I think I should leave the descriptive efforts to professionals like you.”

“No, that was perfect. Besides, I write about crime, not sunsets.”

“I never tire of sunsets,” said Toni. “Even though they’re really nothing more than nature’s alarm clock, telling me it’s time to get ready to head off to work.”

“I wish we could share more sunsets,” said Yianni, his head on Toni’s lap and facing west, legs stretched out on the couch.

She stroked his hair. “Don’t worry; you soon may have the opportunity. I was supposed to be back at my job yesterday.”

“I’m sure he’ll take you back,” said Lila.

“He’d better,” said Yianni.

“So you like the thought of me chained to my piano seven nights a week?”

“You got that right.”

Toni smacked him lightly on the head.

“What’s on the agenda next, Chief?” asked Maggie from a deck chair wedged between the couch and a recliner Tassos had angled toward the house while announcing he’d rather see his friends than another sunset.

“I head back to Athens first thing tomorrow. There’s not much more I can do here.”

“What about me?” asked Yianni, sitting up.

“Take the rest of the week off.”

“I want to go back to Athens to see Popi and her husband. Thank God they won’t have to remove her spleen, but I bet it’d make her feel a million times better to hear in person what we’ve learned so far.”

“I can’t argue with that,” said Andreas.

“Nor can I. As much as I’d like to have you stay with me on Mykonos,” said Toni.

SMASH.

“What the hell was that?” asked Tassos.

“Sounds like something broke one of the big windows by the front door,” said Maggie.

Andreas stood up from his chair next to Lila and turned to go inside. He took one step toward the doorway and froze.

Bear stood in the doorway to the terrace, a shotgun aimed at Andreas’s chest. “Like I said, asshole, until next time.”

Yianni and Tassos jumped to their feet, and Tassos stepped toward the doorway.

“Don’t try to be heroes. This is between me and him.”

Andreas motioned with his hand for them to stay back. “Cool it, guys.”

“You have something of mine.”

“What would that be?”

“Don’t play cute. You found it in the sofa. A cool but stupid move.”

“Well, if we’re speaking frankly, your move is definitely not cool and is seriously stupid.”

“Just give me the fucking gun.”

“Sorry, no can do.”

“You’re pretty cocky now, but what if I start shooting up these pretty ladies?”

“I still couldn’t give you the gun. I don’t have it.”

“Who has it? That numbnuts, Dimitri?”

“Nope.”

Bear pulled the butt of the shotgun tight against his right shoulder and clenched his teeth. “I’m done talking.”

“Well, let’s look at the situation. If I had the gun and gave it to you, your smart play would be to leave us alone and at worst face charges surrounding this little performance. So, if I had your gun, why would I risk you killing me and then everyone else in an effort to cover your tracks? Am I getting the general drift of your thinking so far?”

Bear snorted dismissively.

“Good, so let me give you another scenario. Walk away now and all you’ll face are charges of owning the gun that killed Honeyman by that marble quarry and his two goons by the airport. With the right friends in high places, you’ll likely get away with little if any time served. But if you go through with this, you just might singlehandedly get Greece to reinstate the death penalty.”

“You’re full of shit.” He squeezed the gun tighter against his massive shoulder.

Andreas put up his hand. “Hear me out. There’s no way the guy who ordered those three murders would ever risk doing the dirty work himself. What did he offer you? The chance to take over Honeyman’s place in the food chain?”

“You’ve no proof of any of that,” growled Bear.

“True, and even if the ballistics lab that currently has your gun comes back with a report tying your gun to the bullets dug out of those three dead guys, the only provable charge is that you owned the gun. So, do the smart thing and put down the shotgun.”

Bear’s nerves, plus whatever he’d taken to juice up for this confrontation, had elevated Andreas’s own. He