“Wait until the Angel Club boys figure out Demosthenes’ decision to hire new muscle cost them a mega-payday with Kostopoulos.”
“Has Kostopoulos told them yet?”
“Tassos said the next time the negotiator calls, Kostopoulos will tell him everything’s off because of
their
attempt to kill his family in Sardinia. That, together with our little visit to Giorgio, should tie everything together for them very nicely.”
“They will be pissed. Do you think they’ll kill Demosthenes?”
Andreas gestured no. “Doubt we’d be that lucky. This is a business problem for them. As much as they might want to whack him, he’s the only one who can convince Kostopoulos they had nothing to do with Sardinia. At least that’s what I’m hoping they’ll do.”
“Otherwise, he’s dead.”
“And we lose. Oh, well, too bad for Demosthenes.” Andreas smiled. “That would really upset me. Especially the painful, drawn-out way they’d do it.”
“I can tell you’re all broken up at the possibility.”
“It’s up to Kostopoulos now. If he pushes the right buttons, we’ve got Demosthenes working overtime on saving his ass from his former buddies.”
“What about the Old Man and Linardos?”
Andreas gestured no. “The most that muscle has on them is Demosthenes’ word that they’re involved, and I doubt they put much value on his word these days. Besides, the Old Man and Linardos are too powerful for them to go after. It would bring down the wrath of Greece’s powers that be for attacking one of their own and shatter whatever business arrangements those mob guys must have with some of them.”
Andreas stretched. “On the other hand, Demosthenes desperately needs the Old Man’s help to get to Kostopoulos. Otherwise, what’s Demosthenes? A nobody, a less than nobody. ‘Hi, Mr. Kostopoulos, I’m the one who hired the people who killed or tried to kill members of your family, but trust me when I say the ones who killed your son had nothing to do with Sardinia.’”
Kouros laughed.
Andreas frowned and shook his head. “Demosthenes can’t think that’s going to work. He must know his only chance at getting to Kostopoulos, and living is if he convinces the Old Man to intervene directly with Kostopoulos.”
“Why would the Old Man do that? What does he have to gain coming out of the closet at this point in his life to announce he’s a terrorist? And not just a terrorist, the
head
terrorist.”
“That’s the wing-and-a-prayer part of the plan. I’ve no idea what will do it. I’m leaving that up to Demosthenes. We’ve motivated him. Let’s hope he can do the same for the Old Man.”
Maggie stuck her head in the office. “Yianni, those cops from up north called, the ones you had following the guy you tailed to the airport. They said he’s on the move again. He’s back over the border into Greece and headed to the airport. They’ll call you as soon as they know where he’s headed.”
Kouros turned to Andreas and smiled. “Care to bet where Demosthenes’ old buddy is headed?”
Andreas clapped his hands together. “Let the games begin.”
***
The message was “Be outside Kato Pastissia metro, 9
am
.” Another metro ride to another tough neighborhood. Probably another unpleasant car ride, too.
Demon’s mind wandered to thoughts of his future and of private drivers to whisk him to such places. He knew he could never put these sorts of meetings behind him. He would always need these types. Now, to convince them they still needed him.
He looked at his watch. Nine-fifteen. Where is he? The answer came in the form of a taxi pulling up beside him. “Taxi, mister?”
“No, I’m wait—”
Demon got in the back seat. “Didn’t recognize you. Nice touch, no one notices a Balkan taxi driver these days.”
“What the fuck did you do?”
“Beg your pardon.”
“You heard me. Sardinia.”
“Oh, yes. Well, you left me with no choice. What was I supposed to do? The gentlemen I report to made me do it. I wanted you to get the job but—”
“Enough of your bullshit. You’ve cost us a lot of money. Kostopoulos killed the deal. Thinks we tried to kill his wife and kids. You asshole.”
Demon sounded calm, but his heart was racing. He expected Sardinia was the reason he was here, even anticipated the anger, but expecting something and facing it eyeball-to-eyeball, even through a rearview mirror, were very different things.
“I understand you’re angry. But, you’ve profited quite handsomely over the years from my relationships with very powerful people, people who want to continue working with you, through me, making you more money than you can imagine. This is just a slight bump in the road.” He paused and waved a hand as if swatting away some minor distraction. “To continue with the analogy, my friend, you cannot imagine the extraordinary opportunities that await us if we just stay on the road we’ve traveled together for so long, and so prosperously. Trust me.”
“Trust you!” He laughed. “I’m a simple man, so let me put it to you in simple terms. I don’t care about your buddies or connections. You’re the one we deal with, you’re the one we know, and you’re the one we no longer trust. Either you straighten out this shit storm you created with Kostopoulos or—to continue the analogy…” he paused to smile in the rearview mirror. “It’s the end of the road for you. Asshole.”
He pulled over to the curb and told Demon to get out. “Forty-eight hours to get Kostopoulos talking again.” He drove away without voicing another threat. He didn’t have to. He’d let Demon off in front of one of the few funeral parlors in Athens.
“It’s Yianni.”
“What happened?”
“I followed the guy from the airport. A taxi picked him up and drove him to Kato Patissia. The driver got out at a coffee shop and the guy took his cab. He drove to the metro and picked up Demosthenes. They rode around for five minutes, Demosthenes got out, and the guy went back to the coffee shop. The guy and the driver are having breakfast together. Probably cousins.”
“Any idea what Demosthenes and he talked about?”
“No way of telling. Didn’t seem to be arguing. When Demosthenes got out, he just looked around and walked back to the metro. Angelo’s with him.”
“Damn it. If they didn’t put some real heat on him, nothing’s going to happen. No pressure from Demosthenes on the Old Man to meet Kostopoulos, no meeting with Kostopoulos—”
“No recording of the Old Man’s confession.”
“Shit.” Andreas tried sounding calm.
“Should we bust the guy?”
“For what, borrowing his cousin’s cab? Wish we could, but it’s too risky. If he gets busted so soon after meeting Demosthenes, his buddies might get nervous, think things are getting out of control, and decide to blow Demosthenes away. What the hell, odds are guys like that don’t live very long, anyway. Occupational hazard.”
“I still don’t like letting him get away.”
Andreas smiled. “Glad to hear that. Me, neither.”
“Hold on, Chief. It’s Angelo.”
Andreas tapped a pencil on his desk. Keep your fingers crossed, he thought.
“Demosthenes came out of the metro at Evangelismos.”
Andreas’ heart skipped two beats, then started racing. “My god. That’s the stop for the hospital. He’s going after Lila!”
Kouros spoke quickly. “No, no, Chief, he’s headed in the other direction.”
Andreas didn’t say anything for a few seconds. He let his breathing return to normal. “I guess I’m more anxious than I thought.”
“Who wouldn’t be? If it makes you feel better, I think Demosthenes’ taxi ride may have done the trick.”
“Why?”
“Because…sorry, it’s Angelo again.” Ten seconds went by. “Uhh…yeah, because that metro stop is also the one for Kolonaki. And guess where our little Demosthenes is now.”
“Heading for the Kolonaki Club.”
“No, actually he’s inside, as of thirty seconds ago.”
“
Yes!
” and two double fist pumps.
***
“I’m sorry, if you’re not on the list you cannot come in, sir.”
“But I know he wants to see me, please call him.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but the rules do not allow us to do that.”
“Do what?”
“Disturb a member when someone appears unannounced claiming to be invited.”
Demon wanted to kill the pretentious bastard. Didn’t he realize he was from the servant class? But Demon needed the idiot. “I understand. Is there a phone I may use?”
“Certainly.” He pointed to the one on his desk. “Dial nine first.”
Demon dialed without saying thank you.
An operator answered. “Kolonaki Club, how may I help you?”
Demon asked for the Old Man and waited.
“Yes.”
“It’s me, I’m downstairs. Your doorman won’t let me in. Speak to him, please.” Demon handed him the phone without waiting to hear the Old Man’s reply.
“Yes, sir. Right away, sir.” The man didn’t look happy at Demon making him look stupid. Sorts like him believed people who looked like Demon should know their place—somewhere far beneath his. “Third floor, second door to the right off the elevator.”
Demon nodded and walked to the elevator. He would take great pleasure in watching that guy kiss his ass someday.
“By the way, I’m not a doorman. I’m the club’s concierge.”
Demon didn’t bother looking back. “Don’t worry. Soon you will be.”
In the elevator Demon closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. This was the most important performance of his life. He must remain calm. He must stay focused. The doors opened, he walked to the second door to the right and knocked.
“Come in.”
Another quick breath and Demon pushed open the door.
“Welcome, Demosthenes.”
Demon gave a quick look around. He couldn’t care less about how the room looked; they all looked the same to him here, anyway. He wanted to make sure they were alone.
“I assumed you wanted privacy. We have it.” The Old Man pointed to the chair beside his. “So, what has you so bothered, my boy?”
Don’t let his patronizing get to you. Stay focused. “We have a very serious problem.”
“Every day brings serious problems.” The Old Man smiled. “They are what make life interesting.”
Demon nodded. “Well put. That’s why I came to you for advice.”
He patted Demon’s knee. “So, what’s bothering you?”
“The operation in Sardinia did not go as planned. The family got away and all of the kidnappers were killed or caught.”
The Old Man just stared.
“Kostopoulos knows we were behind it. The Albanians and their new Greek mob buddies know we tried to go around them. I just received a very unpleasant personal message giving us forty-eight hours to straighten things out with Kostopoulos or we’re all dead.”
The Old Man shook his head. “Terrible predicament. I wish this had been handled better. I had such high hopes for you.”
Keep your cool. “I know, and I wish I hadn’t dragged you into this. I’ll never be able to forgive myself for having brought all this misery into your home.”
The Old Man pointed to his chest. “My home? What does this have to do with me? You certainly don’t think any of them would dare come after me, or my family?” He leaned forward and showed his teeth. “And if you think you can scare me by saying you’ll talk, forget it. No one will believe you.” He leaned back.
“I know, you’re absolutely right. Who in Greece would take my word against yours? But then again, I’m not trying to convince Greeks. Well, at least not Greeks according to your definition. I just have to convince some mobsters that you cost them hundreds of millions of euros and one very hard-assed Greek you don’t think belongs here.”
The Old Man shrugged. “I’ll take my chances. As far as Kostopoulos knows, this is something between you and hired killers in it for the money. The others, well,” he waved his hands, “they wouldn’t dare come after me on your word.”
Demon leaned back and stretched. “You are so right.” Then he reached into his pocket, pulled out a metal object, pointed it at the Old Man, and pressed.
The Old Man sat straight up in his chair. “What are you do—”
“Hello, Demosthenes, do you know my old friend Sarantis Linardos?”
It was a tape recorder, and those were the Old Man’s words. The tape continued.
“Sarantis, Demosthenes says he is in need of a considerable sum of money in order to resolve a rather messy and unexpected situation involving a family I know you’re familiar with.”
The Old Man put up his hand to Demon. “Stop.”
Demon didn’t, and the Old Man’s voice continued on the tape.
“Kostopoulos doesn’t know about us.”
Demon pressed stop. “But he will, and this is what he’ll hear.”
“We need order and must do whatever is required to achieve it. The Kostopoulos boy’s death was necessary. You know that.”
Demon smiled. “But not just him. Copies of the tape of our entire meeting are in envelopes addressed to every political party, newspaper and television station in Greece, plus of course, CNN, BBC, and whatever international antiterrorist organizations I could think of. And, if anything happens to me…yes…you guessed it,
voilà
, they get them. Frankly, once this comes out, I don’t think Kostopoulos will want to kill you. He’ll be getting too much pleasure watching you and your family being destroyed.”
Demon leaned over and patted the Old Man’s knee. “If I were you, I’d start considering suicide. If you have the balls.”
The Old Man was shaking. “You miserable piece of shit.”
Demon smiled. “Now that we understand each other, would you like Kostopoulos’ phone number?” Demon held out a piece of paper. “Make nice and do whatever it takes to get an appointment to see him by tomorrow. Just remember—” He pressed the button again. It was Demon’s voice this time.
“I’d prefer not to die, and bringing you down takes me with you. I need you too much. Almost as much as you need me.”
He clicked it off.
The Old Man’s face was so red and his breathing so rapid, that for a moment Demon feared he might have pushed him into a heart attack. The Old Man glared at Demon, then reached out and snatched the paper from his hand. “Are you recording this too, or was the other day here a special occasion?”
Demon shrugged and smiled. “You can’t be that surprised, considering how many of your distinguished colleagues in government find their recorded indiscretions making it into the press these days. My personal favorite is that DVD secretly shot by the lover of our prime minister’s married fat friend from the culture ministry. Poor guy didn’t know what to do, so he jumped out a window. Too bad he picked a low floor. He’s lived to see his DVD a big hit on the Internet. But you’re smarter; you’ll pick a higher floor. As you say, one can’t be too careful.”
The Old Man sat quietly for a few moments, then picked up the phone on the table next to him and dialed the number on the paper. He identified himself to the man who answered and asked to speak to “Mr. Kostopoulos.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Kostopoulos is not in at the moment. May I have him call you back when he returns? It should be within the hour.”
The Old Man hesitated. Demon looked at him and mouthed, “Yes.”
“Yes, that will be fine.” He gave him the number for the Kolonaki Club and hung up.
Demon smiled. “Good. Now, we just wait.” He looked around the room. “You, know, I’m really starting to like this place. Why don’t you propose me for membership?”
The Old Man showed no expression, just stared at the floor.
“After all, don’t you think I fit in?” Probably more than either of them imagined.
***
Tassos used the hour going over everything again with Kostopoulos. If Zanni lost his notorious temper… Tassos didn’t want to think about it. He placed the call, and when the Old Man answered said, “I am putting Mr. Kostopoulos through now, sir.” He pointed to Zanni to pick up the extension.
“Hello, Zanni Kostopoulos.”
“Oh, yes, Zanni, how are you?”
“Busy.”
“I’m sure.”
Kostopoulos didn’t say a word.
“I understand there have been several tragic events involving your family, and I thought perhaps we should meet to see if there is anything I can do to assist in bringing all of this unpleasantness to an end.”
Tassos cringed. If Kostopoulos didn’t lose it here…
“And how do you think you can help?” Zanni was as calm as a falling snowflake—headed toward hell. He seemed in a trance to Tassos.
“Oh, I think I can be very helpful. People trust me. They know that I get things done. Resolve misunderstandings.”
“Let’s put it this way. I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. Except that you want to talk. If you want to meet, fine. But I’m only going to do it where I feel safe. Understand?”
The Old Man paused. “Understood.”
“Then we meet here. On Mykonos.”
Again a pause. “As long as I pick the place. I have similar concerns.”
Kostopoulos looked at Tassos. “Let’s agree on a place now. Otherwise we’re wasting each other’s time.”
“Okay. How about the new cultural center, past the hospital coming out of town on the way to Ano Mera?”
“The Gripario?” Kostopoulos looked at Tassos, who nodded yes. “That works. I’ll speak to the mayor and make sure we have the place to ourselves. When you do you want to do it?”
Another pause. “Tomorrow night, around eight?”
Again, Tassos nodded yes.
“Okay,” said Kostopoulos.
“See you then. Goodbye.”
Tassos let out a breath. “Good job.”
Kostopoulos’ expression hadn’t changed. “
Unpleasantness
. This is ‘
unpleasantness
’ to him.” Kostopoulos kept repeating the word as he walked out of the room.
A minute later, Tassos called Andreas and told him it was a “go” for tomorrow. They had a lot to do in less than twenty-four hours.
Everyone did.