Sons of Sparta

Chapter Twenty-two

The mother’s apartment sat directly above the taverna, reached by a set of stairs inside a nondescript painted wooden door on the side of the building. At the top of the stairs stood a finely finished oak door with two hand-etched glass panes backed by a lace curtain on the inside.

Tassos and his friend Stavros showed up at the mother’s door with a large box of sweets, flowers, and a bottle of seven-star Metaxa brandy. Her surprise at two unexpected visitors lasted only until she recognized Stavros. She insisted on cooking while they sat at her kitchen table, reminiscing about the old days and common friends. Tassos knew all her friends from Syros, and added some details about a few that surprised even Stavros.

Two hours into the visit, and a third of the way into the Metaxa, Tassos nodded at Stavros.

“Keria, I keep forgetting to ask. How is your son?”

“Ah, my joy. He is a man of the cloth. His prayers will surely send my soul straight to heaven.”

Tassos leaned across the table and patted her arm. “I’m sure, keria, that no prayers will be needed to assure your place in heaven. Not after contributing your only son to the Lord’s work.”

She smiled and raised her glass. “But it doesn’t hurt to have a friend on the inside. To my son, Father Carlos.”

“To Father Carlos,” the two men said raising their glasses.

“So sorry I won’t have the chance to meet him,” said Tassos.

“Why, of course you will.” She picked up a mobile phone from the table, pressed a speed dial button, and waited. “No answer.” She dialed a second number. “I’ll try the taverna downstairs.” She waited for an answer. “Costas. Have you seen my son?”

Pause.

“Then find him.”

Pause.

“I don’t care if you’re busy, I want to see him now. Find him and tell him to come home immediately.” She hung up without saying good-bye.

She smiled at the two men staring at her. “It pays be the taverna’s landlord.”

Five minutes later the front door swung opened and in hurried Carlos, scruffier than Kouros had described but just as bleary-eyed. On seeing the two men he turned quickly and headed back toward the door.

“Where are you going?” his mother said, and without waiting for an answer added, “come here, I want you to meet some old friends.”

Carlos stopped, walked to the kitchen doorway, and stood acknowledging the men with a nod.

She pointed with a smile in her son’s direction. “This is my boy, Father Carlos. Spiritual leader of Gerolimenas.”

Carlos looked down at his dust-covered cowboy boots.

Tassos stood up, walked over to him, and extended his hand. “Hello, Father. My name is Tassos and my friend over there is Stavros. It is an honor to meet you.”

Carlos hurriedly shook Tassos’ hand. “Sorry, gentlemen, but I must run.”

Tassos wrapped his arm around Carlos’ shoulders. “I won’t hear of it. Not after all the wonderful things your mother’s been saying about you. I insist you sit with us for at least a few moments.” He steered him over to a place at the table between his chair and Stavros.

Carlos’ mother leaned across Stavros and patted her son’s arm. “Why, of course my boy can spare some time for friends of his mother.”

Had he been a deer he’d have bolted for the door. Tassos handed him a glass of brandy, and raising his own, “To your mother. A great lady.”

Carlos mumbled some words and downed his drink without attempting to touch the others’ glasses.

Tassos waited until he’d finished the drink. “I’ve always admired those who follow your calling, Father. So many souls lying bare to you the deepest of their despair. It takes a special sort of person to comfort their pain.”

Carlos nodded, looking at the Metaxa bottle as he did.

“You must meet a lot of people here in the summers.” Tassos picked up the brandy bottle. He waved it in the direction of the wall of photographs behind his mother. “And famous people, too. I recognize some from the pictures. Did you take them?”

“Yes, he takes a lot of photographs,” said his mother. “It’s his hobby.”

“Is that so?” said Tassos moving to pour brandy into Carlos’ glass. When Carlos didn’t answer, Tassos held off on pouring.

“Yes,” said Carlos, “ever since I was a boy, I’ve loved taking photographs. It captures a moment that may or may not reflect a glimpse of the subject’s soul, but it’s as close as we can get to such revelations here on Earth.”

Tassos filled Carlos’ glass. “Very well said, Father.”

“The camera makes life so much simpler, focused, understandable. At least for that instant it captures.”

Tassos nodded. “I understand your thinking. I assume you capture candid moments.”

“I try.”

Tassos waved at the wall. “From what I see, I’d say you’ve been very successful. You must use a telephoto lens.”

He nodded, and drank a bit of the brandy. “You capture reality best when the subject doesn’t realize there’s a camera watching.”

Tassos stood up and walked over to the wall of photos. “I’m really impressed. You have a unique style in the way you place the subjects within the frame. Slightly slanted off the horizon.”

“It’s my trademark.”

Tassos pointed at one photo. “This one reminds me of a photo I saw just the other day. In fact, I was told it was taken in this very port a few weeks ago. Perhaps you took it?”

“I doubt it. I don’t sell my photographs.”

Tassos nodded. “Well, it sure looks like one of yours. Maybe you gave it away?”

Carlos gestured no. “I don’t do that either. I take them only for myself.” He held the glass to his lips.

“And for your mother,” she added with a smile.

Carlos forced a smile and began to drink.

“It was a photo of a young woman and an older man coming out of a room in that hotel across the harbor.”

Carlos choked on the brandy.

“Are you all right?” said Tassos.

“Yes, yes.” He put down the glass. “I really must run.”

“I think the name of the woman in the photo was Stella.”

Carlos stood up.

“The woman who gave me the photo,” continued Tassos, “said the man in the picture was her father and that a friend of hers had taken it.”

Carlos stared at Tassos.

“Please, Father, sit. I really need your help with this.”

Carlos hesitated but sat.

“I can’t remember the man’s name, but I think his surname started with a K.”

Tassos looked at Carlos’ mother. “You know how hard it sometimes is at our age to remember names.”

She nodded.

“It’s going to drive me absolutely crazy if I can’t remember the name of the man and his daughter. This getting old can be really discouraging at times.” He smacked his right hand on his thigh. “I think the photo might be in my car. With your permission, keria, I’ll run down to check, and if it is, perhaps you or your son will recognize the man in the photo.”

“Of course. Go. Carlos and I will do whatever we can to help you.”

Tassos thanked her and left. He waited downstairs outside the door and counted. At fifteen he heard footsteps racing down the stairs, at eighteen he caught Carlos coming out the front door on the fly.

“Whoa there, Father. What’s the hurry?”

“I’ve got to be somewhere.”

“I’m sure, but first we have to clear up that little matter of the photo we both know you took.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Why does everybody always say that when they know precisely what I’m talking about?” Tassos shook his head. “I know you want to protect your friend, Calliope, but if I have to go upstairs and get your mother all worked up over this, a certain mutual acquaintance has assured me it will turn your idyllic home life into hell.”

Carlos looked up at the sky.

“If you’re looking up there for an answer, that’s fine with me. But, please, understand I’m really trying to help you out from down here, Father. I don’t want to create more grief for you with your mother over Calliope and her father. All I want to know is why you took the photograph.”

Carlos looked down at the ground. “I told Calliope I’d seen her father with the woman from the taverna going into the hotel, and she asked me to take a photo of them if I ever saw them together again.”

“And did you?”

“Yes.”

“And what did you do with the photograph?”

“I gave it to her.”

“When?”

“A week and a half or so before her father died.”

“To anyone else?”

“No.”

“Are you certain?”

“Positive.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because I emailed the photo to Calliope and deleted it from my camera and computer.”

“Why did you do that?”

“My mother’s always snooping around my things. If you haven’t noticed, she lives her life through me. I didn’t want her finding a photo of Calliope’s father. As our ‘mutual acquaintance’ no doubt told you, Mother doesn’t approve of my having anything to do with Calliope or her family.”

“How old are you?”

“I have to run.”

Tassos paused. “Fine, but not too far. And do yourself a favor. Don’t tell Calliope about our conversation. It won’t help her, and definitely won’t help you.”

“Why?”

“Just trust me on that. For the time being just stick to praying for a poor soul in dire need of every bit of God’s support you can muster.”

“Who’s that?”

Tassos patted him on the shoulder.

“The woman you love.”

***

Tassos’ friend Stavros turned into a gasoline station between Gerolimenas and Vathia, just beyond a small sign marked LAST GAS STATION IN EUROPE.

“Thanks, Stavros. I owe you.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to hang around? I’m in no hurry.”

“That’s because you left the force.”

“I prefer trolling for fish than bad guys.”

“That’s why I want you to get back to Gytheio, on your boat, and out of here. I’ll see you on Syros.” He pointed at a car pulling in. “Here come Andreas and Yianni, right on time.” Tassos smacked Stavros on the arm. “Be safe, my friend.”

Tassos got out of the rental car and into the backseat of the unmarked police car.

Kouros turned around in the front passenger seat and pointed back at the sign. “The owner has a sense of humor.”

“I hope you’ll still have one after you hear what I have to say.”

“That bad?” said Andreas.

Tassos nodded. “Carlos took the photograph.”

“We already guessed that,” said Kouros.

Tassos cleared his throat. “Because your cousin Calliope asked him to. And she had the only copy. Looks like she’s the only one who could have given it to Niko.”

Kouros gritted his teeth. “Fuck,” and pounded his fists twice on the top of the dashboard.

Andreas made a calming motion with his hands and waited for Kouros to calm down. “I know this looks very bad.”

“I still can’t believe it,” said Kouros. He spun his head around and looked at Tassos. “Are you sure?”

Tassos nodded. “I’m afraid I am.”

“There could be other explanations,” said Andreas.

“Like what?” asked Kouros.

“Like I don’t know,” said Andreas. “But there’s one person who would know.”

“Calliope?” said Kouros.

Andreas nodded. “But how to approach her? If she ordered the hit on her father, she’s off the charts crazy. No telling how she’ll react.”

“Maybe we should first speak to Mangas?” said Tassos

“Wow, I don’t even want to think of the sort of reaction that will trigger,” said Kouros

“Nuclear?” said Andreas.

“At least. Even if she didn’t order the hit, he’ll never forgive her for whatever part she played in the murder. Nor do I see him showing much compassion toward Father Carlos.”

“And let’s not forget the messenger who blew his happy family apart,” said Andreas

Kouros stared out the side window. “This most definitely will wear out my welcome in the Mani.”

Tassos caught Andreas’ eye as he said, “It’s your family. What do you want us to do?”

Kouros scratched his head. “Talk to her. Now. Without her brother. If she did it, we’ll take her in. Let the chips fall where they may.”

Andreas gave a quick glance at Tassos. “Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”

“Yes. I don’t believe she did it, but if she did…” he shook his head.

Tassos looked at his watch. “It’s after seven.”

Kouros looked straight ahead. “She’s probably preparing dinner.”

“Alone?” asked Andreas.

“I certainly hope so.”

Andreas pulled out of the last gas station in Europe and headed south, past another sign marked THIS WAY TO THE ENTRANCE TO HADES.

***

The sun had set by the time Kouros knocked on his uncle’s front door. A minute later Calliope opened it, wearing a white butcher’s apron over a black skirt and blouse.

“Ah, I see you’ve decided to become a regular visitor to our humble part of the Mani, cousin.” She waved. “Please, come in. Your friends, too.”

“I work with these men.”

“My name is Andreas Kaldis. My condolences on your loss.”

“Ta sillipitiria mou. I’m Tassos Stamatos.”

“Thank you. Nice to meet you. If you’ll excuse me for five minutes, I’m right in the middle of cooking.” She pointed to the living room. “Please, make yourselves comfortable. Yianni knows where the drinks are if you’d like something.”

“Thank you,” the three said in unison.

She hurried off into the kitchen.

The men looked at each other, went into the living room, and took care to sit so that each faced a different direction from the others. No one said a word. They listened to Calliope working in the kitchen.

Five minutes passed. Ten minutes. Another five.

“Sorry to have taken so long.” Calliope swung into the room carrying a large tray filled with plates of food. Kouros jumped up to take the tray from her and placed it on a coffee table in front of the couch.

“Since I was already cooking for myself I decided why not make enough for everyone?”

“That’s very thoughtful, but we’re really not hungry,” said Kouros.

“Since when has that excuse ever worked on a Greek woman serving you food?”

Tassos smiled. “It’s never worked for me.” He picked up a fork, latched onto a stuffed grape leaf, and took a bite. “Hmmm, this could be the best dolmadakia I’ve ever tasted.”

“Flatterer,” she said smiling. “So, have another.”

“I will.”

“Cousin, we’re here to talk to you about something very serious.”

“I’m not surprised. This house isn’t exactly the place I’d expect you to bring your friends for a good time in the Mani.”

“Come, sit down. Please.” Andreas pointed to a place on the couch across from him and next to Kouros. He waited until she’d sat. “It’s about your father’s murder.”

“Have you caught that bastard Niko?”

Andreas nodded. “Yes. We found him with your brother’s help.”

“Good. May he rot in hell.”

“He’s told us quite a story.” Tassos shifted in his chair. “He said that you’re the one who arranged for Babis to kill your father.”

“That lying bastard.”

“Calliope,” said Kouros quietly. “He said you gave him a photograph of Uncle and Stella.”

She dropped her head and clasped her hands together. “I guess I could deny that and there would be no way of proving that I did.” She paused for a moment and looked up. “But I did give it to him.”

Kouros pressed the fingers of his right hand tightly against his forehead. “How could you have done this to your father? To your family?”

Calliope looked at Kouros. “I didn’t do it to hurt Father. I did it to help him. To save him. It was my duty.”

Andreas moved forward in his seat and braced himself to react should she make any sudden move.

Tassos scanned the room to make sure they were alone.

“What are saying?” asked Kouros. “That you arranged for your father to be murdered to save him? Are you crazy?”

She looked down at her hands. “I am the Maniot woman of this family. Not my aunt or sister who live in Athens. I am responsible for deciding who risks death to save our family. If my plan had been followed, no one would have died. Certainly not father. Babis’ target was the Ukrainian.”

“The Ukrainian in the land deal with your father?” said Andreas.

She nodded. “He would destroy our family’s legacy. We’ve lived on this land for centuries. He wanted to destroy it to run his guns. His drugs. His women. Father’s plan for assuring peace in our family came at too great a cost.”

“And you had a plan to ruin the deal?” said Andreas.

She swallowed. “Yes. Convince the Ukrainian that he and his project were not welcome in the Mani. Warn him that great harm would come to him if he persisted. But I could not carry out my plan myself. I needed help, yet I knew if I went to anyone connected to my father they would tell him of it immediately.”

“And so?” said Tassos.

“Father always said you could deal with your worst enemies as long as they saw profit in it. So I thought, who would never speak to my father but would want to stop the Ukrainian as much as I? The obvious answer was Niko, the Ukrainian’s competitor in the arms business.”

“How did you know these things?” said Tassos.

“I run this house. What don’t I know?”

“How did you connect with Niko?” said Kouros.

“A friend’s cousin is married to Niko. I arranged for the friend to set up a meeting with him in Kalamata. I went there and told him I had valuable information helpful to his business. He asked what I wanted in return and I said ‘elimination of our mutual problem.’ I told him my plan. He said he’d think about it and get back to me.”

Kouros drew in and let out a breath.

“Two days later he called and we met again. He said he liked my plan, but there was a problem. If he were seen to have played a hand in it he’d be at war with both the Ukrainian and my father. That’s when he proposed Babis. He said Babis’ relationship with my father gave him the best chance of getting close enough to the Ukrainian to pass along the threat, and with the bad blood between Babis and Niko’s family no one would think Babis was tied to Niko should Babis ever be discovered as behind the threats.”

“The threats were intended for the Ukrainian?” asked Kouros.

“That was my plan.” She bowed her head. “But Niko said there was no way he could think of to get Babis to betray my father. Otherwise he and his family would have tried it long ago.”

She lifted her head and rubbed at her eyes with the palms of her hands. “I should have realized what that meant, but didn’t. I was obsessed with getting rid of the Ukrainian. And when a few days later Carlos called to say he’d seen my father with Stella, I took it as a sign from above that Babis had been chosen to rid my family of the Ukrainian.” She crossed herself three times.

“That’s when I hit upon the idea of using a photograph of my father and Stella to enrage Babis. Inspire him to take revenge on my father by helping to destroy my father’s plans with the Ukrainian. The obvious twist never occurred to me. All Niko had to do was convince Babis to kill my father instead of frightening the Ukrainian and he’d have it all-the deal dead and revenge on my father. He must have promised Babis forgiveness from his family if Babis made my father’s death look like an accident or, at worst, that someone else was responsible. But I never imagined he would kill my father. Never.”

“What about killing the Ukrainian? Did you ever imagine that?” said Tassos.

She began to sob. “When Father died I was certain he’d been killed by the Ukrainian. That he’d somehow learned of the plot against him, thought my father was behind it, and killed him for it. I thought it was all my fault.”

Her sobs turned to tears and she cried for several minutes.

No one made a move to comfort her.

She looked up. “It was my fault. I need to die.”

Tassos waited until her eyes caught his. “No, my dear, what you need is serious psychiatric help.”

***

That night they drove Calliope to Sparta. They didn’t want to arrest her, nor did they want her wandering free, if only to protect her from herself. They compromised on a charge that didn’t implicate Calliope in her father’s murder, but kept her under a twenty-four-hour suicide watch while awaiting psychiatric evaluation.

Kouros called Mangas to tell him his sister was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and for her own good he’d taken her to Sparta. He made no mention of anything else. That could wait for another time. And he preferred not to be the teller of that tale.

As expected, Niko was out of jail the next day and back in Gytheio where he promised to remain until “vindicated.” When the prosecutor learned from Andreas that Calliope had confessed to her role in the matter, and from Kouros of Niko’s claimed statement of the facts, he told both cops there was a better case for convicting Calliope than Niko. Even more so after Kouros’ wrestling buddy, the bear, denied ever telling Kouros of a link between Niko and the uncle’s murder. He denied being part of anything more that an effort to convince Niko’s old acquaintance, Babis, not to take his own life but rather turn himself in for the uncle’s murder.

Andreas and Kouros knew where this was headed. With the actual killer dead, the victim a notorious bad guy, and prosecutorial resources strapped to the limit by across-the-board financial cuts, there was very little chance that Niko would ever see the inside of a prison cell. At least not this time.