The Greek Key

14

Three people sat in what was known as the Garden Room – Tweed's bedroom with the door at the far end leading into the hotel's garden. It was elevated one storey above street level and at ten in the evening the curtain was closed over the locked door.

Paula sat in an armchair, her legs crossed, balancing a cup of coffee on her knee. On a couch Nield relaxed, nursing a glass of cognac. Only Tweed sat upright in a hard-backed chair. It helped his concentration.

'I think I'll pop off to bed, get an early night after all that riding,' Partridge had said as they left the dining room.

'So apparently there were two horsemen riding the moor while we were driving round,' Nield observed. 'Partridge was one, and the other is Mr X.'

'I was pretty mad when Partridge said he was the horseman behind Quarme Manor,' Paula reflected. 'Pointing that rifle at you – even if it was unloaded.'

'He used the telescopic sight to find out who I was,' Tweed reminded her. 'Must have had the shock of his life when he saw it was me.'

'But the other horseman near Reams' place tried to kill you,' Nield pointed out. 'It's Mr X we want to track down.'

'That story about the Gavalas family still carrying on a vendetta worries me,' Tweed said. 'And I don't like the sound of the grandfather, Petros, who – according to Partridge – rules the family with a rod of iron. Sounds like a real ruffian.'

'Would anyone still carry on a vendetta after all these years?' Paula objected.

'The Greeks have a strong family sense. And an equally strong sense of family honour,' Tweed told her. 'According to Partridge two sons of old Petros were murdered. He could still be looking for the killers – or killer. Newman and Marler, who know Greece well, could fill us in on that angle best. Maybe when they return they'll have news.'

'But there is still no news from Athens?' Paula enquired.

'Nothing. I called Monica at Park Crescent while you were tarting yourself up in your room.'

'Tarting?' Paula grinned mischievously. 'Well at least he does notice when I freshen myself up.' Her expression turned serious. 'None of what we've learned gives us any data on poor Harry Masterson…'

She broke off as someone knocked tentatively on the door. Nield was on his feet in seconds, gun in hand. 'I'll check that.'

Tweed was also on his feet. 'Crouch behind the bed,' he ordered Paula. Switching off the main light, leaving the room dimly illuminated by table lamps, he moved his chair against the wall and sat down again. Nield approached the door silent as a cat. He stood against the wall to one side, grasped the key in the lock, turned it with great care, took hold of the handle with his left hand, threw it open.

A startled Partridge, still dressed, stood in the doorway. He glanced to his left as Nield slid the gun out of sight. Tweed asked him to come in and Nield closed and relocked the door.

'Very wise,' Partridge commented. 'And sorry to bother you at this hour. But I found things whirling round in my mind, facts I hadn't told you. A man called Harry Master-son was murdered while I was paying a visit to Greece…'

'What about this Harry Masterson?' Tweed asked after room service had delivered coffee. It was going to be a long night.

'I couldn't find out anything about his background – but I did discover he was squiring Christina Gavalas – that is Petros' granddaughter. Apparently they flew to Athens together. So I began to poke around.'

'Why? If you didn't know this Masterson?'

'Because where he went over the cliff- at a place called Cape Sounion – is close to the entrance to what the locals call Devil's Valley. That's where Petros Gavalas has his farm and his headquarters. It's hidden away in the hills near an abandoned silver mine.'

'Rather a flimsy connection,' Tweed probed.

'You think so? Masterson was with Christina Gavalas -and Cape Sounion was the location of his murder.'

'How do you know Masterson was murdered? Evidence, Sam – have you evidence? Something about the state of the body?'

'No. Just found by a coastguard cutter on the lookout for drug traffickers as it rounded Cape Sounion. Master-son's body was lying on some rocks. He'd plunged down two or three hundred feet.'

'I'm still waiting to hear some evidence,' Tweed insisted.

'Some years ago at a crime seminar in Athens I met a Captain Sarris of Athens Homicide. I visited him on this latest trip. He told me in confidence they couldn't prove anything, but Sarris was convinced it was murder.'

'Why?'

'He'd observed Masterson somewhere. Said he simply wasn't the sort of man to stumble over the edge of a cliff. Do you mind if I light my pipe? After all, you'll be sleeping here…'

'Light up! You think better when you're smoking, Sam. I can open the door to the garden later. Anything else?'

'Yes. There's a Greek called Anton riding around on Exmoor – Anton Gavalas, son of Petros. By his second wife. There was a rumour he slipped ashore off a boat from Portugal at Watchet.'

Tweed leaned forward. 'How do you know about this Anton?'

'Sarris told me just before I left to fly home. They keep an eye on the Gavalas family. I visited the harbourmaster down at Watchet. He told me ships do arrive from Portugal delivering cork. They take back wastepaper for recycling – there's a paper mill at Watchet. Then I ran into a roadblock.'

'What kind of a roadblock?'

The harbourmaster. Got pretty indignant when I suggested maybe someone had slipped ashore without his knowledge. Pointed out his office overlooks the harbour.'

'You still think he came ashore illegally?'

'I phoned Jim Corcoran, Security Chief at London Airport. He checked all the passenger manifests – I'd hinted it might have something to do with drugs. No Anton Gavalas showed up. Maybe he flew in via somewhere like Manchester. Doubtful.'

'How could you know it was Anton?' Tweed pressed.

'Sarris showed me several photos of him.' Partridge looked surprised. 'Thought you'd be ahead of me there.'

'You remember how I used to be.' Tweed waved a dismissive hand. 'A stickler for precise facts. You've seen Anton, then? Here?'

'Riding across Exmoor. Doone Valley area. Using a monocular glass to study Barrymore's place, Quarme Manor. Then on to Dr Robson's bungalow. Same routine there. Later across country to Kearns' place. He knows where those three live.'

'And you know where this Anton is based?'

'No, dammit. And not for want ot irying.'

'I'd like his description – unless you have one of those photos.'

'Sarris wouldn't release any.' He closed his eyes, sucked at his pipe. 'Late thirties. Hair black as sin. Small moustache, same colour. Nose of a hawk – like Petros. About five feet six. Nasty piece of work would be my guess. First-rate horseman,'

'And how do you know that?' Tweed went on.

'Followed him. Saw him riding by chance when I was on the moor. Kept well out of sight but one day he caught me. A cunning type. I rode round a big crag arid there he was – waiting for me. Asked in a sneering way why I was following him. He speaks perfect English. Sarris told me he'd spent time at a riding school while in Germany. Somewhere in Bavaria. Close to the main railway line between Munich and Lindau on Lake Konstanz – facing Switzerland.'

'What on earth would this Anton be doing prowling round Exmoor?'

'Obviously sent by Petros to locate the three men who took part in that commando raid on Siros. Petros is still seeking vengeance on the man who killed his sons, Stephen and Andreas, all those years ago.'

'And you're doing the same thing, in a way. Still trying to identify the murderer. It's folly, Sam…'

'It gives me an interest in my retirement.'

'But it must be costing you a fortune,' Tweed protested. 'Can you afford all this?'

Partridge grinned, sucked noisily at his pipe. 'If I just had my pension, no. That keeps myself and my wife comfortable. We're modest in our life style. You see, an uncle of mine left me a large legacy. Came out of the blue. That finances my hunt. I never could forget that unsolved murder at Antikhana. Haunted me, you might say…'

He stopped speaking. Paula had recrossed her legs. She reached down to stroke an itch above her ankle. The bracelet which had remained concealed under the cuff of her cream pleated blouse slid down her wrist. She glanced up. Partridge was gazing fixedly at her wrist, his expression frozen. He realized she was watching him and smiled, looked away.

'I'd forget the whole business, Sam,' Tweed advised.

'I really came to your room to give you this.' Partridge produced a sealed manila envelope from his breast pocket, handed it to Tweed. 'In case I don't wake up one morning that's for you. Inside is the address and key of a safety deposit box. Nearly opposite Harrods in London. Not to be opened while I'm still alive and kicking. Agreed?'

'If you insist…'

'I do.' He checked his pipe, which had gone out again, tucked it in a pocket and stood up. This time I really am off to bed. Sorry to intrude. But it's been good talking with you -like the old days at the Yard.'

'Just before you go, Sam.' Tweed held up the envelope. 'Give me some idea of what I'd find if I ever visited that safety deposit.' Partridge hesitated, Tweed pressed. 'We worked together once – with Homicide. I'm entitled to an answer.'

'I've been building up a dossier on those three men. All the details are in a notebook inside the safety deposit. I'd like to leave it there.'

'Fair enough…'

Pete Nield had been fingering his dark moustache, studying the ex-detective. Now he spoke, his index finger pointed to stress what he said.

'Mr Partridge. On the ridge behind Quarme Manor you said you had used the telescopic sight on your rifle to look at Tweed – which is how you identified him. You also said your rifle was unloaded. Then you told us about following this Anton Gavalas over the moor. Was the Greek armed?'

Partridge turned to face Nield and frowned. 'Yes. He carried a rifle in a scabbard. I saw it clearly through my telescopic sight.. .'

'And your rifle was loaded then – because you felt the Greek was dangerous?'

'As a matter of fact, yes…'

'Are you still telling me that the rifle you aimed at Tweed was unloaded – knowing you might bump into that Greek again riding the moor?'

'I had the safety catch on.' Partridge paused. 'But you are right. It was loaded. I just thought it embarrassing to let Tweed know…'

'It's all right, Sam,' Tweed intervened. 'It's been a long day for you. Better get off to bed now. See you in the morning.'

'Goodnight everyone.'

On this note Partridge left the room. Nield followed him and locked the door. Returning to his chair he sat down and poured fresh coffee which he handed round.

'He's a nice man,' Paula remarked. 'I think he's under great stress.'

'He's also a liar,' Nield told her quietly. 'He lied about his rifle being unloaded when he aimed it at Tweed. Who knows what might have happened if you hadn't flashed your torch, distracted him?'

'Surely you can't suspect Partridge?' Paula said with a note of disbelief.

Nield grinned at her. 'I suspect everyone. Guilty until proven innocent. That's why Tweed employs me. And don't forget by his own admission he was in Cairo when lonides -Stephen Gavalas- was slashed to pieces.'

'If he was involved he'd never have admitted that,' she objected.

'He's clever enough to know Tweed would find out sooner or later. Maybe he's under stress because we have arrived on the scene.'

'I will say that was smart of you to dig out the fact his rifle was loaded.'

'Simple logic. He could have carried night glasses if he just wanted to see what was going on. But no, he has a rifle.'

Paula turned to look at Tweed who had listened to this exchange in silence. He sat with his head rested against the wall, eyes half-closed, miles away. She leaned forward, patted his hand. His eyes snapped fully open.

'A penny for your thoughts. A pound if you push me. And you look worried.'

'I am. About Sam. He's a man with an obsession. The most dangerous state of mind for a detective – or a spy. Fogs the judgement. That's not all.'

'So, tell me…'

'All this business about a Greek vendetta. I don't like that one little bit. That old hawk, Petros – he could have brainwashed his whole family into thinking they have one mission in life. To locate and revenge themselves on the man who did kill Andreas and Stephen – if it was the same man. And if Sam is right, Petros has harnessed the second generation to his obsession. Hence the arrival of Anton on Exmoor. I sense the kind of man Petros is. He reeks of ferocity and blood.'

'You don't normally use such melodramatic language,' Paula remarked.

'This isn't a normal situation. Not by a long shot. Literally. Someone did take a pot shot at me in the Mercedes a few hours ago. If we're not careful there could be more killings…'

'Which reminds me,' Nield suggested. 'In the morning I'll take the Merc to a garage in Minehead, get those windows replaced. I'll tell the mechanic it must have been a wild shot by someone out for sport on the moor.'

There's a couple of other things, Tweed,' Paula continued. 'I wonder if you noticed Partridge's expression when my bracelet slipped from under my cuff? He stared at the Greek key symbol like a man transfixed.'

'Probably looking at your legs,' Nield joked. 'Enough to transfix any full-blooded male…'

'Oh, shut up! The other thing was when we met those three men. Barrymore, Kearns and Robson – all with dark suntans.'

'I did notice,' Tweed agreed. 'And they went to some length to explain where they'd been. Even Barrymore, who wasn't exactly voluble. Interesting that all three said they'd been away to places difficult to check – Morocco and the Caribbean…'

'Which, as I said earlier, means one of them could have just returned from Greece where Harry Masterson died.'

'Exactly. And the timing of their absence coincides with when Masterson was killed. Pure speculation, of course.'

'But odd that they should all be away at the same time,' she persisted.

'Now you're reaching,' Nield intervened. The month of May – the time when people who are free to go on holiday do. They avoid the crowds.'

'And that's not all,' said Tweed.

'It's enough for me tonight.' Paula stifled a yawn. 'But do tell me what else there is.'

'When we can I want to check Sam's story about Anton Gavalas.'

'How on earth are we going to do that?' she asked, standing up and clearing the coffee cups, arranging them neatly on a tray.

'When we can we visit Watchet. I ask the harbourmaster. Was there a ship which berthed from Portugal? I carry more clout than Sam, who is now retired. Did he see a man answering the description of Anton coming ashore?'

'Sleep well.' Paula bent down, kissed him on the cheek. 'Forget everything.'

'I'll try.' Tweed smiled grimly. 'I'm expecting developments. Maybe rather unpleasant ones.'