Tomb of Odin

Chapter 4

Sam Cleave wiped his brow. It was an excruciating day, even by Greek standards. Crete was beautiful this time of year, but Sam was not there on holiday. He was chasing a lead of some criminal activity on the island that could have significant implications on world politics, but thus far nothing tangible had transpired. Looking down onto the azure and pristine blue of the ocean around Vai, he wished Nina was with him, but since he had become more involved in the doings of the Brigade Apostate, sworn opponents of the Order of the Black Sun, he decided to keep her at bay. The underworld they were embroiled in was perilous enough for him not to rock the boat — not even for Nina Gould’s sorely needed company.

He missed her. He missed smoking cigarettes with her when they were in life-threatening situations and he missed her vulnerable defensiveness. He sighed laboriously at the unstoppable thoughts seeping through his dismissal without effort, fueled by his own insecurity. Pulling off his shirt he wondered what Nina and Purdue were up to. Sam could not help but wonder if they were together again, even for the moment. Even a moment would be a threat to his relationship with her and he knew that she played it right down the middle between him and Purdue. It was all right with Sam since he had no desire to be engaged again and he realized a long time ago that he was content just being in the running for her.

Much as he hated Purdue’s financial virility being a threat to him winning over Nina, he was in no way planning to try to get rid of Dave Purdue again. The last time he had Purdue seized by the enemy, hoping to eradicate the competition, it chewed at his conscience and made him feel like shit. It was just not Sam’s style to sink that low, even though he tried it once out of desperation. Against all odds, he had to admit that he enjoyed Purdue’s company and dared even call their relationship a proper friendship. Maybe it was because they had been through so much together.

“Phone call, Mr. Cleave,” the pretty secretary of the holiday resort said, holding the cordless phone out to Sam.

“Who the hell could that be?” he asked.

She shrugged and smiled, “Scottish gentleman, I think. He asked for you by name and he said to tell you to put on a shirt.”

“Purdue,” Sam said, shaking his head. “Only he would be able to find me and spy on me.” He took the phone from the grinning Greek beauty.

“Are you jealous of this well-chiseled physique, Purdue?” Sam said, slightly uncertain of the identity of the caller and hoping that he was not busy making a complete fool of himself in this assumption.

“In your dreams, Cleave. I have a sunbed, something you could have done with before you took a trip to the Mediterranean,” Purdue retorted smoothly.

“Nina with you?” Sam asked. Why did I just ask that? Good God, am I that insecure? he thought immediately, as surprised by his question as Purdue was.

“Why? Was she on her way to me?” he asked Sam.

Stupidly, Sam stuttered, “Um, n-no, not… not that I know of. I was just wondering.”

“Come now, Sam. We both know where we stand. I don’t even know where she is lately,” Purdue said sincerely. “Do you know where she is? Could use her on this.”

“Oh my God, you’re not up to something again, are you? I’m done running for my life… Renatus,” Sam sighed, mocking Purdue’s title at the top of the Black Sun’s hierarchy.

“Are you really? Is that why you are investigating the clandestine movements of a human trafficking ring in Greece, Turkey, and Albania? I mean, we all know men who deal in slavery and prostitution are model citizens, aye? No danger there,” Purdue sneered.

“All right, all right, use the sarcasm sparingly. It’s fucking hot here and my patience is not at its best,” Sam said. “What are you calling about then?”

“Long story, but I assure you, Sam, this is a strange and wonderful happenstance. And I don’t need you to document this for me so much as help me investigate the origin of what I discovered,” Purdue exclaimed in his usual boyish excitement. The problem was that this kind of exhilaration from Dave Purdue often led to deadly repercussions and troublesome conditions.

“Where does Nina come in?” Sam asked, already calculating the amount he was charging the billionaire for this fresh hell.

“It might have connections to the Second World War, although I am not sure what language this is, exactly,” Purdue mentioned, his voice softening from his head turned away to look at whatever he had with him. “So, as easy as it was to find you, I have to concede to failure in finding Nina.”

“I’ll see if Paddy can find her for us,” Sam suggested. His best friend and MI6 agent, Patrick Smith, had more resources than he did, so Nina would be easy to track by the British Secret Intelligence Service.

“All right, get hold of her and get to Wrichtishousis before Friday next. This one looks delicious, old boy! And I’ll give you an extra bonus just for covering that god-awful pasty torso of yours,” he told Sam in his best arrogant tone.

“Get off the satellite, Mr. Purdue. Use it to find some bloody sense, will you?” Sam advised with a smile and hung up the phone before Purdue could reply. “Thank you, miss.”

He gave the phone to the secretary who had been waiting a safe distance away. One last time he cast a look over the breathtaking scenery around him, scenery he had been taking for granted since he had checked in here, because he was so busy spying on his suspect. Now he regretted not getting in the water as much as he could have, but there would be more time after this expedition to come back and enjoy the beauty—if he survived.