waiting area with my carry-on. That’s the only time
anyone else had it. Then, because the plane was delayed, we said good-bye, and she
left.”
“Those English women may be smugglers.” I recounted the suspicions of the Cyprus authorities.
“They don’t have much evidence. Catching you red-handed is their first break.”
“How preposterous. My friends are not thieves. I’m not either. The idea.”
Yannis came up behind Aunt Elizabeth and whispered in her ear. “But what do you really
know about them?”
She turned around. “Yannis, it is so nice to see you. I didn’t get a chance to greet
you. Can you help me, dear? I can’t spend another night in this dreadful place.”
He sighed and sat down beside her. “Unfortunately, you are not being accused of lifting
a few tomatoes at the market. You are being tied to a circle of international thieves,
and one which the Cypriot authorities are trying hard to break up.”
“Please,” she said, resting her fingers on his arm to strengthen her plea, “help me.
I can barely organize my kitchen, let alone mastermind an international smuggling
operation.”
“We know.” He patted her hand. “But we need to convince them.” He nodded toward the
police. Then he broke the good and bad news. “They will let you go, but not until
tomorrow. They say they need to process the papers, and we will need to post 50,000
Cypriot pounds as bond.”
“Good heavens,” she said. “Isn’t that a bit much?”
“They don’t want to lose you,” he said. “You cannot leave the island, and they will
have twenty-four-hour surveillance on you.”
“My, oh, my.” That’s all my aunt could say.
“But I assure you,” he said, “we’ll be here at nine A.M. when the office opens to
post bond.”
He helped us both up from our seats.
“Yes, of course, you will, dear ones,” said Aunt Elizabeth, but her voice started
to quiver. “I know you are doing everything possible for me. I’m sorry to be so much
trouble.” Tears filled her eyes, but she looked away and fussed with her hair. She
wasn’t big on public displays.
I hugged her tight, struggling to keep my composure after seeing her lose hers.
The Inspector came over and broke in. “Miss Davies, I must escort you back to your
cell. If you will allow me.” He offered his arm to her.
He turned to me. “I promise we will take good care of your aunt. We will see you tomorrow
morning.”
I nodded and thanked him for his help.
“Come, Miss Davies.”
My aunt walked away on the Inspector’s arm. I felt helpless and inept. She would be
all right, I kept telling myself. But I couldn’t help a pathetic sigh. Yannis grabbed
my arm and hurried me from the room. At the car he smiled and showed me a slip of
paper with a list of three names.
“My aunt’s friends?” I asked.
He nodded. “One of the policemen is a friend of my brother and is involved in the
investigation. I persuaded him to share the names with me.”
“Well done, Yannis. Shall we look up Aunt Elizabeth’s friends in Pafos?”
Three
Looking out to sea from a hill overlooking Pafos, I watched the sun sparkling on the
Mediterranean. Thousands of gems shimmered on top of an azure sea. Sun flashing on
water is Cyprus, at least for me, and I got lost in the beauty of it for a moment.
Yannis and I were waiting for an answer to our knock at the door of a home perched
on the hill. From where we stood, I could see pleasure boats on the harbor and the
lighthouse near the Forty Column Castle. The breeze off the sea carried a warm caress.
On the drive to Pafos I had called Zach’s cell phone. Since I had sleuthing to do,
I wanted to tell him I wouldn’t be able to meet for a swim. He didn’t answer, so I
left a message that I’d call later. I had to get this mess with my aunt resolved.
If it meant taking matters into my own hands, I’d do it.
Yannis knocked again on the weathered wood door.