“Same old shit, no surprises there.”
Andreas nodded. “So, what do you think?”
“That we’ve got one hell of a problem and nothing to go on. Two victims chained together amid remnants of a Greek flag. Don’t know why the flag didn’t burn.”
“Probably because someone didn’t want it to,” said Andreas.
“And then there’s that cylinder chained to the steering wheel. We probably shouldn’t have gone near it until after the bomb boys had a go at it.”
“Not smart. If this was terrorists, that thing could have been set for another surprise.”
The police chief shrugged. “Sometimes we Greeks are just too curious for our own good.”
Andreas pointed at the ground. “Any foot prints?”
“Hundreds. What with firefighters, cops, and the locals, no way to tell what we have, if anything.”
“Any witnesses?”
“None so far as we can tell. This area is deserted at night. And the fire started just before sunrise. A farmer over that hill,” he pointed southwest, “saw the smoke and called it in. But I’ve got uniforms talking to everyone who’s here.” He gestured at the crowd. “Maybe we’ll get lucky, find something to go on.”
Andreas nodded. “Let’s hope so.” He patted the police chief on the back. “Be safe, Odysseus. Let me know as soon as you come up with anything.”
Andreas walked to where Spiros was holding court and stood just outside the circle of reporters and cameras. He wasn’t worried about being drawn into that zoo. Spiros shared the media spotlight with no one. As for the real mess-the one amid the field behind him-Andreas had no idea what Spiros had in mind for him, but he’d find out soon enough because Spiros was just wrapping up his prime time TV performance.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sure you understand I must get on with the investigation, so please excuse me. But I give you and the Greek people my word that the ruthless murderers behind this heinous crime will be apprehended and punished. Greece cannot tolerate such crimes against its citizens.”
The reporters kept shouting questions, but Spiros walked toward Andreas, motioning as he did for three cops to keep the press from following him.
“So, what do you think? Sounded pretty good, didn’t I?”
Andreas shrugged. “I’m glad you followed my advice.”
Spiros’ voice bristled. “Sometimes I don’t understand you. The van is Greek so we can trace it, but even if it’s stolen we have two victims. One execution style murder might be hard to solve, but we’ve got two dead bodies and a message. There has to be an obvious motive for this, one that will point straight to whomever is responsible. And once we start pressing for leads informants will be falling all over themselves trying to make deals and score points with us.” He shook his head.
“Frankly, Andreas, I don’t understand your negative attitude. I don’t want you involved in any of this. The only thing I want from you is your opinion on the local cops. Do you think this is something they can handle or not?”
At times Andreas wondered if he and his boss shared the same planet. As Andreas saw it, the bottom line to Spiros’ little temper tantrum was one less mess for Andreas to worry about. But, for Spiros, he’d gone so far out on a limb with the media that absent extraordinary luck his career would be toast.
“Odysseus is a good man. He knows his job.”
“Good, then I’m leaving this in his hands.”
By the late afternoon the facts, or rather the lack thereof, started rolling in. No identifiable footprints or other signs were found in the area, the van had been stolen that night from the port without a clue as to who did it, and forensics could not identify either victim. Neither the curious present at the scene or snitches had anything to tell. There was not a lead to be found anywhere.
With Spiros having nothing left to feed the press, the media followed its natural instincts and began clamoring for his head.
Spiros’ had no idea what to do next. His limb seemed about sawed clear through and his career toasted to just this side of charcoal when two days later relatives of the victims stepped forward and identified the bodies: tsigani — known in other languages as gypsies or roma.
And with that the story seemed to fall off the face of the earth.
Lucky bastard, thought Andreas.
Chapter Two
Athens General Police Headquarters, better known as GADA, was across the street from the stadium of one of Greece’s two most popular soccer teams, down the block from Greece’s Supreme Court, and next to a major hospital. In one way or another, what happened in that neighborhood affected virtually all of the more than five million people who lived in Athens. But at the moment Andreas faced only one Athenian. His boss had surprised him with a mountain-coming-to-Mohammed sort of visit. That usually meant he was in desperate need of Andreas’ help.
Andreas wore that glazed look so often seen on those waiting for a politician to get to the point.
“At least that nastiness in Tinos is resolved,” said Spiros.
He’d regained Andreas’ attention. “You solved the murders?”
Spiros jerked his head up in the Greek gesture for no. “They’ll never be solved. You know how blood feuds are among tsigani. No one talks to outsiders. Besides, as long as they keep the killing to themselves…” he shrugged.
The tsigani were notorious for many things and victimized for far more. They were the objects of Nazi extermination efforts in World War II and a conundrum to the European Union today. Andreas knew that the behavior of a very few had irreparably branded the image of the many, but a solution for that sort of bigotry was not in his hands. He had to accept the reality caused by the few and deal with it.
“Is that what Odysseus thought happened?”
“Tinos police are no longer in charge of the investigation.”
“Why is that?”
“It doesn’t matter. And their chief is now officially on vacation for two weeks.”
“What do you want from me?”
“I want you to close the case.”
“And how do you propose I do that?”
“By stating the obvious. They were clan-motivated tsigani revenge killings and those who were behind it have fled Greece.”
“You’re the minister, you can close it.” Fat chance of that, thought Andreas. Spiros never put his neck on the line; he always wanted someone to blame if things went wrong. Odysseus must have passed on being his fall guy and I’m his runner-up choice.
“The case is dead, Andreas, and no one cares any more. Let’s just officially end it.”
To Andreas that translated as the victims weren’t anyone who mattered and lacked relatives with political or media clout, so press interest in their murders had evaporated.
“Sorry, Spiros, but Tinos is not within my jurisdiction.”
Anger flashed across Spiros’ face but he did not raise his voice. “We both know you have jurisdiction across Greece for something like this.”
“Yes, but only if it’s a matter of national concern or potential corruption. Don’t you think the press might start to wonder why GADA’s Chief of Special Crimes made a special appearance to take a case away from local police only to announce that it’s closed?”
Spiros paused a few seconds and cleared his throat. “Perhaps I wasn’t making myself clear. I’m not asking for you to take personal responsibility, I just thought you might be able to use your influence with your friend to convince him to help us out with this.”
I guess we’re on to fall guy candidate number three. “What friend?”
“Tassos Stamatos. As chief homicide investigator for the Cyclades, Tinos falls within his jurisdiction and what
