call a ‘rooting interest’ in its success courtesy of the other, more traditional owners.”
In other words, a payoff for God knows what he contributed. “Frankly, Stefan, unless you’re about to start naming your partners in this undoubtedly squeaky-clean taxpaying enterprise, do you mind if we get on to another subject?”
Stefan laughed. “This is why I always enjoy doing business with you. No pretenses, no courtesy.” Stefan’s laid-back, professorial style was beguiling to many, but Tassos knew it for what it was: elaborate camouflage for hustles and scams as ruthless and cunning as any run by the stereotypical worst of his kind.
“And no bullshit please. I need your help finding someone for me.”
“Who?”
“Don’t know, but somebody who knows something about those murders on Tinos.”
“The two rom from Menidi?”
Tassos nodded yes. It didn’t surprise him that Stefan knew so much about the victims. Knowing things about tsigani was his business. That was why Tassos was here. “What do you know about them?”
“Only that their rom name was Carausii.”
Tsigani had at least two names, one for the outside world and another for use among themselves.
“And that there’s an older brother, Punka. He runs a crew of beggars around Syntagma.” Syntagma was Athens’ central square, directly across from Parliament. “Last I heard they were living in that cardboard, plastic sheeting, and scrap wood piece of shit camp just off the highway on the road to the airport.”
“Venizelos International?”
Stefan nodded. “By marker forty-five. But he could be long gone by now.”
“What’s he doing living out there? I thought his clan was from Menidi.”
“It is, but he had a falling out with them.”
“Just how serious ‘a falling out’?”
“If you’re asking me if it was serious enough for Punka to roast his brothers, I have no idea. But it was serious enough for him to break off from his clan and go out on his own.”
“Do you think you could find him for me?”
“I should be able to. That is, if he’s still in Greece. What do you want me to tell him?”
“Just find out where he is. And try not to tip him off that I’m looking for him. Make it so that I find him somewhere he wouldn’t expect.”
“I assume that means he has reason to be worried about the police. No problem, many of us do. I shall be discreet.”
“Which is why I called you,” said Tassos.
“And because I owe you several, rather large favors.”
Tassos picked up the beer from the bar. “That too. And with your life style I expect you’ll be needing more.”
“I’ve reformed.”
“And Greece’s financial crisis is all a bad dream.”
Stefan laughed. “Funny you should say that. Each night I sit here watching people come and go. Almost all are miserable about their prospects and some are in actual fear, but that kind over there,” he pointed to a table, “they are the children of the rich, each coddled and protected by mommy and daddy. Most will never work except in family businesses. They come here much like dancers on the edge of a volcano poised to erupt. They see the smoke, smell the sulfur, but still don’t get it. And when everything goes boom…” Stefan let his voice trail off.
“Are you trying to convince me you actually care what happens to them?”
“Me? No, I’m trying to figure out how I can work an angle on separating them from whatever the eruption misses.” He slapped Tassos on the back and laughed.
Tassos put his beer down on the bar. “On that bit of wisdom, my friend, I’m out of here. When do you think you’d be able to hook me up with Punka?”
“I assume it’s urgent, so I’ll start working on it right away. With any luck, I’ll have an answer for you tomorrow, or the next day at the outside. That’s assuming the rom is still around.”
“Thank you. Night, Stefan.”
Stefan reached over and shook Tassos’ hand. There was something in it.
“Your money. I’m a man of my word.”
Tassos nodded as he thought, at least where only twenty euros was involved.
At breakfast the next morning Andreas announced to Lila that he’d be staying home to help her prepare for the wedding.
“Not on your life,” was her reply. Which was why Andreas ended up back in his office to the surprise of everyone but Maggie.
“I didn’t think she’d want you hanging around. Future husbands have a habit of getting brides nervous by trying too sincerely to act as if they really cared about more than their buddies getting a good table at the reception.”
He stared at her. “And don’t forget the right brand of beer.”
“You get the idea.”
“Okay, hold my calls. No one expects me to be here, so let’s act as if I’m not.”
“Will do.”
About an hour later Maggie stuck her head in the doorway. “It’s Tassos.”
Andreas picked up the phone. “Morning.”
“I think we have a line on the brother of the two murdered tsigani. An informant just told me where we could find him.” Tassos repeated the substance of his conversation with Stefan the night before. “The brother is supposed to be in a taverna out by the airport at three this afternoon and he’s not supposed to know we’re showing up.”
“Do I sense you’re not totally comfortable with your informant?”
“He’s reliable when it comes to information. That’s how he earns his living. But he’d also sell out his mother if he thought it in his perceived self-interest to do so. So, just to be safe, let’s assume Punka is expecting us.”
“Meaning?” said Andreas.
“Carry heavy and wear a vest. It would be a shame to lose a groom so close to his wedding day. I’ll pick you up downstairs at two.”
If Andreas didn’t know better he’d have thought the taverna was an abandoned shack in the middle of long ago exhausted farmland. A few cars about as beat up and ancient as the place were parked outside. You could hear traffic buzzing by on the highway between Athens and the airport. Though built for the 2004 Olympics, it was still known as the “new road.”
Tassos parked the unmarked car away from the building where it gave them a view of the perimeter.
“Keep the engine running, I’ll be out in a minute.”
“And just what do you have in mind?” said Tassos.
“I’ll let you know once I figure it out. Let’s just hope if it’s an ambush it’s not supposed to start until we’re both inside.” Andreas got out and headed toward the taverna.
He focused on the windows and edges of the building as he walked, and his hand touched his crotch as if adjusting his family jewels, but he was just reassuring himself that the pistol in the holster covering those parts was still in place. The front door to the taverna was open and as he drew closer he saw three occupied tables, one with six men, another with two, and the last with a customer alone. All of them looked to be tsigani. A young girl was serving coffee to the table of six. She smiled at Andreas as he came through the door.
Andreas walked in as if he knew exactly where he was headed. He stopped in front of the lone customer, a dark, thin man in his late-twenties. “Punka?”
The man looked up. “Who’s asking?” His upper lip curled as he talked. Like an angry little dog.
“Are you Punka or am I wasting my time?”
The man stared at Andreas. “I’m Punka.”
“And your last name?” This wasn’t the time to be hooking up with the wrong Punka.
He kept staring at Andreas. “Carausii.”
“Good, let’s go.”
