Mortuus Virgo

edge, dropped it into the darkness, counting as it fell.

‘One, Two, Thr…’ She heard a splash above the sound of the falling water and repeated the exercise with the other sandal.

One, Two, Thr…’ Splash! There it was again. There was no other option, and Rubria realised she had to go on. Already filthy, she sat on the edge of the drop, dangling her legs into the darkness.

‘Holy Mother protect me,’ she prayed and pushed herself forward into the unknown.

Chapter 14

Samothrace 2010

India and Brandon walked from the quay side and up onto the main road running through the island’s one port, Kariamiotisa. Behind them, rows of blue fishing boats bobbed on the swell in the manmade harbour. They waited for the light traffic to pass before crossing and made their way towards the rows of red tiled houses. Brandon consulted a sketched diagram he had been given by the Captain before leading the way up a side street. He stopped before a small tavern with a couple of wooden benches outside.

‘Looks like this is the place,’ he said and knocked on the door before entering the cool darkness within. ‘Hello,’ he called, ‘Anyone home?’

‘Hello,’ came the answer from a rear room, ‘Just a second.’

They waited patiently and eventually an elderly lady came out, wiping her flour covered hands in her apron.

‘Hello,’ she smiled, ‘English yes?’

‘Yes,’ said Brandon, ‘We have been given your name by Helios. He said you can give us a room for a couple of nights.’

‘Helios? Yes, such a good boy.’ She looked at India, and smiled. ‘Honeymoons, yes?’

Before India could answer, Brandon answered for her.

‘Yes,’ he said quickly, ‘We are very much in love.’ He put his arm around India as if to prove the point.

‘Aaah,’ said the woman, ‘Very goods, I am Agatha and this is my homes. I will put you up in the best room I have overlooking the seas. She turned to India. ‘Veryromantics,’ she said.

‘Thank you,’ smiled India, but as soon as Agatha turned away, she kicked Brandon in the ankle.

‘Is this all your luggages?’ asked Agatha.

‘Yes,’ answered Brandon, ‘It was all very last minute, you understand.’

‘Aaah, young loves,’ said Agatha. ‘I was in loves once, with two brothers from Athens.’

India glanced at Brandon and hid a smile.

‘Come with me and I will show you to your room.’ They followed her up a narrow stone staircase onto a gloomy landing. Agatha opened a door and they filed into a surprisingly spacious and clean bedroom.

‘Lovely views, yes?’ Asked Agatha.

‘Beautiful,’ agreed India, looking out of the window.

Agatha sat on the bed and bounced up and down, making it squeak loudly.

‘Very strong springs,’ she said proudly, ‘Very new, only ten years old. The shower is downstairs and hot water is only available in the morninks. Toilet rolls is here,’ she said, opening a side cupboard. The first one is free. Extra rolls are one euro each. You are happy. Yes?’

‘This will do fine,’ said Brandon, pulling out his wallet, ‘How much do we owe you?’

‘Thirty Euros every night,’ she said, ‘Very cheaps.’

He counted out a hundred and fifty.

‘Five nights should do it,’ he said, ‘Is that okay?’

This is good,’ she said, putting the notes down the neckline of her blouse. She turned to India. ‘Five nights,’ she said with a wink, ‘Much luvvinks, yes?’

India bit her tongue and just smiled

‘Aaah,’ she said, ‘Very romantics. I will leave you in peaces.’ Agatha left the room and India closed the door gently before spinning around with fire in her eyes.

‘Honeymoon,’ she snarled, ‘What on earth made you say that? Why can’t I have my own room?’

‘Calm down,’ said Brandon, ‘I have my reasons.’

‘If you think I am sleeping with you then you are sadly mistaken, mister,’ she said, folding her arms in defiance.

‘India,’ interrupted Brandon, ‘Shut up for a minute and just listen. Don’t forget the killer was from around here and we don’t know anything about him yet. Until we know it is safe, I would rather we stay very close.’

‘Oh,’ said India, ‘Of course, sorry, I didn’t think.’

‘No you didn’t. Don’t worry, you can have the bed, I will sleep on the floor. Anyway, what makes you so sure I would want to sleep with you?’

India’s shock was almost comical as her anger found a new target.

‘Why? What’s wrong with me?’ she snapped.

‘Nothing,’ said Brandon, ‘It’s just… I mean… Oh forget it. I can’t win this argument. Look, I don’t know about you, but I just want a shower and a change of clothes.’

‘Hot water is only available in the morninks,’ said India, mimicking the woman’s accent to break the tension.

‘Ah, yes,’ answered Brandon, ‘I forgot.’ Suddenly he picked up his rucksack and delved into the contents.

‘What are you doing?’ she asked.

‘I’ve got an idea,’ he answered and suddenly stood up holding a pair of Speedo’s.

‘Who needs a shower?’ he asked, ‘When you’ve got the beautiful Aegean on your doorstep. Come on, grab those designer bikinis you fleeced me for, and we will have a bit of a break before the work starts.’

Several hours later they sat outside a tavern, each sipping on a glass of ouzo, watching a spectacular sunset.

‘I have never seen anything so beautiful,’ said India, ‘No wonder they based the Temple of the Gods on this island.’

‘Oh I don’t know,’ said Brandon, ‘The same sunset is probably being watched by millions of other people across the med.’

‘Oh shut up, Brandon,’ said India, ‘Where’s your romance?’

He raised one eyebrow and stared silently over his glass as he sipped his ouzo.

‘You know what I mean,’ said India, ‘Anyway, what is the plan now we are here?’

‘Well, answered, Brandon, ‘The dead man’s license has been traced to somewhere along the coast called Therma. I’ve booked us on a sightseeing trip tomorrow and we’ll visit some of his known haunts. See if we can pick up any information.’

‘When are we going to Paleopolis?’

‘Paleopolis?’ asked Brandon.

‘The Temple of the gods,’ she said. We can’t come all the way to Samothrace and not go to the ruins.’

‘We’ll see,’ said Brandon, ‘Let’s not forget our purpose here. There’s still a little girl missing.’

India nodded sombrely.

‘Do you think she’s okay?’

‘Who knows?’ said Brandon, ‘Everything possible is being done to find her but she seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth. None of the known threats have any knowledge at all. Drug rings, prostitution rackets, even terrorist groups, all have been checked out but nothing.’

‘They could be lying,’ she said.

‘Possible, but we have a network of contacts throughout every known organisation. Either this is a new group or the result of some fanatic acting on his own.’

‘So why aren’t there more of you out here,’ asked India.