‘I don’t know but the mention of a gang is a new development. Perhaps we can find out something about these Aetosh. The problem is we don’t want to draw too much attention to ourselves. A couple of foreigners asking random questions about a local gang is bound to stand out.’
India stopped walking for a second before grabbing his arm and leading him back towards the bus station.
‘Where are we going?’ he asked.
‘Back to Kamariotissa,’ she said, ‘You want someone who likes to talk and I know just the person.’
Two hours later Brandon was sat in the cool dining area of the guest house waiting for the roast goat they had ordered for lunch. India was in the kitchen with Agatha and he could hear occasional bursts of laughter as the English librarian and the Greek hostess shared some unheard joke. Eventually the two women emerged and placed three bowls on the table along with three plates and some cutlery. The bowls contained strips of roast goat in gravy, boiled potatoes and bread. Agatha busied herself sharing out the food.
‘Agatha is joining us,’ announced India. ‘Isn’t that nice?’
‘Wonderful,’ agreed Brandon, falsely. ‘You can tell us all about this wonderful island of yours’
Agatha beamed with happiness, delighted at the attention. Throughout lunch she described the island and the lifestyle of the locals, interspersed with liberal accounts of sexual innuendo and rumour. India in particular took a shine to the woman and eventually took the lead in moving the subject nearer their purpose.
‘What about crime?’ she said between mouthfuls of food. ‘I suppose everywhere has their share of hooligans.’
‘Not much,’ said Agatha, ‘Though Stefan Pelapollis’s wife did push his lover off a cliff when she found out they were having affairs.’
‘When was that?’ asked Brandon.
‘Forty four years ago,’ said Agatha.
‘What about gangs?’ asked India. ‘I read somewhere there is a gang called the Aetosh.’
‘Used to be,’ said Agatha, wiping some gravy from her chin. ‘Silly bunch of young men who thought they could get independence from Greece.’
‘What does Aetosh mean?’ asked India.
Agatha screwed her eyes in thought.
‘How do you say in English? Ah yes, Eagle, I think, named after a stone up in the castle.’
‘Stone?’ asked Brandon
‘Yes. In Chora there is a castle that used to protect the village.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Very common peoples in Chora,’ she said. ‘All womens is sleeping with all mens. Disgusting!’
‘What is this stone?’ asked Brandon, trying to drag Agatha back from her favourite subject.
‘It is nothing,’ she said, ‘Just an ancient stone with the picture of an Eagle on it. It was the emblem of the Gatilusi family who ruled this island many hundreds of years ago. The Aetosh named themselves after the emblem and campaigned for independence for Samothrace. Of course, it never happened and they broke up many years ago.’
The rest of lunch was taken up by small talk and Agatha’s constant forays into the sexual exploits of her neighbours and guests. It seemed that she had an anecdote for almost everyone in the village. Eventually they finished their lunch and made their excuses to go up to their room.
‘Afternoon luvvinks,’ said Agatha as India passed.
They made their way upstairs and locked the door behind them.
‘That woman is unbelievable,’ laughed India. ‘Have you ever met anyone who is so obsessed with sex?’
‘She needs a good man,’ said Brandon.
‘I’m not so sure,’ said India, ‘By the sound of it, she has been through half the men on the island and is targeting the other half.’
‘I hope I’m not on the hit list,’ laughed Brandon.
‘After our little conversation in the kitchen,’ said India, ‘I don’t think you need worry about that scenario happening.’
‘Why? What did you say?’ asked Brandon with a look of concern.
India pinched one of Brandon’s cheeks
‘Aaah bless,’ she said, ‘Don’t let it worry your tiny little mind. Anyway, what do you think about these Aetosh then?’
‘Don’t know if it’s worth pursuing,’ said Brandon, ’But at this moment in time it’s all we’ve got. I tell you what, we’ll have a little siesta and this evening we’ll take a trip up to Chora. Have a look at this eagle thing in case we need to recognise it in the future.’
‘You have a siesta,’ said India, ‘I’m not tired. I think I’ll have a walk around the village. See if I can find a tourist information centre.’
‘Okay,’ said Brandon, ‘But be careful.’
‘Stop worrying, granddad,’ joked India, ‘You have your forty winks. Us youngsters will be fine.’ She held up an unused bikini. ‘I might even catch some rays while I am out there.’
‘I mean it, India,’ said Brandon. ‘Stay in the public areas.’
‘I will,’ she promised and left the room to get changed in the shower.
Two hours later, Brandon had had a cold shower and changed into a pair of shorts and T shirt. He packed his camera in his day sack along with a couple of bottles of water and made his way out of the tavern. On the way he called India on his mobile. By the time he reached the waterfront road, he had called her half a dozen times, each time the call going straight to answer phone. Finally, he heard the phone connect and spoke rapidly into the phone.
‘India,’ he said, ‘Thank fuck for that. Why didn’t you answer?’
‘Shut up!’ said a male voice on the other end, ‘And just listen. Miss Sommers is with us. She is safe and will remain so. However, we wish to speak to you. In five minutes a car will pull up outside your accommodation. You will get in the car with no pack or package of any type whatsoever. Do as we say, and you will both be unharmed. If, at anytime we suspect you offer any threat to any of our people, then your stay on Samothrace will be, shall we say, of a permanent nature. Do I make myself clear?’
‘You say we are safe,’ said Brandon, looking around frantically, ‘How do I know you are telling the truth?’
‘You don’t,’ said the man. ‘You have four minutes.’ The phone went dead.
‘
Chapter 15
Rome 64 AD
Rubria staggered to her feet, having dropped twice her own height into a pool of filthy water no more than four feet deep. She staggered and fell again as one ankle gave way and a searing pain shot up her leg. Her head dipped below the water and her mouth filled with filth as she cried out in pain. Over and over again she tried to stand, each time falling back under until her outstretched arm found a solid wall and she leaned against the slimy surface, sobbing in the darkness. Her head and shoulders were above the water line but the foul stench made it almost impossible to breath. After a few moments, she realised the water was moving gently in one direction so she started to limp slowly along the wall edge, following the flow of sewage, and, within a few minutes she realised the darkness was easing and she could actually see the surface of the water. Something gently bumped against her head and she lashed out in fright, expecting to feel the soft body of a rat but her hand hit something hard. Before she could identify what it was, it floated away into the gloom and she stayed rigid in fright as she gathered her strength.
She moved further forward, eager to reach the source of the light but the way was soon obstructed by something below the water line. She pushed it away with her foot but it only went so far due it being tethered to the wall by a chain. Her hand reached down and grasped what she thought was some sort of spear haft, but what
