The Ransom

by Irena Nieslony

  “Oh, by the way, Don, Alison’s coming over today, so I’m sure that will help with Betty’s care.”

  “Yes, yes it will. Is Robert picking her up?”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “Ok. I’d better be off to the hospital then.”

  Eve said her goodbyes, knowing that it was time for her to return to the hospital as well.

  * * * *

  Robert took Annie to the local shop after Eve had gone. Annie had tried to sleep, but although she had managed to in the car, her mind was too active now. She thought it might be better to try and keep busy. Eve had asked her if she had wanted to go home, but she had said she’d rather stay with Robert and not be alone. Eve hoped Robert didn’t mind.

  Once in the shop, Annie took ages doing the little shopping she needed. She spent quite a while looking at packets and trying to understand the Greek. She hoped that it might take her mind off Pete.

  Robert was bored with wandering around the shop, so he started chatting to Stamatis, the owner of the shop. Stamatis spoke very good English which was a great bonus for the holidaymakers when they came in. His shop was a treasure trove and fulfilled practically every need. Stamatis had a big storeroom at the back as well. He was very clever; putting to the front of the shop whatever might sell on a particular day. If it was raining, out came the umbrellas and Rain Macs, if it was hot, he brought out the fans, lilos and buckets and spades. He never missed an opportunity, especially as he opened at seven in the morning and didn’t shut until eleven at night, keeping much longer hours than any other shop in the area. .

  Robert had met him on both his previous visits and they had talked about politics, religion and football and today was no exception. Robert enjoyed the chats, finding it interesting to learn more about Greek life and culture. In the end he hardly knew how long Annie had spent doing her shopping.

  “Ah, Mr. Robert,” Stamatis said, making Robert smile at the addition of ‘Mr.’ in front of his Christian name. It seemed quite common for Greeks to call English people with their title and first name. “Here is my niece come to cover my shop while I go to the hospital.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, are you ill or is it a member of the family?”

  “It is my grandmother. She has had a stroke I’m afraid. But she is ninety so these things will happen.”

  “I hope she recovers,” Robert said. “I have a friend in hospital, David, David Baker.”

  “Oh no, what is wrong with Mr. David. He is a good customer and friend of mine.”

  Robert smiled to himself again, thinking that anyone who spent money in his shop was a friend!

  “He has pneumonia.”

  “Oh, that is not so good. I will visit him later.”

  With that, Stamatis took his leave, leaving Robert wondering if he should have told him about David or not. He knew he could let things out without thinking. Eve always said he couldn’t keep secrets and he was relieved that he hadn’t told Stamatis about the kidnapping.

  Chapter 13

  Dimitris Kastrinakis had already paired Stavros with a junior officer and told them to start searching for Pete Davies. Once he had left the hospital, he started an additional search together with another junior officer. Dimitris and Stavros had planned which villages and surrounding areas each pair would go to, but Dimitris wasn’t happy. It was a scorching hot and unusually humid day, the heat on Crete normally being dry. He knew they’d get hot, sticky and uncomfortable.

  Dimitris wondered if Pete really was the kidnapper. He didn’t know the man well, but he thought him polite and unobtrusive. Pete had even made the effort to learn Greek which many ex-pats hadn’t bothered to do.

  He pondered on all the possibilities. If Pete wasn’t the kidnapper, he was probably lying injured somewhere and it could take hours to find him. If he was the kidnapper, David could have fought with him and locked him up in the place where he had been kept. They would never find that without David’s help. Of course, if David hadn’t managed to lock him in, Pete would have been able to get out. Perhaps he collapsed with his injuries or perhaps he might have even left the island. There were so many possibilities; if only David Baker would wake up and talk.

  A couple of hours later, having had no luck in their searches, Dimitris and Stavros and their men met up to take a short break and decide where else to look. Dimitris cursed the austerity measures. If it wasn’t for all the cut backs, he might have had more officers to help search for Mr. Davies. Perhaps he could even have been given police dogs. As it was, there were four policeman searching acre upon acre of land.

  * * * *

  An hour and a half later, the police were still searching for Pete Davies, Dimitris thinking that if they didn’t find him, it was highly likely that he was the kidnapper and had made himself scarce. Dimitris felt a great deal of sympathy for Annie. He didn’t think she was involved; if she was, she was a damn good actress.

  Dimitris thought back to the time before Eve had arrived on the island.

  Life seemed simpler then. Now it’s one drama after the other. That Eve Masters brings trouble with her wherever she goes.

  His thoughts were interrupted by shouting in the distance. He called his junior officer over and they both walked quickly towards the noise. As they got nearer, Dimitris was certain somebody was calling for help. Soon both officers could see a man sat on the ground, waving.

  “It’s him,” Dimitris cried. “It’s Pete Davies.”

  Both men ran towards him.

  “My goodness, I’m glad you two have found me,” Pete said, thankfully. I didn’t think anyone would come. I can’t walk particularly well; I think it’s my knee.”

  “Why didn’t you phone for help?” Dimitris asked.

  “I went to use my mobile and it was dead. Annie must be worried sick.”

  “Yes she is, very worried. I’m afraid, however, that we have some questions to ask you. But they can wait until you’re in hospital. Kostas, phone up the ambulance,” he instructed the other man.

  “Questions? What questions? I’d like to know what you want to ask me. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “Very well, we have reason to believe that you may be involved in the kidnapping of Mr. David Baker.”

  Pete’s face fell.

  “I didn’t know he’d been kidnapped, let alone me being the one who did it.”

  He couldn’t believe it. He had been a policeman, a law abiding citizen and here he was being accused of kidnapping.

  No, this is a bad dream, he thought, trying to keep calm. How can they possibly think it was me?

  Pete tried to get up. He wanted to get the interview done as soon as possible, but Dimitris had moved away to make some phone calls and he’d have to wait. He’d also have to stop himself from falling apart. The thought of jail in a foreign country scared him. And Annie, what must she be going through?

  Soon, the ambulance came and Pete was taken to the hospital, followed by Dimitris and Kostas.

  Perhaps David Baker will have woken up by now and then I won’t have to question Pete Davies. One thing I hate, thought Dimitris, is questioning other police officers.

  However, Dimitris had no choice. Pete Davies was his only suspect at the moment.

  * * * *

  Before they left, Dimitris had telephoned Annie, telling her that Pete was safe, but was being taken to the hospital. He had also told her that he would meet her there.

  On the one hand, Annie was relieved that Pete was safe, even though he had been injured, but on the other hand, she started to panic when Dimitris said he would meet her at the hospital. Did this mean that the police really suspected him of kidnapping David?

  Robert had brought Annie home from the shop a little while before the phone call and they had just sat in front of the television. Annie needed to be distracted and T.V. seemed to be the best thing. However, after the phone call from Dimitris, Annie became frantic.

  “I have to go to the hospital immediately, Robert. The police have found Pete and h
e’s been injured. I know they suspect him of kidnapping David, but I know he didn’t. He’s a good man, Robert. He would never do anything like that to a friend of his.”

  “I’m sure he wouldn’t Annie,” Robert replied.

  He looked at her and all he saw was a quivering mess. He knew he couldn’t let her drive in the state she was in.

  “Calm down Annie,” he said gently. “You don’t know what’s going on. However, I think I should drive you to the hospital. You have your mind on other things rather than negotiating these terrible Greek roads, not to mention the drivers.”

  “If you’re sure, Robert,” she replied, knowing that this was the best plan.

  Annie had no idea if she’d even be able to drive. She was shaking and didn’t think she could even put the car into gear, let alone drive it.

  “Good. Let’s get ready and we’ll be off as soon as possible.”

  Annie tried to smile, but all she kept thinking about was how her husband, a reputable and fair police officer, would cope in prison.

  * * * *

  In the hospital, Pete was waiting to see a doctor. He wished one would hurry up as the pain in his knee was getting worse and he could certainly do with some painkillers.

  He was also keen to get his interview with the police over and done with.

  I used to be a police officer and a good one at that and now I’m being accused of kidnapping. This is a nightmare.

  “Mr. Davies,” Dimitris said, coming over to Pete. “The doctor seems to be taking a long time so I may as well ask my questions now.”

  “Please do,” Pete replied, hoping his innocence would shine through as he replied to the questions.

  “So, Mr. Davies, what were you doing yesterday evening?”

  “I went jogging at about half past eight. I was passing through an olive grove when I fell and hurt my leg, my knee in fact. I didn’t think I’d make it much farther so I stayed put, hoping that someone would rescue me.”

  “Didn’t you have your mobile with you?”

  “Yes, but when I tried to ring Annie, I found out that the battery was dead.”

  “So you stayed in the place where we found you all night?”

  “Yes. I did not kidnap David and I have no idea why you’re accusing me.”

  “You were missing when Mr. Baker escaped from his kidnappers, so we have to ask questions. Of course, when David wakes up, he should be able to tell us who did kidnap him. That will clear everything up.”

  “That is, if he knows whoever it was.”

  Dimitris studied Pete. He didn’t think he was the kidnapper, but you never knew what people might end up doing, especially for money.

  Dimitris decided to leave Kostas with Pete and he went to check on David’s condition. Hopefully there had been a change.

  Arriving at the ward, he saw Eve sitting by David’s bed, looking very solemn. He knew he’d have to be more patient with her than normal, knowing what a traumatic time she was having.

  “Miss Masters, any change?” he asked.

  “Not really,” she replied. “David seems to be sleeping far too much. What do you think? He did wake up for a little while and I asked him who the kidnapper was, but he seemed to have no idea what I was talking about. He did remember me, thank goodness, but whatever happened in the last couple of days seems to have deserted him. I’m really worried.”

  “Keep calm. I’m sure he’ll remember more when he’s better.”

  “Robert, my friend, has called to say you’ve found Pete. He’s not admitted to the kidnap, has he?”

  “No, he’s adamant that he wasn’t involved.”

  “But you don’t believe him?” she asked.

  “I am open-minded. It would be best if David woke up. Then we could be sure.”

  Eve nodded, but she was very concerned. What would it do to Annie if Pete was guilty?

  * * * *

  Annie couldn’t sit still in the car driving to the hospital. She fidgeted and kept wringing her hands. Robert thought she was going to collapse mentally so he put his foot on the accelerator. The sooner he got to the hospital and she was reunited with her husband, the better.

  As soon as they arrived, Annie jumped out of the car and dashed in, Robert having great difficulty in keeping up with her. Entering the hospital, she stopped, not knowing where to go, and then she burst into tears.

  “Hey, calm down Annie, we’re here now,” Robert said gently, a little out of breath from running after her.

  “Where do we go? I don’t know what to do,” Annie sobbed.

  Robert suggested going to ER and once there, Annie saw Pete who was still waiting to be seen by a doctor.

  “Oh Pete,” Annie screamed as soon as she saw him. “I thought I’d lost you.”

  “Hey,” he said pulling her close. “I’ve only hurt my knee, possibly broken it. I’ll be fine.”

  “But the police...”

  “I know, Annie, I know they suspect me of kidnapping David, but I swear to you that I didn’t. You do believe me, don’t you darling?”

  “Of course I do,” Annie replied, hugging him again.

  Chapter 14

  Eve was dozing by the side of David’s bed when she felt someone shake her. She looked up to see Robert and attempted to smile.

  “Annie’s with Pete now,” he said. “He’s broken his knee and I believe they’re going to put titanium plates in it.”

  “I’m sure Annie will be relieved to have him back safe and almost sound.”

  “She would be if the police weren’t considering him a suspect in David’s kidnapping.”

  “Oh, what nonsense. Pete would never kidnap David. After all, they’ve been friends for years. I can’t believe that the police have actually accused him.”

  After worrying how Annie would cope if Pete were guilty, Eve had decided how silly she was being. How could he be one of the kidnappers? His friendship with David was far too strong for such a betrayal.

  Robert, meanwhile, was looking at David.

  “Has he been asleep for long, Eve?”

  “Most of the time, apart from a couple of wheezing fits.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be alright,” Robert said. “He’s as tough as old boots.”

  Eve attempted to smile again, but then her face became angry. She was looking behind Robert and when he turned around, he saw Joanna and Kevin.

  “What are you doing here?” Eve asked sharply, looking at Joanna.

  However, it was Kevin who answered.

  “David’s a friend and I wanted to see how he was. We were in the local shop and heard that he had pneumonia.”

  Eve softened a little. After all, David and Kevin did get on well. Plus Kevin had been through a difficult time lately, what with his wife being murdered and his brother ending up in prison. But why did that infernal woman have to come as well?

  Eve decided that her best course of action was to speak to Kevin and ignore Joanna.

  “Yes, Kevin,” she said emphasizing his name. “David’s in a bad way, but they’re doing everything they can. He’s had trouble speaking, but hopefully that will change now he’s having regular bursts of oxygen.”

  Joanna, who never liked being ignored, spoke even before Kevin had a chance to say anything.

  “Well I hope this dispels any ideas that we’re the kidnappers.”

  “I didn’t ever think Kevin was capable of doing something so awful.”

  Robert could see that Joanna was about to say something so he interrupted quickly.

  “I must say, this has been a strange day. So many ex-pats admitted into hospital one after the other.”

  Kevin, also hoping that there wouldn’t be another confrontation, jumped in.

  “Who else is here?”

  “Well, Pete’s broken his knee and then there’s Betty. She fell down a few stairs and it seems like she’s broken a hip.”

  “My goodness,” Kevin said. “I think everyone who wants to visit will be able to carpool – it’ll save a lot
of money in petrol.”

  Eve and Robert both grinned, but then Eve became more serious.

  “Well, I’m not going to leave the hospital. After all the kidnappers might turn up and try to kill David.”

  “Oh, what nonsense,” Joanna said. “They’ve probably left the country already. It's a bit dangerous to hang around.”

  Eve thought Joanna was trying, in some feeble sort of way, to show that she wasn’t one of the kidnappers. She was as bold as brass and was probably attempting to fool them all. Eve still believed that Joanna was behind the plot to kidnap David and she was going to prove it.

  * * * *

  Pete Davies was sitting up in his hospital bed. He was a little fed up after hearing that he had a broken kneecap and was facing a long hospital stay. However, it wasn’t all bad.

  At least the police can’t throw me in jail for the moment, he thought, breathing a sigh of relief.

  Annie sat by his side, still feeling confused as well as concerned for her husband. She was usually a strong woman, but she seemed unable to calm down. She was certain that the police would soon be back again to question Pete and that there would be no way for him to prove that he wasn’t one of the kidnappers.

  “Cheer up, Annie; I’ll be as good as new in no time at all.”

  However, Annie wasn’t up to being cheerful.

  “What if the police arrest you? They might not find the real kidnappers and decide the only person to have committed the crime is you. They’ll probably want to look at our bank books to see how much money we have, or don’t have. We struggle through each month, don’t we darling?”

  “That doesn’t make us kidnappers, Annie. They have no proof,” Pete said, trying to convince Annie that everything would be alright.

  However, he didn’t tell Annie that the same things had crossed his mind as well, just as Annie didn’t dare share her next thought with Pete.

  But what if they charge you anyway because there’s no one else to arrest? It doesn’t bear thinking about.