The Ransom

by Irena Nieslony

  * * * *

  Betty couldn’t believe that Don had come to see her, thinking he must have an ulterior motive.

  “So why have you come, Don? I believe we’d said everything that needed to be said when you left our home.”

  “I thought you might need some help.”

  “I can manage very well on my own, thank you. You’ve made it perfectly clear that you don’t want to be with me, so there’s no point being nice now. It’s all false.”

  “I still care for you, Betty. I...”

  “But you don’t care enough to stay married to me. I know that’s what you’re going to say.”

  Don said nothing. Yes, he felt sorry for her and yes, he probably did still love her a little or perhaps the memory of her when they were younger. He thought it must be atrociously painful to have a broken hip, but he’d made the break from her now and if he put her under the illusion that he was coming back to her, he’d never forgive himself. He deserved to be able to do what he wanted and be happy. Unfortunately, Betty had been making him completely miserable for a long time now.

  * * * *

  Eve wished Joanna and Kevin would leave. She understood why Kevin was there, but wondered why he’d had to bring that unpleasant and nosey woman with him. It was obvious that the two women didn’t like each other and it was hardly the right time for Joanna to rile Eve. However, Kevin didn’t seem to realize that he had acted foolishly.

  Robert eventually told Eve he was going to see Annie, hoping that would spark Joanna and Kevin to leave. He could see how fed up Eve was becoming having Joanna in such close proximity.

  Eve was very tired and soon drifted off to sleep. However, it wasn’t long before she heard a commotion from the bed. She woke up, hearing a rough voice saying her name. She looked up and David was awake, looking a little brighter.

  “David, you’ve woken up at last,” she said with a definite sigh of relief. “Oh darling, I was so worried about you.”

  Eve bent over to give David a gentle hug so as not to hurt his already weary body. She then noticed that Joanna and Kevin were still there.

  Why don’t they leave? she thought. Don’t they realize they’ve outstayed their welcome?

  “You’ll now be able to tell us who kidnapped you,” Eve continued. “The police think it was Pete, but I’m sure it wasn’t. You and he are such good friends. Once you’ve told Dimitris who the kidnappers are, he can go and arrest them,” Eve added looking pointedly at Joanna. “You can just relax and get better without worrying about the kidnappers coming to do away with you. To think, they thought they could get that much money out of me. I would have paid it of course. I love you so much. Luckily they haven’t got away with it. They didn’t reckon on you escaping, did they?”

  Eve finally stopped talking. She had so much to tell David, but it was difficult to get it all out at once. However, his reaction wasn’t at all as she had hoped. He looked at Eve quizzically before speaking.

  “Kidnapped,” he rasped. “Was I kidnapped? When did this happen? The last thing I remember was saying goodbye to you in the morning. I take it that wasn’t this morning, was it?”

  Eve looked at David in despair. How could he have forgotten?

  “I really am sorry Eve, but I can’t remember being kidnapped or escaping or anything.”

  Eve glanced at Joanna and was sure she could see a faint smile on her face.

  * * * *

  Dimitris Kastrinakis was fed up. He had thought that he would be able to close the case very quickly now that David had escaped from his kidnappers, but that was now a forgotten hope. David remembered nothing, but this could change at any time. He was still in danger and the kidnappers could have gone into hiding with a plan to get to David in the hospital. For all Dimitris knew, they could be plotting to kill him so he couldn’t identify them.

  And what if it Pete Davies is one of them? He’s right here in the hospital and he’s a clever man. Yes, he has a broken knee, but he could persuade his wife to do something to David. What if she was in it from the beginning?

  “Miss Masters,” Dimitris said, taking Eve to one side. “I haven’t really got the resources, but I’m going to get a police officer to stand guard outside Mr. Baker’s ward.”

  “What?” Eve asked. “Oh my God, you think the kidnappers are going to come and kill David, don’t you?”

  She couldn’t believe that there were even more things to worry about.

  “I don’t know if they’ll try anything, but it’s best to be safe. There’s a good chance he’ll get his memory back and be able to identify them. Anyway, you look tired. Go home and rest. You can’t stay here all day and all night.”

  Eve nodded. She had to lend her car to Robert to pick up Alison from the airport anyway and she was very tired. However, would she be able to sleep knowing that David could still be in danger? This was turning into a nightmare. It had been fun solving the previous cases, but this was far too personal. She had conveniently forgotten all the attempts on her life and thought of it all as exciting. Perhaps one day she would think the same of this, but at the moment she just wanted to pack her bags, grab David and get on the first plane back to England.

  Chapter 15

  Eve, to her surprise, slept well, although she did wake up earlier than normal. She felt a little guilty for sleeping so soundly while David was in hospital and in pain, but realized that the lack of sleep she had endured during the previous couple of days must have caught up with her.

  In the daylight, things didn’t seem half as bad as they had done the previous night. David was being guarded so he should be safe while he was in the hospital. While he was there the kidnappers wouldn’t be able to get to him, but what would happen when he left? Hopefully he would get his memory back before then and at least one of the kidnappers could be put behind bars.

  Eve took her coffee outside and sat there with Portia. The sun was already powerful at this early hour and when she looked towards the Lefka Ori, (or the White Mountains as they were called in English); they had a heat haze covering them. Eve spoke to her dog

  “You’ve been a very good girl and haven’t made a fuss at all with the changes in your routine. I’ll take you for a nice long walk before I go to the hospital this morning.”

  Portia wagged her tail as if she understood her mistress.

  “I don’t know what I’d do without you, girl,” Eve said as a few tears filled her eyes.

  She brushed them away, knowing that staying positive was the only thing that would get her through this. Her upbeat attitude had allowed her to survive the previous cases and she was determined to live to tell the tale of this one.

  * * * *

  Just as Eve came back into the house after her walk with Portia, the phone started to ring. She quickly unhooked her dog’s lead and rushed to answer it.

  “Eve, it’s Jane. I bumped into Kevin in the local shop and he told me everything; about David being kidnapped, about him escaping and getting pneumonia, and that now he’s lost his memory. You must be sick with worry.”

  “I am, Jane, although I feel a little better today. I was overtired yesterday, but somehow I managed to get a good night’s sleep. At least the police have put a guard outside David’s ward in case the kidnappers come to the hospital and try to kill him.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Jane remarked, trying to sound convincing.

  However she wasn’t at all certain that David would be safe now, not until the kidnappers were caught.

  “Well, Jane,” Eve said, wanting to change the subject so that she wouldn’t start agonizing too much again. “You’re off back to England very soon. Are you excited?”

  “Yes and no. I’m going to miss this place.”

  “But you will be back, won’t you? Apart from coming to my wedding next summer.”

  “Yes, hopefully at Christmas. Still, I feel a bit sad.”

  Jane paused for a moment.

  “Eve, can I ask you something?”

  �
��Of course. Ask me anything.’

  “Paul left me with a couple of boxes before he went to jail. They’re full of his paperwork and things from his real mother, Jennifer Anderson. He didn’t want Kevin to see any of it. He said he didn’t trust him anymore, ever since Kevin found out that he had an affair with Lucy. I don’t know what he expects Kevin to do. I doubt if there’s anything in the boxes that Kevin would find useful. He knows Paul asked me to look after some things for him so I don’t want to take any chances. It’s possible that he might break into my house while I’m away.”

  “So, what do you want me to do, look after the boxes?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Fine. I’ll put them in the basement. They should be safe down there.”

  As Eve put the phone down, Robert and Alison appeared.

  “Breakfast, you two?” Eve asked.

  “Don’t worry, Eve, we can get our own,” Alison remarked.

  When Alison had arrived the previous evening, she had thought how drained Eve looked. It wasn’t at all surprising after everything which had gone on, but she was used to seeing Eve take control of every situation. It was obvious that David’s kidnapping had taken a toll on her.

  “Don’t be silly,” Eve said. “You’re my guests so come and sit down.”

  Robert and Alison thought it best to acquiesce. Eve was very much on edge so it seemed best to do as she wanted.

  “So, how was Betty last night?’ Eve asked Alison.

  “She was very strange. She kept contradicting herself, one minute saying how much better off she was without Don and the next, bursting into tears because he had left her.”

  “Well, I think she put the last nail in the coffin when she went to the police back in June and told them that she thought her husband had had an affair with the murder victim.”

  “She didn’t, did she?” Alison exclaimed. “But why?”

  “I’m not sure. Their marriage was already shaky at that time and I think she was trying to implicate Don in the murder case. However, Don has told me that she really does think he was having an affair, and she still thinks he’s having one now.”

  “Who with?”

  “She wouldn’t say,” Eve replied.

  “No wonder Don is fed up,” Alison stated. “Perhaps it’s a good thing they’ve split up. They are getting old and it would be awful if they spent the rest of their lives together feeling miserable. It is a surprise though that Don went to the hospital to help Betty.”

  “Don is a good man and I’m sure he doesn’t wish her ill,” Eve said.

  “It beats me how he’s stayed with her for so long,” Robert added. “Sorry, Alison, but she is absolutely frightful.”

  “She can be nice you know, Rob.”

  “Well, I’ve yet to see it.”

  “I presume you’re going to be in the hospital most if today, Alison?” Eve asked.

  “I’m sure you will be too, Eve.”

  “And where does that leave me?’ Robert asked. “I don’t know why I came over, I really don’t.”

  “Oh stop moaning, Robert,” Eve said. “You came to help me, although things are a little different than when I rang. You could take Portia for another walk later on. I’ve neglected her a bit the last few days.”

  Robert nodded. It wouldn’t be that bad if he had to hold the fort at home. He could work on his tan after all. When he had come over the previous summer, Eve had asked him to help her search for the murderer. He hadn’t got in nearly as much sunbathing as he wanted. Now here was his chance.

  * * * *

  A couple of hours later, Alison was sitting with Betty and Eve was with David.

  Betty was having her hip operation that morning and she was extremely nervous.

  “Don said he’d be over this morning,” Betty remarked. “It doesn’t surprise me that he hasn’t turned up. He cares nothing for me, nothing at all.”

  Alison thought it best to let Betty rant as she wished. There was no point contradicting her. She always thought she was right.

  Eve had been relieved to see that there was still a police officer outside David’s ward and she was even more pleased when she saw David sitting up, looking a little better than the previous day.

  “Darling, it’s so good to see you looking brighter,” Eve gushed, kissing him. “I’ve been so anxious. Have you got your memory back yet?”

  “I remember a few things, but nothing important.”

  “Really? That’s a start,” she said taking his hand. “So what’s come back to you?”

  “I can recall being somewhere without windows, although the light was on at times. It must have been a basement. And I had my hands and feet tied up and a gag in my mouth, but I don’t remember much else.”

  “That’s alright,” Eve said. “If your memory has started to come back, hopefully you’ll remember everything in time.”

  “I know there’s a policeman outside,” David continued. “Is that really necessary? I mean the police have enough to do.”

  “Of course it’s necessary,” Eve replied sternly. “The kidnappers might try and kill you.”

  “Why?” David asked.

  “Because you may have recognized one of them... or both.”

  “I still feel like a fraud. Whoever they were might have left the island. It wouldn’t surprise me.”

  “The police suspect Pete Davies.”

  “What?” David exclaimed. “Never, we’re good friends. He wouldn’t do anything like that. I’ll have to put them straight.”

  “I don’t think it’s him either, but he did disappear the night before last and was found with a broken knee cap.”

  “No, I still don’t believe it. Poor Annie. What must she be going through?”

  Eve nodded, but she was concerned. What if Pete did turn out to be the kidnapper? Annie’s life would be as good as over and Eve certainly didn’t want that for her.

  * * * *

  After spending a couple of hours with David, Eve decided to go and see Pete. Entering his ward, she saw Annie first, sitting in a chair fast asleep. Pete noticed Eve and beckoned her over.

  “How are you today, Pete?” Eve whispered, not wanting to wake Annie.

  “I’m not doing so badly. I don’t think I’ll be here as long as I thought, but I wish I could say I’d be going home. I’m pretty certain the police are going to arrest me as soon as I leave.”

  Pete glanced at Annie.

  “Poor Annie, she’s so tired and scared. I wish she’d go home and rest. There’s nothing she can do here.”

  “She’s obviously very upset, poor thing,” Eve replied. “But I’m sure she has nothing to be nervous about. I mean, fancy the police thinking you kidnapped David. It’s crazy. You and he go back a long way.”

  “I don’t think the police have a leg to stand on. They have no actual proof, but I just wish David would get his memory back so I can be cleared. I promise you, Eve, I had nothing to do with his kidnapping.”

  “I believe you, Pete, and David is adamant it wasn’t you. He’ starting to get his memory back by the way, but all he remembers so far is that he was in a basement somewhere. It’s hopeful though. Perhaps by the end of the day, his memory will have returned.”

  Annie woke up suddenly and seeing Eve tried to smile.

  “Perhaps you should take Annie off for a cup of coffee, Eve,” Pete said.

  “No, I can’t leave you,” Annie said plaintively.

  “Yes, you can,” Pete insisted/

  “Ok,” Annie replied. “I feel I should go and see Betty as well.”

  “I suppose I should too,” Eve said. “Not that she’ll appreciate it. Let’s get a coffee first and then we’ll go and see her.”

  * * * *

  An hour later the two women entered Betty’s ward.

  “How are you, Betty? “ Annie asked. “Aren’t you having your operation today?”

  “I was, but they’ve cancelled it. It should be tomorrow now, but I’m having serious doubts. Honestly
, this is getting quite ridiculous. They can’t just leave me here in this pain. I’m not pleased, not pleased at all.”

  Eve snapped at her attitude.

  “You know, Betty, you should count your lucky stars that you’re having this operation at all. So many Greeks have lost their jobs and their health care. They’re literally dying because they can’t afford to see a doctor or buy their medications.”

  For once, Betty didn’t retort in her usual manner.

  “You’re right, Eve, I’m in so much pain that I can’t think straight.”

  Eve was shocked that Betty agreed with her, but doubted that this would be the start of a beautiful friendship.

  “Haven’t they given you painkillers, Betty?” Eve asked.

  “Yes, but they wear off too quickly. How’s David by the way?” she asked Eve.

  “He’s better today and is starting to get his memory back.”

  “Has he remembered who kidnapped him?”

  “Not yet, but it hopefully won’t be long before everything comes back.”

  After a few more pleasantries, the two women took their leave.

  “Well, I’d never have credited it.” Alison remarked as soon as they had left.

  “What?”

  “You and Eve actually talking civilly to each other.”

  “Well, she must be worried about David. Mind you, he wouldn’t have got into this trouble if it wasn’t for her.”

  “Aunt Betty, that’s a terrible thing to say.”

  “Well, it’s true. Whoever kidnapped him is desperate for money and he was the ideal choice. Eve’s got more money than sense. It’s a pity they didn’t kidnap her instead.”

  Alison shook her head. The truce between Betty and Eve had lasted just a few minutes. Alison shouldn’t really have been at all surprised that Eve and Betty had only managed to speak politely to each other for such a short time.

  * * * *

  Eve bumped into Don on her way back to David’s ward.

  “I’ve just been to see Betty,” Eve remarked. “She’s a bit fed up that they aren’t doing her operation today.”

  “Yes, she didn’t stop moaning when they told her. I hoped she might have calmed down by now.”