Dig Two Graves: Revenge or Honor

by Nick Vellis

  “Do you recall what he said? Ceres asked. “It could be important.”

  “He wrote letters after the war too. He told me that Lieutenant John was innocent, wrongly accused. I assumed he’d been arrested or something from the way my father reacted. He was agitated and adamant that Lieutenant John was blameless in whatever it was. I’m sorry I can’t remember more.”

  “Is there anything more you can tell us? We have so little to go on,” AJ said.

  Ceres was surprised at how sincere AJ sounded. Could the young one be changing? Ceres thought.

  “I’ll look through my father’s effects. I still have some of his papers. I can never throw anything away. I don’t recall anything about Lieutenant John being there, though I will certainly look,” Anna said.

  AJ’s new cell phone rang, startling him. Since only Tinos had the number, AJ thought it might be important and excused himself.

  “AJ, I’m so glad I reached you. There’s trouble,” an excited Tinos said.

  “What’s wrong Tinos?” AJ asked.

  “My uncle, the Deputy Director of Police, sent some of his men to that hotel where you stayed. They found a body in your room.”

  “What do you mean a body? Someone is dead?” AJ responded.

  “Exactly. It was the detective, Dranias. He’d been stabbed,” Tinos said.

  “Oh, great, so they think one of us did it?” AJ groaned. They didn’t need a hit man and the police looking for them.

  “I don’t think so, but I’m sure the hotel manager was no help to you. That scum. The police are looking all over Athens for you. My uncle is very upset with me,” Tinos said.

  “Are you able to keep our location quiet for a few days? Will you get in hot water with the police and your uncle?”

  “Hot water?” Tinos said.

  “Sorry, will you get in trouble?” AJ asked.

  “I can delay my uncle, but you must leave soon. They will soon be looking for Mr. Jones at passport control at all the ports and airports,” Tinos said.

  “It’s a good thing he’s already missing. Thank you, Tinos, I owe you, again,” AJ said.

  “What will you do, my friend?” Tinos sounded concerned.

  “I’ll let you know when I figure that out,” AJ replied. “I’ll call you when I’m able.”

  AJ rejoined Anna and the others in the drawing room. He took his seat and only half listened as the two friends recalled their adventure together on the train as it headed toward the coast and freedom in 1944. Rabbi Jocaba was engaged in the conversation as well. AJ, deep in thought considering the danger and their next move, was silent.

  “Ajax, we must be boring you with all our chatter of the old days. You haven’t said a word,” Anna said.

  “I’m sorry, no, not at all," AJ responded. "I was taking it all in and enjoying your recollections.”

  “It’s getting late,” Rabbi Jocaba, said. “I’m afraid I must get back to the synagogue.”

  “Rabbi, you have been most kind to bring me these wonderful visitors. Will you both come again?” Anna asked. She took a few tentative steps toward Ceres and AJ.

  AJ shook Anna’s delicate hand and said goodbye, but Ceres kissed the back of her hand in a tender continental way.

  “Goodbye Mrs. Arons,” Ceres said. “I hope we see each other again soon.”

  “I hope it will be soon, Ceres, but please call me Anna. It has been so good to see you,” she replied, then hesitated for a moment. “Ceres, please do not think me forward. It has been so long since … I do not want to lose contact with you again. May I give you my card?”

  Ceres was astonished to see the color rise in her cheeks.

  “Certainly,” Ceres replied. “It would be my honor.”

  Anna retrieved two cards from a small brass case on a side table and gave Ceres and AJ each a business card with her name, address, and telephone number. Then, holding on to Ceres’ arm, she slowly ushered them to the door. She lingered in the doorway and waved as they drove way.

  When the three men had left the driveway, Rabbi Jocaba turned to Ceres and said, “Mrs. Arons was more than a little glad to see you. I pray you will not delay an opportunity to see her again.”

  “Are you playing match-maker, Rabbi?” Ceres said.

  “Why not? It’s a fine Greek and Yiddish tradition. Besides, I have known Mrs. Arons for many years. I have never called her Anna nor do I know another man who has been invited to do so,” the Rabbi said with a knowing grin. “And her card … well.”

  AJ couldn’t help himself as he stifled a laugh in the back seat of the car.

  Rabbi Jacoba let AJ and Ceres out in the harbor district where they quickly found an inviting taverna overlooking the water in the shadow to the city’s fifteenth century tower. They ordered some wine and an early dinner. When the waiter had gone, Ceres leaned close and asked, “Your phone call was from Tinos?”

  “Yeah, he spoke to his uncle, the policeman. They found Dranias stabbed to death in our room at the Metro,” AJ said.

  Ceres leaned back in his chair and took a sip of wine. Taking time to think, he looked out over the boats in the harbor. After a few moments’ contemplation, he moved close to the table again and said, “We should leave the country or turn ourselves in to the police. Either one must be done quickly.”

  “Well, I’m not going to the police,” AJ said. “The hotel manager knows we left before the murder. Now if he’ll tell the truth about it, that’s another story. No, we need to get out of here.

  We know these people are after us, or at least me. We know what they look like but not who they work for,” AJ said, trying to summarize what he’d been thinking while Ceres was getting to know his old girlfriend. “We need to find a way to disappear for a while.”

  “Yes, that would be a good idea, but we also need some help, Ajax,” Ceres said. “What about the private detective in Italy?”

  “Italy is a long way from here, Ceres. I’m not sure we can use the airports,” AJ replied. “Let’s walk a little after dinner and do some thinking.”

  “Good idea,” Ceres said.

  Just then, the waiter arrived with a plate of baked lemon snapper on a bed of tomatoes and a huge salad. The two men salivated as they stared at the whole fish they would share. They had skipped lunch, and both of them were surprised how hungry they were.

  “Don’t be shy, Ajax,” Ceres said as he reached to serve himself a portion of the fish.

  “What did you think of Mrs. Arons?” AJ said, trying to hide his smirk as he helped himself to salad and his share of the fish.

  “I’m hopeful she will find something useful in her father’s paper,” Ceres replied.

  “No, I mean what did you think of her?”

  “Aha, she’s a lovely woman.” Ceres said, taking another bite.

  “Nothing else?” AJ needled.

  “Ajax, we have a great deal to do. I’ve lived my life without the interference of a woman, and I don’t need that now, if that’s what you’re implying,” Ceres said glaring at AJ.

  “I was just asking what you thought of her. Did I hit a nerve?” AJ prodded.

  “Come, let’s eat. Perhaps an idea will come to us when we aren’t so hungry,” Ceres said, cutting off the subject of the Anna Arons.

  AJ chuckled to himself while Ceres avoided his gaze.

  The two finished their meal in contemplative silence. Their dinner bill paid, the two men strolled along the waterfront, crowded with people enjoying the vibrant cafés. Colorful umbrellas along the bright promenade and the lively atmosphere along with the beautiful women would normally have drawn AJ’s rapt attention, but not tonight, tonight when they were in danger.

  As they walked along Ceres’ cell phone rang. AJ helped him answer it and he said, Hello?”

  “Mr. Savas, this is Anna, Anna Arons. I didn’t get you at a bad time did I?

  Ceres was so surprised he didn’t know what to say. Finally, he said, “No, this isn’t a bad time. How are you?”

  “Fi
ne but I’m concerned. Not long after you left a young man was here. He asked questions about you. Ceres, I’m worried. Please be careful.” The concern was evident in her voice.

  “Mrs. Arons, ah Anna, thank you for calling. I will be careful. I’ll talk to you soon. Good-bye.”

  “Goodbye. Be careful,” Anna said, and then she was gone.

  “That was Mrs. Arons? What did she want?” AJ asked.

  “Let’s sit here,” Ceres said, indicating the seawall.

  They sat down and Ceres said, “She said someone came to her house asking about us.”

  “What, who was it? What did they look like?

  “I didn’t ask but I think it best we leave the country,” Ceres said.

  “We don’t know why these people are after us and they are apparently very close. We have no information to take to the police. If we turn ourselves in…”

  “We would only be detained and learn nothing,” Ceres said, finishing AJ’s thought.

  “What options do we have for getting out of the county?” AJ asked.

  “I think it depends on where we go. We can fly, of course. We could go north by train. There is always the possibility of travel by boat,” Ceres replied.

  “I think Italy is our best bet. We accomplish two things by going there. We get away from the Greek police and we can meet with the private investigator there,” AJ said. “I’m going to go into that hotel,” He said, indicating a brightly lit whitewashed building across the street, “to get a map.”

  “Good idea,” Ceres said, as he sat down on the seawall.

  AJ found a map of Greece in the lobby of the harbor front hotel. He returned to his companion and spread it out on the seawall. The two men studied the map, trying to plan their next move and their getaway. AJ looked up, about to say something to Ceres, when a beeping car horn caught his attention.

  “Tinos!” AJ said, pointing to a dirty white taxi.

  “What?” Ceres said.

  “Look. Our guardian angel’s here,” AJ said, pointing to

  Tinos’ taxi as it pulled up next to them, honking its shrill horn.

  “Hello, I heard there were two lost guys somewhere around here. Have you seen them?” Tinos said.

  “Tinos, what are you doing here? I thought you were with your cousin?” AJ said.

  “My cousin is fine. Her boyfriend and her kids, they can go to hell. I thought I would come down here to eat and drink, and who do I find? My two traveling friends! Get in quick,” Tinos said, lowering his voice and looking in the review mirror.

  AJ and Ceres climbed in the back of Tinos’ taxi as he hit the gas. Tinos looked in the mirror, watching for anyone who might follow them, and sped out of the area, saying, “My uncle called again. He is very angry with me. I’m afraid I let slip you were in Thessaloniki. I’m sorry my friends. I’ve brought you trouble,” he said.

  “Nonsense,” Ceres said, “It would have happened eventually.”

  “He’s right, Tinos,” AJ said. “Don’t worry about it. Are you in trouble?”

  “Not yet, but I will be soon. I’m going to get you out of the country. Which way do you want to go?”

  “I hear Corfu is nice this time of year,” AJ said, pointing to the map, indicating the island off Greece’s west coast then tracing a line across the Adriatic Sea with his finger to Italy.

  “Yes and a nice sea voyage would be good for my health,” Ceres said.

  “Corfu it is, my friends, and from there it’s a quick trip to Italy. To get there we must go to the little town of Igoumenitsa on the west coast,” Tinos said.

  “I don’t think we’ll go to Italy, Tinos,” AJ said attempting to conceal their plans. “Corfu will be a nice change of pace from the city.”

  “Of course, my friends, it’s a forty minute trip and the same ferry goes on to Italy should you change your minds,” Tinos said, unsure what his passengers were planning.“The last boat leaves at midnight.”

  Tinos drove west on the A2 highway, keeping the taxi right at the 110 km per hour speed limit, and settled back for the ride.

  “How long will it take?” AJ asked.

  “About three, three and a half hours to the coast,” Tinos said. “You get the ferry there. We should be there in time for you to get the last one. It’s a six-hour trip to Italy. I like Bari, or Brindisi, but you can go anywhere on the Italian coast.”

  “I think Corfu will be sufficient for tonight,” AJ said, giving Ceres a knowing glance.

  Ceres settled into the back seat and was out like a light. AJ and Tinos exchanged grins as they listened to the older man begin to snore.

  “You have known this one a long time?” Tinos asked, nodding toward Ceres in the back seat. “He is a good man.”

  “It seems like forever,” AJ replied, realizing how close he felt to Ceres after the events of the past few days. “He’s a good friend and yes, also a good man.” Yes, he is a good man, AJ thought. He’s a good man, and loyal one. I have a lot I could learn from him.

  AJ stared out into the clear night sky filled with too many stars to count. Another day and Ceres had given him nothing new, dropped no hint or clue. He was no closer to learning anything about his father. The visit with Anna Arons had given AJ hope his grandfather wasn’t a total criminal, but the bits he had weren’t nearly enough to make any sense of what had happened during the war. He had no idea what he had gotten himself into or how to find the missing fortune. Ceres was right. They needed help. He decided to make a call to Milan.

  He took out his notebook and thumbed through until he found the right page. He out his took cell phone and dialed the Milan number.

  A sultry voice answered on the second ring.

  “Damn, voice mail,” AJ said.

  “Questo e il Signor Rossi,” AJ said in Italian. “Please call me as soon as possible. I want to engage your services on an important matter.” He hoped his second European PI would work out better than the first.

  “Who is Mr. Rossi?” Tinos asked.

  “He’s related to Mr. Jones,” AJ said, referring to the fake name he had used earlier. “I didn’t want to use my own name. After my experience with the last detective, you never know,” AJ said.

  “I guess it’s best to take precautions,” Tinos said.

  As AJ put the phone in his pocket, it rang. AJ flipped it open and said, “Hello?”

  “Hello Mr. Pantheras. This is Anna Arons. It’s not too late to call you, I hope,” Anna said her voice strong and clear on the cell phone.

  “No, Mrs. Arons,” AJ said, turning in his seat to look at Ceres. “It’s not too late at all. How can I help you?”

  “May I speak to Mr. Savas?” Anna asked.

  “Certainly, just a moment,” AJ said.

  “Ceres. Ceres wake up. Mrs. Arons is on the phone for you, Mr. Savas,” AJ said, his smirk growing.

  Ceres grabbed the phone from AJ with a scowl. “Anna, what a lovely surprise it is to hear from you so soon. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “I’m sorry to call so late but I found something that may be of interest. If this is a bad time…”

  “No, nothing like that, I’m just surprised to hear from you so soon,” Ceres said, a little flustered.

  “I looked through my father’s correspondence and there is a letter from a Christos Stavros. It’s dated 1945,” Anna said.

  “What does he say?” Ceres said, anxiously.

  “He says the American Army came to him looking for Lieutenant John. He asks if my father has heard from him.”

  “That was, what, a year after the Germans left?” Ceres said.

  “Yes, that’s right. The letter goes on to say that he, Mr. Stavros, had reported to the Americans that Lieutenant John had been killed in 1944.”

  “Killed! Does it say when or where?” Ceres said, his voice filled with urgency.

  “No, it doesn’t say, just that he reported Lieutenant John killed. I’m sorry there isn’t more,” Anna said.

  “Thank you for looking and
calling me right away. It’s important. I don’t know what it means yet, but it’s certainly significant,” Ceres said.

  “I’m not sure when my father got the letter. He was still in the camp near Rome at the time. I don’t I know how long it took to get to him,” Anna said, her voice reflecting Ceres’ disappointment.

  “I will keep looking and call you if I learn anything more.”

  “Thank you, Anna. You’ve been more than kind. I will be in touch with you soon. We will find our answers,” Ceres said.

  “God be with you, old friend. Good night,” Anna said.

  Ceres handed the cell phone back to AJ and said, “You heard?”

  “Her father had word my grandfather had been killed?” AJ said.

  “Yes, but no details. We still don’t know where or how,” Ceres said, his voice heavy with frustration.

  “I wonder why there’s no mention of it in the official record,” AJ said.

  “I’ve no idea. I’m going to try to get a little sleep,” an agitated Ceres said. “Perhaps when I’m rested I can make some sense of this.”

  Ceres slept fitfully until they arrived in the coastal town of Igoumenitsa around 11:30 p.m. Tinos drove them right to the ferry. AJ didn’t even ask if it was OK as he handed the affable taxi driver thirty five hundred Euros.

  “Tinos, do me one more favor please? Take your time going back to Athens. Avoid your uncle, the policeman, until this time tomorrow,” AJ said.

  “I have avoided him today. What are a few more hours?” Tinos laughed.

  “Thank you. It will give us another full day to figure out what’s going on. After tomorrow tell your uncle everything, all right?” AJ said.

  “Yes, my friend. I can do this,” Tinos said. “Be careful. You won’t find anyone in Italy who will look after you like I will.”

  AJ bought the ferry and train tickets for Milan at the same kiosk. Travel arrangements settled, AJ rejoined Ceres and Tinos, who were standing at the quay.