Dig Two Graves: Revenge or Honor

by Nick Vellis

  Gestapo, Dorn thought. If the Gestapo finds out about this fiasco, my goose is cooked.

  Several officers offered extraneous opinions, which Dorn ignored until Otto broke in on the conversation with, “It could be a ship.”

  “A ship? Check it at once,” Dorn said. “I want this man found before we leave. Otto, provide everyone with the names he has used previously.”

  “Immediately, Herr Oberst.”

  “Gentlemen, prepare your sections for departure. We will close this headquarters by the end of the week. Dismissed,” Dorn said.

  The phone rang again as Dorn was clearing his desk.

  “Herr Oberst, Dr. Bauer from the hospital on the telephone for you,” Otto said.

  “Very well,” Dorn said. “Put him through.”

  “Herr Oberst, Dr. Bauer here.”

  “Yes, Herr Doctor, what is it?”

  “We have not located the man.”

  “As I expected,” Dorn replied.

  “But there is something odd to report.”

  “Yes.”

  “A uniform is missing from a room on the missing man’s floor. The officer was unconscious when he came to us, and he has not improved,” the doctor reported.

  “What rank and unit?”

  “Herr Oberst?”

  “What was the rank and unit of the unconscious man?”

  “Hauptstrumfurher, Herr Oberst. The man is a captain in the Twenty First Mountain Corps,” the doctor said.

  There was a knock at the door. Dorn covered the phone’s speaker with his hand and said, “Come.”

  Captain Otto Klinst entered his commanding officer’s office quietly and waited until he finished on the telephone.

  “Very good, Herr Doctor, good work. Is there any indication when the man left the hospital?” Dorn asked

  “No, Herr Oberst. No one saw him leave,” the doctor said. “However the officer’s orderly is certain the uniform and boots were in the man’s closet when he checked on the officer for the night, approximately 0100. The ward corpsman checked on the patient at 0330. The man must have left after that time”

  “Excellent, Herr Doctor. Report any additional findings to me immediately. On another matter, you will prepare to move the hospital and its patients. We are leaving Greece. The first units leave at 1400 today. Support units to follow by the end of the week. Communicate your transportation needs to Captain Klinst before the end of the day.”

  “Yes, Herr Oberst.”

  “Good-bye and good luck Herr Doctor,” Dorn said.

  “Good-bye Herr Oberst.”

  He hung up the phone and stared a moment at the desk. Turning to his aid Dorn said, “Yes, Otto, what is it?”

  “A report on Agamemnon, Herr Oberst.”

  The young officer approached his commander seated behind his massive desk with a sheaf of papers in his hand.

  “This is a report from the Harbor Master, Herr Oberst. The freighter Agamemnon sailed at 0600 this morning bound for Crete.”

  “Damn. Anything unusual reported?”

  “Yes, Herr Oberst. A wounded man, a Hauptstrumfurher from the Twenty First Mountain Corps arrived just before sailing with two trucks filled with ammunition. The crew unloaded the trucks, and the man sailed with the ship.”

  “The hospital has discovered a uniform of that rank from that unit was stolen from the hospital last night," Dorn said. "Get me the ship’s current position and order patrol boats to overtake it.”

  “Herr Oberst, the Agamemnon was reported sunk off Katerini an hour ago,” the aide said.

  “What!” Dorn shouted as he lunged toward his aide.

  “Give the order for the patrol boats to search the area and locate the exact location of the wreck. Have them report directly to me.”

  “Then all is lost and hidden beneath the Aegean, Herr Oberst,” Otto said.

  “Hidden perhaps, but not lost. Not yet. Get packed. I want to be away from this cursed place as soon as possible,” Dorn shouted as he pushed the captain out the door.

  “Not yet,” he said to the empty room.

  CHAPTER 25

  AJ returned to San Raffaele Hospital by ambulance despite the fact his “accident” occurred in front of the hospital’s main entrance. The van’s mirror cracked two ribs and gouged a crescent of flesh from his back. Gia handled the interviews with the police, again. AJ was sitting up on the ER gurney when Gia called out his name.

  “Gia, over here,” he replied.

  “How are you doing?” she said, peeking through the privacy curtain.

  “You mean besides the pain? It only hurts if I breathe or move. It could’ve been a helluva lot worse, though,” AJ replied, wincing as he tried to scoot back on the bed.

  “I know. You saved my life,” she said.

  “And you thanked me very nicely. We can talk about your sharing more of that gratitude when I’m feeling better,” AJ said, sinking back on the bed. “Did the police get anything on the van?”

  “Not really. A half a dozen witnesses saw the van, so they have the license number. It won’t matter, though. It’s probably stolen. The witnesses all say the same thing.”

  “What did they see? It was all a blur to me,” AJ said, lying back on the gurney.

  “A dark blue Citroen delivery van going slowly, like it was looking for a parking spot or an address. We appeared, and the van suddenly sped up. One witness in particular thought the driver was aiming for us. For now the police are treating it like an accident,” Gia replied.

  “What do you think?” he asked.

  “You know what I think. Someone is out to kill you and your friend. The sooner we find out who and why, the safer you’re going to be,” Gia replied.

  “Well, if you can spring me from here, maybe we can get started. The damn doctor wants me for 24-hour observation. I’m only going up four floors to Ceres’ room,” AJ said.

  “I’ll see what I can do. Don’t run off,” Gia said.

  “Where am I gunna go? They took my new clothes,” AJ protested.

  Gia pushed AJ’s wheelchair into Ceres’ hospital room.

  “What happened to you?” Ceres said, trying to sit up straight in his bed.

  “Too much breakfast,” AJ said, with a smile. “How are you feeling?”

  “Not bad, but my nurse,” he said, covering his ears, “she never stops talking.”

  “Yeah, I know,” AJ said. “And I think she’s sweet on you too.”

  “Ah. That explains … AJ, will you go to the hotel and get something for me?” Ceres said.

  “Sure, what do you need?”

  “I put the notebook in the hotel safe. Get it for me. I must show you what is in it,” Ceres said. “If anything happens …”

  “That can wait until you’re better. Don’t worry,” AJ said, cutting his friend off, but trying to be understanding.

  “No, you don’t understand…” Ceres said as he tried to sit up. The blood pressure and pulse monitors began to beep as Ceres’ vitals climbed.

  “Take it easy. I’ll get it for you, now rest,” AJ said.

  Ceres fell back in the bed panting as chatty Nurse Mary bustled back into the room, already in the middle of a conversation.

  “We’ll talk later,” Ceres, whispered.

  “Close your eyes,” AJ said to Ceres looking at the nurse, who was still talking, “Maybe she’ll leave.”

  “Nurse, he’s sleeping again. Maybe we should leave him alone for a while,” AJ said, hoping Ceres could get some peace and quiet.

  “He is not. You have him all riled up about something,” Nurse Mary scolded. “I saw his vital signs spike on the Nurse Station monitors and knew you were in here upsetting him.”

  Ceres opened one eye to see if his nurse was looking and she caught him.

  “Mr. Saves, you can quit pretending to be asleep.”

  Turning to AJ, she scowled and said, “The poor dear needs his rest, doesn’t he? Come back later.”

  “We should go, Gia,” AJ said, noddi
ng towards the door.

  “Sure, we can come back,” Gia replied, as she wheeled AJ toward the door.

  “Good-bye,” Mary said quietly.

  The fussy nurse grabbed Ceres’ wrist to take his pulse. Ceres jumped, startled by her unexpected touch.

  Such a nice boy, your son. He’s been here day and night since they brought you in, you know,” Nurse Mary said. “He never left your side. Sat right in that chair, he did. You don’t see that much in children today.”

  Ceres tuned out the rest of Nurse Mary’s litany as he thought about Ajax. Never left my side, he thought. If I had a son …

  AJ squirmed uncomfortably in the front seat. The seat belt crossed right over his ribs, and every bump and turn as Gia navigated the narrow back streets of Milan made him yelp. When they reached the hotel, Gia held the door while AJ gingerly got out of the car.

  “Whoa,” AJ moaned. “I thought the pain killers would’ve kicked in by now,” AJ said as he struggled to stand.

  “Just take it easy. You’ll bounce back,” Gia said.

  Gia took AJ by the arm and led him through the side entrance to the hotel where Marco, the manager, met them. He hugged Gia and shook AJ’s hand. AJ grimaced as the simple handshake sent a wave of pain through his body.

  “Gia, Mr. Pantheras, it’s so good to see you. How is Mr. Savas?” Marco said. “I was so distressed at what happened to him.”

  “He’s much better,” AJ replied. “Do you know if the police have finished with our room? I need some things to take to the hospital.”

  “Yes, they released your room two days ago. I have been waiting for your return. I hope you will continue to stay with us. You will, won’t you? Your stay is complementary for as long as you wish,” the anxious manager asked.

  “Well, if you insist, that’ll be fine. My friend’s unfortunate incident wasn’t the hotel’s fault. I’m told your surveillance video was very helpful to the investigation,” AJ said. “I appreciate your cooperation.”

  “Thank you for being so understanding Mr. Pantheras. Nothing like this has ever happened in our hotel. It’s most distressing. May I be permitted to send Mr. Savas a gift while he is in hospital? I was thinking of something with a Greek theme to honor his heritage.”

  “That’s really not necessary,” AJ said.

  “Ah, Mr. Pantheras, but it is necessary and the right thing to do to express one’s sincere regret,” Marco replied.

  AJ nodded and smiled, “Of course you may. I’m sure my friend will appreciate your remembering him.”

  “Marco,” Gia said, “Mr. Savas put some items in the hotel safe. Did the police take them?”

  The manager smiled. “No, they did not ask and I did not volunteer the information. Would you like to take Mr. Savas’ things to him?”

  “I would,” AJ replied. “That would be great.”

  “Please, wait in my office,” Marco said. “I’ll just be a few minutes.”

  Gia and AJ followed the manager down a short hall to this office as Marco disappeared to retrieve Ceres’ properly.

  “Your friend Marco’s a good man,” AJ said.

  “Yeah, he is. Both he and my father courted my mother. When my father won out, Marco pledged to be their friend for life. His friendship has lasted longer than my mother or father’s life time,” Gia replied.

  Wow. The old world is not just old, it’s completely different, AJ thought.

  Marco strode into his office carrying Ceres’ black leather folio under his arm.

  “Will you’ll please sign this, Mr. Pantheras?” Marco said, handing AJ a brown receipt book.

  AJ signed the receipt and handed it back in exchange for the folio. The leather case was much lighter without the gold bar it had contained when AJ last held it. The gold was safe in his safe in Miami, but he could feel the .45 through the leather. Ceres always thinks ahead, AJ thought.

  “Thank you, Marco,” Gia said as she rose to leave.

  “Yes, thank you very much,” AJ added.

  “I hope the remainder of your stay is pleasant and please let me know if we may do anything to assist Mr. Savas,” Marco said, shaking AJ’s hand.

  “And Gia please be careful. I don’t know what you and your friend are up to, but it’s obviously dangerous,” Marco said as he kissed Gia on each cheek.

  “I will Marco. Can you ask the staff to keep our being here today quiet?” Gia said.

  “Of course, say no more,” Marco replied.

  “Ciao,” Gia said with a wave.

  “Let’s check out my room,” AJ said as they left the office. “We can get those things for Ceres while we’re at it.”

  “If you feel up to it,” Gia smiled.

  When the elevator doors closed neither of them said a word. AJ flushed hot as the car surged upward, his heart pounding. He wondered, no hoped, Gia felt the same. AJ fumbled at the door with the key card. Gia took the card from him. The momentary touch of her hand sent a wave of feeling through him. He followed her, wide eyed, into the room.

  The lawyer and the investigator scanned the hotel room, each seeing something a little different. The room had been thoroughly tossed, drawers half out, the bed askew and sheets rumpled, clothes on the closet floor.

  “I don’t care much for the housekeeping in this place,” AJ quipped.

  Gia snickered, “I’ll have a word with Marco.”

  “Why were the police even in here?” AJ said, almost to himself. “The attack was in the hallway.”

  “They’d want to establish a motive. Checking out the room would give them information on the victim,” Gia replied.

  “We have the motive right there, in that bag,” AJ said, pointing to the leather folio in Gia’s hand. “But how could those thugs have known we were here?”

  “I don’t know,” Gia said. “Surveillance, maybe. Could you have been followed from Greece?”

  “I don’t see how. We took the ferry to Bari, then the high-speed train,” AJ replied, puzzled.

  “Well, a leak then, did you tell anyone where you were going?” Gia suggested.

  “A leak, from where? You were the only one we talked to in Milan,” AJ said, sitting down on the side of the bed. He kicked something, tried to lean down to pick it up, and immediately regretted it. The pain straightened him up as he grimaced.

  “Damn,” AJ said, grabbing his side. “Would you see what I kicked under the bed, please?”

  Gia knelt down to look and retrieved a paperback book while AJ admired the view as her blouse gapped.

  “It’s a paperback book,” Gia said, handing the book to AJ. “Enjoy the view?”

  “Ah, a book. Ceres was going to read that the night… We can take it to him at the hospital. He might want to read if he gets a chance,” AJ said.

  “I said…”

  “I heard you. Yes, I did enjoy the view. Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that,” AJ sighed

  “Well, as long as you didn’t get me to bend over on purpose, you’re forgiven. This time,” she replied.

  AJ struggled to his feet and said, “I’ll get his toiletries collected. Would you find something for him to wear please? He’ll be more comfortable in his own PJs.” AJ said.

  “PJs?” Gia asked.

  “Pajamas.”

  “Sure,” Gia laughed. “Where would they be?”

  “In one of those drawers,” AJ said, pointing to a jumbled dresser on the far side of the room, “or on the floor. We have to do something about that maid.”

  AJ looked at the paperback in his hand and notice a slip of paper. Assuming it was a bookmark, he opened the book to find Ceres’ hand written list.

  LT John dead?

  How? Where? Why? - money, war casualty

  Christos- Dead Gus, Chris, George, Costa, Nick, Darrian -Survived the war but all dead. How? Ask Gia to check

  Solaris- alive? Who could be using his name?

  Connection to Andreas?

  What connections are known?

  What could have triggered Andreas
’ death- research?

  Who did he contact?

  To do

  Go over notebook with Ajax

  Follow the money- Gia

  Determine connections

  Note from LT John

  List of numbers?

  Call Anna - letters

  “What do you make of this?” AJ said.

  Gia put a pair of plaid pajamas on the bed and sat down next to AJ to look over his shoulder.

  “He was thinking things through,” Gia said. “Let’s take it to him. It may help us put together a plan. You know, see how we can get things moving?”

  “Good idea,” AJ said, looking at Gia’s profile. He was taken with the Italian girl, perhaps because she was the first to say no to him. Gia was not impressed by AJ. She was working for him and that was it. Maybe that was a good thing.

  “Do you want to look at the infamous notebook?” Gia said, reaching for the leather folio at the foot of the bed.

  AJ thought for a moment. His curiosity had grown since the first mention of the notebook. He had resented Ceres for not showing it to him and now he had his chance. But …

  “No. It would be better if Ceres showed it to me,” AJ said, looking into her dark eyes.

  Those eyes smiled back at him. “I think you’re right,” she said.

  “So, how’s the patient?” AJ said as he limped into Ceres’ hospital room, the leather folio at his side. Gia was right behind him, a shopping bag with Ceres pajamas and toiletries in her hand.

  “Better,” Ceres said. “You were gone a long time. I was worried.”

  “I’m sorry, but you shouldn’t worry. Gia’s taking good care of me,” AJ said.

  “Did you get it? Was it still there?”

  “Calm yourself. You’ll get me thrown out again. We got it,” AJ said holding up the black notebook. And we got your paperback and something for you to wear. You need to get out of that hospital gown.”

  “I better check with Nurse Mary before I change. She runs a tight ship. ‘Ship shape and Bristol fashion,’ she says. Did you look at it? I can’t blame you if you did.”

  “No, I didn’t. It’s yours and you’ll share it with me when you’re ready. What is that smell?” AJ said, scrunching up his face as he looked around the room for pungent odor. He took a seat next to the bed.