Death in the Aegean

by Irena Nieslony

  * * * *

  Dimitris went through each conversation thoroughly. He still found it difficult to believe that either Don or Betty was the killer. As for Yiannis, he’d put nothing past him. Still, his main suspect remained Kevin Fowler.

  Lucy’s body still had to be identified, but as Dimitris got up to leave the station to pick up Justin, he saw Annie Davies hovering at the door.

  Oh no, not another one of these English people. I wish I hadn’t sat here for so long and had got on my way before she arrived.

  However, despite his thoughts, Dimitris was as polite as ever.

  “Mrs. Davies, come in. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m sorry to bother you, Officer Kastrinakis, but I remembered something that may be pertinent to the case of Lucy Fowler. I thought I should tell you about it.”

  “Of course, please sit down, Mrs. Davies. I’ll just get my sergeant.”

  Once Dimitris had returned with Stavros, he asked Annie to continue.

  “Well, I’ll get straight to the point. I’m sure you’re very busy.”

  She then paused and looked a little nervous. Dimitris was frustrated. He was busy and he needed her to hurry.

  “Come now, Mrs. Davies, whatever you say here will be confidential; you have my word.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

  Annie sounded relieved, but Dimitris was getting annoyed that she still wasn’t getting on with her story.

  “Well,” she finally began. “About six weeks ago, I came out of the local shop in Plaka and Paul and Lucy were standing outside arguing. I caught what I think was the tale end of their conversation. Paul was telling Lucy that if she didn’t start being a nicer person, she’d be sorry and he would make sure of it personally.”

  “So you think Paul killed Lucy?” Dimitris asked.

  “Oh, I don’t know about that, but he was threatening her. I thought I should tell you anyway.”

  “Well, thank you, Mrs. Davies. Yes, it was important that you gave me this information.”

  Annie got up, relieved that it was all over. She hoped that she hadn’t made a mistake coming to the police station. She didn’t want the wrong person to be arrested.

  Watching Annie leave, Dimitris shook his head for the umpteenth time that day. Did Paul really mean to hurt Lucy if she didn’t change her behavior? Dimitris knew that he had quite a temper and remembered that he attacked Eve Masters in December. Yes, Paul Fowler would be another addition to the growing list of suspects.

  Chapter 7

  David had decided that he would go to the airport alone to pick up Emma so they could have some time to catch up on family news. At first, Eve had been annoyed to be left out. After all Emma would be living with David and they would have plenty of time to chat. However, now she was pleased that he had made that decision. There was so much to think about concerning the murder and she didn’t fancy hanging around the airport, especially if the plane was late. Anyway, she would be seeing Emma in the evening.

  Once David had left, Eve got herself a cold glass of lemonade and went outside to think about Lucy Fowler. However, although she thought she was looking forward to having time alone, the house suddenly felt empty and Eve felt her eyes water.

  What is wrong with me? I’ve always lived alone and it’s never bothered me. Now I’m missing David and he’s only been gone for fifteen minutes. How soppy is that?

  Eve had never lived with anyone before, nor had she been married. Yes, there had been weekends away and the occasional romantic break on a tropical beach, but the previous Christmas had been the first time she had spent a significant length of time living with a man. She and David had tried it out a few times since and although Eve enjoyed having David around, she did occasionally miss her independence and hadn’t minded when he had left and gone home. This was the first time she was actually missing having him around.

  However, there was a part of her that felt that this whole ‘living together’ bit didn’t quite suit her. Eve had an old fashioned streak and deep down she wanted to get married. Not only that, she wanted the complete package. She imagined being proposed to in a romantic restaurant, dressed to the nines, with David looking as gorgeous as ever in his best suit. She could just see him getting down on one knee and popping the question.

  Eve had even gone as far as dreaming about their actual wedding day. They would have the ceremony on the beach and all their friends from England would come over. The reception would naturally be held in one of the 5 star hotels on the island, with excellent food, the best champagne and a great band to dance to.

  Betty would be green with envy, she thought, chuckling. Then to top it all, we would go on to have a wonderful honeymoon in Africa...... Why oh why won’t David propose? I love him so much and I know he loves me. I can’t understand his reluctance. It must be because of his disastrous first marriage. What am I to do? I reckon I’m going to have to start dropping hints.

  Unfortunately, David was unaware of Eve’s great desire to marry. He thought she was a modern woman who thought marriage was an old-fashioned institution. It disappointed him as he wanted to marry Eve, but he was sure that if he asked her, she would run a mile. He didn’t want to lose her, despite all her faults, and goodness knows there were a lot of those. She could be aggressive and domineering at times, and she was often self- centered, but on the other hand, she was exciting and fun to be with. He also had to admit that she had changed for the better in the past year. She had mellowed and had started thinking of other people as well as of herself, albeit occasionally. She was still vain however and did get bored easily, but David knew life on Crete was just a little too dull for her. However, she was forever popping back to England as if it were next door. Yes, she could afford it, but it still seemed like a waste of money to David. However, if it kept her happy, who was he to deny her that? She always came back having missed him dreadfully and their reunions were wonderful. It was almost worth it to say goodbye.

  When it came down to it, both Eve and David wanted the same thing and what was needed was some proper communication between the two of them.

  Eve finished her glass of lemonade, knowing she was wasting time thinking about David when she should be concentrating on Lucy. She went and got another drink, deciding to set her mind to the task ahead. She started wondering what her first step should be in trying to discover Lucy’s killer. It still disturbed her that she had seen Pete and Lucy together and she wished she could get their image out of her mind.

  Eve had always thought that Annie and Pete were happy. They never made public shows of affection, but they didn’t have arguments either and they seemed content, but who knew what went on behind closed doors. She didn’t want to tell the police what she had seen. Annie was probably her closest friend on the island and if the police turned up to question Pete, and Annie found out why, it would be a terrible shock, even if there turned out to be nothing in it. Eve didn’t want to cause her any unnecessary suffering.

  And if she found out that I had gone to the police, she would be upset that I hadn’t given her this information first. We’re good friends and she’d expect me to tell her, but I reckon that if I did, she’d be mad at me as well. Nobody likes the bearer of bad news. Still, I can’t imagine Pete having an affair, nor killing anyone. He did help David save me when my house had been set on fire by that crazy woman, Phyllis Baldwin. No, it’s better that I say nothing.

  However, Eve was unable to sit still. She kept thinking about Lucy lying dead in the cave, and as much as Eve disliked the woman, she hadn’t deserved to die.

  “Mind you, Pete can get quite irritable and snappy over nothing at all,” she finally said. “I remember Christmas Day. He was quite unpleasant to me when I was upset that Betty believed I’d killed Jennifer. Well, perhaps I should tell the police about him after all. I’m pretty certain he didn’t do it, but Dimitris needs to have the facts. And as I said to Jane, the police will keep their source of information a secret...................What
is wrong with me? I’m usually so decisive. What do you reckon, Portia?”

  Portia looked at her mistress, but just let out a large yawn and went to sleep. Eve took no notice of her disinterest.

  I’ll walk to the police station. It’ll take around half an hour and by then I’m sure I’ll have come to a decision.

  * * * *

  Forty minutes later Eve was standing on the other side of the road to the police station, still undecided. She had paced up and down a few times and had almost crossed the road to go in, but had then changed her mind.

  She had forgotten to bring any water with her and by this time she was getting thirsty.

  Noticing that there was a small shop a few meters down the road, she walked over to it, hoping that by the time she had come back she would have made her decision.

  Unbeknown to her, Dimitris Kastrinakis, whose office overlooked the main road, had seen Eve Masters arrive. His heart sank when he saw her, expecting her to come storming in announcing some calamity or other, but she didn’t. She just stood opposite the police station, occasionally walking up and down. He wondered what was going on.

  Oh well, I have more important things to think about than worry about the great private sleuth, Eve Masters.

  However, every minute or two he looked up and stole a glance outside. He was surprised to still see her there. In the end, he couldn’t stand the suspense anymore and he had to go and see what Eve was up to.

  When Dimitris got outside, he looked across the road and Eve was gone. He glanced to the right and then the left, but there was no sign of her at all.

  “Damn,” he muttered. “She’s disappeared.”

  However, Eve then appeared from the shop carrying a bottle of water and Dimitris dashed across the road. He was determined not to miss her this time.

  “Miss Masters,” he shouted. “Can I have a word?”

  Eve looked at him.

  Oh no, what do I say now?

  “Detective, how nice to see you,” she smiled.

  “I saw you from my window,” Dimitris replied. “Did you want to speak to me?”

  Eve knew she’d been caught out, but at that moment she decided that she couldn’t tell him about Pete. It was ridiculous. Lucy and Pete had looked like friends meeting, nothing more.

  “No, I hadn’t come to see you. I’ve been for a long walk and just stopped to get some water. That’s all. I’m off home now.”

  “You English do seem to like walking in the sun, don’t you?”

  “Yes, we’re a little crazy,” Eve laughed.

  Dimitris had a feeling she was hiding something from him, but he had no idea what.

  “Well, you are very different to us Greek people, yes,” Dimitris smiled, making Eve laugh again.

  “That’s true. Anyway, I’d better be going. Good morning, officer.”

  “Good morning, Miss Masters.”

  As Eve walked away, she felt a sense of relief overwhelm her.

  I can’t believe I nearly told Dimitris that I suspected Pete Davies of having an affair. He’s a good friend. What was I thinking? Just because he got irritated with me once. He loves Annie as well. Anyone can see that. He would never cheat on her. Annie would never have forgiven me if she found out that I had told the police about her husband and Lucy.

  Dimitris watched Eve walk away.

  There’s something strange going on there. Either Eve decided that what she was going to tell me wasn’t important or, more likely, she decided to use the information to find the killer herself. I’ve told her not to interfere and as usual, she’s taken no notice. I’ll have to keep an eye on her; otherwise she’s going to get herself killed one of these days.

  Chapter 8

  Kevin, having returned from the police station, was having brunch with Justin and Paul. None of them said much to each other.

  “You don’t have to identify Mum,” Kevin finally said to his son, breaking the awkward silence. “I can do it, you know.”

  “I need to do it, Dad. It’ll give me closure.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure.”

  After another uncomfortable silence, Justin spoke.

  “By the way, I heard you last night and I don’t believe you.”

  “What did you hear?” Kevin asked nervously.

  “I heard you say Mum had an affair, but you’re lying. She would never be unfaithful to you.”

  “I’m sorry you had to overhear it like that, but it’s the truth. These things happen in marriages.”

  Kevin was trembling. He hadn’t wanted his son to know about the affair and have another bad memory of Lucy.

  “Well, if she did, it was your fault,” Justin shouted. “At Easter, she told me about Jennifer Anderson, so she must have been paying you back. That was what happened. She wouldn’t normally be unfaithful to you. She loved you.”

  “God, Justin, I’m getting fed up of you standing up for your mother all the time, especially after the way she treated you recently. You keep going on and on about how much you love her, but she’d stopped loving you, son.”

  Kevin couldn’t believe he was saying these words to his own child, but he couldn’t stop himself. He loved Justin, but Justin had always idolized his mother, even when she couldn’t accept his illness. Now she was dead, but he was still supporting her. Why did he still love that evil woman more than his own father? He had done nothing except give him support.

  Lucy wouldn’t accept that he’s bi-polar. She turned her back on him, rejecting him while I was the one who was there for him. She refused to go back to England to see him and I had to fly back to check on him every month. I’m glad that woman is dead. Glad.

  “We were going to make things right on this holiday, Dad, I know we were,” Justin shouted back. “We got on a bit better at Easter, but now she’s gone and for all I know you killed her....... Uncle Paul, please come with me to identify Mum’s body. I’m going to get dressed.”

  With that he stormed out of the room, leaving Kevin lost for words. Paul looked at him and thought he saw a tear fall.

  “Hey, Kevin, he’ll calm down, probably after he’s seen his Mum and the reality hits him.”

  “I doubt it. He hates me. It’s his Mum he wants, not me. Look, will you go with him as he’s asked. It’ll be better.”

  “Of course I will. What are you going to do today?”

  “I don’t know. Nothing. Wait I suppose. See if the police come up with anything. I just hope they don’t come and arrest me.”

  Paul went to give his brother a hug of reassurance. Within fifteen minutes, Dimitris Kastrinakis had picked him and Justin up.

  * * * *

  Driving to Kevin Fowler’s house with Stavros, Dimitris couldn’t believe how productive his morning had been so far and he had barely left his office.

  All these English people have turned up and now I have a list of suspects in the Lucy Fowler murder case. Or do I?

  He still found it hard to believe that Lucy had had a lover. She was not an attractive woman which wouldn’t matter if she had an interesting personality, but she didn’t seem to have that either.

  Yiannis Neonakis wasn’t fussy about the women he bedded, so it wasn’t completely out of the question that he had slept with her, but Dimitris couldn’t see it having been much more than a one or two night stand. He thought there could be a motive there. Lucy might have been upset when he refused to see her again. She could have pursued him, causing him to kill her in the heat of an argument. After all, Yiannis did have a violent temper and was known for hitting women, even though none of them had reported him to the police.

  Don Jones seemed an old fashioned man and he had denied having an affair with Lucy. However, the local gossip was that Betty was becoming more miserable and it wouldn’t be surprising if he had turned to another woman. However, as for murdering Lucy, Dimitris couldn’t see Don going to those lengths for any reason.

  Betty Jones was an angry woman and could have murdered Lucy for having an affair with her husband
. However, Dimitris still wondered if either she or Don would have had the strength to carry Lucy to the cave.

  Of course, Kevin Fowler was still their prime suspect. Kevin and Lucy’s marriage was on the rocks and he could have killed her in the middle of an argument. Of course, it could have been premeditated. Kevin said he was on the way to the airport, but you didn’t need to check in early for an internal flight. Dimitris reckoned he would still have had plenty of time to kill his wife.

  I still wish I knew what Eve had come to the station for. I’m sure she knows something.

  Dimitris arrived at Kevin’s house and saw Paul and Justin sitting outside, waiting.

  Ah, the son. It will be difficult for him to see his dead mother...... Now, I forgot about Paul. I must ask him where he was at the time of the murder.

  Dimitris got out of the car, ready to take Justin and Paul to the morgue. However, he wished that he just had to deal with Greek people. He understood them so much better.

  * * * *

  After identifying his mother, Justin wanted to be alone for a few minutes which suited Dimitris very well. He needed to speak to Paul without Justin around.

  “Mr. Fowler, a word please,” he asked immediately.

  “Yes?” Paul replied, wondering what this was all about.

  Paul hadn’t thought for one moment that he would be a suspect in his sister-in-law’s murder inquiry, but he noticed that Stavros was about to take notes.

  “Could I ask where you were between seven and ten p.m. on the night Lucy Fowler was murdered?” Dimitris asked.

  “What?” Paul replied. “You don’t honestly think I killed her, do you?”

  His voice rose in anger very quickly, which surprised Dimitris.

  “Please answer the question, sir”

  Paul tried to calm himself down, knowing he wouldn’t be doing himself any favors by losing his temper.

  “I’m sorry, sir,” Paul carried on. “Let me think.....At about ten to seven I left a job in Vamos to drive home. I was home alone until about twenty past eight when I walked over to Jane’s house – Jane Phillips that is - and we went out to Irini’s taverna to eat. Doris and Andy Gardner were there if you want to confirm that.”