The officer had taken great pains to document every detail of the little boy’s statement, and that was when I noticed why Madame J had stolen this page. Dora had told Demetrius a story about when she was his age and her nanny had taken her on her first airplane ride to visit her nanny’s family in Texas, and how excited she was about flying in an airplane. I wasn’t sure what prompted the story, but Dora was probably preparing Demetrius for their escape. At the time Dora probably thought it was harmless to mention her nanny, but later when Dora ended up living with her, it became a crucial clue, and one Madame J needed to hide from Andros.
I read the page all the way to the bottom, and something compelled me to read it again. I was missing something . . . and then, with a small gasp, I had it, and for me it was the final straw.
It’s hard to say what motivates a person to want to end another’s life. Some people could never be pushed that far; others need no reason at all. I can only speak for myself, and for me it took an attempt on my life, the destruction and devastation of my home and business, the murder of the man I loved, and now . . . the realization that Andros’s evil extended far beyond the borders of my own world, reaching deep into the hearts, homes and lives of others who were only innocent by-standers. That moment turned my heart black, my resolve to steel, and my mind to one purpose.
Without further ado I reached for the phone.
Despite the wind and rough weather our pilot gave us one hell of a smooth landing. As the plane taxied over to the gate I stared blankly out the window with a hollow feeling eating out my insides. I was numb, but resigned to the task at hand. The dichotomy of that mixture would normally have made me ponder the meaning of life. At the moment all I wanted to do was get on with it already.
I waited my turn and exited the plane with the others, avoiding eye contact and holding my duffel bag awkwardly in front of me so as not to catch it on the seats as I deplaned. The pilot thanked me for flying Northwest. I gave him a curt nod and moved on.
I got to the terminal and luckily had to walk only a short distance to the tram that would take me to baggage claim. I had no bags to claim, but that was where I needed to go. I glanced at my watch; we were early, which was neither good nor bad. The tram stopped and I followed a large crowd down the escalator across a long hallway and down another escalator. I went through a small door for exiting passengers and smiled when I saw that my escorts were already here, waiting. Good.
I walked forward, acknowledging them with only my eyes as Gargoyle took up my right, Goblin my left, and Grim fell in step from behind. We walked a short distance to the same silver sedan with smoked windows that had been my chariot on other occasions, and without hesitation I got in and made myself comfortable.
Grim got in front opposite the driver, Gargoyle and Goblin got in on either side of me and without a word the driver took off.
We headed east, cruising at just above the speed limit, and I smiled at the irony of these big, bad Mafia types wanting to avoid a speeding ticket. Forty-five minutes later we reached the Kapordelis mansion, and I was instructed to leave my duffel in the car. Nonchalantly I shrugged my shoulders, which made my three escorts just a teeny bit nervous, I could tell. It had to be bugging the crap out of them that I was so cavalier about my obviously precarious circumstances, and it didn’t help matters that I continued to smile like the Cheshire cat.
Goblin held the door open for me as we entered the mansion, and I followed him as we wound our way through the house to Andros’s study. As we approached I could see that his door was already open, and as we neared I could also see the hit man who’d probably been the one who killed Dutch waiting in one of the wing chairs. The more the merrier, I thought.
Goblin stepped to the side and waved me into the study, and as I entered only Grim followed, while Goblin closed the door and waited outside with Gargoyle. Without pause I walked over to one of the chairs in front of Andros’s desk and plopped down, crossing my legs and arms and screwing up my face with the cockiest expression I could muster.
Andros was seated in his usual spot behind his enormous chair. He looked awful, as sweat soaked his white cotton shirt and dripped down his puffy face. His skin had a yellowish hue, indicating that jaundice had set in. I could feel the waves of intense pain flowing off of him, and I allowed myself not an ounce of pity. “Miss Cooper, it is so nice to see that you have escaped that unfortunate fire in your home,” he began.
“Yeah, I’m lucky like that,” I said, beaming a fake smile at him.
“It is unfortunate, however, that we must end this relationship. Sadly, you have not held up your end of the bargain, and I will be forced to dismiss you.”
Andros was a funny guy. He said the word “dismiss” as if he were merely discharging someone’s employment, rather than ordering their murder. “Hang on there, big guy,” I said, holding up my hand in a stopping motion. “Who says I haven’t held up my end of the bargain?”
“I beg your pardon?” Andros asked me, acknowledging me fully for the first time.
“Who says I haven’t held up my end of the bargain?” I repeated, more insistent this time.
“Miss Cooper, I have no time for games. You are clearly not the talent I am looking for, and you have failed in your assignment. These men will escort you—”
“As I recall, Andros,” I said, using his first name for impact, “my assignment was to find your wife, which I have done, by the way. So it is you who must pay up or be discharged, in my opinion.”
“You found Dora?” Andros said with a smile. He didn’t believe me. Good.
“Yes.”
“Then where is my beloved wife?” Andros asked, looking around the room mocking me. “After all, I would love to accept you at your word, Miss Cooper, but you see, I am a skeptical man. . . .”
“So you don’t believe me?” I asked, leaning in and holding Andros’s beady little stare.
“No.”
“She flew back with me on the plane. If your henchmen had been a little more observant they would have seen her walk down the terminal with me,” I said, laughing and pointing a wagging finger at Grim, who suddenly looked exceedingly nervous as Andros and his hit man both turned to look at him.
“I didn’t see anyone with her, Mr. Kapordelis. She was alone,” Grim said quickly.
“Well, of course you didn’t see anyone with me, Grimmy-boy. You had eyes only for me. Too bad too—you could have saved Andros from having to take a car ride.”
Andros looked back at me with a scowl that could freeze a polar bear. “Miss Cooper, I’ve had enough of this. Sal, dispose of her. . . .”
Grim jumped forward and jerked up my arm as he began lifting me out of the chair. I decided it might be best to get to the point. “If you don’t believe me then call her!” I shouted.
Grim heaved me clear of the chair and began to pull me over to the door. “She’s got my cell phone!” I shouted. “Call my cell phone! She wants to meet you, Andros, and she’s got your son with her!”
Grim paused for a moment, the shock of my statement reverberating through the room. “What are you talking about?” Andros asked me as I stood on tiptoe, still gripped by Grim.
“Have him let go of me and I’ll tell you the whole sorry story,” I said. Andros waved at Grim, who released me like a hot potato, and after I had straightened out my clothing and walked back to the chair I sat down and again crossed my legs and arms and began. “Okay, I found Dora. She was down South. Remember how I told you there was a fourth son? Well, when Dora disappeared she was pregnant. She left because she was afraid of you, but she feels terrible about it, and now that she knows about your condition she wants to see you, and she wants her son to know his father before it’s too late. Now I’ve met this young man, and I gotta tell you, Andros, he’s a perfect fit to carry on your legacy. I’ve looked into his future, and he’s a shining star....”
A small tic formed just above Andros’s left eye, punching his eyebrow up and down as he looked at me and c
onsidered what I’d just told him.
“If you don’t believe me then make a phone call,” I urged. “I gave Dora my cell phone; just call the number and when she answers ask her a question only she could know the answer to,” I prodded. He had to take the bait, but I couldn’t appear too anxious, so I sat back and waited for him to decide what to do.
A moment passed, then another and another, until finally Andros hit the speaker button on his phone and said, “What’s the number?”
“Two-four-eight, five-five-five, twenty-four, twenty-nine.”
Andros punched in the numbers and we waited as the phone rang once, twice, then was picked up by a female voice saying a tentative, “Hello?” into the line.
“Yes, this is Andros Kapordelis; who is this, please?” Andros said. I could see the tension on his face as he waited to hear more of the voice I knew he recognized.
“Oh, Andros! Thank God. This is Dora, and I’d like to see you.”
“How do I know it’s you?” Andros said, leaning a little closer to the phone.
“Ask me a question about when we were together,” she offered.
Andros thought for a moment, then said, “What did you give me on our first wedding anniversary?”
There was a silvery laugh on the other end, and the voice said, “Lollipops! I wanted you to give up those smelly cigars, and I thought as long as you had a substitute you might give it a try.”
As she said the word “lollipops” I watched Andros’s jaw drop, and involuntarily he brought his hand up to caress the phone. “Dora? Is it really you?” he asked, his voice choked with emotion.
“Yes, darling, it is. Can I see you so that I can explain everything?”
“Yes,” Andros said, quickly leaning forward to speak directly into the speakerphone. “Yes, yes, of course. Where are you? I will come to you,” he said excitedly.
“First, darling, you must promise me something,” she said.
“What? What do you want me to promise you?”
“That you will bring Abby, and that she won’t be harmed under any circumstances.”
Andros looked quickly up at me, almost puzzled that I was still in the room; then he looked back at the phone and said, “Of course, of course. Where are you?”
“Well, I thought it would be appropriate to meet at the place where I disappeared from you twenty years ago. I know that sounds odd, but I just think that once I tell you what really happened, you’ll be able to understand. I can take you through that day and show you exactly what happened. Will you come?”
“I’m on my way, Dora,” he said, getting up.
“When will you be here?”
“It will take us a little time, about half an hour. Will you wait for me?”
“Yes, yes, of course, darling. Hurry.” And she clicked off.
Andros walked with difficulty around his desk, his breathing coming rapidly as he forced his legs to support him. Grim moved quickly to his side and helped him into his coat, while the hit man kept a wary eye on me. He wasn’t buying it, which was exactly what I was hoping for.
“Andros,” he said softly.
Andros turned slightly and regarded him. “Yes?”
“I don’t like it,” the man said.
“It was her, Sal. I’d know that voice anywhere.”
“Oh, I’m not saying it wasn’t her, my friend. I’m just saying I don’t like it.”
Andros looked at Sal, a silent conversation passing between them; then he looked at me, and I met his stare with confidence. He looked back at his personal assassin and said, “You may be right. Bring the boys.”
With that Sal walked over to the phone and picked it up. He spoke quickly in Greek, replaced the receiver, then came around to me and grabbed me by the shoulder. His grip was firm, but not hurtful, and we all exited the room, Andros walking slowly and carefully, Grim holding him by the arm.
In the hall we met Demetrius, who smiled at his father and hurried toward him. “You wanted to see me, Pop?”
Andros stopped and regarded his son. “Yes, Demetrius, I need you to go down to the casino tonight and help Fitz.”
“Awww, Pop,” Demetrius complained, “I had a date tonight. . . .”
“You will do as I say!” Andros thundered, and we all jumped a little at the cannon of his voice.
Demetrius glared at his father and sniffed stubbornly, then gave in and said with a winning smile, “Okay, okay, Pop. I’ll go, but I’ll have you to blame when there are no grandchildren.” And he leaned in to kiss his father on the cheek.
As he did so he brushed into me, and I flinched a little. “Excuse me,” I said automatically.
“No sweat, cutie,” he said, and winked at me before trotting away.
We reached the car a short time later, and instead of being taken to the silver sedan, I was forced to ride in the limousine with Andros and Sal. Grim, Gargoyle and Goblin got into the sedan, each toting a semiautomatic. Another car came out of the garage, also with smoked windows and filled, no doubt, with another group of men. As the limo pulled forward, I could see the other cars tag along behind.
All the way over Andros was lost deep in thought, his memory probably replaying happier times with his wife. Sal looked only at me for most of the ride, waiting and watching as I stared straight ahead, my outward appearance one of calm neutrality.
We exited the highway a while later, and headed through a familiar neck of the woods. We passed my office building, and it took some effort on my part not to look at it. Just a few blocks farther and we pulled into a small market plaza, taking up a parking space toward the back left corner of a Rite Aid Pharmacy.
The two other cars pulled up to our left, and with all the engines running we watched and waited.
Andros was now so anxious that he leaned forward across me to stare out the window, his tic even more pronounced as he watched everyone who entered the parking lot. We waited close to thirty minutes when finally a woman came out of the building. She was tall, elegant, with blond hair and high heels. In her arms she carried a small plastic bundle, her purchase from the pharmacy.
“Dora . . .” Andros said into the quiet of the car. “That’s her!” he said louder, growing excited as she neared our side of the lot. “That’s her, I’m sure of it!” he said again.
Suddenly a figure appeared out of the shadows from behind Dora. He was tall, cloaked in a long black trench coat, and his face was obscured by a black ski mask. We all watched with astonishment as in one swift motion the masked man’s arm snaked around Dora’s neck, and he jerked her violently backward.
“No!” Andros shouted as he came out of his shock and desperately tried to climb over Sal and me to get out of the car.
“No! Dora!” he shouted even as the woman was being dragged backward toward the shadows. I sat back and watched, pinned beneath Andros’s tremendous bulk and unable to move—not that I tried. Sal, however, was also pinned, but he was frantically struggling to get free of Andros so that he could open the car door. No one in the other cars moved as the henchmen all waited to take their cue from us, and because the windows in our car were smoked, they couldn’t see Andros’s frantic attempts to rescue his wife.
In the next moment, however, everything changed as the parking lot flooded with lights and the loud squeal of sirens drowned out all other noise. Andros and Sal stopped midmotion and watched with disbelieving eyes as from every direction police cars appeared and patrolmen lunged out of their cars with their weapons drawn. The masked man was instantly surrounded, and quickly he let go of Dora and put his hands in the air, dropping something long and metallic to the ground.
In the light of the spotlights, the woman Andros thought was Dora pulled off her blond wig, shaking out her dark hair even as she spun around, the bundle in her arms now a gun pointed directly at the masked man’s face.
Andros and Sal watched in stunned disbelief from inside the car as the woman playing Dora reached forward and yanked off the mask of her attacker. Andros heav
ed a great sob as he recognized his son Demetrius standing menacingly in the pool of lights surrounded by police.
For a long, tense moment nobody inside the car moved; then Andros shouted “My son!” into the stunned silence, and again he did his best to try to scramble over me and Sal and get out of the car. This time he was successful, and when he opened the car door his momentum carried him forward to the pavement. From the ground Andros shouted, “Demetrius! Demetrius!” And quicker than a man that sick and that heavy should, he got up and pulled out his gun, waving it above his head and firing a shot.
“Fuck!” Sal said angrily, still next to me in the car. Quickly he turned his head from side to side, assessing the situation and trying to decide what to do, as his boss was now out in the open, waving a gun at police. He caught my eye suddenly, and despite myself I couldn’t hide the satisfied smirk plastering itself onto my face. In that moment Sal knew I’d set the whole thing up. With an angry snarl he grabbed my arm and wrenched me from the car as he bolted toward Andros, who was now running toward his son, still waving his gun in the air.
Upon seeing Andros fall out of the car and run toward police, Goblin, Gargoyle, Grim and the other henchmen scrambled out of their cars, their own weapons drawn and pointed at the police, who had been prepared for just such a scenario and quickly moved behind their patrol cars, getting into position and taking aim.
While the police organized their defensive Demetrius wasted no time taking advantage of his father’s distraction by grabbing the female police officer posing as Dora, wrenching the gun from her hand and pulling her body close again. Quickly he scuttled backward toward his father’s car with his hostage in tow and the gun now pointed at her temple.
Meanwhile Sal caught up with Andros, still dragging me along, but before Sal could do anything more, Andros raised his gun, leveling it at police, and fired. It was the last thing he ever did.
Better Read Than Dead Page 29
