I-+* hapter 28
Catherine learned about the arrest of Constantin Demiris for the murder of his wife from the headlines. It came as a complete shock. When she got to the office, there was a pall over everything 'Did you hear the news?' Evelyn moaned. 'What are we going to do?' 'We're going to carry on exactly as he would want us to. I'm sure there's been a big mistake. I'm going to try to telephone him.' But Constantin Demiris was unreachable.
Constantin Demiris was the most important prisoner that the Central Prison of Athens had ever had. The Prosecutor had issued orders that Demiris be given no special treatment. Demiris had demanded a number of things: access to telephones, telex machines and a courier service. His requests were denied. Demiris spent most of his waking hours, and much of his dreaming ones, trying to figure out who had murdered Melina In the beginning, Demiris had assumed that a burglar had been surprised by Melina while ransacking the beach house and had killed her. But the moment the police had confronted him with the evidence against him, Demiris had realized that he was being framed. The question was, by whom? The logical person was Spyros Lambrou, but the weakness of that theory was that Lambrou loved his sister more than anyone in the world. He never would have harmed her Demiris' suspicions had then turned to the gang that Tony Rizzoli had been involved with. Perhaps they had learned what he had done to Rizzoli and this was their way of getting revenge Constantin Demiris had dismissed that idea out of hand. If the Mafia had wanted revenge, they would simply have put out a contract on him And so, sitting alone in his cell, Demiris had gone round and round, trying to solve the puzzle of what had happened. In the end, when he had exhausted all the possibilities, there was only one possible conclusion left: Melina had committed suicide. She had killed herself and framed him for her death. Demiris thought of what he had done to Noelle Page and Larry Douglas and the bitter irony was that he was now in exactly the same position in which they had been. He was going to be tried for a murder he had not committed The jailor was at the cell door. 'Your lawyer is here to see you.' Demiris rose and followed the jailor to a small conference room. The lawyer was waiting for him. The man's name was Vassiliki. He was in his fifties, with bushy grey hair and the profile of a movie star. He had the reputation of being a first-rate criminal attorney. Was that going to be good enough The jailor said, 'You have fifteen minutes.' He left the two of them alone 'Well,' Demiris demanded. 'When are you getting me out of here? What am I paying you for?' 'Mr Demiris, I'm afraid it's not that simple. The Chief Prosecutor refuses . . .' 'The Chief Prosecutor is a fool. They can't keep me in this place. What about bail? I'll put up any amount they ask.' Vassiliki licked his lips nervously. 'Bail has been denied. I've gone over the evidence that the police have against you, Mr Demiris. It's it's pretty damaging.' 'Damaging or not -1 didn't kill Melina. I'm innocent!' The attorney swallowed. 'Yes, of course, of course. Do you to have any idea who might have killed your wife?' 'No one. My wife committed suicide.' The attorney stared at him. 'Excuse me, Mr Demiris, but I don't think that's going to make a very good defense. You're going to have to think of something better than that.' And with a sinking heart, Demiris knew he was right. There was not a jury in the world that would believe his story.
Early the following morning, the attorney visited Demiris again 'I'm afraid I have some rather bad news.' Demiris almost laughed aloud. He was sitting in prison facing a sentence of death, and this fool was telling him that he had bad news. What could be worse than the situation he was in 'Yes?' 'It's about your brother-in-law.' 'Spyros? What about him?' 'I have information that he's gone to the police and told them that a woman named Catherine Douglas is still alive. I'm not really familiar with the trial of Noelle Page and Larry Douglas but . . .' Constantin Demiris was no longer listening. In all the pressure of what was happening to him, he had completely forgotten about Catherine. If they found her, and she talked, they could implicate him in the deaths of Noelle and Larry. He had already sent someone to London to take care of her, but now it had suddenly become urgent He leaned forward and clutched the attorney's arm. 'I want you to send a message to London immediately.'
He read the message twice and felt the beginnings of a sexual stirring that always happened to him before he took care of a contract. It was like playing God. He decided who lived and who died. He was awed by the power he had. But there was a problem If he had to do this immediately, there would be no time to work out his other plan. He would have to improvise something. Make it look like an accident. Tonight. CONFIDENTIAL FILE
TRANSCRIPT OF SESSION WITH WIM VANDEEN
A: How are you feeling today W: Okay. I came here in a taxi. The driver's name is Ronald Christie. License plate 30271 taxi certificate number 3070
On the way here we passed thirty-seven Rovers, a Bentley, ten Jaguars, six Austins, one Rolls-Royce, twenty-seven motorcycles and six bicycles A: How are you getting along at the office, Wim? W: You know A: Tell me W: I hate the people there A: What about Catherine Alexander? . . . Wim, what about Catherine Alexander? . . . Wim W: Oh, her. She won't be working there anymore. A: What do you mean W: She's going to be murdered. A: What? Why do you say that? W: She told me A: Catherine told you she's going to be murdered? W: The other one A: What other one? W: His wife A: Whose wife, Wim W: Constantin Demiris A: He told you Catherine Alexander was going to be murdered W: Mrs Demiris. His wife. She called me from Greece. A: Who's going to murder Catherine W: One of the men A: You mean, one of the men who flew in from Athens? W: Yes A: Wim, we're -uoing to end this session now. I have to leave W: Okay.
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The offices of the Hellenic Trade Corporation closed at 6.00 p.m. A few minutes before six o'clock, Evelyn and the other employees were preparing to leave Evelyn walked into Catherine's office. 'Miracle on Thirty-fourth Street is playing at the Criterion. It's had great reviews Would you like to see it tonight?' 'I can't,' Catherine said. 'Thanks, Evelyn. I promised Jerry Haley I'd go to the theater with him.' 'They really keep you busy, don't they? All right. Have a good time.'
Catherine heard the sounds of the others leaving. Finally, there was silence. She took a last look at her desk, made sure everything was in order, put on her coat, picked up her purse and started down the corridor. She had almost reached the front door when the telephone rang. Catherine hesitated, debating whether to answer it. She looked at her watch; she was going to be late. The telephone kept ringing. She ran back to her office and picked up the phone. 'Hello.' 'Catherine.' It was Alan Hamilton. He sounded out of breath 'Thank God I reached you.' 'Is something wrong?' 'You're in great danger. I believe someone is trying to kill you.' She made a low moaning sound. Her worst nightmares were coming true. She felt suddenly dizzy. 'Who?' 'I don't know. But I want you to stay where you are Don't leave the office. Don't talk to anyone. I'm coming to get you.' 'Alan, I . . .' 'Don't worry, I'm on my way. Lock yourself in. Everything will be all right.' The line went dead Catherine slowly replaced the receiver. 'Oh my God!' Atanas appeared in the doorway. He took one look at Catherine's pale face and hurried to her side. 'Is something wrong, Miss Alexander?' She turned to him. 'Someone . . . someone is trying to kill me.' He was gaping at her. 'Why? Who . . . who would want to do that?' 'I'm not sure.' They heard a knock at the front door Atanas looked at Catherine. 'Should I . . . ?' 'No,' she said quickly. 'Don't let anyone in. Dr Hamilton's on his way here.' The knock at the front door was repeated, louder 'You could hide in the basement,' Atanas whispered 'You'll be safe there.' She nodded nervously. 'Right.' They moved toward the back of the corridor, to the door that led to the basement. 'When Dr Hamilton comes, tell him where lam.' 'You won't be afraid down there?' 'No,' Catherine said Atanas turned on a light, and led the way down the basement stairs 'No one will ever find you here,' Atanas assured her 'Don't you have any idea who would want to kill you?' She thought of Constantin Demiris and her dreams. He's going to kill you. But that was only a dream. 'I'm not sure.' Atanas looked at her and whispered, 'I think I know.' Catherine stared at him. 'Who?' The.' There was suddenly a switchblade in his hand and he was holding it to her throat 'Atanas, this is no time to play . . .' She felt the knife pressing deeper into her throat 'Did you ever read Appointment in Samarra, Catherine? No?
Well, it's too late now, isn't it? It's about someone who tried to escape death. He went to Samarra and death was waiting for him there. This is your Samarra, Catherine.' It was obscene, listening to these terrifying words coming from the mouth of the innocent-looking boy 'Atanas, please. You can't . . .' He slapped her hard across the face. 'I can't do it because I'm a young boy? Did I surprise you? That's because I'm a brilliant actor. I'm thirty years old, Catherine. Do you know why I look like a young boy? Because when I was growing up I never had enough to eat. I lived on garbage that I stole from trash cans at night.' He was holding the knife at her throat, backing her toward a wall. 'When I was a young boy, I watched soldiers rape my mother and father and then slash them both to death, and then they raped me and left me for dead.' He was forcing her back deeper into the basement 'Atanas, I I've never done anything to hurt you. I. . .' He smiled his boyish smile. 'This is nothing personal. This is business. You're worth fifty thousand dollars to me, dead.' It was as though a curtain had come down in front of her eyes, and she was seeing everything through a red haze. A part of her was outside, looking down at what was happening 'I had a wonderful plan worked out for you. But the boss is in a hurry now, so we'll have to improvise, won't we?' Catherine could feel the point of the knife digging hard into her neck. He moved the knife and slit open the front of her dress 'Pretty,' he said. 'Very pretty. I was planning a party for us first, but since your doctor friend is coming, we won't have time, will we? Too bad for you. I'm a great lover.' Catherine stood there suffocated, barely able to breathe. Atanas reached into his jacket and took a pint bottle from his pocket. In it was a pale, pink-colored liquid. 'Have you ever had slivovic? We'll drink to your accident, huh?' He moved the knife away to open the bottle and, for an instant, Catherine was tempted to flee 'Go ahead,' Atanas said softly. 'Try it. Please.' Catherine licked her lips. 'Look, I... I'll pay you. I'll . . .' 'Save your breath.' Atanas took a deep swallow from .the bottle and handed it to her. 'Drink,' he said 'No. I don't . . .' 'Drink!' Catherine took the bottle and took a small sip. The fierce bite of the brandy burned her throat. Atanas took the bottle back and took another deep swallow 'Who tipped off your doctor friend that someone was going to kill you?' 'I I don't know.' 'It doesn't matter anyway.' Atanas pointed to one of the thick wooden posts that supported the ceiling. 'Get over there.' Catherine's eyes glanced toward the door. She felt the steel blade press into her neck. 'Don't make me tell you again.' Catherine moved over to the wooden post That's a good girl,' Atanas said. 'Sit down.' He turned away for an instant. And, in that moment, Catherine made a break for it She started to race toward the stairs, her heart pounding. She was running for her life. She reached the first step and then the second, and, as she was about to move up, she felt a hand grab her leg and pull her back. He was incredibly strong 'Bitch!' He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her face close to his 'You try that again and I'll break both your legs.' She could feel the knife between her shoulder blades 'Move!' Atanas marched her back to the wooden post and shoved her to the ground 'Stay there.'
Catherine watched as Atanas walked over to a pile of cardboard boxes bound with heavy cord. He cut two lengths of cord and carried them back to her Tut both hands in back of the post.' 'No, Atanas. I . . .' He slammed his fist against the side of her face, and the room blurred. Atanas leaned close and whispered, 'Don't ever say no to me. Do what I tell you before I slice your fucking head off.' Catherine put her hands behind the post and a moment later she felt the cord bite into her wrists as Atanas tied them together She could feel the circulation being cut off 'Please,' she said. That's too tight.' 'Good,' he grinned. He took the second length of cord and tied her legs tightly together at the ankles. Then he got to his feet. 'There we are,' he said. 'All nice and cozy.' He took another swallow from the bottle. 'Would you like another drink?' Catherine shook her head He shrugged. 'Okay.'
She watched him put the bottle to his lips again. Maybe he'll get drunk and fall asleep, Catherine thought desperately 'I used to drink a quart a day,' Atanas boasted. He laid the empty bottle down on the cement floor. 'Well, time to go to work.' 'What what are you going to do?' Tm going to make a little accident. This is going to be a masterpiece. I may even charge Demiris double.' Demiris! So it wasn't just a dream. He was behind this. But why Catherine watched Atanas walk across the room to the huge boiler. He removed the outside plate and examined the pilot light and the eight boiler plates that kept the unit hot. The safety valve was nested in a metal frame to protect it. Atanas picked up a small piece of wood and jammed it into the frame so that the safety valve was inoperative. The heat dial was set at 150 degrees. As Catherine watched, Atanas turned the dial up to the maximum. Satisfied, he walked back to Catherine 'Do you remember how much trouble we had with that furnace?' Atanas asked. 'Well, I'm afraid it's going to bust open, after all.' He moved closer to Catherine. 'When that dial reaches four hundred degrees, the boiler will blow up. Do you know what will happen then? The gas lines will rip open and the burner plates will set them on fire. The whole building will explode like a bomb.' 'You're insane! There are innocent people out there who . .' 'There are no innocent people. You Americans believe in happy endings, don't you? You're fools. There are no happy endings.' He reached down and tested the rope that held Catherine's hands behind the post. Her wrists were bleeding. The rope was cuttinglnto her flesh and the knots were tight. Atanas slowly ran his hands across Catherine's naked breasts, caressing them, and then he leaned down and kissed them. 'It's too bad we don't have more time. You'll never know what you missed.' He grabbed her by the hair and kissed her on the lips. His breath reeked of brandy. 'Goodbye, Catherine.' He stood up 'Don't leave me,' Catherine pleaded. 'Let's talk and .