The Eye Witness

Chapter - 5

A balding man came into view followed by an older woman carrying a tea service. The older woman was shooting angry glances at the man.

"Aydan hanim, Kemal bey, your tea."

"Thank you Erdem, Miriam. We will serve ourselves," said Aydan hastily.

Seyfi was snickering, "So what do we think he broke this time? Miriam looked like she wanted to strangle him."

Aydan threw up her hands, "I don't know. I've had her remove anything of value from the cupboards and replace it with cheaper easily replaced glasses and cups. Miriam always orders boxes of extras, but she last ordered weeks ago, we may have to order more."

Eda and Melo were giggling with Seyfi, soon Aydan and Kemal joined in. Truly their only option was to laugh about it. It didn't pay to get angry with Erdem, it didn't make him do his job any better. What they did do is try to keep Erdem away from Serkan. Erdem adored Serkan and it drove Serkan crazy. He told his mother that he really should have let the horse trample Erdem, his life would have been much simpler. Aydan assured Serkan that someday Erdem would find someone new and he would be off the hook, that day hadn't come yet.

Serkan must have been waiting for Erdem and Miriam to leave for as soon as they were safely in the house he stepped onto the patio to join them for tea. He was happy to see that there was an open seat next to Eda almost stepping on Sirius.

He patted his dog, "Eda, have you stolen my dog away from me?"

"It seems that way Serkan," as she reached down to give Sirius a scratch behind the ears.

Kemal spoke up, "Not that we don't love to have houseguests, but are we allowed to know why these young ladies are joining us Serkan?"

"You are. They were the unfortunate witness to a crime being committed. The person committing the crime only caught a glimpse of her so we wanted to keep all of them safe. The other young lady has chosen to be with her family in Greece for the duration. This is the safest place that I could think of quickly."

There was concern in Kemal voice when he asked the next question, "Are they going to be in danger?"

"No. We know who the perpetrator is, we just have to track him down." Serkan's face had darkened when he said this.

Eda turned to him, "So you know the man that was identified?"

"Yes." His one word answer was all that he was going to be sharing.

Aydan, Kemal and Seyfi knew what that word inferred though and understood now why Serkan brought the women here. This could only involve Aptekin. The look on Serkan's face confirmed this for them.

Erdem popped back out onto the patio, visibly brightening when he caught sight of Serkan, "Dinner is served. Serkan bey, good evening, I hope that you are well."

"Erdem, yes, I am well, thank you."

The six of them entered into the dining room. Aydan was trying to decide how to get around having Erdem serving when Kemal came to the rescue.

"Erdem, we are dining as a family today, there is no need to serve once all the dishes are out. Miriam may just leave them on the table. Thank you." Aydan squeezed his hand in thanks.

"Baba, Melo hanim and Eda hanim are close friends with Ceren Basar, I met her today."

Eda looked at Serkan, "Kemal bey and Aydan hanim, since we are dining as family, could you please call Melo and I just Melo and Eda? Serkan has already asked us to drop the formalities when we are talking to him here."

Aydan smiled at Eda, "Of course, we would be delighted to do that. So Ceren, I haven't seen her in years, how is she? How is her mother? I am wondering if she will visit while you are here."