Athena's Story

Part 8: Let the hunt begin

"What?" she finally managed to say.

"We have good reason to believe he's following you and that he was responsible for Dante Vittori's death."

"Oh."

She hadn't heard or said that name in a very long time. She hadn't seen him in a very long time either until Venice. She didn't ever want to hear it again, and she hadn't expected Inspector Duvall to mention it. Athena felt the room spinning and she gripped the arms of the chair.

Duvall jumped out of his own seat as she slumped over.

"Great," he muttered.

He lifted her carefully and placed her on the sofa and then left to search for a strong drink and a towel. Entering the bathroom for the towel, his senses were assailed by the scent of lavender, which still hung in the room.

When he returned to her side, she was still out and he made no effort to revive her. After a short while, he was glad to see her stir. Startled, she opened her eyes quickly.

He placed a firm hand on her shoulder when she tried to sit up just as fast. "Easy." Pause. "I'm sorry I scared you, Miss Kourikopolis."

He felt her shudder and wondered just how scared she could be at the mere mention of the man's name. He also wondered just what he had done to cause such a reaction from the generally amiable girl.

She shook her head once. "You didn't. It's just that he holds some painful memories for me." She sat up slowly and closed her eyes against tears.

He gave her a bit of time to recover before speaking again. "Would you mind telling me about your relationship with Walter?"

Athena wrinkled her small nose and her violet-blue eyes found his. "Not much to tell... I met him in my last year of university and I was convinced I was in love and that that was enough to change him."

"Change him?"

"He was an alcoholic."

"Did he change?" George Duvall asked, though in his mind he was quite sure he knew the answer.

"No," she said with a shake of the head. "I stayed with him for a full year. Wicked temper and all. I was constantly trying to make him stop drinking. He even cheated a few times but I told myself to be patient."

"Was it a civil break up?"

She realized just how personal this conversation was and it made her very reluctant to share much with this man but when she thought of his motive for asking such questions, she wanted to give him all the information he needed.

"One night he asked me for some money and I told him I was afraid he would use it for more alcohol. He really blew it then... he called me a rich bleep, good for nothing but my money.

"He asked me if I thought buying him clothes and trying to stop his drinking was love. If I did, then I knew nothing." Her small hands made a helpless gesture. "I held my ground and... I was so sure his comment was made in drunkenness like all the others so I never paid too much attention to it."

Duvall leaned forward in his chair. "What comment?"

Athena shrugged. "He just made a stupid declaration," she said breezily.

"Athena, what did he say?"

She didn't even notice that he had used her first name. She took a deep breath. "He- he told me that I wasn't good enough for anyone else and I was lucky to have him. And he said I'd never have another man." Her voice quavered and her blue eyes spilled tears as the image of Dante popped unbidden into her head. "Did he kill Dante, Inspector?" Why else would this Englishman be involved?