EYE OF THE HYDRA (complete)

PROLOGUE

Tolo, Greece

The sunrays of Apollo caressed my skin, as I laid on the beach near to the road, which led into the town. I couldn't stop admiring the beautiful girls who passed by me in the sand, but sadly none of them were alone so I couldn't use my charming personality to get their attention.

Without a single cloud in the azure sky, some whistling seagulls circled above the water surface. Windsurfers flickered from one end of the bay to another while swimming tourists enjoyed the water constantly at the beach. The wind brought to them the sound of a ship's horn from a remote port. Behind the nearby islands the outline of mountains emerged on the distant horizon. I was watching the people and enjoying every minute of my free time.

Only two days passed since I arrived in Tolo to release the dead steam, which I was filled by during my job. The life of a private detective is never an easy one. Usually full of danger and tension. That is why every year I tried to scrap a short amount of money for a vacation. Sometimes it was really hard. Practically every day I was wandering the streets of London, even during the weekends. In any case, I managed to get to Greece once again.

A few years ago I travelled to Athens and Rhodes also, but for the charming little town of Tolo I haven't had any luck until now. I was ready to go and jump into the warm waves when suddenly a shadow fell on me and a pink paper kite crashed on my head. I was thoroughly surprised and fell to the ground in fright, as I started to struggle with the monster which was stuck to my face.

"Oh my God! Are you alright, sir?" Asked a tinkling female voice.

I hardly heard the words, but serve as an excuse for me, some sand went into my ears. Once I realized there was nothing to fear, I dropped the kite and stood up. I was about to start shouting with its master but an etheric phenomenon appeared before my eyes, on whom I could just blink and dared not to quarrel with. Slender body, long blonde hair and a blue bikini... a view which I could not resist. Her tanned skin was almost glowing in the sun.

"What's wrong with you? Are you deaf?" She asked impatiently.

"Oh... sorry! I got carried away. This thing is yours?"

"Yes it is. I'm sorry for what happened but a strong wind came and..."

"Don't worry!" I smiled kindly and the impact on her was obvious, as she returned the gesture. "Let me introduce myself! My name is Ron Wyatt."

"Jennifer Borchardt."

"You have an interesting name. Does it come from a German father perhaps?"

"That's right. How did you guess?"

"Good instinct. May I invite you to a cocktail?" I asked by a rush of idea, but I noticed for her it wasn't unexpected because she agreed immediately. Probably she realized what a big impression her presence had on me.

Leaving the coast we crossed the road and sat in a nearby tavern where I ordered the drinks and, accompanied by the roaring sound of the sea, we started talking. It turned out that she was working as a restorer in the British Museum but now she was spending her holiday here. Jennifer seemed happy in my company, although at times it looked like she was spiritually somewhere else but I didn't give much credit to that.

When I talked about my job she was thoroughly surprised. Then we ordered another round. The more we talked, the more she fascinated me. Especially when she began twisting a strand of her hair and flirtatiously smiled at me.

"Would you like to go dancing tonight with me?" I asked, though had no idea why since I wasn't good at dancing. On the floor my movements reminded one of a nervous chicken.

"Absolutely. Where?"

"There is a nightclub not far from here, it goes by the name of Disco Club I think."

"Yes I know where it is. In which hotel are you staying?"

"In the Demos Apartment house on the other side of town."

"Nice. My place is the Apollon Hotel. Just five minutes away from here."

"I guess I know which one it is. Ten o'clock would be okay for you?"

"That will be fine," Jennifer nodded, smoothing a stray hair from her forehead, then looked at her watch. "Well... time went fast. I think I will go and swim a little bit, and after that I will return to my room. Left all my stuff on the shore anyway."

"I'm afraid me too. Let's hope everything will still be there!"

Fortunately none of our stuff seemed to be missing. As I began to pack, Jennifer walked into the sea, cheerfully waving her hand. She jumped into the waves like a mermaid. When she reappeared, she was already in the deeper section of the water. Nobody was around her, so she could swim wherever she wanted. Only a white speed boat, with two fishing men, rocked in her vicinity. They were far away, so I couldn't see them clear enough but it looked like one of them was wearing a diving suit. I shrugged my shoulders and grabbed my backpack.

I strolled in the sand, then turned back to take a last glimpse of her, but a terrible sight met my eyes. Jennifer was desperately flapping her arms in the water, then she sank in a moment. I cried out and raced breathlessly toward her direction. I dropped my bag and clothes, then jumped into the water. With powerful strokes I swam towards her. In the meantime she turned up again and again, crying for help in horror.

I doubled the pace. Then she submerged once more and didn't come up this time. When I reached her, I took a deep breath and dived. A blank unbroken silence reigned under the water. The salt heavily stung my open eyes but I tried to control myself not to close them. Soon I discovered her slowly sinking body. I managed to grab her arm and pulled her towards the surface. As I emerged from the water, I saw some people watching from the shore, then a sailor man popped up next to us and helped us out of the sea. Together we pulled Jennifer onboard and laid her down. Unfortunately she wasn't breathing.

I was terrified and tried to artificially ventilate her to get the swallowed water out of her lungs. All in vain. Filled with disappointment and exhaustion, I had to sit down on the deck. Meanwhile, the unknown Greek man steered towards the shore. It was unbelievable that on the same day the woman with whom I had just met and invited to a date, was now dead. I cursed Fate and mourned for Jennifer, when something captured my gaze.

I leaned over her and examined her body. My eyes widened, as I stared at the red stripe that ran around Jennifer's neck. No doubt, that it wasn't there before she went to swim. As I looked closer, I already knew what I was watching at. Someone strangled Jennifer professionally. I jumped up and looked for the speed boat with the fishing men but I couldn't find it.

They disappeared like a grey donkey in the mist, and left behind nothing but the body of a charming women. As I reached the shore, I couldn't stop wondering what the hell happened before my eyes.