EYE OF THE HYDRA (complete)

CHAPTER TWO

The silky cloak of the night fell quickly. Tolo's nightlife became more lively. Locals and tourists sat in the taverns to have their dinner, listening to pleasant music and talking, or just visited the bazaars to buy some souvenirs. Dozens of cars and mopeds travelled on the sidewalk-less main street. A parade of French, English and Hungarian words buzzed around me. The vibrant nightlife proved to be attractive, though it was the least thing that interested me.

I looked at my watch, while heading to the harbour. Only ten minutes left till the meeting. As I approached the edge of the town, there were increasingly less pedestrians until I found myself alone on the street. A long row of parked cars passed by me, while I gave a fast glimpse at the pink flowers of a bougainville which ran on the wall of a house. Tolo had lost none of its scenic beauty and charm, even in the light of the street lamps. A few minutes later I reached the port. Dozens of fishing and cruise ships rocked the waves, while the night lights calmly danced on the water. The coloured lights were strengthened by the reflector of a passing vehicle, since the port was located next to the road which bypasses the town on the nearby hillside.

A row of benches and lamps stood on the long promenade of the harbour. I didn't see a single soul but I tried to be cautious. I was walking in the shadow of the concrete wall along the promenade, listening to the sound of the sea as the waves lapped the shore. I almost felt like I was on the island of peace and tranquillity. Almost. Finally I reached the end of the promenade, where the shadows deepened.

Suddenly the sound of footsteps reached my ears. Someone was walking up and down near the rocks, outside the light of the lamps. Slowly I could recognize the contours of his shape. He was short and clasped his hands behind his back. I thought it was time to reveal myself.

"Professor Alain Bergman?" I asked and my voice made him stop. His glasses were glinting as a stray beam of light wandered over his face.

"Who are you?"

"I came to the meeting. My name is Ron Wyatt."

"I was expecting a woman."

"I know. She sent me," I lied. "She was afraid it might be dangerous to meet here, so I agreed to come in her place."

"I still don't understand what are you doing here." He wrinkled his forehead and stepped out of the shadows, revealing his skinny body and grey hair. He appeared to be in his seventies.

"I'm a private detective."

"Oh... I get it! This means that Miss Sicard hired you?"

Sicard. Now I learned Jennifer's real name at least! Of course I answered with a yes, but confessed that there was too much information in this matter, I still don't know about.

"In the letter you sent her, you mentioned a diary," I came to the point.

"Yes, it's here with me," pointed at his pants pocket. "It belonged to Luc, the father of Miss Sicard. We were colleagues and friends for a long time until... he was killed."

"How did he die?"

"He was ran over by a car on his way home. There wasn't any witnesses. His body was found lying on the road of Paris the next morning. The investigation of the police didn't last long. Allegedly they found alcohol in his blood and they thought he was drunk that night, though I'm sure he wasn't. He never drank. On the same day of his murder, someone broke into his house and made a mess but didn't steal anything. I suspect that someone bribed the police, that's why they dropped the case. The killers were looking for the diary, which Luc sent me via post a day prior to his death."

"He sent it to you and not his own daughter? Why?"

"Their relationship was not the best."

"I see. And what can be found in the diary? What was your profession by the way? Miss Sicard wasn't too talkative."

"We worked as historians of art for the University. At times, the Louvre used our services as restorers as well."

"Professor Bergman... this story becomes more and more confusing. Why the hell did your friend die?"

"Read it!" He said, handing over the diary. "Then you will find out. I can't say more because there is little time left... I'm afraid they are on my trail."

As soon as my fingers touched the leather covered book, a soft pop sounded from somewhere above us, and Professor Bergman lurched. On his chest an increasing red blood spot appeared. I immediately jumped into cover and flattened against the wall. I don't know how I was able to move at all. It's not an everyday thing that someone is killed before my eyes and the sight thoroughly shocked me. Despite the situation, the adrenalin flowing in my body gave me enough strength to act. However, there was nothing I could do for the old man. He collapsed before my eyes and breathed out his soul. It was time to leave the port!

But I couldn't go backwards, because new bullets hit the ground around me and I saw a dark figure stirring behind a bench. I cursed my bad luck, then I made a decision and moved towards the rocks. I ran as much as I could, while bullets were flying around me like angry wasps. Fortunately the night's darkness served as a perfect cover, though made my escape also harder. I could barely see anything as I climbed down the rocks, then hid in a small crack. The sea washed my shoes.

Above me, loud and angry words were spoken and the figures of two men emerged, when they stopped at the edge of the hill and looked down into the darkness. In their hands they were holding silenced pistols. After they looked at each other, the higher one motioned to his companion who started to come down. He moved like a panther, skilfully and silently. He was a professional. The man was only a few centimetres away from me, and I didn't even dare to take a breath. His companion joined him.

They knew I was there somewhere but they couldn't rely on their eyes. Unfortunately, the situation quickly turned to their advantage when one of them pulled out a flashlight and turned it on. The white light pierced the night as a sword. Only seconds separated me from death, so I had to act. Using the power of surprise, I broke out and pushed them with my full power. It was fun to listen to their cry as they fell into the water, with a loud splash. Without wasting a second I climbed back to the promenade, hoping that they didn't have any friends, otherwise I was doomed!

But Goddess Fortuna stood next to me tonight. With the diary in my pocket I quickly disappeared into the shadows, like a wandering spirit in an old castle.