EYE OF THE HYDRA (complete)

CHAPTER SEVEN

I had to push my way through the crowd of tourists to reach the meeting place. A short, winding road led up to the fortress. I found Miss Tanakis leaning against the fortification wall, looking at the gently waving sea where a hydrofoil passed away, disturbing the surface of the water.

Anna smiled when she saw me. "Welcome!"

"Thanks!"

"Were you be able to arrange why you came here?"

"You can say so. But I have to visit Nafplio also."

"Really?" She pulled up her eyebrows. "When?"

"As soon as possible. Maybe tomorrow."

"This is an urgent matter?"

"Probably. Though I would rather stay in Tolo to enjoy your company, Anna," I winked at her.

"You really don't waste much time, Ron."

"Life is too short don't you think?"

"Surprisingly, we agree. By the way... I could go with you and we wouldn't lose anything. I planned to go there anyway these days. Maybe I can even help you."

"You might be right. Now that we cleared this up, let me invite you to a lunch!"

"I gladly accept."

We set off, heading downwards, hand in hand when I noticed a bald man, who occasionally glanced at us. I pretended that I hadn't notice anything, but from the corner of my eyes I saw him following us. Under his hooked nose was a thin moustache. He was wearing a white shirt and canvas pants. I remember seeing him on the ship. Perhaps the bearded guy in Tolo, who I interrogated, lied about his partner? It wouldn't be a surprise.

We ate in one of the port's taverns. The guy also dined three tables away from us. Since there was still some time till departure, I asked Anna to check out the Museum which was at the end of the pier. She happily agreed and just bought the ticket, when I tapped my forehead.

"I left my wallet on the chair. Go ahead! I'll follow you in a few minutes."

"Alright," she said, then went into the building.

Of course I lied about my wallet. I wanted to catch the bald guy so I entered one of the alleys. I almost ran up on the stairs, then turned to the right at a blue shuttered window. Surprisingly the street was empty. The tourists preferred to gather around the shops in these minutes. Next to a wall, there stood a mature, potted ficus and I quickly jumped behind it, peeping out of its leaves. My chaser was lagging behind but eventually he showed up.

Seeing the empty alley, he came to a halt for a minute. He looked around puzzled, then moved towards me. I was waiting, ready to act. Suddenly a third man appeared from behind the corner. He was tall, his blonde hair was parted in the middle, some rectangular sunglassess covered his eyes. His blue shirt harmonised with the white walls, but the silenced pistol in his arm not really.

As he heard the steps, the bald man whirled around and reached toward his pocket. But he was too late! The bullet pierced through his head. Bone shards and brain fragments flew in the air. Everything was covered in blood: the ground, the wall and even the leaves of the ficus. The sight made me feel sick to my stomach, unlike the blonde-haired man who put away his weapon and looked down at the body for a second. In a minute he left without uttering a word. I could not even spit or swallow in my surprise.

After a brief hesitation I left the scene. But before this, I quickly searched the pockets of the bald guy but didn't find anything. Fortunately I was careful enough not to get my fingers covered in blood too. Reaching the promenade I saw no trace of the murderer. It seemed wiser if I join Anna before someone was going to shoot me down too.

In the remaining time not much happened on the island. When the time came we returned to the ship and left Hydra. On the way back to Tolo, I was haunted by the memory of the murder. The corpses uncomfortably multiplied around me, like mushrooms in the forest.