EYE OF THE HYDRA (complete)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

After we left the taxi in a quiet alley, we soon returned to the hotel to refresh ourselves. Anna felt tired so she withdrew into her room but she said in an hour she would join me. I knew, if I wanted I would be able to sleep but my discursive thoughts didn't allow it to happen. Instead I took the picture and put it on the bed.

I was sure that François Sicard left some traces in his final work. It can't be a coincidence that after its completion he died. I stared at the painting for long, until a minor detail caught my eyes. As I looked closer, I lifted my eyebrows because the discovery had fundamentally shaken my theory of the events. I decided that it was time to call my old friend, Barton Campbell, in London.

Barton and I founded the detective agency together. Though he remained a silent partner, he helped me out with some information from time to time.

"Ron! How are you? Chasing the girls on the beach every day, right?" He laughed, after receiving the call.

"Not exactly. Unfortunately... I'm involved in a serious case and I need your help Barton," I replied and briefly told him what happened.

"Can't say I envy you, Ron. I think you should bring the painting to the cops."

"And put myself into an even bigger trouble? Now that it's in my hand I have the trump card. Not to mention the fact, that I can't prove it wasn't me who killed Professor Bergman in Tolo. I wouldn't be happy to spend the rest of my life in a Greek prison."

"Maybe you are right. What can I do for you then?"

"Get some information about a German antique dealer called Heinrich Ganz! Try to know in which year he visited the island of Hydra! Find out if something else happened on the island before Sicard's death! Also, try to learn in whose possession could be found Sicard's paintings!"

"Okay, I'll call you as soon as I have any news!"

Both of us said goodbye and the discussion ended. I folded the picture and put it back to its case, then hid it under the bed. Eventually I sat on the balcony and began to wonder. Is it possible that I had found answers to some questions? Hopefully it was true but I had to wait till Barton called back to gain certainty. The sun slowly approached the horizon as I was listening to the sound of the traffic and the horn of a ship somewhere in the port.

Two hours later there was a knock on my door and I saw Anna waiting on the corridor. She smiled at me.

"I slept a little longer, than I promised. Sorry!" Anna came closer and our faces almost touched. I found her very charming in this moment.

She was wearing shorts and a purple T-shirt, which highlighted her curves. Her green eyes sparkled like seductive diamonds and I couldn't resist any longer. I kissed her warmly. She returned the gesture. We fell onto the bed, while embracing each other, and with hasty moves we peeled ourselves out of our clothes. The touch of her silky skin just stirred up my desire, while her wavy hair had fallen on her curvy breasts.

We climbed up again and again to the peeks of pressure for many hours, until we ran out of energy. Our bodies bathed in sweat and heated up. It was eased only by the wind which was penetrating the door of the balcony.

Barton hadn't called me back yet, but I didn't mind for the time being. Few minutes later I went to the bathroom, then pulled on my shorts and stepped outside to the balcony to breath some fresh air. The cool air gave me the creeps but it was good because I felt as fresh as never before. From the room below us, I heard the sounds of a couple's romantic night which made me smile. Their balcony door was open probably.

The lamps of Kavala dressed the city in a cosy robe. The illuminated shape of the fortress and the shining lights of the harbour, dancing on the surface of the water, filled me with peace. Then I heard noises from inside. I looked into the room and saw Anna fully dressed with the painting in her hands. It wouldn't surprise me, but the sight of the blonde-haired man, who stood at the open door, all the more. Not to mention the gun he was holding. I was staring at the killer of Petros Leventis!

"I'm sorry, Ron!" said Anna without looking at me.

I couldn't say a word in my surprise. Her treachery totally shocked me with a power of a striking hammer. The blonde man grinned wickedly and raised his weapon. I didn't wait for him to shoot. There was no place to hide so I made a desperate move. I jumped aside from the balcony door and threw myself over the banister, while I grasped it with both hands. I heard the sound of the bullets coming through the glass and glancing off the banister. Then, a few seconds later, I tried to get a grip on the balcony itself.

I knew it was a crazy idea, but I had no choice. I was clinging there grasping the bottom of the balcony like an orangutan. The muscles in my arm started burning thanks to the unusual strain, then I heard voices coming from above.

"No! I'm sure he has fallen down," said Anna. "Let's go and prepare for the meeting instead!"

"Ambrosia Club, right?" asked the man and Anna answered yes. "Okay, we can go but first I will check if he is really dead."

The sole of his shoes tapped softly as he approached. I couldn't wait any longer. I started swinging my body a little then opened my fingers and began to fall. In the next moment, thanks to goddess Fortuna, I found myself on the balcony beneath our room where I successfully hit a table, which broke into pieces under my weight. The air was knocked out of my lungs and I felt a little pain but didn't suffer any serious injury at least.

After a few seconds I stood up a bit dazzled and walked into the room. Inside, the couple who was making love in bed stared at me in horror.

"Pardon me!" I said, waving at them and left their room. Stepping out into the hallway I saw the elevator going downstairs, so I started to run to the lobby. The receptionist, an elderly man, was surprised when he saw my half-naked figure but I was heading to the exit and didn't pay much attention to him.

Through the glass door I noticed Anna and the blonde man getting into a taxi. By the time I stormed out they already left. I watched the vehicle disappearing into the night, while I relied on my knees. I felt disappointed and empty because of Anna, who just used me all along.

The anger inside me was about to erupt like a volcano. I never felt such a strong emotion before.

"The game is not over yet."