The Memorial Day Murders

Chapter 28 : A narrow chance

Heathrow Airport, London, United Kingdom

It's raining when Bruce got off from his private Gulfstream jet, with the Secret Service agent accompanying him. With the vice president missing the United States has now become the major news focus of every nation. Holding an umbrella he launched into a swift walk, across the tarmac, and into the driver's seat of a SUV. Of course, the agent, Daniel Watson, threw a disapproving glance towards his protectee. The vehicle took off and headed down to Westminster, where he believed that his wife's uncle, Roland Churchill, could be staying. It has been years when he last saw her leaving the house and he hoped that his memory is correct. 

A silver sedan also followed him as soon as he crossed the bridge connecting the City of London to Westminster. Bruce noticed the trailing vehicle from the rear view mirror but his instincts tell him that the sedan following his SUV might have a connection to his wife. This reminded him of something. A week ago he and Isabella were watching the evening news when the news regarding the Presidential election in Greece. He remembered her wince when Dimitri Castellanos, is elected as the new Prime Minister of Greece. When he asked her why she said nothing and turned off the television. Then he heard her talking with her cousin, Adrian, in ancient Greek, obviously to avoid eavesdropping. He never heard Isabella speak in Greek or Ancient Greek before but judging from the tone they were arguing or possibly debating something related to the news. He had already met three of her foreign born uncles but the last remaining uncle is a mystery. 

Stopping in front of the doorsteps of the home of Roland Churchill Bruce disembarked, climbed the stairs to the door and pressed the doorbell. Nobody answered the door but he heard the sound of a car parking behind him and his phone rang. "Who are you?" a man asked in a cool tone.

"I should be the one asking you." Bruce replied, keeping his cool.

"You clearly know about my cousin's place of living, and you're trying to find my niece."

"How did you know that Isabella is missing?"

"She is my niece after all." the man replied, but this time is not through a phone. The man is standing on the pathway at the end of the staircase, dressed in a semi-casual wear of a button-down, a grey overcoat and navy blue pants. The polished shoes definitely screamed money but the man himself screamed of power when Bruce recognized him as the new prime minister of Greece, Dimitri Castellanos. "And you must be her husband."

"Mr. Prime Minister." Bruce greeted.

"There is no need for formalities, since you're a part of the family." he said. "You know where Roland lives, not bad for a detective." Bruce's eyes flashed when he heard the word. "Don't worry, your secret is with me." he added, taking out a set of keys and unlocking the door to the residence. 

"How did you that I am looking for Isa?"

"Simple, really." he huffed. "If you have been watching the news." He then headed straight to the study and begin his search. "You have members of the United States Secret Service following you." Bruce stared at him as he climbed the stairs and flipped around for something.

"How can you tell?" he asked.

"I know my niece's position in the United States government as well as Leonidas when he faced the Persians with only three hundred Spartans."

"Spartans?"

"Haven't Isabella told you? Through my family's bloodline she is a descendant of the mighty King Leonidas of Sparta and so do I."

"I thought it was a myth when Isabella told me."

"Then you shouldn't doubt her claims." Dimitri said, climbing down the stairs while holding a leather bound journal. 

"What are you holding?"

"The journal that belonged to my cousin's ancestor." he replied, setting the book down on the table and started flipping through pages of drawings and notes. 

"What are you looking for?"

"I am trying to locate a message left by my cousin Roland." setting down a phone with a text message on display he flipped through pages and stopped at the middle of the book when a piece of paper fell out. Catching the paper he held it in his hands and Dimitri knew exactly what language they used to communicate.

"Anything that can lead us to Isa?"

"No." he replied, folding the piece of paper and sliding it into the folds of his overcoat. "Roland is just sending me a message to tell me that he's unharmed in the bombing of the MI6 HQ a day earlier. 

"Nothing on Isa?" Bruce asked, clearly disappointed by the findings. "She has been missing for more than 24 hours. I have to find her."

"Your actions are to be commended but, Isa will not show herself unless she is done with her mission." Dimitri replied. "A trait inherited from her mother." then he kept his mouth shut as he looked through the journal. Five minutes later he puts the book down. "Nothing here." he said. "You should leave if your search is fruitless."

"Nothing?"

"I'm afraid so." Dimitri replied. Both men made their way to the main door and he locked back the door. "You should leave." he reminded him. He then watched as Bruce reluctantly got into the SUV and drove off. When he is far from his line of sight he took out a cell phone and punched in a number. "He's here, you have to switch bases as fast as you can." he said into the phone once the line is connected.