Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
D imitrios
Correct information was as valuable as wealth.
At least in the world of the Greek mafia.
Our family was said to be descended from the great Greek gods, meant for greatness. Our grandfather had insisted the story was accurate, even detailing ancient times. While I’d never believed a word, he’d never wavered until the day he’d dropped dead at age ninety-six.
Our family was supposed to be predestined to live long and happy lives.
My other brother Havros had been called back from a business meeting in Paris, the news hitting him as hard as it had Christos. My night had been fitful, alternating between the desire to burn down the city and wait by the phone. With my mother in hysterics, my need to track down Leandro’s killer would be the highest priority no matter what other business needed handling.
I’d reached out to every source used over the years in my determination to find the true identity of the assassin known as the Stalker. His acts had become somewhat legendary, foreign law enforcement in almost every country seeking his identity after murders had occurred in their localities. Granted, the majority of those the assassin had supposedly killed were drug lords or weapons smugglers, but a few had been prominent citizens.
His or her capture was certainly on everyone’s high priority list.
The call I’d received had been expected.
Eros was a man I considered a mentor, also a respected adoptive member of our family. He’d been my father’s best friend for as long as I could remember. He was also a consummate and accomplished corporate leader, traveling the world constantly. If anyone knew more about the Stalker, he would.
“Eros.”
“Dimitrios. I was terribly saddened and angry to learn of Leandro’s death. I’ve spoken to your father, offering my help in any way.”
“Thank you. I’m certain both he and my mother will appreciate it.”
“And you need my help,” Eros continued. “The Stalker is widely known and feared.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Why did he set his sights on the family?”
I rubbed my jaw. “That’s what I’ve been trying to determine. What do you know about him?”
“As you might imagine, his uncanny ability to perform his occupation under the most difficult circumstances has given him quite a reputation. He seems to be the master at keeping his identity a secret. However, there are many theories and some are fascinating.”
The lilt in Eros’ voice indicated he’d weeded through the bullshit finding some answers. “Don’t keep me in suspense.”
He laughed. “You never enjoyed a riddle.”
“Not when my brother is lying in the morgue.”
“Understood. As you might imagine, what I was told could be nothing more than hearsay.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I’d double check the facts before I ripped out the Stalker’s throat.
“Shane Winters. His cover is as a foreign diplomat, which allows him access to various venues and high-powered targets.”
As soon as he mentioned the assassin’s name, I had a flashback to another time and another place, a location where I’d lived a dream.
Or maybe a lie.
“Where is this Shane from?”
“From what I’ve heard, America.”
Fuck. While the name wasn’t necessarily unusual, all points led to a direction I didn’t want to believe.
“I very much appreciate you digging into this.”
Eros sighed. “When is the funeral?”
“Yet to be determined. I’ll know more after my parents return. I’ll give you a call.”
“Please do. I’d like to be there to pay my respects.”
“It will be good to see you.”
“Yes. Eiríni mazí sas .”
Peace be with you, a statement he’d made so often over the years. There would be no peace until I had answers.
Until I tasted blood.
With the call ended, I moved toward the boxing bag, throwing several brutal punches. I backed off, so enraged I could barely contain my need for violence. Lowering my head, I provided several additional savage punches until I no longer had feeling in my hands.
A strangled laugh left my lips as I flexed them. My knuckles would bruise. What the hell did I care?
Boxing wasn’t helping, my mind too preoccupied. I moved to my desk, sitting down slowly. My memories of the man I knew as Shane were from what seemed like a lifetime before. The first time I’d met him, he’d been a teenager, a gangly kid with a mouth full of braces. The second and final time had been during his parents’ visit to Greece where I’d enjoyed spending time with my best friend and his family. Gregory’s brother meant the world to him since their parents were both deceased.
Winslow and Dottie Winters were good people living in the heart of Boston.
Their only son had flown in to see them for a couple of days, in from Brussels where he’d been serving as an intern for the American Embassy there. Diplomatic work ran in the family.
I’d spent maybe ten minutes with him, his arrogance irritating the hell out of me. Yet as he was my best friend’s nephew, I’d kept my mouth shut.
Was it possible Eros’ discovery was one and the same person?
I drummed my fingers on the desk’s surface and stared off into space, finally remembering the single photograph I’d taken during their last visit well over a decade before. While I wasn’t typically a man known for reminiscing, the times spent had been favorite occasions from my mother and father, which was why I may have kept the picture. I searched my computer files, finally locating it a few minutes later.
What I noticed first was the smugness on Shane’s face. As if he thought himself better than all of us. Yet they were a lovely family, including a little girl I’d grown fond of during their visits. I sat back in my seat, realizing I needed to learn Shane’s whereabouts.
There was only one way of doing that.
However, extreme caution would need to be used. Alarming my friend would do me no good if he turned around and issued a warning to Shane. After all, blood was thicker than water no matter the circumstances.
I was surprised Gregory answered on the second ring. “You can’t get enough of me, buddy? Or just excited I might be returning to Greece to catch up on old times.”
Snickering, I continued drumming my fingers on my desk. “Maybe a little of both. Your call had me reminiscing.”
He laughed. “You? Shocking. We had some good times.”
“That we did. I ran into a picture I took of your brother, Winslow. Remember after the yachting adventure?”
“God, I remember that day. Windy as hell and we ended up drinking way too much. How the hell did we get back to your house safely?”
“My driver.”
“Oh, yeah, you kids born with silver spoons in your mouths. Even Winslow talks about that night occasionally.”
“What’s he up to these days?”
“Currently on vacation for a couple weeks. His daughter finished her master’s program and the whole family is celebrating. Come to think of it, I think they went back to Athens.”
My laugh was more contrived. “You didn’t make plans to see them?”
“With the shit I’m going through?” Gregory asked, his laugh not nearly as plastic as mine. “Not a chance. I heard they were having a great time. Rented some Stone Villa. Place has nine bedrooms and a private pool. I asked him to start bankrolling me.”
“Stone Villa? I think I know the place. Very nice.”
“You should drop by and see them if you get the chance. Hey, sorry to do this to you but I need to run.”
“No problem. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.”
Gregory exhaled. “We need to do more of it. I feel old.”
“You and me both, buddy.” As the call ended, I immediately got up from my desk, heading out of my office to where Nico remained outside watching the perimeter. I’d placed the family on higher alert. Better safe than sorry.
“Boss?” he asked.
“I need you to do me a favor. There’s a rental house known as the Stone Villa. Find out if Winslow Winters rented the place. In addition, find out if Shane Winters flew in from any city.”
“Like in the world?”
Chuckling, I lifted a single eyebrow. “As in the world.”
“O-kay. Anything else?”
“I also need a recent photograph of Winslow and Dottie from Boston, Massachusetts. A family photo if you can find one.”
“Why? Who are they?”
Nico hadn’t been around when they’d last visited.
“Just do it. I’ll take it from there.”
He eyed me warily and nodded. “What happened to your knuckles?”
I held up one hand. “Nothing that matters.”
As I walked back inside, I felt another round of rage setting in. If Shane Winters was the man who’d killed my brother, it wouldn’t matter if my friendship to Gregory was destroyed. I would kill Shane with my bare hands.
As I said: blood was thicker than water.
I headed for the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water and moving to the bank of windows. Avenging my brother’s death was necessary, not only for the organization but for the family. But in doing so, I would break a trust. It was the thing I swore I’d never do.
A heavy sigh filled my chest.
Life was full of complications.
I closed my eyes, allowing myself to go down memory lane if for no other reason than to try to fathom if it was possible Shane had become the Stalker.
“Boss.”
I had to give it to Nico. He was damn good at following through with discovery. One of the best in the business. He’d returned barely fifteen minutes later with answers.
“I found them. The Winterses rented the villa five days ago. I checked the airlines and they flew in with their daughter.”
“Any sign of Shane?”
“His travel plans took me a little longer. He flew into Bulgaria from Rome about a week ago. From there, I have no clue.”
Bulgaria. From the bordering country, he could had driven across the border and taken a train all the way to Athens. If necessary, I’d have the rails checked later.
“That means he’s here in Athens.” My gut was never wrong.
“You don’t know that yet.” Nico was insistent, although he knew I never went off on tangents.
I laughed. “Yes, I do. I can feel his pungent presence. Check the Bulgarian news reports for any recent unclassified murders. Also have some men patrol the borders and the main airlines. I want that man flagged if he attempts to leave the country.”
“Okay, boss. I’ll put some men on it, but it will stretch our ranks.”
“I don’t give a shit. What about a photograph?”
“This is from five years ago. I guess Mr. Winslow won some award in Boston. That’s all I could find and it’s not the best photograph.”
As he handed me his iPad, I noticed the grin on his face. The picture was slightly fuzzy, but it allowed me a more recent look at their appearances. What drew me in was the young woman standing next to her father. Willow. Why did her face seem so familiar? “What else? I can tell you found something you’re eager to tell me.”
“Atticus spent time checking the surveillance tapes. I was in the club for a few hours last night.”
“And?”
“Take another look at the girl in the photograph.”
I did. “So?”
“I need to double check, but it would appear she was at the club last night. Right around the time of the murder.”