Angel of Death

‘One of the best dishes she cooks,’ Alex agreed. ‘How is your boy?’

‘Sean.’ Terry stopped smiling, his eyes sombre as they moved to stare out of the window at the grey-blue sky and the roofs stretching into the distance; high office blocks with dark glass windows between the smaller buildings. It was the view he looked at every day during the week; he barely saw it any more. ‘He’s OK, thanks. You haven’t got a son, have you?’

‘No.’

‘Well, don’t be in too much of a hurry to get one. They give you a lot of grief. You want children, you get them, and while they’re small you think they’re magic. Then one day they turn into adults and you start having heartache. Thank God I’ve only got one. I wouldn’t survive having a couple of them.’

‘In Greece it is the daughters who give trouble. You have to take care of them day and night. The minute they are in their teens the young men appear, like bees around a honey pot. A nightmare for fathers.’

‘Have you got a daughter?’

‘Not yet, and I dread it. It was bad enough when I had to watch out for my sisters! My parents never stopped telling me to keep an eye on them. It ruined my own social life. I could never relax.’

Terry laughed. ‘I remember how I was at that age! Always ready to try my luck with a bird.’

‘A bird?’ Alex frowned.

‘A girl.’

‘Oh, yes, a girl. Of course, I knew that, I had forgotten it for a moment. Well, I must ring off, I’m afraid, I have a lot to do.’

‘Of course, I know how busy you are.’

‘I shouldn’t complain, it’s better to be busy than to have nothing to do. Well, Terry, I look forward to getting my order in due course and my cheque will be in the post,’

After hanging up, Terry said to his secretary, ‘You know the really worrying thing about Greeks? They shake their heads and say ‘Ne’ when they mean yes, and nod when they mean no. You’re never really sure what they are thinking.’

She nodded and looked vague. ‘I know what you mean.’ But she clearly didn’t.

And what was going on behind those black Greek eyes? thought Terry, picking up the phone. Alex Manoussi was an enigma.

He rang the hospital, spoke to the ward sister, avoided giving his name. ‘I’m just a friend – I wondered how she was today?’

‘As well as can be expected.’

The standard reply, telling you nothing – what did it mean? Whatever they wanted it to mean.

‘When are you letting her out?’

‘I really couldn’t say – the doctor will make that decision. Not yet, anyway. Can I give her a message?’

‘No, I’ll come in and see her sometime. Or maybe I’ll see her at home. Is she going back to her flat, do you know? Or going to stay with her mother in the country?’

‘I have no idea.’ The sister was getting starchy; her tone cold and distant.

Terry ended the call, then rang home on his mobile. The housekeeper put him through to Sean’s room. Sean answered, sounding thick-headed and sleepy. Angry blood rushed to Terry’s head.

‘Were you out drinking again last night? How many times do I have to tell you – you should stay off the booze until this is all over. The police could come any time. You’re going to need to keep a clear head, you don’t want to make any stupid slips.’

Sean snarled. ‘Stop nagging, will you? I’m perfectly clear-headed. Now, did you want something? Or did you only ring me up to scream at me?’

‘I just rang the hospital; she’s still there but her mother has been discharged. Don’t go near her flat. Do you hear?’

‘I’m not deaf.’

‘No, but you are stupid. Now, get up, take a shower, and do something useful. Go jogging, play golf – anything that gets you out into the fresh air. But stay out of trouble. And don’t chase girls. Why don’t you ring Nicola and arrange to have lunch with her?’

‘OK, OK. I’ll do that. Finished now?’