The Collectors Book Two: Full Circle (The Collectors Series 2) (12 page)

“Have you ever killed, PK?” asked Maria, her eyes not leaving his for an instant.

“In Iraq and Afghanistan you don’t stand still and let those bastards shoot you. In Northern Ireland, you’re always on the defensive. You hit back. It’s live or die, Maria, and being taken prisoner can be worse than death itself.”

She reached across and clasped his hand. “I do understand. You told me what happened in Africa.” She glanced at Bear. “How about you?”

He turned his head towards Jocelyn. “Change the subject. Any wine left? It’s not half bad for cheap plonk.”

With the bottle empty, Bear checked his watch. “It’s time.”

“Time?” said Maria.
“Time for what?”

“Time for food.”

They laughed, drained their glasses and left.

Maria led them to a restaurant she discovered in a side street during the shopping spree. One dozen wooden tables covered with blue checked tablecloths filled the dining room – a typical eating place frequented by the locals. The well used bar possessed a Victorian facade.

On entering, a man sporting a large, grey handlebar moustache strolled towards them, beaming a broad smile. He pointed to a table. “For you.”

They sat in cottage style dining chairs, Bear having to change his rickety seat for one that supported his huge frame. Petros named the owner ‘Father Time’, for he took an age to produce the menu. To their surprise it had a generous range of food. Maria scoffed at the price of the wine but by the time they left, Bear’s hunger pangs had for once been sated.

The rain clouds which filled the sky during the day had gone. Visibility was good. The dark backcloth of the sky exhibited its stars like a painting: Orion, The Plough, the Milky Way and a thousand other galaxies shimmered.

Petros turned to
Bear. “A night like this for our collection would solve many problems. In any case it’s an early start tomorrow. I’d like to be back at Elini’s by midday.”

“Tomorrow will be my last full day,” said Jocelyn. “Remember I came out for a christening and I work for a living.”

“Are you sure you can’t squeeze another week?” said Maria.

“As much as I want to, getting this week off took a ton of bargaining. The department is short staffed.”

“When we get back, we’ll enjoy a girlie night out. These two can baby-sit. PK, a good rest and a night’s rest and undisturbed sleep will do us good.” She squeezed his hand. “Come on, let’s go.”

Bear chuckled. “Goodnight, Maria.”

*  *  *

The dark clouds that clung to the sky dulled
Petros’s mood. The persistent rain made for poor visibility. On arriving at the dining room for breakfast, he stopped at the entrance. Bear, Jocelyn and Maria sat eating as he strolled across to join them. He took his place opposite Maria. “Any good?”

“The scrambled eggs fill a hole.” Bear stood. “Morning
, PK. I’m going to get a Nescafé. Want a cup?” He wandered over to the counter, made two coffees, returned and placed one in front of Petros.

“This collection – yes or no?” said Bear.

Petros thought for a moment. “I think yes. When we get back we’ll draw up a plan of action. Maria, don’t suppose you’re acquainted with three or four men I can trust?”

She cocked her head to one side and raised her eyebrows. “I am and so are you.
My brothers.”

Petros rubbed his hands together. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

Her eyelids quivered and she stared at him. “You asked for four men you can trust. My brothers I would trust with my life and with yours.”

He leant across and took her hands. “I’d like to chat with my brothers-in-law.”

“In my country, it’s best to keep such things in the family. I’ll phone them now. That way they’ll be waiting when we arrive. Time has become our enemy. We can’t lose any.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Petros. “Fifteen minutes and we’ll meet in the car park. I’ve paid the bill.”

He waited until Maria closed her mobile. Jocelyn drank her coffee and Bear finished wiping his plate with the remaining piece of toast.

“Let’s go.”

Maria slipped behind the wheel and drove with care back to the Green Line. Near the crossing she shaded her eyes against low-lying sun. The Turkish guards stopped them and gave the vehicle a cursory once over. Petros got out and studied their actions. A chill wind from the north caused him to shiver.

Once across the border, she drove at speed along the motorway.

“PK,” Maria said seriously. “What are you thinking?”

“At the moment I’m a fish nibbling at the bait. One thing is certain. Bear and I can’t do this job on our own.”

“You’re mad but maybe that’s why I love you.”

“I agree,” said Bear from the rear seat.
“Stark bloody bonkers. Doesn’t say much for me does it?”

Jocelyn piped in. “It makes me as daft as the rest of you. Men, why do we bother?”

“Because we’re so irresistible,” said Bear.

“That’s a disturbing revelation,” she replied.

Chapter Fifteen

Dogs barked as Maria slowed the truck to a crawl through the village. A few minutes later it rattled into the driveway. Together the four of them walked into the sanctuary of the courtyard. Maria raced ahead and hugged and kissed her four brothers who sat around a stone table.

They returned her spontaneous display of affection.

“My brothers.”
Maria stood with them as she made the introductions. “Kyriacos, George, Andreas and Takis.”

Each kissed Jocelyn on both cheeks.

“All these lovely men in one place. Just like London buses. You wait ages for one to come along and then four come together,” Jocelyn said. “Sorry guys, must love and leave you.” She turned and ran inside the house.

Petros and Bear scrutinised them, each different in size and build. They sauntered across, shook hands and welcomed them.

“At Alysa’s christening they drank, talked and danced,” said Maria. “My eldest brother, Kyriacos.” She placed her hand on his shoulder.

Petros studied the man. He stood tall, handsome, with striking features

“He’s a professional soldier.”

“George,
Alysa’s Godfather, owns a garage and car show room. In his spare time he pretends to be a rally driver.”

“What do you mean, pretends,” said George. “I came in eighth this year.”

Petros sized up the short, heavy man who had the most wonderful blue eyes. His hands were small but his arms, which protruded from muscular shoulders, were solid. This man possessed strength and would be useful for lifting and shifting.

Maria placed her arms around another’s shoulders. “Andreas recently finished his time in the National Guard and reached the rank of captain. At the moment he’s seeking work or might, if nothing suitable comes up, go back to university.”

Petros noted the bond between brother and sister. He appeared average in height and build, but had the same blue eyes: a distinct feature.

“
Takis is my Teddy Bear. He’s big, cuddly and wouldn’t harm a fly,” said Maria cheerfully. “That is, unless you hurt any member of the family. Before I fell in love with you he’d throw young boys into wells if they attempted to touch me where they shouldn’t.”

Petros turned to
Bear. “I remember Takis. He tried to toss me everywhere the last time we met. He’s like you, but broader and a few kilos heavier.”

Takis
grinned and came towards them. He hugged Bear but shook Petros’s hand. “This one,” he said, placing his huge paws on Bear, “I love him as a brother.” He poked Petros in the ribs. “This skinny runt is family.”

Elini
walked across to the table carrying a tray. “One drink and then you go. From what my niece has told me you are going to be busy.” She poured large measures of brandy into the glasses.

Six shouted, “
Yammas!”

*  *  *

Standing in the dark bedroom with the window wide open, Petros shivered. The night clouds raced by, propelled by strong winds. He pondered the coming collection. If the dangers outweighed the rewards, did it matter? In spite of everything, you made choices and lived by them. His mind collated what needed to be undertaken.

Meticulous planning minimised the risk, and so far they had remained unhurt. He stared at Maria sleeping. When it was just Bear and him, risk existed. She had changed that and Alysa doubled the problem: He had responsibilities. What had she said to him when they lay, limbs embraced? ‘You make me happy. Nothing can harm me when I’m with you.’ 

He glanced at his watch: almost three. Without disturbing her, he slid beneath the sheets and closed his eyes. Sleep evaded him and he couldn’t fathom why.

Maria pulled him close. “It can wait until morning. Rest solves or answers many problems.” 

*  *  *

Petros, wide awake now, and with his shoes in hand tiptoed out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him.

His leather soles echoed across the floor of the empty kitchen. He wandered outside and sat by the fountain. Here the trickling and splashing of the water settled his thoughts.

The door opened, flooding the courtyard with light. Maria, in her pyjamas, strolled out. “What’s the matter?”

Petros considered her question but didn’t object to her intrusion. “Nothing much. Wanted a breath of fresh air.”

“Fancy a coffee?”

“Aren’t you cold, Maria?”

“I’m freezing. Let’s go inside.”

He followed her into the house. The kitchen clock showed five. Maria poked the fire causing sparks to hurry up the chimney. She threw on a few more logs and ambled over to the huge padded seat that ran along the length of one wall. He sat beside her and she nestled against him. The warmth of her body and the beating of her heart were comforting. Gently, he wrapped his arms around her.

In time, Maria slept, turning in the night and holding him. In the dim light she was a child needing protection. Her long hair flowed around her neck, enhancing the curve of her face.

The morning sun began to fill the small kitchen windows, waking Petros. His movements caused Maria to stir. She held him close for a while longer, yawned and opened her eyes. “PK,” she whispered, “are you awake?”

“Yes. Can you get up? My arm’s gone to sleep.”

After a few moments she stretched her arms, sat up and rubbed her eyes. She held his arm and gently massaged it. “Better?”

“I should say no. That way you wouldn’t stop, but it’s okay. What happened to the coffee you mentioned hours ago?”

“How long did I sleep?”

“You were knackered.”

“I’ll make the coffee in a minute.
Must go to the loo. Will you put the kettle on?”

Petros made two cups of instant coffee and waited for Maria to return.

She bounced down the stairs wearing her pink dressing gown tied around her middle, took her coffee, wrapping her fingers round the mug. “Is there a problem with this collection?”

“The trouble is i
t’s too easy. There has to be a catch.”

“Are you worried about me and Alysa?”

“That goes without saying.”

“I remember the first time you entered
Varosha. I worried every minute, but you came out. It’s what you do, my love, and you will make the right decision whether to go or not.”

Petros found himself starting to relax. “Let’s see what happens when your brothers arrive.”

*  *  *

Maria’s brothers arrived when breakfast had long finished but greedily tucked into freshly baked bread and home-made cheese.

Petros gazed at the faces of his group assembled round the kitchen table and wondered. He informed them about what the collection entailed.

“Guys, do I walk away from this? It’s a question you must ask yourselves. If we get caught by the Turks, they'll make us an example. We'll end up in a stinking jail for God knows how long. After which they’ll make us sign a confession stating we stole the icons for profit. More importantly, I’ll pay you up-front costs and twenty thousand
euros each for our little excursion. It’s take it or leave it time.”

Five pairs of blue eyes stared unblinking across the table.

Maria patted him on the hand. “They agreed before arriving that they would do whatever it takes, for me.”

“Maria, you’re not part of the team,” said Petros with a slight smile on his face.

The four men stood but she motioned for them to sit. “I’m not going to plead. You know I’m not that sort of person. Just give me one good reason why I’m not included and I’ll stay at home and play with Alysa.”

“You’re my wife.”

“You male chauvinistic bastard,” she said affably. “I can outrun, out-shoot all of you. So try and stop me.”

Takis
leant forward, his huge stomach pushing against the table. “Don’t argue, Petros.”

“You can’t win,” said Bear.

Petros laughed in spite of his feelings. “She’ll drive truck number one. My wife, my truck.”

Devilish satisfaction danced in her eyes. “No problem. I promise to be a good girl and do as I’m told.”

“Well, there’s a first time for everything,” said Takis.

“Who’s volunteering for the second truck?” said Petros.

“I’ll drive number two,” said George.

“Fine,” said Petros. “George, the plastic insert in the back of the trucks – do you think you can modify them to have a two inch gap underneath?” Petros closed his eyes and leaned back on his chair. “The icons will be concealed there.”

“I can. How long have I got?”

“Bear, when’s full moon?” said Petros.

“Six days.”

“We’ll go in five in case something goes wrong.”

“Moon madness day, sounds about right for this escapade,” said Kyriacos.

“I assume you don’t believe in Dracula and Werewolves,” said Bear.

“Dracula and the rest are storybook tales, but it’s a well-documented scenario, Bear,” said Kyriacos. “According to several studies, human behaviour takes a turn for the worse around a full moon.”

“What a load of rubbish. The only thing the moon affects is the tide.”

“Bear, strange things are known to happen.”

Petros shrugged and replied, “This is not a Hollywood movie.”

“What can go wrong?” said Andreas.

“The answer is everything,” said Petros. “We do need a full moon.”

“Why?”

“Andreas, in
Varosha there’s no electricity,” said Kyriacos, “therefore no lights.”

“
Kyriacos, Andreas, Takis, and Bear will enter Varosha with me,” said Petros. “George will stay with Maria and the trucks. There’s a dirty great big hunk of marble to shift and forty icons to carry. George, any portable hydraulic jacks in your garage?”

“How many do we need?”

“Four we can carry in and out.”

“No problem,” said George. “I’ll put two in each truck.”

“This all sounds easy,” said Kyriacos.

Petros searched for words. “It’s not.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “Four army guards must be taken out. They’re a motley lot of conscripts so I don’t envisage a major challenge. George, add to your list large cable ties and something to use as gags.’ He looked at them. “That’s the plan, simple and effective. Be ready to leave in five days – and a full outfit of army camouflage suits. You know,
Kyriacos, the you-can’t-see-me type.”

Bear looked at them all. “Guys, the fact-finding bit of this collection
is finished. We’ve agreed for the moment to go ahead. When the final pieces of the jigsaw are in place, we go. No turning back or second thoughts.” His face showed not a trace of concern as he spoke.

“The job is to recover the icons,” said Petros.
“Any questions?”

The brothers asked a few on logistics, which Petros and Bear easily answered.

Finally, the four brothers stood up, shook hands with both men and left.

Petros saw them off and returned to the kitchen. As was his way, Bear prepared a pile of sandwiches while he chatted to Maria.

“Plan B, Bear, we need one.”

“I’m sure I can come up with something. Pray nothing goes wrong.”

“Is that plan B?” said Petros. “I’ve a strange feeling.”

Bear’s eyes sparkled. “We never work with feelings, PK. Facts, solid facts, or we don’t go.”

“I’m still open on this one. Maria, will you phone the bishop. I said I’d keep him informed.”

“No problem. I’ll ring now.”

“PK, a word,” said Bear.”

They wandered outside and sat on the edge of the fountain. “Do you want to tell me?” said Bear.

Confusion filled Petros’s face. “Tell you what?”

“Why you’re worried.”

He sighed. “I have a nagging monkey on my back and he won’t fuck off.”

Maria walked into the courtyard. “What are you two scheming?”

He turned and smiled. “Nothing of any importance. What about the bishop? Can he see us?”

“Anytime this afternoon.
This evening he departs for Greece.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s almost midday. If we leave now we’ll be at his house by one. Do you fancy lunch in Polis?”

“Can’t go.
Jocelyn’s flight’s at five,” said Bear. “Besides I don’t need to hear the details again. Keep your eye on his housekeeper. She makes the back of my neck tingle.”