Page 89 of Dagger in the Sea

“Thank you.”

Thanási and Adri had an animated discussion, and within moments a waiter brought out a small copper carafe of white wine along with two small glasses, crusty bread, and cutlery. Thanási and the waiter left us to it.

“You know everyone,” I said, pouring the wine for us.

“Not everyone. But there was a time when we came to Andros consistently. Not just for a summer holiday, but for long weekends, every Easter. But after my grandfather passed away, my mother finally completed construction on her dream villa in Mykonos and we went there instead.”

“So Andros is a special place for you?”

“Very special. I’m only beginning to realize how much I’ve missed it.” Her lips pressed together.

“What did you order?” I asked, gently nudging her foot with mine.

Her lips tipped up. “You’ll see.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt this hungry before.”

“Fresh sea air, swimming. Stress on the road. No sleep the night before…” Her hand touched my wrist.

It was a gentle weight, a momentary contact, yet an odd sliver of heat and comfort rose up my arm and filled my chest. I swallowed it down along with the cold white wine, savoring them both.

A Greek salad with that creamy local cheese and lots of capers made its appearance on our table, along with fried zucchini flowers filled with melting cheese, grilled sardines, a heap of tiny fried fish. A dish of roast meat in a light lemon and oil sauce.

“What kind of meat is that?”

“Goat, what the island is known for.”

“You mean the cute creatures we passed on the road through the mountains?”

“Yes, they roam free in their natural habitat. You won’t taste any finer. Rather like lamb, only not as fatty.”

I pulled the plate in front of me and dug in. Delicious, melt in my mouth, flavorful meat, the lemon adding the perfect acidic balance and pop of bright to the mellow rich sauce.

Adri’s fork stabbed at a corner of the roast. “You like it?”

“Yes.” I liked that she ate from my dish without asking, shared the feast. I moved the plate in between us and we both ate. The moody girl who picked at her food had thankfully left the building.

She dabbed a crust of bread in the salad dressing in the nearly empty bowl. “Tell me, how did you meet Gennaro Aliberti or is that secret?”

“No secret. Mr. Aliberti is a hotelier who wants to open a new hotel in Chicago. Recently the company I’m associated with tried to sign a deal with him, but my colleague was rude and Mr. Aliberti changed his mind about the collaboration. So they asked me to find him and apologize on their behalf, to find a way to make it right.”

She chewed on the oil and tomato soaked bread, her forehead pulled in.

“What is it?”

“Gennaro is quite stubborn. All the Alibertis are.”

“I know.”

“So that’s what Luca meant when we came back to theAllegra? That he would take care of that for you since…Evgeny’s boat?”

“Yes. Let’s see if he comes through.”

“Honor among thieves?”

“You think I’m a thief?”

“Aren’t you?”

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