Mykonos After Midnight Read Online Free PDF Page A

early sixties a mass exodus of the island’s youth to Athens and far off lands in search of a better life.
    Against that six thousand years of struggle it seemed magic that in little more than a single generation Mykonos transformed into its present-day wonder and the long-impoverished Mykonians became among the wealthiest per capita people in Greece.
    Tassos took another sip of coffee. The unusually gentle breeze coming off the sea had a lot of people strolling along the wide, blue-grey-brown flagstone border between the tavernas and ten yards of sand to the water. Some came out to smell the sea, most to people-watch, but all to absorb the in-season energy of Mykonos and a sense that, for the moment at least, all was right with the world.
    Tassos put down his cup. Good thing they didn’t know what was locked inside the briefcase at his feet.

Chapter Four
    When the alarm went off at dawn, Lila mumbled from her pillow, “Is there something you forgot to tell me?”
    Andreas hit the snooze button. “Yep, I have to catch the seven-thirty flight to Mykonos.”
    “Is it about Christos?”
    “I won’t even try figuring out how you knew that.”
    “Not hard. It’s all over the news. Make that Spiros is all over the news. And when he’s all over the news can my husband be far behind? After all, someone has to come up with his answers.”
    “I knew there was a reason I married you.” He kissed her on the cheek.
    “That’s all I get for such glorious praise first thing in the morning? A peck on the cheek?”
    “Put it on my account. I’ll settle up later.” He pinched her butt.
    Lila sat up. “I’ll have Marietta make you breakfast.” She reached for the phone.
    “No time for that. I’ll catch a bite at the airport.”
    Lila smiled but dialed. “Marietta, would you please prepare breakfast for Mr. Kaldis. And pack it to go.”
    She hung up the phone. “You’re still not used to having help.” She smiled. “I like that about you.”
    Andreas nodded. “I’m trying. Yesterday, I let Tassaki pick out my clothes.”
    “Letting a two-year-old pull all your shirts out of a dresser drawer is not what I meant.”
    Andreas shrugged. “I’m trying.” He leaned over and kissed her. “Now I really have to run.”
    “Open the drapes, let in the light. It won’t bother me.”
    Andreas picked up the remote control and pressed a button. The drapes parted, revealing narrow, pale-gray horizontal steel slats covering the windows. They were necessary security for virtually every upscale home in Greece, even a penthouse on the most prestigious street in Athens and next door to the presidential palace.
    Andreas pressed another button and the shutters rolled up and out of sight as light rushed into the room. An unobstructed view of the Parthenon atop the Acropolis filled the window. This was another thing Andreas had difficulty getting used to: living the life of the super rich. But if he wanted to marry Lila it came with the package. He could not expect her to live a life on what he earned as a cop. Make that an honest cop.
    So, this was how he now lived. Not that he resented his good fortune. It was just so very different from his own roots as the son of a working class cop. Another honest cop.
    “Do you need a ride to the airport?”
    “No thanks, Yianni is picking me up.”
    Yianni Kouros was Andreas’ right hand. They met when Yianni was a brash young rookie on Mykonos and Andreas his chief. They’d been together ever since.
    “When will you be back?”
    “No telling. Tassos wants to see me. Hopefully on an afternoon flight or, at worst, the last boat.”
    “Well, at least with Tassos I know you won’t be getting into any trouble.”
    “My love, with Tassos there’s generally nothing but trouble.”
    “I meant of the other kind.” She smiled. “The Mykonos crazy lifestyle sort of trouble.”
    Andreas nodded. “Good point. I think I’ll bring Yianni along. He specializes in that sort of thing.”
    Andreas