An Aegean Prophecy - Jeffrey Siger [45]
Andreas gave her a blank stare. She turned to Kouros. He shrugged and then yawned.
‘If one of the twenty monasteries refuses to participate in assemblies of the Holy Community of Mount Athos, why then are there twenty abbots in the photograph with the Protos at his installation - instead of nineteen?’ She said the last three words very slowly.
Kouros shrugged. ‘No idea. And I’m too tired to make a joke.’
Andreas stared at Maggie. ‘Twice in one day.’
‘What “twice in one day”?’ said Maggie.
‘That I’ve missed the obvious.’
Kouros reached for another spanikopita. ‘Don’t forget about the cross.’
Andreas nodded. ‘Fine, okay, three times.’ He looked at his watch. ‘Too late or early to call the Protos?’
‘Both,’ said Maggie. ‘He’s probably in the middle of morning prayers.’
‘I’ll take that as a sign to get some sleep.’ Andreas stood up. ‘At least now we have a question to ask.’
‘Do you think he’ll talk to you over the phone?’ asked Kouros.
Andreas shrugged. ‘Won’t know until I try. He gave me his landline numbers when we were in Ouranoupolis. They’re probably more secure than the prime minister’s, but if it’s something he doesn’t want to talk about I’m sure he’ll let me know.’
Andreas looked at Maggie. ‘Any idea of what his potential answer might be?’
‘Probably something obvious, like everyone came out of respect for the office of protos.’
‘Sort of like warring families getting together at a church social?’ Kouros was smiling.
Maggie shook her head. ‘You can’t help yourself.’
‘Would you prefer something more earthshaking? How about, “The devil made me do it”?’
Guessing at answers was a big part of every cop’s life. In Andreas’ experience some were better guessers than others, but even the best of them rarely were right on the mark, just close enough to point the way. Great, he thought, the devil made somebody show respect for the Protos.
Ever so quietly he crept into the room. Like a thief in the night. But a naked one, on tip-toe. Andreas had dropped his clothes on the floor outside the bedroom. Muscle memory brought him around the bed, extreme care lightly onto it. No covers tonight, he thought, the movement might wake her. Ahh, made it.
PLOP. An arm dropped across his bare chest. ‘Anything interesting happen today, my love?’
‘I can never sneak in on you, can I?’
‘Nope, and don’t you ever forget it.’ She patted his chest.
He rolled over and kissed her. ‘Missed you.’
‘I bet. After all that time alone with monks even Mother Theresa would look good.’
He laughed and touched her belly. ‘How are you guys doing?’
‘Great.’ She snuggled up to him. ‘Now that daddy’s home.’
He kissed her forehead. ‘Me, too.’
‘Tassos sent us the strangest gift today.’
‘What was it?’
‘It came from a florist, but I guess he was trying to tell me to learn to cook.’
‘Huh?’
‘It was wrapped with pink and blue ribbon - to cover all possibilities I assume - with a lovely note, but I can’t figure out why he sent what he did.’
‘What did the note say? I might have a better fix on his sense of humor.’
‘Something like, “May your home always be filled with joy and love, and may this protect your family from all that is not.”’
‘What did he send, a gun?’
‘No, wise guy,’ and she gently squeezed his nuts.
‘Careful, they’re not used to much action these days.’
Lila didn’t listen; instead held them in her right hand, lightly squeezing and gently rubbing. Andreas adjusted his position on the bed. She started feathering him with the tips of her fingers and, after a while, strayed on to something much firmer and erect to the touch. Back and forth she ran her fingers, from top to bottom and back again. She stopped when she felt him start to pulsate, then gripped him tightly, and slowly and deliberately began pulling up and down.
‘I’d love to take you in my mouth, but I just—’
‘Don’t worry, this is just fine. Oh, yes, just fine.’ Andreas put his arm under her body and pulled her against him. He was flat on his back and thrusting