An Aegean Prophecy - Jeffrey Siger [61]
‘In all that excitement the farmer’s hens got out and started laying eggs everywhere. After you left, the little girl was looking for the eggs and found something hidden under empty feedbags in the shed where the three men had been working. Her grandfather called me. He thought it might be something you’d be interested in seeing.’
‘How did he know to call you?’
‘Because I’d told him I was the one who sent you in the first place. You think I was going to let your minister take all the credit? Besides, it might get me a better price on eggs.’ He laughed.
Andreas shook his head. Always an angle with this guy. ‘Well, just send it on to my office.’
‘Better yet, I’ll drop it off.’
‘Huh?’
‘Just got into Athens this morning. Spending today and Good Friday with my sister.’
‘No need to rush. I won’t be in today.’
‘Yes, you will.’
‘Don’t bet on it.’
Dimitri laughed. ‘Let’s put it this way. I wouldn’t wager anything you really care about.’
Andreas wanted this to end. It was old news. ‘Okay, what did the little girl find?’ He waved his hand in the air to Lila, as if to say, I want this guy to get off the phone already.
‘A laptop computer and a pile of disks. I didn’t look at them, but I have a hunch you’ll want to.’
Andreas didn’t respond.
‘Hello, did you hear what I said?’
This is old news. I don’t want to know what’s on Vassilis’ computer. ‘What time can you have them in my office?’
Lila rolled over and got out of bed.
Holy Thursday’s morning Ceremony of the Basin was a powerful moment in Zacharias’ monastery. The abbot played the part of Christ washing his disciples’ feet after the Last Supper, but the monks cast in those roles knew better than to view this as anything but a brief, ceremonial exercise by the autocrat who ruled within these walls.
Zacharias had been through more than a decade of these ceremonies. He watched the abbot move along the row of bare feet. Amazing how much he’d aged. He was very lucky I came along when I did. He needed me. Someone had to organize this place and speak enough different languages to communicate with the world beyond these walls. Still, the abbot never would have taken me in if I’d not sworn to reject all my worldly possessions - and turn them over to his monastery. To Zacharias that just proved anyone could find a place in the world, assuming of course you had the price of admission, which in his case was a very expensive ticket.
The abbot was about to wash Zacharias’ feet. How fitting he’s doing this, Zacharias thought. After all I’ve done for him without taking a bit of credit … or a euro or a dollar or a ruble. But then again, that’s our arrangement, the same as I have with all I’ve helped rise to power in our monasteries. I get them what they want without seeking anything for myself, except of course, their friendship and access to them whenever I want. What more do I need of money? I have all I’ll ever require in life safely away in Swiss bank accounts. The vast wealth of the Ecumenical Patriarch shall serve another purpose, for with it will come the earthly power to bring much needed order to the world, once he is on our Holy Mountain … and under my guidance.
Zacharias smiled.
The abbot noticed the smile and smiled back, as if reflecting on their past together.
Oh, yes, Your Holiness, I remember our first ceremony together, thought Zacharias. I was the youngest, and that meant I played a special role. I was your Judas.
Lila didn’t act upset when Andreas said he had to go to the office ‘just for an hour or so.’ She said she’d call her mother and they’d spend the afternoon doing ‘baby things.’ Still, somehow he felt he’d screwed up. Big time.
Dimitri had dropped off the computer and disks as promised, together with a handwritten note:
I have no idea what’s on this and don’t want to know. Promise. D.
A likely story, thought Andreas. Maggie had left Dimitri’s note on his desk together with a typed one of her own:
OUT FOR A BIT. THE COMPUTER GURU IS LOOKING AT EVERYTHING. WHEN YOU WANT HIM, CALL HIM. YIANNI CALLED TO CHECK