CHAPTER TEN
ONCE again Isobel heard the helicopter chop away at first light, and said a swift, fierce prayer for the pilot. She slid down in the bed, intending to lie there for a moment, but when she woke again a glance at her watch catapulted her out of bed in such a hurry to snatch up her nightgown she tripped as she pulled it on and only just managed to stop from falling as Eleni came in.
'You hurt?' she demanded, coming to help.
'No, no, I'm fine. I was just in a hurry for the bathroom,' said Isobel, embarrassed. 'I want a shower before breakfast.'
'Kyrie Luke left early,' said the little woman glumly. 'You heard?'
'Yes.'
'How you feel today?'
'Pretty good, Eleni. I'm none the worse for my adventure.' She smiled. 'And for once I really fancy some breakfast this morning.'
Isobel raced through her shower, then eyed herself critically in the steamed up mirror, surprised to see she looked much the same as usual. What had she expected? Evidence of sin? But it had been bliss, not sin. The dreamy look in her eyes soon changed to apprehension. She hugged the towel around her, suddenly cold at the thought of Luke acting out his High Noon scenario later.
Determined to stay strong, no matter what happened, Isobel got dressed and did her hair and face, and limped as fast as she could into the bedroom when her phone rang.
'Kalimera, Isobel. How are you today?'
'Luke, are you back already? I'm ashamed to say I've slept half the morning away. But I feel good. Even my eye is back to normal.'
'Unlike mine!'
'Yours is very sexy.' She chuckled. 'I really go for the pirate look.'
'I am so happy to hear that. I would have given much to stay and kiss you awake this morning. But I have news, Isobel. When I arrived at my apartment I found a hand-written note among my mail giving the location of Petros's island. Like the man who attacked me, your kidnapper was probably threatened in some way, but he has a conscience, it seems, and could not leave you there to perish. Even so, be careful today. Stay close to the house.'
'Yes, Luke.'
'I so like to hear you say that. When I come home I shall ask more questions that require the same answer.'
Isobel's eyebrows rose. What did he mean by that? 'Luke, I'll be desperately worried. So ring me tonight after-afterwards.'
'I will. But do not worry, hriso mou. I will take no chances, I swear. Now, eat.'
Worried or not, hot rolls and butter, followed by cup after cup of coffee, tasted wonderful to Isobel. At the same time yesterday she would have sold her soul for even part of the meal. She was about to ask Eleni for more coffee when she heard a car coming down the drive and, soon afterwards, Alyssa came running from the kitchen, beaming.
'Kalimera, Isobel. After your ordeal you should be shattered, but you look wonderful.'
'I feel fine.' Isobel smiled warmly. 'I was just about to ask Eleni for more coffee.'
'Unnecessary, glykia mou. She's on her way with it right now.'
By the time Eleni left them to their coffee, Alyssa was vibrating with impatience.
'So, Isobel! Did Luke tell you about my masterly performance when he returned on the Athena without you?'
Isobel laughed. 'He certainly did. He said you're a terrific actress.'
'Drama queen, he means!' Alyssa grinned, flipping back a lock of shining dark hair as she struck a pose. 'I rather fancy myself as Medea. Or possibly Elektra. But never mind that. Tell me what happened-every last detail.' She sobered abruptly. 'You must have been so terrified, Isobel.'
'Oddly enough, when I woke up in the boat my first reaction was fury. But the fright soon kicked in when I found I was tied up. I hated feeling so helpless.' Isobel gulped some coffee, then told Alyssa what happened, right up to the moment Luke arrived in the Athena to rescue her.
'For the second time!' Alyssa's lips curved in a wicked little smile. 'I trust you rewarded him generously?'
'Absolutely,' said Isobel, returning the smile in kind. 'I gave him the watercolour I painted.'
Alyssa rolled her eyes. 'Surely you can think of something more exciting than a painting?'
'Luke liked it.' Isobel's smile faded. 'I hope it will remind him of me after I leave.'
Alyssa snorted. 'He will never forget you, Isobel!'
'You're probably right. I've been nothing but trouble to him from the moment we met.'
'I doubt that. What man thinks of a gorgeous blonde as trouble?'
Isobel coloured. 'Luke told me he likes his women dark and curvy.'
'He has changed his mind since he met you, glykia mou.'
'What does that mean?'
'My sweet, more or less. Does Luke say that?'
'We're not on those kind of terms.'
'If you stayed, you soon would be,' said Alyssa firmly. 'So stay. Please. I would love you to come to my wedding.'
Isobel smiled wistfully. 'I would love it, too, but I must get back to my job. I've used up all my holiday allowance for this year.'
Alyssa sighed, then rummaged in her bag and handed over a card. 'These are my telephone numbers. Ring me if you change your mind.'
'I will.' Isobel smiled warmly. 'Thanks for coming to see me.'
'Nothing could have kept me away! It amazes me that you survived such a horrible experience so bravely. Me, I would have nightmares.' Alyssa touched the uneven lock of hair over Isobel's ear, then glanced at her watch with regret. 'I must go. Since Luke is away, why not come down to the taverna tonight? I could fetch you, and my parents would love to meet you.'
Isobel was touched. 'It's a lovely thought, Alyssa, but I'm not quite up for that right now and I'm not sure I should be seen yet. Can I take a rain check?'
'Of course. Ring me if you need me. Any time. Take care.' She kissed Isobel's cheek, then rushed off to talk to Eleni on her way out and a moment later her car roared away up the cypress-lined drive, leaving Isobel feeling restless and on edge, and wondering what to do with the rest of her day.
After trying to read for a while, Isobel gave up and got out her drawing materials. As a change from watercolours she would try a pencil portrait of Luke. Portraits were not normally her area of expertise, but the forceful, handsome features of Luke took shape on her drawing pad with such ease and speed that by late afternoon Isobel had achieved a strikingly accurate likeness. When Eleni was allowed to see the finished sketch she called Spiro to marvel at Isobel's skill, and it was so obvious that both of them lusted after the drawing Isobel promised to do another to keep herself occupied as she wondered what was happening to Luke.
At that particular moment Luke was in his office, in a meeting with Andres and various members of his staff and security force, all of whom were arguing that one of them should take his place at the designated ransom drop, a kafeinion in the Psyrri district of Athens.
Luke heard them out until the hubbub showed signs of abating, then held up his hand. 'I appreciate your offers, but this is personal for me. To wreak vengeance on me, this man has caused harm to a lady who is a visitor to our country, also a guest in my house. Therefore, gentlemen, I must confront this man myself before I hand him over to the police. Who,' he added, 'agreed to my keeping out of sight until the man actually tries to take the money.'
'But the criminal knows you,' said Ari Constantinou, Luke's massive head of security. 'You've survived a stabbing already, kyrie. You might not be so lucky a second time.'
'The intention was never to have me killed. To get the money, he needs me alive.' Luke's eyes hardened. 'But he made a big mistake in kidnapping a lady under my protection.'
There were loud exclamations of assent from everyone present.
'So this is the plan I have worked out with Ari,' said Andres, after a nod from Luke. 'I shall go early and drink coffee at a table by the window looking out on the alley. Two of you will occupy another near the door. Another will keep watch from the men's room which overlooks the back of the alley. The boss will keep out of sight until nearer the time, and the rest of the team will be with Ari in the bar opposite. The police surveillance team will stay out of sight as kyrie Andreadis requested.'
'They were happy with this arrangement?' asked a voice.
'No,' said Luke. 'They wanted me to keep well away.' He smiled grimly. 'I refused.'
Later, in the stiflingly hot night, obeying an instinct that prodded him like a goad, Luke was an hour early when he began strolling amongst Athenian café society in the warren of streets that comprised the Psyrri district. He made for the designated kafeinion and paused on the corner opposite, smiling a greeting at one of his security men, who took his cue like a casual bystander enjoying a chat while they kept secret watch on the alley.
'You are early, kyrie,' said the man softly, then swore violently as a fire alarm blared in the kafeinion, sending everyone streaming out into the street. Luke shot through the scattering throng into the alley and launched himself in a flying tackle to ground a big, burly figure about to snatch the ransom bag. Luke fought to keep the man on the ground until help arrived, and in seconds Luke's security team closed in on them and the man was pulled to his feet to face the police, eyes rolling in fear as he was secured and hustled into the police van now blocking the alley.