Chapter 24 Chapter Twenty-Four
At first, Marina had no idea what she wanted to do.All she knew was that her husband wanted to kill her brother, and she couldn't let him do it.one way or another.Coster had to be stopped, her own life didn't matter.Her life was full of pain and humiliation.She recalled how Sparrows had tried to warn her against the marriage.You cannot marry Demiris.He is a devil and will destroy you.How right he was.But at that time she was so deeply in love that she couldn't listen.Now, she had to kill her husband.But how?Think along the lines of Koster.She did.By morning, Marina had worked out all the details.After this, the rest is simple.
Demiris was working in his study when Marina entered.She carried a bundle bound with thick straps, and in her hand was a large butcher's knife.
"Coster, can you cut this package for me? It seems I can't handle it."
He looked up at her and said impatiently, "Of course you can't handle it. Couldn't you be smarter and not hold the knife by the edge?" He snatched the knife and cut the strap. "Can't you get a servant to do it?"
Marina didn't answer.
Demiris cut the strap. "Here." He put down the knife.Marina carefully grasped the edge and picked up the knife.
She looked up at him and said, "Coster, we can't go on like this. I still love you, and you must have some affection for me. Do you remember the good times we used to be together? Do you remember us Honeymoon night, when..."
"My God," Demiris interrupted angrily. "Don't you understand? It's over. I'm done with you! Get out! You make me sick."
Marina stood there, staring at him, and finally, she said softly, "Well, as you please." She turned and walked out of the room with the knife in hand.
"You forgot your package," Demiris called.
She's gone.
Marina went into her husband's dressing room and opened a wardrobe door.There are more than one hundred sets of clothes hanging in the closet, one of which is dedicated to hanging sports tops.She took a coat, tore off a gold button, and put it in her pocket. Then she opened another drawer and took out a pair of swimming trunks with her husband's initials on them.I'm basically ready.Marina thought.
The Cartereros Detective Agency was housed in a faded old brick building on the corner of Sophocles Avenue.Marina is taken into the office of the detective agency boss.Mr. Cartereros, short, balding, with a moustache. "Good morning, Mrs. Demiris. What can I do for you?" "I need protection." "What kind of protection?" "Protect me from my husband." Cutleros frowned.He sensed that there was trouble.This is not what he expected at all.It would be unwise to do anything that might offend someone as rich and powerful as Constantine Demiris. "Have you considered, have you sought protection from the police?" he asked. "I can't go. I don't want to make a mess of the city. I want to deal with it privately. I told my husband I was going to divorce him. And he threatened to kill me if I divorced. That's what I came for Your reason." "I see. What exactly do you want me to do for you?" "I want you to send some men to protect me." Cutleros sat there, watching her.She's a beautiful woman, he thought, obviously overwhelmed.It was unbelievable that her husband would hurt her, and it was probably some small family squabble that would clear up in a few days.But at the same time, he could offer her a good price.Weighing the pros and cons, Cutreiros decided the risk was worth the risk. "Okay," he said, "I have a very capable man I can send you. When do you want him to start?" "Monday." From this point of view, his judgment was correct.There is no rush. Marina stood up. "I'll call you. Do you have a business card?" "Yes, of course." Cartereros handed her his business card and sent her out.She is the good customer we need.Her name would impress other clients, he thought.
When Marina got home, she called her brother: "Sparos, I have good news for you." Her voice was very excited. "Kost wants to make peace." "What? I don't believe him. Must be another ruse. He..." "No. That's what he really meant. He realized; you two are so stupid to keep fighting. He wants to get along with us." There was silence on the microphone for a while. "I have no idea." "At least give him a chance. He wants you to meet him at your mountain lodge in Akro Corinth at three o'clock this afternoon." "It's a three-hour drive there. Why can't we meet in town?" "He didn't say it," Marina told him, "but if it were possible to make peace..." "Okay, go tomorrow. But I'm going for you." "For us," Marina said. "Goodbye, Sparrows." "goodbye."
Marina calls Demiris.He was in the office and his tone was rude. "What's the matter? I'm busy." "I just got a call from Sparrows, and he wants to make peace with you." A short jeer came from the microphone: "I'm sure. He really wants to make peace. When I settle the accounts with him, he will get the peace he wants." "He said he didn't want to compete with you any more, Lister. He'd sell you his fleet." "His... are you sure?" His tone suddenly became very interested. "Yes, he said he was bored." "Okay, tell him, send his accountant to my office, and..." "No. He wants to meet you at Akro Corinth at three o'clock this afternoon." "In his mountain cabin?" "Yes, it's a quiet place. Just the two of you. He doesn't want the news to get out." I'm sure he didn't want the news out.Demiris thought with satisfaction.As soon as the news got out, he would be the laughing stock of everyone. "Okay," Demiris said, "you tell him I'll be there."
It's a long drive to Akro Corinth.Lush countryside with winding country lanes.The scents of grapes, lemons and hay filled the air.Sparrows Lamboro passes ancient ruins along the road.In the distance, the collapsed pillar of El Phasis can be seen.Those were the altars of nameless gods, now in ruins.He thought of Demiris. Lamborgh came to the mountain hut first.He stopped the car in front of the house and sat in the car for a while, thinking about the upcoming meeting.Does Constantine really want to make peace?Or is this another of his tricks?If something happened to him, at least Marina knew where he was going.Lamborgh stepped out of the car and entered the deserted cabin. The cottage is a lovely wooden building.Looking into the distance, you can see the scenery of Corinth below.As a child, Lamboro and his father spent many weekends here.They can catch all kinds of small prey in the mountains.Now, he will hunt bigger game.
Fifteen minutes later, Constantine Demiris arrived, and he saw that Sparrows was already waiting there.This made him very happy.So, after all these years, the kid is finally willing to admit that he is defeated.He got out of the car and stepped into the cabin, where they stood staring at each other. "Oh, my dear brother-in-law," said Demiris, "so we have come to the end of the road at last." "I think it's time for this madness to end, Coster. It's too much." "I quite agree with you. How many ships do you have, Sparrows?" Lamborgh looked at him in surprise: "What?" "How many ships do you have? I bought them all. Naturally, a big discount." Lambro could not believe his ears. "Buy my ship?" "I'm willing to buy them all. In this way, I will become the world's biggest ship king." "Are you crazy? What—what makes you think I'm going to sell you the boat?" Now it was Demiris' turn to be confused. "That's what we're here to meet, isn't it?" "We're here to meet because you're asking for peace." Demiris' face darkened: "I—who said that?" "Marina." Both of them understood at the same time. "Did she tell you that I want to make peace?" "Did she tell you I'm going to sell you the boat?" "That stupid sow!" cried Demiris. "I think she thinks that by bringing us together we'll make some sort of reconciliation. She's stupider than you, Lamboro. I've spent the whole afternoon Wasted by you." Demiris turned and rushed out the door.Sparrows Lambero looked after him and thought: Marina shouldn't have lied to us.She should have known that there was no way her husband and I would ever get back together.Impossible, it is too late now, it will always be too late.
At half past one that afternoon, Marina rang for the maid. "Andrea, make me some tea, will you?" "Of course, ma'am." The maid left the room.When she returned ten minutes later with a tea tray, Marina was on the phone, in an angry tone. "No, Coster, I've made up my mind. I'm going to divorce you, and I'm going to make a mess of it." Andrea felt embarrassed.She put down the tea tray, ready to exit.Marina waved her to stay there. Marina said into the silent microphone, "Just threaten me, I won't change my mind...Never...I don't care what you say...You can't scare me, Coster...No... What's the point of that... Well, I'll meet you at the beach house. But that won't do you any good. Yes, I'll come alone. An hour later? All right." Marina put down the microphone slowly.An uneasy look appeared on her face.She turned to Andrea and said, "I'm going to see my husband at the beach house. If I'm not back by six o'clock, I want you to call the police." Andrea swallowed nervously, "Do you want the driver to drive you?" "No. Mr. Demiris wants me to go alone." "Yes, ma'am."
There is one more thing to do.Catherine Alexander's life was in danger and she had to be warned.It was someone from the delegation that had come to the house for dinner.You will never see her again.I have sent for her to be removed.Marina called her husband's office in London. "Is there a Catherine Alexander working here?" "She's not here right now. Can someone else answer the phone?" Marina hesitated.Her news is urgent and cannot be entrusted to others.But she won't have time to hang up again.She remembered Coster's mention of a Wim Fandin, a genius in the office. "Please pick up Mr. Fan Ding." "Please wait." A man's voice came through the microphone. "Hey." She could hardly understand him. "I have a message for Catherine Alexander. It is very important. Would you please be sure to pass it on to her?" "Katherine Alexander?" "Yes, tell her—tell her her life is in danger. Somebody's trying to kill her. I think it's one of those guys from Athens." "Athens..." "yes." "The population of Athens is 860,000..." It seemed that Marina could not make this man understand.She hung up the phone.She did her best.
Wim sat at his desk, analyzing the call.Someone wants to kill Catherine.There have been 114 murders in England this year.Catherine will be the 115th.One of those who came from Athens.Jare Harry, Yves Leonard, Dino Matus.One of them is going to kill Catherine.Wim's computer head immediately informed him of all the data of the three.I think I know which one it is. When Catherine came back, he didn't say a word. Seeing that Catherine was safe and sound, Wem felt very curious from the bottom of his heart.
Each evening Catherine took turns accompanying one of the delegation out.And every morning when she went to work, Wim was there waiting.He seemed disappointed to see her. When would she let him do it?Wem thought.Maybe, he should tell Catherine about the phone.However, doing that is a form of cheating.It would be unfair for others to change the balance of power between them.
Marina went into her husband's dressing room and opened a wardrobe door.There are more than one hundred sets of clothes hanging in the closet, one of which is dedicated to hanging sports tops.She took a coat, tore off a gold button, and put it in her pocket. Then she opened another drawer and took out a pair of swimming trunks with her husband's initials on them.I'm basically ready.Marina thought.
The Cartereros Detective Agency was housed in a faded old brick building on the corner of Sophocles Avenue.Marina is taken into the office of the detective agency boss.Mr. Cartereros, short, balding, with a moustache. "Good morning, Mrs. Demiris. What can I do for you?" "I need protection." "What kind of protection?" "Protect me from my husband." Cutleros frowned.He sensed that there was trouble.This is not what he expected at all.It would be unwise to do anything that might offend someone as rich and powerful as Constantine Demiris. "Have you considered, have you sought protection from the police?" he asked. "I can't go. I don't want to make a mess of the city. I want to deal with it privately. I told my husband I was going to divorce him. And he threatened to kill me if I divorced. That's what I came for Your reason." "I see. What exactly do you want me to do for you?" "I want you to send some men to protect me." Cutleros sat there, watching her.She's a beautiful woman, he thought, obviously overwhelmed.It was unbelievable that her husband would hurt her, and it was probably some small family squabble that would clear up in a few days.But at the same time, he could offer her a good price.Weighing the pros and cons, Cutreiros decided the risk was worth the risk. "Okay," he said, "I have a very capable man I can send you. When do you want him to start?" "Monday." From this point of view, his judgment was correct.There is no rush. Marina stood up. "I'll call you. Do you have a business card?" "Yes, of course." Cartereros handed her his business card and sent her out.She is the good customer we need.Her name would impress other clients, he thought.
When Marina got home, she called her brother: "Sparos, I have good news for you." Her voice was very excited. "Kost wants to make peace." "What? I don't believe him. Must be another ruse. He..." "No. That's what he really meant. He realized; you two are so stupid to keep fighting. He wants to get along with us." There was silence on the microphone for a while. "I have no idea." "At least give him a chance. He wants you to meet him at your mountain lodge in Akro Corinth at three o'clock this afternoon." "It's a three-hour drive there. Why can't we meet in town?" "He didn't say it," Marina told him, "but if it were possible to make peace..." "Okay, go tomorrow. But I'm going for you." "For us," Marina said. "Goodbye, Sparrows." "goodbye."
Marina calls Demiris.He was in the office and his tone was rude. "What's the matter? I'm busy." "I just got a call from Sparrows, and he wants to make peace with you." A short jeer came from the microphone: "I'm sure. He really wants to make peace. When I settle the accounts with him, he will get the peace he wants." "He said he didn't want to compete with you any more, Lister. He'd sell you his fleet." "His... are you sure?" His tone suddenly became very interested. "Yes, he said he was bored." "Okay, tell him, send his accountant to my office, and..." "No. He wants to meet you at Akro Corinth at three o'clock this afternoon." "In his mountain cabin?" "Yes, it's a quiet place. Just the two of you. He doesn't want the news to get out." I'm sure he didn't want the news out.Demiris thought with satisfaction.As soon as the news got out, he would be the laughing stock of everyone. "Okay," Demiris said, "you tell him I'll be there."
It's a long drive to Akro Corinth.Lush countryside with winding country lanes.The scents of grapes, lemons and hay filled the air.Sparrows Lamboro passes ancient ruins along the road.In the distance, the collapsed pillar of El Phasis can be seen.Those were the altars of nameless gods, now in ruins.He thought of Demiris. Lamborgh came to the mountain hut first.He stopped the car in front of the house and sat in the car for a while, thinking about the upcoming meeting.Does Constantine really want to make peace?Or is this another of his tricks?If something happened to him, at least Marina knew where he was going.Lamborgh stepped out of the car and entered the deserted cabin. The cottage is a lovely wooden building.Looking into the distance, you can see the scenery of Corinth below.As a child, Lamboro and his father spent many weekends here.They can catch all kinds of small prey in the mountains.Now, he will hunt bigger game.
Fifteen minutes later, Constantine Demiris arrived, and he saw that Sparrows was already waiting there.This made him very happy.So, after all these years, the kid is finally willing to admit that he is defeated.He got out of the car and stepped into the cabin, where they stood staring at each other. "Oh, my dear brother-in-law," said Demiris, "so we have come to the end of the road at last." "I think it's time for this madness to end, Coster. It's too much." "I quite agree with you. How many ships do you have, Sparrows?" Lamborgh looked at him in surprise: "What?" "How many ships do you have? I bought them all. Naturally, a big discount." Lambro could not believe his ears. "Buy my ship?" "I'm willing to buy them all. In this way, I will become the world's biggest ship king." "Are you crazy? What—what makes you think I'm going to sell you the boat?" Now it was Demiris' turn to be confused. "That's what we're here to meet, isn't it?" "We're here to meet because you're asking for peace." Demiris' face darkened: "I—who said that?" "Marina." Both of them understood at the same time. "Did she tell you that I want to make peace?" "Did she tell you I'm going to sell you the boat?" "That stupid sow!" cried Demiris. "I think she thinks that by bringing us together we'll make some sort of reconciliation. She's stupider than you, Lamboro. I've spent the whole afternoon Wasted by you." Demiris turned and rushed out the door.Sparrows Lambero looked after him and thought: Marina shouldn't have lied to us.She should have known that there was no way her husband and I would ever get back together.Impossible, it is too late now, it will always be too late.
At half past one that afternoon, Marina rang for the maid. "Andrea, make me some tea, will you?" "Of course, ma'am." The maid left the room.When she returned ten minutes later with a tea tray, Marina was on the phone, in an angry tone. "No, Coster, I've made up my mind. I'm going to divorce you, and I'm going to make a mess of it." Andrea felt embarrassed.She put down the tea tray, ready to exit.Marina waved her to stay there. Marina said into the silent microphone, "Just threaten me, I won't change my mind...Never...I don't care what you say...You can't scare me, Coster...No... What's the point of that... Well, I'll meet you at the beach house. But that won't do you any good. Yes, I'll come alone. An hour later? All right." Marina put down the microphone slowly.An uneasy look appeared on her face.She turned to Andrea and said, "I'm going to see my husband at the beach house. If I'm not back by six o'clock, I want you to call the police." Andrea swallowed nervously, "Do you want the driver to drive you?" "No. Mr. Demiris wants me to go alone." "Yes, ma'am."
There is one more thing to do.Catherine Alexander's life was in danger and she had to be warned.It was someone from the delegation that had come to the house for dinner.You will never see her again.I have sent for her to be removed.Marina called her husband's office in London. "Is there a Catherine Alexander working here?" "She's not here right now. Can someone else answer the phone?" Marina hesitated.Her news is urgent and cannot be entrusted to others.But she won't have time to hang up again.She remembered Coster's mention of a Wim Fandin, a genius in the office. "Please pick up Mr. Fan Ding." "Please wait." A man's voice came through the microphone. "Hey." She could hardly understand him. "I have a message for Catherine Alexander. It is very important. Would you please be sure to pass it on to her?" "Katherine Alexander?" "Yes, tell her—tell her her life is in danger. Somebody's trying to kill her. I think it's one of those guys from Athens." "Athens..." "yes." "The population of Athens is 860,000..." It seemed that Marina could not make this man understand.She hung up the phone.She did her best.
Wim sat at his desk, analyzing the call.Someone wants to kill Catherine.There have been 114 murders in England this year.Catherine will be the 115th.One of those who came from Athens.Jare Harry, Yves Leonard, Dino Matus.One of them is going to kill Catherine.Wim's computer head immediately informed him of all the data of the three.I think I know which one it is. When Catherine came back, he didn't say a word. Seeing that Catherine was safe and sound, Wem felt very curious from the bottom of his heart.
Each evening Catherine took turns accompanying one of the delegation out.And every morning when she went to work, Wim was there waiting.He seemed disappointed to see her. When would she let him do it?Wem thought.Maybe, he should tell Catherine about the phone.However, doing that is a form of cheating.It would be unfair for others to change the balance of power between them.