An Aegean Prophecy by Jeffrey Siger Read Free Book Online Page A

aren’t as they seem,” they’re my best guess for why.’ Dimitri accentuated the point with his fingers.
    ‘I think your logic has some Siberia-size gaps,’ said Andreas.
    ‘Well, let me fill them in. In the 1990s, Cyprus emerged as the number-one destination for Russians and other Eastern Europeans looking for a place to launder suitcases full of cash. Banks thrived on that business, and unimaginable fortunes were made. A lot of ruthless Russian and Eastern European mobsters also set up shop there, driving local hoods back into legitimate businesses or into early graves.’ Dimitri reached for a piece of cucumber.
    ‘During that same period the monastery involved in the big scandal rose to prominence, playing host to England’sPrince Charles, the first U.S. President Bush, Russia’s Putin, and many other big time movers and shakers in a style equal to any worldclass, five-star luxury hotel. Mount Athos has always been a place where the world’s powerful met in private without having to worry about “special permission to visit” red tape. And like any other visitor to Mount Athos, they were free to visit any monastery they chose, but that’s the one they picked - perhaps because its accommodations were better than the others.’
    Dimitri took another drink. ‘Some say it’s just a coincidence that during its rise, the abbot of that monastery was from Cyprus. I’m not suggesting he did anything wrong. He was quite gifted at convincing the very rich from around the world - not just those who’d found their way to Cyprus - that charity toward his monastery smoothed the path toward salvation.
    ‘Some also say it was a tragic coincidence when the patriarch of Africa, purportedly sent by the Ecumenical Patriarch to check that monastery’s books, perished in a helicopter crash on the way to Mount Athos. Others say some of the monastery’s Eastern European contributors were anxious to remain anonymous.’
    Andreas shook his head. ‘You sound like an old Greek sitting around a taverna spinning bits of old news, idle gossip, and off-the-wall speculation into international conspiracy theories. There’s no proof whatsoever for what you’re implying.’
    Dimitri picked up his glass and winked. ‘That you know of.’
    Andreas looked at Kouros, then back at Dimitri.
    ‘How’s all that tie into Vassilis’ murder?’
    ‘Don’t know. But the Russians could have used their big money to burrow so deeply and secretly into that monastery’s infrastructure that even its abbot wouldn’t know what was going on. That would have made it relatively simple to embarrass the whole of Mount Athos by involving one of its oldest and most respected monasteries in a financial scandal and greatly increase the chances of relocating the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church to Russia. With all that’s at stake, I wouldn’t bet against the Russians doing whatever it took to pull it off, including murdering someone who might have figured it out.’
    ‘Vassilis?’ said Kouros.
    ‘Enjoy the
meze,
I’m going to get the fish.’ Dimitri stood up and walked away, taking his glass with him.
    ‘The man sure as hell knows how to make his exit,’ said Kouros.
    ‘And his point.’ Andreas drummed his fingers on the top of the table and looked west. ‘You know, if any of what he told us is true, or if he’s working for somebody who’s trying to make us think it’s true, we could be in the middle of some very deep shit.’
    ‘Located in the middle of a very big minefield.’
    ‘Blindfolded. I think the time has come to find who put us here.’ Andreas reached for his cell phone.
    ‘How are we going to do that? The minister sure as hell isn’t going to tell us.’
    ‘He probably doesn’t even know. My guess is this didn’t pass through normal channels.’
    ‘So, like I said, how do we find out?’
    Andreas dialed and waited. ‘Hi, it’s me. We need to meetand talk about how you can help with a big surprise party.’ He hung