Blue Blue Eyes: Crime Novel by Helena Anderson Read Free Book Online

shirt collar he looked around in the half full foyer. Petros happily waved when he saw him. Patrik smiled and nodded and went up to the dark rattan group on the terrace under a large white umbrella.
    ”Long time”, Patrik said stretching out his hand.
    Petros greeted him politely. His handshake was firm and the hand dry despite the oppressive heat. Patrik dried his forehead, sat down and quickly looked around. Children crying and shouts were heard from the gigantic pool and the queue was long to the ice-cream stand. On the beach people were lying under colourful umbrellas and the sea was full of people bathing.
    ”Great seeing you again.” Petros smiled while correcting his toupee. ”How was the flight?” he asked and motioned to the waiter.
    ”We had a quiet flight. Not like last time when there was thunder and turbulence half of the time.” Patrik studied Petros and notice that he looked worn out. The lines were deeper than he remembered and the hair was now all grey. He must have changed toupee or there was something else that had changed about him but Patrik couldn’t quite figure out what.
    ”We?” Petros asked, curious. ”So you finally managed to bring Linn? How nice for her with some sun and beach, I assume the season hasn’t started yet in Sweden. By the way, how is your pretty wife?” Patrik didn’t know if he should lie or not but chose to let Petros think that Linn was with him on the trip. He had to try and avoid any potential dinner if the topic came up. Sweating he took off the thin summer jacket, hung it on the armchair and corrected his tie before answering:
    ”Linn is just fine, and so are the kids even if they had to stay at home with grandma and grandpa this time.” He ordered a double espresso and a Coke while Petros was satisfied with a cup of black tea.
    ”How is Sophie, has she got a boyfriend yet?”
    ”Ah, you know how teenage girls are, they can never make up their minds. It’s not like when I was young. I met Daniela when I was 17 years old and two weeks later I had proposed. I just knew that she was the love of my life. Unfortunately I didn’t get to keep her since God had other plans but she’s always in my heart.”
    Patrik could see the pain in Petros’ face even though more than a year had passed since the horrible car accident. He poured the Coke in the glass and drank it in one go. The heat was tangible and he wasn’t dressed for it. After a short exchange about their respective families and how they were doing, Petros took out different plastic files filled with notes from his dark-brown briefcase, as well as documents.
    ”There are a number of papers you need to sign since it’s been a while since we met. A lot happens during a year.” Petros put up a perfect pile of papers and a pen. ”The AGMs and final accounts have to be signed for each company and there are two copies each.”
    Patrik signed the documents and put them back in a neat pile. They went through a few things about each company and while Petros explained about new laws which had come into force at the start of the year, Patrik’s thoughts went to Anna. He wondered what she was doing and how she looked until he was interrupted by the waiter asking if they wanted something else to drink. Patrik ordered another espresso and a Coke.
    ”By the way, I’d like to move one of the companies to Malta instead”, Patrik tentatively said and took a mouthful of black coffee. ”One of my business acquaintances gave me a tip when he moved his companies there. I thought of starting with the smallest, then if I’m satisfied I may transfer the remaining nine.”
    ”Why do you want to do that? I thought you knew your companies are locked here in Cyprus?” Petros’ eyes had gone a shade darker and he was staring straight into Patrik’s surprised face.
    ”The tax laws are better in Malta and what are you talking about? I’ve never heard you say that my companies are locked in Cyprus, that’s the most stupid