The Forty Column Castle by Marjorie Thelen Read Free Book Online Page A

fished in my purse. Lena, my partner, was calling. I got
     up and walked into the hall.
    “How’re things going?” she asked.
    I filled her in on my frustration with not being able to get my aunt out of jail and
     of the investigative team I had put together or rather that had fallen together.
    “I think I’d better come over to help balance the team. Sounds like it’s a little
     heavy on the testosterone.”
    I laughed. “Sure fly over. One more amateur sleuth won’t hurt.”
    “Claudie, I’ve been doing a little checking around like you asked. Did you know that
     all kinds of heavy hitters are involved in antiquities smuggling? Like gallery owners,
     auction houses, museums, insurers, security companies, collectors, the Mafia and,
     get this, law enforcement agencies.”
    “This is getting complicated.”
    “Art crime is the third most lucrative criminal activity in the world, right behind
     drugs and arms trafficking. Guess who has the most voracious market?”
    “The U.S.?”
    “Right.”
    “I had no idea though I can’t say I’ve had much interest up to this point.”
    “But there’s more bad news. Terrorists deal in the market.”
    “To finance terror,” I said. Here we sat right off the coast of the Middle East. Great.
    I let go a big sigh. “This is not good. We’re going from petty theft to major league
     crime. I can feel my stomach knotting up.”
    “You need to hire a lawyer to protect your aunt.”
    “You’re right. Thanks, Lena. If you find out anything else, give me a call, any time,
     day or night. I’ll be staying at Yannis’s tonight. I don’t know what will happen after
     tomorrow morning. I’ll let you know.”
    “Okay, and Claudie? Don’t worry about things back here. I got the info you emailed.
     I agree with your buy and sell recommendations. I can handle this for now. Get things
     straightened out over there and come back soon. Take care.”
    I hung up and studied the icon of Saint George the Dragon Slayer that hung on the
     wall next to the entry way mirror. I might need a dragon slayer. Real soon.
    I returned to the group around the table and gave them a rundown of my conversation
     with Lena. Mother Vasilis, humming a happy tune, moved around the table clearing dishes
     and replenishing food and coffee.
    “We haven’t had problems with terrorists that I know of,” said Yannis. “We’ve had
     more problems with organized crime on the island. Back in 1995 a big scandal hit that
     involved the upper echelons of the police in gangland shootings and car bombings.
     Mafia kingpins fight over gambling, drugs and prostitutes. Smuggling could be in their
     league.”
    I hoped Lena was wrong about the terrorists. The thought made my skin crawl. I couldn’t
     get excited about running into members of the Mafia either. Was Salvatore Bellomo
     connected?
    Zach had been silent, but now he spoke up. “Do you know a good lawyer, Yannis?”
    “Sure,” he said. “My brother-in-law. He lives in Limasol. Lawyers are a tight group
     on Cyprus, and he’s well-connected. He’ll know what to do. He arranged bond.”
    “What did Mr. Philipides say?” Lonnie asked.
    “He says,” said Yannis, “that the ladies in question are loaded with money. His cousin,
     who lives in London, referred them. They always pay their rent in advance. Mrs. Crawford
     seems to have some business savvy so he deals with her. They aren’t extravagant in
     an obvious way. And get this, his cousin said that Mrs. Crawford enjoys art collecting.”
    “Does she enjoy it enough to steal is the question?” Zach said. “Does she prefer art
     or antiquities or isn’t she particular. Would she frame a fellow tourist?”
    “Isn’t that the million dollar question?” said Lonnie. “But why would these women
     get into smuggling, if they are so wealthy. They seem very respectable.”
    “Seem is the key word in this puzzle. Maybe they need the thrill,” Zach said. “I’ve
     seen stranger things.” He