Read Online Santorini Caesars by Jeffrey Siger - Free Book Online

don’t?”
    â€œIt will be a shame to see such an illustrious military career ruined.” Prada rocked his head from side to side. “Especially after all you’ve overcome, what with your father’s past.”
    â€œI see,” said the Brigadier. He rose to his feet and bowed to the minister. “I thank you for inviting me but I’m afraid I won’t be able to help you out with this.”
    â€œThen you’re through,” said Prada from his chair.
    The Brigadier turned to Prada. “Remember what you said before about Kaldis assaulting you? I don’t think I’ll be a very good witness for the prosecution.”
    â€œWhy not? You saw what he did to me, and you have a duty to testify honestly.”
    â€œYes, but all he did was swing your chair around with you in it. That’s nothing compared to…”
    The Brigadier reached down, yanked Prada out of his chair by his jacket, and threw him across the desk onto Babis’ lap. “And if I ever see your hyena face again I’ll rearrange your teeth.”
    â€œDon’t bother,” said Andreas putting a calming hand on the Brigadier’s shoulder. “It would only improve his appearance.”
    â€œYou’re all under arrest,” spit out Prada as he struggled to get to his feet.
    Andreas turned to Yianni, who’d come off the couch and stood by the door. “Detective, do your duty. Take us away.”

    ***
    No alarms went off and no one attempted to stop the three men moving briskly away from the minister’s office.
    â€œWe need to talk,” said Andreas.
    â€œNot here,” said the Brigadier, looking over his shoulder at two security guards chatting up a secretary. “Who knows what that prick might decide to do.”
    â€œWhich one?” said Yianni.
    â€œTake your pick.”
    Andreas smiled. “How about Dal Segno? Is that public enough for you?”
    â€œSure. I’ll see you there in fifteen minutes.” They stepped outside the building and the Brigadier waved to his driver. “You’re welcome to ride with me. I’ll bring you back for your car when we’re done.”
    â€œThanks, but it might not still be here when we got back.”
    The Brigadier nodded, got into the backseat, and was gone.
    â€œI like that waving to his driver bit,” said Andreas as he and Yianni walked toward their marked blue-and-white cruiser.
    â€œThat only works if you’re willing to let someone else drive,” said Yianni holding out his hand for the car keys.
    Andreas waved him off. “Sort of like our minister.”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œFrom what I saw upstairs, Babis is definitely not driving the ministry.”
    â€œI wonder who that Prada guy is?” said Yianni.
    â€œNo idea. I never saw him before.”
    â€œMe either. Maybe we can get an ID on him from the photos.”
    â€œWhat photos?” said Andreas.
    â€œThe ones I took on my phone while you and the Brigadier were playing beat up on the troll.”
    ***
    With its fancy shops, restaurants, residences, and reputation as Athens’ ritziest downtown area, the Kolonaki neighborhood was a discouraged destination for public appearances by leaders of the current government. The area’s affluent lifestyle didn’t fit the party’s working class image, and at the top of the list of places to avoid stood Dal Segno Caffe with its reputation as the inner sanctum for Greece’s old-line political lions.
    Which made it the perfect place to meet.
    Andreas drove up onto a pedestrian walkway next to the cafenion and parked.
    Yianni shook his head. “First assault, now illegal parking. You’re a damn closet recidivist.”
    â€œJust order the coffees. I’ll find us a table.”
    They headed toward a storefront made of broad glass, polished natural wood, green marble, and Parisian green trim, and walked through a break in a line of sidewalk