Twenty minutes later a butler escorted Catherine to an enormous terrace facing the sea. There was a low stone wall that overlooked the gardens twenty feet below. Constantin Demiris was seated at a table, waiting. He studied Catherine as she walked toward him. There was an exciting innocence about her. He was going to take it, possess it, make it his. He imagined her naked in his bed, helping him punish Noelle and Larry again. Demiris rose.
“Good morning. Forgive me for awakening you so early, but I must leave for my office in a few minutes, and I wanted the opportunity for us to have a little chat first.”
“Yes, of course,” Catherine said.
She sat down at the large marble table opposite him, facing the sea. The sun was just rising, showering the sea with a thousand sparkles.
“What would you like for breakfast?”
She shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”
“Some coffee perhaps?”
“Thank you.”
The butler was pouring hot coffee into a Belleek cup.
“Well, Catherine,” Demiris began. “Have you thought about our conversation?”
Catherine had thought of nothing else all night. There was nothing left for her in Athens, and she had nowhere else to go. I won’t go back to the convent, she vowed. The invitation to work for Constantin Demiris in London sounded intriguing. In fact, Catherine admitted to herself, it sounds exciting. It could be the beginning of a new life.
“Yes,” Catherine said, “I have.”
“And?”
“I—I think I would like to try it.”
Constantin Demiris managed to conceal his relief. “I’m delighted. Have you ever been to London?”
“No. That is—I don’t think so.” Why don’t I know for sure? There were still so many frightening gaps in her memory. How many more surprises am I going to get?
“It’s one of the few civilized cities left in the world. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it very much.”
Catherine hesitated. “Mr. Demiris, why are you going to all this trouble for me?”
“Let’s just say it’s because I feel a sense of responsibility.” He paused. “I introduced your husband to Noelle Page.”
“Ah,” Catherine said slowly. Noelle Page. The name sent a small shiver through her. The two of them had died for each other. Larry must have loved her so much.
Catherine forced herself to ask a question that had been tormenting her all night long. “How…how were they executed?”
There was a small pause. “They were shot by a firing squad.”
“Oh.” She could feel the bullets tearing into Larry’s flesh, ripping apart the body of the man she had once loved so much. She was sorry she had asked.
“Let me give you some advice. Don’t think about the past. It can only be hurtful. You must put all that behind you.”
Catherine said slowly, “You’re right. I’ll try.”
“Good. I happen to have a plane flying to London this morning, Catherine. Can you be ready to leave in a little while?”
Catherine thought of all the trips she had taken with Larry, the excited preparations, the packing, the anticipation.
This time, there would be no one to go with, little to pack, and nothing to prepare for. “Yes. I can be ready.”
“Excellent. By the way,” Demiris said casually, “now that your memory has returned, perhaps there’s someone you’d like to get in touch with, someone from your past whom you would like to let know that you’re all right.”
The name that instantly sprang to her mind was William Fraser. He was the only one in the world who remained from her past. But she knew she was not ready to face him yet. When I get settled, Catherine thought. When I start working again, I’ll get in touch with him.
Constantin Demiris was watching her, waiting for her answer.
“No,” Catherine said finally. “There’s no one.”
She had no idea that she had just saved William Fraser’s life.
“I’ll arrange a passport for you.” He handed her an envelope. “This is an advance on your salary. You won’t have to worry about a place to live. The company has a flat in London. You’ll stay there.”
It was overwhelming. “You’re much too generous.”
He took her hand in his. “You’ll find that I’m…” He changed what he was going to say. Handle her carefully, he thought. Slowly. You don’t want to scare her away. “…that I can be a very good friend.”