“It’s that damned electrical storm,” Alan said.
The sound came on again. “In Athens, the trial of Constantin Demiris has finally come to an end, and the jury returned its verdict a few moments ago. To everyone’s surprise, the verdict…”
The radio went dead.
Catherine turned to Alan. “What—what do you think the verdict was?”
He took her into his arms. “It depends on whether you believe in happy endings.”
Epilogue
Five days before the trial of Constantin Demiris was to begin, the jailor opened up his cell door.
“You have a visitor.”
Constantin Demiris looked up. Except for his attorney, he had been permitted no visitors until now. He refused to show any curiosity. The bastards were treating him like a common criminal. But he would not give them the satisfaction of showing any emotion. He followed the jailor down the hall into a small conference room.
“In there.”
Demiris stepped inside and stopped. A crippled old man was hunched over in a wheelchair. His hair was snow white. His face was a ghastly patchwork of red and white burn tissue. His lips were frozen upward in a horrible rictus of a smile. It took a moment for him to realize who his visitor was. His face turned ashen. “My God!”
“I’m not a ghost,” Napoleon Chotas said. His voice was a hoarse rasp. “Come in, Costa.”
Demiris found his voice. “The fire…”
“I jumped out a window and broke my back. My butler got me away before the firemen arrived. I didn’t want you to know I was still alive. I was too tired to fight you any longer.”
“But…they found a body.”
“My houseman.”
Demiris sank into a chair. “I…I’m glad you’re alive,” he said feebly.
“You should be. I’m going to save your life.”
Demiris studied him warily. “You are?”
“Yes. I’m going to defend you.”
Demiris laughed aloud. “Really, Leon. After all these years, do you take me for a fool? What makes you think I would put my life in your hands?”
“Because I’m the only one who can save you, Costa.”
Constantin Demiris rose. “No, thanks.” He started toward the door.
“I’ve talked to Spyros Lambrou. I’ve persuaded him to testify that he was with you at the time his sister was murdered.”
Demiris stopped and turned. “Why would he do that?”
Chotas leaned forward in his wheelchair. “Because I persuaded him that taking your fortune would be a sweeter revenge than taking your life.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I assured Lambrou that if he testifies for you, you’ll turn over your entire fortune to him. Your ships, your companies—everything you possess.”
“You’re crazy!”
“Am I? Think about it, Costa. His testimony can save your life. Is your fortune worth more to you than your life?”
There was a long silence. Demiris sat down again. He studied Chotas warily. “Lambrou is willing to testify that I was with him when Melina was killed?”
“That’s right.”
“And in return he wants—”
“Everything you have.”
Demiris shook his head. “I would have to keep my…”
“Everything. He wants to strip you completely. You see, that’s his revenge.”
There was something that puzzled Demiris. “And what do you get out of all this, Leon?”
Chotas’s lips moved in a parody of a grin. “I get it all.”
“I—I don’t understand.”
“Before you turn the Hellenic Trade Corporation over to Lambrou, you’re going to transfer all of its assets into a new company. A company that belongs to me.”
Demiris stared at him. “So, Lambrou gets nothing.”
Chotas shrugged. “There are winners and there are losers.”
“Won’t Lambrou suspect something?”
“Not the way I’ll handle it.”
Demiris said, “If you’d double-cross Lambrou, how do I know you won’t double-cross me?”
“It’s very simple, my dear Costa. You’re protected. We’ll have a signed agreement that the new company will belong to me only on the condition that you are acquitted. If you are found guilty, I get nothing.”
For the first time, Constantin Demiris found himself becoming interested. He sat there studying the crippled lawyer. Would he throw the trial and lose hundreds of millions of dollars just to get even with me? No. He’s not that big a fool. “All right,” Demiris said slowly. “I agree.”