“I don’t see Zoe,” Nancy said, scanning the crowd of guests who were milling about the tables, laughing and talking. She was eager to fill Zoe in on what she and Mick had discovered in Dimitri’s studio.
“She must be helping out inside,” George guessed.
Nancy didn’t see Niki, either, but she hoped the maid was there. She wanted to talk to her as soon as possible about the photos—and Bess’s stolen passport.
Nancy, Bess, and George found Mick at a small table, clinking glasses with Theo. Dressed in a copper-colored linen shirt and smart black jeans, Mick looked heartbreakingly handsome.
“Join us!” Theo said, standing up to pull some chairs over for the girls. He was wearing formal black slacks and a white cotton shirt that showed off his tan.
“You look smashing,” Mick whispered in Nancy’s ear as she sat next to him.
Nancy smoothed the skirt of her royal blue minidress. “Are you trying to get on my good side, Devlin?” she teased, grinning at Mick.
“Who, me?” Mick said innocently.
He waved at a passing waiter and ordered three soft drinks for Nancy, Bess, and George. “Theo was just telling me about Dragonisi, the islet off the coast of Mykonos,” Mick told the girls. “He’s been spending a lot of time fishing there.”
Nancy tried to remember what she had read about Dragonisi in her guidebook. “Isn’t that the deserted islet that’s riddled with caves?”
“Not to mention a legendary dragon?” Bess added.
Theo laughed. “The dragon hasn’t been seen for hundreds of years, but the caves are worth exploring. Dragonisi is isolated—very romantic.”
Mick placed his hand over Nancy’s. “Just the spot for us, eh, Nancy?”
“Sounds great,” she agreed. Turning to Bess and George, she said, “I know we decided that we wanted to visit Naxos, too. What do you guys think? Want to give Dragonisi a shot?”
“Not me,” Bess said, tucking her blond hair behind her ears. “I’m taking the noon flight to Athens tomorrow to get a new passport from the American Embassy, remember? After what happened on Delos, I’m not taking any more chances.”
“I’m going with Bess,” George added. “But there’s no point in all of us springing for airfare back to Athens. We can plan on hitting Naxos on Thursday.” Turning to Nancy and Mick, she added, “But you guys might as well go ahead and visit Dragonisi tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow it is,” Mick said with a wide smile. “Can we hire you to take us there?” he asked Theo.
“Tomorrow?” Theo stared down at the table. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do it.”
Nancy saw that Theo was suddenly uncomfortable with the conversation, although she didn’t know why.
“Well, then, we’ll just have to find another boat, since Dragonisi is not to be missed,” Mick said. “I’ll ask Zoe if she has any suggestions.”
“Did I hear my name?” Zoe asked, stopping by their table. She was wearing a strapless dress in a deep shade of scarlet.
Mick explained about their plans for the following day. “And Theo cannot take you?” Zoe asked, narrowing her dark eyes. When he said nothing, Zoe quickly assured Mick that she would make the arrangements for the boat. “We’ll pack a lunch for you and Nancy to take along.”
“That would be great,” Nancy said. Excusing herself, she rose from the table and stepped aside with Zoe. She summarized what had happened that afternoon, then asked, “Do you remember seeing Niki in the office yesterday, when the passports were stolen?”
“Niki?” Zoe thought for a moment, then shook her head. “I don’t remember, but it’s not something I would notice. My father and I trust our staff.” She seemed offended that Nancy suspected a staff member.
“Zoe, time is important,” Nancy said, trying to make her understand. “We might be able to recover Bess’s passport before it falls into the wrong hands. If Niki’s involved, it’s important that I talk to her as soon as possible.”
Zoe hesitated. “You can’t talk to her now,” she told Nancy. “Today is Niki’s day off. She took the ferry to Tinos, to visit her aunt.”
Stifling a sigh of disappointment, Nancy asked, “When will she be back?”