The Athenian Murders by V.J. Randle

Author:V.J. Randle [Randle, V.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books

The Active Medium

Moira had made herself comfortable, once again, on Michail’s sofa. It had been a long day, especially considering the early start. When he and Katerina had returned to headquarters, Theo had been waiting for them. It seemed that Theo and his constables had spent the morning scouring social media and had noticed a new hashtag emerging alongside the spider posts. It appeared to provide a clue as to when the next murder would happen. Michail found it difficult not to be delighted at Theo’s support: perhaps this was a sign of a new beginning? This #ThursdayBites was certainly illuminating and pressing, today being Tuesday. Sofia had agreed to meet Michail tomorrow to discuss it.

On top of this, Michail had experienced a brain wave whilst looking at the photographs Katerina had taken of the snakes in Exarcheia: he had a qualified interpreter of art living above him! Thus, he had followed all the required social protocol with the aim of inviting Moira to his apartment for an enthusiastic session of brain-picking. A bottle of wine was placed on his coffee table, along with some baklava. Then, he had knocked on her door and in his most alluring voice invited her down for the evening.

‘Goodness, is everything all right, young man? You seem strained.’

It was not the response he had expected, but he dealt with it admirably, immediately switching tack and demanding her expertise as a matter of national security. She had chuckled (which, again, was not the expected response) but she followed him down the stairs. And so the first stage of his mission was a success.

The next hurdle was ensuring that Moira did not indulge in too much wine before she had proven herself useful. Therefore, Michail took it upon himself to be the symposiarch for the evening, pouring her a small measure every time she said something of note. So far, the plan seemed to be running smoothly: this old woman liked to talk.

‘You know,’ she said, ‘I visited Athens as a youngster, well, young compared to how old I am now.’

‘Go on…’ Michail replied, the bottle of wine held firmly in his hand.

She looked at him carefully and smiled. ‘I was about your age and my husband, well, he was here too.’

‘I did not realise you had a husband,’ said Michail.

‘I don’t, not anymore,’ Moira replied. ‘Don’t look so sad, Michail! It happens. We had a good life. He was a classicist too, that’s how we met. He was one of my students at the university…’

Michail’s hand tightened around the neck of the bottle as he thought about her flagrant abuse of power as a lecturer.

‘Oh, Michail! No need to look so shocked. He was an adult when we met, I was a mere handful of years his senior and it was the seventies.’

‘Did you… see some nice art on your visit?’ Michail asked. It sounded forced even to him.

Moira held out her glass. ‘I’ll be needing more if you want specifics. Come then! What is it you want to know? You mentioned my expertise.

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