Flowers from the Black Sea by A.B. Decker

Author:A.B. Decker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Thriller
Publisher: Troubador Publishing
Published: 2024-03-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

There was a reason Matt had gone into the security business: having battled his postgraduate demons of alcohol and cocaine, and won, he had become deeply cautious. So, he resisted the temptation to start up his laptop and view the file on his flash drive in public. But Luc Bennett had piqued his curiosity about Rekan and the purpose behind the USB stick. So, keen to learn more, he set off to speak with the only fount of knowledge on these matters that he knew. And he preferred to do this without involving Amber.

Strolling down the hill in the direction of the marina, he stopped every so often at the souvenir shops to join the tourists and examine the local handicrafts. Then ambled on past the shady tree outside the mosque where Hasan had stopped and spoken to the man with the worry beads. He wanted to keep a discreet eye open for any suspicious movements around him. For while the mysterious stranger was no longer to be seen, having appeared to have lost interest, Matt could not be sure that he had not been replaced by someone else. Yet there was no obvious sign of anyone following him.

The mosque shone a resplendent white through the boughs of the tree. Its minaret rose above the foliage like an admonishing finger to warn of the explosive path he was on. A path that Luc Bennett had painted into Matt’s mind as one littered with a string of roadside bombs. This was in stark contrast to the tranquil backdrop of the bay beyond the minaret: the peaceful, sparkling blue of the sea that was overlooked by the bougainvillea of the Zeytin restaurant.

Belgin was spreading out the tablecloths and decorating the tables with vases of single red roses as Matt approached. He caught the sound of what Amber described as boomer music drifting out from the kitchen. It was the softly floating melody of ‘Albatross’ again and perfectly suited the backdrop of the bay beyond the marina.

Matt took this as a sign that Yusuf must be somewhere in the kitchen and quickened his pace so as not to find Yusuf had disappeared by the time he reached the restaurant. But there was no need: when Belgin looked up and saw Matt hurrying down the road, she ran into the kitchen and brought her father back out with her.

“Hoşgeldin!” said Yusuf, beaming his trademark grin.

He spread his arms wide and, as Matt came up to him, clasped both hands in welcome.

“It’s so nice to see you again, Matthew. Please, drink a tea with me.” With a sweep of his left arm, he gestured Matt to take a seat in his restaurant.

“I know it’s a bit early in the day, but I’d sooner have a beer.”

“Of course.”

Yusuf disappeared back into the darkness of the kitchen, while Matt took a seat at what he now considered his own table overlooking the marina. ‘Albatross’ had given way by now to Rod Stewart and ‘Sailing’. It may

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