There Lies a Hidden Scorpion by Takis Iakovou

Author:Takis Iakovou
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group
Published: 2012-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

I was saved from sinking into a quagmire of self-pity by the arrival of Aris Mavrakis. He didn’t see me, and I didn’t call attention to myself, but as he joined the party next to us, he gave me something else to think about besides my husband and “the other woman.”

Manolis hated Aris Mavrakis, and Georgia seemed ambivalent about him. From what I’d seen of him, he was a personable man with an easy humor and a sincere manner. Could there be any truth to Manolis’s claims, or was this just another case of ex-partner rancor?

The others at the table seemed delighted to see Aris. He ordered a drink, elbowed the table and picked up another matchbook, toying with it as he had the night of the New Year’s Eve party. He grinned at the rest of the table and made an announcement, the substance of which I couldn’t understand, but it drew the attention of everyone else. All other conversation at the table stopped as Aris went on. I leaned a little farther in their direction, concentrated on ignoring the music and focusing on his words, but I still couldn’t pick up what he was saying. When he finished, the table dissolved in laughter.

One of the men clapped Aris on the back. He had their complete attention now and he took full advantage of it. His expression became solemn and he spoke to them earnestly, punctuating his words with an occasional shake of his head or tick of his tongue. I would very much have liked to know what he was saying to elicit such somber expressions in his companions, but at length he stood up, grabbed his drink and with a little bow, excused himself to join a couple at another table.

“Whew,” Nick said, dropping into the chair across from me. He took his napkin and mopped beads of sweat off his brow. “I haven’t danced that much in a long time.”

“Mmm,” I said coolly. “Don’t let her wear you out.”

Nick ignored the jab. “Look, there’s Aris.”

“I saw him. I was just wondering if we shouldn’t go over and speak to him—maybe try to find out if he’s up to something.”

“He’s not going to admit anything to us.”

“But you promised Manolis—”

“I know what I promised Manolis, Julia,” Nick said impatiently. “I just don’t see what we can do here.”

I sighed deeply, then brightened. “You can dance.”

“Huh?”

“You’re right, Nick. We should enjoy our vacation. Isn’t that a pontiako? You love that dance.” Nick raised a skeptical eyebrow at me. “It’s okay, go ahead,” I said, grabbing my purse. “I’m going to the rest room anyway.”

I didn’t mention that the ladies’ room was right around a corner from the table where Aris Mavrakis was now seated. With Nick’s hand firmly settled on Rula’s shoulder, he’d never even notice where I’d gone.

I passed the table, grateful that Aris didn’t look up, and stepped around the corner into the ladies’ room, pulled out my lipstick and ran my fingers through my hair in a vain effort to control the curls.

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