CHAPTER TEN
Marguerite watched as the men circled the island once more, walking with their weapons slung over their shoulders like rebels. But rebels for what? There was no government here that they were overthrowing. They’d killed Marie Nicole, taken Nicolai as prisoner and most likely killed him. The dynamite continued to shake her rafters and yet there was no one that could tell them why.
The two men didn’t even notice her seated at the window of her small home. The warm breezes of the mediterranean kissed her cheeks and she closed her eyes for a moment, wondering if her sweet Dmitri was in heaven watching over her.
The silence of the night was broken by the ringing of her home telephone. No one called her anymore. No one. It was a relic that she kept to feel in touch with the world, even though she was completely out of touch.
“Hello,” she said softly.
“Marguerite? It’s Nicolai, please be very quiet,” he said calmly.
“Nicolai! You’re alive,” she said with in a throaty whisper.
“I’m alive, Marguerite and I am in America. I have some men here that are trying to help me, help us, but they need some information about what the men are doing on the island.”
“They are destroying it,” she said calmly. “They come every morning and continue to dynamite the cliffs. They don’t sift through the rubble. They are not looking for gold or silver or gems. They certainly are not looking for historical artifacts.
“Now, we have armed men walking the island all day and night. We are not allowed to leave on the ferries and only the men who work here are allowed onto the island.”
“I’m so sorry, Marguerite. I think these men can help us.”
“Marguerite? My name is Luke and we have some men that are going to attempt to get on the island. If we send them to you, can you hide them?” he asked.
“It’s very risky for them but, yes, I can hide them. It’s a very small space that my husband once used as a workshop above our home.” Nicolai smiled, remembering playing up there when he was a boy.
“Her husband made pottery, classic Greek pottery. It was one of the things that drew visitors to our little island.”
“Alright, there will be four men that should arrive sometime tonight. Can you tell us anything about what’s happening other than the dynamiting every day?” asked Luke.
“There is a large cargo vessel parked in the center of the bay. It’s too shallow for it to get close but it hasn’t moved in weeks. It’s just sitting there.”
“That’s helpful,” said Luke. “Miss Marguerite, don’t risk yourself for this. Something is definitely wrong and we want to find out what it is.”
“Something is always wrong young man. Greece has endured for thousands of years. It will endure this as well. I may not live to see it but we will endure.”
“You’ll live through this Marguerite,” said Nicolai. “I promise I will be home soon.”
“Should I tell anyone?” she asked quietly.
“I think for now, keep it as our secret,” said Luke. “I know they’re your neighbors, but we don’t really know who to trust yet. These men could have paid some of the islanders to keep quiet and allow this to take place.”
“That would make me very sad,” said Marguerite.
“When my men arrive, they are going to give you what’s called a satellite phone. It will work anywhere on the island, you only have to press one button, and you can call out to my men. They will protect you.”
“These must be special men for them to be able to protect one old woman from dozens of men.”
“They are very special,” smiled Luke. “We will speak soon.”
“Wait. Nicolai? They took Marie Nicole’s body. They wouldn’t let us bury her on the island. I’m sorry. The men tried to stop them but they took her body away.”
They saw the horror on Nicolai’s face as tears welled in his eyes.
“Thank you for trying, Marguerite. Please don’t risk your life for this.”
“Why not?” she scoffed with a laugh. “I’m an old woman who has lived nowhere else. I’ve been nowhere else. I’ve never visited Athens or the Temple of Apollo. I’ve never been anywhere but right here. Risking my life for the people and place I love seems an honorable death.”
The call ended and they all looked at Nicolai who was still emotional after hearing the news of his wife.
