‘Not at all. I was going to say dedicated.’
‘I believe you. Thousands wouldn’t.’
It was something that Phil used to say regularly. She mustn’t get flustered. It was a common saying.
‘Isn’t your deputy in charge of things while you’re away?’
‘He’s still with the family at their holiday home. But we’ve got Achilles and Andreas, the night security guards, keeping watch in turn at the villa.’
Grace laughed into the cooling air.
‘They sound like a puppet act, or a pop duo. Coming to you all the way from Greece… Give it up for Achilles and Andreas.’
‘Amusing.’
At least their conversation was getting back to something approaching normal. It would take a while, but she was determined to get there.
Will gestured for her to go ahead of him.
‘After you, madam. Remember we’re going via the villa. I’ll come all the way back with you to yours afterwards.’
‘Aye, aye, captain.’
They walked in single file until they reached the path for the town beach and further on until the whitewashed villa loomed large in front of them. The thick brick walls around the property reminded Grace of the day she’d met Will, trying to clamber over the top to get to the beach. They’d been through a lot since then. They’d told each other things that no one else knew, and they’d faced up to grief and found joy together. Grace stopped herself thinking about the joy. Will was staring up at the windows.
‘That’s odd.’
‘What?’
‘There’s a light on up there. Maria would have gone home hours ago. Maybe she forgot to switch it off, but it’s unlike her.’
He took a bunch of keys out of his pocket.
‘Mind if I have a quick look? You wait here just in case there’s a problem.’
‘Go ahead.’
Will unlocked the gate and disappeared into the garden. There was no way she was going to wait where she was told if there was a problem. She might be able to help.
ChapterTwenty-Five
Grace crept into the garden a few seconds later. As her eyes became accustomed to the gloom, she had to stifle a scream. Will was stood over a man whose arms and legs were tied with ropes and there was some sort of gag over his mouth. Will ripped off the tape and there was a rapid conversation in Greek.
Before she could move towards them, two masked men dressed in black came out of the front door of the villa, carrying holdalls. Grace clearly saw a knife glint in the low light.
‘Will! Behind you.’
Her heart was in her mouth.
Will spun round and tackled the man with the knife, wrestling him to the ground. They rolled around on the earth together while the other guy dropped his bag and ran off towards the beach.
Grace darted forward and started to untie the security guard’s ropes, Achilles or Andreas, she didn’t care which, while glancing back at Will’s struggle every few seconds. It was a close contest, but he appeared to be winning against the masked man and was managing to hold the knife away from his own body.
His eyes met hers for a moment.
‘Grace, stay back!’
She ignored Will’s shout. The security guard’s wrists were nearly clear of the ropes. He worked with her to free his feet and leapt up to help Will tackle the knife-wielding intruder.
