Nemesis of the Dead Read Free Page B

gruelling investigation with Jack more than usually affected by the circumstances. During the worst of it, he and Corrie had promised each other a relaxed, romantic honeymoon as soon as the case was over. The destination was negotiable, they would pick somewhere at the last minute. But wherever they chose, it must be as far away from crime and cooking as possible.
     
    ‘It says here …’ said Jack, wandering into the bedroom waving a computer print-out, ‘… that Katastrophos is a tiny Greek island, like a pebble dropped in the sparkling Ionian Sea.’
    Later, Corrie reckoned that her masterly intuition should have kicked in then. What sort of a name is Katastrophos if not full of portent and omen?
    ‘Sounds perfect.’ She held her swimsuit against her, a miracle of cantilever engineering with a clever skirted bit designed to conceal fat thighs. She grimaced at herself in the mirror. ‘Tell me more about Katastrophos. It’s hard to picture it without glossy brochures.’
    ‘There isn’t much to tell.’ Jack lay back on the bed and swung his feet up. ‘It’s the smallest of the Ionian Islands, which run down the western coast of mainland Greece. It’s also one of the few islands not shown on any tourist map. Only eight kilometres long and three kilometres wide. Must be a kind of sausage-shape, I guess. It’s called Katastrophos because of a catastrophic earthquake a couple of centuries ago that destroyed most of its Venetian buildings and a lot of the inhabitants.’
    ‘I see. It’s a seismic sausage. Doesn’t it say anything nice?’
    ‘’Course. Listen to this blurb. “ Katastrophos has an intimate charm that has escaped the blight of tourism. Apart from a very small annual influx of tourists …” – that’ll be you and me –“ … there is little to disturb the soporific atmosphere. If you crave peace and quiet or need to retreat from the stress of modern-day living, Katastrophos is the ideal ‘get away from it all’ holiday destination ”.’
    ‘Wonderful. Just what we need.’
    ‘And what about this bit? “ According to Greek legend, Katastrophos was created by Poseidon who struck the Ionian Sea with his trident to create a secret island paradise to share with his wife Amphitrite .” What better place for a honeymoon than a secret island paradise?’
    Corrie climbed on the bed, hauled up her glasses dangling on a chain around her neck and began reading over his shoulder.
    ‘I don’t like the sound of that.’ She pointed. ‘It says Antony and Cleopatra are reputed to have had a dinner party at Katastrophos on the eve of the Battle of Actium.’
    ‘So what?’ Jack grinned. ‘Are you cross you weren’t around to tender for the catering?’
    Corrie gave him a withering look. ‘You know what happened at Actium?’
    ‘No. Should I?’
    ‘The combined forces of Antony and Cleopatra were defeated by Octavian. It completely destroyed their plans for the future. It was a turning point in the history of Egypt and Rome.’
    Jack stared at her. ‘You know, I worry about you sometimes. What sort of sad person remembers stuff like that? You need a holiday, Corrie. Two weeks in a luxury hotel overlooking a stunning horseshoe bay, flanked by silver-green olive groves and majestic rows of cypress. Nothing to do but swim and sunbathe. And plenty of wine and Greek food that you haven’t had to cook yourself.’
    ‘OK. You’ve convinced me. How do we get there?’
    Jack produced his meticulously planned itinerary.
    ‘Flight from Gatwick to Kalamata Airport on the Peloponnese peninsula. Coach transfer from the airport to the ferry port south of Methóni. Then ferry across the Ionian Sea to Katastrophos. It’s the only route. The island’s too small for its own airport. There’s just the one main resort, Agia Sofia – St Sophia. I reckon if we get the eight o’clock flight from Gatwick, we should reach Hotel Stasinopoulos in time to freshen up, have a glass of wine and enjoy a romantic