The Silver Stain Read Free Page B

it, but he regarded the frothy concoction as an abomination.
    ‘So, what can I do for you?’ Mavros asked, deliberately directing his gaze at the young woman.
    ‘See, here’s the problem,’ Jannet said, leaning forwards. Pointed cowboy boots made of some exotic skin extended from his dark-blue chinos. ‘I’m directing a movie down in Crete.’
    The bell rang louder in Mavros’s head, but he kept silent.
    Alice Quincy couldn’t contain herself any longer. ‘Surely you’ve heard of Mr Jannet and the film? It’s been all over the media.’
    ‘I don’t really follow the film world,’ Mavros lied. He was a big fan of classic noir and modern crime movies, but he suspected Jannet didn’t direct that kind of thing.
    ‘ Freedom or Death ?’ the young woman persisted. ‘About the Battle of Crete in 1941?’
    ‘ Captain Corelli meets Zorba the Greek , with a touch of Cross of Iron ,’ Luke Jannet interposed. ‘It’ll be out in time for the Olympics and it’ll make a mint.’
    Mavros had read about the production without paying attention to who was directing it. The Greek Ministry of Culture had been prominent in its efforts to attract a big budget American movie that would put Greece even more in the global eye in 2004. The fact that ‘Freedom or Death’ was the motto of the modern Greek state hadn’t put off any politicians except extreme nationalists from licensing it to Hollywood.
    ‘Kind of a new version of Ill Met by Moonlight ?’ Mavros said, remembering the Dirk Bogarde movie about the kidnapping of a German general on Crete.
    ‘What?’ Jannet asked, his expression blank.
    ‘Mr Mavro?’ came a high voice from the kitchen.
    He went to collect the coffees. ‘I hope you didn’t spit in them,’ he whispered.
    The Fat Man was a dogged anti-American, as were all the comrades, and he regarded film-makers as the cream on the cake of worker exploitation.
    ‘No, but that can be arranged,’ Yiorgos riposted.
    ‘Let’s wait and see what the job is,’ Mavros said, grabbing the tray.
    The Americans watched curiously as he handed over their cups and saucers.
    ‘My maid’s a bit shy,’ he said. ‘She was abused in her last position.’
    ‘How awful,’ Alice said, glancing towards the kitchen.
    ‘Here’s the thing,’ Jannet said, ignoring her. ‘I’ve got an actress – in fact, the female lead – who’s giving me the runaround. Cara Parks? Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of her?’
    Mavros wasn’t going to play that dumb. Cara Parks was the next big thing in Hollywood, combining the physical allure of Kate Winslet with the smouldering looks of Sharon Stone.
    ‘Sure,’ he said. ‘I saw her in Spring Surprise .’ The low-budget horror movie set in a machine factory had given the actress plenty of opportunities to exercise both her vocal chords and her stunning body.
    ‘That was nothing,’ Jannet said scathingly. ‘ Freedom or Death is going to make her into a global star.’
    ‘OK,’ Mavros said. ‘And what’s her problem?’
    ‘Tell him, Alice,’ the director said, as if the details were beneath him.
    ‘Yes, Mr Jannet.’ The young woman looked at Mavros. ‘Like all actors in major roles, Ms Parks has a personal assistant, in her case a woman called Maria Kondos.’
    ‘A Greek-American?’ Mavros asked. The surname for a female would have been Kondou if she’d been a Greek native.
    Alice Quincy nodded. ‘The problem is, Maria disappeared yesterday and no one has any idea where she is.’
    Jannet put his empty cup down with a crack. ‘And Cara Parks, the self-centred bitch, won’t do anything until she’s found. She won’t even come out of her suite.’
    Mavros wasn’t attracted to the case. The Greek-American had probably had a row with the star and gone voluntarily AWOL. Kriaras obviously wanted him on the job because of the production’s significance to the country and the Culture Ministry, not necessarily in that order.
    ‘We’re prepared to pay you two