The reception for the Red Cross delegation was in full swing when Andros arrived at the Vasilis estate at half past eight. He looked for Aphrodite as he strolled about the gardens filled with diplomats and dignitaries, but he could not find her. The host of the party, however, was at his elbow instantly.
“Ah, there you are, Herr Andros,” said Baron von Berg, once again sporting his decorated naval dress uniform and aristocratic air. “For a moment I doubted your arrival.”
“Why, I wouldn’t miss this for the world, Baron von Berg. Things in Piraeus kept me busy all afternoon.”
Von Berg nodded. “Where is the rest of the Andros family?” he asked, looking about. “They are noticeably absent.”
“Yes, well, my uncle doesn’t approve of all this, you know. His archaic political views cloud any civilized perspective of the modern world.”
“And business sense, perhaps?” Von Berg smiled.
“Yes, and business sense.” Andros laughed. “Speaking of which, I’d like to conclude the deal we outlined in your office yesterday and propose to Aphrodite tonight. I suppose I should have the ring. Then I can find a private place to pop the question. That’s if I can find her. Have you seen her?”
“Oh, she’s up and about somewhere. Be careful which place you choose. You no doubt heard what happened in the Royal Gardens last night?”
“Who hasn’t? I was there myself when the commotion started, but I quickly jumped back into my car and ordered my chauffeur to drive us away. Dreadful, that such thugs should be running about Athens. Why, that could have been me they killed. Any leads?”
Von Berg looked at him keenly. “None, unfortunately.”
“Communists, you know, all of them. They—”
Andros stopped as Aphrodite appeared at the top of the steps overlooking the garden. Her hair was down tonight, falling gracefully behind her bare bronze shoulders and outshining her elegant black dress. The orchestra struck up a waltz, and Andros excused himself from von Berg. “You’ll pardon me, Baron, but I’d like this waltz.”
“But of course,” said von Berg with an understanding smile. “I’ll get your ring.”
Despite her impeccable glossy exterior, Aphrodite seemed nervous as Andros took her hand and they danced beneath the sparkling lights in the twilight. He caught von Berg watching them before the Baron went up the steps inside the house.
“You have the uniform?” Andros asked her.
“Upstairs, in the lower right-hand drawer of my dresser.”
“Good. And you’ll take care of Hans?”
She nodded. “I’ve already promised him a dance and have been delaying him as long as I can. He’s waiting by the buffet table.”
They turned in a circle, and Andros glimpsed the reproachful Hans, immaculately dressed, impatiently looking at his watch.
“Excellent,” Andros said. “It’s eight-forty-eight, so I should be making my way to your bedroom and be back a little after nine. In and out in just a few minutes.”
“Christos,” said Aphrodite, “I don’t think I can go through with this.”
“Of course you can,” he told her firmly. “Now is not the time for second thoughts.”
“Ludwig knows something’s up. Maybe not about the safe. But he suspects you want to take me away from him.”
“You think he’s a genius because he figured that out?”
“Please, Christos. Don’t do anything foolish.”
“What do you want me to do, Aphrodite? Run away?”
“Yes,” she said. “Forget whatever is inside Ludwig’s safe. Go home tomorrow morning on the Turtle Dove. You’ve brought food to Greece. You’ve freed my brother. Isn’t that enough?”
“No, it’s not.” He was aware that time was slipping away. By now he should have been on his way to the Baron’s study. “I came here on a mission, and I’m going to fulfill it.”
“I’ll get into the safe,” she told him, squeezing his hand with unmistakable determination. “Tell your British friends that I’ll give them what they want after you and Kostas are safely away.”
“And leave you behind?” He groaned inside. “Why the hell do you think I came back to Athens? To see the sights?”
She looked confused, as if she couldn’t believe him. “Just tell me one thing, Christos. Did you love her, or was that business, too?”
He looked into her curious amber eyes and felt his heart miss a beat. He prayed to God she wasn’t talking about Elise.
“The woman in Bern,” she said. “Ludwig showed me pictures of you two.”
“She was a spy, Aphrodite, one of von Berg’s, to test me and my love for you. I hate myself for what I did. But I had to do it.”
“That makes two of us.”
Before he could ask Aphrodite what she meant, Andros saw von Berg standing at the top of the steps. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned.
“May I?” asked Hans.
“Of course.”
Andros handed off Aphrodite, who looked back at him helplessly as Hans led her toward the center of the dancing. Andros walked up the steps to join von Berg. Together they watched Aphrodite and Hans waltz gracefully under the stars.
“Quite a charmer, that Hans,” Andros told the Baron, trying to sound a bit flustered.
“Isn’t he? I’ll have to talk with him about his manners. To think that he would cut in on one of my honored guests.”
“Oh, it’s my own fault. I won’t have a chance down there with Aphrodite. I’ll have a word with her later, if I can find the right time and place. Would you happen to have the ring?”
“Certainly.” Von Berg handed Andros the blue box.
“Thank you,” said Andros. “In the meantime, I think I’ll try some of that fresh fish inside.” With that, he excused himself and went into the house.