Devil of Delphi: A Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis Mystery by Jeffrey Siger Page B

do.”
    Panic broke out across Panos’ face. “Don’t worry. I’ll give you the real stuff. I didn’t feel safe carrying all that cash in this neighborhood.”
    Kouros shrugged. “How safe are you feeling right now?”
    Panos looked desperate, as though he might cry at any moment.
    “Kharon, hey, maybe you should cut the guy some slack?”
    Kharon turned to Jacobi. “What do you mean? He tried to cheat me.”
    Jacobi nodded. “Yeah, I know. But maybe he can make it up to you.”
    “He’s right,” Panos said quickly. “I definitely can.”
    Kharon shook his head. “I don’t know…”
    “Give him a chance. I’m sure he can get you your money, and probably even a little more for your trouble.”
    “Yeah, sure I can.”
    “Say, like a hundred thousand of the real stuff,” said Jacobi.
    “That’s crazy!” Panos looked back and forth between them. “Where can I get that sort of money?”
    Jacobi shrugged. “Hey, I’m trying to help you out here. If you can’t, you can’t.”
    Panos ran the fingers of both hands through his hair. “Okay, okay, a hundred thousand.”
    “And your superior comes to Athens for our meeting,” said Kharon.
    “I can’t make that happen.”
    “After this double cross you really don’t expect me to get on a private plane with you? I’m not willing to risk having to suddenly sprout wings.”
    The man shook his head. “I really can’t, I don’t call the shots at all.”
    Kharon put his hand on Panos’ shoulder. “Tell your boss anything you want, and your boss can even pick the spot for us to meet in Athens. But that’s my final offer. Take it, or leave me alone.”
    “No need to rush your decision,” said Jacobi. “Take until tomorrow morning to make up your mind. But if it’s a go, show up here with the cash.”
    Panos nodded. “By tomorrow.”
    “Morning,” said Jacobi.
    “Okay, okay. I’ll get back to you by tomorrow morning.” Panos reached for the backpack.
    “Uh-uh,” said Jacobi, putting his hand on the bag, “my commission for negotiating the settlement. Besides, we wouldn’t want you getting mugged in this neighborhood.”
    Panos glared at Jacobi, but drew his hand back from the bag. He pulled a mobile phone out of his pocket, pressed a speed dial button, and muttered something in a language not Greek. He finished his call. “Fine, tomorrow morning here.”
    A black Chevrolet Suburban appeared at the curb, Panos jumped into the front passenger seat, and the SUV sped away.
    Jacobi put his arm around Kharon’s waist. “Just like the old days. Mr. Good Cop and Mr. Bad Cop out-hustling deliverymen hustlers.”
    “Stealing from orphans…It sounded so easy until they tried it.”
    “Yeah, but in those days, it was spoiled milk and threadbare clothes they tried passing off as the real stuff. Now it’s this.” Jacobi pointed at the bag of cash.
    “Some things never change,” said Kharon. “It’s the same shitty people, just doing different things.”
    “But with bigger paydays. Which I’ll take as a definite improvement.” Jacobi reached into the bag and pulled out a fistful of phony euro notes. “I can fence this paper tonight for enough real stuff to get you a killer BMW bike by tomorrow.”
    Kharon shrugged. “Not interested. You keep it.”
    “Are you nuts?” Jacobi picked the backpack off the table and headed toward the kitchen. “Never mind,” he called over his back. “I already know the answer to that question.”
    “Like I said,” Kharon said quietly, “some things never change.”

Chapter Six
    Kharon spent the night in a nondescript hotel just off Omonia Square. He preferred staying in that part of Athens. It was once Athens’ most prominent square, filled with fine hotels, restaurants, and residences. Not anymore. Today it served as home to an around-the-clock drug and hooker trade, with Greek not the primary language of its residents. Most people living there possessed the good sense to mind their own business.