Santorini Caesars by Jeffrey Siger Page B

about, I’m calling my commander, the minister of defense, for instructions on how to handle what’s beginning to smell like a very inappropriate meeting.”
    â€œI wouldn’t do that if I were you,” said Prada, shaking his head.
    â€œYou’ve twenty seconds left,” growled the Brigadier.
    Prada slapped his hands on the sides of the chair. “Very well, have it your way.” He nodded at Babis. “Tell him.”
    Babis leaned back in his chair. “You are here at the request of our Prime Minister’s State Security Police.”
    â€œI never heard of any such branch,” said the Brigadier.
    â€œNor have I,” whispered Andreas.
    â€œWe function under the direction of the Prime Minister,” said Prada. “To secure the state from subversive elements seeking to undo the will of the people.”
    â€œWhat the hell?” Andreas jumped up from the couch. “Last I checked, our Constitution doesn’t permit secret police.”
    Not looking at Andreas, Prada said, “I suggest you hold your tongue, Chief Inspector.”
    Andreas bolted across the room to the man’s chair and swung it around with Prada still in it. “Permit me to rephrase it. ‘Our Constitution doesn’t permit secret police, asshole .’”
    â€œI’ll have you arrested,” snarled Prada, revealing badly misaligned teeth.
    â€œThen let me give you something to remember me by.” Andreas cocked his fist.
    â€œNo!” shouted the minister.
    The Brigadier reached up and grabbed Andreas’ arm. “Please, Chief Inspector, if any one gets to hit the bastard, let it be me.”
    Andreas threw up his hands and pointed a finger at Babis. “This has something to do with you. Explain .”
    â€œHow dare you—”
    â€œNo way this asshole could have police powers without your involvement. No way.”
    Babis cleared his throat. “Yes, that’s true. And the State Security Police is a duly formed body under the powers of this ministry. Its chief,” he nodded toward Prada, “reports directly to the Prime Minister. Through me, of course.”
    â€œOf course,” said Prada.
    â€œWait until the press gets ahold of this,” said Andreas.
    â€œThe media,” scoffed Prada, “they are more concerned with their licenses and staying in the good graces of our government than in the nuts and bolts of police structure. And if you’re talking about those few reactionary lackeys intent on terrorizing our people with false reports of our government’s aims and aspirations, they are being appropriately dealt with.”
    Andreas stared at Prada for a moment then looked at the Babis. “I get it, this is some sort of a practical joke. But I think it’s in bad taste to involve the Brigadier. So why don’t you tell us what’s really going on?”
    Prada spoke through a clenched jaw. “You, Kaldis, are about to be arrested for interfering with the people’s right of free assembly. It was your decision to remove the girl’s body from the scene of her murder that brought such horrid turmoil to our beloved country. And you trespassed on university property in direct violation of our Constitution.”
    Andreas looked at Babis. “Is this guy serious?”
    â€œI gave you the chance to apologize, but you refused.”
    Prada nodded. “Plus, you assaulted me.”
    The Brigadier cleared his throat. “And why am I here?”
    â€œSimply to demonstrate to the people your sincere and genuine appreciation to the government for not allowing the fascist cop who defiled your daughter’s sacrifice to the people to go unpunished.”
    Andreas clenched his fists.
    â€œIn other words, you want me to give my blessing to what you have in mind for Kaldis?”
    â€œAnd your wife’s blessing, too, of course.”
    The Brigadier nodded. “And if I