“Do you know what it says?” Remi asked.
“I don’t think anyone knows. It’s centuries old.”
Remi took pictures from every angle. Finally, she looked back to where the birds had flown from and saw three men standing there. She distinctly remembered seeing four men and wondered where the other had gone.
After several minutes, Dimitris looked at his watch. “We should get going. I need to drop something off at the post office before we head out.”
They picked their way along a worn goat path of exposed stone that created natural steps down the steep hillside. The melodic tinkling of goat bells carried across in the wind, the animals hidden behind the dense brush of junipers growing in the area. Eventually, they reached the dirt road where Dimitris had left his scooter. Remi slung her tote over her shoulder, then climbed on behind him, holding tight as he drove up to the gate, a trail of dust kicking up behind them, until they reached the paved serpentine road that led back to Fourni.
They parked near the port, then walked along the dock to the Asteri, a twenty-three-meter shallow draft survey boat, where Dimitris had left his satchel. It was only a short stroll from there to the post office, so Remi decided to leave the camera bag on the boat. From the port, the two crossed the street to the narrow, gray-flagstone street, surrounded on both sides with shops, some still closed at the early hour. Many of the shopkeepers sat in chairs out front, some watching over young children running up and down the street, others chatting with their neighbors or simply enjoying the warmth of the sun.
At the post office, a young woman with deep brown hair worn in loose curls about her shoulders looked up as they entered. The moment she saw Dimitris, her dark eyes lit up, and a shy smile played at her mouth.
Curious, Remi glanced at Dimitris, who was busy pulling a large manila envelope from his satchel. He glanced at the young woman and seemed to lose his train of thought. “Zoe . . .”
“You want to mail this?” she asked.
He nodded and handed the envelope to her. “I wasn’t expecting you here.”
“Letha’s sick.” She set the envelope on the scale to verify the weight. “Anything else?”
He shook his head, handing her the money.
She stamped the face of the envelope, glanced past him, and saw Remi. “This is your friend from America?”
“Yes,” Dimitris said. “Remi Longstreet, my friend Zoe Gianakos.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Remi said, shaking her hand.
“Welcome to Fourni.” Zoe turned her attention back to Dimitris, her dark eyes looking worried. “You haven’t seen my grandfather, have you?”
“No. Why?”
“I’m sure it’s nothing. Just that he’s been acting very secretive these last few days. He took off very early this morning, saying something about a big job that he expected to bring in enough money to buy a new fishing boat.” She glanced at Remi, adding, “He’s known for his tall tales around here. This time it’s about finding Poseidon’s Trident.”
“An old fisherman’s tale,” Dimitris explained to Remi. “Pirates and treasure. A few islanders believe they’re descended from the pirates who stole it.”
“My grandfather included.” Zoe gave a troubled sigh. “I really thought he was over all that. Disappearing for days at a time, searching . . .”
Dimitris took the receipt she handed him. “He’ll be fine. The island’s not that big. He always comes back.”
She nodded, then smiled as she looked at Remi. “I hope you enjoy your visit here.”
“Thank you. So far, I’m enjoying it very much.”
Dimitris started for the door, then looked back at Zoe. “We’re going to Skavos’s for coffee before heading out. Would you like something?”
“No, thank you. Do me a favor, though? Ask if anyone knows what my grandfather is up to?”
“I will.”
As they left the post office Remi asked, “Have you known Zoe long?”
“All my life. She was my childhood sweetheart. Still is,” he said, blushing. “I mean, my girl.”
They walked down to Skavos’s café. Centrally located on the main street with a pa
rtial view of the port, the shade-dappled patio was filled with small tables and colorful ladder-back chairs. They ordered two Greek coffees inside at the bar, then sat outside. When Skavos, the owner, brought the coffee, he placed two demitasse cups on the table. Dimitris took the moment to ask about Zoe’s grandfather.