“We grew up together on Samos. He and my brother were best friends until he fell in love with a girl here on Fourni.” Helena gave a sad smile. “Even so, we kept in touch. I was not surprised when I heard what happened. For as long as I remember, Tassos was searching for the lost gold.” She leaned in close, lowering her voice. “I suppose one could say he died doing what he loved.”
Judging from the conversations Remi had heard the last couple of days, that seemed to be the general consensus. If it gave everyone peace, then she was happy to contribute to the memories. “I’m assuming that’s why he was at the cave when he died, searching for Poseidon’s Trident.”
Helena’s gray brows furrowed. “Very odd that he’d be looking on Fourni.”
“Why?”
“According to my grandmother and the story she used to tell us at bedtime, Poseidon’s Trident is a place, not a treasure. Of course, it broke Tassos’s heart when he’d thought he’d found it, then didn’t. Still—”
Remi looked at her, surprised. “So, you have heard of the treasure?”
She laughed. “I doubt there’s anyone here who hasn’t. Do you see that Roman sarcophagus there?” She pointed across the square, where, behind the gathering mourners, a white marble sarcophagus was displayed beneath a tall plane tree. “A farmer discovered that thing buried on his land, filled with treasure. As you can imagine, the discovery added a renewed interest in the legend of Poseidon’s Trident, the treasure, and the pirates who were part of it.” Her dark eyes sparkled as she again leaned toward Remi, lowering her voice. “It’s a matter of pride for us Samians, many of whom lay claim to their pirate ancestors.”
She stopped when she noticed a middle-aged woman waving at her. “My daughter, informing me that I’m wanted elsewhere.” Helena turned back to Remi, clasping her hand. “A pleasure meeting you. I’m sure we’ll run into each other again. Fourni is not all that large.”
“Unfortunately, I’m flying out in a couple of days.”
“From Samos or Ikaria?”
“Samos.”
“Safe travels, then.” She smiled, and joined her daughter. The two walked through the gate into the churchyard.
A few minutes later, Sam joined Remi, taking her hand in his. While they waited, Remi pointed out the sarcophagus, sharing the story the old woman had told. As the service started, those waiting outside grew silent. There were far too many mourners to fit into the church and its courtyard, but someone had placed a portable speaker outside the wall for the overflow crowd to hear.
At the conclusion of the service, Remi and Sam could hear Zoe’s voice, painfully soft and strained as she invited everyone back to her grandfather’s home to share in food and friendship. Dimitris escorted Zoe through the wrought iron gates of the church, and they slowly made their way home.
By the time Sam and Remi reached Zoe’s house, it was already filled with well-wishers. Remi looked around the crowd, thinking that if not for the somber moments of remembrance, funerals were much like weddings, bringing family and friends from faraway places. Neighbors had outdone themselves with tables of food, fruit, and bread, both indoors and outside on the rooftop patio that overlooked the port of Fourni and the island of Thimena just beyond it. Greek wine was plentiful, and as the afternoon wore on, the remembered stories of Tassos in his youth and as a man were shared by all. Tales of his daring exploits, both as a fisherman and as he searched for Poseidon’s Trident and the lost treasure, filled the yard with laughter. Nikos, who was busy pouring wine, raised his glass in another toast. “To Tassos,” he called out, then related yet another story.
Skavos, sitting next to Sam and Remi, gave a tired smile as he watched over the festivities. “Tassos would have had a great time today. I know he is pleased.” Then he stood, lifted his glass, and in a loud voice said, “May his memory and laughter long be with us!”
A voice from the crowd shouted, “And may he find his treasure in heaven.”
“As ftiáxoume tost me ton Táso.” Let’s toast to Tassos. Skavos smiled. “The Pirates of Poseidon. It was a favorite book of all of us, but none more so than Tassos.”
Remi was about to ask him what the book was about when Denéa came up the stairs, shading her eyes against the late-afternoon sun as she searched the patio. She spotted Sam and Remi, then weaved her way through the crowd toward them. “Is something wrong?” Remi asked, noticing her look of concern.
“Dimitris sent me to find you. The police chief just arrived and said one of the investigators from Athens wants him to talk to Zoe.”
“I thought they were done,” Remi said as she and Sam quickly rose and followed her across the rooftop to the stairs.
“So did we, which is why Manos is stalling them. We don’t think she should be dealing with the police today, of all days. Definitely not alone.”
Denéa led them to a small, private patio at the back of the house, where Zoe and Dimitris were waiting, both looking relieved to see them. Denéa left, then returned shortly with the police chief. He nodded at Sam and Remi, then turned his attention to Zoe. “I hate to bother you, today of all days. I won’t take up much of your time. It’s about your grandfather.”
“What is it?”
“A few questions for the investigators, nothing more.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
We found a couple of things in Tassos’s pocket that we hoped you might know about,” the police chief said.
“What things?” Zoe asked.
“There was a book with a note in it.”
“A book?”