Hot on the Trail Read online

  “Did you confront her?” David asked nervously.

  “No, however, I managed to follow her without her seeing me. I thought that if she did see me, she’d probably leave Perth. I found out that she’s staying at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. I think Dimitris Kastrinakis needs to get over here and arrest her, don’t you? Whether she’ll still be at the hotel by the time he gets here is another matter, but I suppose the police have resources to find her if she does leave.”

  “I suppose he does need to come over.”

  “David, she was behind your kidnapping,” Eve spoke determinedly. “She deserves to pay for what she put you through.......and me.”

  “Yes, you’re right. It’s just that I was so looking forward to a lovely peaceful holiday. Yesterday was so much fun.”

  “And we will have a lovely holiday, I promise. There’s very little I can do here. I’m out of my comfort zone. I don’t know Perth at all so wouldn’t know what to do in the same way as I do on Crete. Anyway, I don’t know if I’d want to. She’s a very hard woman. She wouldn’t hesitate to kill anyone who gets in her way.”

  “You’d better ring Dimitris then, but you’ll need to wait a few hours, what with the time difference. He won’t be too happy if you got him out of bed.”

  “He won’t be happy to hear from me, full stop,” Eve said, grinning.

  * * *

  The hotel served a Chandon sparkling high tea from midday onwards and Eve decided that it would calm her down to have a relaxing champagne and up market afternoon tea, not to mention pass the time before she could ring Dimitris. She knew she would be on edge until she could tell him her news.

  As Eve re-did her make-up, something she was prone to do more than once a day, she thought nostalgically of the afternoon teas she had often treated herself to in some of the best hotels in London. They were one of the many things she missed now that she lived on Crete and she always made sure she fitted at least one in when she visited England. As she finished putting on her lipstick, she shook her head and told herself to stop living in the past. There were advantages to living on Crete such as the better weather and of course, the gorgeous man she was engaged to. Anyway, she was in Perth now for three weeks and could enjoy an afternoon tea or two once more.

  David, however, thought she was spending too much money yet again. Why couldn’t they get a couple of takeaway sandwiches or have a light lunch in a cafe? However, Eve seemed determined to push the boat out on this trip. They had indulged in a lovely meal the evening before, with champagne, but now she wanted more of the same. There seemed to be no way of stopping her. David decided to speak up.

  “We don’t really need to be this extravagant, do we, Eve?”

  “Why not? On the one hand I’ve had a stressful morning following Joanna, but then it’s also been quite fruitful. I did inherit a house after all, so why shouldn’t we celebrate a little? Anyway, I’ve invested my money well, so it’s not as if this is going to ruin me. Darling, I just want to have a wonderful holiday, so stop worrying about money all the time, please.”

  Eve went over and put her arms around David, kissing him in her usual seductive way. She knew he couldn’t resist her kisses and as usual, he was putty in her arms, but he still wished he could afford to pay for at least a couple of these extravagances. He was an author and he didn’t know if his next book would be published, so although he had made a comfortable living so far, he had to be careful just in case everything fell down all around him. He was being realistic, that was all.

  Despite looking forward to the champagne high tea, Eve became very quiet during the meal. She definitely seemed to be enjoying the food and champagne, so David decided not to ask if anything was wrong. He guessed she was thinking about Joanna and he didn’t much want to discuss her. She brought back too many memories of his kidnapping, and while he wanted her to be caught, he didn’t want either of them to play any part in it. He hoped that once Eve rang Dimitris Kastrinakis, the Cretan police would take over. Unfortunately, he doubted that Eve would be able to leave the case alone.

  Of course I want Joanna punished, he thought. However, why did she have to come to Australia? It’s unbelievable. Eve and I had such a fantastic time yesterday and I hoped that would continue, but now I doubt that it will. Once Dimitris gets here, she’ll probably start acting irrational and start following Joanna again or something equally reckless, just so she can catch that awful woman before he does. Eve always wants to be sharper than the police.

  David was right. Eve couldn’t stop thinking about Joanna.

  I should get Joanna out of my mind, but I can’t. I feel especially guilty regarding David as we had such a brilliant time yesterday. If I try not to talk about her, he may think I’ve put the situation out of my mind. Yes, that’s a good plan. I’ll talk about Andrea and the inheritance and anything else I can think of, just not about Joanna.

  However, Eve kept going through the morning’s events in her mind. One moment she thought she had done the right thing by following Joanna and not letting her see her, but then she thought that perhaps she should have confronted her. Couldn’t she have made a citizen’s arrest and called the Australian police? Perhaps they could have held her in custody until Dimitris Kastrinakis arrived. He could then have taken her back to Crete. Eve could almost kick herself for not thinking of this.

  But then would it have been that simple? For a start, would the Australian police been bothered about arresting a woman who had committed crimes in another country. They’d only have my word about this. And who’s to say I’d have had the strength to keep hold of Joanna until the police arrived? Chances are she’d have made a run for it. No, I probably did the right thing. This way, I’ve kept her in the country and most of all, in Perth.

  Eve then started to worry about what effect this was having on David. He certainly didn’t look as light-hearted as he had the day before. She had promised him that she wouldn’t get involved in any more crimes, but this wasn’t really a new crime, it was an old one which had never had a satisfactory conclusion. All that was needed was to have Joanna captured and brought to justice. Eve decided that she had to see this through and then she could keep her promise to David. However, she knew it was best not to discuss this with him so she decided to put on a smile and talk about frivolities.

  “David, shall we have dinner in the hotel tonight?”

  “There aren’t many vegetarian choices on the dinner menu for you, are there?”

  Eve was touched that he had taken the trouble to look for her.

  “They have risotto and it should be good in an establishment like this, so I’m happy to eat here. I’m not bothered about going out tonight, or did you want to?”

  “No, I’m fine staying in.”

  David, as usual, was easy-going about what they did.

  Eve then started talking about the house she was inheriting, wondering what it was going to be like and in the end; David didn’t know what to think.

  She seems to have forgotten about Joanna which is good, unless she’s deliberately avoiding talking about her. I don’t know what’s going on. Eve is such a complicated woman.

  She didn’t mention Joanna at all for the rest of the meal and after they had had their high tea, they went back to their room and Eve picked up the phone ready to call Dimitris.

  “I can’t believe that I’m actually nervous about doing this, David.”

  He was quite surprised to hear her say this, but perhaps she was changing more than he had dared to hope.

  “You are certain it was Joanna?” he asked, in case there was the slightest doubt.

  Dimitris Kastrinakis would not be happy if he came to Australia on a wild goose chase.

  “Yes, completely. I recognized her voice as well.”

  “Fine, well do it. As you said, she can’t get away with all she’s done. She’s probably a murderer as well as a kidnapper.”

  Eve picked up the phone and rang Dimitris. He answered very quickly.

  “Det
ective Chief Inspector Kastrinakis? This is Eve Masters.”

  His heart sank, wondering what she wanted now. Then he remembered she was in Australia.

  “What can I do for you, Miss Masters? I thought you were in Australia.”

  Eve marveled at how quickly news got around in Crete. She certainly hadn’t told him she was going to Australia.

  “I am. I’m in Perth, Western Australia. You won’t believe what happened today. I was seeing a lawyer and when I came out of his office I saw Joanna Neonakis at the other end of the corridor having an argument with someone. She didn’t see me.”

  “What?!” Dimitris exclaimed. “This is amazing news. You are sure it was her and that she didn’t see you?”

  “Yes, I’m certain it was her and I’m as sure as I can be that she didn’t see me.”

  “So how do you think we can find her? Perth is a big city I believe.”

  “I followed her, very discreetly I must add, and as I said, I’m sure she didn’t see me. She caught a taxi and I got in one behind her. She’s staying in the Hyatt Regency hotel. You’ve got to come over and arrest her, the quicker the better. For all we know, she may move on. ”

  “You do know, Miss Masters, it was very foolish of you to follow her. She is a dangerous woman and I want you to promise me to not do anything stupid in the time it takes me to get to Australia. Leave this to us for a change,” Dimitris said, his voice rising.

  “O.k.”, Eve muttered. “I won’t. Believe me; I know she’s a dangerous woman so I’ll keep away from her. However, if I hadn’t followed her, you wouldn’t have known where she was staying.”

  “At least you were in daylight. But no more foolishness, Miss Masters.”

  Eve grunted before speaking again. “How long will it be before you can get here?”

  “A couple of days, perhaps longer. We have to get permission.”

  “Ok. I’ll see you when you get here.”

  Dimitris put the phone down, wishing he could get to Perth quicker. He felt sure Eve Masters, despite his warnings, would do something foolish before he got to Australia.

  Eve, on the other hand, wished there was something she could do now, not that it would please David, but Joanna Neonakis had caused her a lot of grief and she couldn’t let her get away again, not to mention that Eve wanted to get one up on Dimitris Kastrinakis.

  * * *

  A little while later, after having what Eve felt was a delicious high tea, almost as good as the ones in England, and one which she decided they would have again before they left Australia, Eve and David got ready to meet Matt Connors, Andrea’s lawyer, who was taking them to see the house which Eve had inherited.

  The house wasn’t too far from the hotel so it didn’t take them long to get there. Eve was very quiet during the journey, her mind still on Joanna.

  “We’re almost there,” Matt said, breaking into Eve’s thoughts.

  “We are?” she asked, snapping back into the present.

  Suddenly Eve forgot all about Joanna and started to become excited about seeing her house. She glanced at David who looked pretty glum and she wished he could be just a little excited as well. He seemed to like Australia so why wasn’t he looking forward to the possibility of coming again? Her new house opened up many new opportunities for them.

  A few moments later, Matt stopped his car outside a rather large, but a slightly scruffy house.

  “Wow,” Eve said. “I wasn’t expecting this. It could do with a lick of paint, but apart from that, it’s a nice size. I do like a roomier house.”

  Eve had been expecting a small semi-detached house in an estate, not a big rambling property like this one.

  “It does need a little work doing inside as well,” Matt put in.

  “I would imagine it does if the outside is anything to go by,” Eve replied. “However, once it’s done, it will be absolutely perfect, don’t you think so David?”

  “It’s certainly a house with character,” David replied. “I wouldn’t have thought it would be your cup of tea though. I thought you liked more modern properties.”

  “Not all the time, darling. I do like older houses, as long as they have character. Can we look inside, Mr. Connors?”

  “Call me Matt. Of course you can. This way.”

  Once inside Eve loved it even more. It had a large entrance hall with a big staircase and there were rooms leading off the hall. Eve wandered about looking in the sitting room, dining room, office, kitchen, bathroom and another room which could be used as anything. Upstairs there were four bedrooms and two bathrooms and Eve got more and more excited as she went from room to room.

  “You are going to put this up for sale, aren’t you Eve?” David asked, sounding a little concerned.

  Was Eve actually thinking about moving to Australia now? David knew how changeable she could be, but she had already booked to have their beach wedding in Crete so how could they leave their home now?

  “Sell it? Not for the moment,” Eve replied. “This house is amazing. I couldn’t bear to get rid of it quite yet.”

  “Do I take it that you want to come and live in Australia then?” David asked incredulously.

  “No, of course not, but I wouldn’t mind spending a little time here. It is a remarkable country.”

  Eve walked off to look in another room, leaving David standing in the sitting room looking completely dumbfounded. Sometimes Eve could still be so self-centered. She hadn’t even asked if he wanted to spend more time in Australia.

  What with Joanna Neonakis turning up and Eve falling in love with her new house, she seems to have forgotten about me and our future. We’ll have to talk about this as soon as we’re alone. I’m not going to let her get swept away by events and leave me behind; not this time.

  * * *

  Matt Connors dropped Eve and David off at their hotel and when they got into their room Eve noticed that David looked quite miserable.

  “David, what’s wrong? Didn’t you like the house?”

  David had had enough. Eve was always making decisions by herself and never asking him. They were supposed to be getting married, but you wouldn’t have guessed it.

  “Yes, I liked the house well enough. What I don’t like is you deciding to do all these things without asking me if I want to do them. Hasn’t it occurred to you that I might not want to spend that much time in Australia?”

  “Oh David,” Eve said, suddenly feeling guilty.

  Eve felt awful. She was just thinking about herself and expecting him to do whatever she wanted.

  “I am self-centered; I know that. I’ve been alone so long that I’ve got used to doing whatever I want and now I have no idea how to act as part of a couple.”

  Eve went and flung her arms around David.

  “Please forgive me. Of course we’ll discuss all of my ideas before we make the final decision. I was just rambling as the thoughts came into my head. It doesn’t mean they’re all set in stone.”

  David’s heart melted, but he wasn’t quite certain if she was being genuine or was still trying to manipulate him. Whatever, at least she had apologized and said she’d talk about her plans.”

  "I forgive you, darling. I suppose I wouldn’t want to sell a house I’d inherited straight away and yours is a very interesting one at that. Now, come on, we’ve been out for so long; it’s time we got ready for dinner.”

  Eve smiled at David and kissed him on the cheek. However, as she went into the bathroom, she breathed a sigh of relief that she'd got through that confrontation. One more to go, but she’d leave that for another day. Eve had already decided she wanted to stay on in Australia for a little longer than the planned three weeks. She wanted to do the house up as much as possible. It definitely needed a new kitchen and at least one of the bathrooms needed changing as well In fact, most of the rooms looked a bit drab. She would have to subtly bring it into the conversation with David as soon as an opportunity arose. She was certain she could persuade him to stay a little longer. After all, he
nearly always ended up doing what she wanted.

  * * *

  “This risotto is delicious,” Eve said later that evening. “I must say, all the food I’ve had at the hotel has been first class. How’s your seafood?”

  “Wonderful. It’s been cooked to perfection. I’m sure I’ll be going back to Crete pounds heavier.”

  “I’ll still love you, darling,” Eve joked. “Even if you look like a barrel!”

  David grinned, pleased that Eve seemed to have calmed down and was just enjoying the evening. She had avoided talking about both Joanna and her new property and had actually started discussing their wedding, so David was delighted. It was much more fun talking about that than anything else. Perhaps she was going to leave Joanna to the Greek police and perhaps she would be glad to get back to Crete at the end of their three week holiday. However wonderful it was in Australia, he knew he wouldn’t get much writing done and three weeks off was too much. He was pleased they hadn’t booked five weeks as Eve had originally suggested.

  David seems much happier now that I’ve avoided speaking about Joanna and the house. I must think more before I open my mouth as he can be very touchy, Eve thought digging into another large forkful of risotto.

  “David, it is you,” a voice suddenly said. “I thought it was as I came into the room, but I couldn’t believe my eyes. What on earth are you doing here?”

  “Sophie!” David said, sounding more than a little surprised. “I could say the same about seeing you here.”

  He got up and kissed her on both cheeks, while Eve sat staring at both of them. She didn’t look too happy.

  Who on earth is that woman? David doesn’t seem keen on introducing me to her.

  “I’m here on holiday,” David said to Sophie. “And you?”

  “I work in Perth now. In fact I’m in this hotel on a business dinner. Perhaps we could meet in the bar later for a drink?”

  “Oh, I’m here with my friend, Eve, “David replied.

  “Oh, you can bring her along,” Sophie said looking at Eve and giving her a dazzling smile.