These days, Jason’s goodwill toward me was entirely depleted— the best I could hope for was that he remain civil and not actually become violent.
He was jealous of me—because I provided Lana with something he couldn’t understand and was incapable of supplying. What was that? Well, for want of a better word, let’s call it friendship. Jason couldn’t comprehend a world in which a man and a woman could be such close friends.
Although Lana and I weren’t just friends—we were soulmates.
But Jason couldn’t understand that either.
“Elliot had a bright idea,” Lana said. “Let’s go to Mykonos tomorrow for dinner. What do you think?”
Jason grimaced. “No, thanks.”
“Why not? It’ll be fun.”
“Where? Just don’t say Yialos.”
“Why not?”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake.” Jason sighed. “Yialos is a whole production. I thought we came here to relax.”
I couldn’t resist intervening. “Oh, go on, Jason. Think how good the food is at Yialos. Yum-yum.”
Jason ignored me. But he didn’t object further, knowing he had little choice. “Whatever. I need a shower.”
“That’s my cue, then. I’ll be off. See you both downstairs.”
I went to the door and walked out. I closed it behind me.
Then—and I wouldn’t normally admit this, but seeing as it’s you, I’ll be honest—I pressed my ear to the door. Wouldn’t you do the same? They were bound to be talking about me. I was curious to hear what Jason said the moment my back was turned.
Their conversation was faint but audible through the door.
Lana sounded irritated. “I don’t understand why you can’t be polite to him.”
“Because he’s always in your fucking bedroom, that’s why.”
“He’s one of my best friends.”
“He’s in love with you.”
“No, he isn’t.”
“Of course he is. Why else has he never had a girlfriend since that old woman he murdered?”
A pause. “That’s not funny, Jason.”
“Who said I was joking?”
“Darling, did you want something? Or just to start a fight?”
There was another pause, as Jason calmed himself. He continued in a gentler tone. “I need to talk to you.”
“Okay. But lay off Elliot. I mean it.”
“Fine.” Jason spoke in a low voice. I had to press my ear hard against the door to catch his words. “It’s nothing serious.… I need you to sign something.”
“Now? Can’t it wait?”
“I need to send it out tonight. It’ll just take a second.”
Lana paused. “I thought it wasn’t serious.”
“It isn’t.”
“So what’s the rush?”
“No rush.”
“Then I’ll read it tomorrow.”
“You don’t need to read it,” Jason said. “I’m just moving things around. I’ll give you the gist.”
“I still need to read it. Let’s email it to Rupert, and he can take a look—then I’ll sign later. How’s that?”
“Forget it.” Jason sounded furious.
He didn’t explain—but I had no need of an explanation. Even from several feet away, through solid oak, I knew exactly what he was up to. I could tell by his hesitation and the change in his voice that the mere mention of her lawyer’s name had put him off. Jason realized that his little scheme, whatever it was, wasn’t going to work.
“It’s fine. It doesn’t matter. It can wait.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yeah. No worries. I’m going to have a shower.”
At that, I slipped away from the door. I could imagine what happened next.
I imagined Jason going into the bathroom—and the moment he was alone, his smiling mask falling from his face. He stared at himself in the mirror. There was desperation in his eyes. Was it a mistake, he wondered, talking to Lana like that? Had he aroused her suspicions?
He should have waited until she’d had a few drinks—then slid the papers in front of her and got her to sign them. Yes, in fact, that might still work.
Later on, after dinner, he’d try again—when she was more relaxed. He had to keep refilling her glass. Be extra nice to her. And knowing Lana, she might have a change of heart and suggest signing the papers herself—to please him. That was just the kind of thing she might do.
Yes—it might all still work out. Breathe, Jason told himself, breathe and stay calm.
Jason turned on the shower. The water was too hot and it lashed against his face, his skin, burning him.
What a relief—to feel that pain, a welcome distraction from all his thinking … from everything that he had to do … everything that lay ahead.
He closed his eyes and burned.
11
A little while later, Kate wandered into the kitchen. She was out of breath, and a little high. She hoped the others wouldn’t notice.
Perching on a stool, she watched Lana and Agathi prepare dinner. Lana was making a green salad with the spicy green rocket leaves that grew plentifully all over the island. Agathi showed Lana the plate of sea bream she had cleaned.
“I think three’s enough, don’t you?”
Lana nodded. “Three’s plenty.”
Kate reached for a bottle of wine and poured a glass for her and Lana.
They were soon joined by Leo, fresh from the shower. He looked flushed, and his hair was wet, dripping onto his T-shirt.
Leo was seventeen now, almost eighteen. He looked like a younger male version of Lana—like a young Greek god. The teenage son of Aphrodite—what was his name?—Eros. He looked as Eros must have looked. Blond hair, blue eyes, athletic and lean. And a gentle soul, too, like his mother.
Lana glanced at him. “Darling, dry your hair. You’ll catch cold.”
“It’ll dry in a second. There’s like zero humidity outside. Do you need any help?”
“Can you set the table?”
“Where are we eating? In or out?”
“How about outside? Thank you.”
Kate watched Leo with approval. “Aren’t you gorgeous, Leo. When did you get so handsome? Fancy some wine?”
Leo shook his head as he collected place mats and napkins. “I don’t drink.”
“Come on, then, sit down, spill the beans.” Kate patted the stool next to hers and beckoned him over. “Who’s the lucky girl? What’s her name?”
“Who?”
“Your girlfriend.”
“I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“But you must be seeing someone. Go on … tell us. What’s her name?”
Leo looked mortified, muttered something unintelligible, and hurried out of the kitchen.
“What’s wrong?” Kate turned to Lana, mystified. “Don’t tell me he’s single? He can’t be. He’s gorgeous.”
“So you said.”
“Well, he is. Should be shagging away like mad, at his age. What’s wrong with him? Do you worry he’s a bit…?” Kate trailed off and gave Lana a meaningful look. “You know.”
“No.” Lana gave her a quizzical smile. “What?”
“I don’t know … attached—”
“Attached? To whom?”
“To whom?” Kate laughed. “To you, my love.”
“Me?” Lana looked genuinely surprised. “I don’t think Leo’s particularly attached to me.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Lana, Leo is besotted with you. He always has been.”
Lana brushed this aside. “If he is, he’ll grow out of it. I’ll be sorry when he does.”
“Do you think he might be gay?”
Lana shrugged. “I have no idea, Kate. What if he is?”
“Maybe I should ask him.” Kate smiled and poured herself another glass, warming to the idea. “In a ‘big sister’ kind of way—you know? I’ll talk to him for you.”
Lana shook her head. “Please don’t.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t think you’re the big-sister type.”
Kate considered this. “No, I don’t think I am either.”
They both laughed.
“What’s so funny?” I said as I walked into the kitchen.
“Never mind,” said Kate, still laughing. She raised her glass to Lana. “Cheers.”
* * *
There was a lot of laughter that night. We were a merry bunch—you’d never guess it was the last time we would be together like this.
What could possibly happen in the space of a few hours, you might ask, what could go so badly wrong as to end in murder?