Memories of Midnight

chapter Twenty-six
I'm placing you under arrest for the murder of your wife.

After that, everything seemed to happen in slow motion. He was booked, and fingerprinted again. He had his picture taken, and was placed in a prison cell. It was unbelievable that they would dare do this to him.

"Get me Peter Demonides. Tell him I want to see him right now."

"Mr. Demonides has been relieved of his duties. He's under investigation."

So there was no one to turn to. I'll get out of this, he thought. I'm Constantin Demiris.

He sent for the special prosecutor.

Delma arrived at the prison one hour later. "You asked to see me?"

"Yes," Demiris said. "I understand you've established the time of my wife's death at three o'clock."

"That is correct."

"Then before you embarrass yourself and the police department any further, I can prove that I was nowhere near the beach house at that hour yesterday."

"You can prove that?"

"Of course. I have a witness."

They were seated in the police commissioner's office when Spyros Lambrou arrived. Demiris's face lit up when he saw him.

"Spyros, thank God you're here! These idiots think I murdered Melina. You know I couldn't have. Tell them."

Spyros Lambrou frowned. "Tell them what?"

"Melina was killed at three o'clock yesterday afternoon. You and I were together at Acrocorinth at three o'clock. I couldn't have driven back to the beach house before seven. Tell them about our meeting."

Spyros Lambrou was staring at him. "What meeting?"

The blood began to drain from Demiris's face. "The...the meeting you and I had yesterday. At the lodge at Acrocorinth."

"You must be confused, Costa. I was out driving alone yesterday afternoon. I'm not going to lie for you."

Constantin Demiris's face filled with rage. "You can't do this!" He grabbed the lapels of Lambrou's jacket. "Tell them the truth."

Spyros Lambrou pushed him away. "The truth is that my sister is dead and you murdered her."

"Liar!" Demiris screamed. "Liar!" He started toward Lambrou again and it took two policemen to restrain him.

"You son of a bitch. You know I'm innocent!"

"The judges will decide that. I think you need a good lawyer."

And Constantin Demiris realized that there was only one man who could have saved him.

Napoleon Chotas.