“No,” roared Sethi. “Don’t believe these people.”
The blonde man held up the palm of one hand. “What’s going on here, Lieutenant Georgiades?”
“It’s a joint effort between the Hellenic and British police forces,” Sister Dawn told him. “We’ve been watching this group, under suspicion of transporting narcotics, for months now. They’re keeping stores of weapons and narcotics on the island. A number of the monks were involved in their operation. Unfortunately, we lost two other members of our special unit this morning.”
“I’m sorry to hear it. We had reports of an explosion—” started Commander Liourdis.
Sister Dawn gave a quick nod. “Upon our arrival just before daybreak, they detonated a naval mine—attempting to destroy an extensive array of evidence. A World War Two mine if you can believe it.”
He nodded and then glanced at Brother Sage and Harrington with interest. “Who are these people?”
“Sergeant Harrington Green and an American businessman named James Lundquist,” answered Sister Dawn.
“I came in search of my runaway stepdaughter,” answered Brother Sage. “I’ve been cooperating with the police for weeks now. This is Kara, over here, with her mother, Constance. Constance was involved with the murder of a British investigator who was assisting in this investigation. I’m afraid my wife got mixed up with the wrong people.”
“Tell them the truth, James,” cried Constance. “Look at us. Do we look like drug smugglers?”
The commander didn’t answer, instead keeping his eye on Sister Dawn. “Who were the people shooting at us?”
“A small number of the same group,” answered Sister Dawn. “My task force has them rounded up now. Thanks for your intervention. It was well timed. We weren’t expecting the explosion of a naval mine—who would? But we now have this operation back under control.”
“I have files of information to show you, Commander,” said Jennifer. “I’d welcome the chance to hand it all over to you.”
“I’m afraid the commander isn’t interested in your subterfuge,” said Sister Dawn. “He’s able to check into your backgrounds via Interpol. Drugs, prostitution, armed robbery, fraud. This woman here—Jennifer Bloom—uses an art business as a front while she engages in combat training and buys up stores of weapons. And this woman here”—she pointed directly at me—“is the infamous Evie Harlow. A prostitute who faked her own death and then travelled overseas on a fake passport. A week later, her pimp husband joined her. Both of them abandoning their two small children.”
My lip trembled. “I didn’t abandon them.”
“That woman is the one telling you lies,” Gray told the commander. “Take us with you. We’ll explain how everything happened the way it did and why.”
Sister Dawn stepped forward, shaking her head. “This sting is under the jurisdiction of the British and Hellenic Police forces, Mr Harlow. Commander Liourdis is well aware of that.”
Sethi and Jennifer exchanged worried glances.
I knew exactly what they were thinking. The same revolutions were happening in my own mind. We couldn’t tell the truth. It was too bizarre and shocking to be believed.
Raw fear turned to raw adrenaline inside me. Talking was only making this worse for us. The Saviours needed the coast guard gone. They needed time to clean up their island and remove the lingering evidence.
The coast guard could leave without us.
I tugged my hand away from Gray’s and crossed halfway to the guards.
“Evie!” Gray urged me back.
“Stop, or I’ll shoot!” called Sister Dawn.
Ignoring her, I faced the commander, my heart jumping into my throat. “We’re unarmed citizens. We came here because we were duped by corrupt people. We need rescue. I know you rescue people all the time. Some of us are seriously hurt. We need medical attention. They have no medical supplies. Please. We’re willing to cooperate with you.”
Commander Liourdis’s gaze switched from me to Sister Dawn. “You are outnumbered. We’re happy to assist your efforts and escort these people to the Greek mainland.”
Sister Dawn shook her head emphatically. “Commander, we have backup soon arriving at the island. With full medical supplies. We need to process our prisoners and find out additional information. We’ve put too much time and effort into this sting to have its integrity affected at this point.”