'Chief Kaldis?' The question came from behind them. He and Yianni turned to face the voice. A couple was standing in another doorway. The man looked much older than the woman.

'Yes, sir, and this is officer Kouros.'

Kouros nodded hello.

'We understand you have a personal matter to discuss with us.'

Andreas drew in a breath. 'Yes, sir, I do.'

'I hope it's not something we should have our lawyer here for.' He was smiling as he said it, but it showed Andreas this man knew his way around police. For if he did need a lawyer, Andreas must tell him now.

'No, sir, absolutely not.'

The man's smile was gone.

'What's wrong? What's happened? Are the children all right?' It was the woman. She was squeezing the man's arm.

Andreas hoped it wouldn't come up this way, so abruptly and directly to the point. But that's how most mothers reacted to police appearing at their homes unexpectedly: had something happened to her children or her husband? And usually in that order.

He must now give these people probably the worst news they'd ever hear. He hoped his voice wouldn't crack. 'Yes, I'm afraid it's about Sotiris.'

'What's happened? Is he all right, did he wreck the car, did he hurt someone, did-' Before she could finish the man cut her off.

'Please, dear, let me handle this.' He looked at Andreas. 'Whatever trouble he's in I'm sure we can work it out. I have a lot of friends.'

Andreas knew how to handle this sort of approach, but not today. No matter how obnoxious or pretentious this guy might be, he would get a free pass on this.

'I'm sure you do, sir, but it's not that sort of situation.'

The man started to say something else, but Andreas put up his hand and said, 'Please.'