Twisted Copper Deadly: Global Twist & Turn Thrillers, #4

By Emmeline August

Amateur sleuth Mina books a family honeymoon vacation and lands a deadly trip to Egypt, Albania and Greece instead.  She and Hanover, Ezzie, Lu and daughter Bella follow baffling clues on a trek to murder.  They unravel the explosive puzzle when it's way too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emmeline August
• Release date: Nov 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798988216520

Emmeline August

Emmeline August graduated from Oregon State University in Technical Journalism in 1990.  She enjoys Salsa and Ballroom dancing and traveling to exotic locales.  She resides in San Diego, California.

Book preview

Chapter One

Tony, it’s me.  Can you check the news for explosions at the Thessaloniki waterfront?  Bella is showing her paintings at a Greek art festival.  I was talking to her; boom there was an explosion – bystanders bloodied.   She dropped the line.  That was four hours ago and I haven’t heard back.

Calm down - let me check the satellite feed.  Tony Georges was my ex-husband.  He owned an oilfield-service business located in Aktau, Kazakhstan.  We got on great now that we were divorced. 

"Okay, here’s the news – reports of an explosion near White Tower along the waterfront promenade.  Looks like the bomber missed the target which was the tower, but the explosion flipped art-festival attendees over the seawall.  Rescues . . .  proceed as we speak - dead bodies; but many retrieved alive and swimming and still being pulled out.  The seas are rough today . . .  fishing boats assisting."

Bella panicked when the crowd stampeded.  That’s when I lost her.  Since she didn’t get flipped into the sea, she must be OK.

I’ll try her on my backup line.  Hey, Bella, are you okay?  Mina’s worried sick about you.  Explosions in Greece are rare – any idea who’s behind this?  When do you return to Tirana?  Cut the damned Art Festival short."

"Tomorrow – Dad, I ripped off my scarf and tied it around a girl’s leg.  She was gouged by flying rocks.  I dragged her to my hotel.  I’m staying at the Palace Arts.  An ambulance came.  I grabbed my easel and hightailed it off the main drag with her - full of people attending the art show.  She’s okay.  Thankfully, I sold the last of my paintings this morning.  I have a flight booked at 6 am tomorrow returning to Tirana."  Bella was babbling.

I have no idea who could do such a thing.  It ruined the back end of the show.  Raimond was at his waterfront hotel when the bomb exploded and shattered a window.  He told the artists to pack up and leave.  He’ll refund part of the fees.  He’s not taking any chances.

Who’s Raimond?

My boyfriend, Dad.  He’s so cute, but enterprising like you.  He promotes art shows, computer shows and oilfield-service shows.  You’ll like him, she said hopefully.

I doubt it, but I’ll give him a chance if you stay with him long enough for us to meet.  Tony said sourly.

I’ll let you guys know if I hear anything more – love you.  The sat phone crackled, quieting.

Thanks, Tony, I owe you one.  I was in panic mode.  You know me, I like to have full control over Bella which is rare now that she’s grown and a full-pitched artist.

"Well, you raised her to be independent.  I’ve got to take off.  We have a new roustabout named Hardy who’s causing trouble on the Rig.  I can’t let him muck things up, so off to the Helipad.  Love you and talk soon, OK?"

Love you, too, I said to a cold phone. 

Neither Tony nor I had ever liked any of Bella’s boyfriends.  She had one who was a New York cabbie.  He was the best with lots of jokes.  The last one, Dar, was way older according to the pictures she sent.  I was glad when she said they didn’t have much in common.  He was rich, but liked to golf all day and sit evenings at a local betting bar.  He had five kids and two ex-wives – fooey.

Hopefully, Raimond would be a winner.  He was probably grieving about his mom dying at the hands of terrorists.  Morocco was a beautiful country, but it had problems.  Cape Town had problems, too, but was gorgeous; perched over the water reminding me of San Diego. 

Tony and I spent a few days in Cape Town, South Africa years back.  It was easy to spend money.  We were fighting at the time over nothing, so I bought a diamond pin.  This pissed him off royally which was the whole point of buying such an expensive item, if I remembered correctly. 

I never liked fighting, so when Tony created a fight, I rebelled.  After we divorced, things smoothed out.  He attracted women with his muscled build and tough-talking manner from working the oilrigs.  He liked to date around.  Women latched on easily and being single suited him.  His attraction to the opposite sex caused our divorce.  Outside of that, he was a great guy.  He took super care of Bella and me.  We were officers in his company.  He liked to buy the odd bit of property here and there and always put title into our three names.  He said he didn’t want to marry again – not his cup of romantic poison.

Chapter Two

My latest book was overdue.  I was working on it when an e-mail popped into the queue.  It was from Bella, so I stopped working and read it.

Hi Mom, Guess what?  The police suspect the bomber was an artist attending the show in Thessaloniki, but they won’t divulge details.  Raimond thinks the bomber is a Greek crazy.  Rai’s been questioned twice.  According to the Greek police, the bomber’s from Tirana.  Supposedly Turkish or Syrian, but that doesn’t mean much because Albania has a mixed bag of ethnicities. 

I guess our group isn’t so innocent, but most artists I know work other jobs because their artwork doesn’t sell.  They don’t have time to blow things up.  The Greek police can’t find a political motive for placing a bomb in a historic tower in Thessaloniki.  They lack leads because no threats were received before or after the incident.  Can’t wait to see you guys.  I’ll show you around.  Love, Me

Hi to You, - Your group has a bomber in its midst?  This is not great.  I hope they find him or her soon.  Do be careful.  I’m leaving for Astra June 1st.  One week later, Ezzie and Hanover will arrive.  As soon as their 2nd wedding is over, we’ll pile onto the bus and ride to Albania.  They’re planning a honeymoon in Egypt - a trip along the Nile and I’m invited.  Could be fun – I haven’t been to Egypt since Tony lived there.  Ta-Ta, Me

Mom, I’m coming to Egypt, too.  You do need a roommate, don’t you?  It will be too fun.  I’ve never been on a Nile River Cruise.  We could all share their honeymoon! Thinking good thoughts, Me

I would love it!  I’ll let Hanover know so I can book both of us.  Have to get to work, Bye.

Chapter Three

I talked twice with Tony before I left for the tiny town of Astra, Greece situated on the Gulf of Corinth.  We owned a crazy-quilt, rock & roll house in the middle of town which he inherited from his mom Evanthia.  Originally, the house was a mess from standing vacant for 15 years before his mom died.

His mom lived in a cool apartment in Athens and only used the Astra house during the summers.  It disintegrated from disuse when she became sick.  When I opened the house in Astra after Evanthia died, the stairwell was caved in from an earthquake.  The cooking area was open and fired by coal.  Every room was closed off with sets of doors which gave me claustrophobia.

However, like a fool, I saw possibilities.  I told Tony I would fix the house in exchange for half ownership.  He agreed.  Tony knew a friend-contractor in town who owned the Hotel Astra, so we discussed improvements to the house.  I told him I wanted the doors removed from the living room and the mud room at the entrance; and the kitchen and bath remodeled.  It started as a two-bedroom, one bath house.

While exploring the collapsed staircase to the roof, we found a terrace in fairly good shape which overlooked the town.  There was a tiny room beneath the eaves of the roof.  I personally thought it had no possibilities, but when the Architect saw it, he had ideas.  He added a bracing log across the entire room.  He said I could tuck a finished suite up there. 

The room certainly didn’t sound appealing with spider webs dangling.  Eventually I saw the light, and now we have a tiny studio complete with full bath and kitchen area next to the refurbished roof patio.  The layout afforded just enough room for an extra-long twin bed.  The walls and floor are tough Greek wood and the bath sports glossy powder-blue tile.  A Greek gem named Altuna expertly laid the tiles in contrasting colors and trim. 

After adding the studio and another bath, Tony, Bella and I now have a three- bedroom, three-bath house which lollygags over a full-house dirt basement still full of creepy spiders and a sealed, also creepy, well from before the city laid water pipes.

I love the terrace upstairs.  The breeze is always blowing with smells of Greek cooking wafting.  One neighbor named Petulia bakes Greek cakes with honey syrup – Yum-Yum.  We are friends.

Chapter Four

I had a decent flight – Lufthansa is the best airline out of San Diego as far as I’m concerned.  Required to wear masks on the plane.  The Pandemic has subsided, but I don’t mind compulsory masking inside planes, trains and trolleys – doesn’t hurt to brace for germs.

Nick picked me up at the airport.  He runs a thriving taxi service to and from Athens Venizelos Airport.  It’s 150 miles to Astra.  The ride is expensive, but door-to-door and nice to see a friendly face waiting at the airport after the 15-hour trip from San Diego.   I hadn’t been to Astra for two years because of the Corona Virus Pandemic.

The house was a mess, even though Chryse had done a great job of cleaning.  The walls needed spackling and painting and the floors the same.  I would get to work tomorrow with the orange oil for any lurking termites and cloves for the mosquitoes and tiny bugs that nested in cupboards. 

Supposedly, baking soda mixed with a bit of sugar worked on roaches.  I was into natural remedies.  The baking-soda concoction was a new one that I found on the Internet, so this would be my first test.

Although I was tired, hunger gnawed.  I took a quick shower.  Hot water soothed my airline-torqued muscles.  I threw on a semi-fresh pair of shorts and Tee from a bedroom drawer full of two-year old clothes; locked the door and walked into the potholed street in front of our house.  I was home. 

I turned left and visited the tiny chapel, saying a prayer for friends who were with me in the present and for those lost during the Pandemic.  My dear friend Tressa whom I knew since childhood and traveled to Astra with me several times – I felt her spirit lingering on the breeze – she was a blessed soul and sorely missed.  Unfortunately, a victim of Covid.

After the prayer, my blood sugar sank - it was time to eat and ward off sadness.  Souvlaki came to mind; a quick, filling Greek version of a sandwich.  I ordered one chicken and one pork skewer.

Grilled meat from the kebabs came nestled inside looped Pita buns sloppy with Zedziki sauce, and garnished with sweet diced tomatoes, lettuce and chopped purple onions - one for tonight and one for breakfast.  Time to fall into bed. 

Chapter Five

Greek time set in.  In a nutshell – Greek Time means time to relax and enjoy and leave worries at the doorstep.  I fell into it like a bowl of vanilla pudding – so soothing and delicious after the stresses of the Pandemic.

I was glad I felt relaxed and ready for trouble because I got bit by a Centipede which burned my arm like crazy for four days.  Turned out there was a nest in a brown armchair.  The chair was tossed before guests arrived and good riddance to the crawlies.  I repainted the wood floor in the living room to discourage further nesting by the buggers.  Yuk!

All the painting and spackling took care of itself.  I only had one week to fix the walls and wash all the bedding and search for lingering Centipedes.  By the end of the week, I was tired, but thrilled with warm breezes wandering through open windows; the fresh paint smell gone, and beds made and no more bugs.  My college grads would be here tomorrow!

Chapter Six

I heard the Mercedes taxi roll to the stoop and opened the front door to see Nick yanking two plump carry-ons from the upraised waxed black trunk.  Hanover who was 6’4" angled out of the front seat.  Ezzie pushed her head up from the back seat where she slept.

Time to get out of that car, Ezz, I said knowing she had jet lag and disorientation after nearly 24 hours travelling.  Her father drove her to Hanover’s condo which would be home until they could save money for a tiny house or a bigger condo.  Prices were high in San Diego, but the real estate market was quiet, so they might find a bargain.  Tony could help them.

Hi, Mina, I’m so glad to be here.  Delayed out of San Diego and missed our connector out of Frankfurt.  Oh well, you got our text – right?  Ezzie looked beat; Hanover grinned.

He reached into his pocket, but Nick said, Catch me on the return trip.  He was impatient to leave.  He had a new baby son named Lefty and five other kids waiting impatiently.  His schedule was tight; he drove off, squealing dirt.

I just want to sleep.  I’m sorry, but I can’t keep my eyes open.  Do you mind if I skip dinner?  I’ll unpack later.  Ezzie unhooked her thick brownish-black curls and headed for the front bedroom; parting the mosquito net; kicking off her red sneakers; and falling into bed with her clothes full on. 

It’s 6 pm and I’m hungry.  We could have an early dinner and stroll around town.  You’ve been here before, so should feel like home, I said

I barely remember it.  Time has passed – finished college and got married.  I’m feeling relaxed already.  Give me a chance to walk upstairs.  I want to see what you did with the studio and then we can head out.  Do I have time for a shower?  I feel pretty grubby. Hanover hung his frame against the wall in the hallway.

Of course, and I’ll go with you to the studio.  You guys will like it.  I led him, winding through the kitchen and up the stairs to the deck.  The awning was open and the directors’ chairs dotted around the blue tile-topped cement patio table.  I turned the key in the lock to the studio and stood back.

Wow, this is cool.  Too bad that bed isn’t bigger – Ezz and I could stay up here – more privacy.  He flopped onto the bed.  His ankles and feet hung over the end.

The bed is only 6’ long, so forget it.  It barely fits you and was an extra-long one.  There’s no way to fit two twin beds in that space.  Besides, it would block the closets.  I thought of it, but chucked the idea as a bad one.

If I lay here long, I’ll go to sleep.  I didn’t realize how tired I was.  We’d better go as soon as I take a shower.  Hanover bent his legs over the end of the bed and stood up nearly grazing the wood-plank ceiling with his sandy hair.  The last time I saw him, his hair had blue streaks – no more.  He was a married man now.

We climbed downstairs on the wrought-iron steps.  I pointed him to the bathroom and he rolled his carry-on inside the door.  I waited in the living room watching Bloomberg.  I had limited TV channels, but no worries – most were in Greek, French or English.  I could muddle through the three languages with the help of pics.

I’m ready.  Let’s go before I drop out and climb into bed with Ezzie.

I keyed the lock shut and we strode down the street with high hearts.  All arrangements had been made for their 2nd Greek wedding to take place on Saturday.  We would leave on Tuesday for Albania.  This would give the grads time to relax and shake off their jet lag before we left on the 12-hour bus ride.

Can we eat at the French place?  I remember it vaguely from the last time I was in Astra.  The shrimp curry was really good.  Hanover looked dead tired. 

Maybe we should try something quicker.  You know the French like to eat a leisurely dinner.  Are you sure you can make it through the evening?  I was worried that he would duck out halfway through the meal.

I can make it.  I’m getting my second wind.  Besides, I’m buying tonight.  You’d better take me up on it before I run out of money.  I’m ravenous and the bread was good, if I remember correctly.  Really, I won’t run out of money.  Dad received a big royalty check for our game Break the Wall.

I’m glad you and your dad are successful.  It’s a struggle when you put extreme effort into a project and it doesn’t work out.  I know because I had a few book-launch flops before I started making money.

Believe me, Dad and I had more than a few flops before we hit it with Yellow Snake River.  Hanover pulled out my chair and we sat at the water’s edge enjoying a clear view of the Gulf of Corinth. 

I think the chopped mint salad sounds good and grilled fish with an apple tart.  What looks good to you, Hon?  I glanced at Hanover and was appalled.  He had black hollows under his green eyes and looked gaunt.  The last time I saw him, he was filled out and well-rested for his wedding at the Greek Church in Santa Barbara.

I’m having a double order of the shrimp curry and a chopped salad with the apple tart.  You’re looking at me like you saw a ghost.  I know I look bad.  Dad and I have been pulling all-nighters to get the bugs out of a revised edition of Snake River.  We found it was a bad idea to revise an older gaming platform with new graphics.  The platform kept freezing up when we made upgrades.  Finally, we gave up and called it good and over.

I hope this 2nd marriage ceremony here and honeymoon in Egypt isn’t too stressful.  Doing things in another country can take extra effort.  I know with the remodeling I’ve done here in Astra.

"No, I’m looking forward to relaxing here, going to Albania to see Bella and flying on to Cairo where we catch the Valley of the Kings tour boat from the Kings Palace.  We’ll have a rockin’ good time."

I know we will, I said.  In retrospect, our statements were way too on target for comfort.

"We’re staying at the Marriott Mena House right next to the Pyramids.  After Sister Lu decided to come, we booked a suite.  She and Bella want to tour the Necropolis and take a camel ride.  We’re also going to tour the Khan el Khalili Bazaar in the middle of Cairo.  You guys can come with."

"No, Ezzie