And Hereby Hangs a Tale of Murder

By Harry Harris

The year was 1920 and the Great War was over, yet the devastated people in Europe were still struggling to get their lives back to normal again including the Greeks. One of those Greek hapless people was a scoundrel who took advantage of everyone he met. His name was George Hurrasakis, and his avarice for money was unbelievable. He married Christina Christodulos, an attractive, young Greek girl for her dowry and then immigrated to the United States where his evil, ne’er-do-well ways, had a horrible effect on two families: One, a black lawyer’s family that lived in Roanoke, Virginia, and another, which concerned a Jew who had emigrated to the U.S. from Germany and made his home in Roanoke as well. Nevertheless, as Fate would have it, he paid for his greed and for the intolerable way he treated people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harry Harris
• Release date: May 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310742781

Book preview

AND

HEREBY HANGS A TALE OF

MURDER

By Harry Harris

Copyright 2015 Harry Harris

Published by HERCULES-APOLLO MYSTERIES

at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

#Prologue

#Chapter1

#Chapter2

#Chapter3

#Chapter4

#Chapter5

#Chapter6

#Chapter7

#Chapter8

#Chapter9

#Chapter10

#Chapter11

#Chapter12

#Chapter13

#Chapter14

#Chapter15

#Chapter16

#Chapter17

#Chapter18

#Chapter19

#AboutAuthor

#otherbooks

Prologue

‘Do not trust the horse, Trojans.

Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks

Even when they bring gifts.’

Virgil (70-19 B.C.)

The year was 1920. The Great War was over. Peace had been declared two years before, yet the devastated people in Europe were still struggling to get their lives back to normal again. The people in Greece were no different.

Be that as it may, one of those Greek hapless people was a scoundrel who took advantage of everyone he met. His name was George Hurrasakis, and his avarice for money was unbelievable for his dream was to open a fanciful restaurant in American. He married Christina Christodulos, an attractive, young Greek girl for her dowry, which was the house her parents lived in, which rendered them homeless. Taking his resentful wife with him, they immigrated to the United States where his evil, ne’er-do-well ways, had a horrible effect on two families: One, a black lawyer’s family that lived in Roanoke, Virginia, and another, which concerned a Jew who had emigrated to the U.S. from Germany and made his home in Roanoke as well. Nevertheless, as Fate would have it, he paid for his greed and for the intolerable way he treated people when he accidentally fell killing himself as he attempted to reach the money he had hidden in his restaurant’s walk-in refrigerator. ,

Chapter One

Christina Christodulos was returning to Giannina, the city in northern Greece where she was born. As she rode in the dilapidated four-in-hand carriage, she was inundated with woeful thoughts of the terrible ordeal that awaited her there, and it made her feel wretched for there was no doubt in her mind that the reason she was sent to visit relatives in Thessaloniki was because her parents didn't want her in Giannina while they made arrangements with a marriage broker to find a husband for her.

Getting a husband by dint of a matchmaker was a Greek custom that Christina detested. It was the sort of marriage that she prayed she would never have to endure, but because of the love and respect that she had for her parents, she knew that if such an ordeal did befall her she would not rebel against it. However, when she thought about being wed under such deplorable circumstances, and she thought about it often, she would pray: ‘Dear God, just make him a decent man; that’s all I ask,’ and then she would cross herself.

Thinking of being married to a stranger, someone she knew nothing about, made Christina nauseous. Also, the uncomfortable carriage in which she was riding added to her queasiness. She felt well enough, however, to sympathize with the anxieties that her traveling companions were harboring for the unpaved mountainous roads were hazardous and there was also the fear, which wasn't unfounded, of highwaymen stopping the carriage and ravishing the female passengers.

Several times during the journey Christina reprimanded herself for not accepting her uncle's offer: He suggested that she take the converted motorized army bus to Giannina, but she opted for the horse-drawn carriage because it was cheaper. Her uncle, although as destitute as her parents, had been generous to a fault during her visit in Thessaloniki and she hadn't wanted to impose on him further.

As the carriage made its way around the mountain the young woman sitting next to Christina cried, Look! There’s Giannina! And she pointed to the city in the valley below them. The city, as if sensing it was being discussed, spread itself out majestically in front of them. However, the houses at that distance appeared ridiculously small with dark, irregular patches of land between them and not at all attractive, but to Christina it looked like Paradise.

The women in the carriage turned their heads and twisted their bodies to get a better look at the city, but the only male passenger on the journey didn't budge; he just continued to leer at Christina as he had during most of the trip. When the excitement was over the man said, nonchalantly, I take it that was Giannina?

Christina answered only because no one else did. 'Yes," she said simply and then she lowered her eyes.

A few minutes later the man asked Christina, Do you live in Giannina?

Christina didn't answer; she merely looked at the man a moment and then lowered her eyes again. At the same time admonishing herself not to speak to the man; the Greek tradition forbidding it. Christina knew that if she didn't abide by the Greek mores, regardless how preposterous some of them seemed to her, she would be ostracized by her compatriots and wouldn't be considered eligible for marriage, regardless of the size of her dowry.

Thinking of her dowry made Christina smile wistfully. She knew that it didn't amount to very much and she wondered whom it would attract, if anyone. She was grateful that it wouldn't be the man in front of her for she disliked him the moment he boarded the carriage. She sat facing him the entire trip and found him repulsive, his mouth especially offensive to her: The man had exceptionally thick ugly lips which he kept moistened by constantly running his tongue over them; the habit repugnant to Christina. 'I pity the poor girl who wakes up in the morning facing that mouth of his,’ she said to herself and the thought no sooner crossed her mind than the carriage jerked forward thrusting the man practically onto her lap. I'm sorry, the man said, but his smile contradicted his apology.

Nevertheless, it wasn't the first time that they were thrown together during the trip, and every time it happened it was obvious that the man found pleasure in it. Once, during the rough journey, the man steadied himself on Christina's knee, which brought a feeble Sorry from him but raised eyebrows from the female passengers. Christina, of course, said nothing but prayed that it wouldn't happen again. She wished, however, that the man had been more attractive; not that she would have spoken to him but she felt it would have made the trip a bit more tolerable. Regardless of her mother's preaching that appearances were not important, especially not in men, she realized during the trip that they were, at least to her.

Christina would have liked to have stretched her legs, as she was certain the other women would have enjoyed doing as well, but when she saw the man run his tongue over his thick ugly lips as he ogled her, she knew it was best to wait until she was home.

The carriage raced into Giannina; the trip was finally over, and everyone was elated that they had reached their lovely city without any serious mishap. Even the horses showed their pleasure by urinating in front of the crowd that had gathered at the station. Christina would have been in ecstasy had it not been for the marriage situation that she believed awaited her. Regardless, she was overjoyed to once again be reunited with her parents and that she was back in Giannina in time to celebrate her 25th birthday with them.

Christina knew that her parents would be at the station to meet her; however, when they met her, their aloofness was puzzling. Also, she was surprised to see that they were dressed in their Sunday best. Hello, Mama, hello, Papa, Christina cried as she greeted her parents with hugs and kisses, but as she embraced her father she noticed that he was more interested in looking around at the people in the station than in greeting her.

How was the journey? her mother said but she didn't look at Christina but at her husband who had left them and was wandering nervously about the station.

Aren’t you happy to see me, Mama? Christina said, chiding her mother playfully. Hugging her mother again, she added, It's so good to be back with you and Papa again; I missed you so much!

Of course, I'm happy to see you, Christina's mother said, more than you can imagine! And I thank the good Lord that you made the trip safely!

The coachman joined Christina and her mother at that moment and dropped a cloth valise at their feet. Here's your luggage, he said, but I think that there's something broken inside it; I'm sorry. And then with a shrug of his shoulders, he left.

It wasn't necessary for Christina to look into her valise to know what had broken; she could smell it, it was the wine. She surmised that the rough ride had jarred the top of the wine's leather vessel loose. "Darn!’' she said. She would have said more but for the people around her. She knew her dresses were ruined but what mattered most to her was the loss of the wine. It was a gift from her uncle. She knew her parents would be disappointed, especially her father.

Christina no sooner thought of her father than he was at her side again. You two go home, he said nervously. I'll join you later. Then he left quickly.

Christina noticed that a tacit understanding passed between her parents but she didn't comment on it. She watched her father walk away and kept him in sight until he was lost in the crowd. Consequently, Christina picked up her valise and she and her mother left the station without saying another word to one another.

There was no doubt in Christina's mind that her parent's strange and reserved reception at the station had to do with her forthcoming marriage. She didn't need a sixth sense to know that the 'Proxennia', the offer for her hand in marriage, had been made and that the man had accepted. She wondered who the man was and what her parents agreed to give him as a dowry for she knew that her parents were indigent and that all they owned was the little house they lived in. Those thoughts burned into Christina's psyche and, as she and her mother walked home, she cursed herself for being a woman, a woman born in Greece. ---------------

A birthday party for Christina was held two days later. It was an intimate affair with only three of her closest friends present. Christina's mother did everything she could to please her that evening. She didn't know what the Fates had in store for her daughter but she had the strangest feeling, a premonition, that the birthday party they were enjoying would be the last celebration between them.

Are you happy, Christina? her mother said. She asked her the same question before dinner and after every course she served her that evening, and Christina always answered, Yes! Of course I'm happy, Mama! Why? Shouldn't I be?

After dinner Christina's father proposed a toast. He raised his glass high in the air and said, Here's to you my darling daughter. May your every wish become a reality! May the man you marry treat you well! And may your children bring you great happiness! Her father wanted to say more, something humorous, something to liven up the party and his own spirits, but he became emotional and abruptly he sat down.

Katina, one of the three girls invited to the party and Christina's dearest friend, said, All right now, no more delays, no more excuses; it's time you told us! You promised! Katina was referring to Christina's visit to a Gypsy soothsayer in Thessaloniki. When Christina returned to Giannina she regaled her friends with fabulous stories of her trip to Thessaloniki. Unfortunately, most of what she told them was fabricated. She wished she could have told them of a romantic escapade with a handsome young lover, which she knew was what her friends hoped to hear. Perhaps, had it been some other time, she might have accommodated them with a little white lie or two. But since she assumed that her parents had already found a husband for her, she thought better of the idea. However, Christina did tell them about the fortune teller that she saw in Thessaloniki:

The story about the Gypsy prophet that she saw was true. Christina, superstitious and eager to know something about her future, went to see a Gypsy mystic while she was in Thessaloniki. He told her that if she wanted to know whom she was to marry, which is what she desperately wanted to know, she would have to do exactly as he directed. The Gypsy instructed her to get a teaspoonful of flour and one of salt from a household where the husband's name was John and the wife's Mary, -- bringing in religious overtones -- and she was to mix the ingredients with a little water, making a little biscuit of the mixture and then bake it; then she was to return with it to the Gypsy prophet.

Christina did exactly as she was told. When she returned with the biscuit, the Gypsy, holding the salty morsel in both hands, moved it slowly over her head, and after muttering a few words, which Christina didn’t understand, he returned the biscuit to her with instructions that she was to eat it before going to bed that evening. The biscuit, he said, would be extremely salty and would make her very thirsty and the person in her dream who gave her water to quench her thirst would be the man that she would marry.

Christina's friends were fascinated by the story and they were anxious to know who in the dream gave her the water.

I found myself near the lake, Christina said, and Michael and Thomas were with me. The mention of the two men made her friends giggle; they knew Christina was attracted to them. Actually, Christina hardly knew them. She had met them at one of the church dances, and although they had been formally introduced to her, they never asked her to dance. Nevertheless, she found them both attractive and always regaled her friends with made-up stories about them.

I asked Thomas for a little water telling him that 1 was very thirsty and 1 handed him a glass. Thomas took the glass and said he would be pleased to get water for me but he disappeared from the dream and 1 didn't see him again. Her friend’s moans made Christina smile but she didn't digress. Then 1 handed Michael a glass and he also tried to get water for me but he didn't succeed either. Every time he dipped the glass into the lake to get water, it slipped out of his hands. When I saw him return without the water I started to cry and I ran off into the forest.

What forest? Anna, one of the other girls at the party, said. We don't have a forest here in Giannina.

She means the local park! Katina said, which made them all laugh again.

Hush! Christina said. Let me finish telling you about my dream! I ran off into the forest and I got lost. I didn't have any idea where I was. I tried to find my way home but I couldn't. I got tired and sat down. As I did, I realized that I was sitting on a flat gravestone and when I looked at it closely I saw that it had the name, George, in large letters engraved on it. I looked around at my surroundings and I saw that I was in a cemetery and that all the monuments about me were black. It frightened me and my mouth felt very dry. Just when I wondered where I could get a little water I heard a man behind me speak to me in English. I didn't understand what he said but he called me, Baby. Anyway, I turned quickly to see who it was, and, I guess because I was sitting on the flat gravestone, the first thing I saw was a pair of very pointed, highly polished shoes. The shoes had tiny holes all over them. I never saw shoes like that before and they fascinated me.

For God’s sake, Katina pleaded, don’t keep us hanging like that. Forget the shoes! Tell us who handed you the water!

I looked at the shoes a long time, Christina said, ignoring Katina, and then she added, and as I slowly glanced upward I saw that the man was wearing dark gray trousers and had on a long black coat with a dark fur collar on it. His head, however, was tilted backwards and he was laughing, and from where I was sitting the only feature I saw on his face was his mouth, an unattractive mouth with thick bright red ugly lips. That's all I saw of his face, honest! The man continued to laugh, and then he spoke to me again, again calling me, Baby. And then he handed me a glass of water. I took the water and I drank it. And then I woke up.

Christina's friends were disappointed. They complained good-naturedly that they had been lured into listening to a story Christina had evidently concocted and they playfully reprimanded her for toying with them. The least you could have done, they said, was describe what the man looked like even if you had to make him up.

Christina, however, swore that the story she told them was exactly as she saw it in her dream. Her friends refused to believe her and teased her about it during the rest of the evening. Christina's mother, however, was visibly upset by her daughter's story and after a feeble excuse left the room. Her father also appeared upset by it and he left the room a few minutes later without an excuse.

Christina and her friends enjoyed the rest of the evening in mundane, albeit spirited conversation, and, as was the local custom at such events, Christina opened her birthday gifts at the end of the evening and thanked her guests. The blouse, gloves, and scarf she received were placed neatly into her matrimonial chest and they wouldn't be worn until after she was married, whenever that was to be. The girls then wished her luck and, after singing 'Happy Birthday' to her several times, the celebration for Christina's twenty-fifth birthday came to an end.

Neither Christina nor her friends knew then that in two week's time she would be married to an unattractive man called George; a man with a large repulsive mouth; a mouth similar to the one that she saw in her dream.

Chapter Two

Christina was in her bedroom when she heard the doorbell and it surprised her; she hadn't heard the doorbell ring in years. Her friends never used it, they either knocked on the door or called out, so when Christina heard it she wondered who the stranger was. When Christina went to answer it she found that a man had already been ushered into the house by her father; however, she was puzzled by her father's inordinate politeness toward the caller. The stranger's back was to Christina when she entered the room but the visitor, sensing someone behind him, suddenly turned and faced her. Christina was shocked; the visitor was her fellow passenger, the man who sat opposite her on their trip from Thessaloniki; the unattractive man with the loathsome manners and the repulsive mouth. Christina fought to overcome the antipathy she felt toward the man as her father introduced them. Christina, her father said, with a formality that disturbed her, it is my esteem pleasure to introduce you to Mr. George Hurrasakis. Turning to the man, he said, Mr. Hurrasakis, this is my beloved daughter, Christina Cristodoulos.

Running his tongue slowly over his thick lips and smiling complacently, George Hurrasakis said, It's an unbelievable pleasure, Miss Cristodoulos.

How do you do, Christina said, her voice hardly audible. She knew immediately why her father was being so unnaturally formal. 'My God!' she thought, 'he's the man they've arranged for me to marry!' She quickly left the room without uttering another word. She felt it was best to die in her bedroom, alone, and not make a scene in front of her father.

Moments later, Christina's mother entered the living room and she, too, was formally introduced. An awkward silence ensued, for none of the protagonists knew how to cope with the matrimonial drama unfolding before them. Finally, George Hurrasakis said, Mr. Cristodoulos, I understand from our mutual friends, the Markases who arranged our meeting, that you are in complete agreement to the terms of the dowry.

Yes, Mr. Cristodoulos said quietly.

Then there is nothing for us to discuss, unless you have a question or two you'd like to ask me. And he ran his tongue over his lips.

I'd like to know, Mr. Cristodoulos said softly, if you intend to make this house… Christina's dowry...your home with our daughter?

George Hurrasakis smiled expansively, and as he strutted around the living room, he said, No, I've decided to sell this property once it's mine. Your daughter and I will then leave for the United States. After a calculated pause, he added, I trust you've made arrangements to move; if you haven't I suggest you do so as soon as possible.

My wife and I will move in with my brother and his family in Thessaloniki,

Mr. Cristodoulos said. And then looking pensively around the room, he added sadly, I was hoping you and my daughter could spend a little time here, make it your home for awhile. It's a comfortable little house and it's been in the family for many generations. So we were hoping…

I understand how you feel and I respect your sentiments, George Hurrasakis said, but America is the country for your daughter! The war is over and from what I hear President Wilson is making the United States stronger and richer than ever. I'm told there's gold in the streets there just waiting to be picked up! Take it from me, Mr. Cristodoulos, your daughter will live like a princess in America!

George Hurrasakis' sentiments pacified Mr. Cristodoulos somewhat. He turned to his wife and said, Yes, Christina will live like a princess in America. Like a princess! ---------------------

Two weeks later Christina Cristodoulos and George Hurrasakis were married. They took their vows in the little church by the lake. The Greek Orthodox wedding took almost three hours; Christina wished it would have taken forever for she dreaded what was to follow. After the ceremony George and Christina walked, arm-in-arm to a little tavern on the outskirts of the city where their wedding reception was being held. Several musicians walked in front of them playing perennial wedding favorites and Christina's parents and a few cherished friends walked behind them. As they passed the people on the road, George Hurrasakis acknowledged their felicitations vociferously, but Christina didn't utter a sound; she kept her head bowed and her eyes glued to the ground and thought of nothing but the Grim Reaper. It was her husband's hand, cunningly pressing against her breast that prompted the grievous thought.

Everyone at the wedding reception enjoyed themselves immensely and tripped the light fantastic until dawn, but George, after dancing with Christina a few times, insisted on leaving early. Christina wanted to stay a little longer but her husband forbade it. We're going home where I can put a smile on your face! He said smugly. Christina wanted to shout that she didn't want to go home with him, ever! But she stoically accepted what she considered was her lot in life and obeyed. ---------------------

Christina and her parents didn't waste any time packing for their trip; she for America and her parents for their move to Thessaloniki. They knew that once the house was his George would sell it quickly.

Take this with you too, Christina's mother said, and handed Christina a long white satin dress. I don't think I'll have any further use for it' When she saw Christina shaking her head no, she added firmly, Please, Christina, I want you to have it.

Christina didn't want to take anything from her parents; she knew that they would need everything they could carry. Although she was aware that her uncle was a very generous man who would do anything for her father, she couldn't fathom how the two families could possibly live together. Her uncle's humble little cottage was hardly big enough for one family let alone two.

Christina tried not to think of the oppressive burden that her marriage had forced upon her parents, and when she couldn’t control the negative thoughts that were running through her mind, she felt hatred in her heart for some of the Greek mores, especially the abominable match-marriage and the equally loathsome dowry. The more she thought of those offensive customs the more repulsion she harbored toward her husband. She couldn't look George in the eye for fear the aversion she felt toward him would become evident. With those bitter thoughts racing through her mind, Christina accepted the white satin dress from her mother. Just as she was about to place it into her suitcase she was startled by her husband and an elderly couple that blatantly burst into the bedroom.

And this is the other bedroom, George said. He was showing the house to prospective buyers and he was completely oblivious to the embarrassing situation that he had placed Christina and her mother. However, Christina didn't say a word. In the few weeks she was married to George she discovered how obtuse and inconsiderate he was.

Unlike George, however, Mr. and Mrs. Milnosonis, who were examining the house, realized they had burst into the bedroom at an inopportune moment and they were very apologetic. We're sorry, they said. We came to inspect the property and we didn't realize anyone was in the house.

I understand, Mrs. Cristodoulos said simply, and after an awkward pause, she added, It's a lovely little house; I'm sure you'll be as happy here as we were.

Trying to soothe the situation, Mr. Milnosonis said, "We were informed by

Mr. Hurrasakis that he will leave for the United States once the house is sold. I'm certain my son, who sent us the money to buy your lovely home, will be pleased to hear that his money is returning to America where he will have another opportunity to get it back!"

When George heard Mr. Milnosonis had a son in America, he immediately became curious. What's your son's name? he said anxiously.

John Milnosonis. But you know...everything in America is quick, quick. So my son shortened his name to make it sound quick too. Now he's called John Milnos. Unfortunately, his name no longer has that beautiful Greek ring to it, but it's quick and easy to remember and that's what they like in America.

As Mrs. Milnosonis casually walked around the bedroom inspecting it,

Mr. Milnosonis said, My son owns a fashionable restaurant in the best neighborhood in New York City. In an area called Harlem where he said only the best people dine.

George immediately took out a small notebook and jotted down the information. He felt that knowing someone who owned a fine restaurant in an exclusive neighborhood in New York City would be of tremendous help to him when he arrived in the United States. I'll be very happy to visit your son when I get to America, George said, and it will be a pleasure to tell him that you are both well and happy. And then smiling priggishly, he added, And also to inform him that it was my house his parents purchased.

When George referred to the house as his, Christina felt sick and left the room without saying a word. Only her mother knew what brought about her sudden nausea.

Thank you, Mr. Hurrasakis; we will write to our son and tell him to expect you. Nodding good-bye to Mrs. Cristodoulos, the couple left to examine the other parts of the