The end of November was fast approaching and Richard had enough pieces for an exhibition. He was on the phone to his agent after sending photos of the paintings by courier. Alex dressed for the first time in weeks and wandered into town. It was quiet only a few boats in the harbour. Alex went and bought a ticket to Venice for the sailing in three days. His sweet love affair was drawing to a close, Richard had his mojo back and was planning to move back to England. Alex had promised to look him up after his year off was completed.
Alex used up the credit on his phone card by ringing Ben, just before he got on the ferry.
"Happy Birthday, Fox"
"Alex?" Ben on the other end of the phone, used hand signals and the phone trace started.
"Yeah. I've been having a great time in Greece, drinking, relaxing, fucking. Mostly fucking though. How've you been? Saving the world? Wasting bad guys? Business as usual?"
"I've been great. Just came back from South America. Where in Greece are you?"
"By the fucking beach asshole. Weather's been shit recently though. Give my love to everyone at the Bank. Happy Birthday again but my credit is just about to run out."
With that the phone went dead. Ben then asked "How far did you get on the trace."
"North-western Greece. Possibly Mainland. Maybe Corfu. Not sure."
"Shit."
Alex expected to love Venice and was disappointed by how expensive everything was. He spent two days wandering, feeling very alone, watching happy couples and groups of friends and students. He did not eat much due to the expense and was glad to get the train west and go on into France. It had been three years since his last trip to Nice. He wandered along the seafront and smiled. James Hale had never really forgiven Alex for disappearing that summer three years ago. Not that Alex had a choice about it. He went into a bar and ordered a coffee.
Yassen stood by the bar and watched as Alex gazed across the street at the stormy sea. Yassen had hoped to sail his boat but the weather had seen him stuck in port. It seemed that fate was playing games. The russian almost smiled at his turn in fortune.
A man sat at Alex's table, Alex had not even noticed him approaching. Then he turned to see the face from his dreams and nightmares. Automatically Alex said "Hello Yassen" in russian.