“Are you crazy?”
“Did Allegretti ask you to kidnap her?”
“I’ve never had contact with Allegretti again.”
“Well, who was it, then? If I wanted to kidnap her, I’d hire you. She trusts you and it would cause the least fuss. She’d go with you willingly. Did her uncle pay you to make her disappear for a while?”
“I didn’t kidnap her. I didn’t have anything to do with it.”
“And you and Greyling didn’t discuss it?”
“No.”
Nick saw her eyes flicker past him for a moment.
“You’re lying.”
“Believe what you want.”
He sat back and made himself comfortable. “I’m in no hurry. For all I care, we can sit like this until tomorrow night. The sooner you tell me what you know, the sooner you’ll be rid of me.”
Ellie tried to relax and gain control over her emotions.
“According to my sources, you very seldom come to the city. No one has seen you or heard from you in months. Then, lo and behold, three days after Clara’s disappearance you suddenly show up. And you’re seen coming out of Williams’s house and you admit that you saw Greyling. And what I’ve found in your house proves that you’re definitely not on holiday. Tell me if I’m mistaken.”
Nick looked at Ellie and remembered the night of Allegretti and Clara’s engagement party. The night Greyling and another detective had arrived at the house. He remembered how badly he had wanted to take her to bed. He’d had visions of watching those clear eyes cloud over. In the end they had spent the night on the loungers on Allegretti’s deck. Both of them armed. Dancing around each other. Playing a dangerous game.
She looked different now. Softer. The darker hair had made her seem older, harder. But the dimples were still there. And her eyes were still clear – the look in them not quite as sad as the first time he’d seen her at the club. He wondered if a man had ever managed to cloud them over.
“Why should I tell you anything?” she asked.
“The way I see it, you don’t really have a choice. If you don’t tell me, I’ll walk into Zondi and Ahmed’s offices tomorrow morning with your laptop and files and we can find out what they think. There are a few very interesting notes and files. I’m sure you’re not supposed to have them here.”
“How did you find me?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Why are you so interested in Clara? As far as I know, she and Allegretti are no longer together.”
“Answer me first, then I’ll answer your questions.”
She told him about the two men in the church and how she went to Cape Town to find out why they were looking for her.
“Who were they and why were they looking for you?”
“Two of Williams’s guys. He sent them to come and find out if I know anything about Clara’s disappearance. Apparently she’s been looking for me.”
“How did Williams know where to find you, if so few people knew you were here?”
He saw her hesitate. “Greyling told him.”
Nick lifted an eyebrow. “Nice boyfriend you’ve got.” She opened her mouth, but he was already asking the next question. “And all the information and files you’ve got here?”
She tucked her legs underneath her, crossed her arms and looked past him. “Something to keep me busy.”
For the first time since he left Cape Town earlier in the evening he was tempted to smile. “Try again.”
“I want to know why my father died.”
He saw her square her shoulders as if she was daring him to confront her.
He chose not to respond. “If you’re not involved in Clara’s disappearance and Williams’s hands are clean as well, I suppose the question is: Who’s got her? And why?”
Ellie took a deep breath. Her nerves seemed to have steadied. For the first time she could think clearly. “If I had known,” she replied, “I would have told you, but I don’t.”
Nick frowned. “What’s your interest in the case? You’re no longer responsible for Clara’s safety, after all.”
“I’ve told you I went there to sympathise. Why would I go to Williams if I was involved in her kidnapping?”
“If you are or were involved, it’s the perfect strategy.” He waved his hand as if to indicate that anything was possible. Then he got up, walked around the kitchen counter and switched the kettle on. She looked at the revolver and the bullets on the coffee table.
“Don’t be stupid,” he said. He opened and closed the cupboards until he found coffee and a mug. “It’s been a long day.” He lifted the lid of the bread bin, took out the bread and opened the fridge. “You don’t mind if I have some leftovers, do you? Can I make you something to eat or drink while I’m at it?”
She shook her head and watched him moving around the kitchen. His actions were almost languid, but instinct told her if she made a move, she would probably regret it. Long ago, the world might have consisted of good and bad people, so you could predict, to a certain extent, how a person was going to act. But it wasn’t that easy any more. No one was sure about anyone else these days. You weren’t even sure about your own reactions. A little voice was trying to assure her that Nick wouldn’t harm her, but the voice of suspicion spoke a little louder. It wasn’t so much what he was capable of, but what he would be willing to do at this point to bring his investigation to a successful close. Unfortunately she didn’t know the answer to that question.
“What about Greyling?” He returned to his chair opposite her and began to eat.
“What about him?”
“Could it be him?”
“Why would he do something like that when he knows it would mean the end of the road for him and Williams?” she asked.
“He may have his reasons. Maybe Williams no longer wants to help him and he believes kidnapping Clara could be the incentive he needs.”
Ellie shook her head. “He’s not stupid.”
“Is that what you believe, or what you want to believe?”
“My sense of logic tells me he didn’t do it.” She felt her neck flush with annoyance. “And now I’ve answered all your questions and I still don’t know why you’re so interested in Clara’s disappearance.”
He finished chewing, sat back and stretched his legs.
“Allegretti has been missing since Sunday night.” He told her about the shooting and what he’d been able to find out so far.
She folded her arms. “Is Patrice alive?”
“Yes, but he’s being kept under strong sedation. The doctors aren’t prepared to say whether he’ll pull through.”
“He works for you, doesn’t he?”
Nick didn’t respond.
“So, I suppose you’re not going to tell me whether Paul works for you either?”
He shook his head.
“And yet you expect me to share information with you.”
“At the moment you don’t have much choice. Unfortunately, this isn’t a social visit. You’ve nearly cost me one case. I’d be stupid if I allowed it to happen again.”
“I nearly cost you a case?” She gave a harsh laugh.
“If it hadn’t been for you lot, our case would probably be wrapped up now.”
“That accusation could work both ways. If you’d told us you were busy with Allegretti, we could have worked together, but you came in without saying a word and fucked up everything we’d been working on. It wasn’t only shortsighted, but also bloody stupid.”
“If I had the choice again, I still wouldn’t tell you anything. There are too many holes for information to leak through. It doesn’t even have to leak – it’s handed out willingly to every crooked bastard who comes along.”
“Everyone has problems these days. Don’t tell me you’ve never had a leak.”
“Not at the rate it happens to you lot,” he answered.
“Who’s investigating the shooting?”
She saw Nick hesitate and threw her hands in the air. “
Bloody hell, I’m not working for Williams. I haven’t had contact with anyone in months. I’m just worried about Clara.”
“We put together a team to investigate both matters. I’m convinced the incidents are connected. It’s too much of a coincidence.”
“Who are ‘we’?”
He hesitated again. “It’s a joint operation between Ahmed and Zondi. Barnard and I are running it. Ahmed gave us two men and Zondi gave us two more. One is a techie.”
“I saw Clive on Monday afternoon and he didn’t say anything about it.”
“Maybe he doesn’t trust you either.”
“It’s pointless being cross with me because you didn’t do your job properly,” she said, ignoring the barb.
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t trust me because I nearly cost you a case, but if you had done your job properly, you would have taken me out of the picture much sooner. Didn’t you have the guts, or did you choose to believe I’m not that much of a threat?”
He nodded. “You’re right. I should have trusted my first instinct.” He shifted on the chair. “Thanks for reminding me. I won’t make that mistake again.”
Ellie felt the hairs on her forearms stand on end. She forced herself not to shiver.
“That’s beside the point. At the moment I’m the least of your worries.”
“Isn’t that more or less what you told me last time? How stupid would I be to fall for it a second time?”
“This time I’m not involved. If I were, you would have known by now.”
He put his hands behind his head. Ellie noticed a few new lines at the corners of his eyes. This was the kind of job that could age you overnight.
“Believe me if I tell you I have no desire to work with you again.”
“Who said anything about working together?” she replied.
“You’ll have to come and help us.”
Ellie drew a sharp breath and nearly choked. “You break into my house, read my personal files, wave my firearm around and accuse me of having kidnapped Clara, and then you tell me you want me to help you.” She took another deep breath. “You can’t be serious.”
“I told you why I did what I did. I had to find out what was going on and what role you might have played in the events.”
“And now you suddenly trust me.”
“Call me crazy.”
“You said it. Anyway, I’m still on leave.”
“You could’ve fooled me.”
“You can’t force me. I’ll go to Zondi and Ahmed, and to your boss as well.”
“Be my guest. While you’re at it, don’t forget to take all the information on your laptop. I’m sure they’ll find it interesting reading. Because if you don’t, I will.”
“Zondi won’t give permission,” she protested.
“I’ve already been to see her.”
“What did you tell her?”
“That you offered to help us. She’s very grateful for your dedication.”
“I don’t have anywhere to live in Cape Town. I’ve rented out my house.”
“We’re working out of a house in Milnerton. There’s a bedroom with a bed. Just bring your own linen and towels. I’d guess the bed is the same size as the one in your bedroom.”
Ellie didn’t ask how he knew the size of her bed. He’d probably inspected the entire house.
“There are others who can help.”
“No one knows Allegretti and Clara the way you do. You lived with them and understand the dynamics between them.”
“Why don’t you tell me your real reason for wanting my help?” she asked.
“I’ve always known Clara is an important link in our case. I warned everyone to keep an eye on her. She’s the one person Allegretti sometimes listened to. Our entire case is built on the presumption that he’ll testify against the others in exchange for a shorter sentence or even an acquittal. He won’t agree, but if he knows there’s a chance of getting Clara back, it might convince him to help us.” Nick raised his hands, lowered them again. “That’s more or less our master plan.”
“I don’t know if I can trust you. You basically want me to give you Clara to manipulate Allegretti with. What if it doesn’t work? What happens to her?”
“She goes back to her family, or wherever she wishes to go.”
“I want a guarantee that nothing will happen to her.”
“You know as well as I do that we could never guarantee anything like that. The only promise I can make is that we’ll do our best to keep her out of it.”
“That’s not good enough. I want your word, for what it’s worth. And if I discover you lied to me, I’ll personally see to it that both she and Allegretti get away.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Yes. She’s a young girl with no idea what’s in store for her. I’d be breaking her trust. The least I could do is to make sure she has an escape route if things go wrong.”
“I give you my word, but while we’re threatening each other … If I find out at any time that you have a personal agenda, I’ll give everything I found in your house tonight to Ahmed and Zondi. And believe me, I won’t hesitate to do it.”
Ellie didn’t nod, didn’t say yes. There had always been distrust and lies between the two of them. The fact that he had come looking for her and was prepared to ask her to help find Clara and Allegretti meant that he and his team had their backs to the wall. Without Allegretti, their case was considerably weaker and without Clara they might not get Allegretti to cooperate.
She had no desire to work with him either. With his back against the wall he was even more unpredictable and dangerous. She wished she knew how far he was prepared to go. She’d always liked knowing someone’s limits.
“Is there any information you haven’t shared with me yet?” she asked.
Nick told her what they had found out so far. “The problem is that we don’t have any contact with Williams. That’s why we need your help. You’ve built a relationship with the family.”
“And here I’ve been thinking you came to find me because you miss me.” Ellie got to her feet. “It’s been a long day. I want to go to bed.”
“I would prefer it if you came with me now, or followed me in your car.”
“I’ll come tomorrow.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“I’m not a child. If I say I’ll come, I will.”
“Tomorrow morning?”
“Yes.”
He got up and stretched. Ellie saw him out. At the front door he turned around.
“What is Greyling’s involvement?”
Ellie didn’t reply immediately. “Williams asked for his help. His suspension and the investigation into the part he played in the events of that last day did a lot of damage to their relationship. He wants to get back into Williams’s favour.”
“I don’t want him anywhere near the case. If I find out you’ve discussed anything with him, you’re out.”
“For someone who needs a favour you’re full of threats. Maybe you should take a course in public relations. You’re bloody useless at it.”
He looked at her, then gave a slow smile. “Thanks for the coffee and the leftovers. See you tomorrow morning.”
She nodded and watched as he went around the back of the house. Moments later she heard the car and saw the tail lights disappear down the hill.
In the lounge she picked up her revolver and replaced the bullets one by one.
Then she levelled it at the closed front door.
The road was quiet and Nick drove fast. It kept him focused. If he slowed down, he’d fall asleep. What had seemed like a good idea earlier tonight now felt like a fuck-up. Before he’d gone to see Ellie, he’d considered various options. But in each case he’d need time and manpower. He didn’t have the luxury of either. Nor for sweet-talk and diplomacy.
He suspected her friend telling him Ellie had seen Greyling might have influenced his decision. He didn’t trust Greyling as far as he could throw h
im, and if Greyling was involved he had to know.
If she had opened her eyes ten seconds earlier he would probably still be bleeding, or he wouldn’t have been here at all. That revolver next to the bathtub said it all.
He could kick himself for having seen her naked body. Almost perfect in its simplicity. Nothing too big or too small, in total proportion from top to bottom. A body without pretension. The left breast firm and neat, the other one missing. In its place, raised red welts, like marks on a cutting board. One long scar from chest to navel.
He realised he had never asked exactly what had happened that night. He only knew she’d been attacked after they were ambushed on their way to Blouberg.
Why had she not had plastic surgery? Surely she had a good medical aid? Why would a young woman walk around like that?
Fuck, he shouldn’t have seen it. It affected him. He didn’t want to think about it. Didn’t want to wonder. That turn of the shoulders to protect herself from his eyes would fucking haunt him. The look in her eyes. Alarm, embarrassment, defiance. Christ, he wondered if her own people knew what she looked like.
CHAPTER 14
By eight the next morning Ellie had packed a bag, walked through the garden, tidied the house and taken everything that could go off out of the fridge. When she had locked the door and got into her car, she felt the same shiver of the night before. She put her hand on her chest. The burning sensation was back.
Counsellors like to tell you there’s always a choice. Like on Sunday, she knew she had a choice. She could take the bag out and spend the rest of the day under the tree, but she knew she wouldn’t do it. Clara’s face refused to go away.
Her first stop was at Oom Dirk and his wife Patti’s.
“What a nice surprise,” the older woman exclaimed when Ellie came through the kitchen door. “Where have you sprung from?”
“I have to go away for a while and I just wanted to say goodbye and ask if you’ll keep an eye on the house for me.”
“What’s this about going away?” Dirk Cillié entered the kitchen and put his arm around Ellie’s shoulders. “Did you ask our permission?”
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