Endgame

by Wilna Adriaanse

  “Why don’t you tell your partners to go undercover and be there themselves?”

  “Because I don’t know who’s going to turn up. If they recognise any of my colleagues, there’ll be big problems. I can’t take the risk.”

  “But you can risk your life.” He shook his head. “I hope you’re not doing it for a girl who should have known better than to get into bed with someone like the Italian.”

  “I’d do it for you too,” Ellie said, smiling.

  Happy shook his head.

  “May I never be that stupid.”

  “Do we have a deal? Call as soon as I’m in the car and tell the person you’re calling the direction we took.”

  “If those boere lock me up, I expect you to come and get me out personally, with an official pardon and a nice settlement for psychological damage. I’m not cut out for life behind bars.”

  “I promise.” She gave him a piece of paper with Nick and Clive’s cellphone numbers. “If you can’t get hold of either of them, call Brenda and tell her to track them down.”

  “Fuck, no, that girl is dangerous. I’m more afraid of her than of the cops. Let’s hope they’re in the mood to answer their phones.”

  “Thanks, Happy. I owe you.”

  “Do you know when the meeting will take place?”

  “No, I’m waiting for them to let me know.”

  “Okay, but you’ll have to give me time to get into position.”

  “Where do you live these days?”

  “I rent a room from a young couple in the Bo-Kaap. They bought one of those old houses and renovated it nicely. I’m sort of their go-to guy. They’ve just had their first baby, so sometimes I go shopping and I keep the yard clean. A win–win situation.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “You know, I’m not really a charity case. I have plenty of options, and various means of income.”

  “I never said you were a charity case.” Ellie put money on the table. “Please pay our bill and keep your phone on.” At the door she turned and came back to where he was sitting. “I won’t be able to take my phone, so tell them the phone will be in the car I came in. I don’t know which car it’ll be. I’ll send you the registration number as soon as I know. And I’ll try to park as close as possible to the meeting place.”

  “I think you’re being stupid.”

  “Maybe I am, but sometimes you don’t have a choice.”

  “You’ve distracted me completely now. I wanted to tell you about the Mercedes that almost wiped you out. It was stolen in Parow two weeks ago and it was found late last night at the Athlone Stadium. Now the interesting part: Elroy was driving a car like that just the other day. Remember Elroy? One of your buddies at Williams’s place? And guess what else? Elroy is wearing a neck brace. Apparently some idiot crashed into him, or that’s what he’s telling everyone.”

  Ellie wondered why she felt disappointed. Maybe Brenda had been right to say she was too naive for the job. She desperately wanted to believe that there were still good people around.

  “Why would Elroy want me out of the way? I’ve never had a problem with him. He’s always been nice to me. Reggie is the one who can’t stand me.”

  “I wouldn’t know,” said Happy. “Maybe it’s a coincidence. Or maybe he’s been playing you all along. All I’m saying is, find Elroy and you’ll probably find the guy who ran into you. You may even find out why.”

  “Thanks, Happy.”

  Nick arrived at the hospital just after eight. The first nurse he came across refused to allow him in until he produced his identification card. She nodded.

  “He’s still very weak. Doctor said he’s not actually allowed any visitors.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I’m not a visitor.”

  He greeted the guard at the door and sent him off to have breakfast or coffee.

  A strange nurse was at Patrice’s side. She frowned and began to wave him away with her hand, and he was forced to show his identification again.

  “Sorry, Colonel, come in, but please wash your hands first. Remember, he’s still very weak. You can’t talk to him for more than five minutes. He has to rest.”

  Nick washed his hands with the ward’s pungent soap. When he finally stood beside Patrice’s bed, it was a relief to see that he was no longer hooked up to quite as many pipes and tubes. The soft, rhythmic hum reminded him of the night he visited Ellie in hospital.

  “Is he awake?”

  “As awake as is possible at this point.”

  “Patrice, it’s Nick. Can you hear me?”

  He saw the flicker of an eyelid. Nick took Patrice’s hand and felt a slight squeeze, like the flutter of a moth’s wings. But it was better than nothing.

  “You’re doing great. Just hang in there. The doctor is satisfied that they’ve repaired the damage. I’m very sorry this happened to you.”

  “I’m … sorry …”

  “Was it Enzio who shot you?”

  Nick heard one of the beeps picking up speed.

  “Colonel, please don’t push his blood pressure up.”

  “He … he not right Sunday evening,” Patrice mumbled only just audibly. “Too much white powder … drink.”

  “Patrice, don’t try to speak. Just nod if I’m right.”

  Patrice made a slight movement with his head.

  “Did he try to go out but you tried to stop him?”

  Again the slight movement.

  “Was he alone?”

  Patrice nodded.

  “Did he want to leave by the back gate?”

  A nod.

  “Did you have the key?”

  Another nod.

  “Did he tell you where he wanted to go?”

  A slight shake from side to side.

  “The cameras don’t show him leaving.”

  “Pay …”

  “Do you think he paid the guards to switch them off?”

  The nod was so feeble that Nick barely saw it. He heard the beeps from one of the machines speed up again.

  “Colonel …”

  “Sorry, I’m done. Thanks, Patrice. You’ve been a great help. Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll find Enzio. You’re in good hands. I’ll drop by again.”

  Walking out, he smiled at the sister, who gave him a stern look.

  Outside, Nick called Clive. “It was Allegretti who shot Patrice. According to Patrice, he snorted too much coke on Sunday night. He wanted to go out and Patrice tried to stop him.”

  “Okay, one piece of the puzzle has fallen into place. What’s next?”

  “I’ll ask Brenda if she’s heard anything from the taxi companies. A neighbour said he saw a taxi in the side street.”

  “And the cameras?”

  “Patrice seems to think Allegretti bribed one or both of the guards to switch the cameras off for a while.”

  “You should be able to see from the recording if the camera was static.”

  Nick thought for a moment. “Maybe I should talk to them first.”

  “Okay. See you later. A large consignment of abalone was confiscated just before the Huguenot Tunnel last night. In a furniture removal van. The abalone was stashed in cooler bags between the furniture. I expect sparks to fly tonight. Someone must have split and if that person knows what’s good for him, he’ll lie low for a week or three.”

  “Do you think the abalone belonged to Williams?”

  “I don’t know. He’s one of the main men, but he’s not the only supplier. I’m trying to find out who the consignment belongs to.”

  “Wouldn’t Greyling know?”

  “Yes, but I can’t ask him.”

  “I’m sure he’ll tell McKenna if he knows.”

  “I think she has enough on her plate for now. Keep your eyes and ears open for any incidents.”

  “I’m on my way to Jonathan. Maybe he’ll be prepared to share a titbit.”

  “I can’t decide whether you’re brave or stupid.”

  “Stupid.”

  Nick beli
eved one of the reasons why so many Nigerians were involved in crime was that most of them had such jovial personalities. Even the most hardened among them were articulate, and if you didn’t know better, you could easily believe they led almost saintly lives. Abua Jonathan had a special talent for dramatic entertainment.

  “Ah, Mr Malherbe, long time no see,” he said when Nick walked through the front door.

  The house was in a reasonably new suburb between Blouberg and Table View. A high wall surrounded the premises.

  The interior was luxurious. Everything was shiny, from the fake ostrich-leather couches and chairs to the marble floors and high-gloss tables. In the foyer stood a gleaming red ornamental urn. On the walls were prints of big game in glittering frames.

  “Mr Jonathan. How are you?”

  “Blessed and grateful that you have come to visit. It’s not every day we get such an important visitor.”

  “You flatter me.”

  “Come inside. Sit. What can I offer you to drink?”

  “I’ve just had breakfast, thank you. And I don’t want to keep you. I know you’re a busy man.”

  “For you, I’ll always make time.”

  “I have a problem I hope you can help me with.”

  “I’m not a rich or a clever man, but I’ll help if I can.”

  “It’s in connection with your recent transaction with Enzio. We have a small problem at the club with someone who delivered merchandise in the past. I just want to make sure of the agreement between you and Enzio, so that we keep our end of the bargain.”

  “Why don’t you ask Enzio?”

  “Unfortunately he’s out of town and out of reach. He had some urgent business to attend to.”

  Nick saw the other man’s eyes narrow. The jovial smile had given way to a calculated expression.

  “Do I need to worry about my investment?”

  “That’s why I’m here, to make sure you don’t have anything to worry about.”

  “What do you want to know?” The smile was back, but it didn’t reach Abua Jonathan’s eyes.

  “What exactly was the deal? Enzio told me you’d had a good talk, but he had to leave before the two of us could discuss the details. If it wasn’t for the small problem at the club, I’d wait for him to come back. I don’t like to bother you with this.”

  “Four million for exclusive distribution rights.”

  “That’s what I thought. I knew he wouldn’t make you a promise and keep on the other distributor as well.”

  “We’re not talking about promises and shit like that. This is a business deal and I intend to keep him to it. If he’s not sure what ‘exclusive’ means, I suggest he gets himself a dictionary.”

  Nick got up and extended his hand. “You have nothing to worry about. I’ll sort it out. Thanks again for seeing me.”

  At the door he turned.

  “May I ask if you’ve already made the payment?”

  “I transferred the money after Enzio left on Sunday night. The deal was that I’d pay at the end of the month, but Enzio came here very late on Sunday evening, asking for a payment. He said there was someone else waiting to close a deal. He wanted to know if I was serious. I made a down payment of two million.”

  “And the rest …?”

  “At the end of the month.”

  “Thanks again. I’m glad we had this talk. It makes things much easier for me.”

  “Nick, will you tell me if I need to be worried?”

  Nick nodded. “Your investment is safe.”

  Outside, he felt sweat trickling down his neck. Enzio had done many dumb things, but making a deal with the Nigerians was one of the dumbest yet. There was a good chance that Gabriella had already sold the distribution rights to another party. If she’d done the maths, she’d have discovered that it was an easy way to make a few million. He’d have to ask her.

  When his cellphone rang, he saw it was Monica Blake.

  “Monica, there’s no point in calling me every day. I don’t have any news for you yet, except that it looks like Patrice will make it.”

  “Do you have any idea how much money and manpower we’ve spent on this investigation in the past five years? I’ve got people breathing down my neck. You must realise that this doesn’t look good on either of our records. It was supposed to have been our biggest breakthrough yet. And we were almost there. The finish line was in sight. They’re starting to ask me if you could have been negligent, if we need to replace you with someone else to do damage control. I don’t know what to tell them. Have you lost focus? Should we find someone else?”

  “Do you really expect me to answer that?”

  “Yes, because I have to give answers on this side and I don’t know what to say. You don’t talk to me any more.”

  “If I don’t talk to you, it’s because I’m busy. I haven’t lost focus. Do you really think I’d walk away now, after so many years? This investigation has stolen my life. I don’t even know what and where my life is any more. I’ve given you everything you asked for.”

  “Except Allegretti. The most important link in the chain.”

  “I told you I’d find him.”

  “Sooner rather than later, Nick. I won’t be able to stem the flood forever on this side.”

  “Why don’t they call me themselves if they want to know something?”

  “Because this investigation is my responsibility.”

  “Okay, let me ask you something. Have I ever not kept my promises in the past?”

  “No.”

  “Well, then get off my back so I can do my job.” He ended the call.

  Reggie opened the door when Ellie rang the bell at the gate. When she’d got back from seeing Happy, a car had been waiting for her in Milnerton. It was good to be independent again – to have a vehicle at her disposal and be without the neck brace. Reggie stood in the doorway for a moment before he walked slowly to the gate.

  Ellie didn’t feel like talking to him. Neither did she have time for his power games. “I’m here to see Mr Williams.”

  “He’s busy. Whatever it is you want to say, you can say to me.”

  She took out her phone and began to search for a number. Before she had found it, the gate clicked open.

  “Cocky, aren’t you? I’d be more careful, if I were you.”

  “Reggie, I don’t have time for childish games.” As Ellie walked past him, she heard him swear.

  “By the way,” she remarked, “tell Elroy he’s a bad driver. Or was it you?”

  His hand closed around her upper arm.

  “Let go of my arm.”

  “What if I don’t want to?”

  “I’ll personally make sure you never see Clara again.”

  “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll fuck off. And never come near any of us again.”

  Ellie jerked her arm free. “What you want is not of great importance to me.” She walked past him to the hallway, where she knocked on the open door. Despite the cold weather, sweat trickled down her neck.

  Mavis Williams came out of the kitchen. She was still in her dressing gown. “Miss McKenna, I’m sorry, I didn’t hear the doorbell.”

  “I’m sorry to bother you at this hour, but is Mr Williams here?”

  “Have coffee with us. He’s on the phone and there’s someone waiting to see him. But I’ll tell him you’re here.” She waved in the direction of the kitchen. “You remember my sister?”

  Ellie greeted Sally Veldman.

  “Have you found out anything about Clara?”

  “No, I’m sorry, ma’am, but we’ve been searching for her non-stop.”

  “Do you think she’s still alive?”

  “I’m convinced she’s alive.”

  “Do you have any children?”

  Ellie shook her head.

  “It’s very hard, Miss. Being a mother, and a single mother on top of it … Sometimes they put you through hell.”

  A young man came into the kitchen. Without ever having seen him befor
e, Ellie recognised him at once as Clara’s brother. They had the same fine features. Their father must have been a handsome man.

  “This is my son, Calvin. Calvin, this lady works for the security company Uncle hired to help search for Clara.”

  The young man shook Ellie’s hand and Mavis poured her a cup of coffee.

  “Can I make you a sandwich, Miss?”

  “No, thanks, Mrs Williams. I ate just before I left home.”

  “Calvin, Miss McKenna says they haven’t heard from Clara yet, but she believes Clara is alive.”

  He nodded. “Ma, I need to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Drive carefully.”

  “May I please use the bathroom?” Ellie asked when he had left the kitchen.

  “You’ll find the guest bathroom between the stairs and the front door.”

  When Ellie stepped into the hallway she heard voices outside the front door.

  “Hey, I’m talking to you! From now on, whatever you want to tell Uncle, you tell me.” It was Reggie’s voice.

  “I can tell Uncle what I want.”

  “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll listen when I speak to you.”

  She heard Calvin laugh without answering. She could imagine how infuriated Reggie had to be.

  Ellie kept the toilet door open a chink and heard footsteps go past. She opened the door and hurried outside. “Calvin, may I talk to you for a moment, please?”

  He turned around. If she remembered correctly, he was about twenty. His eyes looked much older.

  “Your mother said there was nothing strange in Clara’s recent behaviour. I don’t want to keep asking her questions, upsetting her even more, but maybe she missed something. Did you or your brother notice anything?”

  “I didn’t notice anything. She didn’t say anything to me.”

  “How often do you speak?”

  “About once a week. Sometimes more, but not every day. The past few months she’s been in a bad mood about the Italian.”

  “Did she talk to you about him?”

  “Now and again. She wanted to go back to him. Uncle thought it was a bad idea. He wanted her to wait until the dust had settled and everyone had had time to think. If you know her, you’ll know she’s a very impatient person.” He gave a small smile. “Our family are a complicated bunch.”