He reminded her of Nazeem Williams. They had the same almost formal way of speaking.
“Can I ask you one more thing?” He nodded. “What’s your mom’s relationship with Clara like?”
“What does that have to do with her disappearance?”
“Nothing. I’m just trying to find out who she confides in. Who she might have told if she had something important to say.”
“My mother and my sister have a difficult relationship. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s not that they hate each other. They just struggle. Sometimes it’s better, and we can all breathe. Other times it’s difficult. They’re both very verbal.”
Ellie thought about the woman inside the house who looked so subdued. She smiled and said: “My mom and I also struggle, so I understand what you mean. Your mom has always seemed very reserved to me.”
“She’s … I don’t actually know what to say. Sometimes she doesn’t talk for days, other times you know exactly what’s going on.” He turned around, but looked over his shoulder. “My mom is what she is. I suppose children never really understand their parents. I don’t know. She hasn’t had an easy life.” He raised his hand in greeting.
Ellie called him back and gave him her card. “Please call me if you remember anything that might be important.”
My mom is what she is, she heard his words again as she turned around.
When he had closed the gate, he called out to Ellie. “Are you just trying to make my mother feel better, or do you really think she’s still alive?”
“I believe she’s alive.”
“Can I ask you a favour? If you want to know anything, ask for me or my uncle. My mom is very upset. And please leave my little brother out of it. He has exams coming up. He can’t think about this now.”
“I will.”
The women were still in the kitchen, but before Ellie could say anything, Nazeem Williams came in.
“Sorry, Miss McKenna. It’s a bit crazy here this morning. Let’s go to the lounge.”
“Thanks for seeing me after I promised not to keep bothering you yesterday.”
They sat down facing each other.
“Are your problems about Clara?”
He shook his head. “No, just work. And a bunch of youngsters making me old before my time.”
“Can I trust you not to repeat what I’m going to tell you now?”
“Is it about Clara?”
“She called. She’s unharmed, but very scared. She doesn’t know who kidnapped her or where she’s being held.”
He sat for a moment with his head in his hands. “Thank God.”
“I see the security at the house has been stepped up. Any reason?”
On her way here she had decided not to tell him that the kidnappers were actually after Allegretti.
“Let’s just say someone who has been trying to rip me off for the past few months ran into some trouble with the cops last night. He may think twice before he threatens me again. I grew up very poor but my parents taught us manners. I don’t like people with bad manners. It’s a slap in the face, like they think I’m not used to anything better.”
“Could it affect our search?”
“I doubt it. As far as I know, the person has nothing to do with Clara’s disappearance. If he did, he would have tried a different strategy.”
“Will you tell me if there’s any change, or if you get new information?”
“I promise I will.”
He leaned forward again, his head in his hands.
“Mr Williams, it’s important that we keep hoping.”
He nodded without looking up.
CHAPTER 25
Nick was watching the security footage. He had watched it a few times before, but now that he knew what he was looking for, it was easier. He could kick himself when he spotted it. Just before ten there was a flicker. Nick said nothing and tried not to show how angry he was.
He asked one of the security guards to come with him. They sat down in the living room and Nick asked the man to run through the events of Sunday night again, from the moment they reported for duty at six. He also asked him about the day shift’s report.
Occasionally he interrupted to ask a question. He saw the man was shifting in his seat as two red spots broke out on his cheeks. It could of course also be irritation.
“It’s like we said. It was a quiet evening. He didn’t go out and no one was here.”
“I believe you,” said Nick. “But you’ve got to help me. Somehow Mr Allegretti left this house on Sunday night and, unless he flew, he must have gone through one of the gates. And all the gates have cameras.”
The man shook his head. “If I knew how it was possible, I’d tell you. I don’t want to lose my job.”
“What makes you think you’ll lose your job?”
“Patrice was shot and Mr Allegretti is missing. Someone’s head is going to roll.”
“How do you decide who’s going to do the foot patrol? Is there a fixed pattern, do you toss a coin, or do you just randomly decide who it’s going to be?”
“We mostly take it in turns. Sometimes one of us will offer to do an extra round for the other guy. Some nights you don’t feel like being stuck in one place. Other nights you don’t feel like walking.”
“Did you keep to your schedule that night?”
The hesitation was so fleeting that Nick almost didn’t notice it.
“I don’t specifically remember, but I think we did our own rounds that night.”
“Thanks for your cooperation.”
At the front door Nick allowed the man to precede him.
“Give me a few minutes and I’ll call you,” he told the other guard. “I have to make a quick call.”
Nick walked out and stood where he was sure they couldn’t see him. His cellphone was under the television set in the guards’ booth, with the recorder switched on.
A few minutes later he went back to the booth. He opened the door and spoke to both men. “Do another round, please. I saw a car near the back gate earlier. Just make sure everything is in order. I’ll wait until you get back.”
When they had left, he took his phone from under the TV and switched off the recorder. Then he listened. Their voices were faint but clearly audible. He was almost ashamed of how easy it had been.
“I’m not taking the fall for this. I have a wife and kids.” The voice belonged to the guard he had just interviewed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You think I’m stupid! You made me come back from my round before I was finished that night, telling me you’d seen someone across the street. There was no one and you know it. You wanted me gone.”
The other one laughed. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. If I were you I’d be careful what I say.”
“I’m going to tell Malherbe what happened.”
“What are you going to tell him? This load of shit you’ve just told me?”
“I’ll let him decide whether it’s a load of shit, or not.”
“Well, tell him, just remember you have a wife and kids.”
“What are you saying?”
“Nothing. I’m just reminding you that you have a family.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“I’m just saying. If you want to go around telling stories you’d better make sure …”
“Of what?”
There was nothing more.
When the guards returned, Nick pressed play and watched their faces. The two looked at each other. Nick saw the second guard turn visibly pale, before a deep flush spread across his face. He muttered under his breath.
“It’s bullshit. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
Nick nodded. “That may be true but you threatened him and, even worse, you threatened his family.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Okay, okay. Christ, it’s not my fault. What was I supposed to
do? The Italian came to find me at the back of the house and told me to go and switch off the camera. He gave me a roll of notes and told me to shut up about it.”
“Why didn’t you phone me?”
“It’s his house. I suppose he can come and go as he pleases?”
“If you read your service contract again, you’ll see that any unscheduled exit is to be reported.”
“The man had a fucking gun. What was I supposed to do?”
“Why didn’t you tell me on Sunday night?”
The guard looked down at his shoes.
“This makes you an accomplice to the assault on Patrice.”
Nick saw the redness fade and the man turn pale again. He gave a harsh laugh. “Don’t be crazy. I didn’t do anything.”
“Besides being an accomplice, you threatened your colleague’s family tonight.”
“It was just talk. I’m not going to do anything.”
Nick began to punch in a number. “It’s all very well, but I think it would be wise to let you cool off for a few days.” He spoke to the nearest police station and asked them to send a van.
When he got back to the house he sat down in the living room. He now knew that Allegretti had shot Patrice and he knew how he had got off the premises. He also knew that Allegretti was being blackmailed for ransom money. It was important background information but it didn’t do him much good. Allegretti was still missing. Nick thought of his conversation with Monica and felt himself get angry all over again. A voice reminded him that he was actually angry with himself. It just made everything worse.
He called Ellie. “Allegretti wasn’t kidnapped. He paid one of the guards to switch off the camera at the back gate for a while.”
“Another piece of the puzzle.”
“I don’t have time for puzzles.”
“It’s all we can do now. If we do it right, we’ll find the answer.”
“Hmm … I hope you’re right.”
“I see you’re no longer wearing the necklace. Are you better?” Jeremy Jansen asked as he and Ellie went through Clara’s cellphone records yet again.
“Yes, thanks. The doctor was just being extra cautious.” Ellie turned her neck this way and that. It was still slightly stiff and sore but no one had to know. Her cellphone lay next to her. She didn’t think the kidnappers would take her to Clara, but you never knew.
She looked at the cellphone records. Names had been written next to all the numbers. Like the first time they had looked at the records, they had found no indication that Clara had been in touch with Allegretti. What struck Ellie now was how regularly Elroy’s name appeared. Some days more often than any of her friends’ names.
“Let’s take a look at her Facebook page.”
“There’s not much to see. A bunch of people asking her to contact them.”
“Go back six months.”
Ellie began to read the odd post. There was nothing unusual. It was clear to see when Clara met Enzio. After that she regularly posted photos of the two of them. When she moved in with him, it became a daily show. She shouted just about every movement they made from the virtual rooftops. There were photos of gifts and various surprises Enzio had spoilt her with. Ellie wondered if she had ever thought how it might make some of her friends feel. Or were these girls truly happy when one of them made it over the mountain?
“Where do these girls get the time to post so much about themselves?” Jansen asked as they were looking at photos. He glanced up at Brenda, who was busy at the other desk. “Are you on Facebook?”
Brenda looked up. “Are you asking me?”
“Yes.”
“What do you want to do with the information?”
Ellie saw Jansen lower his eyes in embarrassment.
“Brenda, it’s an innocent question. Don’t make the poor man feel like he’s done something wrong.”
“No, Mr Jansen, I’m not on Facebook.”
“Why not?” he dared to ask.
She stretched her arms over her head and Ellie saw Jansen’s gaze wander over Brenda’s body. She smiled. Poor Jansen. He was probably used to girls going weak at the knees at the sight of him. But darling Brenda wasn’t just any girl.
“I don’t have enough imagination.”
“Come again?”
“I don’t have the powers of imagination to make up that much shit about myself.”
“Surely not everybody makes up stories?”
“I’m not saying they’re lying. They’re just very generous with the paintbrush. Even those who tell you what a boring day they’ve had brush it up a little so that it doesn’t look as dreary as it actually was.”
“You’re very cynical.”
Brenda gave a slight smile. “One of my best characteristics.”
Ellie took out her phone and typed a message: Where can I find Elroy?
A few minutes later Happy replied. I heard he’s at his cousin’s house in Bonteheuwel. He gave the address. You can’t go there alone.
I won’t. Thanks.
Anything new?
No, all quiet.
Okay. Check you later.
Ellie looked at her watch. It was almost two. She phoned Clive.
“Do you have time to go to Bonteheuwel with me?”
“To do what?”
“Go see someone.”
“Give me half an hour.”
Ellie pointed at the computer monitor. “Jansen, go through the Facebook posts again. Try to see if there was any change in tone at some point.”
“Tone? What’s that?”
“Maybe she sounded depressed for a week or so and suddenly life is all flowers and kittens.”
“Is that what a change of tone is?”
She laughed. “It’s just an example. Brenda, when you’ve finished, come over here and help him. A woman might pick it up more easily.”
Ellie couldn’t decide whether Jansen’s expression showed eager anticipation or pure nerves.
“I want you to stay in the bakkie. He won’t say anything with you there,” Ellie said when they stopped at the house in Bonteheuwel. She put a cap on her head and tucked her hair inside.
“I’m not comfortable sending you in on your own.”
“I won’t go in. I’ll make sure you can see me at all times.”
“It won’t do any good if someone decides to shoot.”
“Positive thoughts, dear Clive. It would help.”
A young man answered Ellie’s knock.
“Hi, I’m looking for Elroy.”
He narrowed his eyes and looked her up and down. “I don’t know anyone called Elroy.”
“Do you see that bakkie in the street? It’s the cops. If Elroy isn’t outside in two minutes, I’m calling them in to search the house.”
“What for? I didn’t do anything.”
“If you didn’t do anything, call Elroy and stop wasting my time.”
“You’ve got a bloody cheek to come and threaten me in my own home.” But he turned around.
A moment later Elroy was in the doorway. Ellie didn’t know if she would have recognised him in the street. He was wearing a neck brace and his arm was in a sling, but what she especially noticed was that he looked ten years older than the last time she’d seen him.
“Miss McKenna, what are you doing here? And how did you know I was here?”
“Hello, Elroy. I heard you were in an accident and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“That’s nice of you, but I’m fine. My cousin and his wife are looking after me.”
“I’m glad. I was also in an accident. Some idiot ignored a red light and almost killed me. Luckily he didn’t quite succeed.”
Ellie saw him look past her. “People drive recklessly these days. You must be careful.”
“While I’m here I want to ask you about Clara. I hope you can help me.”
He made no reply.
“Reggie says you were one of those who looked after Clara most often. I want to know if you think it’s possi
ble that she and Allegretti saw each other.”
He moved his shoulders. “Nei, Miss. Not that I know of.”
“Do you know if he ever tried to contact her?”
“If he did, she didn’t tell me.”
“Elroy, I know you don’t have to talk to me, but if you have any information that could help me find Clara, I’d appreciate it if you told me. She must be very afraid by now. And I can’t sleep because I know they could kill her any day.”
“I’ll tell you if I hear anything, but at the moment there’s nothing. But, Miss, I don’t think the people who have her will kill her. Actually, I’m not even sure she’s been kidnapped. That girl is very headstrong. Chances are she’s behind all this herself.”
“Why do you say that?”
He rubbed his head. “Why would anyone want to kidnap or kill her?”
After a moment’s hesitation Ellie said: “She called me.”
“Who? Clara?”
“Yes.”
“To say what?”
“That she was kidnapped and the people are threatening to kill her if Allegretti doesn’t pay.”
He looked behind him as if he was afraid of being overheard. “If that’s true, why doesn’t he pay?”
“Because he doesn’t have that much money. And now he’s gone missing so they can’t get hold of him.”
“Someone must know where he is.”
“No.”
“What about that security guy of his?”
“Malherbe? He doesn’t know.”
“His sister and that husband of hers?” Elroy asked.
“No one knows where he is. He shot the man who works for him. Believe me, there is a whole bunch of people who are really keen to get hold of him.”
“Okay, but it still doesn’t mean they’ll kill Clara. Surely they know they won’t get anything if they do.”
“You’re right. But what will they do with her if Allegretti doesn’t come up with the money?”
Elroy stepped back, then forward again. He looked at the bakkie across the street.
“What are you doing with the cops?”
“They’re looking for Allegretti for the shooting at his house. At the moment I have no choice but to cooperate with them. If they find him, I might find Clara.”
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