“That I’d be glad to pay,” Jansen said with a quick glance at Brenda.
“What do you know about kissing? You’re just a child.”
“How old do you think I am?”
“I don’t know, but definitely too young to try to pay your way with kisses.”
“I’m thirty-three.”
Ellie saw Brenda raise an eyebrow. “Nè!”
“How old are you?” He looked at her.
“Never ask a woman her age.”
“You pretend to be so wise, but you’re probably younger than me.”
Brenda made no reply. She held out a piece of paper to Nick. He read it.
“What’s this?”
“The Hummer’s complete registration number and the owner’s name.”
“Where did you get it? And how do you know it’s correct?”
Brenda looked at Ellie. “Would you like to answer him?”
“She wouldn’t have given it to you if she wasn’t sure.”
Nick wiped his mouth. He read the name aloud a few times. “Semenov Babkin.”
“I know who he is,” Ellie interrupted. “He appeared in court last year in connection with a shooting at a Joburg club. His co-accused was Barkov. The case was thrown out because there wasn’t enough evidence that they were involved.”
“Do you know whether he has any connection to Visser?”
“I’ll have to take a look.” Ellie got up, picked the files up off the floor and put them on the table. Nick fetched his laptop and sat down at the head of the table. Jansen returned to his computer. Moments later the house was silent except for the clicking of computer keys.
Half an hour later Brenda brought them coffee.
At one o’clock Jansen sank down on a chair at the table. “I think I found something on Clara’s Facebook page.”
Both Ellie and Nick looked up.
“What are you talking about?” Nick asked, rubbing his eyes.
“Mac told me to look for any kind of repetitive post on Clara’s social media. She thought it might be the way she and Allegretti arranged to meet. I think I found something.”
“Show me.” Ellie sat down beside him.
“Every week, like clockwork, she posted something. The days and the times differ but the words are the same.
Late morning for me. Only have to be ready by eleven. Love my job.
Early morning for me. Have to be ready by eight. Love my job.
Long day. Have to be ready by seven this evening. Love my job.
Ellie felt herself getting excited as she looked at the entries.
“Those girls will post anything,” Nick said. “Maybe she just wanted to brag about her job and how sought-after she is.”
“No,” Ellie said. “Why is there a post like that once a week? It’s not as if she works only once a week. Sometimes she works all week and sometimes a week will pass during which she doesn’t work at all, but she made that post every week. It was her way of letting Enzio know what time she could get to him.” Ellie put her arm around Jansen’s shoulder. “You’re my hero.”
“How did she get past her guards?” Nick had come to stand behind them to look at the entries himself.
“She didn’t. Someone helped them and I know who it was.”
“Which of her guards would be that stupid? If Williams or Reggie found out …”
“How would they find out? Clara and Enzio weren’t going to say anything and I’m sure the helper was generously rewarded for his trouble.”
Ellie looked at her watch. The night couldn’t pass quickly enough.
It was almost two when Nick closed his laptop and said he was going to bed. He briefly touched her shoulder in passing.
“Thanks for the chat.”
The memory of that touch lingered. She reminded herself of a stray dog, desperate for a friendly pat.
CHAPTER 29
Nick was at Barkov’s gate just after nine.
After a few minutes a guard appeared, who told him that Mr Barkov was still asleep. It was only after Nick had threatened him with the police that he had opened the gate.
“Go wake him up,” Nick said as they walked through the front door.
“I’m awake. What’s going on?” Barkov came down the stairs in a maroon dressing gown.
“One of your men killed Vincenzo Allegretti and his wife yesterday en route from the airport. I want to know where I can find him.”
“You wake me up for such a preposterous allegation?”
“I have a witness and a registration number. And I’m not in the mood for games.”
“Who is it?” Barkov came down the last few steps.
“Semenov Babkin.” Nick gave him the registration number on a piece of paper.
“He’s not one of mine.”
“Call him what you like. The two of you appeared in court together last year. You must at least know him.”
“I don’t know where he is.”
Nick took out his cellphone.
“What are you doing?”
“Calling the cops. I’m sure they’d love to see what’s inside your safe and your garage.”
Barkov let loose a string of foreign words that Nick presumed were not meant as a compliment.
“I told you, I’m not in the mood for games. I need answers today and your friend is the only one who can provide them. Unless you know what happened.”
“I know nothing.”
“Then tell me where to find your friend.”
“He has a house a few blocks from here. I don’t know if he’s there.”
“Give me the address. And you’re coming with me.”
“You must be out of your fucking mind. I don’t work for you.” Barkov opened his mouth to call out, but Nick’s pistol was pointing at his chest.
“Call your people, but you’re going first.” He guessed the guard had been too sleepy to remember to search him before allowing him inside the house. His head would probably roll – something Nick wasn’t too worried about.
The two guards approached when Nick and Barkov came out through the front door. Both reached for their weapons, but Barkov shouted at them.
When they were in the bakkie, Nick pulled away hurriedly. “You know you’re a dead man!” Barkov screamed. Saliva sprayed Nick’s cheek.
With Barkov giving directions, they stopped in front of a house a few minutes later. Nick allowed him to get out and together they walked to the gate. Nick pressed the intercom button. All these bloody houses with their intercoms and gates and cameras. You’d swear every resident was a celebrity.
A hesitant voice answered. Barkov said something in Russian and a moment later the gate slid open. Nick pushed the pistol into Barkov’s back.
“I’ve already given the police your address. If they don’t hear from me in the next fifteen minutes they’re going to be all over your place, and then they’ll come after you.”
The front door swung open and a man who could have been Barkov’s brother stood in the doorway.
“Semenov Babkin?” Nick asked.
The man in the door gave a hesitant nod while his eyes went from Nick to Barkov.
Barkov said something that sounded like a question. The other man seemed about to step back but Nick pushed the pistol into Barkov’s back with more force and Barkov shouted at his compatriot.
“Ask him who used his Hummer yesterday. In English.”
Babkin shook his head, then he and Barkov carried on shouting for a while.
“I did not use the Hummer,” the answer finally came.
“I didn’t ask if you used it. I asked who used it.”
“Some of my men did.”
“To do what?”
“They had to pick up people at the airport.”
“Was Ken Visser with them?”
“I don’t know. Ask them.” He called over his shoulder and a youngish man with a shaved head and a nick in one of his ears appeared, yawning. The two had a short conversation in Russian.
“He says he didn’t see Visser.”
“I want to see the vehicle.”
The garage doors opened and Nick saw the black Hummer. He took out his phone and took a few photos. Then he walked backwards through the gate, keeping Barkov in front of him.
Babkin stood in the door, shouting at them in Russian.
Nick dropped Barkov at his house, ignoring the string of threats and drove away quickly. It took a while before he noticed the slight tremor in his hands.
He called Brigadier Ahmed and gave him Babkin’s address.
“His Hummer was used in the Allegretti assassination. He says he doesn’t know anything about it, but I think you should bring him and his two henchmen in.”
“You know you’re not supposed to be working on the investigation?”
“We don’t have time for politics now.”
“As long as you know Brigadier Zondi and I can only protect you so far.”
“I understand. I don’t expect the impossible.”
Nick disconnected and phoned Gabriella. Ken answered the phone. Nick asked to speak to her.
“You were employed by my father-in-law,” Ken said. “Seeing that he’s no longer here, I don’t know what business you still have with me or my wife. It’s my understanding that you no longer have a job. And if there’s anything you want to know or say, you can talk to me. Gabi needs to rest.”
Nick heard Gabriella’s voice in the background.
“Ignore him. He’s suddenly been transformed into a caring husband.”
“I have to talk to you alone … without Ken, specifically.”
“I’ll meet you somewhere.”
“I’ll see you in an hour at Enzio’s place.”
“Okay.”
When Nick stopped at Enzio’s home an hour later, Gabriella was already there. He had never seen her without make-up before. She was pale and her eyes were red and swollen. In a strange way she was even more beautiful.
They sat down in the lounge. The wind had come up during the night and the sea was a wild grey mass. On the horizon a container ship was ploughing through huge swells. Nick wondered where it was heading.
“Have you found out who murdered my parents?”
Nick noticed that she didn’t try to sugar-coat her words.
“No, but we do have a clue. The police are following it up.”
“The police!” She nearly spat out the word. “Why did you give it to the police? The chance that they’ll ever find the guilty person is less than zero. For fuck’s sake, Nick. How stupid can you be?”
“Gabi, the moment your parents were shot on a public road it became a matter for the police. I didn’t give it to them.”
“Yes, but …”
“There are no buts. All I can do is help the police. Believe me, I’d much rather have done the investigation myself.”
Tears started running down her cheeks.
“Gabi, do you think Ken could be involved?”
She looked past him as if she hadn’t heard.
“Is that the clue you’ve got?” she asked after a while.
He shook his head. “I’m just trying to eliminate possibilities.”
“I think he could do it, but I never thought he would.”
“Are you married in community of property?”
“No.”
“Do you have a will?”
“There must be one somewhere that was drawn up after our wedding.”
“Who are your beneficiaries?”
“What are beneficiaries?” She struggled to pronounce the word.
“Who inherits if anything happens to you?”
She shivered slightly and wrapped her arms around herself.
“I don’t remember everyone.”
“Does Ken inherit?”
“Yes. We were newly married and I believed there was something like happily ever after. It was exciting times.”
“I need a copy of your will, and of your parents’ wills.”
“Nick, if it was Ken, you need to tell me.”
“There are many possibilities. Your father led a complicated life.”
Gabriella’s tears flowed again and her voice grew shriller: “He didn’t deserve to be shot in the road like a dog. My mother even less!”
“Can you remember who you told that your parents were coming to Cape Town?”
She shook her head.
“Do you think Andrew would lie to help Ken?”
“Yes. He does a lot of business with them.” She sighed. “In our kind of life, money talks loudest. Now and again a woman might come into the picture, but in the end it’s all about money.”
“What do you know about Ken’s family’s business?”
“I knew a bit at some point but I’ve told you, the two of us don’t really talk any more. All I know is what I hear when he’s on the phone. Their business isn’t doing well. His father is ill and they’ve lost some of their partners – some of the guys refuse to work with Ken.”
“Are they in big enough trouble for Ken to be desperate?”
She shrugged. “I suppose …”
Nick got to his feet. “Please remember to get me copies of the wills. It’s urgent.”
“What about the funeral?” she asked.
“What about it?”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“I take it it’ll be in Joburg.”
“Yes. Their priest phoned early this morning.” Gabriella took out her phone and began to read a number. “Will you contact him, please, and make the arrangements?”
Nick saved the number on his phone.
“Do you know when the police … when they’ll release the bodies?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll call and try to find out.”
She sat back, leaned her head against the backrest of the couch and closed her eyes. “You know what makes me really angry? People are going to say he got what he deserved. People who didn’t even know him. I’m telling you, that’s what the police also think. That’s why they don’t really care who did it, or why.”
“Gabi, the police can’t allow people to shoot one another in the streets. No matter who the people are. It’s important for them to find out who did it.”
“Are you covering for the police now?”
“No, I’m just stating the facts.”
When she said nothing, he sat down opposite her again. “I’m going to find you another place to stay for a while. And arrange for security.”
“Do you think my life is also in danger?”
“I don’t know what to think. That’s why I have to take precautions. I don’t want to regret not having done it.”
“I want to go to Joburg. I want to go home.”
“I don’t want Ken to go with you. And that’s the first place he’ll look for you.”
“If he wants to get hold of me, he will. No matter where I hide.”
“Okay. Promise me you won’t let him in. I don’t care if he’s suddenly winning the best-husband award.”
“I definitely won’t invite him in.”
“I’ll go home with you to pack a bag and then I’m taking you to the airport. We should still be able to get a flight.”
“Why don’t you come with me?”
“I’ll come for the funeral. I have a few things to sort out here. If Enzio pitches up in Joburg, let me know immediately.”
“After I’ve killed him.”
Nick smiled stiffly as they got to their feet. “Good idea. If you’re in prison, I don’t have to worry about your safety.”
“Nick, I want to know why my parents died and who’s responsible.”
He nodded. “Me too.”
Driving behind her in his bakkie, he phoned two security guards he trusted and told them to pack a bag as they were going to Johannesburg for a while. He called two others in Johannesburg and explained what he expected of them.
Then he phoned Brenda, gave her the three names, and told her to book seats on a flight to Johannesbur
g.
Brenda called back just as he arrived at Gabriella’s home. She had found them seats on the noon flight.
Nick was relieved to see that Ken’s car was not there. Right now, he couldn’t face one of Visser’s outbursts.
Ellie answered her phone. She had been busy the whole morning, sifting through all the information they had. Early in the morning she had called Elroy, but there had been no reply. She was glad to see his name on the screen now.
“Elroy, I’ve got to see you.”
There was a moment’s silence before he spoke. “I’m busy, but I want to ask a favour. The thing is …” He hesitated. “I want to ask you to stop looking into Clara’s disappearance. It’s dangerous. I don’t want anything to go wrong.”
“Elroy, was that a threat?”
“Nei, nei, I’d never threaten you. I’m just saying, it’s dangerous times and I don’t think you realise what kind of trouble there could be.”
“Elroy, where are you?”
“I can’t meet you now … I have something urgent to do.”
Ellie felt her neck muscles tense. Her hand curled into a fist. “Do you know who has Clara?”
When Elroy didn’t answer, Ellie looked at her phone, but she saw that the connection had not been broken.
“Elroy, you’re not like the rest. Don’t get involved with things that could hurt you. Tell me what you know and let me help you.”
“It’s not so easy, Miss. You don’t know how complicated our affairs are. I’m asking you again, please leave this thing alone. Let someone else look for her.”
“Is she still alive?”
Again the line was silent.
“Elroy, if you know where they’re keeping her, you’ve got to tell me, please!”
“I don’t know who’s got her or where she is.”
“Then why are you warning me?” She walked out onto the porch. The wind plucked at her hair and clothes. She took a few deep breaths in an effort to remain calm.
“I’m just saying … things could get very ugly. I don’t want you to end up in the middle of it.”
“I think you know who kidnapped Clara. I can hear you’re scared, but I’ll protect you. Let me meet you somewhere and we’ll talk.”
“I have to go now, Miss. Please don’t phone me again or go to my cousin’s house. And please be careful.”
“Who must I be careful of?”
Endgame Page 30